Bluestar Silicones becomes Elkem Silicones
Silicon-related advanced materials manufacturer Elkem is proceeding with the integration of two Chinese entities into the Elkem group, and at the same time is renaming Bluestar Silicones to Elkem Silicones.
Raw Materials
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Chemspec celebrates one year in México’s “automotive/rubber triangle”
Ohio-based ChemSpec, Ltd., a member of the Safic-Alcan Group family of companies, formed a subsidiary, Chemspec México, S. DE RL DE C.V., in August 2016 to serve the rapid growth of automotive manufacturing in México, specifically in the central states−often referred to as the “automotive/rubber triangle” region. ChemSpec México is strategically based in Querétaro, with additional warehousing and logistics business support in nearby Laredo, TX. 12 months on the company is celebrating its first year of success.
Kordsa presents at Michelin Movin’ On event
When the 2017 edition of Michelin Movin’ On symposium started on 13 June in Montreal, Canada Kordsa’s chief operating officer of North America, Jim Del Piano gave a presentation on the opening day stressing the significance of open innovation which will be a key factor for reinforcement market. Del Piano, in his presentation, gave insights on the future of the mobility and emerging solutions. In other words, “innovation [is] long way to walk alone”.
Evonik and Wacker back German technology fund
Evonik and Wacker Chemie are among the investors in a $335 million fund intended to finance young start-up firms in Germany, both companies announced. The country’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the German state-run KfW Development Bank are the main investors in the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) III, which will also help the start-ups put their business concepts into practice.
No more raw materials: Pirelli stopping tyre production in Venezuela
A lack of raw materials is behind Pirelli’s decision to suspend production at its Guacara tyre plant in Venezuela. Tyrepress.com understands that the tyre maker views the production stop as a temporary measure, however it has widely been reported as an indefinite pause.
Cabot increases carbon black prices
Effective June 12, 2017, speciality chemicals supplier Cabot said it will increase prices on all carbon black products in its reinforcement materials segment sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Birla increasing carbon black prices
Birla Carbon has announced it is increasing carbon black prices in Europe and Africa by €70/MT, net of price monthly variation.
GM collaborating with tyre makers on natural rubber sustainability
General Motors has committed itself to sourcing original equipment tyres produced from sustainable natural rubber. The vehicle manufacturer views this step as an industry first and says its aim is to help “drive the industry toward net-zero deforestation and uphold human and labour rights.”
ZC Rubber to build R&D centre for green tyre material with Ningbo Institute
ZC Rubber and Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences have announced their new Research & Development centre for rubber and novel environmental-friendly green materials. According to China’s largest tyre manufacturer, the centre will focus on the development on the rubber and materials for smart production, new energy and green material.
Re-globalisation of the international tyre market?
In the last few weeks, Apollo has initiated production at its new Hungary tyre factory and launched a brand new European truck tyre range (see Company News section pages 32 – 24); Doublestar has confirmed that it is the only remaining bidder in the race for 42 per cent of Kumho Tire (see pages 36 – 37); and as we went to press, Finnish tyre maker Nokian announced that it will build its third production plant, this time in the USA. All this points to what we might call a re-globalisation trend. Rather than businesses from the large so-called developed nations expanding around the globe, this second wave of international expansion sees the roles reversing to some extent. While before the Western nations were looking to invest in fast-growing “emerging” economies, now the proverbial shoe is on the other foot and large companies in what used to be called the BRIC nations are investing in more developed tyre markets.
Sailun Jinyu anticipates RMB 50 million loss in Q1 2017
The bottom line at China’s Sailun Jinyu Group Co Ltd took a hit in the first quarter of 2017. According to preliminary statistics provided by its financial department, the tyre maker anticipates a net loss attributable to shareholders in the vicinity of RMB 50 million (-£5.65 million). In the same three-month period a year earlier, the company reported a net profit of RMB 95.16 million (£10.76 million).
Smithers Rapra upgrades mixing technology in Akron
Smithers Rapra has launched new mixing technology at its lab in Akron, Ohio. The new MXI 1L Lab Kneader Mixer, installed at the company’s analytical laboratory, allows for higher precision and more efficient mixing of custom compounds.
Kordsa appoints Caliskan as CEO
Kordsa has announced the appointment of Ali Caliskan as the company’s new CEO. Also announced by Kordsa is the move of Cenk Alper from CEO to group president of the affiliated Sabanci Holdings Industry Group. Alper has been in the CEO position since 2013.
C2C certification for Klean Industries’ pyrolysis plant
Canada-based gasification and pyrolysis waste conversion technologies provider Klean Industries Inc. shares that one of its facilities has become the world’s first tyre pyrolysis plant to receive Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certification. This C2C certification by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry LLC follows a 12-month study of the Klean Industries production process and the end uses of the recycled carbon and oil products that derive from it.
Exol receives CBOA ‘award of excellence’ for use of waterways
Exol Lubricants has won the award of excellence from the Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA) for its economic commitment to the waterways. The award was presented to Exol sales director and IAAF CV Committee chairman Steve Dunn at the FTA Multimodal awards, held at the Vox, Resorts World, in front of more than 600 guests.
