Cabot To Acquire Bridgestone’s Mexico Carbon Manufacturing Facility
- By TT News
- August 05, 2025
Cabot Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Mexico Carbon Manufacturing S.A. de C.V. (MXCB) from Bridgestone Corporation for USD 70 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis, pending standard closing adjustments. The deal, which requires regulatory approval in Mexico, is anticipated to finalise within three to six months.
The MXCB facility, established in 2005, produces reinforcing carbons and is strategically located near Cabot’s existing Altamira plant, operational since 1990. This acquisition reinforces Cabot’s partnership with Bridgestone, ensuring long-term supply of reinforcing carbon products while expanding Cabot’s production capacity and global footprint. The facility’s versatility allows for the manufacture of additional reinforcing carbon products, enabling Cabot to meet diverse customer demands and pursue future growth opportunities.
By integrating MXCB, Cabot strengthens its position as a leading global supplier of carbon black, reaffirming its commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable materials to key markets. Bridgestone’s decision to sell MXCB to Cabot reflects confidence in Cabot’s expertise and consistent performance as a trusted industry partner. This move aligns with Cabot’s long-term growth strategy and enhances its ability to serve customers worldwide.
Sean Keohane, President and CEO, Cabot Corporation, said, “We are excited to expand our global reinforcing carbons network and deepen our collaboration with Bridgestone. This acquisition aligns with our strategy to grow in core markets and reinforces our commitment to operational excellence, innovation and customer value. Our long-standing experience in the region and cultural alignment with the local team supports a smooth integration and long-term success. Importantly, this acquisition also further strengthens our position as a global leader in reinforcing carbons, enabling us to deliver innovative solutions and dependable supply to customers.”
Pirelli-Led Partnership Launches European Tyre-To-Tyre Recycling Initiative
- By TT News
- July 23, 2026
Pirelli, Pyrum, Synthos and BASF have launched a European tyre-to-tyre recycling initiative aimed at increasing the use of recycled materials from end-of-life and scrap tyres in the manufacture of new tyres. The project, coordinated by Pirelli, is designed to establish an industrial ecosystem that supports a circular economy while reducing reliance on virgin raw materials.
The initiative uses end-of-life tyres collected across Germany from selected Driver retail outlets and motorsport activities, together with scrap tyres from Pirelli's Breuberg manufacturing plant. These materials are processed into secondary raw materials, including synthetic rubber, certified under the ISCC PLUS scheme to ensure traceability throughout the value chain before being reintroduced into the production of new Pirelli tyres.
Under the process, Pyrum converts end-of-life and scrap tyres through pyrolysis into recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO). The recovered carbon black is upgraded and used in Pirelli's European tyre production, replacing part of the virgin carbon black requirement.
The tyre pyrolysis oil is supplied to BASF, where it is co-fed with fossil-based feedstock in the production of chemicals including butadiene and styrene. Using a mass balance approach, the recycled content is allocated to ISCC PLUS-certified Ccycled® products. Synthos then uses these materials to manufacture ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber for high-performance tyre applications, which is supplied back to Pirelli, completing the material loop.
The companies said the project demonstrates that large-scale product circularity requires collaboration across the value chain rather than action by a single company. The partnership combines material science, certified processes and industrial capabilities to recover, process and reuse materials within a structured system.
According to the companies, the project represents the most comprehensive application of a tyre-to-tyre circular model in Europe to date, showing how end-of-life tyres can be transformed into raw materials for new tyre production through a traceable industrial process.
ANRPC Secretary-General Joins High-Level Thailand-Malaysia Dialogue To Bolster Rubber Sector Resilience
- By TT News
- July 18, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) confirmed the participation of its Secretary-General, Dr Suttipong Angthong, in a high-level dialogue held on 9 July 2026. The engagement took place during the official visit of Thailand's Prime Minister, His Excellency Anutin Charnvirakul, to Malaysia. Dr Angthong joined a prominent assembly that included the Prime Minister, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and various cabinet delegates from both nations.
The meeting also brought together representatives from international intergovernmental bodies and leading corporate figures from Thai and Malaysian industries. Given that both Thailand and Malaysia are founding members of the ANRPC and serve as cornerstones of the global natural rubber market, the session was deemed a crucial venue for harmonising regional strategies. It offered the ANRPC a platform to elevate sector-specific priorities within top-tier governmental discussions.
Through the facilitation of productive exchanges between policymakers and private-sector leaders, the ANRPC continues to foster cross-border collaboration, reinforce the stability of supply chains and advance sustainable growth initiatives. The organisation has reiterated its steadfast dedication to supporting its member states with professionalism and collaborative effort, aiming to secure the long-term vitality and resilience of the natural rubber industry across the region.
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30: A New Bio-Based Cut & Chip Resin For The Most Demanding Applications
- By TT Bureau
- July 16, 2026
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is SI Group’s latest advancement in bio-based performance resins designed to significantly improve cut and chip
resistance in high-severity rubber applications. With approximately 75 percent bio-based content, this innovative material delivers on sustainability targets while exceeding the performance typically associated with petroleum-derived resins, making it a strong choice for applications such as OTR tyres in mining, construction and agriculture, mining conveyor belts, rubber tracks and mill linings.
Cut and chip resistance is a complex set of material behaviours, including static mechanical strength, dynamic response under deformation and ability to withstand sharp impacts and abrasive environments. In demanding applications such as mining or agriculture, materials
must tolerate repeated high-strain loading and resist the initiation and propagation of tears. NaugaShield™ BIOTR 30 was developed precisely to meet these conditions, demonstrating notably low dynamic heat buildup and excellent tear strength – characteristics closely tied to enhanced cut and chip resistance and long-term durability under cyclical loads.
To evaluate its performance, NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 was benchmarked in an Off-road Rib Tread formulation against two widely used industry references: a gum rosin/ semi-aromatic C5/C9 resin combination and a styrenated DCPD resin. All materials were tested at an equal loading of 10 phr to provide a direct and unbiased comparison. Under these conditions, the bio-based resin consistently outperformed both alternatives, offering a stronger balance of reinforcing behaviour, improved tear propagation resistance and superior resistance to thermal degradation during dynamic flexing. Further improvements were achievable by reducing the amount of free extender oil in the compound, underscoring the resin’s adaptability in formulation design and its ability to unlock even greater performance when optimised.
These laboratory indicators were corroborated through extended Coesfeld Cut & Chip testing (see chart), in which compounds were subjected to up to 3,000 cycles at 200 rpm under a 200N applied force. Formulations containing NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 exhibited substantially lower mass loss and maintained tread surface integrity more effectively than the hydrocarbon and gum rosin-based-benchmarks. The performance advantage was even more pronounced in compounds adjusted for lower free oil content, confirming that the resin can be tailored to meet the durability requirements of the most challenging operating conditions.
The strong performance of NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 in OTR tread compounds can be readily transferred to other rubber goods that encounter similar wear mechanisms. Applications such as mining belts, agricultural and construction tracks or mill linings benefit from the resin’s ability to reinforce the rubber matrix, reduce crack growth under repeated impact and maintain structural cohesion under high-strain deformation. This versatility allows manufacturers to integrate a 75 percent bio-based resin that supports sustainability by reducing fossil-based content and helping end products last longer while maintaining – and often improving – operational performance across multiple product lines.
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is currently available in commercial quantities, enabling compounders and manufacturers to move directly from laboratory evaluation to pilot- and production-scale trials.
ANRPC Hosts PEFC Delegation To Advance Sustainable Natural Rubber Practices
- By TT News
- July 16, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) hosted a high-level delegation from PEFC International at its headquarters on 9 July 2026. The visiting team, led by Remco van Merm, engaged in strategic talks with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his senior staff, marking a significant moment for inter-organisational collaboration.
The discussions provided a critical forum for exchanging perspectives on ongoing global initiatives and the shifting sustainability dynamics affecting the natural rubber sector. With mounting market pressures regarding environmental stewardship and social accountability, the conversation centred on harnessing joint efforts to fast-track the implementation of responsible practices throughout the entire production and distribution network.
Both organisations underscored the necessity of strengthened coordination among all industry participants to secure a robust and enduring future for natural rubber. The dialogue culminated in a shared pledge to deepen cooperation, with the goal of cultivating a more transparent and ecologically sound value chain. This mutual commitment is expected to deliver tangible benefits across the board, reinforcing the industry's capacity to meet emerging global standards.
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