Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led German technology firm Continental to suspend its Russian tyre operations in Kaluga, and cut all imports to and exports from Russia. It said it could face “lasting consequences” to supply chains, production and demand from what it described as instability in Eastern Europe. Revenue…
TOP STORY
Gloves Sector: Malaysia’s gloves sector holds its place in a volatile market
As a main exporter of gloves globally, Malaysia is handling suitably geopolitical pressures ...
LSR stretches its industrial footprint
Liquid silicone rubber, or LSR, is an advanced elastomer that has gained traction ...
Tyre Sector: Setting in motion the wheels of change
Once liabilities and eye sore on landfills, end-of-life tyres have now become assets ...
Tyres: Space’s the limit for rubber tyres
Innovative rubber tyres are entering the era of space missions: as a catalyst ...
Medical: Flexible artificial muscles from liquid crystal elastomers
In Canada, an international team led by researchers at the University of Waterloo ...
New glove alliance to focus on rights of Malaysian glove workers
Newly-formed Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA) has been launched to help ensure the rights and dignity of workers vulnerable to forced labour in Malaysia’s rubber glove industry are consistently respected and promoted through responsible recruitment and employment practices. Currently, there are seven members in…
Top Glove profit plunges 53% in 2nd quarter
The world’s largest glove manufacturer, Malaysia-based Top Glove Corp Bhd’s net profit for the second quarter ended Feb 28, 2022 dropped by almost 53% to RM87 million from RM185 million in the previous quarter, while its revenue declined by 8%…
Timber from Russia and Belarus considered ‘conflict timber’
All timber originating from Russia and Belarus is ‘conflict timber’ and therefore cannot be used in PEFC-certified products, the Board of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) announced 4 March 2022. ‘Conflict timber’ is defined as “Timber that…
India’s RCPSDC to aid Tripura rubber tappers to improve skills
Delhi-based RCPSDC (Rubber, Chemical & Petrochemical Skill Development Council) has tied up with the Tripura state government, in north eastern India, to improve the livelihoods of rubber growers belonging to OBC Cooperative Development Corporation community through a project involving skills training in rubber tapping…
Nexen Tire develops tyre performance prediction system using AI technology
South Korean tyre maker Nexen Tire has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tyre performance prediction system. By establishing a tyre performance prediction system using AI technology, the company explained that it will use a machine learning technology in the concept…
Bridgestone invests in tyre tech firm Tyrata
Bridgestone Americas has taken up a minority investment in tyre sensor and data management company Tyrata. Using an automated and cost-effective drive-over solution that measures tyre tread, Tyrata collects tyre wear data and provides actionable, cloud-based analytics. This strategic investment accelerates…
BKT’s Bhuj site rolls out agri tyres
Indian tyre maker Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) recently rolled out its first radial tyres for the agriculture sector, having expanded the production at its Bhuj production site to meet increasing demand worldwide for the sector. BKT adds that it has invested around EUR95 million to…
MRP broadens European footprint with Primasil Silicones acquisition
Minnesota Rubber and Plastics (MRP), a leading source of highly engineered elastomer and thermoplastic solutions for the medical, water, and specialty industrial end markets, has acquired Primasil Silicones Ltd (Primasil), a UK-based custom silicone rubber compounder that offers a wide…
US tyre market expected to rebound
The US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) says that total US tyre shipments will increase to 336 million units in 2021, compared to 303 million units in 2020 and 332 million units in 2019. Original Equipment (OE) tyre shipments for passenger, light truck and truck tyres are expected to increase by 1%, 4.6% and 23.3%, respectively, with a total…