Today's News
Lion Elastomers names Intertex World Resources exclusive North American distributor
Lion Elastomers has appointed Intertex World Resources, Inc. as its exclusive distributor in North America for Royalene® EPDM, SBR and NBR produced at its plants in Geismar, Louisiana and Port Neches, Texas. Intertex will also distribute Trilene Liquid EPDM in the North American market. The agreement is effective September 15, 2026.
Semperit sells M+R Dichtungstechnik stake to Trelleborg
As part of its portfolio optimization and focus on strategic growth areas, the Semperit Group has sold its stake in the profile manufacturer M+R Dichtungstechnik GmbH, based in Seligenstadt, Germany. The buyer is the Trelleborg Group, a global leader in engineered polymer solutions listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Lanxess sharpens flame-retardant portfolio for rigid PU/PIR insulation
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is launching Purventis®, a new flame-retardant platform for insulation material solutions. The first commercial product under the platform is Purventis® Core, a reactive halogen-free phosphorus flame retardant for rigid polyurethane (PU) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation foams. Purventis® Core addresses the growing need among polyol formulators, PU systems houses, and producers of insulation boards or spray foams, to combine fire performance, lower emissions, processing practicality and long-term regulatory resilience in PU/PIR insulation systems.
Borogue brings online new XLPE plant in UAE
Borouge Group International AG announced that, following the successful completion of performance testing, it has delivered the first batch of materials from its new Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) plant in the UAE to customers in the region.
The new XLPE plant adds 100,000 tonnes of annual capacity, doubling Borouge International’s current XLPE output in the Middle East and Asia region per year.
Azelis and Imerys expand partnership
Azelis announced the expansion of its partnership with Imerys, world leader in mineral-based specialties. Effective 1 December 2026, Azelis will extend its distribution agreement with Imerys for their Plastics, Adhesives and Sealants, and Paints and Coatings products across Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, N. Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Continental expands portfolio of large and high-performance tires
Continental has significantly expanded its global portfolio of ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires – tires measuring 18 inches and above – over the past five years and plans to strengthen this segment further in the future. By the end of 2027, the company will add more than 650 new tire sizes across all tire lines, for both original equipment on new cars and the replacement market.
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.
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