Author: RubberWorld

India’s manufacturing growth slowed in November, marking its weakest level in 11 months due to price pressures and softer domestic demand. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, recorded a reading of 56.5 for November, down from 57.5 in October and matching September’s level. Although the PMI remained above the 50-point threshold indicating expansion, it was below the preliminary flash estimate of 57.3, reflecting a more subdued rise in factory orders and production. Input costs rose at their fastest pace since July, driven by higher prices for chemicals, cotton, leather, and rubber.

GRI has further cemented its global footprint by participating in three prestigious exhibitions spanning three continents in the first week of November. Movimat in Brazil, EIMA in Italy, and SEMA in the United States. These events served as dynamic platforms for GRI to showcase its state-of-the-art tire technologies, engage with industry leaders, and establish new partnerships, underscoring its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Through long-term tire co-creation development with Kawasaki Motors, Bridgestone continues to support the company by delivering value in its wide range of motorcycles. The BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 tires to be supplied as original equipment on the new Ninja 1100SX are next-generation sports tires that have exceptional performance across all areas necessary for sport riding without compromise.2 These tires feature a new pattern design meant to balance optimal changes in contact patch stiffness with excellent water drainage properties for riding on wet surfaces. Combined with optimized tire shape and construction, these characteristics support the new riding experience delivered by the Ninja 1100SX through enhanced grip and handling stability during straight-line riding and at large lean angles, delivering an elevated sport riding experience offered by the Ninja 1100SX.

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies announced that it has acquired Toledo Driveline, LLC., an Ohio-based aftermarket company that specializes in electronics and select hard parts for the aftermarket industry. The sale, part of a purchase agreement the company signed earlier this month with Seal Aftermarket Products (SAP), LLC., offers Freudenberg Sealing Technologies direct access to original equipment-quality electronic parts produced for aftermarket customers. Toledo Driveline will be integrated into Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ Corteco Division. The financial terms of the SAP-Toledo Driveline transaction were not disclosed.

umitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. announced that its Shirakawa Factory has been recognized as a Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. For nearly 50 years since it began operations in 1974, Shirakawa Factory has engaged in a variety of activities, including forest management and conservation of endangered plant species.

The certification was awarded for the factory’s efforts to preserve rare plant species such as yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata), a near threatened species, and Asian fawn lily (Erythronium japonicum).

As CFO of Smithers, Spitz is responsible for overseeing the global financial and legal operations, leading initiatives to improve financial efficiency and supporting Smithers strategic growth objectives.

With over twenty years of executive experience, Spitz brings a growth-oriented mindset and a wealth of expertise in financial management and strategic planning. His insights and guidance have been instrumental in various board roles, where he provided valuable financial direction.

LANXESS has equipped the first mobile plant of De Watergroep for the removal of PFAS from water with its Lewatit TP 108 DW ion exchange resin. The fully modular water treatment unit is located in the region Brussels, Belgium, and can purify up to 190,000 liters of drinking water per hour.

Since May 2024, the Belgian company De Watergroep has been operating the containerized water treatment plant on site. It will be used for at least two years, after which the plan is to switch to alternative water sources with lower PFAS levels. The objective is to permanently reduce the PFAS contamination of drinking water in Flanders to below 50 ppt and thus increase the quality of the water.

EXPOL has signed an agreement to acquire 80 percent of the shares in Piedmont Resin Supply, LLC (Piedmont) from the founder Mr. Matt Griffith and Mr. Paul Daniel. Piedmont was founded in 2013 and has grown to become one of the largest independent nylon compounders in the US. The company is an industry leader in technical nylon compounds on the US market and services a variety of customers within automotive, transportation and the furniture industries. Piedmont operates a well invested manufacturing facility in Cartersville, GA with some 60 employees and further capacity to grow