Teknor Apex announced a continued expansion of its relationship with Nexeo Plastics. Effective November 1, 2024, Nexeo Plastics expanded its material offerings from Teknor Apex across the EMEA region to include a wider range of advanced materials beyond thermoplastic elastomers like Monprene® TPE and Sarlink® TPV. This expansion strengthens Teknor Apex and Nexeo Plastics global partnership and Nexeo’s ability to provide customers highly engineered thermoplastic solutions to meet diverse industry needs, reinforcing its offering in the Electrical & Electronics, Mobility and Industrial end markets.

The portfolio now includes engineered materials based on polyamides, polypropylene, polyesters, TPU, and other specialty blends of PC, ABS, PBT, PA, and PP

H.B. Fuller Company announced that it will reorganize the building and construction segments of its portfolio to create a faster growing solutions business with a complementary customer base across the architectural and infrastructure markets. The reorganization includes the sale of the Flooring business as well as combining the company’s Insulated Glass, Woodworking, and Composite segments, currently part of Engineering Adhesives, with its Roofing and Building Envelope and Infrastructure (BE&I) segments to form a newly named Global Business Unit (GBU): Building Adhesive Solutions (BAS), effective with the start of H.B. Fuller’s 2025 fiscal year.

Bellofram Elastomers has announced expanded flash cutting capabilities that now include flat diaphragms in addition to silicone products. Flat diaphragms serve as sensing mechanisms in devices such as regulators, pumps, and other industrial instrumentation and control equipment. By sensing changes in pressure, these flat diaphragms enable the equipment to react and restore the original set pressure.

Motion Industries, Inc. signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of U.S.-based International Conveyor and Rubber (ICR). The transaction is expected to close at the end of December 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

ICR services commercial and industrial customers in the eastern United States. Headquartered in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, the company has seven locations, offering sales, installation, repair and maintenance of conveyor belts and related system products. They also provide engineering and design services for custom solutions.

H.B. Fuller Company announced that it has signed agreements to acquire two leading medical adhesive technology companies: GEM S.r.l. and Medifill Ltd.
Medifill Ltd. is an Irish formulator and producer of medical-grade cyanoacrylate adhesives with a state-of-the-art clean room and manufacturing capabilities. Medifill produces advanced technology that is specifically tailored for the wound closure market. The next-generation formulations enable fast, safe, and effective wound closure.
GEM S.r.l. is an Italian manufacturer and market leading provider of medical adhesives and innovative application devices approved and certified for over 80 internal indications. The acquisition establishes a European headquarters for H.B. Fuller’s Medical Adhesive Technologies (MAT) business and expands the company’s medical adhesive offerings, further shifting its portfolio toward highly profitable, higher growth markets.

The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc. (IISRP) to honor Mr. Bowei Lee of LCY Group as the recipient of the prestigious IISRP General Award, and Professor Zhang Liqun of Xi’an Jiaotong University will be honored with the coveted Technical Award at its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The presentation of both awards will be formally made on April 8th, 2025, during the 65th IISRP Annual General Meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

The Neotech Bridge is a silicone nipple cover with a built-in channel that attaches to a syringe filled with breastmilk or formula. The syringe allows mothers to control the amount and flow to keep the baby at the breast, feeding continuously which help to further promote natural milk production.
The market opportunity is vast as a large percentage of mothers experience breastfeeding challenges. While initially targeting hospitals, Neotech is now also focused on the retail space as well. And since taking over the product, Neotech continues to grow sales each year.
Both Neotech and Silcotech emphasized the powerful impact of this product.

Continental has released a new fuel-efficient, long haul drive tire for the United States Market.
The Conti HDL 3 EP combines high-structure carbon black and silica technology to deliver a well-balanced mix of rolling resistance and durability. With a polymer matrix-bound silica compound, it achieves up to 10 percent better rolling resistance compared to its predecessor and is SmartWay verified for Class 8 long haul tractor trailers, making it a top choice for fuel efficiency and performance.

At Plastec West in Anaheim, California/USA, taking place from 4 to 6 February 2025, Arburg will showcase exciting topics such as silicone injection molding, digitalization and automation. On stand 4229 in Hall B, the processing of solid silicone rubber (HCR) with continuous material feed by a Turnmix dosing system will be demonstrated live for the first time in the USA. The exhibit, an electric Allrounder 470 A, is automated with a linear robotic system Multilift Select 6.

Massive floods have hit five provinces in the Southern Thailand last week and have caused estimated damages worth 20 billion baht ($589 million USD), the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAT) said.

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new design that appears to rewrite the textbook on polymer engineering.

“We are addressing a fundamental challenge that has been thought to be impossible to solve since the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839,” said Liheng Cai, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and chemical engineering.

That’s when Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered that heating natural rubber with sulfur created chemical crosslinks between the strand-like rubber molecules. This crosslinking process creates a polymer network, transforming the sticky rubber, which melts and flows in the heat, into a durable, elastic material.

Ever since, it’s been believed that if you want to make a polymer network material stiff, you have to sacrifice some stretchability.

India’s manufacturing growth slowed in November, marking its weakest level in 11 months due to price pressures and softer domestic demand. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, recorded a reading of 56.5 for November, down from 57.5 in October and matching September’s level. Although the PMI remained above the 50-point threshold indicating expansion, it was below the preliminary flash estimate of 57.3, reflecting a more subdued rise in factory orders and production. Input costs rose at their fastest pace since July, driven by higher prices for chemicals, cotton, leather, and rubber.

GRI has further cemented its global footprint by participating in three prestigious exhibitions spanning three continents in the first week of November. Movimat in Brazil, EIMA in Italy, and SEMA in the United States. These events served as dynamic platforms for GRI to showcase its state-of-the-art tire technologies, engage with industry leaders, and establish new partnerships, underscoring its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Through long-term tire co-creation development with Kawasaki Motors, Bridgestone continues to support the company by delivering value in its wide range of motorcycles. The BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 tires to be supplied as original equipment on the new Ninja 1100SX are next-generation sports tires that have exceptional performance across all areas necessary for sport riding without compromise.2 These tires feature a new pattern design meant to balance optimal changes in contact patch stiffness with excellent water drainage properties for riding on wet surfaces. Combined with optimized tire shape and construction, these characteristics support the new riding experience delivered by the Ninja 1100SX through enhanced grip and handling stability during straight-line riding and at large lean angles, delivering an elevated sport riding experience offered by the Ninja 1100SX.

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies announced that it has acquired Toledo Driveline, LLC., an Ohio-based aftermarket company that specializes in electronics and select hard parts for the aftermarket industry. The sale, part of a purchase agreement the company signed earlier this month with Seal Aftermarket Products (SAP), LLC., offers Freudenberg Sealing Technologies direct access to original equipment-quality electronic parts produced for aftermarket customers. Toledo Driveline will be integrated into Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ Corteco Division. The financial terms of the SAP-Toledo Driveline transaction were not disclosed.

umitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. announced that its Shirakawa Factory has been recognized as a Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. For nearly 50 years since it began operations in 1974, Shirakawa Factory has engaged in a variety of activities, including forest management and conservation of endangered plant species.

The certification was awarded for the factory’s efforts to preserve rare plant species such as yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata), a near threatened species, and Asian fawn lily (Erythronium japonicum).

As CFO of Smithers, Spitz is responsible for overseeing the global financial and legal operations, leading initiatives to improve financial efficiency and supporting Smithers strategic growth objectives.

With over twenty years of executive experience, Spitz brings a growth-oriented mindset and a wealth of expertise in financial management and strategic planning. His insights and guidance have been instrumental in various board roles, where he provided valuable financial direction.

LANXESS has equipped the first mobile plant of De Watergroep for the removal of PFAS from water with its Lewatit TP 108 DW ion exchange resin. The fully modular water treatment unit is located in the region Brussels, Belgium, and can purify up to 190,000 liters of drinking water per hour.

Since May 2024, the Belgian company De Watergroep has been operating the containerized water treatment plant on site. It will be used for at least two years, after which the plan is to switch to alternative water sources with lower PFAS levels. The objective is to permanently reduce the PFAS contamination of drinking water in Flanders to below 50 ppt and thus increase the quality of the water.

EXPOL has signed an agreement to acquire 80 percent of the shares in Piedmont Resin Supply, LLC (Piedmont) from the founder Mr. Matt Griffith and Mr. Paul Daniel. Piedmont was founded in 2013 and has grown to become one of the largest independent nylon compounders in the US. The company is an industry leader in technical nylon compounds on the US market and services a variety of customers within automotive, transportation and the furniture industries. Piedmont operates a well invested manufacturing facility in Cartersville, GA with some 60 employees and further capacity to grow

U.S. Medical Glove Company (USMGC) announced the launch of a new division, U.S. Medical Accessories (USMA), to support its growing business of building proprietary medical exam glove-making machines.

The new division, USMA, will exclusively supply USMGC customers with support and service for its machines. This includes supplying the parts, components, robotic tooling technology, laser cutting systems, custom electrical panels, and additional accessories required for manufacturing nitrile and polyisoprene exam gloves.

Vibracoustic has designed, developed, and tested an innovative Thermal Management Decoupling System that supports and isolates the co-located thermal technologies commonly used in next-generation battery electric vehicles. Addressing a crucial challenge in the electric vehicle industry, the system optimizes the bundling of thermal components such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) to save space, increase efficiency, and streamline assembly. This all-in architecture can be easily carried over in other vehicles without additional engineering. The thermal management system has proven its performance and reliability through extensive testing and benchmarking and is serial production ready.

Rubber successfully showcased its latest tire innovations at the SEMA Show 2024 in Las Vegas, with the North American debut of its WESTLAKE Gen II Truck Tires and new additions to the ARISUN PCR lineup.

In the first three quarters of 2024, the Semperit Group increased EBITDA by 11.9% to EUR 63.9 million and significantly improved earnings after tax to EUR 7.1 million, compared with EUR –26.8 million in the same period of the previous year. With revenue of EUR 506.6 million (–2.5%), the EBITDA margin increased to 12.6%, mainly due to the cost-cutting program initiated early in 2023. The EBITDA guidance for 2024 is confirmed at around EUR 80 million.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Braskem have enhanced their partnership with the launch of their new STEM education program, Tackling STEM, for the 2024-2025 academic school year. Tackling STEM is an education program that delivers free digital and hands-on interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education opportunities to students in the Greater Philadelphia area with over 20 schools participating. The program is supported by Science of Sport, a nonprofit organization that teaches kids STEM through sports.

RPM International Inc. announced that TMP Convert SAS (TMPC) has been acquired to be part of its Fibergrate Structures (Fibergrate) business, which is part of RPM’s Performance Coatings Group. TMPC is based in Simandre-sur-Suran, France, and is a leading manufacturer of outdoor design and landscape products under the JOUPLAST® and OCAPE® brands. The company has annual net sales of approximately €35 million and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Since partnering with DriverReviews in 2021, Hankook has continued to earn recognition for its diverse and innovative tire range, strengthening its reputation and giving customers greater confidence in its products, as demonstrated in this year’s results. Hankook’s awards include ‘Highly Recommended’ for the Ventus S1 evo3 SUV in the ‘Best Tires for Small & Mid-Size SUVs’ category, gaining an overall rating of 4.6 by drivers- a multi-award-winning tire which has also received the ‘Best for Value’ title in the recent 2024 What Car? Tire Test, and ‘Very Good’ rating in the 2024 auto motor und sport Tire Tests earlier this year. The Ventus S1 evo 3 was ‘Commended’ in the ‘Best Tires for Hot Hatches’ category, scoring a 4.5 review rating, and commendations were granted in two of the new 2024 categories, ‘Best Tires for Vans’ for the Vantra LT receiving a 4.3 rating, and ‘Best Tires for Pick-Up Trucks’ for the Dynapro AT2 which also has an overall review score of 4.3.

Zeon Corporation through its venture capital arm Zeon Ventures Inc. (California, U.S.A.; representative: Yoshihiro Kagawa), has invested in Type One Energy Group, Inc. (Type One Energy), a U.S. startup that develops stellarator fusion devices that use high-temperature superconducting
magnets.

Elkem, SINTEF and NORCE are completing the first pilot phase of Elkem Sicalo® at Elkem’s technology park in Kristiansand, Norway. The project entails capturing the carbon emitted from the silicon furnace and reusing it as a reductant in the silicon production process. The EU has now granted EUR 9.9 million in funding for the Horizon Europe project MECALO, which builds on Elkem Sicalo®. MECALO will develop the concept of carbon looping further for general metal production, with demonstration of zero CO2 silicon and manganese alloys

PPG announced that it has been named to Newsweek magazine’s America’s Greenest Companies 2025 list. The list recognizes the top 500 private and public U.S. companies committed to reducing their environmental impact in key areas including greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and waste reduction.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a 5-year investment of $104 million, with a potential 10-year investment of up to $208 million, in four new NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) to create technology powered solutions that benefit the nation for decades to come.
One of the four new centers is TARDISS: Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security. The Ohio State University (OSU) partnered with Caltech, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University, the University of California Merced, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Case Western Reserve University for this new center. This makes OSU the only university in the nation to lead 2 ERCs simultaneously. Faculty members in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department led the effort.