ERJ Business Briefing

Tracking significant market and commercial developments within the international tire and rubber industries:

Versalis has transferred its oilfield chemicals business into the new company Versalis Oilfield Solutions as of 1 July. The move is designed to consolidate operations and improve efficiency in the oilfield services sector by combining R&D, outsourcing production, and marketing of solvents and additives for drilling. The business, launched in 2010, has seen 'steady growth' in volumes and sales and will now focus on tailored chemical products and technical support for clients. According to Versalis, the new structure will streamline management, diversify its client base, and pursue new opportunities across markets in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Sergio Lombardini has been named chairman and CEO of the new company.

German distributor Biesterfeld Group has reorganised its polymers business which are now structured into standard polymers, engineered polymers, and performance polymers, while medical polymers will be integrated into the HealthCare business unit. The changes include new global segments to expand industry expertise in areas such as mobility, electronics, industrial and consumer products, fluid management, aerospace and defence, and medical polymers. Biesterfeld said the new sales structure is intended to improve local customer care through closer coordination among account managers, business development managers, and technical sales experts. 

Pyrum Innovations has received a silver medal in the latest EcoVadis sustainability rating, increasing its score by nine points to 70. The improvement places Pyrum among the top 8% of companies assessed in the "recovery of recyclable materials" sector. The company said the higher score reflects expanded quality and environmental management systems that now cover sustainability issues, as well as new group-wide compliance guidelines. 

China’s Taishun region has announced a project by local firm Yibang to invest Yuan1.18 billion (€140 million) in a major end-of-life tire pyrolysis plant. In a statement 27 June, the local authority said the signing for the project, which involves building 12 production lines, was carried out in the second quarter of the year. The facility will use “a continuous, low-temperature, slight negative-pressure pyrolysis process without steel wire stripping to recycle waste tires.” It will have the capacity to produce 240ktpa of ELTs to produce recovered carbon black (including “800-mesh reinforcing carbon black”), black masterbatch, steel wire, liquid fuel and other outputs.

UBE Elastomer has launched ISCC+ certified butadiene rubber made at its Chiba plant using biomass and recycled raw materials via the mass balance method. The company said the products meet updated ISCC+ criteria and support more sustainable supply chains for customers.

Apollo Tyres has received ISCC+ certification for its Hungary facility, marking a step forward in its sustainability programme. The certification supports traceability from raw material sourcing to finished product delivery and aligns with Apollo’s target of using 40% sustainable raw materials by 2030, including renewable and recycled inputs.

Norwegian silicons specialist Elkem has signed a power purchase agreement with NTE to secure 300 GWh/year of renewable electricity from 2028 to 2037 for its Salten plant in Northern Norway. The deal supports Elkem’s efforts to produce low-carbon silicon and meet its climate targets, including net-zero emissions by 2050.

In China, Sailun Group announced that it had acquired an 11.09% stake in Australia’s Mobile Tyre Shop through a AUD$5 million investment by its Singapore subsidiary. The mobile retail business plans to use the funds to expand operations nationwide.

German ELT pyrolysis company Pyrum Innovations posted a 51% year-on-year sales increase to €509k in the first quarter of 2025, supported by plant expansion progress and investment grants. Earnings also turned positive at €23k, up from a loss of €2,000 reported last year. 

UK-based FPS Valves & Sealing has moved its operations to a new facility in Buckshaw Village, Chorley in northwest England, to support business growth and improve logistics access. “We’re heading to the new space because we’re expanding and we need more room to grow,” said company officials. The company supplies sealing solutions and valves for sectors including oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical and process industries.

USTMA brought representatives from 11 member companies to Capitol Hill as part of its annual ‘tire manufacturing ambassadors programme’. The group advocated for policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety, and retreading, as well as highlighting the sector’s $170 billion economic impact and 800,000 supported jobs.

US suspension systems supplier Hendrickson has acquired the Reyco Granning suspension business from Reyco Granning LLC.  Based in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, the unit specialises in suspension solutions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including motorhomes, commercial trucks, emergency response vehicles, specialty trailers, and buses. The Reyco Granning brand will continue to operate independently under its existing name to maintain market presence and customer service continuity.

China’s Hongdou Group has completed a previously announced sale of controlling shares in tire manufacturer Jiangsu General Technology (General Science). In a statement, General Science said Hongdou Group transferred of 389m shares it held in the company to Soho Group, accounting for 24.5% of the total shares. With the Yuan2.1bn (€256m) transaction Soho Group holds 24.5% of the shares and Hongdou Group will hold 16.85% of the shares.  Read more

Sabic on 25 June confirmed it will close its olefins 6 facility in Wilton, Teesside, UK. The unit has been offline since the end of 2020 and was due to be converted to run entirely on gas feedstocks. Last month it was reported that Sabic could be looking to sell its European petrochemicals business amid high energy costs, according to the Unite trade union. Read more

Nokian Tyres has been ranked 98th in TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the world’s most sustainable companies. The ranking, compiled with data firm Statista, ranks top 500 global companies for environmental and social responsibility based on verified sustainability commitments, such as UN Global Compact membership and emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Ratings from third-party organisations like CDP and MSCI were also considered.

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Avon Technologies plc a £10.2 million (€12 million) contract for FM50 respirators to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Avon’s FM50 mask meets NATO military specifications and provides full-face protection against CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) threats. Read more

Wacker has named Heidelberg University professor Lutz Greb as the 2025 winner of its Silicone Award. Presented biennially since 1987, the €10,000 prize honours outstanding work in silicone and silicon-containing chemistry. Greb was recognised for his research in complex chemistry and molecular catalysis, which combines computational methods with synthesis. He will receive the award on 16 July during the 11th European Silicon Days in Salzburg.

Cooper Standard has received Ford Motor’s 2024 supplier of the year award in the crisis management category. The recognition follows the company’s “rapid response” to Hurricane Helene at its Spartanburg, South Carolina site in late 2024. The facility resumed production under emergency protocols despite damage in the surrounding area, maintaining supply to Ford throughout the disruption.

Flexsys has announced that it will increase the price of insoluble sulphur products sold in India by $0.25/kg, effective 1 July. The US additives supplier linked the price adjustment to “elevated raw material costs and evolving market conditions” as welll as increased investments in R&D to produce “innovative, sustainable, and higher-performing products.”

Orion has received 10 safety awards from the International Carbon Black Association, recognising the company’s safety records at its manufacturing sites. The ICBA said Orion “set the benchmark” for the carbon black industry for employee health and safety. Eight Orion plants won gold awards. The sites were in Belpre, Ohio; Berre-l'Étang, France; Huaibei, China; Ivanhoe, Louisiana; Jaslo, Poland; Paulinia, Brazil; Ravenna, Italy; and Yeosu, South Korea. Two additional Orion plants — in Orange, Texas, and Qingdao, China — received bronze awards for recording zero “lost work day” cases, defined as nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses that result in missed workdays.

Dutch industrial sealing fluid control specialist Klinger has acquired Hadro Techniek a producer of “tailor-made magnetic level indicators”. With a production site in Moordrecht, 20km from Klinger’s operations, Hadro serves both the industrial and maritime sectors. The acquisition enables Klinger to “further strengthen its level gauge business and make it directly accessible to all companies within the Klinger Group.”

Mutares has agreed to acquire Continental Drum Brake’s manufacturing and R&D location in Cairo Montenotte, Italy, “including all employees and business activities.” The 400-employee manufacturer of hydraulic drum brakes is expected to generate 2025 sales of about €100m. The deal, said Mutares, will strengthen its automotive & mobility segment, while enabling Continental’s automotive group sector to further consolidate its European manufacturing footprint and focus more on core business. The transaction is expected in Q4/25 after the listing of Continental group sector automotive as independent company Aumovio, Mutares added 18 June.

HF Group has been awarded Best Supplier 2024 by Continental in the category Mixing. The achievement reflects the machinery major’s focus on the cooperation and development of business with Continental. This includes the joint work in developing tandem mixing technology together over several years. Future developments with a strong focus on sustainability are now being kicked off, added HF.

At the 22nd World Brand Conference, staged mid-June in Beijing, Linglong Tire ranked 109th overall in the Top 500 ranking with a brand value of Yuan110.216 bn – continuing the tire maker’s 22-year run as one of ‘China's 500 most valuable brands’. This year's conference focused on "global brand strategies in the context of the ‘AI revolution’. Linglong said it is leveraging big data analytics to tailor its services and marketing activities, while also increasingly applying AI at its tire factories and across the entire value-chain.

Netzsch (Germany) and Zhejiang Mesnac have signed a strategic cooperation agreement, covering “in-depth collaboration in areas such as technological R&D and global market expansion.”  The aim is to combine Netzsch 's advanced technology in high-end equipment manufacturing with Zhejiang Mesnac's expertise in intelligent turnkey industrial solutions. 

Yokohama Rubber Co. on 17 June concluded a Mizuho Bank ‘eco finance’ loan agreement, through which the bank supports company decarbonisation initiatives. Financing goes to clients that meet a certain score or higher for their indices and initiatives related to climate change. The focus is on information disclosure, based on an environmental assessment model. YRC said it received high marks for initiatives on: disclosing information on emissions levels; reducing GHG emissions across its supply-chain; and establishing medium- to long-term targets for reducing CO? emissions.

Mutares announced 2 June that it had completed the acquisition of NBHX Trim Europe from Ningbo Lawrence Automotive Interiors. The deal, it said, strengthens Mutares’ ‘automotive & mobility’ segment. NBHX Trim Europe is a major European supplier of decorative surfaces for premium automotive interiors: producing components from a wide range of materials. Based in Bruchsal, Germany, and with plants also in Rolem, Romania and Abergavenny, UK, it generated sales of around €200m in 2024 and employs around 2,000 people.

Synthomer plc has completed its sale of William Blythe Ltd for consideration of £30m. The final net cash proceeds of the divestment, announced in early May (ERJ report) received at completion amounted to £25m after adjustments for working capital, debt and debt-like items, and will be used to reduce the London-based group's debt.

Bridgestone is raising prices for seismic isolation rubber for the domestic Japanese market. The group cited soaring prices of raw materials and as well as high logistics and energy costs related to production and supply for the move. The average price increase of 14% will be applied as of June.

LyondellBasell is to sell four olefin and polyolefin sites in Europe to Munich, Germany-based private equity firm Aequita. The move is part of the group’s European strategic assessment which aims to address the global overcapacity in petrochemicals. The sites are located at Berre, France; Munchsmunster, Germany; Carrington, UK; and Tarragona, Spain. LyondellBasell decided to close its propylene oxide/styrene monomer JV operation with Covestro at Maasvlakte, Netherlands earlier this year. (ERJ report)

Mitsui Chemicals is considering spinning off its basic & green materials (B&GM) business to strengthen its structure and advance its transition to a green economy. The move aligns with its 'Vision 2030' plan to shift toward higher-growth speciality segments. The B&GM unit, which includes phenols, industrial chemicals, sustainable feedstocks, and polyolefins (via Prime Polymer), faces pressure from declining domestic demand and overseas competition. A spin-off is targeted for around 2027, with the new entity expected to operate independently and pursue alliances in green chemicals.

Nynas AB has issued a new senior secured bond worth $380 million with a fixed interest rate and a three-year maturity. Announced on 3 June, the bond issue was "significantly oversubscribed", reflecting strong interest from a broad base of Nordic and international institutional investors.

Vipal Rubber has received two awards at the 2025 Recircle Awards, recognising sustainability and innovation in tire retreading. The company won in the categories of ‘employee of the year’ (Leonardo Oliveira, US regional sales manager) and ‘Tire industry education award’ (Univipal, Vipal’s corporate university). The awards were announced on 22 May during Autopromotec in Bologna. Vipal was also nominated in two additional categories and has won awards in all four editions of the event since its inception.

Zeon Corp. has reached a basic agreement to invest in Taiwan-based Sino Applied Technology Co. as part of a $20 million (€17.5 million) Series C funding round. The investment will support SiAT’s planned expansion of its production capacity for conductive paste used in "next-generation" lithium-ion batteries, formulated with Zeon’s single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

Consulting and testing company Smithers has recently joined the Circular Rubber Platform, a community of rubber specialists and companies focused on the topic of improving the recycling and reuse of rubber products. Founded in 2023, the platform aims connect member companies, provide education on rubber circularity, and increase the use of biobased and recovered raw materials. 

Denka Co. will record an extraordinary loss of €97 million in the fiscal year ended 31 March, due to an impairment loss on manufacturing facilities at its US subsidiary, Denka Performance Elastomer LLC (DPE). The company said after ceasing production for regular maintenance activities, DPE had elected not to restart production at its chloroprene rubber manufacturing facilities for “an indefinite period.”

Hyosung Advanced Materials Corp. has announced that it has progressed the divestment of its steel tire business, valued at KRW1.5 trillion (€1 billion). In a 20 May stock exchange filing, the Korean company said it had selected “a lead manager” for the tire steel cord business division. As part of the process, the manager has conducted a preliminary bid for the sale, and selected a shortlist of qualified preliminary acquisition candidates.

Kumho Tire shares fell more than 9.3% following a fire at the company's largest production facility in Gwangju, South Korea, which occurred over the weekend. 

China's larest tire manufacturer ZC Rubber launched its A-share offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) on 23 May. The group will issue 87.45 million shares, representing 10% of its post-issuance share capital, with the aim of raising Yuan 4.85 billion (€596 million).

Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) has announced that it has implemented measures to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and has signed a new supply contract for EUDR-compliant rubber latex to Chinese tire maker Sailun. The deal was signed at the end of last year and involves subsidiaries Dau Tieng Rubber One Member and Dang Thai Gia One Member that will buy and sell EUDR rubber latex to customers.

Waste tire recycler Pyrum Innovations AG increased sales by 76.3% year-on-year to €2 million in 2024, driven by higher volumes of accepted end-of-life tires and initial revenues from consulting contracts. But the recycler posted a wider net loss of €10.1 million due to ongoing investment in plant expansion. With new reactors and a grinding/pelletising plant expected online later this year, the firm forecasts revenues of €4.5–6 million in 2025 and aims to achieve break-even in 2027. 

In Stockholm, Scandinavian Enviro Systems has published the prospectus for its SEK297.6 million rights issue, following shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting on 5 May. The issue includes new shares and warrants, with the approved prospectus.

TSR20 prices fell 20 €cents/kg during the first half of March, the Rubber Trade Association Europe said in its April digest. The decline, it suggested, “may be attributed to euro exchange rate appreciation against the US dollar.”  The FOB price usually quoted in US dollars remained little changed.  For the rest of March, TSR 20 prices stagnated around 193.00 €cents/kg CIF as the “rubber market remained quiescent” amid speculation around the impact of US tariffs policy.  Europe rubber products production continued down in line with new-car sales trends, while the postponed EUDR had no new “premium effect” so far this year.

Synthomer is divesting William Blythe, its inorganic chemistry business, to its management team alongside H2 Equity Partners, for consideration of €35 million. Founded in 1845, William Blythe develops inorganic derivatives of elements such as tin, iodine, copper, zinc and tungsten for application in life sciences, performance coatings, polymers, electronics, catalysts and renewable energy. The business has 85 employees based at its UK manufacturing site in Accrington, Lancashire.

California-based Bertram Capital has announced the 15 April acquisition of Applied Adhesives from Arsenal Capital Partners. With its HQ in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Applied Adhesives is one of N America's largest independent suppliers of adhesives for packaging, paper converting, product assembly, automotive, and other industrial end markets. Its portfolio encompasses hot-melt, water-based and structural adhesives.

Hutchinson SA’s site in Wuhan, China has recently received an ‘excellence’ supplier award from the BYD Engineering Institute, the French group announced 10 April. The award was linked to the role played by the unit’s body sealing experts in the launch of the Formula Leopard 8, BYD’s top-of-the-range off-road model.

General Motors has presented Cooper Standard with a '2024 supplier of the year' award at GM's 33rd annual ‘supplier of the year’ event in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the eighth consecutive time Cooper Standard has received the award, said its 16 April announcement. A total of 92 suppliers across 12 countries made GM's 2024 'supplier of the year' list.

Dynasol Elastómeros SAU has recently received a SODERCAN grant (amount not specified) under a programme supporting R&D and innovation. “This funding reinforces our commitment to innovation and continuous investment in R&D, driving our leadership in synthetic rubber solutions and expanding our global presence,” said Dynasol. Based in Madrid, the Dynasol Group operates six production centres located in Spain, Mexico, and China.

Kiyosu, Japan-based Toyoda Gosei has invested in Agritree Co. Ltd, a startup developer of projects for the installation of solar panels spaced over farmland, towards the revitalization of rural areas. TG linked the move to a drive expand its use of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced a price increase "of up to 10%" on its consumer replacement tires and commercial truck tires sold in the US, effective 1 May. According to YTC COO Stan Chandgie, the increase is in response to the “unparalleled rise in costs associated with materials and finished goods.”

In Q1/25, new EU car registrations fell 1.9% compared to Q1/24, ACEA reported 24 April. The battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) market share stood behind expectations at 15.2% in Q1/25, vs 12% a year ago. Hybrid EV registrations surged, capturing 35.5% of the market to remain the top choice for EU buyers. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 38.3%, down 48.3% year-on-year.

Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro) is to hold two investor presentations, one physical at Hotel Riverton in Gothenburg on 19 May, the other digital on 21 May. Investors, analysts and media are invited to attend. The aim is to “provide an in-depth insight into the company's vision, strategy and development, as well as an update on the construction of the factory in Uddevalla.”

Kumho Tire is progressing with its plans to build a European production base, having narrowed down location candidates to Poland, Serbia and Portugal. Read more

Continental has chosen Aumovio as the name for its automotive group sector, soon to become a listed, independent company. Following the expected approval at the group’s annual shareholders’ meeting on 25 April, Aumovio is scheduled to list on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in September 2025. The name reflects ”heritage and technological expertise in the automotive industry [combined] with the ambition to shape the mobility of the future with innovations.”

LG Electronics has introduced LG PuroTec, an anti-microbial glass powder designed for use in appliances, construction, medical, and textiles. Unveiled during Chinaplas 2025, the powder can be blended into materials such as rubber, plastic and paint to provide antibacterial and anti-fungal effects that can help prevent odours, contamination and discoloration caused by microorganisms.

Covestro has announced plans to further cut costs following its transformation year in 2024. The German chemicals company aims to cut costs by €400 million a year by 2028, through “enhancing its performance and improving its structures.” Covestro said it will focus on its ongoing transformation, sustainable growth as well as digitalisation and innovation to achieve the target. More importantly, to manage global production capacities, the German supplier will be investing in “innovative and sustainable materials and expanding key sites.”

German automotive wiring supplier Leoni has opened a plant for the production of wiring systems for the truck, powertrain and off-road segment in Agadir, Morocco. The factory is geared for “digitalisation, efficiency and sustainability” and aims to supply to the growing commercial vehicle market in Morocco. The unit, according to Leoni, produces wiring systems in comparatively small batch sizes with “a high level of complexity”, typical for the commercial vehicles segment. The €20-million facility creates over 3,000 new jobs.

AirBoss of America says geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs could delay deliveries under a $45m (€40m) contract for lightweight explosive device systems. The company has so far delivered $17m worth of the Bandolier 'energetic systems'. However, due to “supply-chain constraints affecting certain critical components,” the Canadian company expects delays in the timing of future shipments.  Read more

Tokyo-based Teijin Ltd has started rolling out initiatives to enable aramid fibres and carbon fibres to be accompanied by digital product passport (DPP) technology: towards enhancing supply-chain transparency and supporting sustainability claims. Teijin is using a traceability system from Dutch-based Circularise BV - in which Teijin has invested since late 2024 - to develop DPPs, which are being mandated under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Vietnam’s exports of agro-forestry-fishery products grew 13.1% year-on-year in Q1/25, to $15.72bn, Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) reported 9 April. The US and China accounted for 20.2% and 17.3% of the total export value, respectively.  The increases included a 26.1% rise in rubber exports to $765.8m, said VRG, Citing data from the country’s ministry of agriculture and environment.

Univar Solutions Brasil, a subsidiary of Univar Solutions LLC, has expanded its partnership with Cabot Corp. to include the distribution of rubber grade carbon blacks in Brazil. Read more

Rail and bus components supplier Hubner Group has been awarded a contract to supply gangway systems for the Los Angeles Metro, ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in the city. Read more

German distributor Biesterfeld has agreed with ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical market its Vistalon EPDM grades in Europe, including Turkey, and Africa. The agreement builds upon a long-standing collaboration between the two companies and will now enable Biesterfeld to offer a broader portfolio in Europe. Read more

Aeolus Tyres is withdrawing a previous plan to issue shares to specific investors with the aim of raising Yuan300 million (€37 million) for an ongoing project to manufacture giant-tire at its site in Jiaozuo City, Henan. Read more

The European Space Agency's Ariane 6  rocket completed its first commercial flight in early March, supported by Hutchinson. The rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, carrying a military reconnaissance satellite for the French armed forces. Hutchinson supplied multi-layer, cryogenic insulation for the propellant tanks and fuel lines, which operate at temperatures as low as -270°C and thermal protection for the engine areas, where heat can reach up to 3,000°C.

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