Agricultural crops, such as corn or soybeans, are increasingly used in non-food applications, particularly among companies looking to up their sustainability cred with biodegradable or bio-based products. One such innovation is soy air filters, which use biodegradable soy protein and bacterial cellulose to filter particulate matter. Learn more about the future of these products.

Although biopesticides account for just a fraction of the massive agricultural pesticide market, human health and environmental protection interests have boosted their use and encouraged new product innovations. Learn more about why biopesticides are used and how several new products fit into the overall market.

The manufactured housing industry makes up about one-tenth of new single-family housing in the US. In recent years, a competitive environment for new units has destabilized many small manufacturers. Consequently, the industry has become increasingly concentrated as small producers close or are acquired by larger manufacturers. A Freedonia analyst weighs in on recent industry restructuring.

Expansion has always been key to the global floor covering industry. Most flooring products are fairly heavy and expensive to ship, and prompt delivery to project sites is extremely important. As a result, more companies have been expanding in developing areas in recent years, where production costs are typically lower and the less mature markets have greater growth potential.

The API’s gasoline engine oil specifications are created through an immense collaborative process between automakers and lubricant manufacturers. A new update of the standards was recently pushed back from 2017 to 2019. Learn about the update approval process, the goals for the new standards, and what this means for the synthetic lubricants market.

The much maligned and scrutinized antimicrobial, triclosan, may soon be off the market. However, the chemical’s disappearance has been slow and has left the wary consumer skeptical that regulatory changes on a federal level would ever happen.

On January 5, 2017, Sears announced that it would sell its famed Craftsman tools brand to Stanley Black & Decker. This deal reflects the shifting US retail market and perhaps also the decline of Sears. However, for Stanley Black & Decker, it marks a major opportunity to expand its already significant share of the US tool market and move into new retail channels.

Instances of bilateral mastectomies and reconstructions have seen dramatic growth and much media attention. However, the same cannot be said for the overall market for breast implants used for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. See how evolving cancer treatments and cosmetic priorities will impact the market for breast implants.

Several leading global manufacturers of internal combustion engine (ICE) filters have expanded in an attempt to increase market share and expand their operations. A Freedonia Group expert explains changes at 6 major producers, including Donaldson, MAHLE International, and MANN+HUMMEL.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) offers several advantages over other materials when used in gaskets and seals, including thermal insulation and stability in extreme temperatures. See how this material impacts the US gasket and seal market.