German specialty chemicals company Lanxess has introduced its new rubber additive Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, which it said supports tyre manufacturers in producing more sustainable, longer-lasting tyres.

Tyre makers will now be able to use sustainable variant of the antioxidant Vulkanox HS to effectively protect their products from adverse effects of oxygen and heat. The additive also provides low volatility and low migration tendency.

Lanxess claims that compared to conventional manufactured products, tyre makers using Vulkanox HS Scopeblue will be able to reduce their footprint by more than 30 percent. This is possible by utilizing biocircular acetone and renewable energy in production.

At present, the product is manufactured in an ISCC PLUS-certified plant in Germany. What’s interesting to note is that since the overall chemical structure of the product remains unchanged, tyre makers will not need to make any modifications to their existing manufacturing process.

Dr. Holger Graf, Head of the Functional Tire Additives business line at Lanxess Rhein Chemie business unit, said, “With Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, we have developed another product that enables our customers to manufacture tires more sustainably and meets the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. With this antioxidant, we extend the lifetime of tires while reducing their ecological footprint.”

Worcestershire-based Reddiplex Group, a manufacturer of plastic and rubber extrusions, has acquired Veker Extrusions, a Birmingham-based manufacturer specialising in rubber extrusion products.

Reddiplex aims to expand its product range and strengthen its position in the market through the acquisition of Veker, a company known for providing rubber extrusions, gaskets, seals and mouldings for the construction, marine, automotive and rail industries.

Evolve Corporate Finance helped the Veker Extrusions transaction by offering advice to Paul Kersel and Kevin Crossley, the company's directors and shareholders. David Neate led the consulting team at Evolve Corporate Finance, while Richard Wrigley of Penningtons provided legal counsel.

David Neate, Partner and Co-Founder, Evolve Corporate Finance, said: “We are delighted to have supported the shareholders on the company’s sale to Reddiplex. This sale represents the culmination of a life’s work for Paul and Kevin and a great result for them. In addition, under the ownership of Reddiplex, Veker has a bright future and is well positioned for future growth.”

Richard Wrigley, Corporate Partner, Penningtons, said, “We are delighted to have advised Veker on this strategic sale to Reddiplex. I have no doubt Veker has a bright future as part of the Reddiplex Group and will continue to prosper and grow.”

WACKER has achieved another milestone in its journey to achieving net zero by signing a long-term contract with Aymium, a Minnesota-based producer of biogenic carbon and biohydrogen products, to procure biogenic carbon. As per the contract, which comes into force after successful completion of the qualification process, Aymium will set up a new manufacturing plant in the south-east of the US dedicated to producing biogenic carbon.

Quartz, or naturally occurring silicon dioxide (SiO2), is transformed into metallurgical-grade silicon in an electric arc furnace at WACKER's facility in Holla, Norway. This chemical process needs carbon as a reducing agent in addition to electrical energy. Hard coal has provided the carbon thus far. Biogenic coal made from approved, renewable source ingredients is currently progressively replacing this. As they grew, the renewables took in CO2 from the environment, which they now release as they make silicon, thus making the entire procedure carbon-neutral.

WACKER Executive Board member Christian Kirsten said, “The agreed volume covers a substantial portion of our total carbon requirements at the Holla site. This is a major step toward climate-neutral silicon production.”

James A Mennell, CEO, Aymium, said, “Aymium is very excited about entering into this agreement and our long-term collaboration with Wacker. Together we will drive the decarbonisation of metallurgical-grade silicon production.”

Datwyler, a leading provider of high-quality, system-critical elastomer component, has joined the Circular Rubber Platform to strengthen its commitment to a more sustainable circular economy in the elastomer industry.

The Circular Rubber Platform unites elastomer firms to promote the use of sustainable materials and creative recycling techniques. The portal has expanded to include three universities and 81 companies since its launch in October 2023. Datwyler is strengthening its commitment to using more sustainable raw materials, whether bio-based or recycled, and reducing its carbon footprint by producing elastomers in a more ecologically friendly manner as a result of its membership.

Datwyler is stepping up its efforts to actively support sustainability in the elastomer sector by joining the Circular Rubber Platform. The business has always been dedicated to social and environmental responsibility, and for the past 17 years, it has been releasing sustainability reports in accordance with the globally accepted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard. The company's progress in the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) key areas is detailed in the full sustainability report for 2024.

Pyrum Innovations AG is all set to commence construction on a tyre pyrolysis plant in Vřesová, the Czech Republic, in partnership with the SUAS GROUP and Sokolovská uhelná. The construction work will start in the second quarter of 2025 and the completion is targeted for 2027.

Pyrum and SUAS GROUP will establish a joint venture for the joint construction and operation of the plant. Pyrum will purchase a 49 percent share in the business. Existing loan framework agreements cover Pyrum's stake in the project. The Czech businesses intend to incorporate the gas generated during thermolysis into the current plant for further use and to take use of the synergy effects on site. Each year, 23,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres will be transformed into useful materials by the proposed operation. An estimated EUR 57 million will be invested in the project.

Martin Čermák, Board Member of SUAS GROUP and Sokolovská uhelná, said, “We are among the first companies in the world to utilise this innovative technology within our industrial complex in Vřesová. The site has the necessary infrastructure not only for the facility’s construction but also for utilising the gas produced during pyrolysis, which is rich in hydrogen and methane. The technology is extremely environmentally friendly, as confirmed by the recently completed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Among other benefits, the project as a whole, significantly reduces the carbon footprint – by more than 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.”

David Najvar, Chairman of the Board of SUAS GROUP, said, “We greatly appreciate that Pyrum Innovations AG, the holder of this revolutionary patent with experience in similar projects across the EU, has become our partner. Together, we are fulfilling the vision of developing a circular economy and sustainability in handling specific types of waste and their disposal within our region and the Czech Republic.”

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The collaboration with the SUAS GROUP represents further progress for the development of the circular economy in Europe. This project demonstrates the high adaptability of our technology. Thanks to the efficient use of the gas on site, the end-of-life tyres can be almost completely recycled. Even though each site has individual potentials and designs, the core of our technology remains constant. We are looking forward on a very successful partnership and to the next phase of our collaboration, realising the joint plant at the new site.”