Today's News
Dunlop/Falken analysis questions consumer savings from California tire regulations
Dunlop Tire North America says California’s Replacement Tire Efficiency Program could produce different financial outcomes for consumers depending on tire type, price and service life.
In an analysis released Sept. 15, DTNA examined three replacement-tire scenarios and compared them with the California Energy Commission’s projected $153 net consumer savings for a typical Phase 2 passenger tire.
Meet PAH requirements without compromising performance
Time is running out to reserve your spot for “Thermax N990CG: A Low PAH Thermal Black for Food Contact Applications” on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET).
This RDAbbott webinar, featuring Cancarb Limited’s Ed Norton and Chris Sawicki, will explore how Thermax N990CG serves as a compliant, drop-in replacement for standard Thermax N990 in rubber formulations.
Firestone upgrades a bestseller with the new Destination LE4 tire
Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), announced the launch of the new Firestone Destination LE4 highway touring tire: the successor to Firestone’s best-selling Destination LE3 tire. Engineered with a deeper tread depth, an advanced compound and a non-directional tread pattern, the Destination LE4 delivers longer wear life and enhanced wet and light snow performance.
BKT broadens URC partnership
A new chapter for BKT and the United Rugby Championship was officially unveiled. BKT, a leading tire manufacturer in the Off-Highway sector, and the United Rugby Championship have extended their partnership until 2030, featuring a significantly renewed scope and positioning. The multinational company, already Title Sponsor in the Northern Hemisphere, now proudly becomes the Official Global Tyre Partner of the tournament, maintaining its status in the Northern Hemisphere and broadening its reach across all URC territories: Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and South Africa.
Former Continental OESL business renamed neuwerk after acquisition by Regent
The company formerly known as the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area of Continental announced its new name: neuwerk. The identity marks an important milestone following the acquisition by Regent in February 2026 and reflects the company’s next phase as an independent global organization.
September 2026
The September issue of Rubber World Magazine focuses on Thermoplastic Elastomers, Urethanes and also includes timely business briefs, silicone and medical updates, patent news, a supplier showcase and more.
Featured
Mixing
Understanding the difference between high and low shear
Industrial mixing is a crucial process in various industries, including production of rubber formulations, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and many others. It is also integral to continuous process industries including waste water treatment, fuel and energy production, and mining of metals and minerals.
Chemicals and Materials
Flexsys narrows 6PPD replacement to two final molecules
Flexsys has developed the world’s first viable alternative to 6PPD, the Company has now completed screening efforts and is focusing on two final candidate molecules for expanded testing and ultimately final selection as a replacement for 6PPD in tires.
Flexsys has also entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to independently and thoroughly evaluate the two molecules’ potential effects on aquatic life
Extrusion
Extruding full rubber bales without a granulator
Walk into most rubber compounding operations today and somewhere upstream of the mixer one will find a granulator. It sits
Silicone & Medical
40-year study finds silicone sealants outperform alternatives in long-term weathering
The study, highlighted by Momentive as part of its “Part of the Solution” series, examined the long-term durability of silicone sealants used in construction. Researchers conducted the testing at the Atlas Weathering Test Site in Miami, Florida, where panels of glass and painted aluminum were mounted outdoors at a 45-degree angle facing south to simulate real-world exposure.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies develops new sealing system for CO2 compressors
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a new sealing system for busbar sealing in vehicle air-conditioning compressors. This elastomer-based solution withstands test pressures of over 100 bar in leak tests and offers a cost-efficient alternative to conventional glass seals. Designed for CO₂ compressors (R744), it also works well with other refrigerants.
Testing & Instruments
Direct measurement of steady state shear viscosity
by Michele Scacchi and Denis Venturoli, Evercompounds S.p.A., and Mauro Belloni, Gibitre Instruments S.r.l. The Mooney viscometer (MV) was invented
Molding
Compression molding simulation: Capabilities, features and industrial case studies
by Harshal Bhogesra, MoldEx3D. The MoldEx3D compression molding module provides a fully coupled simulation environment that replicates the filling, packing,
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Polycarbonate polyols for high-performance PU dispersions
by Yoichi Hirose, Asahe Kasei. Newly developed DK031E and PCDX-249 are designed to address the issues associated with aqueous dispersions of polyurethane (PUDs) offering the potential to reduce solvent usage.
Latex and Natural Rubber
Olam Agri acquisition nearly doubles rubber processing capacity in Ivory Coast
Olam Agri has completed its acquisition of Asia Africa Rubber Industry S.A., adding 176,000 metric tons of annual rubber processing capacity in Ivory Coast as the company moves to expand its natural rubber business and meet growing demand for traceable supplies.
The acquisition nearly doubles Olam Agri’s rubber processing capacity in the West African country and is expected to improve operational efficiency, supply reliability and access to international customers, the company said.
The September Issue of Rubber World
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This issue focuses on
Thermoplastic Elastomers, Urethanes
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