During the COVID-19 pandemic, single-use plastic has become more important than ever. It not only makes up a large part of the medical equipment hospitals use, it also helps protect doctors, nurses, medical staff, and patients. From ventilators to IV bags, to gloves, masks, and hospital gowns, single-use plastic products can be the difference between life and death for many. …
An Optimistic Outlook for the Aluminum Industry Post Covid
COVID-19 has proved to be a pivotal moment for all manufacturers across the world and industries everywhere have had to adapt to evolving customer expectations. For the aluminum industry in particular, an emphasis on ESG performance has pushed the industry into a new growth phase. Customers are demanding responsibly sourced steel that has minimal impact on the environment, and because …
Beverage Can Shortage – If You Can Get Them, We Can Mark Them
The last several years have shown a progressive shift to aluminum cans as the preferred packaging for beverages, from beer to seltzer to kombucha. In 2020, likely due to the pandemic and the necessity for off-premise beverage sales, this shift has turned into a spike manufacturers can’t keep up with. Demand is surpassing supply at a record pace, and can …
Meeting the Demands of Increased Housing Starts
During a time when many industries are facing record setbacks, the housing sector is proving to be one of the few that’s thriving. What started as a predicted slowdown at the onset of the pandemic has transitioned into a steady increase in homebuilding. In June, housing starts increased more than 17% over May, totaling 1.22 million. That number increased in …
What New Dust Requirements Mean for the Wood Industry
Rules and regulations are nothing new for wood manufacturers. Special standards have guided the wood industry because of the often harsh and dusty environments wood products are produced in. Standard 664, “Woodprocessing and Woodworking Facilities,” from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is a longstanding example. Soon, the NFPA is releasing standard 652, “Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust,” …