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Continental has developed a tire with a significantly improved rolling resistance for Peugeot, DS and Opel vehicles with electric drive and combustion engine. All electric SUVs Peugeot e-2008, the Opel MOKKA-E and the all-electric DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE, as well as all combustion engine versions of these models will be factory-equipped with the 17-inch tire. The tire is based on a Continental EcoContact 6 (215/60 R17 96H). Its energy efficiency classification exceeds the EU tire label value A requirements by around 17 percent, which means it has a particularly low rolling resistance. It has also received the top EU tire label rating A for wet grip. This development achievement by Continental’s tire engineers and materials experts is all the more remarkable since the reduction of rolling resistance and exceptionally high braking performance are conflicting physical targets. While driving, energy loss should be kept as low as possible to minimize rolling resistance. However, the opposite is true for braking: To keep braking distance to a minimum, tires need to dissipate as much energy as possible. The improvements were achieved thanks to a new sidewall structure and a special rubber compound for the tread.

An explosion and fire at Lotte Ube Synthetic Rubbers’ (LUSR) butadiene rubber plant injured three workers on February 24. The incident happened at a rubber plant in the Tanjung Langsat industrial complex in Malaysia’s Johor state and left three people with severe burn injuries.

Arkema reported group sales of €9.5 billion, up by 25.9% compared with 2020 at constant scope and currency:
Growth in volumes of +7.3%, driven notably by robust demand for sustainable solutions with high technological content, particularly in batteries, 3D printing, consumer goods and more environmentally friendly paints; Increase in selling prices of 18.6% over the year, reflecting the Group’s initiatives to offset strong raw materials and energy inflation, an improved product mix, as well as a the tightness of upstream acrylics; EBITDA at historic high of €1,727 million, up by 46.1%, compared with 2020, and EBITDA margin of 18.1%, in an environment marked by operational disruptions and high raw materials and energy costs:
Excellent performance of Specialty Materials, up strongly in each of the segments, with EBITDA of €1,503 million (€1,018 million in 2020) and EBITDA margin of 18.5%.

Apollo Alnac 4G, since its launch in 2013, has gained rapid acceptance from multiple OEMs and the replacement market customers. Along with being the most preferred choice for passenger vehicle OEMs, as per internal estimates, it is now the highest selling tire in the entire passenger vehicle segment in India. Apollo Alnac 4G tires have been customized to meet the low rolling resistance, increased durability and enhanced riding comfort requirements for the new Baleno

A study produced by the ASEAN Guidelines on Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (ASEAN Rai), this case study outlines the journey of Binh Long Rubber Company Ltd (BRC) in their adoption and implementation of the sustainable rubber development plan from their parent company, Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG).

Arkema is expanding its offer of engineering adhesives with the planned acquisition of Shanghai Zhiguan Polymer Materials (PMP), specialized in hot-melt adhesives for the consumer electronics market. This project is in line with Bostik’s strategy to build a strong position in the attractive engineering adhesives market and to accelerate its development in the fast-growing electronics market, especially in Asia.

– The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it will expand the production capacity of its Ibaraki Plant (Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture), where the Company manufactures high-pressure hydraulic hoses. The capacity addition will focus on installing a new line for spiral wire hoses used mainly in construction machinery and increase the production capacity of the Ibaraki Plant’s continuous production lines* by 1.5 times. Construction will begin this May, with the new line expected to start operating in September 2023. The total planned capital investment is ¥700 million. This investment will expand the types of hoses manufactured on continuous production lines to large diameter hoses while also utilizing the capacity of the existing production line for other products.
* Automated production lines that connect various production processes

Greene Tweed signs an OEM expansion distribution agreement with Topcast Group a global supplier of parts, MRO services, and aftermarket solutions for the aviation industry, for covering new exclusive product range and extending the customer base for OEM production. The agreement now covers the entire scope of aviation parts produced by Greene Tweed and additionally includes strategic product development capabilities to the company’s OEM production portfolio. Greene Tweed, represented by Director of Aerospace and Defense Heath Zingelmann, and Topcast Group, represented by Chief Executive Officer Steven Pearson, signed the strategic expansion of the exclusive agreement at the Singapore Airshow.