The way innovation operates has changed rapidly over the last twenty years, pushed by technological advances. The very concept of innovation has also fundamentally changed. Modern innovation is no longer just a matter of assigning some internal resources to manufacturing products offering some kind of differentiation. A large number of external factors are now added into the mix.

In these days of heightened concerns over environmental matters, product life-cycle assessment (LCA) plays a crucial role not only in businesses’ technology choices, but also in their long-term strategies. In addition to products of great nutritional value, consumers today expect higher ethical production standards from manufacturers. LCA means agri-food businesses are better placed to reconcile production performance and environmental friendliness.

When taking part daily in New Product Development (NPD) projects, it may become difficult to take a moment and step back to look at the big picture again. This is what we offer you today. An overview- because this subject could be worthy of thesis- of the constraints or influences that weigh on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) development projects.}

Fine particles, such as carbon black, are small, suspended particles of less than 2.5 microns diameter. They can be of natural origin (e.g. volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic, especially from industrial processes and fuels. Their effects can be severe on human health, ranging from aging skin to impaired lung function. Concrete actions towards their reduction are necessary and will quickly bear fruit and could slow climate change in the short term.