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Continental invests into its first fully owned tire distribution center in the U.S., in the Dallas-Fort-Worth-Metroplex. With the new facility, Continental Tires the Americas is improving both service levels and customer support even further. Designed with future expansion in mind, the distribution center is planned to feature modern technologies and align with the companies’ long-term sustainability goals. Construction of the new distribution center will commence in September 2024. It will have a capacity to store more than 800,000 tires. Operations are scheduled to start in 2026. The facility will initially span 753,000 square feet, with the potential to expand to 1,255,000 square feet. The location was selected based on a comprehensive network study by Continental that identified the Dallas-Fort-Worth area as a key distribution hub for the premium tire manufacturer. To this day, Continental serves the U.S. market through seven distribution centers.

The Rubber Division, ACS would like to remind you that its next WOMEN OF OUR INDUSTRY event is on October 2, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET. This WORD Conversation’s featured guest is Marjolein Groeneweg. This WORD Conversation begins with open networking for approximately 10 minutes followed by a conversation between our featured guest, Marjolein Groeneweg, Global Marketing Director, Synthetic Rubber at Synthos, and Gail Reader, Founder/Director at Rubber Heart.

Bridgestone Corporation announced its new “Smart On-site” mining solutions program, with plans to exhibit at MINExpo International® 2024, the world’s largest mining equipment exhibition held in Las Vegas on September 24-26, 2024. With this year’s show theme, “MOVE MORE WITH LESS,” Bridgestone will showcase Smart On-site and its easy-to-manage, turn-key and customizable blend of premium tire products, mobility solutions and industry leading service and support in a single transaction for mining operations.

Bridgestone and Penske Entertainment announced a long-term extension to Firestone’s role as the exclusive tire supplier of all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing. The agreement will keep Firestone as the sole tire supplier for all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, the INDY NXT by Firestone developmental series, and the annual Indianapolis 500®.

Firestone is currently in its 25th consecutive season as the exclusive tire supplier for the series. The extension reinforces Bridgestone’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation through motorsports. The Firestone brand continues its rich history in open-wheel racing, dating back more than a century.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) announced the results of a two-year survey on the polyurethanes industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 2023 End-Use Market Survey on the Polyurethanes Industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico shows that overall polyurethane production totaled 9.1 million pounds in 2023.

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.