The Urethane Blog
July 22, 2024
India continues to dominate castor seed production
New Delhi – Castor seed production in India is projected to be about 2.054MT in 2023-24, according to Indian Agribusiness Systems, who carried out a crop survey for the Solvent Extraction Association of India (SEA). Castor oil is an important source material for biobased polyols.
The growth in India’s castor yield is the result of a key crop improvement project launched by SEA in 2017. “This year, the project was expanded to nine districts of Gujarat and two districts of Rajasthan, creating nearly 600 new model farms,” SEA president Ajay Jhunjhunwala, told the recent Global Castor Conference in Ahmedabad.
The castor model farm programme has led to substantial increases in average productivity. More than 30,000 farmers have been trained in sustainable practices since the programme started. The typical yield of the model farms is now 4416kg/hectare, compared to 3500kg/hectare when the programme started.
“Castor is a cash cow for India as it is an export-oriented commodity, contributing a foreign exchange of about $1.3bn to the country,” Shailesh Baldha, chairman of the Castor Promotion Council said at the conference.
SEA has also launched the World Castor Sustainability Forum. This focuses on developing a sustainable and traceable supply chain for castor, as well as improving social, economic and environmental performance.
https://www.utech-polyurethane.com/news/india-continues-dominate-castor-seed-production
July 18, 2024
Ashley expanding furniture manufacturing in Mississippi
By Larry Adams
July 17, 2024 | 11:06 am CDT
Ashley’s Saltillo, Mississippi, factory is getting an upgrade.
JACKSON, Miss. — Ashley Furniture Industries, the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world, plans to expand operations in two of its existing locations in Lee County, Mississippi. The project represents a corporate investment of approximately $80 million in facilities and equipment and will create at least 500 new jobs.
This project will expand Ashley’s foam and mattress production in Verona through the purchase and renovation of a neighboring facility and the construction of a new facility. Additionally, Ashley plans to expand operations in Saltillo, currently the country’s largest mattress plant, with a substantial investment in equipment and operations. This project aims to enhance the company’s operational efficiencies to better serve Ashley’s customers in over 155 countries worldwide.
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX program, as well as assistance to upgrade fire safety systems. In addition, Lee County is assisting through a fee-in-lieu agreement.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Verona and Saltillo operations in Mississippi. This strategic investment reinforces our commitment to growth and allows us to better serve our customers. By expanding our capabilities in Mississippi, we are creating more job opportunities and strengthening our presence in the region,” said Todd Wanek, CEO and President, Ashley.
In 2020, Ashley Furniture expanded operations at the Verona and Saltillo locations. The expansions represented a combined corporate investment of $22 million and will create a total of 130 jobs across the two facilities, according to an announcement from the Mississippi Development Authority.
In Verona, Ashley’s investment of $13 million will include a building addition and new equipment to support its furniture and bedding locations across North Mississippi. The company will add 30 new jobs at the Verona facility.
In Saltillo, Ashley will be upgrading the facility and adding new equipment to support the expansion of its bedding products and mattresses. The company is investing $9 million and adding 100 jobs in Saltillo.
Ashley is an FDMC 300 company, ranking #1 on the list of the largest wood products manufacturers in North America.
(ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.) Michael Crowell, who has served as CertiPUR-US® executive director for the past ten years, has announced he will be retiring by the end of the year.
Under Crowell’s decade of leadership, CertiPUR-US foam certification program participation has expanded from 29 foam producers in five countries to more than 100 foam producers in 17 countries, now encompassing much of the foam supplied to the U.S. bedding and upholstered furniture markets. Crowell has played a key role in transforming the flexible polyurethane foam, bedding and furniture industries to make foam products used in the home safer and more sustainable. In May, Crowell was honored with the organization’s Outstanding Leadership Award.
“It’s been the highlight of my career in the foam industry to be involved with the CertiPUR-US program. It’s a win-win program,” says Crowell. “In setting rigorous standards for foam, we position the industry for continued growth while serving the public by providing a certification that ensures foams contribute to safer homes and better indoor air quality.”
Crowell’s distinguished career includes more than 40 years of senior management experience in the flexible polyurethane foam industry, spanning technical, manufacturing, sales and marketing positions. Before taking the helm at CertiPUR-US, he served as vice president of marketing and sales for Flexible Foam Products, responsible for government and industry product compliance, marketing and sales. He previously was vice president of automotive sales for Foamex International (now known as FXI).
Crowell holds an MBA with a focus in global management from Michigan State University and has served on both the CertiPUR-US program and the International Sleep Products Association board of directors. Crowell’s successor will be announced in August.
McKinney, TX – July 15, 2024 –
Quadrant Performance Materials (QPM), a leading manufacturer of spray foam insulation systems for the residential and commercial building envelope, announces the release of the EnviroSeal® Platinum Series. This updated product portfolio promises to revolutionize the spray foam industry with optimized formulations, focused on enhancing the applicator experience.
“We asked and listened to our customers’ feedback,” said QPM President & CEO Robert Jamieson. “Using that information, and with rigorous field trials, our R&D and Field Tech Teams have optimized our products to be even easier to use, better performing, and to deliver consistently higher yields.”
Introducing the EnviroSeal Platinum Series:
EnviroSeal OC Platinum
- Open-Cell Spray Foam
- Easy to Use: No Mixing Required
- Year-Round Formulation
- Wider Processing Parameters, Starting at 105°F
- Great Adhesion
- Increased Yield
EnviroSeal OCX Platinum
- Open-Cell Spray Foam
- AC-377 App. X Compliant – No Coatings, No Special Attic Hatch or Devices Required
- The Easy Solution for EnergyStar 3.2
- Easy to Mix
- Easier Application
- Increased Yield
EnviroSeal CC Platinum Max
- Closed-Cell Spray Foam
- HFO Blowing Agent
- High R-Value – Consistent 7.4 per inch at All Depths
- Smoother Finish
- Sprays Great in a Single Pass 1” to 4”
“The EnviroSeal Platinum Series is all about focusing on the applicator experience and optimizing our products to meet their needs,” added Cole Fletcher, QPM Technical Services Manager.
“We are committed to continuous innovation’, said Joey Lister, QPM Technical Director, “and to ensuring our products are the easiest to use and most consistent in the industry”.
For more information on the EnviroSeal Platinum spray foam insulation product line, please visit www.QuadrantPM.com or call 972-542-0072.
About Quadrant Performance Materials
QPM is a leading manufacturer of spray foam insulation systems for residential and commercial construction. We brought together the best and most experienced team in spray foam to provide unprecedented levels of value that elevate the industry. Quadrant helps our customers grow and become more profitable by delivering industry-leading products, knowledge, and exceptional customer service.
EnviroSeal® is a registered trademark of Quadrant Performance Materials.
July 11, 2024
Report: North American furniture market to experience significant growth
By Dakota Smith
July 8, 2024 | 11:09 am CDT
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, ‘North America Furniture Market by Type and Distribution Channel: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030’, the North American furniture market size was valued at $249,406.5 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $400,068.8 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2030.
The residential furniture market is anticipated to have the highest market share during the forecast period. The rise in the economy has increased the spending capacity of consumers, which in turn drives the sale of branded furniture items in the furniture market. The surge of infrastructure and real estate market boosts the demand for residential furniture products in the U.S. across the region.
According to the North American furniture market forecast, based on type, the residential segment was the highest contributor to the market, accounting for 47% of the market share in 2020, because the furniture is used for residential purposes on a large scale. Also, the surge in sales of home office furniture contributes toward the growth of the residential segment.
The impact of COVID-19 on the North American furniture market was positive due to the rise in the adoption of office furniture at home. The strict guidelines were issued during the pandemic which is based on ‘Work from Home’ and ‘Stay at Home’. These laws resulted in growth in furniture sales in North America.
Furthermore, the demand for versatile and multi-functional products that offer portability and can easily be accommodated in small spaces drives the growth of the furniture market. Furniture demand is predicted to rise as a result of the rise in urbanization and the millennial generation’s strong purchasing power. The residential segment leads the furniture market because of the rise in infrastructure and real estate market. Furthermore, advanced manufacturing technology has reduced manufacturing costs and time. However, manufacturers believe that rise in raw material prices would have a long-term impact on the market and hamper furniture market growth during the forecast period.
The commercial segment is expected to grow comparatively faster than other types witnessing a CAGR of 5.1%. The growth of the segment is driven by large enterprises, corporates, and even emerging small companies that are investing heavily in furnishing and interiors of office spaces to provide employees with comfortable and productive environments. Thus, vendors are designing office furniture that offers better comfort and minimizes stress. In addition, smart furniture is also gaining popularity.
The key players operating in the North America furniture industry are Ralph Lauren Home, Knoll, Inc., Bassett Furniture Industries, Inter Ikea Systems BV, Kimball International, Inc., HNI Corporation, Haworth, Inc., Durham Furniture Inc., Steelcase Inc., and Stickley Furniture.
Key findings of the study
- The North American furniture market size was valued at $ 249,406.5 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $ 400,068.8 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2030.
- Based on type, the residential segment accounted for the highest furniture market share in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2030.
- Based on the distribution channel, the specialty stores segment accounted for about 42.6% share of the furniture market share in 2020 and is expected to experience growth at the highest CAGR of 4.5%.
- Based on country, the U.S. accounted for about 64.4% of the furniture market size and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%.
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