Category: Investments

Rubber index introduced

GLOBAL information supplier Platts has launched a Natural Rubber Index (RBX), which comprises daily physical spot price assessments for Technically Specified Rubber Grade 20 (TSR 20) and Ribbed Smoked Sheets Grade 3 (RSS 3) grades of natural rubber. It reflects…

Desma expands in China

HAVING been in the Chinese market since 2007, rubber injection moulding machine maker Desma has built up a market share of 10% in the country. In order to meet growth expectations, the German firm has now set up an office…

Carbon black plant in China

US-based Cabot has opened a new Chinese masterbatch plant to cater to demand from Asia Pacific. It invested US$20 million in the black masterbatch plant located at its Tianjin facility, which is a joint venture with Shanghai Coking and Chemical,…

Synthomer group under one roof

SYNTHOMER Group has opened a new Asian regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This follows its acquisition of PolymerLatex and means that the sales offices of Synthomer and PolymerLatex are now combined in the new premises. The company says its…

More silica from PPG

IN response to the growing demand for precipitated silica worldwide, US-based PPG Industries is increasing its capacity by more than 18,000 tonnes/year. The capacity expansions will be undertaken at its US and Netherlands facilities. Some of the capacity will come…

Evonik flushed with funds after divestment

THE successful divestment of its carbon black business means that Germany-based chemicals company Evonik has added on EUR900 million to its coffers. The new owners are investors Rhône Capital and Triton Partners and the business has been renamed as Orion…

Russian plant for Continental

GERMAN tyre maker Continental plans to invest EUR220 million to build a tyre plant in Kaluga, Moscow. The plant will have annual capacity of about four million tires, and production is set to start at the end of 2012. The…

US firm moves from China to its home base

WHILE most companies seek low-cost production bases, US-based tyre recycling company Tire International is moving its operations out of China and investing US$25 million to set up a recycling and manufacturing facility in Berkeley County. It has set up a…