THE INDIAN Commerce Department urges the Finance Ministry to expedite on its recommendation for import duty hike on rubber to aid domestic farmers against falling prices. Rubber prices dropped from Rs 230 a kg in the previous year to about…
Apollo plant cited with quality systems award
APOLLO Tyres’s Chennai-based plant bagged the the platinum (first) prize in the large-size category of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) annual quality systems awards held May 16. Satish Agarwal, chief of corporate manufacturing at Apollo,…
Continental rubber compounds enhance sports shoes grip
THE ADIZERO ADIOS 2 shoes from Adidas worn by winning Kenyan athlete, Patrick Makau at the 2011 Berlin Marathon, were made with a specially developed Continental rubber compound that guarantees much better traction and thus less slip with every push-off…
Michelin introduces new aircraft tyre app
MICHELIN Aircraft Tire has unveiled a comprehensive mobile application for aircraft mechanics, private pilots, airlines, military operators and others who have an interest in or use for aircraft tyres. This innovation manner app will serves and educate customers on how…
Semperit AG posts record strongest Q1 2013
AUSTRIAN firm Semperit Group reported to have achieved significant revenue and earnings growth in the first quarter 2013, which the company says is its strongest ever. Amidst a tight market, its revenue increased by 6.6% from EUR 201.8 million in…
Evonik to set up new silica plant in Brazil
GERMANY-based Evonik Industries has started basic engineering for a precipitated silica production plant in Brazil. The project, which is subject to the approval of the responsible bodies, is targeted for completion in 2015 to market precipitated silica in the South…
Increased attendance at the IRC 2013 noted
THE INTERNATIONAL Rubber Conference 2013 held 20 to 22 March at the Palais des Congres, Porte Maillot in Paris, France had seen a surge of visitors this year compared to last year’s edition. Last year’s event, held in South Korea…
Cycling arm gear made with antibacterial elastomer
UK BASED company, Stantovelo has developed cycling arm warmers to protect wearer drom road rash. The patent-pending design of the Stantovelo arm warmers use lightweight, antibacterial elastomer along the forearm and elbow. Stanton, the inventor of the warmer says that…
Group denounces rubber firms’ Cambodia, Laos land grab
UK/US-headquartered Global Witness, an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) campaigning against natural resources exploitation and poverty , alleges that at least two Vietnamese rubber firms have illegally seized parcels of land in Cambodia and Laos, in collusion with Government authorities. Naming…
Venture capitalist buys Industrial Latex Compounds
Amin Amiri of a2e Venture Catalysts has acquired a majority controlling stake in UK-based Industrial Latex Compounds (ILC) that has a turnover of circa £16 million. ILC, originally part of Dow Chemical, is a “veteran” of the latex industry, boasting…