Ricoh has announced that it has created a novel flexible material “Energy-Generating Rubber” that converts pressure and vibration into electric energy with high efficiency. Currently, piezoelectric materials, which generate electricity with mechanical strain, are drawing attention as energy-harvesting materials. Major…
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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 ...
Pirelli sees rise in net income
Pirelli & C. S.p.A. reported increased operating and net income for the quarter that ended March 31 on 6.5 % higher sales, with the consumer business outperforming the commercial business. Operating earnings rose 4.5 % to US$236.9 million while net…
Repsol and Grupo Kuo expand their current joint venture
Repsol and the Mexican company, Grupo Kuo, reached an agreement to extend their current joint venture, Dynasol, which will become a leading player in the synthetic rubber market. It will be among the world’s top 10 companies in that sector.…
JyTech expanding TPV compounding in N.A.
JyTech Polymers Inc. plans to install a custom compounding line for thermoplastic vulcanizates at Buckeye Polymers’ plant in Lodi, Ohio. The line will use Buckeye’s post-consumer polypropylene, a feedstock that “has properties and stability similar to virgin material and has…
Continental buys Elektrobit’s automotive division
Continental AG has bought Elektrobit Oyj’s automotive division for 600 million euros (US$677.5 million) to meet growing demand for electronics and safety technology. The greater use of electronics and software in vehicles, and the ability of cars to connect to…
Formula One opens tyre tender for 2017-19
Formula One has formally opened the tyre tender for a sole supplier to the series for three seasons from 2017, with interested parties invited to apply by June 17. Pirelli’s current contract expires at the end of 2016 but they…
Elgi Rubber buys US tyre recycling equipment firm
Elgi Rubber Company Limited, a raw material, equipment, tools and accessories manufacturer headquartered in India with subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, Kenya, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and the US, has acquired controlling stake in the US-based Cincinnati Retread Systems, which produces…
Proto Labs expands capabilities with medical-grade LSR
US injection moulding and CNC machining specialist, Proto Labs adds medical-grade liquid silicone rubber to its mouldable materials list; increasing its quick-turn injection moulding capabilities. The Minnesota-based firm now offers Dow Corning QP1-250 mouldable silicone in addition to its standard…
APM Hexseal develops silicon rubber-moulded sealing solution
US industrial sealing manufacturer, APM Hexseal developed the Pushbutton Boot, with a flare that is well-suited for a variety of industrial, military, medical, marine and many other demanding applications. The APM 1231/46 sealing boot provides an additional layer of protection…
India rubber industry bucks import duty hike
India’s import duty on natural rubber increased to 25%, and this has displeased tyre manufacturers and the rubber industry, according to report. The industry contends that the hike counters the government’s vision of Make in India, as the import duty…