Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Explore insights from industry experts across topics like regulatory news, formulation best practices, market innovations and opportunities, and more. Want to contribute? Learn how you can share your expertise.

LATEST INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Powder Coatings for Heat-Sensitive Substrates

By Jochum Beetsma August 12, 2026

A conventional thermosetting powder paint consists of solid particles. Each particle contains all components. After … Continued

Voltage Vessels Envisions a More Circular Future

By Bob Grace August 12, 2026

A Maui-based advanced materials company is turning Hawaiʻi’s harsh marine environment and supply-chain realities into … Continued

Navigating the Next Wave of Cleaner Regulations: PFAS, Microplastics, and More

By Staff August 5, 2026

Regulatory requirements are making big moves globally and it’s important that you know what is … Continued

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Importance of Determining Plastic Pressure Drop During Injection Molding

By Paid Content | March 6, 2007

By Suhas Kulkarni, FIMMTECH As plastic flows through the different sections of the injection molding machine and the mold, because of drag and frictional effects there is a loss of the applied pressure at the flow front of the plastic. … Continued

Sliding Shutoffs & Plastic Molds

By Paid Content | February 24, 2007

By Protomold – Nobody’s Faster In The Short Run.® We’ve mentioned sliding shutoffs before, but they are both important enough and tricky enough to deserve closer attention. Done right, they can give you a lot of design flexibility; done wrong, … Continued

Improving Snapfit Design (Part 3)

By Paid Content | February 19, 2007

Paid content by BASF By Chul Lee, BASF This is the 3rd article in a series of 5 articles by BASF Engineering Plastics on Snap-Fit design. The hope is to assist design engineers achieve better results using improved principles and … Continued

Overdrying of Resins & Its Prevention

By Paid Content | February 2, 2007

By Suhas Kulkarni, FIMMTECH Background Most resins, especially those from condensation polymers absorb moisture. Nylons, acetals and polyesters are examples of such resins. The presence of moisture during the melt processing of these resins can cause the polymer to degrade … Continued

Water-Assist Injection Molding (WAIM)

By Paid Content | January 1, 2007

By Randy Fleck, BASF ABSTRACT: This article provides an introduction to the benefits of water-assist injection molding (WAIM), as well as to some of the key differences between WAIM and gas-assist injection molding. A detailed animation quickly introduces the reader … Continued

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Personal Care & Cosmetics

Beyond the Metric: Why Biotech and Regenerative Ingredients Both Belong in Your Formulations

By Barbara Olioso | August 5, 2026

Walk the halls of any major ingredients show right now — In-Cosmetics Global and Suppliers’ Day— and one word dominates the sustainability conversation: biotech. Precision fermentation and biosurfactant technologies are maturing fast, and for formulators the appeal is obvious. These … Continued

Sunscreen Formulation: Navigating the Intersection of Photobiology, Aesthetics, and Modern Regulations

By Staff | July 15, 2026

In the competitive landscape of personal care, sunscreen formulation remains one of the most challenging and technically demanding categories. As we move into 2026, the industry is shifting away from seasonal messaging toward “year-round intelligent photoprotection”. Today’s formulators must balance the rigorous physics of … Continued

Phenoxyethanol: Why It Remains a Formulator’s Go-To Preservative

By Staff | July 1, 2026

As personal care formulations become increasingly sophisticated, preservation remains one of the most critical, and frequently scrutinized aspects of product development. Consumers expect products that are safe, stable, and resistant to microbial contamination, while brands seek preservative systems that are … Continued

Next-Generation Emollient Technology

By Staff | June 17, 2026

For decades, the standard playbook for a cosmetic formulator balancing an emulsion’s oil phase relied heavily on a predictable cascading lipid model: mineral oils, petrolatum, and synthetic silicones (like cyclopentasiloxane or dimethicone) blended perfectly to achieve the desired playtime, rub-out, … Continued

Formulating for the “Skin-Intellectual”: Salicylic Acid

By Staff | June 3, 2026

In the modern personal care landscape, the “Skin-Intellectual” consumer has moved beyond simply looking for “acne-fighting” labels. They demand sophisticated textures, multifunctional benefits, and clinical transparency. For formulators and chemists, the challenge is no longer just dissolving Salicylic Acid (SA); … Continued

Plastics

Voltage Vessels Envisions a More Circular Future

By Bob Grace | August 12, 2026

A Maui-based advanced materials company is turning Hawaiʻi’s harsh marine environment and supply-chain realities into the foundation for a circular composite materials platform centered on large-format additive manufacturing. Voltage Vessels LLC, founded in 2020 by Sam Young, recognizes the challenges … Continued

The Rise of Biodegradable Plastics: What It Means for Injection Molders

By David Spielhagen | July 29, 2026

Sustainable materials are reshaping the plastics industry, and biodegradable polymers are becoming more widely used across Europe. For injection molders, this shift brings both opportunity and complexity. As regulatory pressure increases and demand for eco‑friendly products grows, molding companies need … Continued

Polyester Plastics: Properties, Applications and Material Selection Considerations

By Andy Pye | July 29, 2026

Polyester is a specific type of synthetic polymer. To be classified as a polyester, a polymer must contain the ester functional group (-COO-) in its main molecular chain. The commonly used engineering thermoplastics PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) … Continued

Water Bottles, Phone Cases, and Power Tools: Why Plastic Names Don’t Tell the Whole Story

By Dr. CC- Carolyn Carta | July 8, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Materials That Shape Everyday Safety Series Plastic names are often treated like answers. A reusable food container says “PP.” A water bottle says “HDPE.” A phone case advertises “PC” or “Lexan.” To most consumers, and … Continued

What Is Plastic Compounding and How Does It Affect the European Market Today?

By David Spielhagen | July 8, 2026

Plastic compounding involves blending base polymers with additives, fillers, reinforcements or colorants to create materials with targeted mechanical, thermal or aesthetic properties. As industries focus on lightweighting, performance and sustainability, compounded plastics Understanding how compounding influences material performance and availability … Continued

Paint & Coatings

Powder Coatings for Heat-Sensitive Substrates

By Jochum Beetsma | August 12, 2026

A conventional thermosetting powder paint consists of solid particles. Each particle contains all components. After application, the paint melts, flows and cures during film formation at high temperatures, generally in 10 to 15 minutes at 160 to 200 °C. Conventional … Continued

High Pigment Volume Concentrates, More Color in Every Drop

By Wally Kesler | July 29, 2026

Pigment concentrates play a valuable role in coatings formulations for all applications. From Point-of-Sale colorants that allow thousands of color choices at your neighborhood paint store, to industrial pigment dispersions used to precisely and efficiently match factory-applied coatings. Each pigment … Continued

How to Prevent Sedimentation & Settling During Storage?

By Jochum Beetsma | July 8, 2026

Most paints and inks contain solid particles, mostly pigments and/or fillers. Two instability problems, flocculation (the spontaneous gluing together of separated particles because of particle-to-particle attraction)1,2 and sedimentation (the sinking of particles because of gravity), can occur with solid particles … Continued

Why White Paint Is One of the Most Engineered Materials in Your Home

By Dr. CC- Carolyn Carta | June 24, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Materials That Shape Everyday Safety Series Why White Matters Walk into almost any home, office, school, hospital, or apartment building and you will find one of the most engineered materials in modern life. White paint. … Continued

Understanding Coating Defects: Identification, Root Cause Analysis, and Corrective Action in Industrial Coating Systems

By Ron Lewarchik | June 10, 2026

This article builds on earlier coating defect discussions published through UL Prospector Knowledge Center – Overcoming Paint Film Defects: Causes and Remedies and expands further into practical industrial troubleshooting, analytical investigations, and process-related corrective actions observed during real production and … Continued

Cleaners

Navigating the Next Wave of Cleaner Regulations: PFAS, Microplastics, and More

By Staff | August 5, 2026

Regulatory requirements are making big moves globally and it’s important that you know what is coming and how it may impact your day-to-day. Below is a check-in for where we are at midway through 2026 and what to plan for … Continued

Sugar-Derived vs. Petrochemical Surfactants

By Staff | July 1, 2026

As sustainability goals move from marketing claims to procurement requirements, formulators are facing increasing pressure to evaluate the origin, environmental profile, and performance of their surfactant systems. While petrochemical surfactants remain the backbone of many cleaning formulations due to their … Continued

How Formulators Can Engineer Successful Green Cleaning Products

By Carmen Lerga | June 3, 2026

Green and sustainable claims have become a major commercial driver in home care. Products making ESG related claims have outperformed conventional alternatives across multiple categories, and sustainability is now a primary innovation force in laundry and surface care.[i], [ii] Yet … Continued

Stability in the Age of Conscious Consumption: Aligning Shelf-Life Testing with Consumer Demands

By Staff | May 6, 2026

For the modern chemist, shelf-life testing is no longer just about ensuring a formula doesn’t separate; it’s about ensuring the product meets the rigorous, and often conflicting, expectations of today’s users. As consumers push for “cleaner,” more sustainable, and highly … Continued

The Future of Cleaning Is Concentrated and Waterless

By Carmen Lerga | April 1, 2026

Why the next generation of multi-purpose cleaners and disinfectants is reshaping the industry. A new generation of concentrated and waterless cleaners is reshaping the way brands think about performance, sustainability, and consumer trust. With three decades working at the intersection … Continued

Food, Beverage & Nutrition

What’s Replacing Gelatin? Trends and Formulation Tips for Plant-Based Food Development

By Staff | August 5, 2026

Consumer demand for vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, and clean-label products continues to reshape food innovation. While traditional gelatin remains a highly functional ingredient for creating elasticity, chew, foams, and melt-in-the-mouth textures, formulators are increasingly turning to plant-based alternatives to meet … Continued

Vegetable Proteins vs. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Proteins: Guide to Functionality, Flavor, and Market Opportunity

By Staff | July 1, 2026

As consumer demand for plant-based foods continues to evolve, food and beverage formulators are no longer focused solely on replacing animal proteins. Today’s formulation challenge is creating products that deliver the nutrition, taste, texture, and sensory experience consumers expect while … Continued

Regulatory Roundup: Food-Contact Standards Updated Around the Globe

By Staff | June 3, 2026

Across the globe regulatory bodies are implementing food-contact standards. Here are the latest updates: Japan Extends Transition Period for Food‑Contact Material Standards Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) revised the implementation rules for recently amended standards governing food contact utensils, containers, … Continued

The Survival Challenge: Formulating Probiotics and Prebiotics in Bakery Applications

By Staff | May 6, 2026

The “gut health” revolution has moved far beyond the dairy aisle. As consumers seek functional benefits in everyday snacks, bakers and food scientists are increasingly tasked with incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into everything from artisan breads to shelf-stable cookies. However, … Continued

Beyond Stability: The Role of Emulsifiers in Food Texture Enhancement

By Staff | April 1, 2026

For a food formulator, an emulsifier is often first viewed as a peacemaker—a molecule designed to keep oil and water from separating. However, in modern food science, the “functional” role of emulsifiers has evolved. They are no longer just stabilizers; … Continued

Industry Insights

Explore insights from industry experts across topics like regulatory news, formulation best practices, market innovations and opportunities, and more. Want to contribute? Learn how you can share your expertise.

LATEST INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ARCHIVE

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