Following the formal approval of its foundational design, Sinopec has announced the construction of a new green, high-end rubber materials facility in Tianjin, China. The project, which was initially revealed in 2023, represents a total investment of CNY 2.452 billion (approximately USD 344.65 million). Its production output will include 100 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) of solution styrene butadiene rubber and an equal volume of nickel-based butadiene rubber.

Operated by Sinopec’s Beijing Yanshan branch, the venture will be funded through a combination of 70 percent bank loans and 30 percent company capital. The initial construction phase, focused on piling work for processing units, storage areas and auxiliary facilities, is valued at CNY 28 million (approximately USD 3.94 million) and scheduled for completion within 31 days.

This new rubber plant is an integral component of the larger Sinopec Nangang high-end materials industrial cluster, which also features a recently completed 1.2 million tonne-per-year ethylene complex. Encompassing a 277,004 sqm site with a built area of 43,522 sqm, the facility is projected to become operational in 2027.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Elkem ASA, a global leader in advanced silicon-based materials, has announced a significant advancement in silicone sustainability with the successful validation of a new mechanical recycling process for High Consistency Rubbers (HCR). This innovation provides a scalable method for recycling crosslinked HCR waste and reintroducing it into new product formulations. The process achieves re-incorporation rates of over 50 percent while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties required for high-performance applications. This breakthrough demonstrates how material engineering can enable a more circular economy for silicones, helping to reduce waste and the carbon footprint while meeting rising market demand for sustainable solutions.

This mechanical recycling process expands Elkem's comprehensive silicone recycling strategy, which now encompasses both chemical and mechanical pathways. The ability to integrate multiple recycling technologies allows the company to tailor its approach based on the type of waste material, specific carbon reduction goals and the performance needs of the final product.

The development is a key outcome of the open innovation project ‘RENOV’ (Recycling & Reincorporation of Elastomer Materials), focused on creating technologies for recycling and reincorporating crosslinked elastomer waste. The project, supported by the French environment agency ADEME, unites Elkem with industrial partners Hutchinson and Nexans, as well as several CNRS-affiliated laboratories. A primary objective is to evaluate market acceptance and identify the most promising commercial and environmental applications for mechanically recycled HCR.

High Consistency Rubbers are valued for their exceptional strength, thermal stability and electrical insulation properties, making them critical components in industries ranging from electric vehicles and aerospace to medical devices and electronics. Elkem will present samples of the recycled material and detail this new technology at the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 7–14 October 2025.

Joséphine Munsch, R&T sustainability leader at Elkem, said, “This breakthrough demonstrates the power of purpose-driven innovation aligned with market expectations. After two years of development, we are proud to present a first proof of concept for mechanical recycling of HCR, opening the door to new industrial applications and reinforcing our ambition to leverage pragmatic, science-driven solutions to lead and accelerate the transition to a circular economy for silicones.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

ContiTech, a group sector of Continental, has officially launched production at its new USD 90-million hydraulic hose manufacturing facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This significant investment is a strategic move to reinforce local supply chains, boost regional production capacity and position innovative fluid power solutions closer to its customer base across North America.

The new 900,000-square-foot plant will produce high-performance hoses for numerous industrial and mobile applications, serving vital sectors such as construction, agriculture, mining and energy. It has been designed to operate in a tightly coordinated network with ContiTech’s existing facility in Norfolk, Nebraska. This dual-plant strategy enhances production flexibility, improves operational efficiency and allows the company to be more responsive to evolving customer demands by strategically balancing technology, volume and lead times.

This expansion underscores ContiTech's long-term commitment to growth in key markets through substantial investment in local infrastructure and talent. Production at the Aguascalientes site will be gradually increased, with the first customer deliveries anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Philip Nelles, Member of the Continental Executive Board and CEO of the ContiTech group sector, said, “The start of production in Aguascalientes marks a key milestone in ContiTech’s journey towards being a more agile, regionalised partner to our customers. At ContiTech, we build on 150 years of materials expertise. While our portfolio is broad and diverse, all our solutions are grounded in the same strength: high-performance materials that are mission critical, innovative and engineered to perform. Whether they connect, convey or cover, our products play essential roles across industries and applications.”

Andreas Gerstenberger, CEO of ContiTech USA and Head of Business Area Industrial Solutions Americas, said, “We are ready to lead in this segment. This new plant reflects our commitment to both innovation and proximity. With our customers increasingly looking for responsive and innovative solutions, we are proud to deliver with local production, advanced technology and a skilled workforce. More than just expanding our footprint, this investment is about creating mutual value with our customers, partnering closely to help them succeed in their own markets. By placing customer needs at the centre of everything we do, we aim to be their first choice for material-driven solutions, now and in the future.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vipal Rubber, a leading global producer of retreading rubber, has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation with the launch of its new V SUPER HYBRID technology. Available from 1 March 2025, this new compound is designed to redefine performance standards for mixed-terrain applications, offering enhanced mileage, durability and resistance for retreaded tyres across various fleet sizes.

The V SUPER HYBRID achieves a superior balance between on-road and off-road performance. It has proven effective in demanding sectors such as logging, grain and livestock transport, demonstrating robust capabilities across diverse operating conditions. Key advantages of the innovation include improved resistance to chipping and punctures, enhanced casing protection that extends tyre service life, lower environmental impact through increased tread utilisation and significant operational cost savings for fleet operators.

Field tests substantiate these claims. In one trial involving a high-torque truck on steep, unpaved terrain, tyres with V SUPER HYBRID technology showed an 11.5 percent increase in mileage over a standard market compound while maintaining structural integrity with no signs of breakage. Furthermore, the same technology demonstrated the potential for up to a 140 percent mileage increase over conventional compounds in continued testing. The tread's regular wear pattern also allowed for better depth utilisation, enabling tyres to remain in operation down to 5-6 mm, compared to the previous limit of 12 mm. Another test with a grain and livestock truck confirmed these results, documenting a 12.5 percent performance gain across different tread designs.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd., has inaugurated the Kuraray Asia Pacific Centre in Singapore's Science Park. This new facility will function as a dedicated technical support hub for the Asian market. Its primary focus will be on providing specialised expertise for growing regional demand in PVOH resin, EVAL EVOH resin and activated carbon products.

Equipped with advanced material evaluation and analysis laboratories, the centre is designed to deliver prompt and tailored solutions to meet specific local customer requirements. It will also act as a platform for open innovation, fostering collaborative development and product demonstrations to generate new value.

By establishing itself within the concentrated research environment of the Singapore Science Park, the centre aims to accelerate market development and attract global talent through strategic partnerships. This initiative is a key part of the Kuraray Group's strategy to address emerging customer needs, explore new applications and strengthen its overall business expansion throughout the region.

Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board, said during the opening ceremony on 1 September: “We welcome Kuraray and other like-minded companies to leverage Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, talent pool, and regional connectivity to scale impactful and sustainable solutions from here.”

Tomoyuki Watanabe, Director and Managing Executive Officer, and President of the Vinyl Acetate Resin Company at Kuraray, said, “By offering a place for co-creation with our customers, we hope to drive the rapid market growth in the region.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!