VERSALIS (Eni) and Pirelli have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a joint research project for the use of guayule-based natural rubber in tyre production. The research project will span a period of three years. On an exclusivity…
Category: Investments
Tokai Rubber to acquire Brazilian auto parts firm
Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced that its board of directors resolved to acquire the shares of a Brazilian manufacturer of automotive rubber parts, Produflex Minas Industria de Borrachas Ltda., and Produflex MG, an automotive anti-vibration solutions provider, becoming its…
Lotte Chemical, Ube Industries and Mitsubishi coalesce for BR production in Malaysia
JAPAN-based Ube Industries, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, and South Korea-based Lotte Chemical have formed a joint venture (JV) to manufacture and market butadiene rubber (BR) in Johor, Malaysia. The JV will be licensed manufacturing technology from Ube, and will construct…
Aero Wheel to supply tyres to NASA
AIRCRAFT distributor, Desser Tire & Rubber Co., has announced that its affiliate Aero Wheel & Brake Service Corp has received a contract to supply aircraft tyre replacement and wheel overhaul across all of NASA’s flight platforms. The US$1.5 million 2-year…
Toyo Premium Auto Centre opens in Malaysia
TOYO Tyre Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TTM) has opened the first Toyo Premium Auto Centre at Malacca to increase Toyo Tires brand awareness and sales. The first Toyo Premium Auto Centre is operated by Hock Tyre Services & Batteries Co., Ltd.…
Malaysia in talks to set up regional rubber trading
Malaysia is studying a rubber futures contract to compete with Tokyo as a benchmark, according to Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, which is partly owned by CME Group and a unit of Bursa Malaysia. It is in talks with producers and traders…
Kraiburg TPEs from GTL oil
Germany-based TPE maker Kraiburg is preparing for commercial production of its TPE made using Shell Risella X, a premium process oil derived from Shell’s Gas to Liquid (GTL) technology. The firm says tests have showed improved compatibility in the TPE…
ContiTech sets up R&D in China
German automotive parts supplier ContiTech’s Changshu centre will develop products for vehicle mounting and vibration control technology in close collaboration with customers such as Geely, Great Wall Motor Company, General Motors, Shanghai Volkswagen and Qoros. ContiTech has invested about EUR8…
Supermax to capture Latin American and Middle Eastern markets
GLOVE maker Supermax Corp Bhd is expanding its operations into the Latin American and Middle Eastern countries. Supermax’s Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Stanley Thai noted that Egypt would be the company’s gateway to the Northern African…
Ford to launch India-made EcoSport for the EU market
Ford Motor is exporting to Europe its EcoSport compact crossover built from the company’s Chennai factory. The vehicle, which will be launched in late 2013, is expected to take hold of a significant European market share for Ford, which is…