 |
Click here for the June issue |
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
 |
 |
 
Click here to read the
|
Bridgestone extends tire recall Thursday, July 2, 2009 Nashville, TN -- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) has announced that it is expanding the recall it announced in October 2008 to include additional Firestone brand FR380 P235/75 R15 tires that were manufactured by Bridgestone de Costa Rica, S.A. (BSCR) at its San Jose Plant in 2007 and 2008. BATO estimates that about 127,000 Firestone FR380 tires from the additional production weeks have been sold in the U.S. replacement market. It is also possible that a small number of these tires from the additional production weeks may have been sold in the Canadian replacement market. Although no property damage or personal injury claims have been reported with respect to the tires included in the initial recall or this extended action, the tires fail to meet the company’s internal standards and will be replaced for consumers free of charge. Specifically, the subject tires were produced with insufficient tread base gauge and continued use of these tires may lead to vibration and groove cracking. Extended use could potentially lead to tread distortion or tread separation and possible loss of control. BATO is committed to quality and safety and urges consumers to get these tires replaced. The initial recall covered approximately 135,000 Firestone FR380 tires in size P235/75 R15 that were produced from the 23rd week in 2006 (June 2006) through the 35th week in 2007 (August 2007). The field action has been extended to include Firestone FR380 tires of the same size produced during the 36th week in 2007 (September 2007) through the 30th week in 2008 (July 2008). Tires included in this field action include only those Firestone FR380 tires in size P235/75R15 with the tire DOT number that matches any of the following serial numbers stamped on the sidewall of the tire: WBHL 380 3607 through and including WBHL 380 3008. If the tire has a partial DOT serial number that appears, WBHL 380, the tire may be included in this recall. Consumers should either look at the opposite sidewall to confirm that the full DOT serial number is within the range above or have a tire professional confirm the full DOT serial number. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñ
Dow Chemical to close three Louisiana plants Thursday, July 2, 2009 Midland, MI -- The Dow Chemical Co. announced Wednesday that on June 30, its board of directors approved a restructuring plan which calls for the shutdown of a number of manufacturing assets, including ethylene and ethylene-derivative assets in the company's basics portfolio. Specific sites in the company's Basics portfolio that will be impacted include an ethylene cracker in Hahnville, LA, Ethylene Derivatives; an ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol production unit in Hahnville, and an ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride monomer facility in Plaquemine, LA. Consistent with the company's $1.3 billion synergy commitment related to the acquisition of Rohm and Haas, the restructuring plan includes a charge for the elimination of approximately 2,500 positions, which has been previously announced. Dow will also recognize an impairment charge due to an expected loss on the divestiture of certain acrylic monomer and specialty latex assets, which is required for United States Federal Trade Commission approval of the Rohm and Haas acquisition. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñKumho recalls light truck all-terrain tires Thursday, July 2, 2009 According to an article in consumeraffairs.com, "Kumho Tire USA is recalling about 36,000 Mohave light truck all-terrain tires. The recall is for sizes LT225/75R16, LT245/75R16 and LT265/75R16, produced between December 7, 2008, and June, 2009. The tires can cause the vehicle's handling to become difficult when operated under load or when changing lanes. This could cause the vehicle to sway and possibly cause a crash. Kumho will notify tire owners and replace the tires free of charge when the recall begins in July. Owners may contact Kumho at 1-800-445-8646." - * Email ñ Top of the page ñExxonMobil Chemical to increase polypropylene compounding capacity at French facility Thursday, July 2, 2009 Houston, TX -- ExxonMobil Chemical is investing in increased polypropylene (PP) compounding capacity and capability at its Lillebonne Polypropylene Plant (LPP), France. Capacity will increase by 45,000 tons to meet growing demand for Exxtral performance polyolefins from automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in Europe. The expansion is due for completion by year end 2009. The LPP facility currently manufactures neat, filled and compounded PP such as the new generation compound Exxtral BMU141 that was recently specified for the instrument panel of the new Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner. Exxtral polyolefins were also specified for the door panel, and upper and lower trim of these vehicles. Exxtral polyolefins have been used primarily for interior and under the hood automotive applications, but are increasingly being specified for exterior applications, such as bumper fasciae which also are driving demand. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñKlöckner Pentaplast invests in U.K. PET capacity Thursday, July 2, 2009 Montabaur, Germany –– The Klöckner Pentaplast Group, the largest European producer of rigid PET films, announced Tuesday that it will add to its European production capacity for polyester films. Primarily used for food and consumer packaging applications, the new capacity will be located at the company’s Crumlin, U.K., manufacturing facility. The start up of the state-of-the-art extrusion line is targeted for late 2009 and will produce high-performance polyester films. The EUR 3.4 million ($4.4 million) investment will be supported by the Wales Assembly Government (WAG) and includes an expansion of the existing building. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñBioplastics collaboration first of its kind Thursday, July 2, 2009 Vevey, Switzerland -- Nestlé is teaming up with diverse industrial partners to sponsor research in bioplastics at the Ecole des Mines in Paris. This kind of multipartner collaboration in bioplastics is the first if its kind in the world of bioplastic sciences. As part of its commitment to sustainable development and creating shared value, Nestlé is co-funding a Chair in Bioplastics at Ecole des Mines de Paris, which includes six Ph.D. theses. This research program will study the properties of polymers derived from renewable resources, as well as their industrial application. The Ecole des Mines in Paris has a strong capability in understanding the physical and chemical properties of polymers as well as in polymer processing. Other industrial partners that are funding this Chair are Schneider Electric, PSA, Arkema and L’Oreal. In addition to a financial contribution of EUR 60,000 per year for five years, Nestlé said it will also bring its long experience in bioplastics and strong knowledge of packaging to this partnership. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñRubber World accepting orders for the 2009 Blue Book and Rubber Red Book Thursday, July 2, 2009 Akron, Oh -- Rubber World Magazine is now accepting orders for both the 2009 editions of the Materials, Compounding Ingredients and Machinery for Rubber "Blue Book" and its Annual Buyers Guide, "The Rubber Red Book." Both 2009 publications have been totally updated and revised. For more information on ordering your copy of the Blue Book click here. For information on ordering your copy of the Rubber Red Book click here. - * Email ñ Top of the page ñ
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This site was created by Rubber World Magazine's Electronic Publishing Division, Akron, Ohio.