French tyre company Michelin has announced what it says will be the construction of the world’s first industrial demonstration unit for the 5-HMF green chemistry-based molecule. This bio-sourced and non-toxic molecule can replace ingredients derived from fossil fuels in a wide…
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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 ...
Tyres: Tyre makers take the wheel to turn the sustainability corner
From landfill to factory, the tyre sector is expanding the circular use of ...
LSR: Silcotech and Momtech partner for baby bottle
Anyone who has ever fed a baby can tell you it’s not necessarily ...
Tyre Sector: Asian tyre sector to amble along with US tariff imposition
The higher than expected trade tariffs imposed by the US may shake up ...
India’s BKT outlines US$400 mn expansion plan; to boost tyre range
Mumbai-based tyre maker Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) has unveiled an ambitious strategic roadmap targeting revenue of US$2.6 billion by 2030, representing a significant expansion from its current operations focused primarily on off-highway tyres. The company presented its five-year plan to the…
Yokohama Rubber invests US$35 mn in idled tyre plant to expand in Romania
Japanese tyre maker Yokohama Rubber has acquired a former tyre manufacturing facility in Romania for US$35 million to expand production capacity for off-the-road (OTR) tyres in Europe. The purchase of the plant in Drobeta-Turnu Severin through subsidiary Yokohama TWS Romania…
Portugal’s BB&G acquired; to expand tyre recycling to Asia
Investment firms Prismore Capital, BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH, and JR New Horizons (the investment arm of the Rieckermann Group) have jointly acquired Grupo BB&G’s advanced tyre pyrolysis technology through BB&G Recycling, a newly formed subsidiary. The investment includes patents, know-how, a demo plant in Portugal, and a collaboration agreement with tyre…
Pyrum/Thermo Lysi move forward for tyre recycling plant in Greece
German tyre recycler Pyrum Innovations and Thermo Lysi SA have signed an engineering contract for the amount of EUR2.2 million. The contract marks an important milestone for the company, as it is the first engineering contract to be signed after…
Steer claims a first with inline plastic/rubber compounding technology
Indian compounding machinery firm Steer World has developed new inline compounding technologies for rubber and wet pigment applications, plus an inline compounding solution that converts rubber bales directly into pellets, which it says was previously considered unachievable on a twin-screw extrusion platform. It adds that “this…
Goodyear Tire off loads rubber business for US$650 mn
In line with its transformation programme, tyre firm Goodyear Tire & RubberCompany is selling most ofits chemical business, Goodyear Chemical, to Gemspring Capital Management in a deal valued at around US$650 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, as well as other customary closing conditions. As…
Wacker expands speciality silicones output in China
German chemical firm Wacker, in response to rising demand for high-quality specialty silicones in China, has expanded its production capacities at its Zhangjiagang site. The new production complex will manufacture silicone fluids, silicone emulsions and silicone elastomer gels. Production is…
Sojitz acquires majority shares in SBR latex producer Nippon
Sojitz Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co and Mitsui Chemicals have concluded a share purchase agreement in which Sojitz will acquire shares in Nippon A&L, a company engaged in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of SBR latexes and ABS resins. Following the necessary…
Bridgestone ups capacity in the US
Against the backdrop of the imposition of the 25% tariffs on auto parts imports introduced by the US, Japanese tyre maker Bridgestone has announced that it plans to increase the capacity at two of its US plants. According to Bridgestone’s Q1 2025 report,…