From shifting consumer behavior and evolving material formulations to global manufacturing pressures and the growing role of AI on the factory floor, recent headlines highlight how quickly the industrial landscape is changing. This roundup brings together five stories you may have missed, covering developments in food and beverage production, plastics recycling, global manufacturing trends, and new technologies helping manufacturers adapt to labor shortages and changing demand.

From basic to robust: finding the right bakery mix

Choosing the right bakery mix depends on a bakery’s specific goals and operations, as options span from simple basic blends to comprehensive all-in-one formulations that yield consistent, finished products. Experts note that texture is a critical consumer driver - especially as health-focused ingredients become more common - so bakers must weigh how different mixes perform in terms of mouthfeel and finished quality while also considering the influence of their equipment on dough behavior.

Additionally, using pre-formulated mixes can simplify production and reduce error, a significant advantage amid the industry’s ongoing skilled labor challenges. By removing complexity from ingredient scaling and formulation, mixes help more producers introduce premium offerings with reliable results.

Read the full article here.

Specialty Additives Boosting Recycled Plastic Properties and Performance

The Plastics Engineering article explains how specialty additives are playing a growing role in improving the performance and usability of recycled plastics. As manufacturers increase recycled content to meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements, additives are being used to restore or enhance properties such as strength, impact resistance, thermal stability, color consistency, and processability that can be lost during recycling.

The article notes that stabilizers, compatibilizers, chain extenders, and performance modifiers allow recycled materials to be used in higher-value applications, including automotive, packaging, and construction. By improving consistency and reliability, specialty additives help close the gap between virgin and recycled plastics, enabling manufacturers to scale circular material strategies without sacrificing quality or performance.

Read the full article here.

China factory activity picks up in December as orders rebound ahead of holidays

China’s factory sector returned to slight growth in December for the first time in eight months, with both the official and private PMIs rising to 50.1—just above the expansion line. The uptick was driven by stronger orders ahead of holidays, a rush to finish construction projects, and some easing pressure from reduced U.S.-China trade tensions. High-tech manufacturing was a bright spot, climbing to 52.5.

However, analysts warned the rebound may be temporary. Export orders dipped slightly, hiring weakened, and smaller manufacturers remained in contraction. Consumer spending softness, higher raw material costs, and longer-term challenges like the property downturn and industrial overcapacity continue to weigh on China’s outlook into 2026.

Read the full article here.

Study shows the impact of GLP-1s on food spending

A new study shows that the rising use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is changing consumer food spending patterns, with people taking these drugs buying fewer high-calorie and indulgent items while increasing purchases of healthier options. Researchers found that overall grocery spending shifted toward fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and other nutrient-dense foods, suggesting that GLP-1 users are making different dietary choices in stores compared with before they started the medications.

The article notes that this trend could have broader implications for food manufacturers, retailers, and the baking industry, as shifts in demand may affect product portfolios and marketing strategies. Companies may need to adjust offerings to meet evolving preferences as more consumers use these medications and prioritize healthier eating habits.

Read the full article here.

What AI-powered industrial copilots mean for the future of skilled labor in manufacturing

The article explains how AI copilots are emerging as a practical tool to help manufacturers address ongoing labor shortages by supporting workers rather than replacing them. These AI systems assist with tasks such as troubleshooting equipment issues, guiding less experienced operators through complex procedures, improving scheduling, and capturing institutional knowledge that might otherwise be lost as veteran workers retire. By embedding AI into daily workflows, manufacturers are able to boost productivity and reduce downtime even with smaller or less experienced teams.

Industry leaders interviewed in the article emphasize that AI copilots are most effective when they are easy to use and tightly integrated with existing systems on the factory floor. Instead of requiring advanced technical skills, these tools are designed to provide real-time insights, recommendations, and decision support that help workers do their jobs more efficiently and safely. As labor challenges persist, many manufacturers see AI copilots as a scalable way to strengthen operations while making industrial roles more attractive to new talent.

Read the full article here.