The rubber compounding arm of the HEXPOL Group has announced an investment in a devulcanization line in Europe. This allows them to offer mechanical devulcanization of rubber in-house and supports the transition to a circular economy. The new extruder will be installed at the HEXPOL Compounding site in the Czech Republic year end 2024, where it will provide devulcanization services also to the other European HEXPOL Compounding sites to ensure that a broad customer base can join the circle
At the Tire Technology Expo in Hanover (March 19 – 21, 2024), Zeppelin Systems, together with four partners of the Zeppelin Sustainable Tire Alliance, will be presenting innovative and sustainable solutions for the rubber and tire industry. At Stand 9000 in Hall 21, the companies RubberJet and Vertech, Recykl, ReOil and RCB Nanotechnologies will be conveying a common message in collaboration with Zeppelin Systems: Sustainable production of tires and environmentally friendly recycling of used tires are possible.
TechnoBiz is publishing “LATEX HANDBOOK” and set to be released in July 2024. It is aimed to be an important reference book for latex industry professionals. It is focusing on Latex Science, Technology, Processing and Markets. Pre-ordering of this handbook is available now at TechnoBiz Store at special discounted rate up to 30 March 2024
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires®) is launching the all-new Toyo® M655TM sizes for commercial light truck tire applications. Built to withstand demanding conditions, the M655 on-/off-road tires provide confident traction under heavy load on unimproved roads for mining, energy, agriculture, construction, and forestry use. Additionally, each tire carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) designation for all-weather traction.
Pramac and BlueBotics have announced their partnership, which sees BlueBotics providing ANT navigation technology and fleet management software for Pramac’s new line of X-ACT mobile logistics robots.
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM (PT), The Los Angeles Rubber Group, Inc. (TLARGI) is hosting its first-ever March Extravaganza event, a fun-filled and information-packed afternoon you won’t want to miss. It’s all happening at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, California.
RDAbbott will exhibit during the event’s Mini Expo and provide a technical presentation during its Technical Conference. Parker Lord and Cancarb Limited, two of RDAbbott’s supplier partners, will also deliver technical presentations. Along with lunch and dinner, there will be Casino games and plenty of networking opportunities.
The abstract submission process is currently open for Smithers’ TPE and Silicone Elastomers World Summit 2024 this November in Vienna, so if you have something to share on any of the below themes or another topic you feel is of interest to the audience, they want to hear from you.
ROBiN, developed by AMT, is a robotic AI-enabled system designed to improve the process of removing and organizing layers of products on pallets for integration into automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Utilizing advanced AI and machine vision technology, ROBiN is engineered to handle a diverse range of case sizes and shapes, without prior knowledge of the number of cases on a layer, their specific location, or orientation. This capability allows ROBiN to optimize the fill density of totes, therefore increasing efficiency in warehouse operations. ROBiN reflects AMT’s focus on advancing warehouse automation through the application of innovative technologies.
The global nitrile gloves market is expected to reach US$ 8,617.2 million in 2024. The market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 23.4% in the forecast period of 2024–2034. It is estimated to attain a valuation of US$ 70,755 million by 2034 according to FACT.MR. Expanding healthcare spending, heightened importance of workplace safety, and growing knowledge of infections linked to healthcare are anticipated to propel market expansion. A wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, is in high demand after the COVID-19 epidemic. Healthcare workers frequently use disposable nitrile gloves to prevent contamination. Significant investments in healthcare infrastructure are anticipated from the government following the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to boost the nitrile gloves market growth. Healthcare facilities across key emerging nations are predicted to expand significantly due to rising governmental and private sector investments.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. announced that it is supplying its GEOLANDAR A/T G94 to be used as original equipment (OE) tires on the new Triton pickup truck, which was launched by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) in February 2024 in Japan. The Triton has been introduced to the Japanese market for the first time in about 12 years and is being fitted with 265/60R18 110H size tires. The new Triton was launched in Thailand in July 2023, in the Philippines in January 2024, and in Australia and New Zealand in March 2024, and will be successively launched in approximately 100 countries around the world.
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) will showcase its growing portfolio of space-grade silicones at SATELLITE 2024, an upcoming event known as the Satellite Show. SSP has made major investments in developing silicones for spacecraft, satellites, and ground infrastructure. In addition to EMI shielding and grounding, SSP provides non-conductive, high-strength silicones for use in space.
The Manufacturing Institute (MI)—the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—announced The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Brandy Moorhead, director, government compliance & product performance, and Margareta Perangin-angin, manufacturing director, Goodyear Japan, are recognized as 2024 Women MAKE Awards Honorees.
Yokohama Tire is looking to reel in a new sports fan base with its latest sponsorship. The tiremaker announced it is the Presenting Sponsor of the “Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic Tailgate Driven by Yokohama Tire.” The event, part of the Bassmaster Classic Expo, is March 21 through March 24 in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma and Grand Lake.
Versa Machinery will feature servo powered High Speed Cutter/Puller Systems capable of feeding, measuring, and then cutting extruded materials to exact lengths at up to 3000 cuts/minute (up to 6000 cuts/minute with two knife option) in NPE booth #W6489. With exclusive Adaptive Cutting Technology software, these robust machines provide a broad range of cutting capabilities.
Greene Tweed has reached a new milestone in its global Sustainability Vision with the announcement that its UK branch has achieved the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification with BSI.
The Nottingham, UK facility is the first Greene Tweed location to obtain certification to this internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems developed by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Led by a core ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) task team delegated with driving sustainability initiatives, this effort paves the way for the company’s long-term plan to achieve ISO 14001 certification for Greene Tweed plants across the globe in the future. In addition, it underscores the company’s intent to address the challenges of demanding applications and harsh conditions with innovative, sustainable products that enhance ESG performance.
Cimcorp announces Don Heelis, Global Tire Sales Manager, has been named to Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 2024 Pros to Know award list. The annual award list recognizes executives whose accomplishments offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage the supply chain for competitive advantage. Heelis was recognized in the lifetime achievement category, which honors company leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the supply chain space for 10 or more years.
The MARPG Spring Technical Meeting and Tour will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024, 1-5pm at the Air Products Global Headquarters – Allentown, PA.
The Rubber Divisions, ACS Spring Technical Meeting provides opportunities to learn from experts in our industry at the technical sessions and education courses, find new business opportunities at the table top exhibits and network with the many varied professionals in attendance at the special events. The Division be honoring some amazing individuals with the most prestigious awards in our industry at a banquet sponsored by Alpha Technologies.
Sandy Chen has been appointed Acting Senior Vice President for Elkem’s Silicones division, a leading global player in fully integrated silicone manufacturing
Orion S.A. announced it has maintained a Gold medal rating from EcoVadis and ranks among the top 2% of the companies assessed by the organization in a wide range of sustainability areas.
Orion improved its score from the previous year, moving up from 77% to 78% by making significant gains in the areas of sustainable procurement and ethics, according to EcoVadis, one of the world’s largest providers of business sustainability ratings.
LEIBINGER has been nominated for the German Innovation Award, operated and judged by the prestigious German Design Council for its new IQJET industrial printer.
Hürth, Germany – The year 2023 was a promising year for bio-based polymers: PLA capacities have been increased by almost
The new line in South Carolina is satisfying the high demand in particular from the tire industry in North America and makes the supply chains of Evonik partners in the region resilient by enabling local silica sourcing.
Silica is a key ingredient for fuel-efficient tires and other products like toothpaste or coatings. The group is investing a mid-double-digit million Euro amount. The construction of the new production line is scheduled to begin in mid-2024. Operations will start in early 2026.
Brenntag presented solid financial results and a record free cash flow for the financial year 2023. In a challenging market environment, both divisions, Brenntag Specialties and Brenntag Essentials, delivered results below the record year 2022 but in line with expectation. The divisional results were affected by low demand and inflationary impact on costs. Throughout the year, a slight sequential improvement in volumes was seen and during the fourth quarter of 2023, Brenntag returned to its growth path.
KRAIBURG TPE has released a new range of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) products that contain at least 73% recycled content. The new Recycling Content TPE for Automotive series has been designed to fulfil a variety of technical applications. KRAIBURG TPE is also announced an agreement with Tessi Supply, which will use the grades to produce inlay cases and floor mats.
Attendees of the MODEX trade show will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the capabilities of Liberty Robotics’ advanced machine vision systems, focusing on the mixed case palletizing capabilities of the recently launched VPack™ system. VPack™ features ad hoc picking capabilities and digital twin technology, along with high-accuracy sensors for precise box detection.
Lion Elastomers and Emulco NV have signed a supply and distribution agreement for Trilene® 65 L-EPDM, a key ingredient for Emulco’s new water-based EPDM dispersion products. The agreement gives Emulco the rights to use Lion’s Trilene ® 65 L-EPDM as the raw material for a new line of water-based emulsions under their new brand name Aquapol®. These novel dispersions can be cured at ambient temperature with peroxide, UV, or hybrid curing technologies. This opens new opportunities for various coating applications, such as roof coatings and anti-corrosion coatings. These novel dispersions offer superior performance, durability, and environmental benefits compared to conventional solvent-based coatings.
Michelin Molding Solutions (MMS) in Greenville, SC purchased their second AddUp FormUp 350 Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) machine following the successful installation and operation of their first one in 2022. This machine is the sixth added to an expanding global fleet of FormUp’s currently in use across Europe and North America. Thanks to the productivity and serial production capabilities of AddUp’s Additive Manufacturing (AM) machines, each new FormUp 350 replaces five legacy AM machines.
AirBoss of America Corp. announced its fourth quarter and annual results. The company generated $40.9 million cash from operations during 2023, compared to consuming $30.8 million in 2022; 2023 Adjusted EBITDA1 of $26.8 million on Adjusted Profit1 of $(6.4) million and a loss of $41.7 million;
Finished 2023 with a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio1 of 3.30x; and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.07 per common share.
Guill Tool introduced The Bullet®, an extrusion head with fixed center design, multi-port spiral flow design and gum space adjustment, plus the added feature of no fastening hardware, so cleaning and restart are easier and faster than any conventional head on the market currently, according to company sources. Recently, the company began offering the next generation of this unique and patented tool, The Bullet II.
Elkem will showcase a series silicone rubber solutions at IRE 2024 (India Rubber Expo) which is the largest Rubber Expo in Mumbai, India from 20th to 22nd, March 2024.
s part of its growth commitment in Asia Pacific (APAC), Lubrizol announced several key appointments to its regional leadership team. In addition to regional talent investment, Lubrizol continues to bolster its APAC footprint and capabilities, augmenting the company’s current capacity, commercial and technical capabilities. This includes investment in local-for-local technology development to deliver differentiated regional solutions. Among its recent commitments, the company has expanded capacity at several sites in region, initiated work on a Shanghai-based skincare research center, built a Future Mobility Center of Excellence and is bolstering regional supply and R&D investment.
Goodyear said it will be closing down its plant in Shah Alam starting June 30 this year, affecting some 550 positions.
Goodyear’s Asia Pacific president Nathaniel Madarang said that the decision was part of its “transformation” program to cut costs and remain competitive in the market.
In 2023 revenues were 6,650.1 million euro (target ~6.6 billion euro), with growth of 0.5% compared with 2022 thanks to the great improvement of price/mix. Organic revenue growth was +6.8% (impact of forex and hyperinflation in Argentina and Turkey -6.3%). High Value accounted for 75% of total sales (71% in 2022).
Rhamnolipids and other sustainable biosurfactants in Evonik’s portfolio draw on the company’s biotechnology platform in its life sciences division, Nutrition & Care. Driven by sustainability, the division is using innovative biosolutions to address the challenges of biocircular care through closed-loop carbon systems, while maintaining high functionality and preserving biodiversity.
For the current fiscal year, the technology company is targeting an increase in sales and earnings (consolidated sales: around €41.0 billion to €44.0 billion, adjusted EBIT margin: around 6.0 to 7.0 percent). Continental expects the margin to improve further, particularly in the Automotive group sector, thanks mainly to the cost-cutting measures, price adjustments and efficiency improvements adopted last year. The goal is also to achieve above-market growth.