The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers introduce a sulfur diimide reagent that enables the installation of amine groups at specific locations in the polymer chains. This step is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent backbone rearrangement. This chemical reaction reorganizes the polymer backbone, breaking down the rubber into soluble amine-functionalized materials that can be used to produce epoxy resins.

The researchers showed that their two-step process works very well. In a test with a model polymer, they broke it down significantly, reducing its molecular weight from 58,100 g/mol to about 400 g/mol. When they applied the method to used rubber, it broke down completely in just six hours, turning it into a soluble material with amine groups that could be used to manufacture broadly useful materials like epoxy resins.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC has announced a recall of 1,185 R123 Ecopia radial commercial trailer tires, size 295/75R22.5, due to a manufacturing defect that could potentially lead to tire failure and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall affects tires manufactured at Bridgestone’s LaVergne, Tennessee plant during the 35th week of 2024. The defect involves the incorrect application of one of the three stabilizer ply belts, which may cause the tires to exhibit an overly convex tread shape when fully inflated. This condition can result in premature and irregular wear in the center of the tread, compromising the tire’s performance and safety.

H.B Fuller reported that net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $789 million, down 2.7% versus the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Organic revenue increased 1.9% year-on-year, with pricing increasing 0.2% and volume increasing 1.7%. Foreign currency translation decreased net revenue by 3.4% and acquisitions/divestitures decreased net revenue by 1.2%.

TotalEnergies Corbion and Benvic have come together to drive the adoption of sustainable Luminy® PLA-based compounds. This collaboration will expand the use of plant-based solutions in durable applications such as automotive, healthcare and medical, cosmetics packaging, appliances, and electric & electronics.

Magna Tyres introduces the M-CRANE, a next-generation mobile crane tire designed to meet the evolving demands of construction and industrial operations. Built on a legacy of performance, the M-CRANE delivers superior strength, endurance, and efficiency, redefining what operators can expect from their crane tires.

Bridgestone Corporation has developed a cutting-edge Tire and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) vehicle collection method to understand the environmental impact of TRWP. These particles result from the friction between the tire and the road surface, which is essential for a safe, comfortable journey. TRWP consists of a mixture of tire tread and road pavement materials. Bridgestone is actively conducting various research activities to understand the particle size distribution, dispersion behavior, and environmental impact of TRWP, as well as to develop efficient collection methods. Through these efforts, the company is committed to both understanding and reducing TRWP generation.