Cabot Corporation has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in North America, now producing circular reinforcing carbons through its EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions technology. This milestone elevates the company’s Ville Platte, Louisiana plant to the status of a key production site for these sustainable materials, alongside its existing facilities in Mauá, Brazil, and Valasske Mezirici, Czech Republic. The production of these carbons relies on a certified mass balance approach, using tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) sourced from end-of-life tyres, which is validated under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS framework.

This strategic move is a direct response to the ambitious goals of global tyre manufacturers, who are targeting 40 percent sustainable material content in their products by 2030. Cabot’s TPO-based circular reinforcing carbons are engineered to function as a drop-in replacement for traditional carbon black, enabling tyre makers to enhance the sustainable composition of their products without compromising performance or altering their manufacturing processes. By establishing production in Louisiana, Cabot is advancing its ‘make-in-region, sell-in-region’ strategy, which is designed to increase supply chain efficiency and significantly reduce transportation-related emissions for its North American customers.

To solidify the foundation for these offerings, Cabot has substantially grown its global network of ISCC PLUS certified sites, which now totals 14 facilities. This expanded certification encompasses 12 sites dedicated to its reinforcing carbons portfolio across Europe, the Americas and Asia, plus two additional masterbatch and compounding sites in Europe. This robust, globally distributed network ensures that Cabot can provide its customers with third-party certified, sustainable solutions that deliver consistent performance and verifiable traceability at an industrial scale.

Aatif Misbah, Vice President and General Manager, Sustainable Solutions, Reinforcement Materials segment, said, “As a leader and innovator in our industry, we are continuously enhancing our technology and manufacturing footprint to enable our customers to meet their sustainability objectives – now and into the future. With the expansion of our manufacturing footprint for circular reinforcing carbons under the recovered category of our EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions technology platform, we are well-positioned to continue to deliver scalable solutions that help drive progress towards a more sustainable world. As we advance in our own sustainability journey, we will continue to refine our efforts to ensure our offerings support the dynamic priorities of the industry.”

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Gummiwerk KRAIBURG GmbH & Co. KG has introduced a new portfolio of high-performance FKM compounds, marketed as KRAIBURG Fluor. This new series is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of technical applications where exceptional resilience to high temperatures and aggressive chemicals is paramount. The materials deliver an optimal balance of superior performance and cost-effectiveness.

These compounds provide outstanding resistance to heat, ozone, UV radiation and a wide range of corrosive media, claims the company. This robust profile ensures the longevity and reliability of components, even when subjected to the most severe operating environments. The versatility of KRAIBURG Fluor makes it suitable for numerous critical sectors. In the automotive industry, it is ideal for O-rings, fuel system components and various seals. The chemical industry can utilise it for seals that handle aggressive substances, while the aerospace and oil and gas sectors benefit from its high-temperature sealing capabilities and compatibility with fuels and lubricants.

Available standard in black, with other colours offered upon request, the materials come in various forms for further processing. These include calendered sheets and plates, endless feeder strips, extruded strips and granules. Manufacturers can utilise conventional techniques such as compression, transfer and injection moulding, as well as extrusion for specific types. Furthermore, the entire KRAIBURG Fluor series is fully compliant with major regulatory standards, including REACH, RoHS and strict limits on PFHxA.

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In a significant expansion of their existing recycling partnership, Alcoa Australia and Tyrecycle have commenced a new programme to repurpose used conveyor belts from Alcoa’s mining operations. The first reel of used belt was successfully delivered to Tyrecycle’s East Rockingham processing plant, marking a pivotal step in addressing a major waste stream. This initiative builds upon the companies' established contract for recycling off-the-road tyres and forms a core component of Alcoa’s broader corporate strategy to minimise, recycle and reuse waste generated by its Western Australian activities.

The ambitious programme will see approximately 32 kilometres of used conveyor belt transported to the facility over several months. In its initial phase, the collaboration aims to recycle 80 reels of belting. Tyrecycle will process an estimated 100 tonnes of this material weekly, transforming it into rubber crumb. This output will supplement the more than 300 tonnes of Alcoa’s used tyres the company already recycles annually. The primary focus of the recycling process is to reclaim the steel wire embedded within the belts and to convert the rubber into a versatile crumb product.

This crumb is destined for a wide array of practical applications, serving as a valuable additive in road construction bitumen, and as a raw material for creating surfaces for sports fields and playgrounds, adhesives and various moulded rubber goods. Tyrecycle emphasises a circular economy vision, aiming not just for repurposing but for eventually integrating recycled material back into the manufacturing of new conveyor belts. Since its inauguration, the East Rockingham facility has been instrumental in providing Western Australian mining operators with solutions to decarbonise their supply chains. This partnership with Alcoa simultaneously supports regional employment and advances shared environmental goals by diverting substantial rubber waste from landfill and giving it a productive new life.

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KRAIBURG TPE has introduced a new series of thermoplastic elastomers engineered specifically for e-bike handles. This THERMOLAST R RC/UV/AP series is designed to merge sustainability with high performance and improved ergonomics. A central feature of this material is its composition, which incorporates between 15 percent and 40 percent recycled content, directly addressing the industry's push towards more eco-conscious manufacturing.

The compound provides a soft-touch grip for enhanced rider comfort and control, alongside resistance to chemicals and ultraviolet light. Its lightweight nature contributes significantly to the overall reduction of e-bike weight, with some modern models now being up to 50 percent lighter than traditional designs. From a production standpoint, the material is formulated for multi-component injection moulding and bonds reliably to polypropylene, facilitating complex and innovative handlebar designs. Manufacturers can also select from a wide hardness range to customise the grip feel without sacrificing the material’s inherent durability or safety.

The performance of this TPE series is validated by extensive testing, including a two-year outdoor exposure that confirmed its resilience against harsh weather. It also maintains stability in temperatures up to 90°C, ensuring reliable long-term use. This product launch is part of KRAIBURG TPE's broader sustainability commitment, which includes developing bio-based TPEs, holding certifications for recycled content and providing Product Carbon Footprint data. The company's efforts have been recognised with an EcoVadis Gold Medal, and it has reaffirmed its commitment to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This new material series positions KRAIBURG TPE as a pivotal partner in creating greener and more functional e-bike designs for a rapidly growing market.

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Bekaert's Ultra & Mega Tensile steel cord solutions have received the prestigious 2025 China Green Point Award for their significant role in advancing the tyre industry's shift towards low-carbon manufacturing.

This innovative reinforcement technology utilises high-strength steel, which allows for the production of lighter and more durable tyres while using less raw material. A key environmental benefit is the substantial reduction in rolling resistance, which directly improves vehicle fuel efficiency and leads to lower CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the technology supports circular economy principles by incorporating steel with a high recycled content.

With over seven decades of expertise, Bekaert empowers leading global tyre manufacturers to create high-performance, sustainable tyres, thereby accelerating the transition to greener mobility on a large scale.

The company shared the achievement in a social media post: “A big thank you to our teams for their leadership in driving this achievement, and to our partners across the industry for making sustainable mobility a reality. This award is more than recognition: it’s proof of how materials innovation, powered by people, can accelerate change from the ground up – literally.”

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