Tag: raw materials
Coronavirus making its presence felt in rubber markets
Growers, suppliers and manufacturers of both natural and synthetic rubbers are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with demand for both commodities decreasing significantly in the first quarter of 2020.
Sumitomo Rubber takes the stink out of natural rubber
Anyone who’s spent time in a garage or tyre shop knows that the smell of rubber is an acquired love. And there’s good news for those who never acquire this love - Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has, after identifying the factors that cause natural rubber to emit an odour, developed ‘Reduced Odor Natural Rubber,’ a new type of natural rubber that emits significantly less odour.
Birla Carbon & GrandBio Technologies introduce ‘breakthrough’ NDC masterbatch
Following a three-year joint development programme, Birla Carbon and GranBio Technologies are making their patent-pending Nanocellulose Dispersion Composite (NDC) rubber masterbatch available for qualification by tyre and rubber companies.
Continental: 250,000 tyres with Cokoon produced
Cokoon is the brand name of a new bonding system technology that all tyre manufacturers and their suppliers can use as an open source solution. The development partners, tyre maker Continental and reinforcers manufacturer Kordsa, began work on this eco-friendly dip technology in 2017. Continental says it has produced quarter of a million tyres featuring Cokoon since beginning volume production last year.
Vegan material reduces CO2 during tyre production
Speciality chemicals company Lanxess has added a plant-based raw material variant to the Aktiplast PP product range produced by its Rhein Chemie business unit. These processing promoters for polymer blends are used in the production of tyres and a wide range of technical rubber articles. Aktiplast PP-veg, which is based on renewable raw materials, was developed specifically in response to a customer requirement from Asia. An international tyre manufacturer based in Europe has also expressed “great interest” in the material, Lanxess adds.
Lanxess presenting tyre manufacturing solutions at TTE
We haven’t heard a great deal from Lanxess since it spun off its Tire & Specialty Rubbers (TSR) and the High Performance Elastomers (HPE) business units into the Arlanxeo joint venture in 2016. But the company, which sold its 50 per cent share in Arlanxeo a year and a half ago, is still very much active as a supplier to the tyre industry. Later this month, Lanxess will showcase its tyre manufacturing solutions at Tire Technology Expo.
Kordsa raises CDP Climate Change Report score 3 grades
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) raised Kordsa’s score from C- to B in 2019. According to the company, CDP raised Kordsa’s score from C- (the first and lower grade of the “awareness” band) to B (the second and upper grade of the “management” band) in 2019 as a result of the efforts Kordsa carried out to manage risks and opportunities related to climate change.
US2$ million funding keeps material research rolling at LeHigh University
Recent funding grants given to LeHigh University mean the college’s friction and adhesion research department will continue to develop innovative solutions that could fuel tyre development. According to the University, Anand Jagota, professor and founding chair of Lehigh University’s bioengineering department, has arrived at a milestone in his 15 years of researching friction and adhesion.
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.