US rubber chemicals and compounding materials provider, Akrochem has secured Texas-sited Bech Chem LLC, a company with more than 25 years of experience in the global chemical supply chain. The transaction is effective immediately, and Akrochem said it continues to…
Malaysia’s latex, gloves markets still strained due to Covid-19 – ANRPC
According to the Intelligence Market Report of the ANRPC (Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries) for 1 July-15 July, latex prices in the Kuala Lumpur local market fell 5.7% between 30 June and 15 July because of, among a number…
Freudenberg develops new EPDM for aerospace application
Germany-headquartered Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) provides a solution to hydraulic seal leakage at high altitudes and low temperatures. With a team of experts led by Dr. Paul Hochgesang, a Materials Research Fellow based in FST’s Plymouth, Michigan, Central Laboratories, the…
Q2 sales signal recovery in European tyre sector – ETRMA
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) confirmed a “ positive evolution” from the first quarter of 2021 as European replacement sales of its members increased in the second quarter. According to ETRMA, all segments have registered a positive…
ICD rebrands with new name; leverages innovative silicone chemistries
ICD, a US-headquartered water-based coatings manufacturer will begin operating under a new name – ICD High Performance Coatings + Chemistries. According to its CEO and President Kris Vockler, the rebrand strategy represents not only a name change but its “vision…
Allow glove factories to operate under EMCO – MARGMA
The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) is reportedly urging the Government to permit glove factories, specifically in Selangor, to operate under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO). It has emphasised the necessity of gloves in curbing Covid-19 and transmission…
Hextar expands specialty chem business with Nobel Group acquisition
Malaysia-headquartered agrochemical company Hextar Global Bhd is acquiring Nobel Synthetic Polymer Sdn Bhd and Nobel Scientific Sdn Bhd – collectively known as Nobel Group- for RM105 million. The Nobel Group provides high performance, custom-made anti-tack rubber lubricants and coatings for…
Altaris acquires 51% of Michelin healthcare subsidiary Solesis
Investment firm Altaris Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in US biomaterials company Solesis from Michelin. The deal retains 49% of Michelin’s stake in Solesis, which now operates as an independent company. Solesis operates through three…
Tyre, rubber org lobbies for rubber exclusion from EU deforestation law; civil groups hit exemption plea
The issue of deforestation is central to the proposed European Union (EU) legislation to protect the world’s forests and ecosystems. The EU, which according to a Greenpeace report, is “a major consumer and financier of products from global forest and…
Dow to increase capacities for silicones, PG and speciality materials
US chemical major Dow has announced a series of capacity expansions for its silicones, propylene glycol (PG) and specialty materialsunits to support growing demand across key end-markets, all of which, it adds, continue to grow faster than GDP. In PG, it is expanding its Thai facility to up…






