Biotech leaders talk AI, funding and lab space at BBJ event
The Boston Business Journal's Power 50, "The Movement Makers," focuses on those in the Boston-area business community who demonstrate the most influence on making both their company and the region a better place for everyone in it.
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Condé Nast Traveler
an hour ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Amtrak's New Acela Trains Are Finally Debuting This Month
This Labor Day Weekend, Amtrak is rolling out brand new high-speed trains along its most popular route. Starting Thursday, August 28, the train company will debut its long-awaited NextGen Acela, a reimagined high-speed train that runs along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington DC. The much-anticipated trains were first slated to go into service in 2022, but their debut was delayed as Amtrak faced several hurdles to deploying them. Nonetheless, the momentous launch will be a significant milestone for the train line. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel,' Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.' Here's everything travelers need to know about Amtrak's new era of high-speed train travel. What to expect Amtrak's NextGen Acela trains will reach speeds of up to 160 mph (current Acelas go 150 mph at top speed). However, this may not immediately translate to shorter travel times come August, as the new trains will still be operating on old tracks. Eventually, NextGen Acela trips between Washington DC and Boston could be about 20 minutes faster than the current Acelas, according to Amtrak's 2040 plan. Instead, the most noticeable difference off the bat will be the onboard rider experience. The new Acela trains will feature a redesigned café car with a new grab-and-go section containing pre-packaged meals and soft drinks—making long-distance journeys all the more bearable. Excitingly, Amtrak is also bringing back its food and beverage cart service, so travelers in business class will be able to purchase refreshments right from their seats. First-class passengers will still be served full meals.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins indicted for allegedly extorting Boston cannabis company
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins has been charged with extortion for his alleged dealings with a Boston-based cannabis company. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston said FBI agents arrested Tompkins Friday morning in Florida and brought him to court there. He will be brought back to Boston "at a later date," the office said in a statement. Tompkins, 67, allegedly gave the company, which was not identified in the indictment, $50,000 back in November 2020 to buy stock in the business. Prosecutors said he paid "approximately $1.73 per share" for the stock before the company's initial public offering (IPO). The company had a partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, which "would help screen and refer graduates of its re-entry program to apply for work" at the company's retail store. When the company launched its IPO in 2021, the stock was worth $9.60 a share, meaning Tompkins's initial $50,000 investment of 14,417 shares was now worth $138,403. But, by May of 2022, the value of the stock had dropped so much Tompkins's investment "was worth several thousand dollars less than the $50,000 he originally invested," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement. "However, Tompkins allegedly demanded a refund of $50,000 and, despite the decrease in the value of Tompkins's investment, Individual A agreed to Tompkins's demands for full repayment of $50,000." Tompkins allegedly got the money back in five separate checks from May 2022 to July 2023 "that read 'loan repayment' and '[company] expense' to disguise the nature of some of the payments," prosecutors said. He's now charged with two counts of extortion under color of official right. Tompkins has been Suffolk County Sheriff since 2013. He's in charge of nearly 1,000 correctional officers and other employees at facilities in Boston at the House of Correction and the Nashua Street Jail. He was re-elected to a six-year term in 2022. "Elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest and law abiding – not self-serving. His alleged actions are an affront to the voters and taxpayers who elected him to his position, and the many dedicated and honest public servants at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. The people of Suffolk County deserve better," said U.S. Attorney Leah Foley in a statement. "We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear cut corruption under federal law," said Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Boston. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office had no comment Friday when contacted by WBZ-TV.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market Accelerates in Response to Rising Fire Safety Standards
"With rising fire safety standards and the growing use of electric vehicles, demand for flame retardant chemicals is expanding across industries such as construction, electronics, oil and gas, driven by innovations in coatings, plastics, and advanced materials." BOSTON, Aug. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest study from BCC Research, the "Flame Retardant Chemicals: Technologies and Global Markets" is projected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2025 to $8 billion by the end of 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2025 through 2030. The report provides a detailed analysis of the global flame retardant chemicals market, which is segmented by chemical types, applications, end-use industries, and regions. It covers categories such as brominated compounds, aluminum trihydrate, and phosphorus compounds, used across applications like plastics, fabrics, paints, and wood. Major end-use sectors include building and construction, electronics, transportation, and textiles. Revenue estimates are based on manufacturers' total earnings and are presented in constant U.S. dollars, offering a comprehensive view of market dynamics and user industries worldwide. The flame-retardant chemicals market is relevant right now due to their growing use in sectors like aerospace, military, and lightweight vehicles, where they help prevent electrical fires and overheating. Strict safety regulations are pushing manufacturers to adopt these chemicals more widely. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has further boosted demand, as flame retardants protect lithium-ion batteries and support lightweight, heat-resistant materials. Additionally, increased use in technical textiles and protective gear, along with expanding industries like mining, defense, oil and gas, and marine, is creating new opportunities for flame retardant chemical production. The factors driving the market's growth include: Rising Demand for Technical Textiles: Technical textiles used in industries like automotive, construction, and protective clothing require flame retardant properties for safety and durability. As these sectors expand, the need for advanced flame-retardant chemicals grow, boosting market demand. Stringent Fire Safety Regulations: Global fire safety laws are becoming stricter, especially in construction, transportation, and electronics. These regulations mandate the use of flame-retardant materials, driving consistent demand across industries. Evolution of Bio-Based Flame Retardants: Concerns over toxicity and environmental impact are pushing the development of bio-based flame retardants. These eco-friendly alternatives, made from renewable resources, are gaining traction due to companies' trying to meet sustainability goals and regulatory support from governments. Development of Halogen-Free Flame Retardants: Halogenated flame retardants are being phased out due to health and environmental risks. Safer, halogen-free options like phosphorus and nitrogen-based compounds are increasingly preferred, especially in electronics and textiles. Request a sample copy of the global market for flame retardant chemicals report. Report Synopsis Report Metric Details Base year considered 2024 Forecast period considered 2025-2030 Base year market size $5.9 billion Market size forecast $8.0 billion Growth rate CAGR of 5.3% from 2025 to 2030 Segments covered Type, Application, End-Use and Region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Countries covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, U.K., France, Japan, China, India, the Middle East, Africa, Rest of Europe, Rest of Asia-Pacific, and Rest of South America Market drivers • Rising demand for technical textiles. • Stringent fire safety regulations. • Evolution of bio-based flame retardants. • Development of halogen-free flame retardants. Interesting facts: European manufacturers are focusing on melamine-free flame-retardant chemicals. For instance, in March 2024, Clariant Corp. launched Exolit AP 422, a melamine-free flame-retardant chemical that is approved by REACH and is known for being a sustainable product in the European market. The leading oil and gas-producing countries are prominent consumers of flame-retardant chemicals. In the oil and gas industry, flame retardant chemicals are blended with plastic pipelines, storage tanks, wellheads, and platform structures. Flame retardant chemicals pose numerous benefits to the oil and gas industry, including reducing the spread of fires, dropping heat release, and restricting smoke as well as poisonous fumes. Emerging startups: Zenova Group Plc is a U.K.-based company producing flame-retardant chemicals. Established in 2021, the company designs flame retardant chemicals specifically for lithium battery fires, wood, petrol, diesel, polymers, grasses, hays, brush, and electronics. Zenova Group's chemicals are used by forest ministries and power generation companies, and in critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and commercial properties. VKP HFFR Pvt. Ltd. is an emerging Indian start-up that designs halogen-free flame retardants specifically for automotive polymers and coating applications. VKP HFFR targets engineering plastics, technical textiles, thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, epoxy, and wood applications. ireSafe Zone Inc. is a U.S.-based flame-retardant chemical company that produces halogen-free chemicals in the North American market. The company produces flame retardant chemicals specifically for the electronic industry, textile, and wearables industries. The company continuously focuses on scientific research on flame retardant chemicals, particularly bioplastic applications. The report addresses the following questions: 1. What are the projected size and growth rate of the market? The global flame-retardant chemicals market is projected to grow from $5.9 billion in 2024 to $8.0 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. 2. Which factors are driving the growth of the market? The key factors driving the growth of the flame-retardant chemicals market include: Rising demand for technical textiles. Stringent fire safety regulations. 3. Which market segments are covered in the report? The flame-retardant chemicals market is segmented based on types, applications, and end-use industries. Types include aluminum trihydrate, phosphorus compounds, brominated compounds, antimony oxide, chlorinated compounds, and nitrogen compounds. Applications include plastics, fabric, paints and coatings, paper and board, and wood. Plastic applications are sub-segmented into polyesters, polyurethane, epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, and others. End-use industries are segmented into building and construction, transportation, electrical and electronics, and textiles. 4. Which end-use segment will be dominant through 2030? The building and construction segment will be dominant through 2030. 5. Which region has the largest market share? Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of the market. Many Asia-Pacific countries have lenient rules on the production and use of plastics and flame-retardant chemicals, which is attracting many global flame-retardant chemical producers to expand their presence in the region. India, Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam may become the next major producers of flame-retardant chemicals because of the U.S.-China tariff dispute. Moreover, the growing use of EVs in the Asia-Pacific region creates new opportunities for flame retardant chemical manufacturers. The expansion of Southeast Asian nations opens new markets for companies that make flame-retardant chemicals. Market leaders include: AKZO NOBEL N.V. ALBEMARLE CORP. ARKEMA BASF CLARIANT CORP. DAIHACHI CHEMICAL DOW ETI MADEN ICL JM HUBER CORP. KEMIPEX LANXESS MPI CHEMIE BV NYACOL NANO TECHNOLOGIES INC. SANWA CHEMICAL CO. LTD. Related reports: Global Markets for Plastics Additives: This report analyzes the global plastics additives market, focusing on how these additives enhance plastic properties for improved performance and manufacturing efficiency. It segments the market by product type, application, end user, and region, while also exploring market dynamics, leading manufacturers, ESG trends, and regulatory factors. The study highlights growth opportunities and provides market size estimates and forecasts in terms of value. Global Flame and Smoke Detectors Markets: This report provides a detailed analysis of the global flame and smoke detectors market, segmented by detector type, application, and region. It includes insights into leading companies, emerging technologies, ESG factors, and patent trends, along with market values, shares, and growth rates. The study offers both global and regional perspectives to understand market dynamics and competitive landscape. Purchase a copy of the report direct from BCC Research. For further information on any of these reports or to make a purchase, contact info@ About BCC Research BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions free of noise and hype. Contact UsCorporate HQ: 50 Milk St., Ste. 16, Boston, MA 02109, USAEmail: info@ +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email press@ or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE BCC Research LLC Sign in to access your portfolio
