RDAbbott is announcing its participation in LSR 2025 as an organizer, exhibitor, sponsor, and presenter. LSR 2025, a global event for professionals in the liquid silicone rubber (LSR) industry, is scheduled for June 16 – 19, 2025, at the Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport in Irvine, California. The event is hosted by Executive Conference Management (ECM), which is offering a discount to attendees who register before May 2, 2025.

Vehicle electrification presents new challenges for OEMs and suppliers, including increased vehicle weight, higher pre-loads, battery range anxiety and additional noise awareness impacting driver and passenger comfort. Vibracoustic engineers drew upon the decades-long NVH expertise and developed a number of solutions for a premium electric pick-up truck which support different aspects of the NVH performance and increase the overall comfort of the vehicle.

High-end light solutions and their contribution to better safety and improved driver experience will be at the forefront of Continental’s presentation at Auto Shanghai from April 23 to May 2, 2025, in China. The technology company will showcase its full range of scalable automotive light solutions, from low-cost options like the Headlamp Control Module (HCM) Air control unit to high-performant software functions like automatic leveling of the low-beam mode, to unique premium solutions like the new near-field projection based on laser beam scanning (LBS).

Elkem ASA’s Silicones division launched two additions to its SILCOLEASE® range for release liners, reinforcing its commitment to circularity and innovation. These groundbreaking products offer superior carbon profiles and deliver identical technical performance to their non-recycled counterparts. They are the first commercial products from Elkem’s state-of-the-art chemical recycling pilot unit in Saint Fons, France.

In the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, improved battery performance with shorter charging times, maximum temperature resistance and a longer battery life are key factors for success. To meet these demands, OEMs in Europe and the United States need materials that also comply with stricter national and international environmental standards. One high-performance material for such applications comes from the elastomer material group. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has successfully developed a material that outperforms thermoplastics in the event of thermal runaway and takes battery applications in e-mobility to an entirely new level.

Cambodia has achieved a significant milestone in its agricultural sector, earning 114.9 million U.S. dollars from the export of natural rubber latex in the first quarter of 2025. This marks a 14.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when the revenue stood at 100.4 million dollars.

Trelleborg Tires has announced an exciting extension to its TM800 ProgressiveTraction® range, introducing new sizes designed to enhance performance for mid- to high-horsepower tractors. This latest innovation aims to meet the evolving demands of modern agricultural operations.

RPM International Inc. has announced its financial results for the fiscal 2025 third quarter, ending February 28, 2025. The company reported sales of $1.48 billion, marking a 3.0% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Net income for the quarter was $52.0 million, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.40. Despite the decline in sales, RPM managed to generate $91.5 million in cash from operating activities, the second-highest third-quarter amount in the company’s history.

Smithers announced the Smithers Quality Assessments Division has achieved accreditation by ANAB to deliver AS9110 third-party certification services.

The AS9110 standard is specific to the requirements for aviation, space, and defense companies whose primary activities include the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of aerospace related articles and products. Continuing a market leading position amongst certification bodies (CBs), Smithers’ expansion of the AS9100 series of certification offerings underscores its continued commitment to, and deepening expertise in the aerospace industry.

The recent wave of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration is set to significantly impact the rubber and tire industry in the United States. Analysts predict that tire prices will rise substantially due to these tariffs, which target key exporting countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea.

A record 63.4% of tires sold in the U.S. last year were imported. With tariffs ranging from 26% to 46% on tires from these countries, consumers can expect higher prices at the checkout. JPMorgan analysts have warned that the full effect of these price increases may not be felt immediately, as companies stocked up on tires before the tariffs were announced

Continental’s UltraContact NXT has won the Sustainability Award in Automotive 2025 in the category “Technology – Materials / Raw Materials, Recycling”. The international management consultancy Arthur D. Little and the German automotive technology magazines of the ATZ / MTZ Group honored Continental for its most sustainable series tire to date. Depending on the tire size, the UltraContact NXT has a share of up to 65 percent renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass balance certified materials.

DuPont announced that four of its innovative material technologies were recognized with the prestigious 2025 Edison Awards™. Selected from hundreds of nominees, DuPont received two Gold awards, a Silver and a Bronze.

Great Place To Work® and Fortune have recognized Dow as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. This is the fifth consecutive year the materials science company has earned the honor. This year Dow moved up significantly in the rankings from #79 last year to #25.

LCY Group Chairman Bowei Lee received the 2025 IISRP General Award from the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) at the 65th IISRP Annual General Meeting held in Dublin, Ireland. As one of the highest honors in the synthetic rubber industry, the General Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to global industry development, technological innovation, and sustainable transformation.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has decided to expand its production capacity for flame-retardant compounds based on polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers, used for cable sheathing and other purposes, at Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers (China) Co., Ltd. and MCPP France SAS.

This decision is driven by the significant increase in demand for flame-retardant compounds as cable sheathing materials across a wide range of industries, including mobility, telecommunications, construction, and gas.

Evonik has developed a breakthrough “Debonding on Demand” concept to meet the growing requirements of today’s manufacturing industry to increase circularity by improving the sustainability of adhesives. Developed in collaboration between Evonik’s strategic innovation unit and business incubator, Creavis, and advanced polyurethane experts from the Comfort & Insulation business line, this innovative technology aims to address the pressing need for adhesives that can be easily removed for recycling and repair.

himadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) announces the appointment of Patrick Fromal as its new president, effective April 1, 2025. Fromal, who previously served as senior vice president of sales and marketing, will oversee SSI’s continued market expansion, focusing on research, development and delivery of advanced analytical solutions and exceptional service to customers in science, industry and academia.

Sterilizable, weldable, sealable Liveo™ Pharma TPE Ultra-Low Temp Tubing is an ISO Class 7 cleanroom-manufactured tubing that offers improved elastomer toughness and ductility down to -86 °C; resistance to bend, crush and impact at -80 °C; good pumpability and low spallation; and excellent burst pressure resistance and chemical resistance. The phthalate-free tubing’s purity and regulatory data include USP Class VI standards, extractables USP <665>, elemental impurities USP <232> and Biocompatibility ISO 10993 (part 5, 6, 11, 23), among others. A comprehensive data package is available to facilitate qualification and validation.

While carnauba wax remains a valuable renewable resource, its supply chain faces multiple challenges including seasonal harvesting limitations, climate dependencies, and labor-intensive collection processes in northeastern Brazil. These factors, combined with growing global demand across various industries, create significant supply and price volatility for formulators.

In a significant move, Continental AG has announced that its ContiTech group sector will become an independent entity. This decision marks a pivotal step in Continental’s strategic realignment, aimed at creating three strong, independent companies focused on their respective industries.

ContiTech will operate independently as a material solutions specialist with a strong industrial focus. The exact form of the transaction and the timetable for independence will be determined in the next phase. Continental AG will shift its focus to becoming a global leader in the tire industry. This follows the planned spin-off of its Automotive group sector and the sale of the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area.

Continental supplied tires to 18 of the world’s 20 highest-volume manufacturers of fully electric vehicles. These include manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, Volkswagen, NIO, Mercedes-Benz and Renault. In each of the three regions, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), North, South and Central America (the Americas) and Asia-Pacific (APAC), the premium tire manufacturer supplies nine of the 10 highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers with original equipment tires. According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), every fifth car sold worldwide is already electrically powered.

Effective May 1, 2025, or as customer contracts allow, the WACKER Group is to raise its prices for dispersions and dispersible polymer powders sourced from its production sites in Europe and USA. Prices for these products will be increased by up to 5 percent. This measure has been necessitated by rising costs for raw materials and logistics. The price adjustments will enable the Polymers division to continue providing customers with high product quality, technological innovations, best-in-class customer service and technical support, along with supporting investment to secure the capability for future growth across focus markets.

Silcotech North America has named Yogesh Chauhan as CEO amid several personnel moves.

Chauhan oversees all executive functions, including operations, design, tooling, project management, supply chain and quality/regulatory affairs. Since joining Silcotech in 2010, he has been instrumental in implementing operational efficiencies and establishing business improvements aligned with ISO 13485/9001/14001 standards and FDA regulatory systems.

Michelin has completely redesigned its offer for road bicycle tires, turning to advanced technologies. The result is the MICHELIN PRO5, a tire designed for both endurance and competition alike. Significantly more efficient than its predecessor, the MICHELIN PRO4 Endurance, the MICHELIN PRO5 boasts a 35% improvement in rolling resistance. This improvement is achieved thanks to the tire’s new Tubeless Ready design, as well as its mix of MICHELIN Gum-X tread rubber.

The Association for Rubber Product Manufacturer(s) (ARPM) Training Academy Unveils Groundbreaking Product Liability Training – A First of Its Kind.

Equip yourself with essential knowledge to navigate the complex world of product liability with this comprehensive course, designed specifically for manufacturing professionals. This training provides practical insights and strategies to address potential risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and respond effectively in the event of an incident.

Myers Industries, Inc. announced on April 2, 2025, that Grant Fitz, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has submitted his resignation, effective May 2, 2025.

To help ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Fitz will remain in his current role until his departure date, working closely with Daniel Hoehn, Vice President and Corporate Controller. Mr. Hoehn will serve in an interim role until a permanent CFO is named. The company has already launched a formal search to identify candidates.

During a bilateral meeting on April 3, Chea Vuthy, Secretary-General of the CDC’s Cambodia Investment Board, emphasized the potential benefits of such investments. The meeting was attended by a delegation from the Vietnamese Rubber Industry Association, led by Truong Minh Trung, Deputy General-Director of Vietnam Rubber Group and Chairman of the Rubber Plantation Development Committee.

At the “2025 Linglong Tire Global Equipment Suppliers Conference,” Rodolfo Comerio was honored with the prestigious “Excellent Partner” award by Linglong. This recognition highlights the outstanding performance of Rodolfo Comerio’s calendaring lines, their commitment to innovative solutions, the quality of their after-sales service, and their continuous presence in China.

At this year’s bauma, the largest construction machinery trade show in the world, OTR Engineered Solutions (OTR) is showcasing two groundbreaking advancements: The new LIFTBOSS® A/T tire, engineered for superior all-terrain performance, and a strategic partnership with Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.) to integrate TireView® tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) into OTR’s pneumatic tire and wheel assemblies.

As announced on November 12, 2024, JSR Corporation has completed the divestiture of the emulsions and fine chemicals businesses of its wholly owned subsidiary, Emulsion Technology, Co., Ltd and has completed the transfer of all shares of ETEC, the emulsions business division, to NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.