Tag: raw materials
Nynas showing low rolling resistance oil benefits at Tire Technology
Nynas is attending Tire Technology Expo in Hannover, Germany, 25-27 February 2020 where the company is showing how tyres made with Nynas oils provide “low rolling resistance, reducing energy losses and fuel consumption, while maintaining wet grip for improved control on snow and ice.” Performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres will also be examined in a presentation by Technical Advisor Dr. Kamyar Alavi, entitled “Get a grip: performance of naphthenic oil in winter tyres.”
Continental’s Taraxagum project a potential winner under Germany’s bioeconomy strategy
Locally-sourced alternatives to natural rubber, such as Continental’s ‘Taraxagum’ Russian dandelion project, look set to benefit from new government policy in Germany. Yesterday, the German cabinet approved its ‘Nationale Bioökonomiestrategie’ (National Bioeconomy Strategy). This brings together existing bioeconomy strategies and paves the way for further development in this area, including funding for research.
Canadian researchers present new method for dissolving tyre rubber
A team of chemists at Canada’s McMaster University claim to have discovered an innovative way to break down and dissolve the rubber used in tyres. They believe their process could lead to more efficient methods of recycling.
Sumitomo Rubber sets up rubber procurement company
After considering a number of factors, such as a changing business environment as well as growing awareness of human rights and environmental considerations, Sumitomo Rubber Group has established its own local organisation for procuring natural rubber. It has done so via its member company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which this month set up Sumitomo Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd. This entity, located in the world’s largest natural rubber trading hub, will commence operations in April.
Cabot buys Chinese nanotube supplier for $115 million
On 6 January 2020, Cabot China Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabot Corporation agreed to buy Shenzhen Sanshun Nano New Materials Co., Ltd, a leading carbon nanotube (CNT) producer in China. The $115 million pricetag reportedly includes “liabilities and contingent payments”. According to the company, the move is designed to strengthen Cabot’s position in the high-growth batteries market, particularly in China, which is the largest and fastest growing electric vehicle market in the world.
Asahi Kasei opens Michigan office
Materials maker Asahi Kasei America has opened an office in Novi, Michigan to reach out to the automotive industry in North America. In North America, Asahi Kasei manufactures and sells car interior materials, compound resins, and battery separators, as well as electronic components for the automotive industry.
SAR Elektronic GmbH and Pelmar Engineering sign sales MoU
SAR Elektronic GmbH and Pelmar Engineering Ltd. recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the companies for the sale and distribution to the tyre industry worldwide. SAR manufactures advanced machinery for applications of glue and foam into radial passenger tyres to enhance puncture protection and noise reduction.
Bloom named president Hexpol Compounding Americas
Hexpol AB (publ.) has appointed Kenneth L. Bloom as new president of Hexpol Compounding Americas. Ken succeeds Tracy Garrison who decided to leave the company in November 2019. The new appointment took effect on 1 January 2020.
Nynas enters restructuring process
Nynas AB (publ) filed for “company reorganisation” in Sweden at Södertörn's District Court today (Monday 16 December 2019). According to a company statement, Nynas’s banks have refused to continue to extend loans to the company and therefore “Nynas cannot pay due debts forcing the company to apply for a reorganisation”.
ZSL: Global natural rubber production lacks transparency
Global natural rubber production lacks transparency and the necessary sustainability commitments to protect both people and wildlife, according to an analysis of the natural rubber industry undertaken by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London). ZSL assessed 15 of the “most significant” natural rubber companies and calculated an average score of just 35 per cent on SPOTT (Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit).
RISE and Environ embark on tyre-derived oil research project
The Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and Swedish oil company Nynas AB are launching a joint research project aimed at developing a process for refining the oil that is recovered from end-of-life tyres using Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB’s recycling method. Through refining, the oil can be used for more than fuel, which both increases the value of the recovered oil and reduces the environmental impact.
Bridgestone and Delta-Energy partner in recovered carbon black project
Bridgestone Americas and material recovery company Delta-Energy have announced the first full-scale use of recovered carbon black (rCB) in the tyre market, according to the two companies.
Birla Carbon and CHASM Advanced Materials enter nano-carbon development agremment
On 18 November Birla Carbonand CHASM Advanced Materials Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of printed electronics materials and battery materials, based on proprietary carbon nanotube and ink/coating technologies, agreed to join forces to “accelerate the discovery and development of novel nanomaterials to benefit various market segments including high-performance tyres, novel coatings and next-generation batteries”.
Arlanxeo to close its Orange, Texas Keltan production unit
Arlanxeo intends to close its Keltan production unit in Orange, Texas, USA in the second quarter of 2020. Arlanxeo says it will “strive to limit the impact of the closure by working in close cooperation with all affected stakeholders, both internally and externally”.
Orion Engineered Carbons show new fuel efficient and durable carbons
In early October, Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. announced that the company’s novel surface-modified Carbon Blacks for rubber applications will be presented at the 196th Technical Meeting of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society in Cleveland, Ohio (which was held on 9 October 2019). The meeting is part of the International Elastomer Conference (IEC), which provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, observations, regulatory reforms and emerging scientific technologies.