Silicon-based materials producer Elkem ASA says it has been informed that the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment (KLD) has concluded that Norwegian silicon, ferrosilicon and manganese producers were unequally treated compared to European Union producers in the allocation of free emission…
Category: Industry News
Continental ups sustainability in tyres: ties-up with Solvay for rice husk fillers; Pyrum for pyrolysis oil
German firm Continental says is increasingly focusing on renewable and recycled materials in its tyre production. While the share of these materials averaged 26% in 2024, the tyre manufacturer expects an increase of two to three percentage points in 2025.…
Hallite Seals to acquire Aston Seals to enhance presence in Europe
French tyre company Michelin’s subsidiary firm Hallite Seals, a provider of hydraulic sealing solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire Italy-based Aston Seals. This agreement is subject to regulatory and non-statutory approval and should be finalised in the coming months.…
Orion to shut down multiple carbon black lines in EMEA/Americas
Specialty chemicals company Orion S.A. announced plans to discontinue production at three to five of its carbon black lines at multiple facilities in the Americas and EMEA by the end of 2025, against the back of cash flow challenges. The company,…
Bridgestone to sell carbon black business in Thailand to Tokai Carbon
Tyre company Bridgestone says it has entered into an agreement to sell its group company engaged in manufacturing and selling carbon black, Bridgestone Carbon Black Thailand, to Tokai Carbon Co. and Thai Tokai Carbon Product Co. Terms were not disclosed.…
Zeon completes research facility for bio-based butadiene and isoprene
Japanese chemical firm Zeon has established a new research facility to develop plant-based production processes for synthetic rubber raw materials at the Zeon Chemicals Yonezawa site. This facility will accelerate the development of biotechnology to produce butadiene and isoprene directly,…
Kobe Steel to invest in expansion at Indian tyre/rubber machinery plant
Japan’s Kobe Steel has announced that it has decided to invest in the expansion of a plant at Kobelco Industrial Machinery India (KIMI), a production base of the Kobe Steel Machinery Business division. The expansion is projected to be completed…
Hemp-based filler introduced for rubber compounds
Achieving greater sustainability while maintaining consistent quality and stable production costs is a challenge for the rubber industry – especially due to the central importance of fillers such as carbon black and silica. With Hemplizit from Germany-based Solid Plant, a…
Sri Trang charts new growth strategy with AI and workforce upskilling
Sri Trang Group has formally presented its strategic direction for the future at the 2025 Sri Trang Town Hall, held under the theme “Growth of the Infinite Future.” The Thailand-headquartered company and leading sustainable rubber glove manufacturer outlined a strategy to…
Avanzare drives rubber sector innovation with new R&D unit
Avanzare Group, a Spain-based supplier of specialty additives, has launched Elastika by Avanzare, a new research and development unit focused on the rubber sector, strengthening its strategy to lead through innovation and collaboration in a competitive market. Elastika unites Avanzare’s materials…