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Braskem announced the construction of a new Renewable Innovation Center located in Lexington, Massachusetts at the Lexington Labs at 10 Maguire Road in Lexington, MA owned by Greatland Realty Partners. Braskem’s new 35,000-square-foot innovation center will focus on accelerating innovation in renewable chemicals and sustainable materials. Capabilities at the new center will expand Braskem’s competencies in biotechnology, catalysis, process engineering, and open innovation. A particular focus will be given to early-stage science and engineering related to the conversion of biomass-based feedstocks, including sugars, cellulose, plant oils, and lignin, to sustainable chemicals and materials. This will enhance Braskem’s resources focused on the discovery of technologies that will drive new growth-oriented offerings centered around Carbon Circularity. This new innovation center is the latest expansion of Braskem’s global Innovation & Technology footprint.

Bridgestone announced that its tire manufacturing plant in Rome, Italy (‘Roma’) has become the first tire plant across the whole of Bridgestone to achieve the coveted and globally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification.

The Sumitomo Rubber Group announced that they held a kickoff ceremony this past September in Jambi Province, Indonesia to celebrate the resumption of their “Traceability and Transparency Pilot Project,” which had been suspended until then due to the pandemic. This pilot project brings together the group’s natural rubber procurement subsidiary (SUMITOMO RUBBER SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.), a producer and distributor of natural rubber based in Singapore (Halcyon Agri Corporation Ltd.) and a natural rubber processor based in Indonesia (PT. Hok Tong).

Akron, OH – The Rubber Division ACS is offering the following learning opportunities this December. December 6 – Course: Rubber

On Dec. 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 – 4 from 2 – 7 p.m., Ohio visitors can drive through the Wingfoot Lake blimp hangar to get a behind-the-scenes look before dropping off their donation to a U.S. Marine representing Toys for Tots. Donations in Florida will take place on Dec. 10 from 1 – 5 p.m. during open house tours of the hangar. The California event on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. allows registered attendees to receive guided tours of the base. California blimp fans can register for a tour spot at bit.ly/blimptour.

“In recent years, climate change has increased the frequency of abnormal weather and natural disasters, such as heavy rainfall and floods. Relatedly, the TOYO TIRE Group is fully cognizant of its impact on the growth of natural rubber—one of the key materials in tires—and utilization of our plants, and the increase in associated risks, such as supply chain disruptions. We also consider it vital to make continued efforts to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in our business activities in pursuit of achieving the “2°C goal” set in the Paris Agreement and Japan’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.” the company stated in a press release.

Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced it has been awarded a $35 million climate-smart grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to invest in desert shrub guayule to expand natural rubber production in the U.S. and offer a solution for growers amid the ongoing water crisis in the Southwest with a more environmentally sustainable crop. As part of the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative, the $35 million investment in guayule will allow Bridgestone to expand natural rubber production in the Southwestern U.S. with lowered greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in the region for local U.S. farmers and Native American tribes to build a rubber bioeconomy based on climate-smart and sustainable practices.

Brenntag is launches its new brand. It stands for Brenntag’s successful transformation over the past years and the company’s ambition to shape the future of its industry as the undisputed global market leader. The new brand is the visible expression of Brenntag’s refreshed identity including an inspiring purpose and vision, ambitious and digitally driven growth strategies for its two divisions, as well as its strong corporate culture and engaging values.

The new 64,000 sq ft facility, located in Windsor, Ontario, is a completely new build that has been carefully designed to maximize efficiency and houses a large R&D laboratory. It is outfitted with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and embraces a strong culture of safety with eco-efficient designs implemented to minimize waste and reduce the operational carbon footprint, including a rainwater capture system for use in cleaning processes. This major investment allows GBIE to accommodate growing customer demand with an immediate doubling in production capacity and predesigned capability to easily integrate further equipment as needed for an eightfold increase in production capacity.