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In the fourth quarter 2021, Elkem delivered record results. Strong market conditions, combined with an integrated business model and attractive market positions, have provided the basis for Elkem’s best year ever. The board of directors has proposed a dividend of NOK 3.00 per share, representing 41% of the profit for 2021.

Lummus Technology announced that its Green Circle business and Synthos S.A. have reached a major milestone in the development of advanced bio-butadiene technology. After completing a successful feasibility study in 2021, Lummus and Synthos have concluded that the bio-butadiene technology is ready for implementation, and the companies have agreed to move into the engineering and design phase of the project.

Cliff Stewart has been promoted to Director, Original Equipment Sales of Falken Tires, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber North America (SRNA). A six-year veteran of the tire brand, Stewart is based out of Falken’s Detroit office and works with several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to earn more factory-installed fitments among their vehicles

RNR Tire Express announced the appointment of three new executives to the brands national leadership team. These include the promotions of Tracy Cintron to the role of Franchise Director and Candace Lovett to National Marketing Director, as well as the recent addition of Susan Vice to serve as the company’s new Financial Controller

Tokyo, Japan – The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it began supplying its GEOLANDAR X-CV to Toyota Motor Corporation this January for use as original equipment (OE) tires on Toyota’s new Lexus LX SUV. The Lexus LX is being fitted with 265/55R20 and 265/50R22 size tires.

To meet market demand, leading graphene nanotube manufacturer OCSiAl and a pioneer in fluorine technologies, Daikin Industries, have jointly developed a graphene nanotube technology for highly durable, electrically conductive FKM compounds with improved heat stability.

Outstanding chemical and high-temperature resistance make fluoroelastomers (FKM) a material of choice for sealing elements exposed to harsh environments. The automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, and other industries where conventional elastomers hardly withstand severe operating conditions, are boosting the growth of the FKM market. Specific applications demand further improvement in FKM mechanical performance, such as improved modulus, tear resistance, and tensile strength. Improved electrically conductive properties are required in electric vehicles and various ESD control areas.

On 15 November, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre opened the new energy recovery plant at Elkem Salten in the northern part of Norway. The energy recovery plant is closely integrated with the silicon production process at Elkem Salten, utilizing the excess heat from the silicon furnaces to produce electrical power. The plant recovers 28% of the electrical energy used at Elkem Salten, equal to the power consumption of about 15,000 Norwegian households

Continental and the Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer IVECO are teaming up for more safety on Europe’s roads. By integrating the functionalities and driver data of Continental’s TIS-Web fleet management software into IVECO’s fleet management services, the two mobility leaders enable fleet managers to fully comply with the legal requirements of the new EU Mobility Package from 2022 onwards. Initially, IVECO will actively promote TIS-Web integration to its Italian, German and Spanish customers with plans to roll out the service Europe-wide further down the line.

All Land Rover Defender models, including the plug-in hybrid, are now equipped ex-works with Continental’s 19 and 22-inch CrossContact RX crossover tires. This line of tires was explicitly developed for crossover and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and features a performance profile that is both sporty and suitable for off-road use.

On Wednesday February 23rd, 11 AM, Chemspec LTD will host a one-hour webinar dedicated to Kumyang chemical blowing agents and end use applications within Rubber, CASE and Plastics markets. Industry veteran Gary Ritell will lead an overview on current technologies and discuss Kumyang’s newest developments, such as CELLCOM CAP (expandable microspheres) and the world’s first environmentally friendly blowing agents, the KY-ECO series.