US-based speciality polymers and additives maker Polymer Solutions Group (PSG) is acquiring UK-based Alkon Solutions (Alkon) from Stephenson Group PSG is a portfolio company of private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners (Arsenal). Terms were not disclosed. Based in Leeds, Alkon…
Bain exits ownership in Trinseo
Private equity investment firm Bain Capital, which bought materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders and synthetic rubber Trinseo in 2010, has sold all its remaining shares in the company. Bain Capital bought Trinseo (then known as Styron)…
Reliance Sibur secures US$3.3 bn capex loan for rubber facility in Gujarat
Reliance Sibur Elastomer Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between India’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Russian gas processing and petrochemical company Sibur, is taking a US$3.3 billion term loan as capex financing for its butyl rubber manufacturing plant in Jamnagar,…
Vorbeck, RIL team up to develop graphene-enhanced elastomer products
Vorbeck Materials Corp. and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) are collaborating for the development of graphene-enhanced synthetic elastomer products. Born out of a Princeton Research Lab,Vorbeck is now a leading producer of graphene and graphene-based products and solutions to the market.…
Cabot Corp, HYC form JV to construct US$60 mn fumed silica plant in China
A joint venture (JV) agreement has been formed and signed by Cabot Corporation and Inner Mongolia Hengyecheng Silicone Co., Ltd (HYC) for the building of a fumed silica manufacturing plant in Wuhai, China. Cabot will own 80% of the shares…
Tian’an Silicone Tech boosts silicone rubber production, sales in 2016
China-based global supplier of solid silicone rubber, liquid silicone rubber, silicone oil and curing agent, Tian’an Silicone Tech Co., Ltd., is increasing its production capacities in 2016 to meet more market requirements. Tian’an Silicone Tech currently carries three production lines…
Top Glove to boost Thailand production as costs, risks in Malaysia rise
Top Glove Corp., a Malaysian manufacturer commanding a quarter of the world’s glove market, focuses on expanding facilities in Thailand to boost production capacities as water and worker shortages in its homeland disrupt the company’s expansion spree. Top Glove has…
World’s thinnest disposable gloves offer enhanced comfort, protection
Traditional disposable gloves offer protection against chemicals for only short periods of time, such as in the event of a splash; while chemical gloves used for longer lasting protection typically have a thicker, sturdier design. But Ansell has come up…
Liberian rubber farmers cry out as 20 tonnes of rubber remain without buyers
Local rubber farmers in Maryland County, Liberia have been hit hard by the recent drop of sales of rubber in the world market. The farmers complain of a worrisome situation as they have had no buyers since they tapped. Over…
Goodyear, Tireco Inc. to recall defective, improperly labeled tyres
Two tyre recalls have been announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US, an agency under the country’s Department of Transportation. Around 1,650 of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s G399A LHS tyres, size 295/75R22.5 LRG, curing…