Goodyear Tire has joined forces with Visolis, an innovative sustainable technology firm, to embark on a groundbreaking project aimed at producing isoprene through the upcycling of biobased materials. This pioneering collaboration is bolstered by a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant recently bestowed upon Visolis.

Isoprene, a crucial precursor for certain types of synthetic rubber, traditionally arises as a by-product of crude oil refining. Utilising a catalyst, isoprene units are polymerised into lengthy chains to yield polyisoprene—a fundamental ingredient in producing tyres and various other products.

Through this partnership, Visolis and Goodyear will harness Visolis’ cutting-edge technology to generate top-tier isoprene from lignocellulosic feedstocks, encompassing non-edible biomass and agricultural materials. Visolis has conducted an initial assessment of the carbon footprint of its process, and the collaboration with Goodyear will further scrutinise potential reductions.

“We are excited to collaborate with Goodyear and leverage our revolutionary technology to transform waste materials into valuable monomers,” said Dr Deepak Dugar, CEO of Visolis. “This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainable practices and the development of advanced materials that drive positive change.”

“We believe that innovation and collaboration is key to making progress along our sustainability journey and helping us achieve our goals, including net-zero value chain emissions by 2050,” said Chris Helsel, senior vice president, Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer of Goodyear. “By working with companies like Visolis, we are able to continue to learn, innovate and help build a better future.”

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will apply to several key product categories, specifically including polymer dispersions, a variety of resins and dispersible polymer powders. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

The final scale of these price increases is not a fixed, across-the-board figure but will be determined by specific variables. It will largely depend on the original source of the product, with goods manufactured at the company’s European and Asian production sites being most affected. Furthermore, the terms outlined in existing customer contracts will also play a crucial role in defining the exact extent of the adjustment, ensuring a tailored approach to the implementation of this necessary price correction.

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