US custom moulded rubber, plastic and sealing components maker Vanseal Corporation, along with sister companies Ritus Corporation and Classic Molding, has been acquired by Blue Point Capital Partners (BPCP). “This is an exciting new chapter for our engineering-driven platform, talented…
Category: Industry News
Elkem acquires South Korean producer of silicone gels
Norwegian silicones firm Elkem ASA has acquired Basel Chemie, a South Korean producer of specialty silicone gels for cosmetics and water repellents for the construction industry, for US$26.9 million. Elkem says the acquisition gives it access to leading technology in…
China’s Doublestar kicks off scrap tyre pyrolysis plant
Chinese tyre maker Doublestar Group, which launched a scrap tyre pyrolysis plant in Henan Province to tackle pollution from waste tyre recycling, has started the initial operations of said plant.The US$49.3 million factory is able to process 100,000 tonnes of…
Nokian to cut jobs as part of cost-saving strategy
Nokian Tyres (Nokian), based in Nokia, Finland, is implementing several efficiency measures in their operational activities following increased costs from ongoing research and developments and employee recruitments. These include job cuts as well as structural changes in the tyre manufacturer’s…
India to boost rubber production with new RRII clone in Tripura
Indian rubber-producing state Tripura is seeking to increase production with a new “rubber clone” suited to the agro-climatic conditions of northeastern India. The engineered variety of rubber, produced by the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), will soon be commercially…
BKT holds off US factory plan; tyre capacity from India stands
Balkrishna Industries (BKT) is suspending works on its US plant project in light of the challenging business environment, which includes volatile weather conditions. The new US$100 million tyre factory would be BKT’s first outside of India and its fifth plant…
Hankook Tire to supply OE tyres to the 2020 Ford Explorer
Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook Tire (Hankook) will provide its all-season Kinergy GT tyres to the newly redesigned Ford Explorer for the 2020 year. Hankook’s Kinergy GT tyres feature an optimised lateral groove and “chamfer sipe” arrangement, which provides exceptional grip…
Thai imports increase despite slow growth in Indian tyre industry
The imposition of the counter-veiling duty (CVD) on tyres from China has led Chinese tyre manufacturers to route their products through Thailand, which subsequently increased imports in the Indian market. According to Rajiv Budhraja, Director General of the Automotive Tyre…
Goodyear kicks off major restructuring plan in US, expects significant returns
American Goodyear Tire & Rubber (Goodyear) is closely following a plan to restructure its operations to reduce low-value/high-cost capacity in the US and bring about improved business competitiveness, similar to a reorganisation program in Germany that is expected to generate…
Toyo Tires to establish first European R&D centre in Germany
Japanese tyre manufacturer Toyo Tires (Toyo) is to build its first European research and development (R&D) centre in Willich, Germany, by the end of the year to strengthen product development, which goes in hand with next-generation mobility. The new centre…