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PPG announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its silicas products business for approximately $310 million in pre-tax proceeds to QEMETICA S.A., a Warsaw, Poland-based, privately held manufacturer of soda ash, silicates and other specialty chemicals. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is the result of PPG’s evaluation of strategic alternatives for the business, which was first announced on January 9, 2024. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as PPG’s financial advisor and Hogan Lovells served as its legal advisor.

Avient Corporation announced the launch of OnColor™ REC Polymer Colorants, formulated with pigments derived from recycled content, including end-of-life tires. They offer an alternative to traditional carbon black formulations and can help manufacturers reduce their product carbon footprint (PCF).

OnColor REC Polymer Colorants can perform comparably to traditional carbon black in plastics. They are versatile, can be used in multiple resins, and are available in standard and custom color formulations. Additionally, they meet strict regulatory requirements, passing Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards and certification by TÜV Rheinland. Proposition 65 letters are also available.

Opening ceremony kicks off at 9 AM with keynote speaker Darcy Robison; Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Darcy Robison serves as vice president and chief sustainability officer for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Robison, who joined Goodyear in 2023, has more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, corporate and social responsibility, regulatory compliance, environmental, health and safety (EHS), and advancing sustainability in a large manufacturing organization. She joined Goodyear from Pentair, where she held roles with increasing responsibility in sustainability, EHS and quality. Robison holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) and a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Rubber Division has coordinated a series of valuable panel discussions to examine some industry hot topics in depth. These panels take place in the Expo Theaters during IEC and are FREE for all attendees.

6PPD Panel Discussion – Tuesday, Sept. 10; 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Review the dangers associated with 6PPD and efforts in the industry to replace or reduce its use. The panel will begin with a toxicology presentation from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, followed by a panel discussion about technological developments around 6PPD replacement.
PFAS Panel Discussion – Tuesday, Sept. 10; 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn about the state of regulations restricting use of PFAS substances in the US and Europe. Panelists will discuss how the industry is responding and what is next for fluoropolymer producers and applications.
Rubber Devulcanization Panel Discussion – Wednesday, Sept. 11; 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
This panel of experts will discuss the technological achievements and challenges in developing devulcanization processes for end-of-life tires and rubber products.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions appoints Jonas Karlsson as Business Unit President for Industrial Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The new role recognizes increased business activity in the region and oversees many of the sectors served by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions including food and beverage, semiconductor, fluid power, energy, off-highway and automotive. The four regional directors responsible for the Industrial EMEA business will now report to Karlsson.

The Rubber Division has coordinated a series of valuable panel discussions to examine some industry hot topics in depth. These panels take place in the Expo Theaters during the International Elastomer Expo and are free for all attendees.

Harwick Standard Distribution Corporation, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, announced their appointment as the distributor for USA and Canada for Neville Chemical, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, effective October 1, 2024. This relationship will enable Harwick to market products further into the rubber, plastics and other polymer related market segments.

ontinental offers automated tire tread depth measurements for the first time thanks to its new ContiConnect sensor generation. Fleet operators are now able to obtain precise and daily updated data on the rate of wear of their commercial vehicle tires. In conjunction with AI-based algorithms, upcoming tire services for individual commercial vehicles as well as entire fleets can be planned with precision. This increases the safety and efficiency of the fleet, saves costs and helps to reduce its CO2 emissions. The new tread depth measurement and the tire service planning complement Continental’s existing ContiConnect solution portfolio, which already includes data on tire pressure, temperature and mileage. Continental will present the new solutions to the public for the first time at the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover from September 17 to 22.