ERJ News: Rubber Industry Players of the Week

1. UTH live at RubberTech China show
With most of us still locked into a virtual world-of-work for the foreseeable future, it is encouraging to find that there really is light at the end of the tunnel – at least in China. Top slot this week, therefore, goes to the organisers of the recent RubberTech China expo in Shanghai and, of course, the exhibitors and attendees. A special mention goes to the team at German rubber-processing equipment manufacturer UTH GmbH, here reporting their experiences at the event. Read more 

2. BASF back on its bike with TPU tubes
Continuing a recent run of developments related to the tire and/or rubber-elastomer industries, BASF has now teamed up with a tire maker to roll out an interesting all-TPU alternative to butyl rubber for puncture-proof bicycle tire tubes. Read more

3. Sumitomo Rubber begins remote tire monitoring trials
With future mobility at the forefront of its activities, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has announced the proof-of-concept testing for a new remote tire pressure management technology which could particularly benefit automated vehicles. Read more

4.  Nexen keeping quiet with AI tire project 
Nexen Tire unveiled a new artificial intelligence-based prediction system to reduce tire and vehicle noise, developed through a two-year big-data research programme. Read more

5. Hexpol all set to beat market expectations
Early signs of automotive market recovery could be seen in a trading update by compounder Hexpol AB, which said it expected to report adjusted operating profit for third quarter 2020 “well above market expectations.” Read more

6. GRI mixing facility to support tire capacity expansion
Off-highway tire manufacturer Global Rubber Industries (GRI) also confirmed to ERJ plans to add at production capacity within the next 12 months, supported by the company’s new 200-tonne mixing facility currently under construction in Sri Lanka. Read more

7. Huebner boss says long-term prospects for mobility market bright
Despite months of operating in “crisis mode” following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, German rail and bus components supplier Huebner Group also said it remained positive about the long-term outlook of public transport services. Read more

8.  Korean auto cables manufacturer building second European plant
Another positive signal also came from Korean auto and industrial cables manufacturer Kyungshin Cable, which announced it expected to start the mass production of ‘eco-friendly’ automotive components from its plant currently under construction in Serbia. Read more

9. Continental mulls selling parts of ContiTech rubber unit
Continuing to follow a firm post-Covid agenda, the Hanover group has signaled the potential sale of certain automotive operations, including parts of ContiTech rubber business – as part of a major restructuring plan. Read more

10. US agency votes to proceed with ‘expedited’ review of China import duties
In the meantime, US-based International Trade Commission (ITC) voted this week to authorise the Department of Commerce to proceed with an "expedited" review of antidumping and countervailing duties imposed in 2015 on consumer tires from China. Read more

11. Top Glove more than doubles remediation package for labourers
And still grappling with a US Customs and Border Protection Agency’s detention order, Top Glove announced this week that it was more than doubling a remediation package for migrant workers, to address labour misconduct issues it is currently facing. Read more