Today's News
Bridgestone announces executive leadership changes
Bridgestone announced the roles of West CEO and Group President, North America are being decoupled. Scott Damon will continue in his current role as West CEO. Robert Johnson has been appointed Group President, North America. In this role, he will assume leadership of North America Core Tire as well as have end-to-end ownership and accountability for the full North America profit and loss (P&L). Wade Sempkowski has been named West Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Johnson in that role.
Yokohama Rubber develops proprietary tire mold design using simulations and AI
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announces that it developed a proprietary tire mold design support system using simulations (FEM: finite element method) and the Company’s AI technology in April 2026. The new system supplements the knowledge and experience of the Company’s development staff and makes it easier even for less-experienced staff to design new molds by providing information (such as changes in tire characteristics due to different mold design factors) obtained by conducting a large number of virtual experiments.
Tire Recycling Foundation names Circle of Change awards finalists
he Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) announced the finalists in the Foundation’s inaugural Circle of Change Awards – a national recognition program created to spotlight the people, organizations, and teams advancing tire recycling, expanding markets for recycled tire products, and demonstrating leadership in the circular economy.
API Tire launches XCOMP Ride & Drive Series
American Pacific Industries (API) is committed to helping customers expand their market’s profitability by providing quality products at competitive prices; the team recently hosted its inaugural XCOMP Ride & Drive event at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
Magna Tyres introduces the new MA801 TR solid tire
The new MA801 TR solid tire, specifically designed for demanding applications such as recycling and heavy industrial environments. The tire is developed to deliver maximum uptime, high load capacity, and reliable performance under harsh operating conditions. The MA801 TR will be officially presented for the first time at IFAT 2026, taking place from 4–7 May 2026 in Munich.
Laur Silicone marks 50 years of silicone specialization
Laur Silicone is marking its 50th year in operation, reflecting on a history of silicone rubber development and manufacturing. The company was founded in 1976 by Tom and Rose Mary Laur as Laur Silicone Rubber Compounding, Inc., with a focus on custom formulation and mixing of silicone materials. Dan Laur joined the company as its first employee in January 1977.
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
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies unveils new extrusion process using molten salt
The specific properties of vulcanized materials make them essential for many areas of application. In industries such as aerospace, food and beverages and the energy sector, components must meet the highest standards of abrasion and chemical resistance, elasticity, and durability. Delivering top-quality solutions in these areas requires excellent materials expertise, and at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies this goes hand in hand with state-of-the-art production technologies: With LCM (Liquid Curing Method), the company is now commissioning an advanced vulcanizing extrusion line. This is a process in which the fluid used for vulcanization consists of molten salt, heated to around 200 degrees Celsius and filled with vulcanizing salt. The entire line operates in a closed loop, in which the salt is continuously recycled, fed back into the process and reused.
Silicone & Medical
Guill introduces reciprocating head for medical tubing
Guill Tool has released its new reciprocating head. The traditional tip and die assembly is replaced with a linear reciprocating assembly that changes the tube’s profile within a given length. This process is repeated throughout a single extrusion run without interruptions. Cutting capability, in association with the extrusion speed, cuts the finished product to length.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Penn State researchers develop high temperature polymer capacitor
In the race to lighter, safer and more efficient electronics — from electric vehicles to transcontinental energy grids — one component literally holds the power: the polymer capacitor. Seen in such applications as medical defibrillators, polymer capacitors are responsible for quick bursts of energy and stabilizing power rather than holding large amounts of energy, as opposed to the slower, steadier energy of a battery. However, current state-of-the-art polymer capacitors cannot survive beyond 212 degrees Fahrenheit (F), which the air around a typical car engine can hit during summer months and an overworked data center can surpass on any given day.
Testing & Instruments
Wire cord measurement sensor for tire calenders
Wire cord measurement sensors provide a highly reliable, high-resolution method for evaluating the geometry of steel reinforced rubber sheets in real time.
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 April Issue of Rubber World
Sponsored by:
This issue focuses on
Automotive Elastomer Parts
The issue is available online to our subscribers via our digital edition.
To subscribe, click here. For advertising information click here.