Today’s announcement that Yokohama and Nippon Zeon have successfully made isoprene monomer from micro-organisms set me thinking about bio-tech in the rubber industry. I first reported on the use of micro-organisms to make isoprene back in 2008 when Goodyear announced its cooperation with Genencor. Genencor subsequently became part of DuPont. Since then, Goodyear has gone
Styron will be converting its Butadiene Rubber (BR) production train located in Schkopau, Germany, to Neodymium catalysts. The switch to Nd-BR s expected to be completed in the Fourth Quarter of 2015. It will enable the company to meet the growing demand of Nd-BR for green tires and ultra high performance tires. “The Nd-BR development
Styron has reported a plunge in revenues for the fourth quarter as well as for the full year of 6% and 3% respectively. However the company has delivered US$ 30 million of incremental EBITDA as a result of the SSBR capacity expansion. Free cash flow reached US$ 109 million for the quarter, which included $9
The use of solution-polymerised styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) will affect the tire industry in many ways. Most important it will help tire makers to deliver higher-performing tires. Not on its own, but in combination with other materials and technologies. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) was one of the first synthetic polymers to be developed back in the
A weekly newsletter of developments in the China tire industry including news reports and David Shaw’s expert commentary and analysis.
Monthly English & Chinese language newsletter bringing together global news stories covering retail, strategy, sustainability and legislative issues.