German speciality chemicals firm Lanxess has undertaken a complete rebranding of its butyl rubber products, involving a package encompassing a global ability to deliver products anywhere, anytime, extensive technical expertise, with a focus on innovative solutions and customer demands. All…
Thai replacement tyre market up by 22%
In spite of the ongoing political upheaval which has been plaguing the Thailand since the beginning of the year, the replacement car tyre market managed to turn in an impressive double digit growth in volume sales in the first quarter…
Synthos plans to build new Brazil plant
Synthetic rubber producer Synthos S.A. intends to expand its base in Brazil with the addition of a new plant that will produce neodymium polybutadiene rubber. The firm said it will build the facility in Rio Grande, but it did not…
Thai auto sector to shift production offshore amid political crisis
Thailand’s auto sector, Southeast Asia’s biggest, has fired more than 30,000 subcontracted workers this year and slashed production, as sales plunge after months of political unrest that threatens to drive some manufacturers offshore. The lay-offs are the latest sign that…
STARCO extends solid rubber tyre plant in Sri Lanka
STARCO Europe A/S is expanding its solid rubber tyre plant in Sri Lanka, to help meet rising demand for its Tusker and Unicorn forklift tyre lines. STARCO did not disclose the scale of expansion or investment, but said the project…
Cambodia rubber exports rise, yet prices fall
Despite a large increase in exports during the first quarter, natural rubber producers continue to see declining revenues, as world prices fall further. The latest figures from the Ministry of Commerce show natural rubber exports grew 26 per cent during…
BKT reveals off-highway tyres at Reifen trade show
Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) will exhibit a large number of off-highway tyres, some for the first time, at the upcoming Reifen 2014 International Trade Fair. The show will be held May 27-30 in Essen, Germany. The radial tyre Agrimax Force…
Rubber makers in Asia has insufficient funds to support prices
The world’s biggest rubber producing region has insufficient funds to intervene in the market to stem a price slide that has pushed rubber futures to multi-year lows, Asian officials and traders said. Tokyo rubber futures have plunged more than 25…
GT Radial unveils new commercial vehicle tyres
GT Radial’s latest commercial tyre all-rounder will receive its European show debut at Reifen 2014, with two new products to be unveiled. The GSR225 Combi Road multi-usage tyre has specially developed tread and base compounds to improve mileage and a…
Toyo reports operating income increase in Q1
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. recorded net income of nearly 9.1 billion yen on net sales of 96 billion yen for its first quarter ended March 31, 2014. That compares to income of 4.2 billion yen on sales of…