rss1

Newsrss1Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes

Polyurethane with shape memory: From foil to foam

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have developed a foil that changes into polyurethane foam (PU foam) when heated – entirely without health risks. The foil allows for isocyanate-free foaming, thus improving workplace safety. Additionally, it offers logistics advantages for storage and transportation. The material can be customized for various applications ranging from the automotive and construction industries to packaging.

Read More
Newsrss1rssLinkedIn

Zeon and Yokohama Rubber installing bench facility for production of butadiene from ethanol derived from plants

Zeon Corporation and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. announced that they have agreed to establish a bench facility to demonstrate technology for producing butadiene from ethanol derived from plant-based and other sustainable materials with high efficiency. The facility will be installed at Zeon’s Tokuyama Plant (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) and is scheduled to begin operating in 2026. It will enable the production of a certain amount of butadiene and facilitate the collection of various data that will be used to establish mass production.

Read More
Newsrss1rssLinkedIn

Upcoming learning opportunities with the Rubber Division

March 19 – Course: Rubber Explained
This course was designed for sales and executives working in the rubber industry. Centered around practical explanations and basic fundamentals, this is the perfect course for the non-technical individual.

April 1 – Course: Sponge Rubber 101
This course was developed for those who currently make flexible cellular elastomer products and wish to expand their knowledge or students wanting to gain insights into these materials and how they can be used. This course will offer an overview of cellular material’s terminology, potential applications, economics, specifications, raw materials and compound construction. Additionally, there will be a review of the various processes used to produce cellular elastomer products, including mixing, various types of extrusion and molding.

Read More
Latex and Natural RubberNewsrss1rssLinkedInSilicone & Medical

U.S Medical Glove launches advanced glove-making machine in Illinois

U.S. Medical Glove Company is making history with the launch of the most advanced glove-making machine in the world. This state-of-the-art technology is revolutionizing self-reliance and reindustrializing American manufacturing, setting a new benchmark for efficiency, precision, and scalability.

Housed at their Harvard, IL facility, this groundbreaking machine represents a major leap forward in domestic production.

Read More
Newsrss1rssLinkedIn

Toyo Tire Corporation announces major change in Chinese subsidiary

In a significant strategic move, Toyo Tire Corporation has announced the partial transfer of equity interests in its Chinese subsidiary, Toyo Tire Zhangjiagang Co., Ltd. (TTZ), to Liaoning Hengdasheng Investment Co., Ltd. (LHI). This decision, disclosed on February 14, 2025, involves transferring 86% of Toyo Tire’s equity in TTZ, a tire manufacturing subsidiary based in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province. The transfer aims to enhance TTZ’s operational support and market presence in China and other Asian countries.

Read More
Newsrss1

Dow announces global layoffs eliminating 1500 jobs

Dow announced targeted actions to deliver $1 billion in cost savings. The proactive actions will further reduce the Company’s costs in response to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, while reinforcing its long-term competitiveness across the economic cycle.

Specifically, Dow expects to achieve the majority of the $1 billion in cost savings on an annual run-rate through:
$500 million to $700 million reduction in direct costs, primarily focused on purchased services and third-party contract labor; and
Decreased labor costs, including through a workforce reduction of approximately 1,500 Dow roles globally.

Read More