THERE has been no rubber tapping in Kerala, India for more than two weeks because of monsoon rains, an industry official recently said. “Supply is extremely tight in the domestic markets as there’s been no production in the last 19…
EPDM prices to plunge further in Asia
ETHYLENE propylene diene monomer (EPDM) prices in Asia are likely to fall further with surplus stocks in Europe being offloaded into the region at cheaper prices, while demand in the key downstream automotive sector remains weak, industry sources said recently.…
Trelleborg renews tyre tie-up with Agco
SWEDEN-based Trelleborg AB, the parent company of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Inc, has renewed its long-term agreement with Agco Corp for the development and innovation of agricultural tyres. “Following the recognition of Trelleborg as the best EAME (Europe, Africa and…
Lanxess steps up its butyl rubber footprint in Asia
German speciality firm Lanxess has invested over EUR500 million to upgrade its global butyl rubber manufacturing units in Canada and Belgium and build a brand new facility in Singapore, adding around 200,000 tonnes/year of capacity in total. It is expecting…
Simtec Silicone Parts to move headquarters closer to clients
US-based Simtec Silicone Parts is investing US$3.5 million and hiring 40 people for its headquarters relocating from Wisconsin to Florida. Simtec makes liquid silicone rubber (LSR) into components used in industries from autos to health care to consumer products. The…
Momentive Performance Materials expands capacities in US and Germany
MOMENTIVE Performance Materials Inc. is embarking into an expansion of two production facilities located in the US and Germany. The company has increased manufacturing capacities of its Texas-based (US) and Leverkusen-based (Germany) production facilities. “We have seen growing demand in…
Weak tyre production drags NR consumption
IN A REPORT, consumption for natural rubber (NR) fell 1.5% to 165,000 metric tonnes in the April-May period, compared to 167,000 metric tonnes during the same period last year, despite an increase of output to 112,000 metric tonnes or 1.2%…
Michelin in synthetic rubber jv with Petrokimia in Indonesia
FRENCH tyre maker Michelin and Indonesia-based PT Petrokimia Butadiene Indonesia (PBI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (CAP), have signed an agreement to create a joint venture company, to produce synthetic rubber in Indonesia. The new company…
Cabot to buy rest of equity in Mexican carbon black jv
US-based speciality chemicals firm Cabot Corporation has entered into an agreement with Grupo Kuo S.A.B. de C.V. (KUOB.MX) to purchase the remaining 60% equity of its Mexican carbon black manufacturing joint venture, NHUMO, S.A.de C.V, for US$105 million, of which…
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions unveils uses for LSR at US show
TRELLEBORG Sealing Solutions has exhibited the various applications for Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) technology, high volume precision parts and components with very tight tolerances in liquid silicone and multi-component medical device products at a recently stages industry show in the…