ERJ News: Rubber Industry Players of the Week

This week, our Players of the Week focuses in on the winning and highly commended projects, as announced at the inaugural J2A Awards:

Continental’s CARE wins top honour in J2A tire industry awards

The winners of the inaugural Journey to Automation (J2A) Awards, recognising leaders in the field of automation and digital transformation in the global tire industry, were announced at a virtual ceremony 16 Sept. Read more

Watch the video:

Further coverage of the J2A Awards and winning and shortlisted project entries will appear in European Rubber Journal magazine and on the ERJ website. 

Michelin planning to convert German tire plant to cleantech park
Following “positive experiences” with the repurposing of its tire production plant in Dundee, Scotland, Michelin has announced plans to ‘revitalise’ the site of its tire manufacturing facility in Hallstadt, Bamberg, Germany. Read more

Bridgestone to close French tire factory
Bridgestone announced 16 September that it was to “stop all activity” at its 863-employee Bethune plant in France, is in response to the challenging long-term outlook for the European passenger tire market. Read more

Continental planning to close German tire plant
Just a day before Bridgestone’s announcement, German trade union IG BCE disclosed that Continental AG was planning to close its tire production plant in Aachen by the end of 2021. Read more

ETRMA backs ambitious new European climate targets
The European tire industry has welcomed new ambitious climate goals set out by the European Commission, which will see a reduction of EU greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Read more

GPSNR looks to increase smallholder inclusion
With the aim to put smallholders on equal footing to other members, the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) is putting to vote a resolution to create new membership category specifically for smallholders in its upcoming general assembly. Read more

Top Glove eyes €1.6bn expansion 
Malaysian rubber gloves manufacturer Top Glove is planning to invest €1.6 billion in expansion projects over the next six years as the Covid-19 pandemic drives demand. Read more

Nynas announces ownership change 
Finnish energy group Neste has sold its 49.99% stake in Nynas AB to Bitumina Industries Ltd, thereby making the Dubai-based bitumen specialist the largest shareholder in the Swedish oil refiner. Read more

Car makers warn of €110bn no deal ‘Brexit disaster’
A grouping of 24 European automotive associations have called for an “urgent agreement” on a free trade deal between the EU and the UK, just 15 weeks before the end of a Brexit transition period. Read more

Avon acquiring US helmet maker Team Wendy
Avon Rubber plc has signed a €110 million agreement to acquire US helmet maker Team Wendy as it aims to expand its Avon Protection business. Read more

Tire Tech Expo 2021 postponed 
Dates for Tire Technology Expo 2021 have been moved from early March to early June as travel restrictions and uncertainty caused by Covid-19 continue. Read more