Today's News
Falken Tires announces price increase for the U.S. and Canada
In response to the continued rise in operational costs, Sumitomo Rubber North America will increase prices in the US and Canada on select Falken Passenger, Light Truck and Commercial Truck Products. The price changes will take effect January 1, 2025.
USTMA forecasts higher tire shipments for the U.S. tire market in 2024
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects total U.S. tire shipments of 338.9 million units in 2024, compared to 331.9 million units in 2023 and 332.7 million units in 2019. This surpasses the previous record of 335.2 million units in 2021.
Continental announces X-LifeTM XCP5 hose for high-pressure hydraulic applications
Continental announced the X-LifeTM XCP5 hose, a new flexible braided hose for high-pressure hydraulic applications requiring extra abrasion resistance. The hose is part of the company’s initiative to offer a premium braided hose portfolio that is also ISO 18752 compliant.
The new X-Life XCP5 is designed as a premium hose with braided construction for high-pressure applications and further demonstrates Continental’s commitment to becoming the innovation leader and full range supplier of hydraulic hoses.
Trek Bicycle and Liberty Tire Recycling launch nationwide tire recycling program in U.S.
Trek Bicycle and Liberty Tire Recycling announced the launch of an innovative bicycle tire recycling program across all Trek owned stores in North America. This initiative aims to provide cyclists with a free and responsible way to recycle their used bicycle tires.
Global industrial rubber market forecast at $37.5 billion by 2031
The global industrial rubber market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2031, increasing from US$ 25.2 billion in 2024 to US$ 37.5 billion by 2031 according to the Persistence Market research. Key drivers include rising demand from the automotive, construction, and healthcare industries, along with innovations in product quality and manufacturing technologies. In the U.S., the manufacturing sector contributed over US$ 2.4 trillion to the economy in 2022, highlighting the sector’s robust growth potential. Electric vehicles (EVs) are also fueling the demand for industrial rubber, with EV production reaching 1.6 million units in the U.S. in 2023.
Bridgestone raises $2.4 million, volunteers 500 hours for United Way of Greater Nashville
Bridgestone announced it raised more than $2.4 million for United Way of Greater Nashville through its 2024 “United by What Really Matters” fundraising campaign. The company also built upon its financial donations by implementing a robust employee volunteering program that totaled 500 volunteer hours across the region.
Featured Articles
Ready, set, decarbonize: Material science’s role in achieving carbon neutrality
No matter where you and your company are in your decarbonization journey, there are steps to get you started or to accelerate your initiatives towards carbon neutrality. The challenge, in its depth and complexity, seems daunting; but practical options exist today that can help provide tangible change that we as design, engineering and business teams can use as a start.
Mixing
Utilization of AI driven solutions for rubber compound formulation: A practical approach
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various industrial sectors has spurred remarkable progress in the field of manufacturing process development. This concept has been extended to polymer compound formulations, where AI techniques have been used to optimize rubber formulations as well. Furthermore, it is conceivable that mixtures of other polymers, such as TPEs, thermoplastic materials or polyurethane compounds, could be similarly treated. Advantages of employing AI driven tools include reduced development time, enhanced efficiency and increased accuracy.
Chemicals and Materials
University of Virginia researchers solve a nearly 200-year-old challenge in polymers
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new design that appears to rewrite the textbook on polymer engineering.
“We are addressing a fundamental challenge that has been thought to be impossible to solve since the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839,” said Liheng Cai, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and chemical engineering.
That’s when Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered that heating natural rubber with sulfur created chemical crosslinks between the strand-like rubber molecules. This crosslinking process creates a polymer network, transforming the sticky rubber, which melts and flows in the heat, into a durable, elastic material.
Ever since, it’s been believed that if you want to make a polymer network material stiff, you have to sacrifice some stretchability.
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
H.B. Fuller acquires two leading medical adhesive companies
H.B. Fuller Company announced that it has signed agreements to acquire two leading medical adhesive technology companies: GEM S.r.l. and Medifill Ltd.
Medifill Ltd. is an Irish formulator and producer of medical-grade cyanoacrylate adhesives with a state-of-the-art clean room and manufacturing capabilities. Medifill produces advanced technology that is specifically tailored for the wound closure market. The next-generation formulations enable fast, safe, and effective wound closure.
GEM S.r.l. is an Italian manufacturer and market leading provider of medical adhesives and innovative application devices approved and certified for over 80 internal indications. The acquisition establishes a European headquarters for H.B. Fuller’s Medical Adhesive Technologies (MAT) business and expands the company’s medical adhesive offerings, further shifting its portfolio toward highly profitable, higher growth markets.
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
Smithers invests in simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing machine in Suzhou laboratory
Smithers has announced that it has invested in a state-of-the-art simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing (SOVAT) machine. This new testing capability was recently launched at the Smithers Suzhou, China laboratory with full machine demonstrations and tire testing training for attendees.
The SOVAT machine is the result of working with vehicle and tire manufacturers to understand their tire testing pain points. On-vehicle tire testing can be time-consuming and inconsistent, driving the need for faster, more repeatable methods for treadwear, chip and chunk, road hazard endurance, and break-in testing. With the SOVAT machine, clients now have an indoor, repeatable option to conduct this testing, providing results in a fraction of the time.
Molding
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies advances the development of in-wheel motors with patented seal design
For Freudenberg Sealing Technologies the advantages of in-wheel motors (IWM) extend beyond the passenger car segment. The company offers a patented sealing geometry to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and manufacturers of electric motors ranging from electric cars to commercial vehicles right at the development stage.
In-wheel motors for electric vehicles offer numerous benefits: Components such as transmissions, brakes, and suspensions can either move much closer to the point of power transmission or be completely eliminated. The decisive advantages of vehicles equipped with IWM include wheel-specific torque control, enhanced comfort and more design space within the vehicle. This results in a better driving experience, greater range and more flexibility for developers.
In-wheel motors are also interesting for buses due to their lower center of gravity, tighter turning radius and higher load capacity. They can also offer added value as a combined trailer drive for e-trucks or as a generator for refrigerated trailers with independent power supply.
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Unique features of plasticizer-free soft TPU made with bio-based polyol from 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol and sebacic acid
by Shun Okura, Kunio Mayahara and Hoan Tran, Kuraray Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a multiblock copolymer that consists of a
Latex and Natural Rubber
New Engineering Research Center coming to OSU to study natural rubber
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a 5-year investment of $104 million, with a potential 10-year investment of up to $208 million, in four new NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) to create technology powered solutions that benefit the nation for decades to come.
One of the four new centers is TARDISS: Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security. The Ohio State University (OSU) partnered with Caltech, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University, the University of California Merced, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Case Western Reserve University for this new center. This makes OSU the only university in the nation to lead 2 ERCs simultaneously. Faculty members in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department led the effort.
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