Rubber possesses unique properties such as softness and stretchability, which are exploited in applications ranging from tyres to medical materials. Molecular bonding forms a complex network structure that considerably influences the physical properties of rubber. However, the precise internal structure…
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LSR stretches its industrial footprint
Liquid silicone rubber, or LSR, is an advanced elastomer that has gained traction ...
Tyre Sector: Setting in motion the wheels of change
Once liabilities and eye sore on landfills, end-of-life tyres have now become assets ...
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 ...
JSR divests emulsion business to Nippon Shokubai
Japan’s JSR Corporation is dividing the emulsion business and fine business of its wholly owned subsidiary, Emulsion Technology Co (ETEC) in a spin-off. The emulsion business will remain as ETEC and transfer to Nippon Shokubai. Both companies have signed the…
SKS acquires Mehler EP plant to expand global capacity
Sweden’s AB Svenskt Konstsilke (SKS), a single-end cords producer for tyres and MRG reinforcement, has announced the acquisition of the assets from US-based Mehler EP’s 153,500-sq-ft plant in Martinsville. Terms were not disclosed. The equipment will enhance SKS’s production capacity at…
Synthos/Sumitomo Rubber to develop rubber powders for sustainable tyres
Synthetic rubber producer Synthos, has signed an MOU with Japanese tyre maker Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) to promote the development and use of high-performance rubber powders for the production of sustainable tyres. Synthos offers TyreXol rubber powder, which is derived…
Sumitomo Rubber to close US facility; 1,000 plus workers affected
Due to high costs, tyre maker Sumitomo Rubber announced recently it will close its western New York tyre manufacturing plant and eliminate all 1,500 union and salaried jobs by 2025. The Japanese company said attempts to control costs, along with…
Bridgestone to invest US$85 mn in Indian car tyre plants
Bridgestone India Private Ltd. (BSID), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone), recently announced a strategic growth investment to expand capacity and capability in India. The investment will be directed to the Bridgestone Pune Plant and the Indore Plant to reinforce the…
Zeppelin Systems strengthens its presence in Italy with new facility
Full-service provider of turnkey systems with 12 subsidiaries worldwide, solution provider and plant manufacturer Zeppelin Systems has opened a modern 5,000 sq m premises at the competence centre in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Together with Nuova Ciba, which was acquired in 2018, Zeppelin Systems says it…
Yokohama Rubber to close manufacturing plant in Israel
Due to cheaper costs in Asia, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) has announced its decision to close its manufacturing plant located at Hadera, Israel. The plant is one of 30+ manufacturing sites in the YRC global network and has been…
Blatco tie up with Golden Star Rubber to build tyre plant in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh-based Black Arrow Tire Co., or Blatco, has tied up with Thailand’s Golden Star Rubber Co. to construct a tyre manufacturing facility in Yanbu, with a US$470 million investment. The plant will initially produce 4 million tyres/year for passenger vehicles,…
Elkem scales up chemical silicone waste project
Silicones maker Elkem has announced the successful scaling of its chemical silicone waste upcycling project from a laboratory to pilot unit at its Saint-Fons production site in Lyon, France. This marks a significant milestone in driving the transition to a circular economy for…