Author: RubberWorld

The Tire Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science and technology of tires, announced the Program for its 45th Annual Conference and Business Meeting on Tire Science and Technology. The conference will take place September 22–23, 2026, at the University of Akron’s Jean Hower Taber Student Union, under the theme “Reinventing the Tire: Digital Transformation, Data-Driven Advances, and Predictive Methods.”

Continental celebrated the groundbreaking of its new highly automated finished-goods warehouse during a ceremony at its Mount Vernon, Illinois, tire plant Thursday. The event brought together plant employees, local officials and project stakeholders to mark the beginning of construction on the facility, which represents an investment of approximately $76 million and is expected to begin operations in 2027.

DUNLOP announced that it signed a joint research agreement in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 7, 2026, as a project under the Hevea Research Platform in Partnership (HRPP), an international platform for natural rubber research. The other parties to the agreement are the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and Thailand’s Khon Kaen University and Kasetsart University.

Clariant announced the official launch of two new research and development laboratories for its Additives business in China: one at the Daya Bay production site in Huizhou and one at the One Clariant Campus (OCC) in Shanghai. The milestone marks a significant advancement in Clariant’s local innovation capability and its commitment to the “In China, For China” strategy.

A new global industry group, the Global Antioxidants and Light Stabilizers Alliance (GALA), has been created to strengthen industry advocacy and support the safe and sustainable use of antioxidants (AOs) and light stabilizers (LS).
Representing AOs and LS producers and stakeholders, GALA aims to provide a unified, science-based voice to support policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders in making informed decisions about these important substances. Building on the strong foundation set by the former European ELiSANA initiative, GALA has a significantly expanded geographic reach and membership base.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation announced that it has decided to commercialize ultra-high-purity colloidal silica for use as a raw material for polishing agents in cutting-edge semiconductors. The Company plans to establish new production facilities at its Kyushu Plant (Fukuoka Area) in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and begin commercial operations there in October 2028.

Continental has launched a new 32mm size extension for its Aero 111 road tire. Developed in close collaboration with Swiss Side, Continental’s most aerodynamic tire is now available in a wider size, offering its proven drag-reducing performance to riders who demand a balance of high speed and enhanced comfort over tough terrain.