GERMAN firm Rhein Chemie, a subsidiary of speciality chemicals firm Lanxess, has purchased US-based Tire
Curing Bladders (TCB), a manufacturer of bladders for the tyre industry.
Rhein Chemie entered bladder production last year when it bought Argentina-based Darmex. TCB has a capacity of 400,000 bladders with sales of US$21 million last year. It primarily serves the North American market.
Bladders are used in the manufacturing process of tyres. A non-vulcanised tyre is placed in a press. Once the press is shut, the internal pressure forces the tyre against the internal wall of the tyre mould. This is done using a butyl rubber bladder that is then inflated under high pressure and at high temperatures to
give the tyre its final shape.
The demand for bladders is expected to grow parallel to global tyre production, which is expected to grow on
average by 5% a year in the coming years. The size of the global bladder market is estimated at more than EUR300 million.(PRA)
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