Plastic Additives are defined as the additive materials that are added in the various plastic polymers with the basic purpose of enhancing their properties and improving their performance. The types of plastic additives used also depend on the application the plastic is being used for. The plastic additives are used in a plethora of industries such as in automotive, construction, packaging, transportation, and others for a variety of purposes.

There are different types of plastics that plastics additives are used to improve their properties. The plastics include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a type of thermoplastic material. In addition, plastic additives are used for enhancing the properties of other plastics such as polyethylene, polyurethanes, polyamide among other plastics.

Plastic Additives Market, By Type Segment

Plastic additives are gaining popularity quickly due to the various functions they are able to perform in order to upgrade and enhance the properties of plastic materials.  Different types of these proteins are used to enhance the properties of plastics or to provide the plastics adequate protection such as flame retardants, antioxidants, biostabilizers, antistatic agents, plasticizers, fragrances, and others. plastic additives cater to end-user industries like Chemicals and Materials and Manufacturing among others. The sub-segments under type are discussed below.

Biostabilizers

Biostabilizers are a type of biological additives that are added to the plastics of different types of plastics such as PVC, polyethylene among others in order to prevent the degradation of the plastic and to help it retain its properties and quality.

Antistatic Agents

The addition of antistatic agents to polymers in order to minimize the build-up of static electricity/charge in plastic materials is important. Due to the build-up of static charges in the surface hampers the processing procedures and can pose serious hygiene and aesthetic issue. There are both internal and external antistatic agents. With external antistatic agents, the procedure followed is coating the plastic via spraying or through the immersion method. The internal antistatic agents migrate to the surface after being mixed in the polymer. Conductive fillers are also used to solve the purpose of antistatic agents. These properties of the antistatic agents are increasing the demand for plastic additives and bolstering the plastic additives market growth.

Antioxidants

To inhibit the degradation of plastics that is caused by thermochemical r thermomechanical oxidative conditions. Antioxidants are able to elongate the product's life, coupled with enhancing the appearance and the maintenance of the properties such as strength, stiffness, and flexibility. The most commonly used antioxidants include amines, phenolics, phosphites, and thioesters.

Flame Retardants

Flame-retardants are a group of various chemicals, which are added to the plastic materials. The activation of the flame-retardants is carried out through the presence of an ignition source. Their purpose is to slow down or prevent the further development of ignition by different chemical and physical methods. They may be added as a copolymer during the process of polymerization of plastic or at a later stage as a surface finish material. The flame-retardants are of two types reactive and active, both of which are further divided into classes such as minerals, organophosphorus compounds, organic compounds, and organohalogen compounds

Plasticizers

These are referred to as the additives for plastic, which are most commonly phthalate esters in different PVC applications. Approximately 90% of the existing plasticizers are used as additives for PVC. When they are used in this plastic material, they provide the material with increased flexibility and durability. The most important uses they find are in cables and films. For the plastics such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), the more the amount of the plasticizer is added the lower the cold flex temperature is. The presence of the plasticizers in plastic materials is able to facilitate the improvement of characteristics such as increase n flexibility and durability. Moreover, plasticizers make it possible, for the chances of achieving improved compound processing characteristics, thereby improving the quality of the end-use product. The Ester plasticizer is one of the most commonly used plasticizers, as it is able to provide good performance as per its price.

Product Launches in Plastic Additives Market

The number of industries that are making the use of plastics is getting increasingly concerned about the quality of the end-use product, which is driving them to demand plastic additives in order to improve the product and enhance its overall properties. This is a factor, contributing to the increase in the plastic additives market size. Moreover, the market players are highly involved and participating in the market to improve and enhanced Plastic Additives products and to encourage the use of such products among the people. For example, recently on February 13, 20202, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., has announced that they have successfully developed two new grades of epoxy resins, which have characteristics such as enhanced viscosity, which has the ability to facilitate easier processing. They also have developed a new grade of polyethersulfone (PES), which is a type of thermoplastic material. The purpose of the PES additive is to boost the fracture toughness and resistance to micro-cracks for the carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. The launch of these products was specifically to cater to the aerospace industry, which requires stiff, lightweight and strong materials that can handle rapid changes in the temperature, can withstand exposure to chemicals and provide long service life with enhanced resistance to fatigue.

Conclusion:

Currently, plasticizers and antioxidants of plastic additives is expected to hold a significant share in this market and is anticipated to witness a  fast growth rate in the upcoming years due to the burgeoning demand from the chemical and materials as well as the manufacturing industries.  With respect to current market trends, it is anticipated that the fragrances type of additives for plastics will flourish in the upcoming years with demand being generated owing to the high amount of usage in the manufacturing and packaging industry. There is a growing need for a well-developed and good-quality product, which has good durability among other characteristics. This is one of the major factors, which will continue to play a role in driving this market. In addition, it will attract many new entrants who will bring new and better changes and enhancement in plastic additives. Thus, the market will remain competitive in the upcoming years and it is projected to show modest growth in the upcoming years. 

Data Center physical security is a type of physical or virtual infrastructure that mainly has enterprises application for accommodating different types of computers, servers, and networking systems along with components. The need for such setup stems from the increasing requirement for storing and processing high volumes of data for the convenience of the clients. An extensive backup power supply and cooling system are required datacenters. Due to the critical nature of data stored in the datacenter the maintenance of security of the data centers is of utmost importance to prevent damage caused due to various threats that can disrupt the business activities. Major security solutions, which are being deployed by enterprises for ensuring the physical security of Data Centers are through the means of video surveillance through cameras, access control systems, perimeter security among others.

The rising adoption of Data Center physical security devices is due to the growing number of data center facilities, research, and development in the technological advancements of devoices pertaining to the security of data centers. Moreover, setting up data centers by the Government and the utilization of data centers by the Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector too will fuel the growth of data center security devices. The growth of cloud computing, increasing adoption of virtual currency and Big Data analytics too has also led to the demand for Data Center physical security market.

Today’s ICT industry nictitates a healthy functioning data center.  Thus, its functioning encompasses data center storage solutions that generate gargantuan bytes of data each minute that needs data center storage solutions. Further, to reduce infrastructural burdens, many data centers and managed service providers (MSPs) have transitioned to a software-defined data center (SDDC) service model that puts the virtualization technologies to abstract processing hardware into software from. Plus, hybrid cloud deployment, edge computing, and artificial intelligence have altogether made the data center far more complex than the clichéd image of a room packed with servers. Thus, this complexity has given rise to an array of technologies and practices that are increasingly being used to protect a facility's physical infrastructure and network systems from external and internal threats. The simpler explanation of data center security is preventing unauthorized access. The data center security systems implementation is two-pronged. One aspect includes systems to be integrated like locked access points, surveillance systems, as well as security personnel and controls like access lists, policies and rules, and regulations that are put in place for effective management of the systems with which the data centers are managed. Here a few of the widely used systems that are installed in data centers will be visited and briefly familiarized with.

A Few Solutions Pertaining to Data Center Physical Security 

Video Surveillance

Among the various types of physical security technologies that have been known so far video surveillance is still the most widely known and implemented means of data center security. A full pan, tilt, and zoom enabled Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) is capable of constantly monitoring the exterior access points, interior doors as well as data floor itself. The footage recorded by the cameras is digitally backed up and archived offsite to prevent any unauthorized tampering of the footage.  To this end, in February 2020, the renowned innovators in integrated video and access control cloud services, Arcules, announced that Arcules-XProtect Hybrid VMS Solution will be commercially made available in North America and Europe. The solution encompasses Arcules Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS), and Milestone XProtect Corporate on-premise video management software (VMS) integrated with each other. Thus, transforming it into a hybrid solution that is a feature-rich flexible solution that is best suited for organizations that intend to centralized their dispersed video surveillance operations. The availability of this product outside the North American and European markets is subjected to possibilities of the market conditioned by data center availability.

Monitoring Solutions

Network performance and security are essential in today’s business world just like the importance of a sound economic policy that keeps the country running, because of the simple fact that business is increasingly relying on IT infrastructure in order have that comparative edge in the market to deliver memorable consumer experience simultaneously ensuring repeat customers. Digital security measures like the basic firewall to measures like Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) are implemented by many data center administrators. In view of the above FortiGate 1800F Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) was launched by Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions. The firewalls are powered by NP7 the orientation seventh-generation network processor that enables the user to achieve unparalleled detection, enforcement capabilities, performance, and scale. This introduction is also in response to the extraordinary demands of data center security concomitantly enabling a Security-Driven Networking approach. Further, the development of hyper-scale architecture with enterprise-level data centers is emerging as a necessity due to the unprecedented scale, availability and application delivery requirement. Fortinet’s NP7 network processor is capable of enabling organizations the ability to develop and segment services, manage internal and external risks simultaneously preserve user experience. This addition to the Data Center physical security market has set a new yardstick for data center physical security devices.

The Sum of all Tiers

The large business and enterprise opt for data centers with Tier III or higher ranking to install their servers because of these data centers unlike the Tier I and II data centers, offer top quality redundancy i.e. in case of any unforeseen outages it will be still a business-as-usual day for them. Additionally, in recent years there have been drastic changes in the manner in which enterprise data centers are designed and implemented. Driven by the ever-growing business transaction, adoption of cloud computing and virtualization technologies, businesses around the world now can enable themselves with infrastructure scale and elasticity, among others that would ensure minimization of cost and faster deployment of services, which in turn will make the ICT industry even more competitive. Thus, with such conveniences comes to their own sets of threats that have necessitated the securing the data centers even more in the face of much-publicized fatal breaches and cyberattacks. To this end systems and solutions brought about by Data Center, the physical security sector is increasingly being adopted.

Coffee Bean market is growing due to an increase in consumption by the younger population, it is the most popular beverage around the world with a billion cup of coffee consumed daily. The coffee bean is extracted from the coffee plant and it is the source of coffee. Coffee is technically not beans but is referred to as beans due to its resemblance to true beans. The fruits of coffee consist of 2 beans side by side and its main parts are the silver skin, Parchment, Pulp and the outer skin or pericarp. Coffee bean consists of natural compounds such as amino acids (proteins), carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, antioxidants, caffeine, and pectin. The amount of caffeine depends upon the coffee bean size and its weight. When coffee beans are roasted for a shorter period of time they are called “light roast” and it contains more caffeine whereas when coffee is roasted for a longer period like “dark roast” they become lighter and contains less caffeine. Coffees are graded on the basis of their size and coffee size is affected by its elevation and type. There are over 120 varieties of coffee beans and plants that are grown today. But the only small number of these varieties of coffee makes up the mass coffee production and consumption in the world.

Arabica Coffee

Arabica beans are found in Yemen, Ethiopia, and South Sudan where they have been grown and cultivated since the 12^TH century and currently, Arabica beans are grown all over the world like Africa, Latin America, Asia, and in the Caribbean. Arabica coffees are the oldest and most dominant species of coffee and are majorly represent the world’s coffee production and consumption. This in return drives the coffee bean market to a larger extent. Arabica Coffee requires 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit temperature for growth and they are grown mostly in high altitude areas. Arabica coffee beans are expensive because they require intense cultivation labor, they are flat and stretched out and are highly susceptible to pests and diseases.

Robusta Coffee

Robusta coffee is found in Western and Central Africa grown in countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, Liberia, and Angola and nowadays are even grown in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. Robusta coffee is less consumed as compared to Arabica coffee around the world. Robusta coffee requires between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit temperature for growth and is mostly grown in lower altitude areas. Robusta coffee consists of more caffeine making it bitter in nature and is mostly used in espressos due to its strong more caffeine. Robusta plants are generally tougher and more resilient than Arabica plants, using a fewer amount of herbicides, pesticides.

Benefits of Coffee Beans: –

• Coffee reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Drinking caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee on a regular basis can potentially reduce type 2 diabetics. Antioxidants such as CGA found in coffee beans help in keeping insulin levels even.

• Reduces risk of heart and Parkinson’s disease

Caffeine helps in preventing disturbance or irregularities in heart rhythm and also reduces the risk of stroke. Coffee even helps in preventing certain cardiovascular problems like heart failure. Caffeine present in coffee helps in reducing Parkinson’s by stopping the nerve cells that produce dopamine from dying.

• Lowers Skin Cancer and other Cancers risk

Coffee can help in reducing skin cancer and now it has even been found that it can prevent other cancers like liver and prostate cancer. People who drink coffee are less likely to develop cancer than those individuals who don’t.

• Helps in speeding up Metabolism

Coffee helps in speeding up metabolism as coffee gets quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and increases the heart rate. It even helps in reducing the depression as it acts as a mild antidepressant by boosting feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain making us feel good mentally.

• Helps in making skin smoother and stimulate hair growth

The coffee ground can help in stimulating hair growth by messaging scalp with coffee grounds and it also helps the skin as caffeine improves blood flow. Coffee bean and coconut oil mixed together can help in scrubbing dry skin. Coffee is also a great and cheap exfoliator.

Various Uses of Coffee Beans: –

• Use of Coffee in Food and Beverage Industry

Usage of the coffee bean is increasing in specialty cafes which offer beans of best flavor which are produced in microclimates. Specialty coffee is related to the Third Wave of Coffee. It refers to the modern demand for exceptional quality coffee, both farmed and brewed to a significantly higher than average standard. Coffee beans are used in muffins, cakes, cookies, and other various supplements. An increase in coffee consumption has given rise to coffee-flavored beverages and Espresso flavor is gaining popularity due to its strong and bold taste. Coffee beans benefit is driving the food and beverage industry.

• Use of coffee in Pharmaceutical Industry

coffee plants are used for influenza, anemia, edema, asthenia and rage, hepatitis and liver troubles, externally for nervous shock, as a stimulant for sleepiness and drunkenness, as an antitussive in flu and lung ailment, as a cardiotonic and a neuro tonic and for asthmas. Coffee is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry due to the presence of a higher level of chlorogenic acid as it helps in reducing the blood pressure and weight. Chlorogenic acid present in green coffee helps in lowering blood sugar levels, improves mood, and helps with infections.

• Use of Coffee in Personal Care

Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants and it helps in increasing skin elasticity, retains hydration, single tissue repair, and protects the skin from harsh sun rays. Coffee skin products are used as it helps in removing dirt, oil, and impurities, it is suitable for all types of skin. Skincare products like masks help in cleansing skin and minimizing pores. Coffee based hair care products provide benefits like prevention of hair fall and hair loss, improvement and strengthening of hair texture, and improve blood circulation in the scalp.

Biosensors are an analytical device, used for the detection of medical components or details about the human body. That may be required by the doctor for further analysis of the disease or symptoms of a patient. It can be simple tools for detecting specific biological, chemical, or physical processes by reading or responding to a different physical stimulus like sound, heat, pressure, light, or any particular motion for analysis. These devices convert physical stimulus to electrical signals. They are not only used for monitoring health but can also be used for the safety of food, medicines, environmental, and other substances. The detector or transducer transforms the signal into another one by a process of physicochemical way resulting from the interaction of analyses with the biological element, to easily measure and quantify. The biosensors readers are usually customized according to the requirement of the biosensors. Biosensor market is growing due to the increasing demand for medical equipment required at home for early diagnosis, check-up, and home-based healthcare services as it allows medical monitoring of the patient at home without even going to doctor’s clinic or hospital and to wait for physician. These biosensors are being used widely in the healthcare industry due to their properties of flexible, faster analysis, at a lower cost, and user-friendly in usage.

Types of biomedical sensors are: –

• PhysicalBiosensor

Physical Biosensor is a mostly used sensor they have been segmented on their general working method of sensing hearing, sight, touch, reaction to external physical stimuli. The physical biosensors are classified into piezoelectric biosensors and thermometric biosensors.

• Piezoelectric Biosensors

Piezoelectric biosensor works on the law of oscillations transform due to a collection jump on the surface of a piezoelectric crystal, biosensors have their modified surface with an antigen or antibody, a molecularly stamped polymer, and heritable information. Detection parts are normally united by using nanoparticles.

• Thermometric Biosensor

Thermometric biosensors are used for measuring or estimation of serum cholesterol. Thermal biosensor measures the thermal energy released or absorbed in a biochemical reaction.

• Optical Biosensor

Optical biosensor uses fiber optics and even optoelectronic transducers. The optical biosensor objective is to produce a signal proportionate to the concentration of a measured substance. Optical biosensors are classified into two type’s direct optical detection biosensor and labeled optical detection biosensor.

• Electrochemical Biosensors

This sensor is based on the reaction of enzymatic catalysis that consumes or generates electrons. The biosensor transforms biochemical information, such as analyte concentrations into an analytically useful signal in current or voltage. Electrochemical biosensors are classified into four types Amperometric Biosensors, Potentiometric Biosensors, Impedimetric Biosensors, and Voltammetric Biosensors.

• Amperometric Biosensor

It is a self-contained incorporated device based on the amount of the current ensuing from the oxidation offering exact quantitative analytical information. This biosensor uses the “Clark oxygen” electrode and works by the amount of flow of current between the counter electrode and redox response at the operational electrode.

• Potentiometric Biosensors

This biosensor provides a logarithmic reply by means of a high energetic range they are frequently complete by monitor producing the electrode prototypes lying on a synthetic substrate, covered by a performing polymer with some enzyme is connected.

• Impedimetric Biosensors

The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a responsive indicator for a broad range of physical and chemical properties. Impedimetric biosensor for differentiating the invention of the biosensors as well as to examine the catalyzed responses of enzymes lectins, nucleic acids, receptors, whole cells, and antibiotics.

• Voltammetric Biosensors

It is based on a new voltammetric biosensor to notice acrylamide, it is built with a carbon glue electrode customized with Hb (Haemoglobin). It shows a reversible oxidation or reduction procedure of Hb(Fe).

• Wearable Biosensors

Wearable biosensors are digital devices that can be worn on the human body using different wearable systems like smartwatches, tattoos, smart shirts, that will allow recording BP, Blood Glucose level, heartbeat rate, etc. These devices are easy to use, flexible, and affordable. They provide a patient’s real-time fitness status, this results from help in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Biomedical sensors have ample of applications like: –

• Biomedical sensors help in discovering drugs from people smuggling from one country to another.
• Biomedical sensors are used in prosthetic devices like limbs, legs, etc. Actuators are attached to the residual part of an amputated area, which provides feedback on tactile information generated by the biosensors. They help in the control of a prosthetic limb and arms.
• Biosensors are now widely used in the biomedical sensor market due to its accuracy in reading elements and detecting diseases. Affordability and ease of use make it more user-friendly and desirable for usage.
• Biomedical sensors like DNA hybridization biosensors are used for the diagnosis of genetic and infectious diseases all over the world. The biomedical sensors are used in the majority for the detection of diseases inpatient as they give accurate information and help in the timely start of treatment.
• Biomedical sensors can be used for determining the type and concentration of contaminants present in the environment. They can be used for monitoring water, soil, and air for various requirements.
• Biomedical sensors can be used for reading extremely sensitive and specific on-measurements of contamination by specific toxic material.
• Food quality can be monitored by the help of biosensors they help in determining the freshness, stability, and quality characteristics of food. They are less costly, easy in usage, and provide accurate details.
• Water quality can be easily monitored by using biosensors. They can help in detecting phytotoxic and nutrient substances in water. Reducing pollution and detecting the cause can be easily done by using biosensors.
• Biomedical sensors are used for diagnostics, medical imaging, and monitoring of patients' health. It gives vital information about a patient’s health that can be used for treatment and early diagnosis of diseases.

The rice milk market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.17% and poised to reach US$ 2,619.954 million by 2024, from US$ 1,012.838 million in 2018. The expanding interest in gastronomic pursuits and interested in experimentation has resulted in a perceptible trend in food and beverage innovation that is augmenting customers' preference of shifting away from the traditional milk and dairy-based products. For instance, Woolworth Food's Organic Rice Milk, which was launched in December 2019 is made of organic rice, organic vegetable oil, sea salt, and water. It also has relatively low-fat content, no saturated fat or cholesterol and is rich in Vitamin B and carbohydrates. This also serves as an example, like many others, of businesses adapting to consumers growing preference for functional beverages as well as moving away from traditional milk due to growing health concerns associated with milk. Moreover, the APAC region that is primarily a market for consumers of soy milk due to their lactose intolerance makes it a stark opportunity for the rice milk market.

The Environmental Imperative of Value-Driven Consumers

The other factor that is leading to a surge in rice milk production is that of growing environmental concern, about bovine milk production. The estimated global variation of 1 liter of milk production with regards to green-house-gas (GHG) emissions is between 2 to 4 kgs carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂eq). With regards to the terrestrial acidification, 1 liter of milk production amounts to more than 30 grams of sulfur dioxide equivalents (g SO₂eq) and leads to eutrophication to the tune of 20 grams of phosphate (g SO₂eq). The growing awareness of the environmental impact that is associated with highly resource intensive dairy production is thus fueling the inevitable growth of plant-based alternatives to milk like rice milk, since large proportion of consumers are value-driven individuals who have along with the traditional dimensions of food and beverages like convenience, identity, taste, and value have added to other dimensions mainly that of benefits and ethical values.

The Emergence Plant-Based Players In APAC Region

Apart from actively communicating the environmental credentials, players in the market are increasingly partaking in the plant-based foods sector as consumers in the emerging economies are more inclined to adopt newer varietal of plant-based drinks such as rice milk.  The abundance of raw materials in the APAC region is estimated to further propel the growth of the market.  Further, due to the emerging preference of functional beverages, a greater number of players are entering emerging as well as strong economies. There is also diversification into the plant-based milk category. This would lead to significant growth of the Rice Milk Market. The established and ever-expanding distribution networks are projected to further catalyze the growth of the rice milk market.  For instance, the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company that is also known as Vinamilk, in 2019 introduced a rice milk brand called Vinamilk Zori. It is a beverage made from roasted rice, with less sugar and is fortified with various vitamins. The company has also effectively localized its brand for Chinese consumers and is called Yuenamiao.

The Expanding Plant-Based Beverage Product Mix And Plausible Substitutes

The rice milk market is estimated to be met with a growing number of substitutes since plant-based alternatives are poised to become a staple in every household across several markets and are not restricted to the diets of vegans, only. Besides, rice milk there appears to be a profusion of other plan-based products. Moreover, consumers’ aspiration for variety, novelty, and willingness to experiment are a few key reasons that are propelling the emergence of plant-based drinks other than rice milk. In 2019, Chobani, the widely recognized American yogurt brand announced that it would start selling oat-based drinks. Other players in the oat milk segment are Danone’s Silk, Oatly and Planet Oat.

Further, the plant-based market is not saturated which paves the way for more alternatives to rice milk. In view of above Elmhurst switched to producing a variety of plant-based milks from almond, cashew, hazelnut, oat, and walnut after being 92 years in dairy. Califia Farms known for its range of plant-based milks that are inclusive of but are not limited to that of coconut and almond milk raised $50 million round of capital in the year of 2018 led by Ambrosia Investments.  Another Californian coconut milk-based brand called REBBL raised US$20 million in funding.

 

Type	Products
Cereal based	Corn milk, Oat milk, Rice milk, Spelt milk
Legume based	Peanut milk, Lupin milk, Cowpea milk.
Nut based	Almond milk, Coconut milk, Hazelnut milk, Pistachio milk, Walnut milk
Seed based	Flax milk, Hemp milk, Sesame milk, Sunflower milk.
Pseudo-cereal based	Amaranth milk, Quinoa milk, Teff milk.

Table 1Available Rice Milk Substitute

Opportunities

The rising preference of a vegan diet is also a significant factor contributing to the meteoric adoption of non-dairy alternatives, which in turn provides a significant opportunity for rice milk this poses even beyond the forecast periods. One such alternative is that of rice milk. Presently consumers are proactively moving away from the bovine milk towards rice milk mainly due to milk protein allergy, lactose intolerance, cultural influences, etc.  This has enabled beverage processors and marketers to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for rice milk and increase their portfolio of lactose-free milk brands. Further, countries, where consumers are mostly lactose-tolerant, is turning towards rice milk, as well.  In light of the above, in 2017, Danone (Euronext: BN) acquired American WhiteWave Foods for a deal, worth US$12.5 billion, which among others, generated 38% of its sales from plant-based foods and beverages according to a certain forward-looking statement published by Danone. Further, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in 2019 reported net sales of US$13.6 billion for 2018, compared to US$14.7 billion in 2017, which is a decrease in7.5%.