European Rubber Journal articles from April 2003

European Rubber Journal archives from April 2003

Freudenberg to make brake hose in Romania: expansion of activities in Eastern Europe will reinforce market position for brake components, says Freudenberg. FDS also makes Simmerrings in the region. (Processor news).
April 1, 2003... Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik (FDS) is extending its activities in Eastern Europe by establishing a partner production plant to make brake hoses in Ploesti, Romania. The new plant will initially supply hose products to the...

Indian seal production launched by 3-way JV: Freudenberg, NOK and Sigma open new factory in India to make radial shaft seals. (Processor news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Sigma, Freudenberg Asia Holding and NOK officially opened their three-way joint venture plant for making seals in Mohali, northern India, in February. This plant has already started production of radial shaft seals for both the local and export...

Roulunds taken off the market: stays with Moller: offers for Danish rubber grouping did not meet expectations. (Processor news).
April 1, 2003... Danish conglomerate AP Moller has withdrawn its rubber subsidiary A/S Roulunds Fabriker from the market, saying expectations for the sale of this belt and hose making business have not been met. But the group is "still in the process of...

Tokai to buy Chinese plant, invest $3.7 million: Japanese firm to double hose manufacture at plant in China, to meet rising demand. (Processor news).(Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd plans to invest $3.7 million to purchase and expand the hose output of a Chinese company that has supplied it with production services since 1993. Tokai did not name the company that sold it the hose operation,...

Hutchinson gets Toyota contract.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Paris -- Hutchinson Argentina (Buenos Aires), a Hutchinson SA unit. is to make body and transmission mounts and chassis stop devices for a new Toyota Motor Corp. pickup. Toyota expects annual production to reach 450 000 vehicles, including...

Paulstra wins PSA contract.(Peugiot)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Paris -- Paulstra Automotive Antivibration, a Hutchinson SA subsidiary, is to supply its new AVA2 antivibration system for three models from PSA Peugeot Citroen. Paulstra's AVA2 engine mount generates vibrations that cancel out the...

Bridgestone takes stake in Nokian Tyres: access to Finnish firm's technology for studded winter tyres is major gain for Japanese tyre maker. (Rubber news).
April 1, 2003... Bridgestone Corp. is acquiring an 18.9-percent ownership stake in Nokian, Tyres plc, by agreeing to buy Nokia Corp's 2 million shares of Nokian Tyres for $73.2 million. Bridgestone said it intends Nokian Tyres to continue as an independent...

Premium tyre sales to lift Michelin's results in 2003: higher profitability tyres will be key to Michelin's success in tyre market next year. (Rubber news).
April 1, 2003... Despite the prevailing economic and political uncertainty, Groupe Michelin this year expects to improve on its 2002 performance--operating earnings of 1225 million [euro], up 18 percent, on sales of 15 645 million [euro], 0.8 percent lower than...

Independent UK seals maker invests 1 million [pounds sterling]: VIP-Heinke grows sales 10 percent in 2002, following purchase by equity group. (Rubber news).
April 1, 2003... UK seals maker VIP-Heinke is investing 1 million [pounds sterling] ($1.5 million) in automated injection and compression moulding machinery and extrusion equipment. Delivery of the machinery, for use in making VIP-Heinke's extensive range of...

Bayer makes money in polymers on level sales: Bayer feels cost cutting in polymers business leaves it in better shape for the future. (Rubber news).
April 1, 2003... In 2002, Bayer AG's polymers business faced, "tough market conditions, with heavy pressure on margins and prices," said Werner Wenning, chairman of the board, at Bayer's 13 Mar results meeting in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer's total sales...

Linear invests 1 m [pounds sterling] in TPV foam unit in UK: first European plant for water-blown TPV construction profiles will make parts ideal for use in cold climates. (Processor news).
April 1, 2003... UK construction profiles maker Linear Ltd has invested around 1 million [pounds sterling] ($1.5 million) in a new unit to make water-blown TPE foam seals according to Bob Redwood, sales and marketing manager. Linear has added a...

GDX finalises sale of mix unit.(to Vigar Deutschland GmbH)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Farmington Hills, Michigan -- Automotive profiles maker GDX Automotive, part of GenCorp Inc., has completed the sale of the assets and operations of its Viersen, Germany mixing facility. The unit is being sold to to compound supplier, Vigar...

IRSG: NR stocks lowest levels '96.(International Rubber Study Group, natural rubber)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... London -- Natural rubber stocks were at their lowest levels since 1996, according to the January edition of the, "Rubber industry Report" from the International Rubber Study Group. Global inventories of synthetic rubber, however, increased...

Aggressive strategy pays off for Semperit: Semperit claims very tight cost control and high productivity give it the edge in competing in a shrinking global rubber market. (Processor news).
April 1, 2003... Austrian rubber group Semperit AG Holding aims to continue its aggressive growth strategy: it intends to generate profits, "that force competitors out of the market," the group said in its annual results statement. Another tactic in keeping...

Bridgestone to build new Thai CB plant.(carbon black)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Tokyo -- Bridgestone Corp. will build a carbon black plant in Rayong, Thailand, in the coming 18 months as part of the tyre maker's strategy to increase self-sufficiency in key raw materials. Bridgestone said it will invest approximately...

Owner plans to sell SaarGummi.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Saarbrucken, Germany -- SaarGummi GmbH and its North American subsidiary, SaarGummi Americas, will be sold as part of their parent corporation's plan to focus its operations into the three core areas of mining, real estate and chemicals. ...

Phoenix: poor economic prospects for 2003: Iraq situation casts shadow on world economy, adding to turbulence in markets, says German group. (Processor news).(Phoenix AG)
April 1, 2003... Phoenix AG expects 2003 to be another difficult year for the German economy, with little prospect of rapid domestic economic recovery, and a shadow cast over the world economy by the unresolved Iraq conflict. These factors may mean further...

High-temperature hose. (Processor news).(from Phoenix)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Phoenix has a new low permeation, high-temperature hose for automotive air conditioning in passenger cars. The design gives a high degree of noise muffling for improved driving comfort, said the firm. Its high resistance to impulse pressure...

Ansell reports $10.8 million profit for half-year.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Sydney, Australia -- Ansell Ltd. has achieved profits of $10.8 million in the first six months of its fiscal year, rebounding from losses of $47.3 million a year ago. Ansell management believes the company is on track to achieve double-digit...

Avon adds extrusion line, launches new hose production.(for Delphi Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Orizaba, Mexico -- Avon Automotive North America, a subsidiary of Avon Rubber plc, has begun production for 2004 model year hose parts it supplies to first tier supplier Delphi Corp. The heater and coolant hose made by Avon will be used on...

Car tyre sales drop 6 percent at Conti: volume growth in automotive systems counteracts lower tyre sales for Continental. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Despite record consolidated sales for 2002 at tyre maker Continental AG, sales in its passenger tyre division "dropped sharply," to 3777 million [euro], 6.0 percent below 2001's level. Continental reported total sales of 11 400 million...

Michelin breaks down Spanish spending: French tyre maker tells unions what Spanish plants will gain from 188 million [euro] investment. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... French tyre maker Michelin has clarified its recently announced 188 million [euro] investment in its struggling Spanish operations. The company also disclosed further details of a plan to dismiss 1300 workers in the country. According to...

Bridgestone to add 3rd tyre plant in China.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Tokyo -- Bridgestene Corp. is investing $99 million to build a radial passenger car tyro plant in Wuxi in the Jiangsu Province of China. The 8000-units/day facility is due to come on stream in September 2004, the company has announced. The...

ACC sells to Bridgestone.(Bridgestone ACC India Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Mumbai, India -- Associated Cement Companies Ltd, the largest Indian cement maker, said it is selling its stake in a tyre venture with Bridgestone Corp. to the Japanese firm. The Mumbai-based cement company is selling its 19.6 percent stake...

Marangoni adds franchisee.(Shrader's Tire & Oil)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Toledo, Ohio -- Marangoni Tread North America Inc. has added Shrader's Tire & Oil to its roster of Ringtread retreading franchisees, giving the subsidiary of Italy's Marangoni SpA 11 franchised retreaders in North America. Toledo-based...

Galaxy buys Rumaguma. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Speciality US wheel and tyre maker Galaxy Tire & Wheel Inc. has bought 70-percent of Rumaguma AD, a Ruma, Serbia-based producer of agricultural and off-the-road tyres. Galaxy will invest several million dollars over five years to modernise and...

Expert predicts Chap 11 for Goodyear ...(Dennis Byrne)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Hilton Head, South Carolina -- A professor from the University of Akron is the latest tyre industry observer to predict that Goodyear will be unable to escape its current financial problems without seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ...

... But Goodyear disputes his view.(Dennis Byrne)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear disputes the opinion of University of Akron professor Dennis Byrne, who said that the Akron based company is likely to need to under-go a Chapter 11 reorganisation, based on its current financial condition. "Dr...

Continental, Sime Darby set up JV in Malaysia: Conti sees good prospects for Malaysian tyre operation, as markets develop in the region. (Rubber news).
April 1, 2003... German tyre maker Continental AG has taken a 30-percent stake in the tyre activities of Malaysian manufacturer Sime Darby Berhad, forming a new company, which will be known as SDC Tyre Sdn Bhd. Continental will initially invest around $31...

Vredestein back in the black.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Velp, The Netherlands -- Vredestein NV has reported operating profits of 14.7 million [euro] on sales of 300 million [euro], according to the Dutch group's preliminary, unaudited, annual figures for 2002 The performance contrasted with the...

Sumitomo posts 2002 rebound.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Kobe, Japan -- Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd returned to the black last year, posting $658 million in net income on a 3.1-percent increase in sales to $3660 million. The sales hike was aided in large part by a 53.2-percent jump in export sales...

Nokian aims to boost sales, earnings.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Nokia, Finland -- Despite uncertain trends in the global economy and rising raw material prices, Nokian Tyres plc has set its sights this year on outperforming its 2002 net sales and profits, which were 13.2 and 29.5 percent ahead of 2001,...

US operations bolster Bridgestone.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Nashville, Tennessee -- Bridgestone Corp., helped in large part by the return to profitability by its Bridgestone/Firestone operations in the Americas, reported a 161 percent jump in net earnings on a 5-percent increase in sales. For 2003, the...

PolyOne assesses sale of non-core assets: future of elastomer compounding units being evaluated by polymer supplier. (Supplier news).
April 1, 2003... PolyOne Corp. plans to divest as yet unnamed "non-core" businesses and its rubber compounding operations might be among them. PolyOne said at a 11 Feb meeting with analysts that it will realign to focus on vinyl, engineered materials and...

Deal extends Cognis' portfolio.(with Laporte Performance Chemicals)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Dusseldorf, Germany -- Speciality chemicals company Cognis is to acquire Laporte Performance Chemicals (LPC), part of Degussa AG. The deal strengthens Cognis' coatings and synthetic lubricants business, but also extends its position in the...

Kaucuk stars for Unipetrol.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Prague -- Of the six companies that form Czech chemical holding Unipetrol, Kaucuk, which makes styrene butadiene rubber, did best last year, posting a pre-tax profit of CKr319 million ($11 million). The proceeds were, however, largely a...

PolymerLatex sold, Rhein Chemie stays: sale of latex unit completes Bayer's divestitures, but it keeps Rhein Chemie--for now. (Supplier news).
April 1, 2003... PolymerLatex GmbH & Co. KG--a 50:50 joint venture between Bayer AG and Degussa AG--is being sold to Soros Private Equity Partners. The sale, for around 235 million [euro], is subject to regulatory approval, Bayer and Degussa announced 4 March....

Synthomer buys two Dutch latex firms: latex supplier extends reach with addition of carpet latex makers. (Supplier news).(Ditar Ridderkerk BV and Ditar Hasselt BV)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Synthomer BV, a subsidiary of Yule Catto & Co. plc, has acquired Dutch carpet latex producers Ditar Ridderkerk BV and Ditar Hasselt BV. The Ditar plants will complement Synthomer's existing production set-up in Ossett, UK, Oss, The...

Schulman adds Tokyo office.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Akron, Ohio -- Plastics compounder A. Schulman Inc. has opened a sales office and marketing office in Japan, its first such venture in the country. The Tokyo office in Japan will target local auto makers to specify A. Schulman products for...

Vita sets up polish unit.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Manchester, UK -- UK polymers group British Vita has commissioned a new liquid compounding facility, at a site near Wroclaw in Poland, its first such facility in this part of Europe. The UK firm said the site will be used to make "a range of...

IRSG gains two new members.(International Rubber Study Group)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... London -- RubberNet (Asia) Pte Lte and Goodpack Ltd have joined the International Rubber Study Group's Panel of Associates. An international dealer in natural rubber, RubberNet is a partnership between Itochu Corp. Ltd of Japan and...

Carbon black firms face class action suit: buyer of carbon black files lawsuit on back of investigations into price fixing allegations. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Technical Industries Inc., a supplier of dispersions and emulsions to the rubber processing industry, has filed a class action suit against three US carbon black producers, seeking damages related to alleged price-fixing. Technical...

SR, carbon black producers to raise prices.(synthetic rubber)
April 1, 2003... Akron, Ohio -- Rising prices for oil and oil derivatives have prompted synthetic rubber, latex and carbon black suppliers to raise prices for their products. Goodyear and DSM Copolymer Inc. told customers recently they are raising some...

Runflat technology is top priority: many observers predict buoyant future for extended mobility tyres. (Tyre technology).(tire companies' sales predictions)(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2003... All the world's top tyre makers are trying hard to sell their runflat tyres into a market projected to double in the next year or two. With sales of runflat tyres expected to reach around 2 million units in 2003, the expected uptake by car...

Michelin's reveals approach to tyre R&D. (Tyre technology).(next reovlution will be from polymers and compounds)
April 1, 2003... French tyre giant Michelin expects the next big revolution in tyre technology to come from polymers and compounds. Didier Miraton, Michelin's global head of R&D, told ERJ that, "The next revolution will be in new polymers." Although he declined...

Chip-in-tyre. (Tyre technology).(makers will have to agree on chip frequency)
April 1, 2003... Originally developed to help truck fleet operators manage their tyres, the chip-equipped tyre is now near the top of the car makers' wish lists. The big problem is that different regions want the chips to operate at different frequencies,...

Pirelli brings MIRS to Moto. (Tyre technology).(adopts manufacturing processes to motorcycle tire production)
April 1, 2003... Pirelli has previously revealed details of its MIRS advanced manufacturing process and its CCM continuous compounding technology. Now, it claims to have adapted these processes to the manufacturer of motorcycle tyres. The company does not...

Goodyear is optimistic. (Tyre technology).(Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and its Goodyear Dunlop Europe subsidiary)
April 1, 2003... Despite a series of down-grades by US-based credit authorities, warnings over pension shortfalls and poor business performance in its home territories, Mike Roney, president of Goodyear Dunlop Europe, denied that Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. is...

Sbarro mounts engine inside wheel. (Tyre technology).(Franco Sbarro)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The innovative Swiss engineering team led by Franco Sbarro has developed a 160 hp engine which can be mounted inside a 26-inch wheel and tyre. The wheel (Top, right) is made by O Z Wheels. The tyre, made by Michelin, as, according to a...

Apollo plans expansions: following its announcement of a joint venture with Continental AG, Apollo reveals some of its investment plans. (Tyre technology).
April 1, 2003... Apollo Tyres Ltd claims to be India's biggest tyre maker. The company recently signed a technical cooperation deal with Continental AG, and is the first Indian company to gain support from the International Finance Corp. Sales are growing...

Goodyear and Siemens VDO introduce monitor. (Tyre technology).(radio frequency tire pressure monitoring)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Goodyear and Siemens AG's Siemens VDO Automotive unit this week introduced their Tire IQ tyre pressure monitoring system in Europe at the Geneva Motor show. Goodyear began work on the technology in the 1990s, but the current system works...

Rutil srl.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2003... London -- In the March issue of ERJ, we incorrectly reported the 2002 sales figure for Milan-based machinery maker Rutil srl. We would like to report that the company generated 35.3 million [euro] in sales in 2002.

Mackey Bowley.(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2003... London -- In the March issue of ERJ, we failed to print a web address for Mackey Bowley International Ltd. www.mackeybowley.co.uk

QinetiQ and First Technology monitor. (Tyre technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... QinetiQ Group plc, the former UK defence agency, and First Technology plc, a global supplier of safety and comfort products, have co-developed a valve-mounted, battery-less tyre pressure monitor which uses sensor valves that can be fitted to...

Goodyear, TRW to work together on tyres, suspensions.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear and TRW Automotive have agreed to jointly study tyres, braking, suspension and steering systems to speed up product development for vehicle makers. The five-year pact calls for the companies to enhance vehicle ride,...

Conti, Bosch jointly promote ESC systems.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... New York -- Continental Teves, part of Continental AG, and Robert Bosch Corp., the North American subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH, are to jointly promote the use of electronic stability control (ESC) systems in passenger cars and light trucks....

Arnold Otto Meyer changes name.
April 1, 2003... Hamburg, Germany -- The Hamburg based company Arnold Otto Meyer GmbH has changed its name to Behn Meyer Europe GmbH. The decision was made in order to underline the corporate identity with The Behn Meyer group as well as to emphasise the...

Dow Auto names new COO.
April 1, 2003... Auburn Hills Michigan -- Dow Automotive has appointed George Hamilton as chief operating offficer. He will be responsible for the daily operations of Dow Automotive and will continue to manage the automotive materials business. Hamilton,...

In late 2002, BOY delivered its 600th injection moulding machine to Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik (FDS) thereby making them BOY's largest worldwide customer. (Tyre technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... In late 2002, BOY delivered its 600th injection moulding machine to Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik (FDS) thereby making them BOY's largest worldwide customer The partnership between FDS and BOY began in 1970, when BOY delivered...

Diary.
April 1, 2003... Readers are strongly advised to confirm details with organisers before making any travel arrangements. An updated list of industry events is available on the ERJ website at http://www.crain.co.uk/ APRIL * Medical Polymers 2003. 2-3...

European truck sales down 10 percent in 2002. (ERJ dataflow).(new passenger car registrations in Europe)
April 1, 2003... Information We present here a series of charts and tables which are meant to give a snapshot of how the rubber industry is performing. The price of rubber on the Singapore commodity exchange is possibly the most important price in the...

Round and black ... (postscript).
April 1, 2003... A few years ago I used to be a bit cynical about the tyre industry, regarding tyres as little more than round and black. This feeling was reinforced whenever I attended the launch of a new tyre. Usually there would be a technical...