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Effective April 1, 2025, Masakazu Tokura will transition from Representative Director and Chairman of the Board to Director and Counselor, Keiichi Iwata will move from Representative Director and President to Representative Director and Chairman of the Board, and Nobuaki Mito will advance from Senior Management Executive Officer to President. It is noted that Masakazu Tokura is expected to resign as Director at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in June 2025. Following this meeting and the subsequent Board of Directors meeting, Nobuaki Mito will be inaugurated as Representative Director and President.

Register now for one of the Rubber Division’s upcoming trainings. Members receive $100 off of each course and free registration for all our webinars. Not able to join live? The recordings are available to view for 90 days after each training.

February 6 – Course: Carbon Blacks Manufacturing, Properties & Applications in Rubber Compounds
February 11 – Webinar: Optimizing Rubber Molding Process through Advanced Simulations
February 12 – Webinar: Managing Scientists & Engineers
February 13 – Course: Understanding Your Data
February 18 – Webinar: The Fatigue Limit of Rubber
February 19 – Course: Global Regulatory Compliance in the Rubber Industry
February 20 – Course: Dynamic Viscoelastic Properties
February 25 – Webinar: Elastomers for Selective Gas Separation, including Carbon Capture

The Rubber Division, ACS has scheduled a special symposium for the Spring Technical Meeting in honor of the 2025 Charles Goodyear Medalist Gert Heinrich.

This symposium reflects the broad influence of Dr. Gert Heinrich on the fields of polymer physics, chemistry and engineering. We will present a series of talks by scientists from around the world who have been mentored and inspired by Dr. Heinrich and his research. Chaired by Chris Robertson, Polymer Technology Services LLC.

International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of British Airways, announced its invested in Wastefront, a leading tire-to-fuel company, which plans to turn used tires into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The SAF will be made by converting waste tires into tire-derived oil, which is then refined into road fuels and SAF. The SAF produced is expected to provide life cycle carbon emission savings of over 80% compared to fossil fuels.

Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), the group company of Bridgestone Corporation, announced its decision to close its LaVergne, Tennessee, Truck and Bus Radial Tire Plant effective July 31, 2025. This decision is part of the company’s strategic initiatives to optimize its business footprint, strengthen its competitiveness and enhance the quality of the company’s U.S. operations. Bridgestone remains committed to contributing to society, economy, and mobility of people and goods across the U.S.

Wacker Chemie AG this week started up two new production facilities for specialty silicones in Japan and South Korea. The expansion strengthens the company’s activities in the Asian growth market. The new plants, located in Tsukuba, Japan and in Jincheon, South Korea, will serve the growing demand from the automotive and construction industries for these products. In total, WACKER has invested an amount in the double digit million Euro range in the capacity expansions.

Solvay and Hankook announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of circular silica coming from bio-sourced and waste sourcing for tire production. This partnership combines Solvay’s silica expertise and sustainability commitment with Hankook’s manufacturing capabilities and market leadership.