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IDI Composites International (IDI) announces the opening of its new global headquarters and next generation manufacturing facility in Noblesville, Indiana. This major investment represents a significant milestone in IDI’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the production of thermoset composite materials.

The importance of reliable employees in times of multiple crises was demonstrated at Lutz Holding’s Oktoberfest in Wertheim. To mark the 70th anniversary of the globally active family business, employees from 16 sales and production sites around the world came together to look back over the past few years, celebrate what has been achieved and raise a glass to the future.

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 11 AM – 12 PM (ET) DuPont will present “Navigating the Evolving Regulatory Challenges for Silicone Materials in Medical Device Applications” in a free webinar hosted by RDAbbott. Sabine Springael, DuPont’s Global Healthcare Product Steward and Regulatory Senior Consultant, will be the featured presenter.

Orion S.A. announced that Natalia Scherbakoff has been appointed the company’s new chief technology officer.
She will succeed David Deters, who for nearly a decade led a global innovation program that made Orion a leader in developing sustainable materials, battery additives and other technology in the carbon black industry. Deters announced his retirement earlier this year and will remain with Orion through the end of 2024 to ensure a seamless transition.

Niehoff is expanding its production capacities in Germany to meet the growing order volume. Two ground-breaking ceremonies at the company’s headquarters in Schwabach and its branch plant at Leuterschach, Germany, marked the start of the construction work. The factory in Schwabach will be expanded by two halls, a manufacturing hall and a logistics hall, which are scheduled to go into operation in August 2025. At Leuterschach, Niehoff has acquired 3500 m² of additional factory premises and will build another hall and outdoor facilities expanding the existing production area by 1700 m² for storage, assembly, and testing.

Fictiv’s AI-powered platform provides automated real-time feedback on part designs during configuration. This industry-leading breakthrough highlights areas of the design that need to be addressed for molding, allowing engineers to move forward with their designs. Following this, Fictiv provides expert-generated pre-sales DFM along with a quote, saving time on modifications and making the process smoother with fewer delays at the front end.

At Fakuma 2024, the dosing and mold specialist ELMET, the LSR manufacturer Momentive and the injection molding machine manufacturer Sumitomo (SHI) Demag are presenting a joint project in which the participants have contributed their special expertise in the development, production and processing of liquid silicone rubber (LSR). The result of this collaboration is a helper in the kitchen – the Drip Guard spoon holder, which prevents drips from landing on the work surface during cooking. This demo object will be produced live at the Momentive stand (A4-4307) and distributed to visitors as a useful give-away, depending on availability.

UTH GmbH, headquartered in Fulda, Germany, with subsidiaries in China and Japan, is deepening its global commitment by establishing a new location in the United States. “This strategic decision is driven by our deep understanding of our customers’ growing needs and specific requirements, as well as our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible support as a reliable partner to the rubber and silicone processing industry,” says Julia Uth, who, along with Manuel Bessler, is overseeing the U.S. project.

U.S. Medical Glove Company announced a new contract worth $80,000,000. The agreement is a joint venture partnership with Medeco Protective Safety Equipment Manufacturing — a division of Abu Dhabi Medical Devices Company (ADMD) in the United Arab Emirates — and contracts USMGC to manufacture 12 of its proprietary medical exam glove-making machines. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, USMGC will deliver 10 nitrile exam glove machine lines and two polyisoprene surgical glove machine lines to Medeco facilities in operation in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture is structured for USMGC to retain a 25% ownership stake.

Comprising a new geometric brandmark to accompany the unchanged wordmark, the new logo has its origins in the hexagon, the chemical structure of vulcanized rubber and a recognized symbol of Northern Ireland where the company was founded in 1979. The shape is a nod to the hexagonal basalt columns of the Giants Causeway – an iconic landmark on the country’s North Coast and the inspiration behind the ‘Giants of Belting’ moniker. The highlighted ‘peaks’ show how the hexagon has evolved in an upward and outward trajectory, reflecting Smiley Monroe’s growth and global expansion over the past 45 years. The solid shape creates an angular “s,” while the two peaks on the silhouette mimic the chevron pattern found on a conveyor belt.