Arkema is setting up its new headquarters in the heart of La Défense, Europe’s largest business district, an ideal location to host its various partners, symbolizing a new milestone in the Group’s transformation. Inspired by Arkema’s know-how, values, and commitment to CSR, these new premises are designed to combine quality of life at work with collective performance.
Read MoreThe Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) reports global natural rubber production is expected to fall short of consumption for the fifth consecutive year in 2025. According to ANRPC, global production is expected to rise by 0.3% to 14.9 million metric tons in 2025, while demand is projected to grow at a much faster rate by 1.8% to 15.6 million tons.
Read MoreThe Rubber Division ACS announces the following Learning Opportunities for April.
April 1 – Course: Sponge Rubber 101
April 2 – Webinar: How to Create & Deliver Scientific Presentations
April 8 – Course: Mixing & Testing for Compound Consistency
April 9 – Course: Setting Up a Rubber Molding Process
April 15 – Webinar: Communicate & Captivate – Your Guide to Engaging Connections
April 17 – Webinar: The Function & Selection of Ester Plasticizers
April 24 – Course: Processing & Testing of Rubber
April 30 – Webinar: U.S. Regulatory Compliance in the Rubber Industry
A research team from the University of Akron, supported by funding from Hyundai NGV, has developed a soft sensor system designed to study the behavior of rubber components in automotive pneumatic systems. This academic effort, published in Smart Materials and Structures on February 27, 2025, represents a step towards advancing knowledge, as no prior research has specifically explored the use of soft sensors to examine rubber performance in this context.
Read MoreContinental is revolutionizing requirements management in product development with an innovative software application developed in-house. With the introduction of the so-called “AI-Based Requirements Engineering” tool, the automotive division is positioning itself even closer to the needs of customers and markets on its way to independence as a listed company. A key step in product development is significantly accelerated with the help of artificial intelligence. Development projects are also completed faster, more precisely and more efficiently overall for Continental customers. For this, Continental has now been named “Overall Winner” at the coveted “Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award”, which Microsoft Germany awards together with the global management consultancy Roland Berger.
Read MoreDow 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.
hirty years ago, Continental used silica for the very first time in its tread compounds for car tires. The properties of this filler revolutionized the driving safety and energy efficiency of tires. Rolling resistance has been significantly reduced, and braking distances have since been cut by nearly 50 percent. This was made possible by the special surface properties of silica, which can form chemical bonds with the rubber polymer. During vulcanization – the process in which the tire obtains its shape – silica, as well as other components, is responsible for the formation of a very strong network between the rubber molecules. The result is an elastic tire with excellent safety properties.
Read MoreIn a significant move, the Supervisory Board of Continental has approved the planned spin-off of its Automotive division. The board is recommending that the 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting also endorse this step. Upon approval, the new independent company will have cash funds of €1.5 billion and a revolving credit facility of €2.5 billion to strengthen its operating business.
Read MoreContinental’s ContiConnect is now integrated with Samsara and available to fleets in the United States and Canada. This collaboration unites two platforms to address the rising customer demand for a holistic fleet management solution that seamlessly integrates digital tire management into existing fleet management systems. With the integration, customers get full visibility into trailer health on a single platform. Customers are now able to run proactive maintenance across their fleet with a complete view on faults and issues in real time.
Read MoreENGEL is strengthening its market presence in the Americas with the grand opening of a new production facility in Querétaro, Mexico. This strategic step marks a substantial expansion of ENGEL’s regional manufacturing capabilities, aimed at providing faster delivery times and increased availability of injection molding machines for customers across the Americas.
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