Insight on Top Trends in Plastics for 2016

MMT reader and contributor, The Rodon Group, offers five key trends that they believe will significantly impact the plastics industry and manufacturing overall.

1. New lightweight materials have been tested in automobile impact studies, and are now beginning to migrate into other products that require durability.  Sports equipment, like helmets  and boots, use these new polymers.

2. The new automated factory will utilize collaborative robots equipped with vision systems that can be easily trained to perform various tasks. The new automated factory will utilize collaborative robots equipped with vision systems that can be easily trained to perform various tasks. 

3.  A focus on creating renewable materials (also called bio-based plastics) that no longer depend on fossil fuels.  Many companies are starting to take a serious look at these alternatives. For example, companies like John Deere are developing new composites using soybeans and flax.

4. One trend that can’t be denied is near-shoring.  Companies throughout the world have realized that getting closer to the source of their products just makes sense. 

5. Usng the Internet of Things, manufacturers will become more reliant on networked devices, sensors, and digital communications to improve productivity and control costs from remote locations.

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