Geneva, Switzerland – The Tire Industry Project (TIP) is conducting a pilot project with the Greater Paris Sanitation Authority (SIAAP)

Wixom, MI – Wayne Rubber, a custom rubber manufacturer and supplier of molded rubber components, gaskets, seals, and specialty rubber

Steel belt specialist Continuous Process Solutions is delighted to announce the appointment of Geoff Priest as Sales Director, a move that further strengthens the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional expertise and customer support across the food,  chemicals, wood-based panels, pharmaceuticals and rubber manufacturing sectors.

Precision Roll Grinders president and CEO, Ed Gumina, has announced the promotion of Larry Butkovich to the position of chief operating officer (COO). As chief operating officer, Butkovich will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations and work closely with executive leadership to carry out strategic initiatives, drive operational excellence, and support continued growth. In his new role, he will lead efforts to ensure efficient and effective processes across all areas of the business while maintaining Precision Roll Grinders’ commitment to quality, customer service, safety and continuous improvement.

Upcoming Rubber Division training courses will advance your knowledge and stay current with the latest developments in the elastomer industry that provide practical, expert-led education to help you grow your skills and enhance your impact.

July 8 – FREE Economic Update Webinar – ITR Economics
July 23 – Course: Antidegradant Chemistry, Testing & Aging
July 30 – Webinar: Forming Bonds & Leading Innovation – The Operational Challenge in Rubber

Marzieh Shabani has been awarded the Internship Recognition Award by Silox Canada in recognition of her successful completion of an industry internship focused on sustainable elastomer technology and environmental innovation.
The award was presented during the ACS Rubber Division Spring 2026 Technical Meeting, where Shabani’s internship project and technical contributions were recognized by industry leaders and conference participants. The Certificate of Internship Recognition Award was signed by Michel Plante, President and CEO of Silox Canada, and Avinash Bhaskar, Director of Sales.

AkzoNobel announces the launch of its new paint collection with The Walt Disney Company. The specially curated range of colors takes inspiration from an enchanting cast of characters, which can now be used to bring joy and wonder to people’s homes.

Eriez® announces the promotion of Dan Zimmerman to General Manager of Eriez-USA. In this role, Zimmerman has full responsibility for leading the company’s U.S.-based business, including overall performance, commercial and financial execution, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
Zimmerman has been with Eriez since 2004 and most recently served as Director of Operations for Eriez-USA. During his tenure, he has held a variety of leadership roles, including Metalworking Market Manager and Director of Business Development, contributing to the company’s growth, productivity, and overall performance.

One year after launching its Bikes for a Brighter Future initiative, Teknor Apex is celebrating the impact of the program’s first year and preparing to bring the initiative to even more children and communities in its second year.

Created as a tribute to retired CEO and current Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Fain, and his lifelong love of cycling, Bikes for a Brighter Future was launched with a simple goal: give children who need bikes the most the chance to experience the freedom, confidence, and joy that comes with owning a bike.

Bolder Industries announced the first phase of hiring for its Terre Haute Facility, with plans to bring on 35 to 40 team members by July as the company continues expanding its Indiana operations.
Open positions span logistics, engineering, skilled trades, and plant operations, with titles including Logistics Coordinators, Quality Assurance Leaders, Maintenance Technicians, Shift Leaders, Floor Operators, Control Room Operators, and Instrumentation and Electrical Technicians.

PPG announced a two-year renewal (2026-27) of its partnership with WorldSkills Europe, which promotes technical, vocational, and service-oriented education and training across Europe. As part of the agreement, PPG will support organization of the Car Painting competition at EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, which takes place in September 2027.

YOKOHAMA strengthens its position in Europe’s rapidly expanding all-season segment with the introduction of the new BluEarth-AllSeason2, developed to support the Company’s commitment to a more localized product strategy in Europe.

The tire was unveiled in Iceland – one of Europe’s most demanding environments due to its highly unpredictable weather – in front of more than 100 customers and journalists, showcasing its ability to deliver trust, control and confidence when reliability and safety matter most.

LANXESS Corporation announced that Palmer Holland will become the exclusive distributor for its Bayferrox and Colortherm brand inorganic pigments in Canada, effective August 1, 2026.

This new agreement expands Palmer Holland’s long-standing distribution relationship with LANXESS Inorganic Pigments, which currently includes the Northeast, Midwest, and Western United States.

In the June issue of Rubber World we focus on Silicone, Liquid Silicone & Medical including other topics of interest in the rubber

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is celebrating a century of iron oxide pigment production at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site. Since 1926, more than 15 million tons of iron oxide pigments have been produced here. This quantity could be used to produce more than 200 billion liters of paint—enough to cover an area the size of Germany five times over. With an annual production capacity of around 300,000 tons, LANXESS is the current global market leader. The Bayferrox brand is synonymous with synthetic iron oxide pigments in the industry.

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, announced nearly 59,000 trees will be planted in communities nationwide as a result of the company’s fourth annual “Download the App, Plant a Tree” campaign. Since 2023, the initiative has planted more than 244,000 trees by encouraging customers of Firestone Complete Auto Care and Tires Plus to help the tire & automotive service locations reduce paper waste.

Solvay announces that the European Patent Office (EPO) has upheld its European patent EP 3 971 138 B1 (“EP ’138”) following opposition proceedings initiated by WE Soda Ltd on February 13, 2025. The decision, issued after oral hearings on May 19, 2026, maintains the validity of the patent subject only to limited amendments. The decision may be subject to appeal.

Braskem begins an important stage of renewal of its governance, with the entry of IG4 into management, combining complementary profiles: on the one hand, the experience of IG4 in restructuring and management of complex assets; on the other hand, the more active presence of Petrobras, with its technical experience in the development of the petrochemical industry in the country. “The partnership between the companies reflects the new phase at Braskem to, by overcoming challenges, preserve its strategic relevance for the chemical and petrochemical chain and continue to contribute to the development of the industry and the communities in which it operates,” said Hélcio Tokeshi, who takes over as CEO
of Braskem.

Pirelli North America announced the launch of the Scorpion™ AS 4, the next evolution in its successful Scorpion all-season family. The new Pirelli tire delivers next-level performance with exceptional wet braking, precise handling, reduced noise, and outstanding mileage, engineered specifically for North American roads. Designed for crossovers, SUVs, and pick-up trucks, the Scorpion AS 4 continues Pirelli’s commitment to innovation and market-focused development, raising the bar in the touring all-season segment with a balanced combination of durability and comfort.

The Rubber Division, ACS in partnership with ITR Economics is presenting a free Economic Update webinar on Wednesday, July 8; from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. sponsored by the HF Group.

Gain valuable insight into the economic forces impacting our world today in this free webinar featuring Connor Lokar, Senior Forecaster & Keynote Manager at ITR Economics. Uncertainty makes even the strongest businesses hesitate. When markets shift, leaders need more than forecasts. They need clarity, context, and a plan. This session will help business leaders understand what is coming next, how it will affect their industry, and where to focus when conditions change.

Domestically sourced nitrile gloves that have been approved for use by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are receiving strong reviews for their quality. U.S. Medical Glove Company (USMGC) has received a series of accolades from notable sources around the country for their durability, comfort and performance—noting they are a testament to the importance of procuring American-manufactured products to protect Americans.

Renault’s new Twingo is now fitted with original equipment tires from Continental as standard worldwide. The latest generation of the all-electric compact car is rolling off the production line equipped exclusively with the 18-inch Continental EcoContact 7. The 18-inch tire has earned top ratings on the EU tire label for energy efficiency and rolling noise. It therefore meets key requirements that manufacturers place on tires for electric vehicles today: low rolling resistance to help maximize driving range and low rolling noise for a quieter, more pleasant driving experience.

Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has awarded Weir an order to supply 14 GEHO® TZPM 2000 positive displacement (PD) pumps equipped with GLORES (GEHO® Load Reduction System).

eon Corporation announced that, through Zeon Ventures Inc. its subsidiary that manages
corporate venture capital (CVC) activities, it has invested in Kanvas Biosciences, (“Kanvas”), a Princeton, New Jerseybased spatial biology company developing therapeutics that leverage the gut microbiome—a community of microorganisms that coexist in the human intestinal tract. Through this investment, Zeon will advance the exploration of new business opportunities related to this area.

WACKER officially opened a new production site for silicones in the Czech Republic. After just two years of construction, the first production line officially went on stream in Karlovy Vary. Here, customized silicones for the automotive, household appliances and medical technology industries as well as for the energy sector will be manufactured.

eliance Industries Limited (“RIL”) announced a partnership with Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”) for a data center project in Jamnagar, Gujarat. RIL will develop a data center with 168 MW capacity to be delivered within two years, with an option to scale.

This is the first built-to-suit data center capacity in India for Meta and represents a significant milestone in India’s emergence as a global hub for AI infrastructure. Meta will lease capacity from the facility, marking a significant milestone in Meta’s global infrastructure expansion and deepening the long-standing strategic partnership with Reliance

BFGoodrich Tires has launched the Trail-Terrain T/A+ tire, balancing off-road inspired style and capability with the on-road comfort and longevity drivers need for both daily commutes and weekend getaways.

This tire is designed for those who primarily drive on paved roads but use their vehicles occasionally on unpaved roads. These drivers want a versatile tire that provides comfort and confidence to drive on various types of terrain.

Hutchinson announces its participation in the COMEX SPACE Aero, a strategic initiative bringing together major aerospace and defense players to enhance industrial performance and competitiveness across the supply chain.

Created in 2007, SPACE Aero plays a key role in structuring and supporting the French Aerospace & Defense ecosystem. By pooling the expertise and resources of leading OEMs and equipment manufacturers, the association drives collective initiatives aimed at strengthening industrial maturity, accelerating operational excellence, and fostering collaboration across the value chain.

Axtra3D announced a major expansion of its European operations with the acquisition of a significantly larger facility in Vicenza, Italy. The new 17,000 square foot (1,600 sq. meter) facility will become the central hub for Axtra3D’s European operations and a cornerstone for the company’s next phase of growth. Designed to support increasing global demand, the site will integrate material validation, advanced application development, product engineering, manufacturing, and customer support operations under one highly connected ecosystem. Since its founding in 2021, Axtra3D has experienced sustained momentum, achieving more than 55% repeat

Olin Corporation and Huntsman Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create a leading North American chemicals company. The transaction is expected to generate significant value for shareholders of both companies, with more than $400 million in total identified cost synergies and integration benefits.