Today's News
June is packed with learning opportunities from the Rubber Division
The Rubber Division, ACS is packing June with opportunities to strengthen your expertise and stay ahead in our rapidly evolving industry. From foundational courses to advanced topics and targeted webinars, this month’s lineup delivers practical knowledge and real-world insights you can put to work right away.
Take the June 3 Introduction to Compounding, Mixing & Testing course followed by the June 4 Intermediate Rubber Compounding course to progress from foundational to intermediate level at a discounted rate. Additional savings are available for companies enrolling multiple participants. Contact hmaimone@rubber.org for details.
Yokohama Rubber establishes new R&D center in China
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announces that it has established an R&D center in Hangzhou, China. The new center began operations in May 2026 inside the Company’s new passenger car tire plant that started production in November 2025. With the establishment of the new center, Yokohama Rubber aims to build a system that can initiate and complete the R&D of new products for the China market locally, enabling it to dramatically speed up its response to demand in the Chinese market. The new center will enhance Yokohama Rubber’s R&D capabilities in China, and combined with the start of operations at the recently established tire plant, will strengthen Yokohama Rubber’s development and production of tires for the Chinese market.
USTMA president Anne Forristall Luke announces retirement
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), announced that President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke will retire at the end of 2026 after eleven years leading the Association. Forristall Luke, who joined USTMA – then known as the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) – in 2016, has presided over a period of substantial growth, strategic evolution, and measurably elevated influence for the domestic tire manufacturing industry.
SLTC and CIHUL announce the IV Rubber Technology Symposium in Guadalajara
The Latin American Rubber Association —SLTC— and the Regional Chamber of the Rubber and Latex Industry of the State of Jalisco —CIHUL— announce the IV Rubber Technology Symposium – Guadalajara 2026, to be held from October 28 to 30, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
UTH GmbH will present latest products at Adhesive & Bonding Expo
At the Adhesives & Bonding Expo 2026, taking place from June 23 to 25 in Novi, Michigan, UTH GmbH will present its latest product range, focusing on polymer dosing for continuous mixing processes.
May 2026
In the May issue of Rubber World we focus on Extrusion and other topics of interest in tire construction.
Featured
Mixing
Understanding the difference between high and low shear
Industrial mixing is a crucial process in various industries, including production of rubber formulations, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and many others. It is also integral to continuous process industries including waste water treatment, fuel and energy production, and mining of metals and minerals.
Chemicals and Materials
Freudenberg introduces solvent-free bonding process for elastomers to metal
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has introduced a new adhesive bonding process that eliminates the need for wet-chemical treatments, aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Extrusion
Extruding full rubber bales without a granulator
Walk into most rubber compounding operations today and somewhere upstream of the mixer one will find a granulator. It sits
Silicone & Medical
Mitsubishi Chemical’s Zelas TPS used for Sanplatec cell culture tubes
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. said it has introduced its thermoplastic elastomer designed for medical use into cell culture tubes used in a regenerative medicine system developed by Sanplatec Corp., marking a new application for the company’s medical-grade resin technology.
The material, Zelas TPS, is being used in the cell culture tubes of Sanplatec’s iP-TEC series, a system for cell culture and transportation used in regenerative medicine. The products were showcased at the 25th Congress of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine held in Kobe on March 19–20, 2026.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies develops new sealing system for CO2 compressors
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a new sealing system for busbar sealing in vehicle air-conditioning compressors. This elastomer-based solution withstands test pressures of over 100 bar in leak tests and offers a cost-efficient alternative to conventional glass seals. Designed for CO₂ compressors (R744), it also works well with other refrigerants.
Testing & Instruments
The measurement of tire innerliner gauge
In this study, the Keyence digital microscope has been used to measure component gauges of tire cross-sections, and specifically the
Molding
Electrically conductive silicones for enclosure-level EMI shielding
By Dominic Testo, Specialty Silicone Products – Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a naturally occurring orhuman caused phenomenon that degrades or
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Fraunhofer scientists develop safer method to produce polyurethane without toxic isocyanates
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) have developed a new method for producing polyurethane without the use of toxic isocyanates, a key ingredient traditionally required in the manufacture of the widely used polymer.
Latex and Natural Rubber
Sustainable materials for rubber and allied industries
Sustainability is no longer a new concept; it has become a global priority. While quality was the focus of the 1980s, globalization defined the 1990s, and the internet revolutionized the 2000s. The 2010s and after have been dominated by the idea of sustainability. Human survival depends on integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of life. The world is already witnessing alarming environmental changes: rising greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of non-renewable resources and widespread deforestation.
The May Issue of Rubber World
Sponsored by:
This issue focuses on
Extrusion
The issue is available online to our subscribers via our digital edition.
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