Dandelion rubber research scientists awarded Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize
For a number of years, Continental’s Tire division has collaborated with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Münster, Germany and the University of Münster’s Institute for Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP) to develop rubber from dandelions that is suitable for series tyre production. The scientists heading the ‘Rubin – Industrial Emergence of Natural Rubber from Dandelion’ project have now been awarded the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for their research into Russian dandelion and the development of prototype passenger car tyres that used dandelion-derived rubber. The award was presented yesterday in Wiesbaden, Germany, to IME’s Professor Dr Dirk Prüfer, IBBP’s Dr Christian Schulze Gronover and Continental’s Dr Carla Recker.
Continue ReadingNew Jaguar XE fitted with Dunlop tyres
Dunlop has that a number of its tyres are approved fitments on the new Jaguar XE. With the XE coming with range of tyre and wheel fitments depending on the trim selected, Dunlop is providing five fitments in total.
Continue ReadingUS ups Chinese tyre import tariffs
On Friday 12 June, the US Department of Commerce (Commerce) gave its final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations relating to the importation of Chinese produced passenger vehicle and light truck tyres. While many analysts and observers had expected the tariff percentages to be reduced – based on previous experience of similar cases – in fact they were increased. In some cases the combined anti-dumping and countervailing duties are north of 188 per cent. While this is at the top end of the range, and notwithstanding one or two exceptions, most tyre companies manufacturer in China or importing Chinese tyres into the US, will now have to pay significantly more than was first thought.
Continue ReadingZeiss acquiring majority interest in Steinbichler Optotechnik
The company behind the ‘Intact’ shearographic tyre testing equipment range will soon have a new majority owner. Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH announced on 12 June that the Zeiss Industrial Metrology Business Group intends to take a majority interest in the company. The transaction is subject to approval from the relevant authorities and due to be finalised in mid-summer 2015. Steinbichler’s headquarters will remain in Neubeuern, Germany following the majority share acquisition, and Dr Marcus Steinbichler will head the new company as its managing director over the long term.
Continue ReadingLanxess claims “record time” certification for Lipetsk Rhein Chemie site
In mid-2013, Lanxess’ Rhein Chemie Additives business unit opened a new facility in the Lipetsk Industrial Park, around 300 miles southeast of Moscow. Although the plant has produced polymer-bound rubber additives for almost two years now, Lanxess states “it was clear” that “lasting commercial success” with tyre and rubber industry customers in Russia wouldn’t be feasible unless the facility achieved the appropriate ISO certification, and therefore it set about obtaining this at the start of last year.
Continue ReadingDelticom announces TyresNet launch
Online tyre retailer Delticom has begun rolling out the first in a series of new national websites that combine tyre sales, tips and information in the one location. Delticom’s name for the new information portal is TyresNet, and it says it aims to “open up the world of tyres and wheels” to motorists and tyre, rim and wheel suppliers. The first two sites to go live cater to the German (reifen.de) and Austrian (reifen.at) markets.
Continue ReadingTitan International gains shareholder green light for Delaware reincorporation
Shareholder approval for Titan International’s reincorporation in the US state of Delaware was given at the company’s annual meeting of stockholders on 4 June, clearing the way for the off-road tyre manufacturer to take advantage of the state’s more flexible tax laws. Stockholders also elected Anthony L. Soave to serve as a company director for a three-year term and voted to ratify Grant Thornton LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2015.
Continue ReadingRollout of Michelin’s global consumer tyre platform commences
In future, prospective tyre buyers will be able to gain information about Michelin consumer products via a global platform. The tyre maker has begun the platform’s rollout and gone live with it in the first market, the USA, at http://www.michelinman.com.
Continue ReadingNexen gains Smart Forfour and Renault Twingo OE
Nexen Tires Nblue Premium has been selected as original equipment for the Renault Twingo and the Smart Forfour compact cars. According to Nexen, its tyres will be standard equipment for the two cars, which were co-developed by Renault and Daimler AG.
Continue ReadingAudi A6 in fuel economy world record attempt
Mile-devouring fuel economy is likely to be a key consideration for most drivers of the 67mpg Audi A6 TDI ultra, but on this occasion it is nothing short of crucial, because a Guinness World Records title attempt depends on it.
Continue ReadingContiTech’s Phoenix Compounding Technology to exhibit at the DKT
ContiTech specialist compounder Phoenix Compounding Technology will exhibit its latest developments and showcasing its international locations at Booth 213, Hall 12 at the Deutsche Kautschuk-Tagung 2015 (DKT; German Rubber Conference) in Nuremberg from 29 June to 2 July, 2015. The focal point of its trade showcase is compounds in various delivery forms, which all meet the current requirements of the REACH regulation. More of ContiTechs technologies will be unveiled during the lecture programme.
Continue ReadingPirelli shareholders appeal for better ChemChina offer
Following the news that ChemChina now controls (both directly and indirectly) 30 per cent or more of Pirelli shares with a view to buying as much as 70 per cent of the company, Italian news reports suggest a number of smaller shareholders are forming an alliance in order to push for a higher offer price from ChemChina.
Continue ReadingMichelin, TVS Srichakra setting up motorcycle, scooter tyre production unit in India
Indian tyre maker TVS Srichakra Limited informed the National Stock Exchange of India on 2 June that it has entered into an agreement with wholly-owned Michelin subsidiary, Michelin India Private Limited, to produce a range of two wheeler tyres under the Michelin brand name.
Continue ReadingFirst Line Group shuffles management team following retirement of commercial director
First Line Group has responded to the retirement of commercial director Alan Wood by reshuffling its management team. The aftermarket supplier said the move reflects its need to strengthen its foundations and adapt to growing pressures in the market, which it characterises as more competitive and over-distributed. Wood’s departure triggered an internal reshuffle that sees First Line’s export director Kevin Neaverson become global sales director with Ian Boyle elevated from national accounts manager to the position of UK sales manager.
Continue ReadingGoodyear to pay Sumitomo US$271 million to end global joint venture
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is to pay Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) US$271 million to end its global joint venture with the Japanese firm. Goodyear expects to increase annual income as a result of the deal, while SRI will take on expanded use of the Dunlop name around the world. This largely means Russia, Africa and Asia, but not Europe. The reasoning behind the dissolution? According to SRI, the North American and European joint ventures did not perform as initially expected. Furthermore there was decreasing technology exchange between the two companies – all of which led both parties to “dissolve the alliance in a constructive manner”. This led to the arbitration filing and subsequent dissolution talks in January and February 2014 respectively.
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