The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to help companies boost the production of plant-based plastic, rubber and other commercial materials. By starting a loan guarantee program, the USDA wants to make it easier for manufacturers to get low interest loans in order to expand development and manufacturing capabilities that align with this form of sustainable …
Author Archives: Rocco Panetta
Why Is Lego Changing Its Plastic Bricks?
If you’re an engineer, builder or product designer today, odds are this toy had an inspiring impact on you in your childhood. While the sets may have become greater in variety and complexity, the Lego bricks of which they’re comprised have had a remarkable staying power through generations of kids–many of whom never stop playing …
Why Are Fewer Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Being Reported And Resolved?
Recently, it’s been found that reporting foodborne illness outbreaks have been on the decline over the last decade. A report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest denoted a considerable decease in outbreak incidents from 2003 through 2012. However, cases in which identification of contaminated food and identification of source of the contaminant …
Has Coca-Cola Set The Standard For The Future Of Plastic?
There were a lot of food and processing technologies spotlighted at Expo Milano, an international technology and innovation exhibition. One of the most buzz worthy revelations came from Coca-Cola, as they unveiled a whole new type of disposable beverage container: a PET soft drink bottle made from 100% plant based material. While competing beverage manufacturers …
Is The Plastic Coffee Pod Market Soon To Be Overhauled?
You’re probably familiar with the Keurig coffee pods. Odds are pretty good you’ve used one to make a cup of coffee today. While the concept is clever, convenient, and has been embraced by consumers, many are concerned with the type of plastic used to manufacture the pods, known as “k-cups”, as well as Keurig’s effort …
What’s Behind New Sales and Gains In The Plastic Industry?
For the fifth year in a row, America plastic product manufacturers have seen increased sales and plenty of opportunities to serve automotive, aerospace, construction, retail and other industries. Why is the plastic industry continuing to see such growth, even as prosperity and rate of economic recovery fluctuates in other manufacturing sectors? In addition to a …
How Will Dietary Recommendations And Sugar Limitations Impact The Food Industry?
Too much sugar in the average American diet is amounting to serious and costly health problems in our population, but does it make sense to impose strict regulations on just one source of dietary sugar? The American Beverage Association (ABA) says no in response to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee as they …
Has Packaging Design Reached Its Peak?
If you pay attention to current packaging design and structure, there are two big factors that now rule the industry. The first is use of eco-friendly, sustainable materials that consumers are increasingly looking for, and the second is branding that’s truly different. The color, images, and text put on a package are just one part …
How Soon Will You Start Hiring Robots In Your Factory?
If you haven’t considered incorporating more automation and robotic machinery as part of your manufacturing process, you may be left behind. According to a new report from Boston Consulting Group, investment in industrial robots is expected to grow 10% a year over the next ten years, which is at least a 7% increase compared to …
Will Consumers Dictate Changes In Fast Food Packaging?
According to reports from national environmental groups fast food providers aren’t doing much to update their food packaging so that such products are recyclable and amount to less waste. While recyclable packaging options are available and some business have made the effort to incorporate more post consumer recycled materials into their disposables, many are said …