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THE GLOBAL demand for lactic acid is growing, with the world market forecast to reach USD1.75 billion by 2020, on the back of an 8.6% annual gain for polylactic acid, according to data from international nutrition group Glanbia Ireland. So, it is encouraging to hear about the launch of the company’s first-of-its-kind bio-refinery project, that will turn low value by-products from the dairy processing industry into sustainable lactic acid among other by-products, and finally turn Europe to a net exporter of lactic acid.…

THE LONG lines of customer to the cash register in Inditex stores – the giant Spanish company behind High Street fashion brands Zara, Bershka and Pull&Bear (among others) – are also now buying personal care products as well as clothes. They funnel customers through shelves that are not only bursting with low-cost impulse buys, such as hair accessories, smart phone covers and key rings, but now also Inditex scents.…

THE LEGALISATION nationwide of recreational cannabis in Canada last October (2018) was a groundbreaking move – a first for a major western country – and from this coming October 17, at the latest, one that may have significant implications for the beauty business.…

THE RUSSIAN government has in the past decade has a policy priority of re-establishing it country’s industrial base, and reducing its reliance on imports, paid for by Russia’s energy exports.

These goals cover its paints and coatings sector, and by 2021 Sibur, a Russian petrochemical company, plans to launch production of key ingredient maleic anhydride, with a plant in Tobolsk, Siberia, producing up to 45,000 tonnes a year.…

HONG Kong accountants may see an increase in demand for non-financial assessments, with the HK Stock Exchange consulting on proposed new environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting. It is proposing introducing mandatory disclosure requirements to include board statements considering ESG issues; and what reporting principles are used to develop company ESG reports.…

GREECE’S cosmetics sector showed significant resilience during the country’s long financial crisis and is currently expanding, as the country’s overall economy pulls ahead (1.9% GDP growth in 2018 and 2.1% projected for this year). However, problems afflicting the country’s personal care product regulations and a duty imposed on cosmetic producers might impact the sector going forward.…

THE CANADIAN auto-sector, encouraged by its federal government, has been pushing ahead with a wide range of initiatives to try and make Canada an international high-tech hub of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) research and development.

These focus on the country’s existing auto-making hub Ontario, with – unusually – the capital Ottawa playing a key auto-manufacturing role, encouraged by its existing local tech sector.…

MOTOR vehicles and their parts were the second most common category of goods reported in safety warnings by consumer regulators in the European Union (EU) last year, according to a new annual report from the EU Safety Gate system. This involves European consumer regulators receiving safety warnings about products, including from auto manufacturers, and circulating these alerts via this central European portal.…

BRAZIL’S automotive industry sector is optimistic about the future, now that the new government of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has left the new Route 2030 package of industrial incentives untouched.

The President, who assumed office on January 1, had criticised Route 2030 (Rota 2030 in Portuguese) last November (2018), as a potential waste of money.…

Europe’s universities have been told how they need to be flexible when developing models to generate innovation with real value to society, ensuring this work meshes effectively with business partners.

The message came at the European University Association’s (EUA) annual conference, in Paris, on April 11-12.…