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HEXPOL AB has appointed Kenneth Bloom as interim President of HEXPOL Compounding Americas effective September 19, 2025. Kenneth Bloom succeeds Gary Moore, who left the company September 19, 2025. Kenneth Bloom will act as interim President until a permanent successor has been appointed.

Kenneth has previously held the position as President of HEXPOL Compounding Americas between 2020 and 2022 and before that has some 20 years of experience within the polymer industry.

Sealing manufacturer Freudenberg Sealing Technologies intends to acquire the DMH Group. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the strategic development of the Freudenberg service business. The takeover is still pending approval by antitrust authorities.

JR Automation, a Hitachi Group company, announced plans for a new global headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan. The announcement follows a strategic meeting in Tokyo between Hitachi, Ltd. (“Hitachi”) executives, JR Automation leadership, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation, global collaboration, and investment in Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sector.

JR Automation officially broke ground on the new headquarters September 17, 2025, with construction expected to be completed by early 2027.

This milestone honors the visionary legacy of Ken Assink, founder of JR Automation, whose pioneering spirit helped establish West Michigan as a hub for advanced automation. It also reflects Hitachi’s dedication to preserving that legacy by keeping the global headquarters rooted where it all began.

The Polymer Industry Cluster, in partnership with The University of Akron, announced the selected location for a new facility that will enable researchers, small businesses and established polymer companies to accelerate the production of advanced polymer materials and support go-to-market strategies for these innovators. The facility will be located adjacent to the National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC) building on The University of Akron (UA) campus, currently occupied by the Lincoln Building.

Safic-Alcan announced the extension of its distribution agreement with Momentive Performance Materials for silicone elastomers, including liquid silicone rubber (LSR), heat-cured rubber (HCR), and ready-to-use compounds. This agreement now covers France as well as the following Eastern European countries: Poland, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The extension takes effect immediately.

Continental is prioritizing the use of renewable and recycled materials in its tire production. While the share of these materials averaged 26 percent in 2024, the tire manufacturer expects an increase of 2 to 3 percentage points by the end of this year. In just five years, by 2030, this figure is expected to rise to at least 40 percent. Among other materials, the focus is on rubber and resins from various more sustainable sources. Both materials are essential for the quality and performance characteristics of tires.