In an opinion article in the Malaysian newspaper The Star recently, Malaysian Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong wrote on the importance of Industry 4.0 to the country’s commodities, including rubber. Industry 4.0 is a name…
SDK obtains approval for SGL GE Acquisition, transfers U.S. Business to Tokai Carbon
Japanese chemical company Showa Denko (“SDK”) has obtained approval to acquire SGL GE Holding GmbH (SGL GE) effective September 27, 2017. The approval came from required competition authorities, including Germany and the United States. The U.S. competition authorities approved the…
Wacker set to boost its production capacity with the construction of new plants
Chemical company Wacker Chemie AG is set to expand its production plants for polymer binders in South Korea. The company, which is based in Munich, plans to build a new spray dryer for dispersible polymer powders at its Ulsan site,…
Taiwan’s Hwa Fong Rubber to build new tyre plant in Thailand
Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Hwa Fong Rubber Industry Co is planning to spend 1.53 billion Baht (US$46.22 million) for the construction of a new tyre plant in Thailand to expand its capacity in the country as it works to meet the…
Malaysia’s rubber exports to surpass RM27 bn this year
Earnings from Malaysia’s rubber and rubber products exports is expected to grow 10% more than last year’s RM24.79 billion and go beyond RM27 billion this year due to higher global demand, according to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri…
Preferred Compounding buys customer rubber compounder Kleen Polymers
Customer rubber compounder Preferred Compounding has acquired Kleen Polymers, a custom rubber compounder based in Wadsworth, Ohio in the US that specialises in non-black elastomeric compounds. The acquisition of Kleen expands Preferred’s mixing capability in ultra-clean colour, high-performance compounds. Terms…
Chinese bicycle-sharing firm to use BASF’s two-layer tyre system
Leading China-based multinational bicycle sharing company ofo has partnered with German chemical company BASF to provide commuters with a more enjoyable ride that is safer and more comfortable through a two-layer tyre system made with BASF’s Elastopan polyurethane (PU). Enabled…
Natural rubber listed as one of 27 critical raw materials for EU
The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) is committed to ensuring the availability and accessibility of raw materials for the operation of the European tyre and rubber industries. As part of this commitment, ETRMA contributed to the process of…
Kuraray to purchase Calgon Carbon for US$1.1 billion
Japanese firm Kuraray Co is to acquire the world’s largest activated carbon manufacturer Calgon Carbon Corporation for US$1.1 billion. The move is pending customary conditions including the approval of US company Calgon Carbon’s shareholders and the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals,…
Goodyear to acquire German tyre inspection system manufacturer
Tyre manufacturing company Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is acquiring Ventech Systems GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of automated tyre inspection systems, from its parent company, Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH. Founded in 2006, Ventech Systems delivers innovative measuring devices for the vehicle…