Today's News

Virdis Chemicals appointed sole UK distributor for Interbusiness Intercure rubber crosslinking agents

Virdis Chemicals Ltd has been appointed as sole UK Distributor for the Intercure® range of elastomer crosslinking agents manufactured by the Milan based Interbusiness Group.  This is another significant step in Virdis’ growth and aligns with the company’s position as a supplier of high-quality products.

Virdis will add the Intercure® range to its comprehensive package of products for rubber and elastomer compounders, with a specific focus on fluoroelastomers (FKM), polyacrilic (ACM), ethylene-acrylic (AEM) and epichlorohydrin (ECO) elastomers.

Dow reports strong first quarter 2025 earnings

Dow Inc. has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, showcasing a strong performance driven by robust demand across key markets and the successful implementation of strategic initiatives. The company reported net sales of $12.3 billion, reflecting a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was primarily fueled by higher volumes and favorable pricing in the Packaging & Specialty Plastics and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segments.

IISRP elects new president and executive committee members

The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc. (IISRP) elected Mr. Douglas Wilson as its President-International for the year 2025 – 2026 at the association’s 65th Annual General Meeting on April 9. In his new role, he replaces Mr. Zhuang Yi of Sinopec, who became the Institute’s Past-President International. Douglas Wilson is currently the General Manager of the Americas business for LCY Elastomers LP, with P&L responsibility for all aspects of LCY’s Styrenic Block Copolymer business in North and South America, including the Baytown SBS manufacturing operation.

Hutchinson innovates to slash carbon emissions without compromising performance for automotive sealing

Hutchinson’s solution involved the creation of two new materials: revea® TPE 428, which contains 37% biobased, biosourced, or recycled ingredients, and revea® TPE 426, which contains 29% biobased, biosourced, or recycled ingredients. These materials deliver the desired properties for various window seals, offering substantial CO2 savings—25% reduction with revea® TPE 428 and 16% with revea® TPE 426 compared to traditional materials.

Medical injection molding market forecast at $10.8 billion by 2031

The medical injection molding market value is expected to reach US$ 10.80 billion by 2031 from US$ 7.52 billion in 2024; the market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.3% during 2025–2031. The medical injection molding market growth is attributed to the surging government funding for medical injection molding and increasing prevalence of newborn disorders. Moreover, the rising burden of congenital diseases is likely to fuel the market expansion in the coming years.

Continental Automotive renamed Aumovio

Continental group sector Automotive presented its future name at Auto Shanghai. The independent automotive company will be named Aumovio. The name of the new company combines the strong market position, heritage and technological expertise in the automotive industry with the ambition to shape the mobility of the future with innovations. Aumovio will offer electronic products and advanced mobility solutions for the software-defined vehicle and safe, exciting, connected and autonomous mobility to a wide range of global customers.

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

Intco Medical launches new Syntex synthetic disposable latex gloves

Unlike traditional latex gloves, the new Syntex™ gloves offer high elasticity, strong puncture and chemical resistance, and a natural-latex-like feel, all while avoiding the allergy risks associated with natural latex. Developed with an exclusive innovative formula that increases average breaking elongation through a 650% stretch, meeting the ASTM D6319 medical glove standard and offering exceptional durability and comfort.

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

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