South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group has entered into an MoU with French tyre maker Michelin to develop next-generation tyres optimised for Hyundai’s premium electric vehicles (EVs). The new MoU follows the successful completion of the two parties’ first partnership and…
Michelin now sole owner of Indonesian sustainable plantation project
French tyre maker Michelin, which previously held 49% shares, has bought a further 51% of the capital of Royal Lestari Utama (RLU), a joint venture with Indonesian energy company Barito Pacific Group, thus becoming the sole owner of RLU. The project, which was…
BASF extends SSBR binder to use in EV batteries
German chemical firm BASF has extended its series of Licity anode binders for Li-ion battery manufacturing. The second-generation styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binder Licity 2698 X F facilitates the use of silicon contents exceeding 20%. In addition to the established properties of the…
Bridgestone/Dow partner in breakthrough tyre sealant technology
Tyre company Bridgestone Americas and materials maker Dow have partnered to develop B-SEALS, a recyclable, silicone-based tyre sealant technology. It represents more than four years of joint R&D between the two companies. B-SEALS technology provides excellent sealant performance in the event of a puncture without compromising…
Semperit opens new production site and hq in US
Vienna-based polymer products firm Semperit Group two years ago made the decision two years ago to invest around US$10 million into the installation of two new production lines for rubber gaskets as well as the relocation of the existing headquarters…
Michelin pumps EUR37 mn to revitalise former German tyre facility
French tyre maker Michelin’s Bamberg tyre-manufacturing facility in the city of Hallstadt (Bamberg District), inaugurated almost 50 years ago and which closed down in 2019, will be transformed into a facility dedicated to innovation, to be known as the Cleantech Innovation Park.…
Malaysian council launches fund for diversification into non-medical sectors
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia emerged as a top global exporter of medical rubber gloves due to the country’s ability to meet growing demand. But now there is an oversupply situation emerging and rubber players need to diversify their product…
India’s e-trading platform for NR goes live
India’s Rubber Board says that the electronic platform it developed for natural rubber (NR) trading, known as mRube, will go live on 8 June 2022. The e-trading platform has been launched to improve the marketing effectiveness in the NR supply chain, according to the…
Rubberex acquires healthcare firm Reszon Diagnostics
Malaysian glove maker Rubberex Corporation (M) Bhd (RCB) is acquiring Reszon Diagnostics International Sdn Bhd (RDI) for RM180 million. It is acquiring 500,000 shares in RDI, which will be satisfied via a combination of cash and shares of RCB, subjected…
Malaysian glove sector committed to ILO standards
The Malaysian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) says it is committed to total compliance regarding labour issues in the sector, especially in meeting the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) requirements. This was stated by MARGMA President Dr Supramaniam Shamugan who also added that…