Wacker Chemie AG is bolstering its focus on European silicone specialities by constructing a new production facility in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

The recent groundbreaking ceremony with project partners and local officials marks the start of a new chapter for Wacker’s silicone business. By the end of 2025, the plant will begin producing room-temperature-curing high-performance silicones, with high-temperature-curing silicone rubber following in 2028.

“Karlovy Vary will be a new and important pillar for our silicone activities in Europe and will strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of silicone specialities. With today’s groundbreaking ceremony, we’ve achieved our first milestone,” said Executive Board member Christian Kirsten, addressing guests from politics and business. “Our silicone rubber grades are in demand in all key growth markets. As an expert in silicones, we can offer precisely the solutions our customers need to develop innovative products and technologies,” stated Kirsten.

“In order to be able to meet the growing demand for such solutions in the long term, we need to lay the necessary groundwork now,” noted Kirsten. “With Karlovy Vary, we are now beginning a new chapter in our silicones’ success story.”

 These specialised silicones are in high demand for use in critical technologies like electric vehicles, healthcare, and grid expansion. The investment is in the low triple-digit million-euro range and is expected to create around 200 jobs in the first phase.

 The new facility complements Wacker’s existing integrated production sites in Burghausen and Nünchritz, Germany. It will allow the company to optimise its production processes further.

 With a capacity of over 20,000 metric tonnes of custom-made silicones per year upon full operation, the Karlovy Vary plant is expected to deliver its first production by the end of 2025.

“Our integrated production setup in Europe will be even more flexible with Karlovy Vary. It will enable us to serve our customers both in Europe and elsewhere even better,” said Kirsten.

 Following a rigorous selection process, Karlovy Vary emerged as the preferred location. Construction of the 23,000-square-metre building and infrastructure will begin in the coming weeks and months. Wacker is partnering with US real estate developer Panattoni, who will oversee construction and Czech real estate group Accolade, the owner of the property and building. Its proximity to Burghausen and Pilsen, the region’s relatively low energy costs, and the availability of qualified staff made the decision very easy for us in the end,” said Kirsten.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for July 2025, providing an overview of key developments in the global natural rubber sector.

According to the report, natural rubber prices exhibited significant volatility in July. This instability was driven by a combination of adverse weather conditions impacting production, ongoing geopolitical tensions and international trade tariffs. After an initial phase of ample supply and muted demand, market sentiment shifted as concerns over potential supply disruptions prompted a notable increase in purchasing activity.

The report further projects a modest global production increase of 0.5 percent for 2025, while demand is anticipated to grow by a slightly higher 1.3 percent. However, this growth is expected against a challenging backdrop of a potential global economic slowdown. Complex US tariff policies and their widespread ripple effects are primary factors contributing to what may become one of the most subdued years for economic expansion since the pandemic.

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