Tyres can’t function without this critical raw material. Whether its natural or synthetic rubber you are interested in, articles bearing this tag feature this indispensable polymer.
TRW Automotive Goodyear Tire & Rubber have jointly developed a new system that is designed to automatically adjust the performance parameters of a vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) system based on the dimensions and other characteristics of the vehicle’s tyres.
Over 1OOO trade visitors poured through the doors of the Singapore Expo Centre on Tuesday as Tyrexpo Asia got underway. The first day of the exhibition saw the highest single visitor figures in the event’s history.
Organisers, ECI international commented: “We have been delighted with the excellent turnout today. The exhibition floor has been very busy and exhibitors have expressed satisfaction with the quality of visitors attending the show. We have already had a number of rebookings for the next Tyrexpo Asia in two years time”.
Bridgestone Corporation has announced that it has succeeded with the practical application of Bridgestone Support Ring run-flat system. The support ring will be delivered to Toyota Motor Corporation for use in its new RAV4 for the European market. This system has been in development since 2002 based on technical collaboration with Germany’s Continental AG and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
The Chinese market seems to favour Malaysia’s natural rubber (NR) and is attracting increased interest from players in the Malaysian rubber products industry, according to the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB). The MRB recently organised a trade delegation visit to China and revealed details about business between the two far eastern countries.
The MRB explained that Malaysian rubber was well-known in China for its good quality. China imports about 1.4 million tonnes of NR per year, and this year, Malaysia’s NR exports to China are projected to increase to 350,000 tonnes from 290,000 last year.
Goodway Rubber chief executive, Tai Boon Wee, has spoken of the company’s plans to build a Chinese compounding plant. “Goodway is looking into the possibility of setting up a rubber compounding plant, possibly in Dongguan in China, via a joint venture with a local partner,” Mr Tai said.
(India/Rubber Asia) Passenger car sales in India during the first six months of 2005 slowed down compared to the same period last year, according to Anang D. Jena, research director, Synovate Motoresearch. Total production of passenger cars in the January-June 2005 period was about 505,951 units, up by 12.5 per cent over the corresponding period last year. However, total sales during the period stood at 530,811 units, up only by 7.6 per cent over the same period last year.
(India/Rubber Asia) JK Tyre, one of India’s Big 3 tyre makers, is planning to double its turnover in the off-the-road segment from 350 million to 700 million rupees (roughly £4.35 million – £8.7 million) by next year, local media has reported.
The company is also considering manufacturing tyres for 50 tonne rigid-frame dump trucks and 85 tonne trucks. It currently makes tyres for 35 to 40-tonne dump trucks. These, made for dumpers used in mining and quarries cost between 60,000 and 200,000 rupees (£750 – £2500).
(India/Rubber Asia) MRF, the Indian tyre major, has reported a drop in net profit to 168.8 million rupees in the third quarter ending 30 June 2005, compared with 170.9 million rupees in the same quarter last year.
Net sales in the quarter, however, improved to 7,951.2 million against 6,562.2 million rupees in the same period last year. In the first nine months (October 2004 to June 2005), net profits dipped to 289.6 million rupees against 469 million in the year ago period, even as net sales rocketed to 21,850 million rupees as against 19,050 million in the same period last year.
(India/Rubber Asia) Leading Indian tyre maker, Apollo Tyres Ltd, reported a net profit of 166.9 million (£2.07 million) for the first quarter ended 30 June against 156.3 million rupees last year.
(India/Rubber Asia) TVS Srichakra Ltd, has rolled out seven new tyres for the aftermarket, with a view to increasing its share in the two and three-wheeler segment from the current level of 12 per cent to 20 per cent, according to Mr S Balasubramanian, vice-president (Marketing).
Of the seven tyres, termed by the company as the “Magnificent Seven”, four are for motorcycles and mopeds while the remaining two are for autorickshaws. TVS Srichakra also plans to increase exports from 15 to 40 per cent this year, according to Mr. Balasubramanian.
Dunweedin Ltd has given around two tonnes of rubber chippings to Kingsmead Primary School in Northwich, Cheshire. The colourful landscaping chips, made from scrap tyres, have been used to create a recycled garden with decorated flowerbeds and safe playing areas for pupils.
Dunlop Nigeria Plc, has invested an estimated sum of 6.5 billion naira (roughly £27 million) on radialising its plant technology with a view to further boosting the production of tyres for heavy duty vehicles. According to company, the Super Steel Radial Plant will be commissioned by Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, and will be capable of producing 300,000 heavy duty tyres annually. Furthermore, the expansion is expected to create 200 additional jobs.
The British Rubber Manufacturers' Association has issued a statement, designed to answer some of the queries from both motorists and tyre depots, concerning self supporting run flat tyres (SSTs).
The BRMA notes that these are being increasingly fitted to new vehicles and are fast becoming an established feature of the tyre industry landscape.
The fact that many questions exist about their reparability, retreadability and whether they can be used with "conventional" tyres became apparent at the NTDA seminar, held alongside the Brityrex International exhibition in May.
In order to help answer these questions, the BRMA statement addresses the points that arise most frequently. It is reproduced here and can also be accessed on the BRMA website, www.brma.co.uk
The Yokohama Rubber Co, Ltd is to exhibit at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) Passenger Cars 2005 in Frankfurt, Germany from September 13 to 25. The company’s exhibit will go under the theme of “Further Evolving Advan – A Global Flagship Brand.” Yokohama says it will show visitors its commitment to becoming a world leader in tyre brand development through three aspects – its flagship product line-up, OE activities and motorsports activities.
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The A1 Grand Prix’s first calendar has been confirmed and unveiled. In its inaugural year the A1GP will feature 24 races over 12 weekends. Teams from across the globe will compete on a level playing field across world-famous circuits and newly upgraded facilities. All cars will run on a standardised control tyre produced by Cooper Tire & Rubber.
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