Murfitts Industries, the UK’s largest tyre recycling company, has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art materials recovery facility at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent tyre plant. This groundbreaking initiative will transform end-of-life tyres into valuable resources while significantly reducing the site’s environmental footprint. The advanced recycling process will recover energy to power Michelin’s manufacturing operations, cutting annual CO₂ emissions by 1,500 tonnes. Additionally, the facility will produce high-quality recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), supporting sustainable material production.

Under the agreement, Michelin will supply Murfitts with 12,500 tonnes of discarded tyres annually – equivalent to 1.35 million car tyres. This capacity far exceeds local demand, with the plant able to process the equivalent of two tyres from every car registered in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Slated for completion by late 2026, the facility will apply Murfitts’ proprietary pyrolysis technology at commercial scale, extracting reusable raw materials from tyres. The rCB will serve as a sustainable alternative in tyre manufacturing and other industrial applications, while TPO will be used in material production and alternative fuels, displacing virgin petroleum feedstocks.

Beyond material recovery, the process generates steam that will directly supply Michelin’s tyre-curing operations, replacing natural gas and further reducing fossil fuel reliance. Murfitts, which already recycles 20 million tyres yearly for applications like sports surfaces and road asphalt, continues to pioneer circular economy solutions – ensuring tyre-derived materials re-enter production cycles, closing the loop on waste. This collaboration marks a major step toward greener tyre manufacturing and resource-efficient industrial practices.

Mark Murfitt, Founder, Murfitts Industries, said, “We believe this plant could be a breakthrough in the life cycle of a tyre. It moves tyre recycling on from recovering energy and material for other uses to being able to feed it directly back into factories for new tyre production. Our core ethos at Murfitts has always been that end-of-life tyres are a valuable resource and we need to do all we can to maximise the use of the energy and materials within them. We have been developing our pyrolysis process for a number of years and our results now show we can produce material from end-of-life tyres which can perform better than the virgin equivalent for some applications. This plant will be a win-win for the tyre industry, the local and national economy and the environment.”

Christina Peloquin, Site Director, Michelin UK, said, “This is a really exciting project which reduces our environmental impact at the same time as helping us stay competitive by lowering our energy costs. The team has worked exceptionally hard on this project, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Murfitts to our Stoke-on-Trent site.”

Maria Röttger, CEO and President, Michelin Europe North, said, “At Michelin, we see every challenge as a chance to lead positive change – and end-of-life tyres are no exception. As shapers, innovators and pioneers of sustainable mobility, Michelin is committed to transforming the way tyres are handled at every stage of their life cycle. Through our deep expertise and forward-thinking approach, we are co-building a robust recycling ecosystem that redefines what has previously been possible. This project with Murfitts Industries is a powerful reflection of Michelin’s enduring commitment to sustainability and responsible leadership in the tyre and rubber industry.”

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Shin-Etsu Chemical has announced a sweeping price revision for its entire range of silicone products, effective for all shipments from 1 May 2026. The adjustment applies to every product handled by the company’s Silicone Division, with increases set at a minimum of 10 percent. Actual revision rates will vary depending on the specific product category.

The decision follows recent developments in the Middle East, which have triggered sharp surges in crude oil and naphtha prices. This has led to a steep rise in the cost of oil-derived raw materials. Additionally, Shin-Etsu Chemical is confronting higher expenses related to manufacturing energy, product containers, packaging materials and logistics, all of which have contributed to the need for a price correction.

Despite exhausting all possible internal measures to reduce manufacturing costs, the company concluded that these efforts alone cannot absorb the mounting cost pressures. Shin-Etsu Chemical is now committed to fully communicating the situation to its product users and securing their understanding of the necessary selling price revisions.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently participated in a Hari Raya Open House event. The gathering was organised by Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, which falls under the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities. This occasion allowed the ANRPC to connect with important figures within the natural rubber sector. By bringing together various industry partners, the open house successfully created an atmosphere of goodwill and strengthened existing relationships.

The ANRPC has conveyed its genuine gratitude to the event’s hosts for their warm reception and thoughtful organisation. The association acknowledged the importance of uniting stakeholders in such a meaningful celebration, which helps reinforce shared goals and collaborative spirit across the sector.

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ARLANXEO has officially opened its Innovation Center Asia (ICA) in Changzhou, China, transforming the former Regional Technical Center into a full-fledged Asian innovation hub. This upgrade significantly strengthens the company’s global research and development network, with a clear focus on serving the local Chinese market as well as broader regional needs. The expansion reflects ARLANXEO’s commitment to advancing performance elastomers through targeted regional investment.

Now boasting larger facilities, an expanded team and new laboratory equipment, the Innovation Center Asia is equipped to handle rubber compounding, processing, physical testing, chemical analysis, battery prototyping and more. A dedicated chemistry lab has been added to support the nearby HNBR plant and global HNBR research activities. Located alongside ARLANXEO’s EPDM and HNBR plants in Changzhou, the centre fosters close customer collaboration to address evolving market needs. It also works in tandem with the company’s Dormagen, Germany, innovation centre, jointly developing new testing methods, exploring advanced technologies and delivering innovative product solutions worldwide.

The inauguration event featured speeches from Herman Dikland, ARLANXEO’s Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, and Hong Sun, Managing Director of ARLANXEO China. Joining them at the ceremony were company representatives, key customers, local government officials and academic partners from various universities. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit and shared interest in driving innovation forward.

Herman Dikland, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “Innovation is a core driver of ARLANXEO’s sustainable growth, and China plays an important role in our global innovation ecosystem. This state-of-the-art laboratory facility puts us in an excellent position to advance our R&D capabilities and reinforce our market position. We look forward to driving frontier innovation together with our passionate and creative China team while bringing China-based innovation into solutions for global markets.”

Hong Sun, Managing Director, ARLANXEO China, said, “The inauguration of the Innovation Center Asia reflects our commitment to supporting the rapid transformation of China’s rubber industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. With growing demand for advanced materials and customised formulations, the new centre will further strengthen our proximity to customers, enhance our agility in meeting market needs and better support the upgrading of the entire rubber industry.”

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ARLANXEO has strengthened its role in the synthetic rubber industry by expanding its marketing and sales agreement for EPDM rubber produced by Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (PRC), a joint stock company formed under the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This new arrangement became effective in February 2026, granting ARLANXEO exclusive rights to market all EPDM grades coming from PRC’s facilities, which will continue to be sold under the Keltan KSA product name.

This extension of the Keltan KSA business highlights ARLANXEO’s dedicated commitment to the worldwide EPDM market. By combining the original Keltan line with the Keltan KSA portfolio, the company now offers customers a uniquely broad and comprehensive range of EPDM solutions, ensuring a more complete service across diverse applications.

John Sawaya, Chief Business Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “Through this expanded agreement, we are further enhancing ARLANXEO’s position as the global supplier for EPDM synthetic rubber.”

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