Processing, December 2020

INDUSTRY WATCH N E W S N O T E S A N D I N S I G H T S F R O M A C R O S S T H E P R O C E S S I N D U S T R I E S MARKETS UPDATE U S chemical production grows for fourth straight month in October The American Chemistry Council ACC in late November announced that the U S Chemical Production Regional Index rose 09 in October following a 08 gain in September and a 10 increase in August During October the ACC said chemical output expanded in all regions with the largest gains occurring in the Northeast region In October chemical production continued to improve in many segments according to the ACC including chlor alkali other inorganic chemicals organic chemicals industrial gases plastic resins synthetic dyes and pigments consumer products adhesives other specialty chemicals and fertilizers Production trends eased in coatings manufactured fibers synthetic rubber and crop protection chemicals according to the ACC Compared with October 2019 U S chemical production was off 49 on a year over year Y Y basis according to ACC data the seventeenth consecutive month of declines Chemical production remained lower than a year ago in all regions with the largest year ago declines occurring in the Northeast Mid Atlantic and West Coast regions the ACC said Chemical Activity barometer rises in November The ACC also announced that the Chemical Activity Barometer a leading economic indicator created by the ACC rose 08 in November on a three month moving average 3MMA basis following a 10 gain in October According to the ACC the unadjusted data show a 13 gain in November following a 05 gain in October and a 07 gain in September With seven straight months of gains the November CAB reading is consistent with recovery in the U S economy Kevin Swift chief economist at ACC said in a news release The ACC said production related indicators were positive in November Trends in construction related resins pigments and related performance chemistry were mixed Resins and chemistry used in light vehicles and other durable goods were strong according to ACC data Gains in plastic resins used in packaging and for consumer and institutional applications were positive Performance chemistry for industry rebounded and U S exports were mixed Equity prices rebounded and product and input prices were positive Inventory and other supply chain indicators were also positive according to the ACC COMPANY NEWS LJ Star launches new brand identity to reflect future growth LJ Star a leading technology innovator in process observation solutions announced on Dec 1 it was launching a new brand identity to reflect the companys growth strategy As part of the companys vision Courtesy of Kason Corporation Kason Corporation introduces Food and Beverage Solutions Sourcebook New resource outlines how sifting screening and processing equipment can help food and beverage companies overcome processing challenges and boost production efficiency ason Corporation recently launched the companys new Food and Beverage Solutions Sourcebook a collection of case studies illustrating improved processes in the food and beverage industry For more than 50 years Kason has provided innovative and reliable screening sifting and processing solutions to the food and beverage processing industry Drawing on a wealth of experience knowledge innovation and quality Kason collaborates with customers worldwide to solve problems overcome challenges and improve performance The new Food and Beverage Solutions Sourcebook walks through case studies of businesses in the industry who found their application solutions through Kason This new Sourcebook draws on Kasons experience collaborating with customers in food and beverage industries Henry Alamzad CEO of Kason Corporation said in a news release Real world application stories like these not only showcase Kasons expertise but also make overcoming new challenges even easier for the companies we serve Featured case studies include Freshpets boost in screening capacity for dry pet food ingredients Bendt Distillings new revenue stream created by repurposing dewatered spent grains to animal feed from landfill waste Canada Bread Atlantics increased output and improved dust control in flour screening and Hilltop Ranchs energy space and time savings through efficiency improvements in almond pasteurization just to name a few The 27 page Food and Beverage Solutions Sourcebook with easy navigation is available for download on Kasons website at https info kason com food and beverage solutions sourcebook K 6 Processing DECEMBER 2020