Since industry is constantly growing and evolving, Thomasnet.com^® is too. Our platform has over 75,000 categories of products and services, from alloy to zinc, for professionals like you to source from. And thanks to our industry specialists, we are constantly researching and adding to our platform with new supplier categories to help you keep up with current market trends. 

1. Private Label Pipe Fittings

The private label industry is expanding, with manufacturers making everything from cosmetics to private label pipe fittings. Private label sales increased by $1.9 billion in 2021, with store brands now accounting for a massive $199 billion worth of sales across all the major retail channels.

2. Soft Magnetic Alloys

Soft magnetic alloys are used for a variety of applications but often for electronics where specialized magnetic fields are created. The electronics industry is a fast-growing field with new innovations, so fast-growing that the global electronics contract manufacturing services sector is forecasted to grow to $32.05 billion by 2025.

3. Drug Delivery Medical Implants

3D printed implants are becoming increasingly common in the medical field. As 3D printing is used more and more for medical devices, it could be used to create drug delivery medical implants, such as implantable drug pumps used to deliver insulin.

4. Optical Component Machining

Optical component machining can be used to make components of fiber optics systems. The fiber optics market is expecting substantial growth in the coming months; with infrastructure requirements rapidly increasing and technological connectivity bandwidth surging amid growth of IIoT, VR, and AR, it is predicted to generate almost $1.5 billion this year.

5. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Servers

Graphics processing units (GPUs) servers are used for high-speed graphics rendering. They are well suited for AI workloads, which the leading fast-fashion companies, like H&M and Zara, are using to help them predict tomorrow’s trends and stay ahead of the curve. AI algorithms obtain fashion trend data by capturing information on search engines and blogs. This information informs everything from how much they buy, to when they buy, to where it should be placed in its stores.

6. Guardrail Maintenance & Repair Services

It’s always important to make sure your workplace adheres to OSHA guidelines, which often means ensuring guardrails are well maintained. Among OSHA's top 9 violations is inadequate fall protection. According to KPA's OSHA Top 10 e-Book, there were 6,010 fall protection citations issued in 2019.

7. Panel Bending Machinery

Panel bending machinery must bend metal without creating fractures, which is challenging, as metal often weakens as it bends. New approaches to metal bending however could allow for strengthening materials without fracture risk. A 2019 discovery made by researchers was that a material called samarium cobalt could bend without breaking or losing its strength. The next steps will entail searching for other materials that bend similarly. Eventually, this could lead to tuning a material's properties to optimize its strength and flexibility for military, automotive, or construction applications.

8. Depackagers

Depackagers are machines used to separate packaging from food so that people don’t have to. While some major food companies are working to reduce their waste, packaged food waste is often so problematic that businesses consign it to landfills. Depackagers make it easier to sort packaging waste from food waste, therefore maximizing food recovery and improving recycling.

9. Stick to Skin Wearable Adhesive Tapes

Stick to skin wearable adhesive tapes are part of a broader family of adhesives. Healthcare professionals can use them to tape medical devices to patients’ skin. In the first quarter of 2022, adhesives were among the top five products by sourcing activity volume on Thomasnet.com^®.

10. Water Intake Systems

Water intake systems combat the problem of water scarcity by mechanically cleaning or screening water extracted from the sea, rivers, or lakes. The World Economic Forum has listed water scarcity as one of its global systemic risks of greatest concern. Water scarcity happens when water is there, but a lack of resources or infrastructure prevents it from being provided where it’s required.

11. Drum Gaskets

There is a continued demand for drum gaskets and other types of seals, as shown by the recent acquisition one manufacturer has made to expand its footprint in the gasket sector. Drums in all industries require gaskets to maintain the integrity of the drum cover.

12. Drainage Media

Drainage media is used in various applications, including in green roofs to collect rainwater. Green roofs, or living roofs, are partially or entirely covered with vegetation. These roofs feature longevity and oxygen production, offer savings in heating and cooling costs, and minimize water runoff. As a result, the demand for green buildings and environmentally friendly roofing solutions is driving fast growth in the roofing systems market.

13. Retractable Barriers

Retractable barriers are often used in construction projects, which will see an increase in 2022. Events over the past few years have led to an increase in multifamily construction in suburban and rural areas. With costs lower than big cities and the possibility of several budgets as opposed to one, the demand for homes is a trend that will remain throughout 2022.

14. Post-Consumer Resin (PCR)

Post-consumer recycled resin (PCR resin) is made from recycled plastic, such as water bottles and other packaging. PCR is increasingly being used to manufacture new consumer products. For example, one company recently announced a new line of PCR resin to replace standard acrylic. It can be used for applications including point-of-purchase displays, light diffusers, and acrylic products.

15. Haptic Devices

New technology in Virtual Reality (VR), known as haptic devices, adds a physical dimension to immersion. Haptic feedback, also known as kinaesthetic communication or 3D touch, uses vibration or physical resistance to engage a person’s sense of touch. Today, VR has penetrated every application from gaming and military training to student education.

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