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.
Toyo has agreed to buy Brazilian auto vibration parts manufacturer Produflex for around 1.5 billion yen (US$15.6 million), according to the Nikkei. Produflex manufacturers anti-vibration products for OEMs operating in Brazil including Fiat and, according to online reports, the Brazilian firm has around 430 workers and reported sales of 1.5 billion yen in 2012. The deal was made public on 11 March 2013.
Kent-based supply chain specialist, Solstor UK Ltd has reported a reduction of almost 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since moving to a Vacu-Lug new and remould tyre policy for its tractor unit fleet and from a new-only policy to a Vacu-Lug remould policy on its trailer fleet last May.
Cooper Tire & Rubber and its guayule rubber research consortium partners have reviewed initial progress on their US$6.9 million Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) grant from the USDA and the US Department of Energy. The meeting highlighted significant progress being made in several areas, including guayule plant genome sequencing needed for future breeding tools, irrigation studies to maximise rubber content in the plant, and completing laboratory testing to develop a guayule tyre-grade polymer specification for future commercialisation.
Toyo Tire & Rubber has entered the franchise retail service centre business in Malaysia through its local subsidiary, Toyo Tyre Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The first Toyo Premium Auto Centre in the country recently opened in Malacca; Toyo says its Malaysian subsidiary is “pursuing an aggressive retail marketing strategy to expand its distribution network nationwide to meet the increasing demand for high performance and ultra high performance tyres.”
The use of recycled tyre rubber in the production of new tyres hasn’t really taken off yet, and a main reason for this is because the rubber powder produced by traditional recycling methods doesn’t always reach the level of purity required by new tyre makers – indeed, the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association opines that “while in the EU around 39 per cent of material from end of life tyres is recovered [this includes rubber, but also steel and fabric], recycled materials cannot be used as a substitute for natural rubber in new tyres because of technical limitations.” But now a firm in Hungary claims to have perfected a process that removes every last trace of steel from the rubber powder, thereby overcoming this limitation. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories during February’s Tire Technology Expo in Germany, Gábor Kostyál, CEO of HungaroJet Ltd., described the technology involved and how it can benefit the tyre and rubber industry.
At the end of February, commercial production of Ekoprena began in Malaysia. Currently one company, Felda Rubber Industries, is the sole manufacturer of this epoxidised natural rubber, and senior marketing manager Sarimah Nasir told Tyres & Accessories that Felda is preparing to produce between 200 and 300 tonnes of Ekoprena and Pureprena deproteinised natural rubber per month this year.
According to local news sources, Cooper Tire & Rubber has paused production at its Findlay factory in the US state of Ohio. The Toledo Blade reports that production has been idled since 2 March due to high inventories and the implementation of a software system. Tyre production is scheduled to recommence on 9 March.
One of the innovations Pirelli has on display at the Geneva Motor Show is ‘autographed’ original equipment tyres. Going into greater detail, the Italian tyre maker explains that the so-called autographs are unique sidewall markings that indicate the rubber compound used in a tyre has been specifically developed to meet a particular vehicle manufacturer’s requirements. Pirelli will include this marking on OEM homologated versions of its P Zero and Cinturato P7.
Michelin reports its Pilot Sport Cup 2 will premiere on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. All versions of this particular car will be fitted with the new tyre, which Michelin says was developed together with Mercedes-AMG.
Based on the results of a feasibility study, German chemicals firm Lanxess has opted to convert its Triunfo factory in southern Brazil from the manufacture of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (E-SBR), as used in standard tyres, to solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR), which is used in used in high-performance, green tyres. Lanxess notes that it is the first company to carry out such a conversion.
Directors at Goodyear Tire & Rubber have declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.73 per share of mandatory convertible preferred stock. The dividend is payable 1 April 2013, to shareholders of record on 15 March 2013. The payout represents an annual rate of $2.9375 per share.
Toyo’s Proxes R888 will be the control tyre for the Toyo Tires BRSCC Porsche Championship. The partnership deal includes title sponsorship for the 2013 season, which will see Boxsters and classic 924s battling for supremacy on the UK’s finest circuits. Toyo says that the skills of the participating drivers will make for some close racing, and the emphasis will be placed on preparing talents for future motorsport series while keeping costs manageable.
Cooper Tire and Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V. (INSA), a subsidiary of Grupo KUO, report that the US patent office has granted a patent to the two organizations for their silica masterbatch process. According to the two companies, the process to produce silane, hydrophobated silica, silica masterbatch and rubber products results in a broader processing window offering “manufacturing efficiencies” for the end user.
Starco’s new plant in Sri Lanka has now been manufacturing the company’s Tusker and Unicorn fork lift tyre ranges for a year, and the Danish firm says its entry into regular production completes an endeavour that required several years of investment and commitment.
The association representing India’s tyre makers has expressed its opposition to a government decision to increase import duty on rubber. In a statement, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association Anant Goenka said any such decision “will have far-reaching and adverse consequences on tyre industry and its long-term impact will be felt on the entire value chain of rubber sector.”
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