IRSG: World rubber demand to rise 2.5% in 2019
Global demand for rubber is expected to rise about 2.5 per cent in 2019 to more than 30 million metric tonnes, according to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG).
Raw Materials
Global demand for rubber is expected to rise about 2.5 per cent in 2019 to more than 30 million metric tonnes, according to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG).
Saudi Arabia is planning to develop a $2 billion solar and carbon black integrated complex in partnership with China’s Longi and South Korea’s OCI, according to various news reports from the area.
China has begun establishing a rubber Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Sri Lanka. The arrangement will help promote the country’s rubber industry and boost sector earnings. In return, China is asking for long-term access to lands and tax concessions, according to various media reports.
DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers has announced that it will increase the prices of its DuPont Zytel products by the equivalent of $400 per metric tonne and DuPont Crastin products by the equivalent of $200 per metric tonne.
Chinese tyre cord manufacturer Xingda has opened a European office in Luxembourg. The new European operation has been registered as Xingda Europe Limited and is a subsidiary of Xingda International Holding Company.
An important event in the diaries of both politicians and business leaders, the September release of The Parliamentary Review sees the documents highlight the best practice of organisations across the private and public sectors. The document shares some of the most forward-thinking work that has occurred in the country over the last year and is edited by former minister The Rt Hon David Curry. The 2018 edition features UK-based tyre compound supplier Berwin Industrial Polymers.
Kordsa has been named as one of the Global 100 enterprises. According to a study conducted by Platin magazine in association with IPSOS. Platin also gave Kordsa the Industry 4.0 award in the textile category.
Sulphur dispersion and formulation insights for high-severity service in heavy tyres will be the focus of work shared by two Eastman Tire Additives scientists at the KHK 13th Fall Rubber Colloquium in Hannover, Germany 6-8 November, 2018. The technical presentation by Dr. Dominica Wong will explore why the tensile dispersion test provides valuable insights into sulphur dispersion and how this approach guided the development of innovations such as Eastman Crystex Cure Pro insoluble sulphur. A poster by Dr. Leandro Forciniti will examine how polymers and other additives influence formulations for high-severity service in heavy tyres, including Eastman Impera performance resins.
Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC)’s Dr Alan Muhr, who is Head of the Engineering Design Unit, has been awarded the Hancock Medal 2018 for his outstanding service to the rubber industry by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in London (IOM3) in London.
In parallel with the International Rubber Study Group’s (IRSG) 75th Anniversary, the association has organised a photo competition to pay tribute to women’s contribution in the rubber industry. The contest is supported by Singapore Committee for UN Women and prizes are sponsored by Namazie International.
Russia and Saudi Arabia will finalize several joint projects by the end of 2018, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak recently told journalists. The projects referred to see Saudi Aramco partner with Russain firms Sibur and Novatek. The Sibur plant plans centre on a particularly significantly sized rubber factory.
According to a statement issued on 7 September, Pirelli has disposed of its car tyre factory in Guacara, Venezuela and all other activities within the country. As Pirelli’s Venezuelan subsidiary was deconsolidated as far back as 31 December 2015, the tyre maker says the operation’s divestment “has no financial effects on the group.”
Polymer producer DuPont has announce that it will increase its Zytel prices globally. Effective from 1 October, or as soon as contracts allow, DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers is increasing the price of Zytel products by the equivalent of $550 per metric tonne.
After a stoppage of two days, Pirelli’s tyre factory in Guacara, Venezuela is said to be operating again. Venezuelan daily El Universal reports that the country’s Ministry of Labour has intervened in the matter, and this led to production recommencing on 29 August.
Three Eastman scientists will discuss using insoluble sulphur to improve manufacturing productivity, the relationship between resin chemistry and tyre performance, and innovative solutions to maintain steel cord adhesion at the International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC) in Akron, Ohio, 11-13 September 2018.
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