Chemical Planet

Growing preference for bio plastics on account of environmental concerns, is expected to drive global bio-PU market over the next six years. The Global Bio Polyurethane (PU) Market is expected to reach USD 37.5 million by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing demand for sustainable products from construction, automotive and footwear industries is also expected to have a positive influence on market growth. Complex manufacturing process and high cost compared to its synthetic counterpart is expected to remain a key challenge for bio-PU market participants. Flexible foam was the largest product segment and accounted for 49% of total market volume in 2013. Increasing demand from automotive and furniture industries coupled with consumer shift towards adoption of bio-based products is expected to drive this segment. Flexible foam is also expected to witness the highest growth rate over the next six years. The segment is expected to grow at an estim...

Metals are the fastest growing 3D printing materials worldwide on account of high application scope coupled with increasing demand from the medical and dental application. The Global 3D Printing Metals Market is expected to reach USD 2.86 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market has witnessed advancements, both in terms of technologies and materials, in order to facilitate low cost and mass production of the products. This would also lead to flexibility in designs and ease of manufacturing of products for wide range of applications. Numerous companies including GE have been utilizing metal 3D printing for the development of aerospace parts. In December 2016, Sigma Labs entered into a new contract with Honeywell aerospace. The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) selected the company for completion of phase III of the Open Manufacturing (OM) program. It is aimed at reducing the barriers involved in the metal 3D printing pr...