Wacker Chemie AG has strengthened its position in China’s fast-growing market for silicone specialities by opening a new application development centre with joint-venture partner SICO Performance Material in the eastern city of Jining.

The 2,300-square-metre facility brings together several laboratories focused on organofunctional silanes, which are used as high-performance additives in plastics, coatings and adhesives. By locating the centre next to SICO’s production and scale-up lines, Wacker aims to shorten development cycles and move new products into the market more quickly. The companies said investment in the site is in the mid-six-figure euro range.

Tom Koini, who leads Wacker’s silicones division, said the opening marks an important step in its China strategy. “As a provider of innovative silicone specialties and solutions, we can use this development center to achieve a key milestone for our business in China. Our focus is on high-margin specialty silanes, for which demand in China is rising continuously. This investment together with our partner SICO strengthens our presence and commitment to the region,” he said.

Wacker, which took a majority stake in SICO in 2022, is seeking to build a larger share of China’s specialty chemicals market, where demand for hybrid polymers has increased for years. These materials help improve the mechanical and chemical properties of adhesives, sealants, coatings and engineered plastics, all of which are used in sectors such as electric mobility, electronics and power equipment.

At the opening ceremony, SICO General Manager Kevin Qu called the centre an investment in the long term. “We can now pool all of our silane expertise here at our application development centre. This know-how ranges from chemical product properties and supply chain matters through to questions of process engineering and current marketing trends. We will leverage this in-depth knowledge to develop forward-looking innovations for our customers. This marks a new chapter of success in the history of our joint venture,” he said.

The companies said the centre will act as a link between research, technical service and manufacturing teams. Scientists will focus on developing additives, adhesion promoters and stabilisers based on organofunctional silanes and functional silicone fluids.

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Flexsys has created what it says is the tyre industry’s first practical and scalable alternative to 6PPD, marking a major step toward replacing a chemical used for decades but now under regulatory pressure.

The company said the new antidegradant is the result of several years of research and testing with federal laboratories, independent scientific groups and tyre makers. Early results show the material could match the performance and safety of 6PPD while avoiding the environmental risks linked to 6PPD-quinone, a transformation product identified in 2020.

Flexsys said the new chemistry provides the short- and long-term protection needed to stop tyres cracking or ageing. It is also designed to fit into existing rubber compounds with minimal changes, which could help manufacturers adopt it quickly. The company added that the product meets environmental and regulatory benchmarks, including criteria set by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Importantly, the new molecule is not part of the “PPD” family, meaning it does not form quinone during use. Flexsys said this would remove the environmental impact associated with 6PPD-quinone. The company is also using many of the same intermediate chemicals already used in 6PPD production. This could allow manufacturers to rely on existing factory assets and speed the shift to the new technology.

“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to responsible innovation, built on decades of expertise in tire protection chemistry,” said Carl Brech, Chief Executive Officer of Flexsys. “Our solution is formulated to deliver the performance and reliability that tire makers expect and is designed for future environmental and regulatory standards.”

6PPD has been essential to tyre durability for 50 years. But studies published in 2020 showed that 6PPD-quinone could harm aquatic species, including coho salmon. Regulators and tyre producers have been looking for a safer option since then. Flexsys said its new antidegradant meets this challenge without reducing tyre safety.

“Our team set out to develop a next-generation antidegradant that meets the tire industry’s highest performance standards without compromising tire safety, while also reducing toxicity,” said Neil Smith, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer. “I could not be more proud of the perseverance and dedication of the Flexsys R&D team. Our group has been highly motivated by both the technical challenges of this project as well as the positive societal impact that this work will ultimately have.”

Flexsys acknowledged support from the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Akron, Ohio, part of the U.S. EDA Tech Hubs programme.

The company is now working on process optimisation to allow large-scale production. It is also in discussions with regulators around the world to secure approvals for commercial use. Testing with tyre makers is continuing.

“Flexsys is helping set the direction of the tire industry for the coming decades with this development,” Brech said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring this breakthrough to the market as soon as possible.”

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

According to the report, the global natural rubber market in October was characterised by a distinct bearish trend in pricing. This decline can primarily due to a significant surge in production and export activities, which were initially stimulated by the higher prices seen earlier in the year. Meanwhile, overall demand has remained relatively subdued.

Looking ahead to the full year, projections indicate a modest 1.3 percent increase in global production for 2025, a figure that follows a recent downward revision for Indonesia. On the demand side, consumption is anticipated to grow by a slight 0.8 percent, influenced by an upward adjustment to Indonesia's consumption data. Despite the current price pressures, market sentiment shows some mixed signs of improvement, particularly within the tyre trade of certain specific markets.

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DuPont commenced construction on a new MOLYKOTE speciality lubricants production facility in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, East China, on 18 November 2025 with a groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by Senior DuPont leadership from the MOLYKOTE business and the Asia-Pacific region, alongside government officials and key customers. This strategic investment, situated within the Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park, is projected to be fully operational by the beginning of 2027. The initiative is a key component of the brand's global expansion, designed to significantly enhance its responsiveness to regional market needs and foster local innovation.

The new plant will primarily focus on meeting the robust and growing demand for advanced lubricant solutions across several critical sectors in China, including transportation, industrial manufacturing, energy and electronics. By establishing a local manufacturing presence, DuPont aims to create a dynamic platform for collaboration with regional customers. This will enable the company to deliver next-generation lubricants with greater speed, precision and agility, ultimately shortening lead times and strengthening supply chains.

The MOLYKOTE brand, with a legacy spanning over 75 years, is globally recognised for its expertise in solving complex lubrication challenges and improving energy efficiency. Its comprehensive product portfolio, which includes greases, oils, anti-friction coatings and pastes, serves the automotive and industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul markets worldwide. Supported by a global network of manufacturing and research facilities, the brand continues to build on its reputation for performance and reliability.

Eugenio Toccalino, Vice President and General Manager, DuPont MOLYKOTE, said, “Today’s groundbreaking is the beginning of a new chapter in our journey to better serve our customers in China, innovate faster and to be a partner of choice for solving wear and friction challenges across industries. This facility will boost local capabilities for application and new formulation development, empowering customer collaboration and response in real time.”

Yi Zhang, Global VP and Regional President, DuPont Asia Pacific, said, “We are thrilled to be breaking ground on the MOLYKOTE China production facility in Zhangjiagang. This manufacturing unit will enable us to address current needs and future trends for speciality lubricants. It reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of customers in China and Asia-Pacific region and reinforces our commitment to deliver faster, more resilient and locally tailored solutions.”

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In a significant move to formalise and advance its environmental strategy, Bekaert has launched 'inhera., a new sustainability label. This initiative underscores the company's dedication to a net-zero future by identifying its most impactful innovations that help industrial customers decarbonise more rapidly. The label serves as a mark of performance and trust, spotlighting solutions that meet stringent, externally validated criteria aligned with frameworks such as the EU Taxonomy Regulation.

The core purpose of inhera is to provide clarity and assurance, demonstrating how specific Bekaert products enable tangible progress in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing resource efficiency and promoting circular economic models. This is increasingly critical in a business landscape where demonstrable sustainability is a strategic necessity rather than an optional consideration. The label currently features a curated selection of eight high-performing solutions across sectors like construction, energy and automotive.

These labelled innovations illustrate a practical path toward cleaner industrial processes. For instance, Ampact magnet wire for electric motors cuts direct CO₂ emissions by 10 percent, while Flexisteel hoist ropes for elevators can reduce daily energy consumption by up to 36 percent. Other products, such as Elyta Ultra tyre reinforcements, deliver significant CO₂ savings per tyre and support circular reuse. Material efficiency is another key focus, exemplified by high tensile steel cores for power lines that use over 30 percent less steel and a next-generation Hose Wire that requires 28 percent less wire. Further offerings, including Bezinal Vineyard Plus and subsea cable armouring wire, utilise low-carbon materials and recycled content to achieve CO₂ reductions exceeding 50 percent.

The name 'inhera' was chosen to reflect the company's belief that sustainability is an inherent component of its corporate identity, deeply embedded within its innovation processes and overall mindset. Bekaert positions the label as more than a certification; it represents a partnership with customers to create measurable environmental impact. Ann-Françoise Versele, VP Sustainability, explained, “Sustainability is inherent in everything we do at Bekaert. Through our products and processes, we aim to leave a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Our partners who choose inhera solutions are choosing to accelerate sustainability and create real impact.”

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