In line with the reorganisation of its business, Japan’s Toyo Tire plans to consolidate its sales functions that are currently dispersed throughout Europe into a new company to be set up in Serbia, which is home to Toyo Tire’s production…
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Gloves Sector: Malaysia’s gloves sector holds its place in a volatile market
As a main exporter of gloves globally, Malaysia is handling suitably geopolitical pressures ...
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 ...
Elkem granted EUR1.8 mn to explore CO2-free silicon production
Norway’s Elkem ASA has secured EUR1.8 million in funding from the European Union for its Sicalo (Silicon production with carbon looping) project, which aims to eliminate all CO2 emissions from silicon production. Elkem, SINTEF and NORCE are completing the first pilot phase of Sicalo at Elkem’s…
Bridgestone to invest US$180 mn in passenger car tyre plants in Japan
Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it will make strategic investments to expand capacity in three passenger car tyre plants in Japan: the Hikone plant, the Tosu plant, and the Tochigi plant. These are the main production bases for high rim…
Prism raises US$40 mn funding for development of ELT-based TPEs
End-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling technology firm Prism Worldwide announced that it has raised US$40 million in Series A and Series A1 funds. The company says it will use the funds to accelerate the commercialisation of its sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), derived…
Yokohama Rubber/partners develop image processing tech for rubber molecules
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…
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…