API International has completed a major expansion of its Greenfield, Indiana, warehouse, increasing its Midwest warehouse capacity by 75%, positioning inventory closer to major East Coast infrastructure markets, and reducing typical delivery times from as many as seven business days to as few as one business day.

Dr Jutta A. Dönges will leave AUMOVIO SE by mutual agreement after one year with the company to pursue new professional opportunities. She will step down from her position as a member of the Executive Board effective October 7, 2026, and will leave the company effective October 31, 2026. The Supervisory Board respects this decision and would like to thank Jutta Dönges for her valuable contribution to the company’s development.

Until a permanent successor for the finance function has been appointed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philipp von Hirschheydt will assume responsibility for the finance function at Executive Board level in addition to his existing responsibility. Claus Bauer, a member of AUMOVIO’s Supervisory Board and former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Schaeffler Group, will serve as interim Head of Finance starting no later than November 1, 2026.

Natural rubber (NR) prices strengthened sharply in 2026, with major benchmarks reaching multi-year highs as tight supply, firm consumption, elevated crude oil and synthetic rubber prices, and weather uncertainty supported the market. This is according the IRSG Natural Rubber Price Outlook – Short and Long-term Perspective report.

The momentum accelerated in the third quarter. In September, Indonesian SIR20 was 39% higher year-on-year, Thai STR20 33%, Malaysian SMR20 34%, European TSR20 68%, and Indian RSS3 46%

Bluestar Silicones announces the launch of the first mechanically recycled silicone masterbatch in its portfolio to meet technical performance and product quality comparable to conventional materials.

Incorporating 33% mechanically recycled content, this new product, now available for pre-commercial sales, expands Bluestar Silicones’ Sircle™ circular technologies portfolio while supporting the company’s broader sustainability strategy.

The Polymer Industry Cluster and the University of Warwick in Coventry, United Kingdom, have launched a collaboration aimed at accelerating polymer and advanced materials innovation and commercialization between the U.S. and U.K.

The partnership will connect Warwick researchers and spinouts with Greater Akron’s polymer industry, scale-up facilities and commercialization network, while giving Polymer Industry Cluster companies and researchers access to Warwick’s research expertise, facilities, talent and innovation network.

Effective for orders accepted on or after October 15, 2026, or as contracts allow, Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) will increase prices globally for all Cabot aerogel grades and Thermal Wrap™ flexible insulation blankets. Price increases will be up to 10 percent, depending on product and region.

PRE-Q® GALGO Corporation participated in Steve Shannon Tire’s retread plant open house this year, helping showcase the retreading process to customers, guests, and their families. The celebration began well before the doors opened. The day before the event, Steve Shannon, Herb Shannon, Jesse Shannon, and Steven Shannon began preparing a 300-pound pig for the barbecue.

Hankook Tire signed the five-year partnership agreement with Racing America at its Tennessee plant in the United States. Under the agreement, Hankook will exclusively supply racing tires to major series operated by Racing America and collaborate in various areas, including technical and engineering support, trackside services, and joint marketing initiatives.

Under the new agreement, Hankook will begin supporting ‘Trans Am’, a leading U.S. road racing series, and ‘International GT’, a premium sports car racing series. The company will also renew its partnerships with the series on Racing America’s Formula ladder, which Hankook has supported since 2019.

Dr. Wolfram Freudenberg passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 85. A fifth-generation member of the founding family, he served as Chairman of the Board of Partners of Freudenberg & Co. from 2005 to 2014. From 2012 to 2014, he also served concurrently as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Freudenberg SE.

François Desné joins Arkema as Senior Vice President High Performance Polymers and Fluorogases and a member of the Group’s Executive Committee, effective 12 October 2026. He succeeds Laurent Tellier, who was appointed Arkema’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) last July.

Developed specifically for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, recently unveiled as the first Official FIA F1® Safety Car equipped with fully variable all-wheel drive, the new Pirelli P Zero R is an ultra-high-performance tire that combines dry-weather ‘qualifying-level’ performance with an extremely precise steering response, while ensuring safe handling in wet conditions. This P Zero R has been developed to deliver consistent performance during Safety Car deployments in Formula 1®, when precision, reliability and control become paramount.

The global market for 3D-printed elastomers is expected to see broader industrial adoption through 2032 as manufacturers increasingly use additive manufacturing for customized, flexible and complex components, according to a September 2026 report from Research and Markets.

ridgestone has been named the sole tire supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the world’s leading all-electric motorsport championship, beginning with the 2026/27 Season.

The upcoming Formula E season will see the introduction of the new GEN4 racing car, which sets a new benchmark for speed, sustainability and innovation in motorsport. Boasting unprecedented acceleration, high torque and permanent active All-Wheel Drive, it’s the fastest (top speed of 208 mph) and most powerful (peak power of 815bhp) car in Formula E history. By providing innovative POTENZA tires that maximize the performance of the GEN4, Bridgestone will support dynamic and exciting races.

Natural rubber prices moved in different directions across major markets in August as supply limitations, steady downstream demand and geopolitical uncertainty influenced the global market, according to a monthly report released by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries.

The report, released Sept. 30, said renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes contributed to continued uncertainty in the natural rubber market.

The All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) has unanimously re-elected Mr. Anay Gupta as President for the 2026–27 term, marking his second consecutive term in the role.
Mr. Gupta has been associated with the rubber industry for over three decades and has played an active role in AIRIA’s initiatives focused on industry development, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. He has been a member of AIRIA’s Managing Committee since 2017 and has previously served as Chairman of AIRIA

H.B. Fuller Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2450 per share of common stock, payable on October 29, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 15, 2026.

The global elastomers market is projected to grow to $149.19 billion by 2034, driven by demand from the automotive industry, electric vehicle production and increased interest in recyclable materials, according to a market analysis released by Maximize Market Research.

The market was valued at $104.73 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.01% from 2026 through 2034, the research firm said in a news release published Oct. 1.

Henkel has successfully completed the acquisition of the Netherlands-based Stahl Group (“Stahl”), a global player in high-performance specialty coatings for flexible materials. Following the fulfillment of all closing conditions, including the required regulatory approvals, the company is now fully part of Henkel as of October 1st, 2026.

Wacker Chemical Corporation will showcase advanced silicone technologies for thermal management, thermal protection and processing in battery and electronics applications at The Battery Show 2026. The event takes place Oct. 12-15 at Huntington Place in Detroit, where WACKER will exhibit at Booth 4422. The company will highlight materials for thermally conductive potting and mobility applications as well as a flexible silicone coating that forms a ceramic thermal barrier under extreme heat.

As Head of Communications, Lacerda will lead ContiTech’s global communications organization, serving as a strategic partner in driving business performance, transformation and brand value. She will oversee corporate, executive and brand communications, media and public relations, public affairs, employee communications, and reputation management while ensuring a consistent narrative that strengthens ContiTech’s global reputation and supports its business priorities and strategic ambitions. Lacerda succeeds Claudia Lademann-Fleger who has elected to leave ContiTech to pursue opportunities outside the company.

Continental announced the launch of the new Conti HSR 5 EP steer tire and Conti HDR 5 EP drive tire, the latest additions to the company’s Generation 5 regional haul portfolio. Developed specifically for the demands of regional fleet operations, the new tires are engineered to deliver increased mileage, improved fuel efficiency and extended casing durability, helping fleets reduce total cost of ownership.

Danbury, CT – Join SPE’s online workshop, Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs): From Fundamental Insights to Contemporary Technologies, November 10, 12 &

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it has posted the English-language version of its “Integrated Report 2026” on the Company’s English-language Sustainability website. The report includes a comprehensive presentation of Yokohama Rubber’s management strategies and business activities.

Under Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026), the Company’s medium-term plan for fiscal years 2024–2026, Yokohama Rubber is implementing initiatives that integrate sustainability activities into its business strategies. Accordingly, the Company is accelerating business activities that will lead to sustainable enhancement of its corporate value while contributing to local communities and the resolution of social issues.

Fornnax Technology Pvt. Ltd. has been honored with the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 by the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), recognizing its highest exports of tire recycling plants to the Europe region.

Maxam Tire is expanding its solid skid steer tire offering with the introduction of the MS705 NM, a non-marking version of the existing MS705 designed for construction machines operating indoors or on surfaces where tire marks are a concern.

The tire also features a 3-stage, 100% rubber construction and an aperture sidewall engineered to provide a softer ride.

Continental has received two new approvals to supply original-equipment tires for Porsche models. The automotive manufacturer has approved both the SportContact 7 and the new SportContact 7 Force for the Panamera G3 II. The SportContact 7 Force is a high-performance addition to Continental’s summer tire line. Porsche also recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S for the Cayenne E4 during the colder months. All tires are approved in 21- and 22-inch sizes, with XL markings, indicating increased load capacity.

K – The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber – is further strengthening its international portfolio in India, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies: Messe Düsseldorf India and the Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Association of India (PMMAI) have entered into a long-term strategic partnership for the further development of PLASTFOCUS, one of India’s key trade fairs for the plastics industry. Messe Düsseldorf and PMMAI now co-own PLASTFOCUS, laying the foundation for a long-term commitment to one of the world’s most dynamic plastics markets.

The 2026 Global Polymer Summit Expo continues today in Louisville. Wednesday’s program offers a full day of educational sessions, industry networking and exhibition activities for rubber professionals and attendees.

Registration and the expo will be open throughout the day, with the Expo Floor operating from 10:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendees can also visit the Headshot Station from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

MCPU Polymer Engineering, LLC, a developer of bio-based reactive additives for polyurethanes for more than 20 years, will introduce a new materials design framework called biocongruent chemistry at the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) 2026 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, October 5–7 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida. The framework will be unveiled in a technical paper at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7.

Continental’s group sector ContiTech today announced the expansion of its synchronous belt portfolio with the introduction of the Conti® Synchrotwin™ family of double-sided synchronous belts. The new platform will gradually replace the company’s current Dual Sided High-Performance Belt offering while providing customers with a broader product range, increased availability and enhanced performance capabilities.