Insights

Pressure on the agriculture industry to keep consumers fed is increasing faster than ever. Rising populations combined with higher incomes in developing countries is expected to drive global food demand up by 58 – 98% by 2050. Farmers need to invest in top-of-the-line harvesting equipment to distribute steady supplies of high-quality produce year-round. As a result, manufacturers of components for agriculture vehicles, such as tractors and combines, need to consider several factors when selecting a material provider.

Hydrogen storage is critical for the hydrogen powertrain in automotive vehicles, as hydrogen has a high energy density by mass but a low energy density by volume. To address this, hydrogen is typically stored in high-pressure tanks at 350 or 700 bars in automotive applications. These tanks are designed for low weight and safety, with polymer-based materials replacing metals to reduce weight, and advanced materials and design ensuring safety at high pressures.

Manufacturers of outdoor power equipment (OPE), tractors, all-terrain vehicles and golf cars are increasingly under pressure to reduce evaporative emissions that permeate through plastic fuel tanks. To help minimize the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, regulatory bodies mandate strict evaporative emissions limits. Gas tank manufacturers are required to use materials that guarantee compliance with ever-shifting regulations to avoid costly fines and equipment recalls.

Smart home technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) enhance convenience and security in our lives by enabling us to wirelessly connect to a range of home appliances via our smart devices. The growing adoption of connected living technology is driving transformation in the electrical appliances industry at the same time. Although smart homes are controlled virtually, appliances still require physical connectors to operate. As manufacturers produce more appliances that integrate with smart homes, the demand for smaller connectors with better performance, reliability and userfriendliness is increasing rapidly.

As automotive and commercial vehicle OEMs continue to drive more performance from internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains, reducing the weight of every component is becoming increasingly important. For OEMs, this poses a new challenge. Engineers must leverage turbocharger systems to increase the power and efficiency of ice powertrains. At the same time, they must also decrease underhood space to accommodate the overall weight reduction of the vehicle. This combination of reduced space and elevated temperatures is driving the need for advanced lightweight materials that can withstand heat without compromising performance.

As environmental regulations tighten, outdoor power equipment (OPE) manufacturers face mounting challenges in meeting fuel emission limits. Traditional materials like HDPE often fall short of compliance, risking fines and recalls. Envalior’s Akulon® Fuel Lock provides a sustainable, cost-effective solution that exceeds emission standards while optimizing production efficiency.