Author: RubberWorld

Elkem will showcase a series silicone rubber solutions at IRE 2024 (India Rubber Expo) which is the largest Rubber Expo in Mumbai, India from 20th to 22nd, March 2024.

s part of its growth commitment in Asia Pacific (APAC), Lubrizol announced several key appointments to its regional leadership team. In addition to regional talent investment, Lubrizol continues to bolster its APAC footprint and capabilities, augmenting the company’s current capacity, commercial and technical capabilities. This includes investment in local-for-local technology development to deliver differentiated regional solutions. Among its recent commitments, the company has expanded capacity at several sites in region, initiated work on a Shanghai-based skincare research center, built a Future Mobility Center of Excellence and is bolstering regional supply and R&D investment.

Goodyear said it will be closing down its plant in Shah Alam starting June 30 this year, affecting some 550 positions.

Goodyear’s Asia Pacific president Nathaniel Madarang said that the decision was part of its “transformation” program to cut costs and remain competitive in the market.

In 2023 revenues were 6,650.1 million euro (target ~6.6 billion euro), with growth of 0.5% compared with 2022 thanks to the great improvement of price/mix. Organic revenue growth was +6.8% (impact of forex and hyperinflation in Argentina and Turkey -6.3%). High Value accounted for 75% of total sales (71% in 2022).

Rhamnolipids and other sustainable biosurfactants in Evonik’s portfolio draw on the company’s biotechnology platform in its life sciences division, Nutrition & Care. Driven by sustainability, the division is using innovative biosolutions to address the challenges of biocircular care through closed-loop carbon systems, while maintaining high functionality and preserving biodiversity.

For the current fiscal year, the technology company is targeting an increase in sales and earnings (consolidated sales: around €41.0 billion to €44.0 billion, adjusted EBIT margin: around 6.0 to 7.0 percent). Continental expects the margin to improve further, particularly in the Automotive group sector, thanks mainly to the cost-cutting measures, price adjustments and efficiency improvements adopted last year. The goal is also to achieve above-market growth.

After Arkema acquired a majority stake in PI Advanced Materials in South Korea, the two companies will be showcasing polyimide films that are able to withstand extreme temperatures while preserving dimensional stability, offering excellent electrical properties and flexibility.

The Rubber Division, ACS would like to remind you that exhibit space pricing for the International Elastomer Conference will increase on June 1, 2024, and that you can secure your space now by emailing ma@rubber.org. The show has currently sold 75 percent of available space. The Division expects over 3,000 attendees at this year’s IEC and invites you to become a valued exhibitor and get in front of attendees who will be there looking for companies like yours. This year’s show will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 10-12, 2024.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects total U.S. tire shipments of 335.7 million units in 2024, compared to 331.9 million units in 2023 and 332.7 million units in 2019. This surpasses the previous record of 335.2 million units in 2021.

Compared with 2023, Original Equipment (OE) shipments for passenger, light truck and truck tires are expected to change by 1.4%, 2.6%, and -3.3% respectively, with a total increase of 0.6 million units. Replacement passenger, light truck and truck tire shipments are also projected to change by 0.5%, 2.8%, and 5.9% respectively, with a total increase of 3.2 million units.

Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced the introduction of the improved Regency Plus bias tire portfolio for Firestone Ag, built tough for today’s modern farmer. With extensive, cost-effective options for a variety of applications – including fronts and implements plus solutions for utility, light construction, and lawn and garden equipment – the Regency Plus bias tire line expands and strengthens the portfolio from its original 15 sizes and includes the backing of a five-year warranty from Firestone Ag.