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Rubber & Tire Industry News

Manufacturing Institute honors Cooper Tire's Missy Depinet with 2020 Step Ahead Award

3/11/2020 The Manufacturing Institute has recognized Missy Depinet, procurement director for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, with a Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award for 2020. Depinet is among 130 women nationally who earned the honor this year from a field of hundreds of nominees. The STEP Ahead Awards program, now in its eighth year, recognizes women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of manufacturing, from the factory floor to senior executive leadership. On April 30, winners of the STEP Ahead Award will be recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C., where honorees’ stories will be highlighted, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing, as well as their roles in the community. Depinet, one of eight Cooper employees to receive this honor over the past five years, will attend this event, along with members of Cooper’s senior executive leadership team. “Through a career spanning more than two decades with Cooper Tire, Missy has demonstrated her leadership capability in a variety of roles across the company. Her project planning skills as well as her ability to develop and implement key processes have been valuable in supporting Cooper’s business goals,” said Brad Hughes, Cooper’s president and chief executive officer. “She is a great ambassador of Cooper, and on behalf of the entire organization, I congratulate Missy and wish her continued success.” Depinet began her career at Cooper in 1997 and has held roles in finance, information technology, supply chain and procurement. In her current position, she leads Cooper’s indirect purchasing team with a focus on implementing purchasing processes and procedures that drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Depinet serves as a mentor to students in the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Women in Business Leadership program, is a member of the BGSU Supply Chain Institute Advisory Board and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in management information systems (MIS) and information systems auditing and control (ISAC) from Bowling Green State University, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Findlay. The STEP Ahead Awards are part of a larger STEP Women’s Initiative, which works to foster a 21st century manufacturing workforce by empowering and inspiring women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research and leadership development.


Cancarb Limited recognized by Ecovadis for Corporate Social Responsibility

3/11/2020  Cancarb Limited, a Tokai Carbon Group company, has received an EcoVadis gold level rating on corporate social responsibility (CSR) for a second consecutive year. Cancarb’s score in the 98th percentile is said to indicate that the company is at the forefront of its industry as a responsible and sustainable carbon black producer. “Being an industry leader in CSR is important, as it shows our commitment to the environment, our customers, our employees and our community. Cancarb is and will continue to be a sustainable and responsible organization for years to come,” said Peter Donnelly, president of Cancarb. EcoVadis is said to be a trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains; their sustainability scorecards provide detailed insight into environmental, social and ethical risks across 198 purchasing categories and 155 countries. There are more than 60,000 businesses on the EcoVadis network, all working with a single methodology to evaluate, collaborate and improve sustainability performance in order to protect their brands, foster transparency and innovation, and accelerate growth.


Global Liquid Silicone Rubber Market Forecast at $3.2 Billion by 2027

3/11/2020  - San Jose, CA - The global liquid silicone rubber market is worth US$ 1.9 Bn in 2018 and expected to reach US$ 3.2 Bn in 2027, growing with a CAGR of 6.2% from 2019 to 2027 according to Credence Research. Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is widely used in the healthcare segment for manufacturing products such as a catheter, reservoir, seals, Plungers and gaskets, etc. among others. Heat & chemical resistant, biological inert LSR offers properties that are well-suited medical use. Increasing the application of liquid silicone rubber in the end-use industries is driving its global market. Further, LSR is also contributing to the growth of the automotive sector. LSR not only reduces cost, and increases the performance of vehicles is also contributing to the growth of driverless cars. In an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), LSR offers an ideal combination of physical properties and processing of sealing, damping and protecting elements in ADAS. As the automobile industry is moving towards autonomous vehicles, the demand for LSR is expected to rise in the coming decade. Furthermore, with the advancement in 3D printing technology, LSR 3D printing technology allows more complex shapes and sizes with a higher mechanical performance like that of molded LSR. For instance, in October 2019, Dow, in collaboration with Nexus Elastomer Systems and German RepRap successfully 3D printed colored parts with Nexus’s new color dosing system. This gives freedom to designers to print colored and transparent parts as per their imagination. The overall liquid silicone rubber market is competitive in nature and it is growing at a moderate rate. The market players are adopting strategies for launching new products, merger & acquisition to stay competitive in the market. Some of the leading global players included in the reports are Sony, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, etc. among others.


Europe's Winter Tire Market expected to reach $18.8 Billion by 2025

3/11/2020  Europe's winter tire market is expected to reach $18.8 billion by 2025 on account of stringent winter tire usage guidelines in the region, according to Reportlinker.com. Winter tires or snow tires are designed for use in cold weather, ice and snow. These tires are manufactured with advanced rubber resins and compounds which help them to increase traction. Tires designed for winter conditions are optimized to drive at temperatures below 7°C and have tread design with bigger gaps. Implementation of winter tire laws and increasing purchasing power of consumers is expected to aid the Europe winter tire market over the coming years. Moreover, growing safety concerns and increasing awareness regarding the benefits of using winter tires among consumers is forecast to boost demand for winter tires across Europe over the next five years. The winter tire market in Europe can be segmented based on the vehicle type, demand category, rim size, radial versus bias and region. Based on vehicle type, the market can be segmented into passenger car, light commercial vehicle, and medium and heavy commercial vehicle. The passenger car segment dominated the winter tire market in 2019, and the trend in likely to continue over the next five years due to high sales of passenger cars backed by high disposable income levels, growing safety concerns and increasing awareness regarding the benefits of using winter tires among consumers. Between radial and bias, the radial segment accounted for the largest share in the market, and the trend is likely to continue over the coming years, as well. Major companies operating in Europe winter tire recorded high sale volumes in 2019, and the trend is likely to continue during the forecast period. Key players operating in the region include Pirelli & Co. S.p.A., The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Bridgestone Corporation, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Continental Aktiengesellschaft, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin (CGEM), Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, among others.


University of Waterloo Researchers Ccreate 3D-Printed Graphene Rubber Sensor for Wearables

3/10/2020  Researchers have utilized 3D printing and nanotechnology to create a durable, flexible sensor for wearable devices to monitor everything from vital signs to athletic performance. The new technology, developed by engineers at the University of Waterloo, combines silicone rubber with ultra-thin layers of graphene in a material ideal for making wristbands or insoles in running shoes. When that rubber material bends or moves, electrical signals are created by the highly conductive, nanoscale graphene embedded within its engineered honeycomb structure. “Silicone gives us the flexibility and durability required for biomonitoring applications, and the added, embedded graphene makes it an effective sensor,” said Ehsan Toyserkani, research director at the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) laboratory at Waterloo. “It’s all together in a single part.” Fabricating a silicone rubber structure with such complex internal features is only possible using state-of-the-art 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, equipment and processes. The rubber-graphene material is extremely flexible and durable in addition to highly conductive. “It can be used in the harshest environments, in extreme temperatures and humidity,” said Elham Davoodi, an engineering PhD student at Waterloo who led the project. “It could even withstand being washed with your laundry.” The material and the 3D printing process enable custom-made devices to precisely fit the body shapes of users, while also improving comfort compared to existing wearable devices and reducing manufacturing costs due to simplicity. Toyserkani, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, said the rubber-graphene sensor can be paired with electronic components to make wearable devices that record heart and breathing rates, register the forces exerted when athletes run, allow doctors to remotely monitor patients and numerous other potential applications. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of British Columbia collaborated on the project.


Global Advanced Tires Market to Reach $1.3 Billion By 2030

3/10/2020 - Pune, India - The global advanced tires market size is anticipated to value at $248.7 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $1,349.7 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 18.4 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com. In recent days, the adoption of artificial intelligence and smart technology is being incorporated into automobiles and tires. Sensors in advanced tires are being installed to identify threats and react to changes in the environment. The sensors installed in the advanced tires measure various variables and forward them to the driver, vehicle's onboard systems or to the driver's mobile. In addition, companies are offering few next-generation advance tire applications for passenger car tires, and it is anticipated that in the coming years premium tires will provide more driver assistance solutions. The market is anticipated to witness significant growth over the years, owing to the increase in automobile production. The key players analyzed in this advanced tires market report are Bridgestone Corporation, Continental AG, Michelin, Pirelli & C. S.p.A, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nokian Tyres plc., Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Toyo Tire Corporation and others.


Global Nitrile Gloves Market expected to reach $3.5 Billion by 2027

3/9/2020  The global nitrile gloves market is expected to reach $3.50 billion by 2027, according to a report by Reports and Data. The report highlights recent market trends and end-use applications of nitrile gloves. Growth in the incidences of epidemic diseases and the subsequent increase in the demand for infection prevention and control utilities are expected to drive the market demand in the forecast period. Nitrile gloves are primarily used in the medical sector as a safety tool to prevent the spreading of infection between caretakers and patients. The benefits offered by nitrile gloves include superior strength, longevity and better protection against bloodborne pathogens. Nitrile gloves are also latex-free, which has made it a preferred choice for medical professionals in allergic cases. Growing awareness pertaining to well-being and hygiene among medical professionals and patients is estimated to boost market growth. However, the risk of price rivalry from local producers is expected to limit the growth of the market. Prospects in untapped markets that have high potential owing to the ongoing development of healthcare infrastructure, increase in occurrences of chronic diseases and the requirement for surgical interventions would further fuel the demand for nitrile gloves in the forecast period. The Asia Pacific market is estimated to witness the fastest growth rate of 6.5 percent in the nitrile gloves market. This can be chiefly attributed to the growth of the healthcare sector and the food processing industry in the leading countries in this region, especially China, India and South Korea. Further key findings from the report suggest the powder-free nitrile gloves market is projected to control the largest market share and is expected to grow at a rate of 6.4 percent during the forecast duration. This dominance of powder-free nitrile gloves stems from the rising incidence of allergic reactions in people using powdered gloves. Micro-roughened nitrile gloves would contribute to the largest share of the market, growing at a CAGR of 6.3 percent during the forecast period. This type of texture is most popular on nitrile gloves. The surface of micro-roughened gloves appears like it has been lightly roughened, which offers extra grip to the gloves. Micro-roughened gloves are extensively used in medical practices as they allow the practitioners to easily grip medical tools. The North American market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.4 percent in the upcoming years and would reach $1.2 billion by 2027. Rapid advancement in the field of healthcare services in the region, coupled with growth in industrialization, is estimated to propel the market for nitrile gloves. Regulatory agencies in the region are imposing strict regulatory norms on employers to ensure worker safety and protection to tackle work-related risks. Key participants include Ansell, Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Dynarex Corporation, United Glove Inc., Kossan Rubber Industries Ltd., Supermax Corporation Berhad, Rubberex, Adventa Berhad, Kimberly Clark and 3M, among others. In March 2019, Ansell, a leading company providing safety solutions, launched Microflex MidKnight Xtra, an exam grade nitrile glove that has been examined against both fentanyl and gastric acid to simulate real-world overdose situations. This glove features an extended cuff for additional coverage of the wrist and forearm and has a distinctive black color that lets wearers easily view possibly risky powders on hands


Cambodia's Rubber Exports increase 17 Percent in January

3/9/2020  Cambodia exported 27,445 metric tons of rubber worth $40 million in the first month of the year, up 17 percent compared to the same period last year, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries official Khuon Phalla reported. Phalla, who is the director of the General Directorate of Rubber’s Department of Administration and Legislation under the ministry, said production also increased last month. An increase in global demand was the main driver of the industry’s growth last month, he said, as China remains the largest market for the Kingdom’s rubber. The average price last month was $1,433 per metric ton, up $207 from December. “I expect that the price of rubber will continue to increase over the next few months,” he said. Long Sreng International Co. Ltd. general manager, Heng Sreng, told The Post that the rubber market demand saw a slight increase last month. His company cultivates rubber on 4,500 hectares in Kampong Cham. The average price for natural rubber, he said, currently stands between $1,350 and $1,500 per metric ton. His company, which operates under the name Boeung Ket Rubber Plantation Company, exported around 7,000 metric tons to the international market last year. “I hope the rubber price will remain stable this year,” he said. Cambodia exported 282,071 metric tons of rubber last year, a 30 percent increase from 2018’s 217,501 metric tons, a ministry report said. The commodity reeled in $377 million in revenue last year, up 32 percent from 2018’s $286 million, it said. The data also showed that a total of 406,142 hectares of rubber had been planted last year, with more than 247,113 hectares having been harvested. Earlier, Rubber Development Department deputy director, Kou Phally, said the directorate announced a joint study on family-owned rubber plantations in three provinces to better understand how growers have responded to the sharp drop in rubber prices over the past nine years. The study will focus on the Kingdom’s three dominant rubber-producing regions: Kampong Cham province’s Stung Trang district, Kratie province’s Snuol district and Ratanakkiri province’s Bakeo district, he said. Meanwhile, rubber growers and exporters have expressed concern that prices will continue to fall as Thailand seeks to boost its natural rubber exports, Sopheak Nika Investment Agro-Industrial Plants Co. Ltd. owner and director, Men Sopheak, said previously. In November, Thai Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit told a conference of reporters and rubber growers that Thailand will boost natural rubber exports to increase incomes for the latter following implementation of the four-month curb agreement. In March, the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC), which comprises Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, agreed to reduce rubber exports by about 240,000 metric tons from late May to late September to buoy local prices. The three Southeast Asian neighbors, which produce 70 percent of the world’s natural rubber, ended up slashing exports by 441,648 metric tons during the period. “We are concerned that when all the major countries increase their sales of rubber products, it will bring down the price of our rubber, as the cost of production in Cambodia is higher than in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia,” Sopheak said in November. “If we look at recent global demand and supply of rubber, we see that the supply of natural rubber is increasing while demand has decreased from 1.5 million metric tons to less than one million metric tons on the global market.”


Global Automotive Rubber Molding Market Forecast at $44.2 Billion by 2025

3/6/2020  According to a recent study by www.marketinsightsreports.com, over the next five years the automotive rubber molding market will register a 3.1 percent CAGR in terms of revenue, the global market size will reach $44,290 million by 2025, from $39,180 million in 2019. Key players include: ContiTech AG, Nishikawa, Freudenberg, NOK, Cooper-Standard, Sumitomo Riko, Zhong Ding, Hutchinson, Dana Inc., Toyoda Gosei, Trelleborg, Ningbo Tuopu Group, Times New Material Technology, AB SKF, Tenneco, Gates and Elringklinger. The leading players of the automotive rubber molding industry, their market share, product portfolio and company profiles are covered in this report. The competitive market scenario among automotive rubber molding players will help the industry aspirants in planning their strategies. Rubber molding is a molding process that produces a useable rubber product. Rubber products are made from uncured rubber or elastomers. An elastomer is any material with sufficient resilience or memory for returning to its original shape in response to pressure or distortions. Asia-Oceania is estimated to occupy the largest share in the automotive rubber molded components market in 2018. With regard to material type, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) is estimated to dominate the market in 2018, followed by styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). The increasing demand for comfort and safety creates promising growth opportunities for driver assistance systems, which incorporate automotive rubber molded components, and would consequently boost the demand for the same.