Innovation, regulation, and changing market pressures defined many of the major stories shaping bulk material industries in November. Food and beverage companies continued exploring how artificial intelligence can speed up product development, while plastics processors advanced their shift toward smarter and more connected factories. Pharmaceutical producers made headlines with new federal pricing agreements, and consumer demand leaned even further toward natural looking colors. At the same time, the chemicals sector faced slower growth due to ongoing tariff and trade policy challenges.
Here are five key headlines you may have missed this month.
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a major accelerator in food and beverage research and development. Companies adopting AI driven R&D workflows are already reporting up to a 30% reduction in bench time within the first 6 to 9 months of use. This indicates that AI can significantly speed up formulation work and shorten the overall product development cycle.
AI tools are also reshaping how new formulations and products are created. By analyzing large sets of data such as ingredient interactions, sensory and taste chemistry, consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, and nutrition profiles, AI can identify promising combinations before a prototype is ever produced. As a result, food and beverage companies that lean into AI can reach new product concepts faster and with greater accuracy.
Plastics processors are accelerating their shift toward smart factory models that rely on connected equipment, real time data, and automated decision making. According to Plastics Engineering, manufacturers are investing in intelligent sensors, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance tools, and centralized production dashboards. These technologies help improve uptime, reduce scrap, and give operators clearer visibility into machine performance.
The move toward smarter operations is also being driven by workforce shortages and higher customer expectations for quality and traceability. Processors are using data analytics to stabilize processes, optimize cycle times, and ensure consistent part quality across shifts and facilities. As plants continue to modernize, smart factory systems are becoming a key differentiator for productivity, cost control, and resilience in the plastics sector.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have reached an agreement with the White House to offer lower prices on their GLP-1 obesity and diabetes drugs through a new program called TrumpRx. The arrangement will make treatments such as Zepbound, along with an upcoming oral GLP-1 drug that is awaiting approval, more affordable for patients who pay out of pocket as well as those covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
For Medicare beneficiaries, the deal sets a monthly copay limit of about 50 dollars for GLP-1 therapies beginning in 2026. Self-pay patients will also see significantly reduced prices through TrumpRx, with current injectable therapies offered at roughly half of previous list prices. Early information suggests that future oral versions may be even more cost effective.
New research from ADM shows that consumer interest in products made with natural or naturally perceived colors continues to rise. Shoppers are drawn to ingredients that feel familiar, simple, and minimally processed, and they are increasingly reading labels to confirm that color additives align with these expectations. According to the article, manufacturers across bakery, snack, and beverage categories are reformulating to remove artificial colorants and replace them with options derived from fruits, vegetables, and botanicals.
The trend is strongest among younger consumers, who associate natural colors with wellness, transparency, and sustainability. However, the shift presents technical challenges for product developers who must balance stability, cost, and performance while keeping color consistent across production runs. Ingredient suppliers are responding with new natural color systems that offer better heat and light stability along with broader shade ranges.
A new report highlighted by Powder and Bulk Solids finds that the global chemicals industry is experiencing slower growth due to the continued impact of tariffs, shifting trade policies, and geopolitical tensions. Companies are dealing with higher input costs, reduced export competitiveness, and increased uncertainty when planning capital investments. Many producers also report longer lead times and more complex compliance requirements as trade rules evolve across major markets.
The report notes that while demand for specialty chemicals and materials remains healthy, growth is being held back by supply chain friction and rising operating costs. Manufacturers are responding by diversifying suppliers, reshoring certain production steps, and investing in technologies that improve efficiency. The sector is expected to regain momentum once policy environments stabilize and cross-border trade becomes more predictable.