New TPE materials have been developed with higher levels of post–consumer recyclate (PCR) content. TPEs with 20 to 75% PCR content are available in hardness range 40 to 95 Shore A. Various color options are available, including natural. Compared to equivalent virgin TPE grades, these PCR grades enable a product carbon footprint (PCF) reduction of up to 35%.
Read MoreHexpol Compounding Americas has named Mark Ramsey as its Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) effective August 12, 2024. Ramsey will replace Ellen Clunk who departed HCA in early August. Ramsey will join Bruce Wynd, Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Chan, Chief Operations Officer, Drew Dubois, Chief Financial Officer, Todd Mowery, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Kevin Park, Director of Pricing and Business Analysis on the HCA Executive Leadership Team supporting Moore.
Read MoreZC Rubber officially broke ground on its third overseas manufacturing facility in Saltillo, Mexico. This significant milestone marks a major step forward in the company’s global expansion strategy and commitment to meeting the growing demands of the tire markets in North America and Latin America.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by more than 250 distinguished guests, including Wei Dong, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mexico; Blas José Flores González, Chief of Staff of the State Government; Luis Eduardo Olivares Martinez, Minister of Economy of Coahuila; Mario Mata Quintero, Representative of the Mayor of Saltillo; Maria del Mar Treviño, Local councilors of Coahuila; César H. Cantú García, representative of the Alianza Industrial Park; Haoyu Shen and Zhiqiang Jiang, Vice Presidents of ZC Rubber Group; as well as leaders from OE manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, construction contractors, and various departments of the Group.
Read MoreThe global price of rubber is currently trading below $2 U.S. per kilogram while India reports price of natural rubber in the domestic market, which surpassed Rs. 200 per kg for the first time in 12 years in June this year, has marked the all-time record. According to the daily price report from India’s Rubber Board, the price for ribbed smoked rubber (RSS) – 4 grade (sheet rubber) hit $2.90 U.S. (Rs. 244) per kg in Kottayam market.
Read MoreUtilizing Kodiak’s hub-to-hub autonomous delivery model, the long-haul stretch of the route from Atlanta to Dallas – approximately 750 miles and 16 hours – is completed using Kodiak autonomous driving technology, which is fitted with Bridgestone M719 drive tires and R213 steer tires. J.B. Hunt transports the trailers to and from Bridgestone facilities and Kodiak hubs. The companies leverage J.B. Hunt 360box®, a fluid network of 14,000-plus company trailers, to secure capacity for the return trip from Dallas, preventing empty miles and improving route efficiency.
Read MoreThe Rubber Division, ACS would like to remind you not to miss the opportunity to hear from these featured speakers at IEC 2024. Remember, housing closes on August 15, so book your discounted hotel rate in their room block at https://iec2024.events.rubber.org/
Read MoreContinental Executive Board has decided, following a strategic review, to conduct a further detailed evaluation on spinning off the Automotive group sector. The aim of having two independent companies is to fully harness Continental’s value and growth potential. Following its detailed evaluation, the Executive Board will make a decision on the spin-off in the fourth quarter of 2024. Subject to the approval of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, a spin-off and listing of Automotive would then be put to a vote by the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Continental AG on April 25, 2025. If approved, the plan is to complete the spin-off by the end of 2025.
Read MoreIndia’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) reports that June 2024 saw actual natural rubber availability at merely 30,000 tons, falling significantly short of the projected 60,000 tons.
The crisis deepened in July, with ATMA noting an almost complete halt in natural rubber sales for most of the month. This scarcity has had wide-ranging impacts across the rubber industry, affecting both small and medium enterprises as well as major tire manufacturers.
Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “Some tire plants of ATMA member companies have witnessed production sliding over 10 per cent in July owing to the natural rubber crunch. Production planning is in total disarray.”
Read MoreMyers reports net sales were $220.2 million, an increase of $11.8 million, or 5.7%, compared with $208.5 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales was driven by contributions from the recent acquisition of Signature Systems, partially offset by lower pricing and volumes in both the Material Handling and Distribution segments.
Gross profit increased $7.1 million, or 10.4%, to $75.5 million, driven by performance at Signature Systems, favorable product mix and lower material costs, partially offset by lower pricing and volume, as well as adjusting items related to acquisition and restructuring expenses.
Read Moreoodyear’s second quarter 2024 sales were $4.6 billion with tire unit volumes totaling 40.1 million. Second quarter 2024 Goodyear net income was $85 million (30 cents per share) compared to a Goodyear net loss of $208 million (73 cents per share loss) a year ago. The year over year improvement was driven by increases in segment operating income. The second quarter of 2024 included several significant items including, on a pre-tax basis, a benefit of $96 million from asset and other sales, Goodyear Forward costs of $40 million and rationalization charges of $19 million. The second quarter of 2023 included pre-tax rationalization charges of $72 million and a $51 million benefit from asset and other sales. Goodyear Forward costs are comprised of advisory, legal and consulting fees and costs associated with planned asset sales.
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