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Parabolic Trough Technology to Gain Traction in Concentrated Solar Power Market

Parabolic Trough
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Utilities

Parabolic Trough Technology to Gain Traction in Concentrated Solar Power Market

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The rapid adoption of clean energy across the decentralized grid network is projected to add impetus to the global concentrated solar power market expansion in the foreseeable future. Governments worldwide are focusing on improving the usage of sustainable energy by introducing various policies and reforms.

Likewise, high integration of the thermal energy storage technology, as well as the FDI’s and private investments in the Asia Pacific & the Middle East regions to deploy new concentrated solar power plants, will boost industry share.

The global market has been witnessing robust demand for sustainable electricity, along with mounting investments in solar integrated power grids. Furthermore, the advancements in technology to use the solar receivers with increased thermal performance, the large-scale integration of renewable energy, as well as the rapid sustainable electrical network construction will contribute to notable concentrated solar power market growth over the projected timeframe.

The energy demand across the globe has been constantly rising. Several businesses are making medium- and large-scale investments to develop solar generation farms, which in turn, can drift the regulatory policies & consumer tendencies towards solar technologies. Concentrated solar thermal systems will further gain high prominence over the coming years, due to the restructuring of various trade policies as well as investment flows across the developing economies.

Based on technology, the global concentrated solar power market from the parabolic trough segment is slated to witness remarkable traction in years to come, which is attributable to the rising number of investors, coupled with the utility inclination towards this technology. The segmental growth will also be bolstered by the shifting focus towards the advancements of thermal energy storage options and subsequent development of solar receivers to improve the collector field thermal performance. Additionally, growing R&D activities to adopt storage technology with high absorption rates and longer receiver life cycle will augment the integration of this technology.

In the parabolic trough CSP systems, the solar energy is concentrated by the parabolically curved and trough-shaped reflectors on a receiver pipe above a curved mirror surface. The heat energy is then deployed in the thermal power block to generate power in a conventional steam generator. These accelerating concentrated solar power advantages will amplify the concentrated solar power market outlook over the forecast spell.

In terms of segmentation by capacity, the ≤ 50 MW segment is set to gain significant momentum in the years ahead. The segmental expansion can be credited to the capability of the CSP units to complement the escalating energy demand across the commercial sector as well as their high applicability in small-scale industrial process heat systems to lower the level of fossil fuel consumption.

Furthermore, rising installations of solar thermal power plants across space-constrained areas, coupled with the stringent environmental regulations to ensure carbon reduction, will create ideal growing conditions for the overall concentrated solar power market over the projected timeframe. For example, in 2019, the Indian Government set 7.2% as the solar purchase obligation for the power distribution companies, which will be increased to 10.5% by 2021.

With regards to storage, the global concentrated solar power industry from the without storage segment will depict a considerable growth rate, driven by the low installation costs and complexity. Minimal capital expenditure has also led to a reduction in maintenance and operational costs. Additionally, a paradigm shift towards the installation of these without storage CSP plants due to high capacity utilization and power reliability will boost business growth.

The competitive landscape of the concentrated solar power market consists of companies namely Acciona Energy, Suntrace, Enel Green Power, Abengoa Solar, and ACWA Power, among others. These companies are targeting towards expanding their regional footprint and product portfolio by implementing strategies such as M&A and business expansions.

For instance, in March 2021, ENGIE reached an agreement to acquire a 100-MV concentrated solar power plant from Abengoa, which is equipped with a molten salt storage system and parabolic trough technology to enable 5.5 hours of power storage and deliver electricity during peak demand.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/concentrated-solar-power-market

Polystyrene
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The Green Deal’s “Renovation Wave” is Set to Increase Demand for Cellular Polystyrene Sheets

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films of Polymers of Styrene – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends, and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Cellular plates, sheets, and films of polymers of styrene are mainly used in construction as thermal insulation materials. The development of this market directly depends on the construction industry and the situation in the economy as a whole.

The EU market for cellular plates, sheets, and films of polymers of styrene is estimated at $3.7B, according to IndexBox data. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. In physical terms, it amounted to approx. 1.3M tonnes.

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption of cellular plates, sheets, and films of polymers of styrene in 2019 were Poland (273K tonnes), Germany (257K tonnes), and the Netherlands (128K tonnes), together accounting for 52% of total consumption. Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Romania, the UK, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36% (IndexBox estimates).

In value terms, Germany ($883M), Poland ($683M), and France ($320M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2019, together accounting for 51% of the total market. These countries were followed by Austria, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania, which together accounted for a further 38%.

The countries with the highest levels of polystyrene cellular plates, sheets, and films per capita consumption in 2019 were Lithuania (9.89 kg per person), Austria (9.43 kg per person), and the Netherlands (7.44 kg per person).

The pandemic has made a significant impact on the construction industry. The key issues faced by enterprises include a lack of capital investments amid the extreme uncertainty and disruptions in the supply chains. Disposable incomes also decreased, making mortgage loans less affordable. Moreover, to contain the spread of COVID-19, construction work in many countries has been suspended for a while. A sharp decrease in the number of facilities under construction led to a drop in demand for building materials, including polystyrene sheets.

The impact of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be rather short-term. According to Euroconstruct’s estimates, the construction volume in Europe is expected to plummet by more than 7% in 2020, but the growth is expected to resume in 2021. This, however, subjects to a substantial risk of the second and possible subsequent waves of the pandemic.

The recovery of the construction industry is feasible along with the post-pandemic growth of the European economy as a whole. After the lifting of restrictive measures, many industries try to bounce back from the shocks, which should contribute to a faster recovery of the economy.

Furthermore, in 2019, the European Commission adopted the European “Green Deal” action plan, the main goal of which is to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and zero total environmental pollution. According to the European Commission, buildings account for 40% of the energy consumed, thereby making it an important issue to improve their power consumption efficiency.

To address this issue, within the “Green Deal” agenda, the “Renovation Wave” plan was announced, with a strategic aim to double the volume of building renovations to reduce overall energy consumption. Particular attention will be paid to the renovation of social housings, which should also contribute to saving household expenses. New building designs should be energy efficient, therefore, the main emphasis will be placed on more effective climatic protection of buildings. By 2050, it is planned to renovate up to 85-95% of facilities in the European Union, which will require the intensive use of thermal insulation materials.

While the economic recovery from the pandemic could take several years, the renovation plan will provide the additional incentive that could accelerate the recovery of the construction sector and support demand for cellular plates and other insulation materials. Driven by increasing demand for polystyrene cellular plates, sheets, and films in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Given this background, the market performance is forecast to expand with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.4M tones by the end of 2030.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

nonwoven
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Increased Awareness of Personal Care & Hygiene to Spur the Usage of Spun Bond Nonwovens

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Spun bonding is a popular method of developing polymer-induced nonwovens. Spun bond nonwovens consist of filaments developed by an integrated process of web formation, bonding and fiber spinning. Spun bonds skip the intermediate steps like staple formation, making it the shortest way to develop fabrics from polymers. This helps in increasing the product whilst reducing its cost.

The process of spun bonding is complex, and it includes operational parameters like die and polymer temperatures, polymer throughput, quenches environment, etc. It also includes material parameters like molecular weight, type of polymer. All these factors together influence the fiber structure, fiber diameter, tensile performance, web lay down and physical performance properties of spun bond fabrics.

Spun bond method offers excellent tensile characteristics with respect to the fabric weight. Also, subtle modifications in the production process like changing the cross-section, crimp or degree of bonding helps in producing the necessary property balance to satisfy the requirements of end-users.

A wide range of applications across various industries to stimulate the demand for spun bond nonwovens

Spun bond fabrics are found useful in many sectors like civil engineering, carpet backing and diaper linings. Some other applications of spun bond nonwovens include roofing, packaging, agriculture, electronics, coating substrate, etc.

Characteristics like high chemical stability, high elasticity, high barrier quality and high liquid absorbance. They are used for producing protective apparel like surgical coats, masks, and aprons owing to their excellent barrier protection characteristics.

Fabrics like geotextiles are produced using staple fibers due to their flexibility in choosing the polymer type and greater latitude. Also, with excellent extensibility, these fabrics can obtain higher tear resistance.

Polypropylene – the go-to polymer for nonwoven production

Polypropylene is the most common polymer to be used for producing spun bond nonwovens. They have a high melting point which proves beneficial in processing these fabrics. Their fibers can be softened enough to form a bond with other fibers without compromising their fibrous properties. This has eliminated the necessity of using chemical binders. It also saves energy and is environment-friendly. Baby diapers and other similar products largely use thermally bonded cover stock which can increase the usability of polypropylene.

Asia Pacific to emerge as a lucrative hub

Increased disposable income along with rapid developments in the personal care and hygiene sector has boosted the usage of spun bond nonwovens in Asia Pacific. Also, the rising birth rate has increased the demand for baby care products, thus stimulating the usage of nonwoven fabrics in the region.

Many industry players are expanding their business operations and strengthening their market positions through strategies like collaborations, product launches, etc. For instance, Avgol Nonwovens are relocating their current spun melt line from Israel to India. This shift was executed as part of a strategic investment in the country. The company is strategizing to expand its service and presence not only across India but throughout South Asia. Such business expansions will bolster the usage of spun bond nonwovens.

mollusc
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While the European Mollusc Market Struggles with the Pandemic, Brexit Emerges Another Serious Threat to the UK’s Producers

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Molluscs (Scallops, Mussels, Cuttle Fish, Squid, and Octopus) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends, and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Molluscs are one of the best-known types of seafood in the EU. These include scallops, mussels, cuttlefish, squid, and octopus, etc. The market is well established and characterized by a high rate of per capita consumption in comparison with other regions. Molluscs are traditionally used in Mediterranean cuisine, they can be consumed on their own or as an ingredient in traditional dishes. Since molluscs have been a well-known and popular product for a long time, their consumption is mainly determined by the population size and the dynamics of disposable incomes.

In 2019, the EU molluscs market amounted to $3.6B (IndexBox estimates). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $3.8B in 2018 and then fell modestly in the following year. In 2019, molluscs consumption totaled 674K tonnes, flattening at 2018 figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of molluscs consumption in 2019 were Spain (309K tonnes), Italy (176K tonnes), and Portugal (41K tonnes), together accounting for 78% of total consumption. France, Greece, Germany and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%. In value terms, the largest mollusks markets in the European Union were Spain ($1.5B), Italy ($1B), and France ($280M), with a combined 77% share of the total market. The countries with the highest levels of molluscs per capita consumption in 2019 were Spain (6.61 kg per person), Portugal (4 kg per person) and Italy (3 kg per person).

Since the beginning of 2020, due to restrictive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market has been facing significant challenges related to the destruction of the usual sales channels and disruptions in the supply chains. The HoReCa sector was almost completely paralyzed for several months, which significantly reduced the demand for molluscs and other types of seafood. However, retail sales did not decline as much as in-store food demand increased as consumers cook more at home and buy more products suitable for long storage. Another threat came from the possible disruption of molluscs supply chains due to the lower transport activity and quarantine restrictions.

The mollusc market is expected to contract over 2020 amid a marked drop in demand from the HoReCa sector, and will resume weak growth in 2021 as the HoReCa and tourism sectors find their ‘new normality’. In the medium term, the market is expected to grow moderately with a CAGR of +1.0% between 2020 and 2030, which is projected to bring the market to 703K tonnes by the end of 2030. However, these expectations are vulnerable to a risk of intensifying the second wave of the pandemic.

Brexit poses another significant threat to the mollusc market, a problem even more serious for the UK itself than for the EU. After Brexit, the rules for third countries apply to the UK from 2021, and therefore the vast majority of mollusc sales are no longer legal since the EU cannot import mollusc from Class B waters.

Before Brexit, the UK was the third-largest mollusc exporter in the EU, with shipments of 11K tonnes in 2019. Meanwhile, Spain (145K tonnes) remains the major exporter of molluscs, comprising near 64% (IndexBox estimates) of the total exports. Portugal (25K tonnes) held the second position in the ranking.

Although the UK’s share of total exports is relatively small, more than $72M of shipments are at stake (at wholesale prices excluding retail margins), not to mention possible losses of incomes for British mollusc producing staff. Without a special agreement, the mollusc trade between the UK and EU countries cannot continue normally, and this situation threatens the existence of export-oriented British producers. The need for COVID testing for drivers delivering goods to the EU poses another threat as it degrades the quality of seafood due to delays.

The pandemic, coupled with the UK’s exit from the EU, could lead to noticeable changes in the European mollusc market, which will not only affect sales channels and supply chains but also lead to market redistribution among producers from other countries.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

startup
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Top Cities

Cities With the Most Startup Businesses

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Startups are a significant driver of the U.S. economy. Each year, thousands of entrepreneurs launch new businesses that create jobs and spur innovation and efficiency across the market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 420,000 startups accounted for 2.2 million new jobs in 2018.

Unfortunately, entrepreneurship in the U.S. has been declining for decades. In the late 1970s, the startup formation rate in the U.S.—defined as the number of new firms in a given year divided by the total number of firms—was nearly 14 percent. Four decades later, the rate was just above 8 percent

One of the major factors contributing to this trend is firm concentration. In recent decades, many sectors have shown a trend toward consolidation and greater concentration in the market, making large firms even larger and more successful through economies of scale, network effects, and other incumbent advantages.

Economic downturns also tend to slow startup formation, and the Great Recession’s effects on new business creation have proven to be especially stifling over the last decade. Unlike in past recessions, when a dip in startup activity has been followed by a period of growth, the overall startup formation rate fell in the wake of the Great Recession and has more or less remained flat at around 8 percent since. With less economic security due to a long, uncertain recovery, many potential entrepreneurs chose to minimize their risk and forgo new business opportunities. This is especially true of many would-be founders now in their late 20s and 30s, who graduated in a poor job market with large debt burdens.

This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought even more economic hardship, and the unique circumstances of this downturn have created an even more complicated picture. In addition to the typical barriers to entrepreneurship that a recession creates, different industries face divergent fortunes in the era of shutdowns and social distancing. Certain sectors have become even more entrenched in daily life, creating new opportunities for growth in areas like e-commerce, video conferencing, online education, and collaboration tools. On the other hand, COVID-19 is likely to further suppress startup activity in many sectors like accommodation, food services, and retail. In recent years, these fields have experienced stagnant or declining startup formation rates. Today, the prospect of entering these industries will become even more daunting with consumer concerns about health and safety stifling demand and increasing overhead costs.

New startup formation is distributed unevenly across geographies as well as industries. Most of the states seeing the highest rates of new business creation are based in the western and southern U.S., led by Nevada (10.39 percent) and Florida (10.16 percent). Many of these states offer some combination of business-friendly policies, low individual and corporate tax rates, relatively low costs to operate, good educational institutions, and population growth that provides both a customer base and a market for labor.

Unsurprisingly, at the metro level, most of the leading hubs for startup formation are found in the states with the highest levels of startup activity. Many locations in the West and South continue to see strong rates of new business creation and associated job growth. To find out which metros are leading the way, researchers at Roofstock calculated the trailing five-year average startup formation—defined as the number of new firms in a given year divided by the total number of firms. The research team also analyzed the impact of startup activity on job growth.

Here are the large metropolitan areas with the most startup business activity.

Metro

Rank

Startup formation rate

Annual startup formations

Annual new jobs created by startups

Jobs created by startups as a percentage of all new jobs
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV     1      11.44%     3,467     21,074 17.82%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL     2      10.95%     4,861     25,533 16.68%
Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX     3      10.61%     3,858     21,357 16.49%
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL     4      10.46%     14,894     69,769 18.57%
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX     5      9.82%     10,731     69,696 15.11%
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO     6      9.64%     5,590     28,485 14.69%
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ     7      9.63%     6,108     37,785 14.02%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA     8      9.52%     9,140     48,582 14.14%
Jacksonville, FL     9      9.50%     2,474     11,796 14.41%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX     10      9.48%     9,214     55,475 14.44%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA     11      9.47%     24,718     144,716 18.05%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL     12      9.47%     5,174     25,792 12.31%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA     13      9.40%     4,867     28,137 16.10%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA     14      9.28%     5,599     27,338 15.13%
St. Louis, MO-IL     15      9.09%     4,715     19,078 12.22%
United States     –      8.13%     423,148     2,285,251 14.12%

 

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, you can find the original report on Roofstock’s website: https://learn.roofstock.com/blog/cities-with-most-startups

solar water heater
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Utilities

Global Solar Water Heater Market Forecasted for Healthy Growth by 2025

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According to a recent study from market research firm Global Market Insights, the solar water heater market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $1 billion to over $3 billion by 2025, gaining remarkable traction over 2020 to 2025 period.

Growing demand for cost-effective, advanced, and energy-efficient water heating solutions would expand the solar water heater industry landscape in the forthcoming years. Solar water heaters, also known as solar domestic hot water systems, are a cost-effective way to generate hot water in any climate. These solar water systems are comprised of two major components, which are storage tanks and solar collectors.

The installation of solar water heating systems usually costs more than conventional heating systems. However, incorporation of these systems in domestic and industrial settings minimizes fuel and gas bills by up to 50% – 80% and reduces carbon emission produced by other water heater systems.

Growing awareness towards sustainable sources of energy will substantially augment the adoption of solar water heaters. According to a Global Market Insights, Inc., forecast, the global solar water heater market size is estimated to surpass $3 billion by 2025.

Flat plate collectors are used to collecting solar energy, which is further used to heat water in the home for washing, bathing, and heating water pools and others. The benefits of the product such as low cost, simple design, and comparatively easier installation than other hot water heating systems will augment its demand for most residential and small commercial hot water applications.

Increasing demand for energy-efficient water heating systems in commercial and household settings would boost the adoption of flat plate collectors.

Evacuated tube collectors are comprised of transparent glass tubes and metal absorbers which increases absorption of solar energy and reduces heat loss. On account of such features, these collectors are broadly used in commercial applications across the U.S.

The thermosyphon system is the commonly known solar-heated hot water system. These commercially available solar hot water systems work by combining a storage tanker and roof-mounted flat plate collector. Growing demand for cost-effective, nature-friendly, energy-efficient, and capacity solar water heater solutions from commercial establishments will increase their deployment in the coming years.

The European solar water heater industry is expected to witness significant growth owing to several government initiatives to increase the adoption of renewable sources of energy. Such initiatives include priorities set by the European Union in the energy field for the development of energy production from renewable resources. The renewable resources development targets reducing the dependence on scarce fossil fuels and minimizing CO2 emissions.

Reportedly, the adoption of energy-efficient water heaters and household spaces can save European people over €60 billion by 2020, including electricity saving of nearly 600 TWh and reduction of CO2 emission up to 135 million tons. In several northern European countries, hot water and space heating systems are jointly used to provide 15 to 25% of home heating energy.

China leads the global industry in terms of solar water heaters installations which accounts for nearly 30 million in Chinese households. The widespread product deployment is mainly due to its functional effectiveness in cloudy weather and at even low temperatures. In several climates, these systems can render up to 85% of domestic hot water energy.

Source:  https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/solar-water-heater-market

metal coil
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Demand for Metal Coil Lamination to Expand Across Appliances Industry

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Metal coil lamination industry trends will be significantly driven by the increasing demand from the appliances, metal construction, automotive, and food & beverage packaging sectors. There is an incessant requirement to enhance the appearance and durability of various products and components in these applications. Metal coil lamination refers to the process of applying colored PVC/PET films and electro-galvanized galvalume or stainless-steel to the metal coils to upgrade their visual aesthetics.

To add further, metal coil lamination machines offer maximum weatherability, fire & chemical resistance, durability, processability, non-toxicity, versatility, and are easy to maintain. These factors have increased their suitability in elevators, furniture, storage equipment, and upholstery.

As per estimates, the global metal coil lamination market size will reach a yearly revenue of more than USD 5 billion by 2026.

Higher deployment of metal to polymer film lamination

Industry share of the metal to polymer film segment was valued at a significant number owing to their growing preference over metal to metal coating. This is because thin polyester films render protection against outdoor exposure. This method of metal coil lamination changes the appearance of ordinary indoor metals to imitate far better-priced materials such as wood, stone, marble, and granite. For instance, Texcover Lamination Film is a superior polyester film that is extensively adopted to decorate coiled metals.

Major uses in appliances

The application of metal lamination coils in the appliances industry is likely to gain considerable traction. This is due to the antimicrobial and fingerprint resistance properties offered by the laminated coils. They also are effective to eliminate over 99% of bacteria that appear in the vicinity of the appliances. They also impart a new look to the appliances by coating their entire surface, interiors, hemmed edges, as well as tubes.

Rising adoption across automotive and metal construction

Demand for metal coil lamination in the automotive sector is expected to hit an exponential growth rate. This can be attributed to the provision of extended corrosion warranties to automotive manufacturers based on metal lamination. Furthermore, in the construction of automobiles, the metal laminated coils offer maximum protection to inaccessible cavities against corrosion.

The metal coil lamination market size across the metal construction applications will be valued at a substantial revenue share owing to their energy-efficient features. There is a growing focus to enhance the external look of wall panels, roofing tiles, and shakes. The laminated metal coils transform the look of metal panels and roofing materials to imitate copper patina, clay, weathered wood, and rusted metal.

Solution providers in metal coil lamination are keen on inorganic strategies like partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to amplify their global penetration. These companies are also incorporating marketing initiatives like capacity expansions to gain a competitive edge over other industry players. For instance, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, in November 2020, signed a framework deal with Konfoong Materials (KFMI) and TCPR (Shanghai) Electro-Mechanical (TCPR) to transfer its business for light metal products.

Lienchy Laminated Metal Co., Ltd, Sika AG, Jindal Poly Films Ltd., Orion Profiles Ltd., Material Sciences Corporation, Berlin Metals, Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd, ArcelorMittal, and Celplast Metallized Products some of the other key participants in the sector.

The present COVID-19 pandemic considerably drew a negative outlook on the metal coil lamination industry share in the first phase of the industrial lockdown. However, the resumption of operations across the automotive and constructions could now add positive impetus to the industry forecast.

floor covers
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Nonwoven Floor Covers Market to Witness Traction for Polypropylene Materials

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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.

fitness equipment
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The European Gym and Fitness Equipment Market Struggles against the Pandemic by Increasing Sales of Home Fitness Goods

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IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Gym and Fitness Equipment – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

After seven years of growth, the EU gym and fitness equipment market decreased by -0.5% to $3B in 2019. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% from 2012 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

The largest gym and fitness equipment markets in the European Union were Germany ($561M), the UK ($468M) and France ($337M), together comprising 45% of the total market (IndexBox estimates). These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 46%.

In 2019, the highest levels of gym and fitness equipment per capita consumption were registered in the Netherlands (3.93 kg per person), followed by Austria (1.93 kg per person), Finland (1.89 kg per person) and Belgium (1.88 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of gym and fitness equipment was estimated at 1.21 kg per person.

Gym and fitness equipment features several main uses: private home use for personal training, fitness club equipment for commercial use, professional and amateur sports club equipment, and government and non-government agencies and organizations.

Accordingly, the key fundamental drivers of the demand are, on the one hand, the growth of the population and its income, as well as the trend towards the popularization of a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, the overall economic growth in the EU and the growth of public and private investments also contribute to the growth in demand.

If these trends continue, the gradual growth of the gym and fitness equipment market could be expected to retain. In early 2020, however, the global economy entered a period of crisis caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to battle the spread of the virus, most of the European countries implemented quarantine measures that put on halt production and transport activity, which undermined economic growth heavily.

Large-scale quarantine measures constitute the key disruptive factor, due to which production dropped across almost every industry and entire economic sectors are closed, such as catering, non-food retail, and personal services. This leads to an increase in unemployment, a decrease in household incomes, and, consequently, changes in consumer spending.

However, the impact of the crisis on the gym and fitness equipment market in Europe is not unequivocally negative, unlike many other markets. On the one hand, quarantine measures and the fear of infection make it much more difficult to visit commercial fitness clubs, which are deprived of funds to pay rent and loans.

On the other hand, the quarantine and remote work regime is causing a sharp increase in demand for fitness equipment for private use. Not being able to visit fitness clubs, many people keep training at home and therefore buy more equipment online with delivery. This suggests that the fundamental prerequisites for the market’s return to growth persist even against the backdrop of the pandemic; however, the surge in the demand for home fitness equipment may turn to stagnation for a while when the pandemic wanes.

Based on these assumptions, a stagnation in market volumes is expected in 2020, but then the market is to begin to grow gradually. Should the pandemic wane, the market is expected to continue its upward trend due to the rising population (incl. immigrants) and stable demand for gym and fitness equipment. In the prospect of the upcoming decade, the performance of the market is forecast to continue moderate expansion, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to $3.3B (in fixed 2019 prices) by the end of 2030.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

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Top 5 Tips for Successful Online Stock Trading

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Many people consider online trading to achieve financial freedom or have a secondary source of income. However, stock trading is a volatile field that you need to be armed with adequate information to succeed. The information you have will guide your decision and preserve you when it gets tough.

With the level of risk involved in online trading, it is good to learn everything you can. The knowledge will go a long way to guide you and help you err on the side of caution as you trade. We have compiled tried and tested strategies that will guide you towards investing successfully in the stock market.

1. Have a Trading Plan

We can define a trading plan as a blueprint that indicates the money management system for a trader alongside the entry and exit point.

Trading does not come naturally. A blueprint is vital for guidance. It is only your passion to make money and the hard work that comes with it that could be natural for some people. Even with the right skills, one needs to build it via learning and some behaviors.

A trading plan serves as the manual for trading. This is one of the things that differentiate a professional investor from another. It is essential to have an open mind and develop the knowledge that contributes to the overall success. The trading plan does not have to be rigid; in time, one can adjust it based on experience as you trade.

The trading plan takes the guesswork out of the game. It sets out the goal and the strategy you want to use to achieve them. It also spells out your acceptable risk level. With your trading plan, making a decision will be comfortable while trading. Every trading plan needs to have a means of entry and how you will get into a market. It should spell out the indicators and the characteristics of the pricing action to attract you towards a trade. In the same way, it will guide you when to exit.

2. Always Learn From the Markets

With the risk involved in trading, you need to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge. This means that you should find a lesson from each process. You cannot fully understand and predict the market and everything that comes with it. As a result, make it a habit to keep learning.

Politics, elections, world reports, pandemics, economic trends, news events, etc., can influence the market. The market system is pretty volatile and dynamic. A good understanding of the past and present market gives traders a good insight into what the future holds.

With research and insights from the Forex blog, you will understand the facts and interpret various economic reports.

3. Always Have a Stop Loss

Unless you are not willing to accept reality, the loss is inevitable in stock trading. The silver lining, however, is that you can control how much you lose. This is where a stop loss comes in.

A stop loss is like a particular risk value that each trader is willing to accommodate with every trade. It can either be a dollar amount or a specific percentage. The idea is to shield you from excessive risk in the trade. A stop loss is good psychologically as it allows you to accept that you will not lose more than what you set.

While we desire to exit all trade with a profit, this is far from the truth. Consider a stop loss as your imaginary personal protective equipment to mitigate risks. Make sure you always use a stop loss, even if you feel you are a professional trader. If you lose a trading section and exit with a stop loss, the loss will be within reasonable limits.

4. Gradually Build Up Positions

As a trader, your superpower is time. To be successful in trading, your aim for buying stock is a reward. The reward can come through any means like dividends, share price appreciation, etc., which could take a long time. With this, here are two buying tricks that can shield you from the uncertainty of the market.

Dollar-cost average:

This involves a regular investment of a fixed amount of money like weekly or monthly. When the stock price is down, this amount will purchase more shares, and fewer when the price rises. The central idea is to even-out the average price you give out.

Buy “the basket”:

It might be challenging to predict which company will benefit you in the long run. In this case, you buy all of them. This gives you a stake in all players, benefitting from any that generates profits. Besides, the gains from the profit can help you cushion out any loss. With this strategy, you get to identify promising companies and focus on them if you want.

5. Know and Understand Yourself

Market beating strategies and your personality are two different entities. As a result, you should take the time to understand yourself. Understanding yourself involves what triggers you to make decisions and your biases.

Indiscipline and lack of patience are two attitudes one needs to deal with to be a successful trader. The first couple of years as a trader will be a steep learning curve. The various market conditions that influence trading will not come at you in a month or a year. It takes a long time. Expect to make mistakes and learn from them during the early days. At times, trading might require the patience and discipline to do nothing.

One also needs to come to terms with the fact that it is essential to have what it takes to succeed with trading. It is necessary to understand whether one is willing to give what it takes to succeed and how it fits the overall goal. There are many resources online with advice on how to trade alongside the characteristics essential to thrive. Many of those resources agree that a positive mental attitude will position you for fantastic opportunities when trading.

Conclusion

These are vital trading rules that can guide you on the side of caution while trading. Be sure to understand them and how they work together. This way, they can help you establish a successful trading strategy. Trading is hard work that requires discipline, patience, and tenacity. Going through these tips will allow you to increase your chances of success in the field.