South Korean petrochemical firm Lotte Chemical Corp. says it plans to liquidate its rubber joint venture in Malaysia to scale back its basic chemicals business while selling stakes in its overseas units to raise nearly US$1 billion to cut debt. Lotte Chemical has…
Betolar/Hycamite to test carbon nanofibres as additive for concrete
Finland’s Betolar Oyj and Hycamite TCD Technologies Oy have signed a commercial agreement to assess the applicability of carbon nanofibres for enhancing the strength properties of concrete and reducing its carbon footprint. The usability of Hycamite’s low-carbon carbon nanofibers as…
Calamities may dampen NR supply – ANRPC report
Global natural rubber (NR) production rose by 3.2% in the first nine months of the year, reaching 9.9 million tonnes, while global demand saw a more modest increase of 1.4%, reaching 11.3 million tonnes over the same period. However, the…
OCSiAl opens first European graphene nanotube production facility
OCSiAl, the global leader in graphene nanotube technology, has opened its first European production facility. The facility, located in Serbia will produce Tuballt nanotubes and nanotube-based products, marking a significant step forward in integrating nanomaterials into various industries. More than…
Pirelli unveils first FSC-certified bike tyres
Italian tyremaker Pirelli has introduced the P Zero Race TLR RS, the cycling industry’s first tyre featuring FSC-certified natural rubber, sourced responsibly to preserve biodiversity and support local communities. Manufactured at Pirelli’s updated Milan-Bollate plant, this tubeless-ready tyre represents a…
Unigloves and KluraLabs introduce new antimicrobial nitrile glove with 99.99% germ elimination in 60 secs
UK-headquartered Unigloves and KluraLabs have launched CrossGuard, an antimicrobial nitrile glove that eliminates 99.99% of bacteria in just 60 seconds, ideal for healthcare, lab, and food industries. The glove, free of active ingredients and tested by third parties, offers quick,…
Bridgestone to pilot sustainable butadiene production with DOE grant
Bridgestone Americas has received a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a pilot plant for converting ethanol to butadiene, a key synthetic rubber component in tyres, with a lower carbon footprint. Partnering with Pacific Northwest National…
ZC Rubber expands global footprint with first all-steel radial tyre from Indonesian plant
Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) announces that its Indonesian subsidiary, PT Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI), has produced its first all-steel radial tyre. This milestone, celebrated at an official ceremony in MTI’s 500,000-sq m facility in Kendal Industrial Park, marks a…
Enviro secures MSEK 17.6 in milestone compensation for Uddevalla plant
Sweden-headquartered Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) has received MSEK 17.6 in milestone compensation from its joint venture company, following significant progress in the construction of its Uddevalla plant. The payment is split evenly between cash and shares in the joint venture.…
Birla Carbon launches its first Asia post treatment plant in India
Birla Carbon has launched its first Asia Post Treatment (APT) Plant in Patalganga, Maharashtra, India, marking a major step in carbon black technology for high-performance applications in industries like coatings and inks. This advanced facility, designed for optimal flexibility, efficiency,…