Today's News
Rubber Division seeks graduate students to narrate key industry resource
This opportunity offers a competitive pay rate of $60 per hour of audio, providing flexibility with part-time, remote work that fits your schedule. It also enhances your visibility by showcasing your name, school, and LinkedIn profile to global employers in the rubber, polymer, and materials science industries. Additionally, it allows you to deepen your technical expertise while significantly boosting your resume.
Wacker silicones division showed strong performance for first quarter
Wacker Chemie AG has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, reporting sales of €1.48 billion, nearly matching the prior-year level of €1.49 billion. This represents an 11 percent increase from the previous quarter’s sales of €1.34 billion.
Dunlop Grandtrek H/T31 factory standard on Lexus GX
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. announced that it has begun supplying DUNLOP GRANDTREK H/T31 for use as factory standard tires in Japan on LEXUS GX550, which was launched on March 24, 2025.
Since its market launch in 2002, LEXUS GX has been sold mainly in North America and has evolved as an SUV that provides both comfortable driving performance even on a rough road and a sense of luxury. The new GX550 features a strong body structure and a powerful yet efficient engine to deliver superior driving performance. “OVERTRAIL+,” equipped with the special design, the latest suspension technology and driving support system, and 18-inch tires, achieves both on-road and off-road performance.
Reliance Industries breaks ground on first of 500 CBG plants in Andhra Pradesh
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has embarked on a transformative journey to establish 500 Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants across Andhra Pradesh, with the first plant’s foundation stone laid in Kanigiri, Prakasam district. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Andhra Pradesh IT & Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh, along with several state government dignitaries and senior Reliance officials.
RPM completes acquisition of the Star Brands Group
RPM International Inc. announced that it has completed the previously-announced acquisition of the Star Brands Group, the UK-based parent company of The Pink Stuff, for its Rust-Oleum subsidiary. The Pink Stuff is now part of the Consumer Group’s Rust-Oleum cleaners business.
Vintage wrapped Goodyear blimp to make debut flight at Kentucky Derby
Earlier this month, Goodyear announced that its Ohio-based blimp Wingfoot One will be wrapped with a vintage, black-and-white design reminiscent of Goodyear’s very first branded blimp, Pilgrim, as part of the blimp’s centennial anniversary celebrations.
The airship will debut its new look at the 151st Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky this weekend, providing aerial views of the biggest horse race in the world.
Featured
Mixing
MgO additive adjusts curing times in a silica filled light colored rubber compound
By using magnesium oxide (MgO) as a
reinforcing filler, it is possible to
significantly reduce the curing time of
light colored silica filled compounds.
Chemicals and Materials
Reduction of zinc oxide in 10 compounds of a model passenger car radial tire
Excess zinc in the body of living organisms is problematic in nature, and zinc primarily enters the environment through rubber articles, including disposed tires. Work done to minimize the amount of zinc oxide consumption in 10 compounds of a typical passenger car tire is explained by the author.
Extrusion
Enhancing extruded automotive door seals
Friction induced noise in automotive door seals is mitigated with highly durable water-based coatings having a low coefficient of friction.
Silicone & Medical
CNRS researchers develop new method for silicone recycling
A study conducted by the Centre de RMN à très haut champs at Lyon (CNRS) researchers describes a new method of recycling silicone waste (caulk, sealants, gels, adhesives, cosmetics, etc.). It has the potential to significantly reduce the sector’s environmental impacts. This is the first universal recycling process that brings any type of used silicone material back to an earlier state in its life cycle where each molecule has only one silicon atom. And there is no need for the raw materials currently used to design new silicones. Moreover, since it is chemical and not mechanical recycling, the reuse of the material can be carried out infinitely.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Advanced perfluoroelastomers: The preferred sealing solution for oil and gas
The technology for sealing has considerably advanced since it was first developed in the late 1800s. It is crucial to
Testing & Instruments
Researchers develop soft sensor system to study rubber components
A research team from the University of Akron, supported by funding from Hyundai NGV, has developed a soft sensor system designed to study the behavior of rubber components in automotive pneumatic systems. This academic effort, published in Smart Materials and Structures on February 27, 2025, represents a step towards advancing knowledge, as no prior research has specifically explored the use of soft sensors to examine rubber performance in this context.
Molding
SimForm expands capabilities to include compression molding tool design
SimForm has been a game-changer in injection molding, offering users the ability to quickly & easily predict temperatures, optimize cooling channel placement, and improve the quality of molded parts in an entirely new way. With the extension to compression molding, SimForm continues to lead the way in mold design innovation. This new feature allows users to leverage the same intuitive, fast, affordable, cloud-based platform to design tools for compression molding.
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Polyurethane with shape memory: From foil to foam
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have developed a foil that changes into polyurethane foam (PU foam) when heated – entirely without health risks. The foil allows for isocyanate-free foaming, thus improving workplace safety. Additionally, it offers logistics advantages for storage and transportation. The material can be customized for various applications ranging from the automotive and construction industries to packaging.
Latex and Natural Rubber
Latex Foam and its applications
by Boontham Nithi-Uthai, consultant Latex foam was industrially created in 1929 by Dunlop Rubber. The latex was foamed with fatty
The April Issue of Rubber World
Sponsored by:
This issue focuses on
Automotive Elastomer Parts
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