Today's News
JR Automation to open $15.5 million technology center in South Carolina
JR Automation will celebrate the grand opening of its new Automation Technology Center in Greenville, South Carolina, on Nov. 4, expanding its manufacturing capabilities with a $15.5 million investment.
The new facility includes 186,755 square feet of automation build space and 28,996 square feet of office and break room space, totaling more than 215,000 square feet. The expansion will support the company’s global operations and its efforts to help manufacturers develop more intelligent and connected production systems.
Azelis appoints Mike Finelli as CEO Americas
Azelis announced the appointment of Mike Finelli as CEO Azelis Americas and member of the company’s Executive Committee, effective 9 November 2026. Mike Finelli succeeds Todd Cottrell, who will leave Azelis at the end of October 2026, following a jointly agreed decision with the company.
Trelleborg carbon footprint methodology verified by DEKRA
DEKRA, an internationally recognized certifying authority, has independently verified the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions methodology for calculating product carbon footprints (PCFs).
The critical review confirms that the approach meets internationally recognized requirements for calculating cradle-to-gate climate impacts, providing Trelleborg customers with a trusted basis for transparent environmental product data.
Dow launches Dowsil IE-5619 emulsion
Dow announced the launch of DOWSIL™ IE-5619 DWOR Emulsion, a durable water and oil repellent (DWOR) agent featuring innovative fluoro-alternative chemistry for the global textile industry. This silicone-organic hybrid technology is designed to offer both water and oil repellency, helping textile chemical formulators, mills and brands address evolving regulatory, environmental and consumer expectations.
AirBoss to release 3rd quarter 2026 earnings
AirBoss of America Corp. announced that it will release its third quarter 2026 results after markets close on November 4th, 2026. The release will be followed by a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, November 5th, 2026, at 9:00 am ET.
Bridgestone unveils new $3 million Bandag training center in Akron
Bridgestone announced the opening of a new Bandag Training Center on its Akron campus. Representing a $3 million investment, the new center will educate teammates of commercial tire dealers and fleets about the performance, sustainability and financial benefits of retreaded tires. The facility aims to host hundreds of industry professionals each year, providing seminars and tailored classes of all sizes.
Industry Links
Samson Machinery
Samson Machinery Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of designing and manufacturing various tire building machines. Since 1975, Samson works in this filed for over 46 years. Samson provides full range of Tire Building machines, Band Building machines, and related parts for tire industry.
Featured
Mixing
AI analytics and digital twin enabled predictive optimization for wire calendering
by Varma Raju Sagi Venkatapathi, Honeywell International. An integrated AI analytics and digital twin framework transforms calender control from reactive to predictive, thus providing a comprehensive theoretical foundation for predictive calender stabilization.
Chemicals and Materials
New silicone sealant from Wevo for AEM electrolysers and flow batteries
Ostfildern-Kemnat, Germany – With WEVOSIL 20000 A/B, WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH presents a silicone sealant designed for use in the alkaline environments
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
Bluestar Silicones launches the first mechanically recycled silicone
Bluestar Silicones announces the launch of the first mechanically recycled silicone masterbatch in its portfolio to meet technical performance and product quality comparable to conventional materials.
Incorporating 33% mechanically recycled content, this new product, now available for pre-commercial sales, expands Bluestar Silicones’ Sircle™ circular technologies portfolio while supporting the company’s broader sustainability strategy.
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
Direct measurement of steady state shear viscosity
by Michele Scacchi and Denis Venturoli, Evercompounds S.p.A., and Mauro Belloni, Gibitre Instruments S.r.l. The Mooney viscometer (MV) was invented
Molding
Compression molding simulation: Capabilities, features and industrial case studies
by Harshal Bhogesra, MoldEx3D. The MoldEx3D compression molding module provides a fully coupled simulation environment that replicates the filling, packing,
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Polycarbonate polyols for high-performance PU dispersions
by Yoichi Hirose, Asahe Kasei. Newly developed DK031E and PCDX-249 are designed to address the issues associated with aqueous dispersions of polyurethane (PUDs) offering the potential to reduce solvent usage.
Latex and Natural Rubber
Olam Agri acquisition nearly doubles rubber processing capacity in Ivory Coast
Olam Agri has completed its acquisition of Asia Africa Rubber Industry S.A., adding 176,000 metric tons of annual rubber processing capacity in Ivory Coast as the company moves to expand its natural rubber business and meet growing demand for traceable supplies.
The acquisition nearly doubles Olam Agri’s rubber processing capacity in the West African country and is expected to improve operational efficiency, supply reliability and access to international customers, the company said.
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