Structural Glazing: A Key Application of Construction Sealants

January 13th, 2021 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

Construction sealants have soared into popularity as an indispensable chemical material for waterproofing, flooring & joining, and structural glazing. Recognition of sustainable solutions has given fresh impetus to the construction sealants market. Construction companies are adopting sealants to boost the service life of static joints and provide an effective way to add value to building sustainability without replacing all of the existing building materials.

Contractors are catering to the demands of modern construction norms, focusing on safety and durability as traction towards sealants continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Construction sealant technologies have expanded the scope of architectural designs and bolstered the life of buildings by adding durability and flexibility to joints and materials.

With reduced energy costs come enhanced return on investment and increased resale value. Global Market Insights, Inc., projects construction sealants market size to surpass US$6.5 billion by 2024, partly attributed to the penetration of acrylic and silicone sealants.

Acrylic sealants have become a top-notch solution on the heels of their UV stability feature making them apt for exterior applications. More importantly, sealants are not vulnerable to shrinkage, making the chemical material highly sought-after for jointing, caulking, embedding, and grouting in building construction.

Of late, the footprint of acrylic sealants has become palpable in low movement joints, for sealing construction frameworks, and as an adhesive for bonding. Sealants will be an invaluable product in building facades for aesthetical and perfect finishing.

The rising prominence of silicone sealants

Silicone sealants have gained ground as a durable material that can withstand decay caused by inclement weather conditions, sunlight, or moisture. Not to mention, silicone sealants tend to leverage dramatic glass facades or suspended structures.

Contractors have shown an inclination towards silicone sealants in construction, expansion, connection, and movement joints as they boost flexibility and enable materials to absorb movement and stress triggered by untoward circumstances, such as earthquakes or wind.

At a time when energy efficiency has become the “buzz word” in the construction sealants industry, contractors envisage silicone sealants as an energy-efficient material for buildings to ward off hot or cold air and humidity from coming through cracks and joints. These sealants have an exceptional performance track record in building and construction—silicone was specified for sealing bathrooms within the prestigious apartments for the Burj Khalifa.

Sealant manufacturers are likely to up their investments in silicone to boost adhesion to a range of construction surfaces, UV stability, color stability, and high movement accommodation.

Contractors count on structural glazing through construction sealants. Here’s why

Structural sealant glazing has become popular as a high-performance application to attach metal, glass, or other panel structure of a building. Since the façade is prone to thermal stresses and wind load, structural glazing is expected to maintain cohesive integrity and adhesive.

Construction contractors are likely to cash in on the demand for innovative architectural designs. Structural sealant glazing (SSG) has become ubiquitous, considering its ability to embellish the exterior aesthetics of the façade by enhancing water penetration and uncontrolled air resistance.

SSG façade has become trendier in light of the demand for sealants to provide aesthetics and protect the building from inclement weather conditions, including wind, rain, and UV. The incorporation of SSG provides contractors and architects a level of freedom to do away with the need for covers and exterior retainers.

Needless to say, structural glazing has forayed into storefronts and curtain walls, with the footprint of high-performance silicone sealants becoming more pronounced than ever before. Silicone sealants will remain pivotal to underpin the curtain wall and seal the building from the elements.

Contractors have also exhibited traction for high-modulus silicone that needs less product to construct the insulating glass units (IGUs). To put things in perspective, a high-modulus sealant has the capability to accommodate a high-stress load with less movement or strain and is sought-after where strength is required—making them trendier in structural glazing. Besides, the optimized use of high-modulus silicone will help curb the carbon footprint of the manufactured products.

Sealant manufacturers eye North America and Europe

Traction for structural sealants for water sealing and demand for high wind-load designed for building façade will remain key in the U.S. and Canada. Given that the buildings in North America need to withstand frequent or potential hurricanes, penetration of structural sealant glazing will be noticeable in the region.

Not to mention the demand for high-temperature sealants will surge as it gives assurance to contractors that building projects will resist hostile environmental conditions and will remain durable.

Europe is likely to provide lucrative growth opportunities for sealants manufacturers on the heels of demand for weatherproofing sealants witnessing an uptick in the U.K., Italy and France. For instance, silicone sealants will set the trend as they are effective for waterproofing and is resistant to moisture, chemicals and other weather conditions.

Amidst a seismic rise in construction projects, silicone sealants will spur the trend in structural glazing and weatherproofing. Sealants will remain instrumental to provide impetus to buildings to reduce or minimize infiltration of airborne contaminants, rain and wins, while boosting sustainability.

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Low-e Coating: An Energy-Efficient Solution in Coated Glass

January 12th, 2021 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

One of the most sought-after trends in real estate has been the use of coated glass as contractors seek to generate a leading-edge in the coated glass market. Innovations have paved the way towards improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Coated glass windows, for instance, play a valuable role in the energy savings of a structure.

In common parlance, buildings have a massive role in greenhouse gas emissions given that a large chunk of the global energy demand emanates from them. Not to mention windows are responsible for the greatest energy loss in the backdrop of high overall heat transfer coefficients (U-values). This is where the coated glass comes to the rescue: contractors and their commercial partners have opportunities galore to cash in on the trends that are likely to reshape the landscape.

Coated glass is used copiously in modern construction and buildings owing to aesthetic attributes, lightness to the structure, and advanced thermal insulation. Architects and contractors regard this as one of the most sought-after options since it reduces weight on the foundation and makes the building lighter as compared to construction walls.

Coated glass makes the area look far more spacious and creates a sense of “feel-good” factor with long windows and obviates external wastage. Global Market Insights, Inc., has projected the coated glass market size to surpass US$ 24.5 billion by 2024.

State-of-the-art overview of Low-E coating

The architectural glass will provide energy-saving, aesthetic and technical attributes such as thermal insulation, solar control in fenestration, and façade. Glass with low internal reflection will remain instrumental to do away with the mirror effect from inside of a building during nighttime, light transmission, and maximum visibility.

These parameters allude to mega-trends for low-E coated glass, such as double silver glass and triple silver glass. In a bid to boost the energy performance of the façade, hard-coated glass and soft-coated glass have gained impetus. While soft-coated glass balances between light transmission and energy performance, hard-coated glass strikes the balance between cost and energy performance.

Currently, contractors, architects and façade managers see coated glass thriving as an adaptable material delivering unparalleled growth potentials. Low-E coated glass has fueled the trend to reduce the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light without reducing the amount of light that enters the building.

Why Low-e glass?

Low-E coated glass has turned out to be a cost-effective and unique solution to save energy as windows were primarily regarded as the least energy-efficiency component of a building. With commercial buildings in the U.S. wasting around 30% of the energy they consume, low e-coating tends to reduce the emissivity of the glass and reduces the U-factor. Some of the “green features” of low-e glass are elucidated herewith (included but not limited to):

-Reduces UV rays that lead to less fading;

-Provides optimum visible light transmittance, reducing lighting loads;

-Reduces solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) values—transcending into cost and energy savings;

-Maintains temperature and provides insulating benefits.

Low e-coated glass has the innate ability to improve thermal comfort in the fall and winter, with stakeholders infusing funds in solar control low-e coatings (soft coat) and passive low-e coatings (hard coat).

It is worth noting that demand for soft-coated glass will be more pronounced in the U.S. as it provides better UV protection and has a decent U-value. Not to mention the soft-coated glass also reflects the warm and cool air back into the room.

Solar control glass for hospitals: a palpable trend

Contractors have upped their focus on solar control glass in hospitals to boost patient’s visual comfort and vitamin D levels, reduce anxiety and depression. Solar control glass is helping hospitals go green, thanks to its ability to reduce the need for artificial lighting and lighting costs, thereby making hospitals energy-efficient.

With low glare, energy-efficiency, optimum light transmission, indoor environment quality, and comfort, coated glass can be used effectively in hospitals. Solar coated glass is likely to add value to the performance, light transmission, and durability.

North America to be a favorable coated glass consumer

With the trend towards building new infrastructure soaring in the U.S., contractors are envisaging North America as a happy hunting ground. Glass façades in several buildings in skyscrapers, buildings and hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico have become a natural fit in North America coated glass industry.

Low-e coated glass will expand its footprint in the region as it will remain instrumental in both summer and winter seasons. For instance, it will preserve heat indoors during the winter season, while it will also ensure windows are well insulated to withstand hostile weather conditions. Traction for low-e coating will be noticeable in visible light transmittance and U-value.

The U.S. coated glass industry is expected to be replete with investments following the construction boom in the country. The U.S. construction growth will tilt towards the southern states, with Oxford Economics estimating that the industry could grow faster than China over the next 15 years, thereby instilling confidence among construction contractors.

The coated glass market is likely to be one of the most dynamic sectors as low-e glass and solar control glass have become smart choices for architectural designs to boost sustainability. Advancements in green technology to reduce energy consumption will bolster sales of coated glass as these green products have come as the most compelling evidence of the high energy efficiency performance of coated glass.

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Nonwoven Floor Covers Market to Witness Traction for Polypropylene Materials

January 7th, 2021 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

With nonwovens fabrics providing cost-effective solutions for a slew of end-use applications, nonwoven floor covers market value is slated to surge in the next five years. Nonwoven fabrics are flexible, flat, and have porous sheet structures produced by networks of fibers or interlocking layers or filaments.

Tailwinds such as flame retardancy, resilience, liquid repellency, softness, washability, bacterial barrier, strength, and sterility have augured well for forward-looking companies eyeing to expand their business portfolios. Global Market Insights, Inc., has projected nonwoven floor covers market size to witness substantial gains by 2026.

Industry dynamics and trends which are touted to boost the market outlook are delineated below:

Impact of COVID-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic having a toll on the construction industry, there are reduced opportunities for the purchase of existing housing. Demand for floor covers for kitchen, dining rooms, and commercial spaces may take a hit.

The silver lining is that people are spending more time in enclosures—homes, and offices. Textiles have become a tremendous tool to boost the personification of the living and working environment.

The post-COVID situation is likely to instill confidence among stakeholders as flooring is gradually being replaced in old buildings to create a novel appearance. Penetration of polypropylene material will potentially surge in the next five years.

Traction towards polypropylene to drive growth

Traction for non-woven polypropylene products in a slew of household applications has become more pronounced than ever before for cleaning and aesthetic applications. High-quality polypropylenes have set the trend in living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms as demand for safe, comfortable, hygienic solutions continue to surge.

More importantly, tremendous chemical resistance, low price, low heat resistance, and low physical properties of polypropylene have furthered triggered growth in the market share.

Polypropylene floor covering will witness pressing demand in light of antibacterial potential, tremendous chemical resistance to acids, high abrasion resistance, and insulation abilities. It is worth noting that hydrophobic and low thermal conductivity features make PP a highly sought-after material.

Trends in commercial settings become noticeable

The palpable trend for nonwoven floor covers in both residential and commercial settings has mustered up the confidence of stakeholders. Stakeholders are buoyed by the fact that nonwoven floor covers have good density and high tear strength, making them highly sought-after in commercial spaces.

Traction for nonwoven textiles for commercial coverings in offices will accentuate the growth of floor covers as the textiles help reduce the costs for sound and thermal insulating materials. Not to mention floor coverings are abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and have tear strength.

Impressive demand for nonwovens in commercial spaces will largely depend upon the sustainability factor of the covering. For instance, nonwoven floor covers are fueling the trend in public buildings such as hospitals, offices, and hotels. As they do not reflect light, they are being used for glare reduction in the indoor ambiance in the commercial landscape.

Growth opportunities in North America and Asia Pacificconstr

North America is likely to come up as a happy hunting ground in light of the growing footprint of polypropylene and polyamide floor covers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Bullish demand for nonwoven floor covers has encouraged manufacturers to expand their penetration. Application of nonwoven floor covers made of polyamide and polypropylene may gain considerable grounds in the U.S. landscape.

With a steady rise in construction activities, demand for nonwoven floor coverings in residential and commercial spaces in India and China will fuel APAC nonwoven floor covers market outlook. Recent years have witnessed increased traction towards polypropylene floor coverings, with end-users focusing on noise level reduction.

Fluctuating prices to derail growth

Some of the factors such as fluctuating prices and sense of odors may dent the market size expansion.

Nonwovens will be highly sought-after in home furnishing, bedrooms, dining halls and living rooms, while commercial spaces will also be a major recipient of the floor coverings. With resistance to bacteria, comfortable and lightweight attributes associated with polypropylene, strong demand for PP will spur the market value.

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Burgeoning Interest in Pre-Packaged Foods to Foster Bakery Packaging Market Growth

January 6th, 2021 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

The bakery industry is among the most prominent food sectors worldwide. Given the widespread preference for baked goods such as bread and cakes, the production of these items is witnessing exponential growth. In India, for instance, the production of bakery products such as biscuits, cakes, buns, bread, and pastries among others, is estimated to be over 3 million tons annually.

A majority of bakery products produced at both retail and wholesale levels have a considerably short shelf life at ambient temperatures. These foods a susceptible to spoilage due to contaminants like mold, which arises mainly from fluctuations in storage temperature and excessive water activity. One of the key ways to avoid these impacts is the use of proper bakery packaging.

In order to mitigate the risks of spoilage therefore, the bakery packaging market is making significant strides towards developing novel and innovative solutions in recent years.

The growing prevalence of frozen food products will drive the need for more robust packaging for bakery items

In recent years, the prevalence of frozen goods has seen a significant rise, mainly due to the extended shelf life they offer. Furthermore, as the use of devices like microwave ovens grows more popular, the introduction of frozen baked goods in the market has also grown exponentially, thereby propelling the need for robust packaging solutions.

One of the most promising baked food packaging solutions in recent times is the development of Modified Atmosphere Packaging or MAP, which uses a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the gas atmosphere to offer a suitable bakery packaging solution for frozen goods.

Baked items such as baguettes, pita, bagels, tortilla wraps, and other forms of bread are the most suitable items for MAP, as they have low water content, and are susceptible to spoilage due to microbes like mold.

The use of CO2 in modified atmosphere packaging solutions is also gaining rapid traction, as it helps to make the packaging easy to test for discrepancies like leaks.

Improper use and high contamination risks associated with baked goods packaging may impede market growth

The bakery packaging industry could face certain roadblocks to its growth, owing to potential product contamination stemming from foreign objects associated with packaging bags. Stringent control and safety protocols are required in order to mitigate the risk of these situations.

Furthermore, plastic packaging for bakery items is highly susceptible to product contamination, especially in areas like flour bins, scaling equipment, etc. Also, improper use and disposal of bakery packaging materials could lead to a higher risk of cross-contamination.

Use of flexible packaging emerges as a key trend for the bakery packaging market

Flexible packaging is gaining massive ground in the modern era, as an ideal solution for the transportation and storage of various bread and other bakery goods. These packaging solutions demonstrate significant benefits such as malleability, convenience, and a higher product-to-package ratio as compared to its counterparts, especially for storage on pantry shelves and countertops.

Flexible packaging, such as bags, pouches, wrappers, form-fill pouches, and others also offer many value-added benefits like lightweight, low transportation costs, and smaller carbon footprint, which has led to its rising adoption in the packaging of bakery items.

To that end, TIPA, a sustainable packaging developer announced the launch of a novel bio-based and compostable flexible packaging in the United Kingdom. While it demonstrates similar properties to regular plastic packagings, such as durability, impermeability, and transparency, TIPA packaging is able to biologically decompose in 180 days, becoming a soil fertilizer, similar to an orange peel. TIPA’s packaging solutions, which are printable on both sides, as well as sealable, are suited to the packaging of bakery items, fresh produce, and other such products.

Evolution of packaging materials and strong sustainability efforts are expected to generate lucrative growth avenues for the bakery packaging industry

Packaging trends have been evolving consistently over the years, with the emergence of custom baked goods packaging becoming a key contributor to bakery packaging market growth in the years ahead.

Key players in the industry are working towards developing innovative packaging solutions, in order to help bakery producers improve and maintain optimum food quality, enhance sales, whilst ensuring sustainability through reduced waste levels.

For instance, UK-based company Marks & Spencer have recently unveiled 100% widely recyclable packaging for its in-store bakery items. The novel packaging solution, which is made from paper with small plastic windows or translucent paper, can be collected for recycling purposes by more than 75% of the authorities across the UK. This innovation was part of M&S’s long-term target of making its packaging recyclable by the year 2022.

Rising demand for packaged foods in the COVID-19 period and the subsequent need for efficient baked goods packaging solutions

The global health crisis caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus in the past year has led to worldwide closures of bars, restaurants, and myriad other public food establishments, in compliance with social distancing directives. This has, in turn, increased the preference for pre-packaged bakery products, resulting in a significant shift in bakery packaging industry trends.

One of these shifts is the renewed demand for plastic packaging, which has raised concerns pertaining to the long-term effect of this packaging on the environment.

In response to these concerns, industry players such as Novolex company Waddington Europe have introduced rPET rigid packaging solutions, which allow retailers and customers to gain optimum baked good quality whilst ensuring sustainability. The company’s novel Eco Blend Pura range, which includes recyclable, 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) rigid trays, for instance, is designed to be an ideal bakery packaging solution for the circular economy concept while catering to the heightened demand for packaged foods during the pandemic.

Bakery goods and other snack foods have specific storage requirements that are addressed by the evolution of novel packaging solutions in recent years, in the form of laminates, thermoformed trays, and films. Since the demand for packaging solutions with advantageous properties such as printability, machinability, and cost-effectiveness is set to witness continuous growth in the modern era, the bakery packaging industry is bound to follow a positive growth trajectory in the years to come.

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Will Usage of Abaca Fiber Face Masks During COVID-19 Help to Reduce Wastes During the Pandemic?

December 11th, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

With the demand for face masks and other PPE equipment soaring high worldwide due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic spread, it is quite impossible to not ignore the burgeoning plastic wastes created by their disposal. According to estimates by Greenpeace Taiwan, the country produced and used about 1.3 billion surgical masks during the apex of the pandemic- from early February to mid-May. This number generates over 5,500 metric tons of general waste within a span of 3 months.

Such numbers signify that although face masks add to the general protection during the pandemic situation, they also contribute massively towards environmental degradation and landfill pollution, demanding a bio-degradable solution and substitute. This has gradually led to the emergence and usage of abaca fiber-based surgical and sustainable masks.

Recently, a Philippines-based firm- Salay Handmade Products Industries, Inc. had come forward to commercialize and supply masks made from raw abaca fibers, which boast of the property to decompose in just two months. Abaca fibers are generally rooted from banana leaf and are considered to be strong as polyester but high on the sustainability front. A proper validation on the use of abaca fibers for the production of face masks is offered by the country’s Department of Science and Technology. The researchers found that abaca mask is potent of absorbing nearly 3% to 5% of total water applied, while N95 and surgical masks absorbed 46% and 0.17% respectively.

Essentially, the abaca masks repel water far better than an N95 mask and is considered to be extremely safe for use. Although these abaca masks are eco-friendly, they are also quite highly-priced. That said, environmentalists concerned with the plastic crisis plaguing the entire planet will hopefully witness the benefit of investing in biodegradable masks providing an impetus to the global abaca fiber market.

Abaca fibers, also known as ‘Queen of natural fibers’ offer a huge potential to be used as a renewable bio-resource and are claimed to have a high content of lignin (about 9%) and cellulose (roughly 77%) that provide significant resistance to abrasion, traction, UV rays, and saltwater. These properties allow the fibers to be abundantly used for various industrial or extra-industrial applications across automotive, shipping, construction, pulp and paper, furniture, and textile industries.

Why are abaca fibers gaining massive momentum across the automotive industry?

It was in late 2004 that a major automotive giant, Chrysler-Damlier had explored the possibility of incorporating abaca or banana fiber in polypropylene thermoplastic as a substitute to glass fiber used in the exterior of most of the cars. In fact, it was reported that the company was able to demonstrate that PP composites reinforced with abaca fibers showed high structural as well as tensile strength similar to that of glass fiber. Additionally, abaca reinforced PP composites are relatively lighter compared to glass fiber, which could lead to enhanced fuel and energy saving for vehicles while also reducing their weight by up to 60%.

Elaborating further, the DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute sees abaca’s potential as a roofing material for various public utility vehicles. The polymer’s low heat conductivity could help prevent most of the sun’s heat from entering the automobile’s cab, which is especially helpful during the long summer months.

Speaking of the importance of abaca fibers in the automotive industry, the Philippines, which currently produces about 85% of the world’s abaca firmly states that the use of these fibers could potentially augment the country’s local automotive industry in the years to come.

Abaca fiber market trends across the Philippines

The Philippines has over the years remained a dominant region for the abaca fiber market as it stands to be the largest global producer of abaca fiber, ever since its introduction. Reports state that the region produces about 80% of these fibers in about 130 thousand hectares of land. The market is witnessing a massive boost owing to the mounting demand for toys, gifts, and houseware products. Not only this, rising customer inclination for lifestyle products is also stimulating the industry progression.

What has been fueling the industry growth in the Philippines is the introduction of several initiatives that look toward the promotion and production of high-quality abaca fiber in the region. The federal government is responsible for mandating and creating initiatives and measures which strengthen the hold of the country in the overall abaca fiber market while also creating additional growth opportunities for new market players to foray into the regional market.

Although the market has been expanding prolifically over the past few years, it is currently facing some challenges which might hinder its growth in the near future. A major disadvantage being the application of these fibers as reinforcement. Since abaca fibers cannot blend uniformly with polymer composites owing to their natural properties, this complicates the composite fabrication process in the textile industry, limiting its use in the overall textile business space.

Nevertheless, abaca fibers’ eco-friendly and bio-degradable properties have enabled the global abaca market to grow profusely over the span of 2020 to 2026.

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How the Demand for High-Temperature Resistant Polymers Enhances the Growth Statistics of Polyimide Fiber Market

December 10th, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

With biodegradable and eco-friendly fibers scoring an edge over synthetic polymers of late, the polyimide fiber market has been observing a renewed traction worldwide. In the last couple of years, polymers and advanced materials industry giants have faced a series of challenges pertaining to the integrity of various polymer products, a factor that has propelled the trend of natural fibers across various industries. Polyimide fiber has been identified as the most widely approved eco-friendly polymer owing to its exceptional characteristics including high decomposition temperature (560 degree Celsius), nonflammable, UV and radiation resistance, and relatively lower fire damage compared to aramid fiber.

On the research front as well, various scientific evaluations of polyimide fiber have made their presence felt, which are likely to contribute toward industrial development. Due to their aromatic structure, polyimide fibers boast of low flammability and brilliant chemical resistance while being extremely light in weight and these factors have made PI fiber market an attractive commercial proposition across the chemical industry.

Polyimide Fiber Market | Applications in the Chemical Industry

Applications in the chemical industry have indeed been cited as one of the chief arenas for the polyimide fiber industry over the past few years. One of the prominent reasons for the same being product’s massive use for filtration purposes in the industry where hot gases are involved. Since PI fibers are highly resistant to chemicals, they can be used as a supreme alternative for conventional filters generally used in chemical business space that are susceptible to high degradation thereby delivering reduced operational efficiency.

In fact, the use of PI fibers eases the performance of extreme processes while also augmenting the chemical plant’s overall productivity. Looking into these aspects, various chemical giants have begun brainstorming for the development of varied types of PI fibers to be used in chemical industries and elsewhere.

In a recent turn of events, one of the major chemical industry players- Evonik, had in late-2019 announced the launch of its new polyimide fiber named P84 HT, given the massive demands from various industries. The newly introduced product has received high acclamation owing to its improved mechanical stability and flexibility at constant high operating temperatures. In lieu of the aforementioned features, P84 HT fibers are typically developed to be used in a wide range of applications right from filter media for high-temperature filtration to thermal insulation and protective clothing.

COVID-19 and Polyamide Fibers

Given that polyimide fibers are massively being used in protective clothing, the recent trend for these is the outbreak of COVID-19 infection spread. The dreaded coronavirus pandemic, which emerged from the Wuhan province of China has to date claimed more than a million lives, leaving various businesses paralyzed. COVID-19 infection is considered to be a novel respiratory infection that is highly communicable, and this calls for use of proper protective equipment like face masks and PPE kits which could help in curbing the spread of this disease. In this regard, N95 masks are being currently deemed to be massively used protective equipment subject to their ability to restrict about 80% of aerosol particles.

Although N95 masks are considered highly effective, researchers are exploring the possibility of developing a membrane that can efficiently filter particles the size of SARS-CoV-2 and could potentially be replaced on an N95 after almost every use. In one such instance, a group of researchers reported on ACS nano that they have designed a membrane that could be attached to the N95 masks and later removed to prevent minuscule of particles to enter the respiratory tract. For this, researchers initially developed a silicon-based, porous template via lithography and chemical etching processes, and placed it over a polyimide film, standing as a barrier for the entrance of ultra-nano particles.

Also, recently a research team from City University, Hong Kong has successfully designed graphene face masks boasting of anti-bacterial efficacy of 80 percent which can only be improved to almost 100% with exposure to sunlight for just 10 minutes. An important thing to note here is that these masks can also be produced via the use of polyimide films. Speaking of which, it was reported that direct writing on carbon-containing polyimide films using a commercial carbon dioxide infrared laser system would produce 3D porous graphene, exhibiting similar graphene-like properties.

On the basis of the aforementioned, it is quite overt that although polyimide fibers or films are not directly used as a protective agent against dreaded COVID-19 infection, they still are highly important to improve the efficiency of PPE kits including face masks.

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Burgeoning Need for Facemasks Amid COVID-19 Concerns to Propel Meltblown Nonwovens Market

December 4th, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

As the demand for finer and more efficient filter media grows amid burgeoning facemask requirements, melt-blown nonwoven technology is set to gain rapid traction. Melt-blown fibers have diameters of less than 10µm, which is considerably finer than human hair of 120µm, and even cellulose fibers of 50µm.

One of the main polymers used in the production of melt-blown nonwovens is polypropylene. The raw material is melted and forced through an extruder which consists of several tiny nozzles. Once the thermoplastic synthetic material has exited the nozzles, the individual filaments, in their semi-melted form are blown by hot air in the same direction, essentially expanding them and producing extremely fine, endless fibers, within a matter of seconds.

The application scope of the melt-blown nonwoven market is vast, spanning filtration applications such as vacuum cleaner bags or cabin air filters, hygiene applications like feminine hygiene and incontinence products, medical fabrics, electronics, oil adsorbents, and apparel, among others.

Growing demand for feminine hygiene products and adult incontinence products will drive melt-blown nonwovens industry penetration

In the hygiene sector, nonwoven fabrics are present in a wide variety of products. From baby diapers to wet towels, to adult incontinence products to feminine hygiene products, nonwoven technology is rapidly becoming an intrinsic part of products used in nearly every phase of daily life.

One of the main end-users of nonwoven fabrics is bodyworn absorbent hygiene products. According to a study conducted by EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwoven Association), Personal Care & Hygiene represented almost 390,000 mt (36%) by weight and over 16.5 billion m² (56%) of the overall m² production of nonwovens in Western Europe in 2001.

Thus the broadening application scope of these products in various hygiene products is likely to add impetus to melt-blown nonwoven industry dynamics over the years ahead. Meltblown fabrics offer several beneficial properties like softness, lightweight, superior wet & dry strength, chemical agent-free, and dermatologically neutral characteristics, which make them highly suitable for use in products like baby diapers, which need to be designed especially for delicate infant skin.

To that end, in 2018, SABIC introduced a new lightweight & breathable PP nonwoven fabric for use in personal hygiene applications. The new material is based on its innovative PP resin product designed to enhance the properties of melt-blown fibers in nonwoven fabrics. The material, dubbed SABIC PP 514M12, is based on an odor-free and phthalate-free technology that delivers superior processability for melt-blown fibers with high spinnability, and uniformity. The resulting melt-blown nonwoven fabrics thus possess advanced barrier properties, breathability, absorption, conformability, and myriad other characteristics which make them well suited for personal hygiene products like sanitary napkins and diapers.

Stringent regulations pertaining to polypropylene usage may hamper industry growth

While melt-blown fabrics are being utilized extensively across the industrial landscape, the presence of strict regulations on PP usage by regulatory authorities worldwide may present certain roadblocks to market development over the coming years.

Stringent mandates, such as the European Union’s REACH regulation, aimed at addressing growing environmental concerns may challenge the adoption of melt-blown nonwovens.

Proliferating product use in the manufacture of facemasks is emerging as a key melt-blown nonwoven market trend

Surgical face masks have long been considered important protective measures in healthcare settings, in order to safeguard patients and staff alike. High-quality face masks are becoming crucial for healthcare professionals, particularly in the present pandemic scenario created by the novel coronavirus.

Meltblown nonwovens play a key role in this regard, as they are considered an ideal filter material for various types of masks.

In fact, the Journal of Academia and Industrial study, which compared the performance of nonwoven facemask materials with conventional and micro-porous materials over 7 main properties including liquid penetration resistance, bacterial penetration resistance, mechanical resistance, linting, drapeability, flexibility, and comfort, revealed that the nonwoven textile outperformed the conventional fabrics in four of the seven parameters.

To that end, various manufacturers are integrating the use of melt-blown nonwoven fabrics into their operations, as a response to the ever-growing need and potential shortages of protective facemasks in the COVID-19 era.

For instance, Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) announced the establishment of a new production line for melt-blown nonwovens in the Jiangsu Province in March 2020, in order to boost the supply of raw materials for face mask manufacturing during the pandemic period.

Likewise, leading packaging and paper producer Mondi also introduced new production lines in its Gronau plant in Germany, for the production of melt-blown nonwoven fabrics, as well as surgical masks. The setup of the new lines is part of the company’s efforts to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and address the growing demand for face masks from businesses, consumers, and health authorities.

Technological advancements and production expansion will facilitate growth for the melt-blown nonwoven industry

Key players in the melt-blown nonwoven industry are working on various strategic initiatives such as production capacity expansions as well as R&D efforts for nonwoven technology advancement, in order to cater to the rising product demand worldwide.

For instance, Freudenberg Performance Materials announced the expansion of its production capacity for nonwoven media used specifically for the production of certified EN14683 standard-compliant mouth-nose protection type of face masks, as well as EN149 standard-compliant FFP1, 2, and 3 masks. The materials are developed exclusively for the medical technology processing domain. Furthermore, Freudenberg has made significant investments towards the construction of a sophisticated melt-blown production line at its Kaiserslautern facility.

Meanwhile, Innovatec made a substantial investment in the development of two novel melt-blown nonwoven production lines in Europe, one of which is from Oerlikon Nonwoven. The investment is part of the company’s objective to manufacture an additional 1500 tons of nonwovens annually, which will eventually facilitate the creation of over 1.5 billion protective face masks.

Proliferating COVID-19 cases among the global population have created significant disruptions in the industrial domain, with various manufacturing facilities and supply chains taking a massive hit. With consumer purchases witnessing a marked drop across myriad product categories, several industries are facing challenges due to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the main challenges presented by the pandemic was an unprecedented surge in melt-blown nonwoven industry demand, which has historically observed stable and long-term demands. However, the melt-blown nonwoven and related industries are responding in earnest to this rise in demand, and are rapidly coming to be considered an essential part in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, given their ability to boost the production of PPE, facemasks, medical supplies, wipes, and other products required for effective COVID-19 response.

For example, in Italy, which was the first European nation to enter a lockdown, Ahlstrom-Munksjö expanded its melt-blown nonwovens capacity at its Turin plant, which is now able to produce enough material for the manufacturing of over 60 million facemasks a month.

With this rapid expansion in interest and production, melt-blown nonwoven fabrics are rapidly coming to be considered as a prominent contributor to nonwoven technology in the modern era. With rapid technical material developments and the broadening application scope of specialized polymer structures, new melt-blown fabrics will likely transcend the utility of their conventional counterparts, paving the way for a brighter and stronger forecast for the technology in the years ahead.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

How the COVID-19 Pandemic is Supporting Nanofibers Market Progression

December 1st, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

A new class of polymers and advanced materials used for an array of applications – nanofibers, are gaining more and more prominence by the day. The market is all set to record prolific gains over the span of 2020 to 2026, currently massively driven by the demand for potential, result-driven PPE kits in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Speculations have it that typical cloth masks have the ability to restrict or block only about 50% of the virus particles, leaving people vulnerable to coronavirus infection. In this case, various researches and studies have been going on across various institutions and universities to develop technologies or masks that could provide maximum security and safety from dreaded SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A team of engineers from BYU Engineering announced introducing a new technology that can help protect against COVID-19 via traditional face masks. As per news reports, the team created a new filter by electrospinning nanofibers- fibers posing an electric charge that attracts coronavirus particles. Moreover, the filter when placed in typical face masks would restrict up to 95% to 99% virus particles, while also being easy on breathability and air circulation. This move is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities to the overall nanofibers market, which is currently fueled by massive applications in vivid industries including the medical, pharmaceuticals, and electronics sectors.

Insights into the medical and pharmaceutical use of nanofibers

Industry experts recently put forth an assumption stating that nanofibers can help protect against unintended pregnancies and HIV-1, emerging as a perfect solution for producing contraception devices. It was in 2012 that a team from the University of Washington came up with the idea of developing a versatile platform to offer contraception and prevent HIV via the use of an electrically spun cloth with nanofibers. It was reported that these fibers can dissolve to release drugs, offering a platform for discrete, reversible, and economic protection. The idea in fact was so well acclaimed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced providing a grant of USD 1 million to pursue the technology.

Nanofibers also help in healing wounds and injuries in joints while also looking after blood clotting. It is worth noting that across the United States, about 54 million people suffer from arthritis, which might or might not lead to joint injuries. Also, more than 1 in 4 adults with arthritis report severe joint pain or joint injury, raising demand for nanofiber solutions and bandages.

While considering bandages, it would be important to mention that wound healing in people above the age of 60 years takes relatively more time than in the younger population. In this case, the geriatric population is looking for products that could heal their clots or wounds in a reduced time span. In accordance, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, in partnership with the National University of Singapore, developed a bandage made of superhydrophobic hemostatic nanofiber composites that help blood clot faster while also easing detachment after clot shrinkage.

As per news reports, the novel innovative bandage is based on an SHP surface with immobilized carbon nanofibers which accelerate fibrin growth and convey anti-bacterial properties. Such innovations have opened growth opportunities for nanofibers in the medical and pharmaceutical realm.

The latest trend in the nanofibers market

The globe is currently witnessing the dreaded impact of COVID-19, which has to date claimed umpteen lives and left several businesses on standstill. However, the nanofibers industry has been observing huge growth over the past few months, mainly due to the product’s use in developing protective face masks to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although normal cloth masks are being highly preferred across the globe by almost everyone, children are still struggling with such masks. This has indeed prompted various companies and research institutions to go nine yards for the production of face masks that are made especially for children and offer potential protection from viruses.

In one such incidence, the Korea Advanced Institute has recently developed a nano-particle face mask specially designed for pediatric use. Claimed to filter about 97% airborne particles, the AirBon mask is manufactured via an insulation block electrospinning process and is considered to be water-resistant, with no deformation in nano-membrane structure, even post 20 repeated washes.

Trends like these indicate positive growth dynamics for the nanofibers market over the foreseeable time frames.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Trucking

3 Prominent Trends Driving Tire Cord and Fabric Market Growth

November 21st, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

Automobiles are complex structures, made up of several different parts that contribute to the long-term functioning and efficiency of the system. From the gearbox to the engine, to the steering and suspension, to brakes, and more, each part of the vehicle serves a certain purpose.

Arguably one of the most important components of a vehicle is the tires. Tires are the parts the connect the vehicle to the surface and play a key role in making vehicles stop, steer, and move.

Considering the prominence of the components in a vehicle, the internal structure of a tire is of great importance, given that it is responsible for the strength and reinforcement of the tire. Tires are made of several different layers. The first is the outer layer that comes into contact with the road surface, known as the tread, which has imprinted patterns that help maintain vehicle directionality and maximize braking and cornering performance. Next comes the carcass, which acts as the skeleton of the tire’s insides, and holds the weight of the vehicle. The carcass is overlapped by tire cords, which secure the tire to the wheel, and are wound together at the end of the last part, the bead.

Tire cords and tire fabrics especially are key reinforcing materials for the tires and are designed to maintain the quality of the tires and improve durability. In earlier days, cotton was a prominently used cord fabric in vehicle tires. However, modern tire cord materials include rayon, nylon, polyester, and steel, among others. These materials offer several beneficial properties such as controlled deformation, high tensile strength, and abrasion resistance, which have contributed to their use as core components in the global tire cord and tire fabrics market in recent years.

Steel continues to garner interest as the preferred tire cord material

Steel first began to draw attention as a cord material in the late 1930s, when Michelin developed the first tire with steel cord plies for large buses and trucks, in order to reduce the ply-count of the tire whilst maintaining optimum strength. This development enabled the reduction of ply-counts to the two-to-four range, which in turn contributed to a significant drop in heat generation and resulted in prolonged tread life.

Over the years, radial tires began to gain popularity even in passenger vehicles. As the adoption of these tires began to rise, so did the demand for steel cords. Given that steel has higher tensile strength than rayon or nylon, the material quickly became the core tire cord material for radial tires, which require great tensile strength. Studies suggest that the production of steel cords and tire bead wires in South Korea crossed over 223.8 thousand metric tons in 2019.

Steel cords are made predominantly from strands of high-strength carbon steel and are used in the reinforcement of radial tires. These steel cords are a combination of many think wires, designed to improve the shock absorption capabilities of the tire, whilst ensuring optimum passenger comfort. Furthermore, the use of high-grade steel in tire cords can help the tire withstand high levels of stress, thereby enhancing the safety and stability of the vehicle during driving.

Strategic initiatives among industry players open up lucrative growth prospects for the tire cord and tire fabrics industry

Many key players in the global tire cord and tire fabrics market are implementing a range of organic and inorganic growth strategies to strengthen their position in the global business landscape, as well as to create new opportunities for the development of advanced tire fabrics.

To illustrate, Indorama Ventures Public Co Ltd joined hands with Jet Investment in 2018, to acquire the largest producer of tire cord fabrics in Europe, Kordárna Plus. The deal included one production site each in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, leading to a combined tire cord and tire fabrics production capacity of more than 57,000 tonnes annually.

Likewise, in May 2020, global materials solutions provider Trinseo completed its acquisition of Synthomer plc’s VP latex (vinyl pyridine latex) business. VP latex is one of the main ingredients in tire cord fabric binders and is responsible for creating a strong bond between the rubber and the tire cord during the manufacturing process. The deal included the transfer of customer lists, product recipes, and other intellectual property associated with Synthomer’s tire cord binders business to Trinseo.

Burgeoning interest in environmentally friendly and bio-based alternatives for conventional cord materials

Proliferating concerns regarding GHG emissions across the globe, alongside the rapid depletion of natural resources owing to expanding consumer demands, is prompting the tire cord and tire fabrics industry to work towards developing more sustainable options for tire reinforcement in recent years.

Modern passenger car tires consist largely of tire cords made from polyamide 6.6, which is derived from 100% fossil sources. In order to address this, PHP Fibers initiated a research project to find sustainable alternatives to polymer materials for tire reinforcement. In the study, PHP found bio-based polyamide polymers PA 6.10, PA 10.10, and PA 4.10 to be suitable candidates. These polymers contain sebacic acid, which is a dicarboxylic acid derived from castor oil, as a key building block in their molecular structure.

Upon investigation, these bio-based polyamide polymers showed distinct advantages over their fossil-based counterparts, in the form of less moisture pickup, lower density, and low to negative emission of carbon dioxide.

Archives, Banking, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Payments Processing Solutions Market to Witness Steady Growth During 2020-2026

November 20th, 2020 Global Market Insights Leave a comment

According to a recent study from market research firm Global Market Insights, the payments processing solutions market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $60 billion to over $140 billion by 2026, gaining remarkable traction over the 2020 to 2026 period.

The payments processing solutions market is set to record significant gains over the forthcoming timeframe due to the increasing digitalization of payment methods, growing adoption of mobile wallets, and increasing popularity of cashless transactions. As the consumer preference for m-commerce rises, in tandem with the high penetration of smartphones, the preference for payment processing solutions is becoming more and more apparent.

Payment processing refers to how transactions are being automated between the merchant and the customer. Online payment processing further enables merchants to allow for any add-on payment methods, simply by setting up recurring payments, or approving transactions remotely. In other words, a payment gateway means software that interfaces in a secure manner between an eCommerce website and a customer’s preferred payment mode.

The mode of payment could be the customer’s bank account, gift card, debit card, credit card, or any other online wallets. A few examples of recognized payment gateways are Amazon Payments, PayPal, BrainTree, PayTM, Skrill, PayU among many others. As per research, nearly 86 percent of customers make online purchases via debit or credit cards, and more than 60% consider it to be their preferred method of payment while making a purchase.

At present, mobile payment acceptance is helping to satisfy the coming generation of customers with simple and seamless payment experiences. Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are changing the way business is done.

The payments processing solutions market is divided into different segments in terms of technology, deployment model, mode of payment, organization size, end-use, as well as regional landscape.

In terms of end-use, the overall payments processing solutions market is categorized into government and public sector, BFSI, healthcare, retail & commerce, and tourism and hospitality. Among these, BFSI end-user segment is anticipated to witness a respectable CAGR of more than 9% over the projected time period. The segmental growth is chalked up to the increasing digitalization of payment methods across the BFSI sector.

Government & public sector segment will witness substantial growth over the coming time period. In fact, in 2019, the segment held a market share of over 8% due to the increasing popularity of cashless transactions in federal agencies.

From a regional frame of reference, the Latin American payments processing solutions market will witness a CAGR of more than 13% through the forthcoming time period owing to the increasing penetration of mobile wallets in the region.

Meanwhile, Middle East & Africa is set to record momentous gains in the upcoming time period. In 2019, the region held over 5% industry share of the overall market. This anticipated growth is ascribed to the increasing consumer’s preference towards m-commerce. In fact, high social and digital penetration in the Gulf states or GCC has led consumers to shift to mobile or m-commerce.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/payment-processing-solutions-market

Structural Glazing: A Key Application of Construction Sealants

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