Continental is establishing a groundbreaking industrial process for recycling complex rubber waste through a strategic acquisition of key patents and the launch of a new pilot facility. This initiative, led by its ContiTech division, leverages advanced pyrolysis technology to transform end-of-life rubber products into valuable raw materials, creating a sustainable alternative to fossil resources.

The core of this innovation is a thermal decomposition process where waste rubber is heated in a low-oxygen environment. This breaks the material down into its core chemical constituents, one of which is a high-quality oil with properties mirroring traditional crude oil. This output is particularly significant as it can be directly used in the manufacture of new plastics and rubber goods, effectively closing the material loop.

A major historical obstacle for the industry has been the difficulty of recycling vulcanised rubber, whose altered chemical structure resists conventional separation methods. Pyrolysis successfully circumvents this challenge, cleanly decomposing the material to recover not only oil but also carbon black and other energy sources. The widespread adoption of pyrolysis has been hindered until now by the complexity of purifying its outputs to meet industrial standards. Continental’s new facility, originally developed by British start-up LowSulphurFuels, directly addresses this hurdle with a specialised purification process, making large-scale rubber recycling both technically feasible and economically attractive.

This advancement is especially critical for complex rubber products like composite hoses and specialised seals, which were previously nearly impossible to recycle efficiently. By converting this challenging waste stream into a high-grade resource, Continental is driving progress towards a circular economy. This move also reinforces the company's position as a leader in sustainable innovation, complementing its extensive patent portfolio and ongoing projects focused on material recovery and developing eco-friendly solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors.

Dr Michael Hofmann, Chief Technology Officer, ContiTech, said, “With this technology, we’re closing a crucial gap in the circular materials economy: we’re able to recover high-quality raw materials from rubber waste, which we can then feed back into the chemical material cycle to create new products without relying on crude oil. We’re thus demonstrating how innovation can become the driving force behind sustainable industrial processes – and how a previously untapped raw material cycle can be made economically viable.”

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The Wacker Group is showcasing two new silicone-based impact modifiers, GENIOPERL W37 and GENIOPERL W38, at the JEC World composites exhibition. These additives are engineered to enhance the mechanical properties of thermosetting resins such as epoxies and vinyl esters. Their specialised molecular structure, built on functional silicone, facilitates a distinct phase separation within the resin matrix. This process creates tiny elastomeric domains that increase toughness and help prevent composite materials from fracturing under stress. Sustainability was a key consideration in their design, leading to a notably reduced cyclics content. Both modifiers disperse readily with simple mixing equipment, maintain their effectiveness even at low concentrations and do not compromise the material’s inherent strength, viscosity or thermal resistance. The company is located at booth 5N142 at JEC World, taking place in Paris from 10 to 12 March 2026.

GENIOPERL W37 is specifically formulated to boost impact resistance in low-temperature environments. It is recommended for use at concentrations between two and eight percent by weight, a level at which it has minimal impact on the resin’s viscosity or the cured product’s glass transition temperature. Achieving optimal dispersion requires processing temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius. Similarly, GENIOPERL W38 also improves impact strength at very low temperatures when used within the same dosage range. It offers the added benefit of containing anti-foaming agents, making it particularly suitable for casting processes conducted under reduced pressure.

A third major highlight at the Wacker booth will be POWERSIL Resin 710, a silicone compound developed for components that must endure extreme heat. This material can be processed using compression moulding, pressure gelation or injection moulding. Parts manufactured from it meet the criteria for thermal class R, signifying their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures reaching 220 degrees Celsius. As an alternative to high-performance polymers like PTFE and PEEK, POWERSIL Resin 710 provides excellent electrical insulation, mechanical strength and UV stability. It is solvent-free, has a low viscosity for easier processing and is available in both peroxide-curing and catalyst-curing versions.

Wacker’s exhibition will also feature a range of other specialised products for the composites industry. These include SILRES silicone resins for enhancing electrical insulation and flame retardancy, HDK pyrogenic silica for precise rheology control, VINNAPAS low-profile additives to reduce shrinkage and GENIOSIL organofunctional silanes for promoting adhesion and treating fillers and fibres.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has formally committed to the Science Based Target Initiative for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Reduction towards Net Zero (Phase 3), organised by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Eco-Energy, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University. This declaration positions the company among 16 leading Thai organisations committed to embedding scientifically validated climate targets throughout their operations and supply networks.

STA has established a target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 23 percent by 2030, using 2024 as its reference point, with the ultimate ambition of reaching net zero by 2050. These goals directly support the international objective of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Beyond direct emissions, the company is enhancing its rubber and teak plantations to function as carbon sinks, generating certified credits while supplying raw materials. This strategy aligns with its net zero pathway and responds to the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which promotes heightened corporate environmental accountability.

By embracing this initiative, STA underscores its vision of evolving into a low-carbon, fully integrated natural rubber enterprise. The company aims to reconcile commercial growth with ecological and social stewardship, thereby aiding Thailand’s wider shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

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Solvay has entered into an official partnership with the Belgian Rugby Federation, marking the beginning of a collaboration founded on mutual principles and a unified goal: uniting communities and fostering human development. This alliance naturally extends from the company's enduring philosophy, established over 160 years ago by its founder Ernest Solvay. His humanistic ideals, emphasising education, inclusivity and communal strength as the foundations of progress, continue to drive the organisation's sustainability framework and its commitment to making a worldwide positive impact.

The sport of rugby embodies these same values through its inherent focus on trust, collective effort and perseverance. These attributes empower individuals while simultaneously forging a stronger, unified entity. Through this new role, Solvay will provide backing to the men's national teams, including the Rugby 7s side, the under-20 squads and the refereeing community. This support is designed to enhance accessibility and growth opportunities within the sport for young athletes and local clubs.

Beyond the field, this initiative will allow international Solvay teams to unite around key matches, reinforcing bonds with local stakeholders and cultivating a collective sense of mission. This partnership reinforces a conviction held since the company's inception: that human advancement is a shared endeavour, gaining true strength and momentum when people come together.

Philippe Kehren, CEO, Solvay, said, “Rugby expresses a belief that Solvay holds deeply: people go further when they move forward together, the only ‘en avant’ that is allowed. This partnership celebrates Solvay’s heritage while opening new possibilities for connection – bringing colleagues and communities together around the world, especially when the national team competes abroad.”

Michiel Leysen, President, Belgian Rugby Federation, said, “The Belgian Rugby Federation is honoured to welcome Solvay as its official partner. This partnership will help expand the reach of rugby and inspire new generations of players.”

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ARLANXEO has announced that its Therban (HNBR) and Buna (BR) production facilities in Orange, Texas, have been awarded ISCC PLUS certification. This recognition allows the site to manufacture and offer products bearing the ARLANXEO Eco label, which represents the company's range of certified sustainable elastomers developed through a mass balance approach. As a result, ARLANXEO can now provide customers across North America and other global markets with verified sustainable alternatives that support carbon footprint reduction while preserving the high performance and reliability characteristic of Therban and Buna materials.

This achievement holds particular importance for the company's Specialty Elastomers division, as the Orange facility becomes the first Therban HNBR production site to earn this certification. It marks a significant step in broadening ARLANXEO's portfolio of sustainable high-performance elastomers. Additionally, the certification of Buna BR production at the same location further enriches the company's sustainable offerings, especially for clients in North America.

The ISCC PLUS certification is a globally acknowledged standard ensuring traceability, transparency and responsible sourcing throughout supply chains. By utilising the mass balance method to incorporate circular and renewable raw materials, ARLANXEO delivers Eco grades that enable customers to lower their environmental impact without sacrificing technical quality. This milestone aligns with the company's wider global sustainability strategy and represents continued progress in expanding its Eco portfolio across various sites and product lines, aiding customers in their shift towards more sustainable elastomer solutions.

Edwin Grootendorst, Global Head of Business Specialty Elastomers, said, “The Orange site is the first Therban HNBR production facility to receive ISCC PLUS certification and further strengthens the sustainability mission of ARLANXEO, as well as the Eco portfolio of the Specialty Elastomers cluster.”

Rohit Prabhune, Global Head of Business Basic Elastomers, said, “With Orange joining our existing ISCC PLUS-certified Buna sites, ARLANXEO now has ISCC+ Certified Basic Elastomers producing sites on three continents, with a truly global reach. This reinforces our commitment to providing customers with circular, mass balanced solutions that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining the performance they expect.”

Jay Capelli, Regional Head of Sales NORAM, said, “This certification helps solidify ARLANXEO’s position in the NORAM region as a premium supplier and partner – and supports the sustainability ambitions of our customers across key industries.”

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