ERJ News: Rubber Industry Players of the Week

1. India’s MTPL starts production at off-highway tire plant
This week’s top spot goes to Mahansaria Tyres Private Ltd (MTPL) for its audacious start-up of a new off-highway tire production plant. Read more

2. BASF investing in German tire pyrolysis company
A close second and continuing its new-found relationship with the tire industry, the German group is investing in Pyrum, with an eye to using pyrolysis oil as a feedstock for plastics processing. This is the second tire-pyrolysis deal for BASF in less than a month. Read more

3. BKT unfazed by new competition 
Meanwhile, established Indian off-highway tire maker Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) does not expect new entrant to significantly impact its competitive position in the marketplace or its business strategy.  Read more

4. Metso starts new factory for mining wear parts in Lithuania 
In the industrial rubber-components field, Finnish company Metso Outotec Corp. has started production at a new manufacturing site in Lithuania. Read more

5. Semperit keeps gloves on for a bit longer…
As Covid-19 continues to impact everyday life, the Austrian group is delaying the planned divestment of its gloves business for at least another nine months. Read more

6. Pyrolyx delists from Australian, German stock markets 
Tire pyrolysis company exits Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as well as Dusseldorf and Frankfurt stock markets following a prolonged closure of its manufacturing plants in the US and Germany. Read more

7. Hankook in link-up to develop road-risk detection system 
Hankook Tire is collaborating with Seoul-based data and test company SK Planet to develop a monitoring system that identifies potential traffic risks in real-time. The “road risk detection solution” uses artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technology to analyse road noise and to identify potential risks. Read more

8. SI develops resorcinol-free and bio-renewable bonding resin 
On sustainability track, New York-based SI Group announced it had developed a modified phenol-formaldehyde thermoplastic resin “based on bio-renewable materials” for rubber-bonding applications. Read more

9. Goodyear technology chief says tires to play vital role in future cars
As vehicles become more complex, including the development of autonomous automobiles (AVs), Goodyear’s chief technology officer Chris Helsel sees tires becoming even more important for safe travel. Read more

10. China’s footwear export bounces back from coronavirus impact
 China exported 707 million pairs of shoes in August, down by 14.1% from a year ago. This contrasts to a 23.9% decrease year-on-year in export volume in July. Read more

11. A "golden age" for passenger tire retreading?
Industry veteran Alessandro Villa argues that a combination of several factors such as new product developments, legislative requirements for fuel economy reduction, uptrend in EV market and greater environmental awareness can bring car tire retreading to the fore. Read more