Today's News
VMI opens new service facility in León, Mexico
Epe, the Netherlands – On October 8th 2026, VMI officially opened its new facility in León, Mexico, further expanding the
Nexen Tire opens additional distribution center in Australia
NEXEN TIRE announced that it has recently opened an additional distribution center in Perth, the largest hub city in Western Australia, strengthening its logistics infrastructure. The company plans to significantly expand its supply capabilities in the steadily growing Australian market and further solidify its brand presence there.
NEXEN TIRE has established logistics bases in major cities on the east coast, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. With the opening of the Perth center, the company has extended its supply network to Western Australia, further strengthening its nationwide distribution network. T
Michelin advances bio-based resin production in France
Michelin ResiCare announced that construction is underway on a production line for its DragonFly project at an Ajinomoto industrial site in Nesle. The facility is expected to begin operating in the second quarter of 2027.
The project uses fermentation to produce a bio-based aromatic molecule that can be used in Michelin’s next-generation resins. The company says the technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from producing the molecule by up to 96% compared with fossil-based alternatives.
Covestro’s Steven Reinstadler to receive CPI’s distinguished leadership award
Covestro LLC announced that Steven Reinstadtler, architectural and construction coatings manager at Covestro, has been selected to receive the Center for the Polyurethane Industry’s (CPI) Distinguished Leadership Award. The award was presented during the Closing Session and Awards Luncheon at the 2026 CPI Polyurethanes Technical Conference in Orlando, Florida, on October 7, 2026.
Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01 automatically adapts to driving conditions
Nokian Tyres’ revolutionary studded winter tire, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta® 01, is now available for purchase in tire shops around the world. The innovative product represents a step forward in the company’s legacy as the inventor of the winter tire – a studded tire that responds to changes in driving conditions.
RPM International reports record first quarter
The Medina-headquartered manufacturer of coatings, sealants and building materials reported $2.22 billion in sales for the quarter ended Aug. 31, up 4.8% from a year earlier. Net income increased 12.6% to $256.4 million, or $2.01 per diluted share.
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
Bluestar Silicones launches the first mechanically recycled silicone
Bluestar Silicones announces the launch of the first mechanically recycled silicone masterbatch in its portfolio to meet technical performance and product quality comparable to conventional materials.
Incorporating 33% mechanically recycled content, this new product, now available for pre-commercial sales, expands Bluestar Silicones’ Sircle™ circular technologies portfolio while supporting the company’s broader sustainability strategy.
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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Thermoplastic Elastomers, Urethanes
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