Author: RubberWorld

German chemical group WACKER will be increasing the selling prices for numerous silicone products by up to 25 percent. In certain cases, even higher adjustments are possible. Existing customer contracts will be amended as required. This primarily affects silicone customers in the automotive, pharmaceutical, medical technology, electrical engineering, energy transmission and release coating sectors.

The reason for the price adjustment is the sharp rise in commodity prices, particularly for platinum. WACKER uses the precious metal as a catalyst for the curing of crosslinking silicone release agents and for addition curing silicone products.

For AZuR (Allianz Zukunft Reifen, or Alliance for the Future of Tyres), tire retreading is a core technology for advancing holistic, sustainable tire recycling. As a priority before other recycling methods, retreading extends the service life of the carcass, uses significantly less energy, and reduces both CO₂ emissions and waste, making it a strong example of a functioning circular economy.

Petlas has expanded passenger car tires portfolio with the launch of Prestige Sport pattern, a new ultra-high performance summer tire developed for drivers who expect precise handling, confident grip, and stability at high speeds. Available in 17 to 22 inch sizes, Prestige Sport is designed to meet the demands of modern performance-oriented passenger vehicles and SUV.

This enhanced structure enables Eriez-Europe to deliver deeper technical expertise and more direct engagement with customers. These local insights in the mining, aggregates, recycling, food, packaging, and other process sectors are essential to achieving consistent performance and reliability.
New appointments to the Area Sales Manager team include Simo Rounela (Nordic Region), Jean-Christophe (Benelux), Joerg Baldauf (Germany), and Philippe Vallouy (Spain and Portugal). They join the established Eriez-Europe sales group — Lewis Railton (South UK), Gareth McCreesh (Ireland), and Manuel Andreis (Italy) — to provide cohesive coverage across the continent.

TechnoBiz is organizing 1-day training on “Advanced Rubber Extrusion” on 13 Feb 2026 in Chennai, India at Grand Hotel. Dr. Gerard Nijman, Global Rubber Extrusion Expert is delivering this course. Registration is open now. If you are involved with rubber extrusion process, this is a must attend course. Seating Capacity is limited.

Orion S.A. achieved a safety record for employees in 2025 that was nine times better than the average for the chemical manufacturing industry, the company said announced.

With only three employee injuries at its plants worldwide, Orion finished the year with a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.18 per 200,000 exposure hours, the second-best year in the company’s history. The carbon black producer’s safest year was 2017 when it recorded a TRIR of 0.17.

Petlas has expanded its summer tire portfolio with the introduction of the new Prime Comfort pattern, now available in 15”, 16”, and 17” sizes. Developed for passenger cars, Prime Comfort is designed to deliver a smooth, quiet, and well-balanced driving experience.