The European Union has withdrawn from the International Rubber Study Group, ending its membership in the intergovernmental organization as of June 30, 2026, according to the group’s current membership information and European Union records.

The departure follows an EU decision to leave the organization, which the European Council formally approved in October 2025. The EU said the IRSG had become an organization of limited and declining relevance as important member countries withdrew over the years.

Silicone Rubber Growth Associates LLC (SRGA), a technical-commercial advisory firm focused exclusively on the silicone rubber industry, has launched to help material suppliers, compounders, processors and manufacturers solve technical challenges, pursue growth opportunities and add experienced outside bandwidth when specialized support is needed.

Continental has received original-equipment approval for the new Volkswagen ID. Polo. The all-electric compact model will be fitted as standard with Continental’s EcoContact 7 summer tire, after the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer approved the 17- and 18-inch sizes. Volkswagen also recommends the 18-inch versions of the AllSeasonContact 2 and the WinterContact TS 870 P.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions hosts “Rotary Sealing in Motion,” a 2.5-hour free virtual ConneX event exploring the technologies, trends and engineering expertise shaping the future of rotary sealing. Broadcasting from the Trelleborg Innovation Center in Stuttgart, Germany, the event is designed for engineers and technical decision-makers seeking practical guidance on seal selection, application performance and emerging industry challenges.

PUGL Technology Group LLC has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Excelkos-Tiarco Sdn. Bhd. covering Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Under the agreement, Excelkos-Tiarco will represent and sell PUGL Fusion Agent, PUGL’s stearate-free release agent, together with PUD 9088, the company’s polyurethane dispersion (PUD) for disposable polyurethane glove production. Excelkos-Tiarco will handle sales, technical support and customer trials for both products across the territory.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP), the nation’s first efficiency standards for replacement tires sold for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks in California.

The tires that come on new cars are typically designed to give drivers better fuel mileage. But average replacement tires are less efficient, meaning that consumers often lose mileage and range when they replace their tires. These cost-saving standards are designed to ensure that replacement tires are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold on new vehicles.