Kickstart: Grants support MDI and its mission employing people with disabilities

A Minnesota company known for its work in helping people with disabilities find steady work is getting some help to expand.

Grants from the Blandin Foundation, the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, the Otto Bremer Trust and Enbridge will help Minnesota Diversified Industries Inc. buy a new profile extruder for polypropylene to support growth at its Grand Rapids, Minn., plant.

With the extruder, MDI will be able to make its own extruded sheet and sell sheet to other companies. Currently it buys sheet, which it converts into boxes, trays and totes for commercial customers.

A news release from the Blandin Foundation says the extruder will be capable of creating 5 million PP sheets per year and create 75 jobs.

"Our continued support of MDI has brought immeasurable benefits and impact to our community, particularly people with disabilities," said Tuleah Palmer, president and CEO of the Blandin Foundation. "We were excited to be able to support this long-term investment in growth and ultimately in the people of Grand Rapids."

You can check out this story from a few years ago by Jim Johnson to find out more about MDI and its work.

If you're looking for just the right present for a golfer who is tired of traditional golf shoes, materials company Lubrizol and shoemaker FootJoy Ingenuity have teamed up to create a shoe that uses thermoplastic polyurethane rather than spikes.

The Estane TPU on the outsole of the FJ Stratos provides traction without spikes, the companies say.

And the spikeless shoes are expected to be available this month, just in time for your Christmas shopping list.

Usually when you think of two competitive materials companies facing off, you think of them racing to get something to market, not being involved in a literal race.

But during next year's Tour de France, you may be able to cheer on a professional cycling team backed by the United Kingdom's Ineos or one sponsored by Netherlands-based Royal DSM.

DSM announced Dec. 4 that it will be the primary sponsor of the team known as Sunweb during the (shortened) 2020 season. DSM also will sponsor the women's team and a development team for young riders.

Ineos altered the name of its team in 2020 to Ineos Grenadiers to highlight the company's side project in developing a new auto brand.