International tyre manufacturer and automotive supplier Continental is investing around US$10 million in a new indoor tyre testing centre in its US proving grounds located in Uvalde, Texas. “The new test centre will support our vision of being the preferred…
Malaysia’s rubber glove industry players struggle with high raw material costs
Rubber glove industry players in Malaysia saw an uneventful first half of 2017 (1H17) and are struggling to meet market expectations as their earnings suffer from a huge increase in raw material prices. Only half of glove manufacturers under the…
Pirelli, Blossom Skis team up to produce rubber-infused skis
High-end tyre manufacturer Pirelli and handmade high-performance ski manufacturer Blossom Skis are collaborating to produce and launch the Blossom x Pirelli Rubber-Infused Skis. Downhill ski design principles are based on both performance and comfort, with manufacturers striving to produce the…
Continental opens Phase III expansion of its Hefei tyre plant in China
Global technology company and tyre manufacturer Continental AG has opened the third phase expansion of its Hefei tyre plant in China, the company’s first plant in the country. This expansion will further strengthen Continental’s presence in the Asia Pacific and…
Tyre sales in India to grow 10-11% in FY2017-18, CARE Ratings report says
The growth in India’s automobile industry and the improvements in the replacement cycle will result to around a 10-11% growth in tyre sales in the country in FY2017-18, according to a CARE Ratings report. Tyre demand is directly proportional to…
Wacker, STC Silicones to co-brand ready-to-use silicone compounds
German chemicals group Wacker Chemie AG and Brazilian silicone compounder STC Silicones have agreed to co-brand ready-to-use silicone compounds. Under the agreement, STC will be allowed to promote silicone compounds made from Wacker raw materials with the quality seal “Based…
Hexpol AB buys Trelleborg’s polymer compounding business
Sweden-based polymers group Hexpol AB has finalised its purchase of Trelleborg’s polymer compounding business in Lesina in the Czech Republic. The purchased operation develops, produces, and supplies polymer compounds. The majority of its sales are to external customers and a…
ETRMA commits support to EU environmental agenda
The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) and its Board of Directors have confirmed its proactive support for the EU environmental agenda, particularly those that are related to the inception, production, use and end-of-life of tyre and rubber products.…
Semperit Group to focus on profitability amid weak Q1 2017 outlook
Semperit Group has announced the company’s plan to focus on organic growth, specifically enhancing profitability, as it expects very weak operating results in the first quarter of 2017 due to the adverse trend of raw material prices. In a statement,…
Natural rubber output by ANRPC members up 2% in Jan-Mar 2017
Natural rubber production by members of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is estimated to have reached 2.499 million tonnes, showing a 2% increase in the first three months of 2017 compared to the same period a year…