European Rubber Journal articles from February 2002

European Rubber Journal archives from February 2002

Bid to save Wolves plant after truck tyre closure: Wolverhampton plant needs a 30 percent productivity rise to have any future--as end of truck tyre manufacture is confirmed. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Goodyear GB Ltd will end truck tyre production at its Wolverhampton, UK, plant by the end of March 2002, the company has confirmed. Meanwhile management and unions have started a joint bid to turn around the performance of the plant's remaining...

Goodyear project targets Chinese market demand: capacity of Dalian high performance plant will rise to over 5 million tyres a year as Goodyear aims for HP market in China. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ERJ Akron Bureau report Goodyear will invest $120 million during the next five years to nearly triple production capacity for passenger tyres at its Dalian, China, plant. The move is part of a strategy by the US-headquartered tyre...

Manuli and Yokohama in automotive hose alliance: alliance with Japanese hose supplier will offer global sourcing of air conditioning hose assemblies. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Manuli Rubber Industries SpA of Brugherio, Italy, has formed an alliance with Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd of Tokyo to develop automotive air conditioning hoses and metal fittings, based on common specifications. The companies also plan to expand...

Semperit to acquire Italian hose firm: deal will expand Semperit's sales in Italy and Spain. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Semperit AG of Austria is to acquire full ownership of Italian hose maker Roiter SpA Rovigo, subject to the approval of Austrian antitrust authorities. The deal involves the purchase of a 40-percent holding in Roiter from its main...

Phoenix sells Italian profiles unit: sale of non-core profiles unit in line with strategy, says Phoenix. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Phoenix AG has sold off its Fusignano, Italy-based Evergomma automotive profiles unit to Gummitechnik GmbH & Co. KG of Germany, a 21-year old company specialising in rubber moulding and extrusion. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, covers...

Trelleborg to distribute Lloyd sheeting in Europe.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Warren, Rhode Island--Rubber sheeting producer Lloyd Manufacturing Corp. has appointed Sweden's Trelleborg Engineered Systems to distribute its thin-gauge calendered sheeting in western Europe, excluding the British Isles. The companies...

Goodyear buys out Sava share in JV.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Akron, Ohio--Goodyear has increased its ownership of the Goodyear Engineered Products Europe doo joint venture in Kranj, Slovenia, to 100 percent, buying Sava Group's 25-percent share for an undisclosed price. Goodyear bought 75 percent...

Delphi to lash 1400 jobs, consolidate sites: consolidation at auto parts maker will affect European sites, but no details are available for rubber parts units. (Rubber news).(Delphi Automotive Systems Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. of Troy, Michigan, hopes to cut another 1400 salaried people from its ranks through voluntary buyouts and retirements. The diversified manufacturer, which announced its plans to employees 3 Dec, will also...

Silicone keypad firm in US alliance: silicone overlays to offer new options in electronic switching, as technologies are combined. (Rubber news).(Duraswitch Industries Inc. of Mesa, Arizona and Hanaco Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Duraswitch Industries Inc. of Mesa, Arizona and Hanaco Manufacturing Co. have formed an alliance. The aim is to combine Duraswitch's electronic switch technology with Hanaco's silicone rubber keypad overlay systems, the firms announced 11 Dec....

Conti to supply Ford, Volvo SUV.(Continental AG)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Detroit, Michigan--Continental AG has gained original equipment contracts with Ford Motor Co. to supply tyres and complete braking and traction control systems for the 2003 Ford Expedition model and for the Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle...

Trelleborg buys tunnel seals unit.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Stockholm--Trelleborg AB's Engineered Systems business unit is to acquire the tunnel seals business of Vredestein Sealing Systems BV and will incorporate its assets with its own activities in this area. The acquired business has annual...

Yokohama's earnings rise.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Tokyo--Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd reported a 31.6-percent jump in operating earnings in the first half of fiscal 2002, despite an operating loss by the firm's North American activities. For the six months ended 30 Sept, Yokohama Rubber...

GDX Automotive president departs.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Farmington Hills, Michigan--After nearly two years with the manufacturer, GDX Automotive president Joseph Gray has left the sealing supplier in mid-December "to pursue other interests," a company spokeswoman said. Until his replacement...

Helvoet Pharma buys Wheaton unit in US: maker of rubber and metal pharmaceutical closures buys in US as part of growth strategy. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Helvoet Pharma, an international maker of rubber and aluminium closures for the pharmaceutical sector, has acquired a US unit--the Pharmatech division of Wheaton USA Inc.--which makes similar products. This moves furthers Helvoet Pharma's...

Pacific Dunlop to review Ansell operations: directors to examine future of major latex glove maker. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Pacific Dunlop Ltd's board of directors will launch a strategic review of Ansell Healthcare Products Inc. to determine the future course of the global healthcare business. The company waited until it had completed the sale of its Pacific...

Tomkins initiates new finance plan ... (ERJ newsbriefs).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] London--Tomkins plc, the parent of Gates Rubber Co., has completed an issue of 150 million [pounds sterling] ($215 million) in 10-year bonds, as part of plans to broaden the company's equity base. At present the Gates family owns all the...

... Settles with Hutchings ...(-Tomkins PLC has reached an out-of-court settlement with its former chief executive Greg Hutchings)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] London--Tomkins plc has reached an out-of-court settlement with its former chief executive Greg Hutchings, who resigned from the company in October 2000 amid charges of business misconduct. Under a deal announced 21 Dec, Hutchings is to...

... And is set to announce new CEO.(Tompkins PLC announcesresults for the six months ending October 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] London--Tomkins plc will soon name a new chief executive officer, the UK group said in its interim results statement. The group, which owns Gates Rubber Co., has been led by its chairman David Newlands since the departure of Greg Hutchings...

Conti closes Mexican tyre plant, cuts 1100 jobs: Union problems behind decision to close Guadalajara tyre plant. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Continental AG has closed the Guadalajara, Mexico plant of its Compania Hulera Euzkadi SA de CV subsidiary, eliminating 1164 hourly and salaried jobs. Continental blamed the shutdown on the labour union at the facility--the Confederation...

Hankook to triple tyre capacity in China.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Seoul, South Korea--Hankook Tire Mfg. Co. Inc. will invest $250 million in its two Chinese factories by 2010, tripling annual production capacity to about 20 million units in a bid to boost sales in China to $580 million. To solidify...

Sumitomo to set up tyre plant in China.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Kobe, Japan--Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd is to establish a tyre plant in Jiangsu, China, which is scheduled to start production by 2004. The facility will reach a daily capacity of 5000 passenger car tyres by 2006, according a...

Conti to run North American unit from Germany.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Hanover, Germany--Continental AG is to take more direct control of the activities of Continental Tire North America Inc. Manfred Wennemer, Conti's chairman, and Hans-Joachim Nikolin, are to lead the passenger and commercial vehicle tyre...

Audi may use PAX across range.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Ingolstadt, Germany--German carmaker Audi may use Groupe Michelin's PAX extended mobility tyre/wheel system for its entire vehicle range in five to six years, according to an engineer with Audi's advanced car design team. Audi, part of...

Pirelli earns award from F&S.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] San Jose, California--Pirelli Tire North America earned the 2001 Frost & Sullivan Market Engineering Technology Innovation Award for its Modular Integrated Robotised System manufacturing technology. The market information firm bestowed...

Goodyear to spend $250 million on US tyre plant.(Lawton/Fort Sill, OK passenger tire plant)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Lawton/Fort Sill, Oklahoma--Goodyear's pending $250-million modernisation/expansion of its Lawton/Fort Sill passenger tyre plant will make the 24-year-old facility a showcase for the company's proprietary Impact production system. A central...

S Korean tyre output to rise.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Seoul, South Korea--Production of tyres by South Korean manufacturers should grow 4 percent over 2001, to nearly 73 million units, according to the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association. Exports will rise 2.3 percent, to 49 million tyres, the...

Stomil investors renew attack on Michelin: auditor BDO suggests that costs for Stomil's sales to Michelin companies exceed the benefits of Michelin majority ownership. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Minority shareholders in Stomil Olsztyn have launched a series of legal actions against the Polish tyre maker's main shareholder, Groupe Michelin concerning its management of the company. The move followed criticisms of Michelin in a report...

Michelin updates links with Tigar in Yugoslavia.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Clermont-Ferrand, France--Groupe Michelin is to form a joint venture with Tigar AD of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to produce and market tyres and tubes. An agreement to set up the venture was signed 13 Dec under new Yugoslavian...

SmarTire in UK deal with MetaSystem.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Richmond, British Columbia--SmarTire Systems Inc. has inked an agreement with MetaSystem UK Ltd under which the European company will distribute SmarTire's aftermarket tyre pressure monitoring systems to the consumer market through its 25...

Conti sells UK tyre chain.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Hanover, Germany--Continental AG has sold its UK tyre sales chain National Tyre Service and wholesale company Viking International to Axle Group Holdings, in a management buyout. Terms of the acquisition, which was completed on 28 Dec, were...

Goodyear sells speciality chemicals unit: Littlejohn renames Goodyear Chemicals Eliokem, and aims for growth, especially in the US. (Supplier news).(Goodyear Chemical reported $120 mn in sales in 2001 for its speciality chemicals business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Goodyear has sold its speciality chemicals business, which includes resins, elastomeric modifiers and rubber and plastic antidegradants, to Littlejohn & Co. llc, a private equity firm. Goodyear Chemical will continue to produce synthetic...

Degussa enters silica JV in Turkey: stake in Turkish silica maker will strengthen Degussa's position in the region. (Supplier news).(Deal for precipitated silica maker)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Degussa AG has acquired a 25-percent share of Turkish precipitated silica maker Egesil AS and plans eventually to take a majority stake in the firm, based in Adapazari, near Izmit. Egesil has an annual production capacity of about 8...

Solvay inks agreement to acquire Ausimont: deal will mark Solvay's entry into the speciality fluoroelastomers market. (Supplier news).(Will expand Solvay's fluorinated specialities business)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Solvay SA has signed an agreement to acquire Ausimont from Montedison for 1300 million [euro] ($1170 million). The two European companies expect to complete the deal in the first half of 2002, subject to approvals from regulatory and antitrust...

EniChem businesses join Polimeri Europa: Italian chemical major reorganises EniChem unit ahead of possible sale to SABIC. (Supplier news).(Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp. seeks to acquire EniChem's three main units)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Eni of Italy has transferred EniChem's three main businesses--olefins & aromatics, styrenics and elastomers--into the group's polyethylene subsidiary Polimeri Europa. The move comes amid a bid by SABIC (Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp.) to...

Daiso to double silane capacity in Japan.(Daiso's tire additives plant ready to open)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Tokyo--Daiso Co. is to double its production capacity for silane coupling agents to 2000 tonnes per annum. The expansion at Daiso's tyres additives plant at Amagasaki is due to come on stream in April, according to a company spokesman.

Dow Reichhold speciality latex JV starts.(Dow Chemical Co., and Reichhold Inc. form speciality latex joint venture firm)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Midland, Michigan--Dow Chemical Co. and Reichhold Inc. have launched their speciality latex joint venture, called Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex llc, Dow announced 2 Jan. With 400 employees and sales, marketing and research facilities...

Yule Catto rejig expands Synthomer portfolio.(Harlow Chemical Co. and Revertex Belgium amalgamated)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Harlow, UK--Yule Catto plc has amalgamated two polymer units--Harlow Chemical Co. Ltd (Harco) and Revertex Belgium--into its Synthomer synthetic latex business. Harco makes polyvinyl alcohol and polymer dispersions for surface coatings,...

Dainippon Ink to make tyre additive in China.(Will produce cobalt-based adhesion promoters at new plant)(International Pages)
February 1, 2002... [] Tokyo--Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc. is to establish a plant in China to manufacture cobalt-based adhesion promoters for use in steel-belted radial tyres. The facility, in the Guangdong Province, is due to start production in April with...

Tripartite rubber plan gets under way: South-east Asian NR producers aim to restrict rubber supply through three-way pact. (Supplier news).(Natural rubber prices may rise after production cuts)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand launched 1 Jan their joint plan to bolster natural rubber prices through cutting production of NR by 4 percent and exports by 10 percent. The measure will be made under the terms of the Tripartite Rubber...

NR to grow again, predicts EIU.(Global consumption of natural rubber )(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] London--Global consumption of natural rubber should return to growth this year, predicts the Economist Intelligence Unit Ltd, which recorded a 2-percent fall in NR consumption in the first half of 2001 versus the prior year period. This...

Rubber sales fall for 10th month in a row.(Global rubber demand drops in November)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Wembley, England--Global rubber demand fell in November for the 10th consecutive month, and for the full year will decline about 3 percent, according to the International Rubber Study Group. Demand for rubber peaked at 18.1 million...

US rubber trade deficit drops.(U.S. rubber product trade deficit drops to $257.7 mn)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... [] Washington--The US rubber product trade deficit decreased 11 percent in August 2001, continuing a year-long trend toward better trade balance. The deficit for the month fell to $257.7 million, down from $289.5 million in August 2000,...

Divestiture to open doors for Rhein Chemie: Rubber chemicals supplier feels separation from Bayer will raise its competitiveness. (Supplier news).(Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH will reposition itself in polymers marketplace)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Bayer AG's plan to divest its Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH subsidiary will give the supplier of polymer additives and dispersions the opportunity to reposition itself in the marketplace, according to Rhein Chemie's top executive. "Changes in...

EC responds to rubber black dumping claim.(European carbon black producers hurt)(Government Activity)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Brussels--The European Commission has started anti-dumping proceedings against Egyptian and Russian rubber black producers. The move initiated on 21 Dec followed a complaint by the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic). European...

Guide on rubber tests for FEA in progress.(New finite element analysis guide for British Standards Institution)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Brickendonbury--Rubber Consultants, the consultancy arm of the Hertford, UK-based Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, is to prepare a guide for the British Standards Institution on the application of rubber testing to finite element analysis...

Clwyd to compound perfluoroelastomers.(Clwyd Compounders Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... [] Ruabon, Wales--Specialist UK compounder Clwyd Compounders Ltd is to extend its range by adding perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) mixes. Clwyd describes the specialist FFKM elastomers as "the world's most expensive elastomers." Such expensive...

Aspin targets new markets for CTM device: cavity transfer mixers to find wider use after patent expires, says UK machinery maker. (Supplier News).(Aspin Engineering offers cavity transfer mixers)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Aspin Engineering of Manchester has started marketing cavity transfer mixers (CTMs) to end users and extruder makers. The move follows the completion of licensee arrangements with Rapra Technology Ltd, after the recent expiry of Rapra's patents...

Rapra to present MBO plan to members. (Rubber News).(Rapra Technology Ltd. considers management buyout)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Rapra Technology Ltd is sounding out its 205 member companies and 143 staff about a management buyout plan for the UK-based polymer consultancy. A proposal concerning the MBO will be put to members later this year, possibly before the company's...

Siemens names new MPM chairman, CFO.(Mannesmann Plastics Machinery AG; Pepyn-Rene Dinandt)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Munich, Germany--Siemens AG has named two new executives to run Mannesmann Plastics Machinery AG, with effect from 1 Feb. The new chairman, Pepyn-Rene Dinandt, is also new to plastics machinery. Dinandt is an executive at Siemens' Power...

Tyre safety system wins Siemens 400m [euro] orders: German group reports rapid take-up of its new tyre safety systems by major car makers worldwide. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Siemens VDO Automotive AG has orders totalling over 400 million [euro] ($350 million) for its Tire Guard tyre-pressure monitors. The orders, from four unidentified automotive manufacturers from Europe, Japan and the US followed the system's...

Schrader to supply GM.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... London--Northern Ireland-based Schrader Electronics, part of Tomkins plc, is to supply remote tyre pressure monitoring systems (RTPMS) for General Motors light trucks (LTs). The deal applies to future GM LT production in North America, as...

BERU wins TPM order in US.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Ludwigsburg, Germany--BERU Group has won an order to supply electronic tyre pressure monitoring systems to a major US car maker. The deal initially involves the supply of 300 000 wheel electronics and sensors unit modules per annum from model...

Monitors for trucks on offer.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Clermont-Ferrand, France--Groupe Michelin and braking systems company WABCO have launched what they claim is the first tyre pressure monitoring system for commercial vehicles. The system, called the Integrated Vehicle Tyre Monitoring...

Co-moulding with LSR. (Adhesives).(liquid silicone rubber)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Increasing quality requirements and economic pressures are forcing more and more companies to look at two-component injection moulding processes. The combination of liquid silicone rubbers and thermoplastics has advantages over combinations of...

Bonding preparation saves time: Lord Corp. evaluates the kinetics of bond formation, corrosion resistance, and environmental resistance of a new aqueous, heavy-metal-free, metal treatment system for rubber-to-metal bonding.
February 1, 2002... The system combines the functions of chemical pretreatment, rubber-to-metal priming, and corrosion protection in one process. (Adhesives) The process for bonding rubber to metal has evolved over the years. Prior to 1940, natural rubber was...

Keeping track of latex regulations: it's vital for makers of gloves and other latex devices to be up to date with measures that regulate their products. In a field that is ever more strongly controlled, the penalty for non-compliance can be high, as delegates at a recent meeting heard. (Latex developments).
February 1, 2002... "US regulatory agencies have a lot of power to determine how industry operates," and many also support themselves through the fines they can impose, according to Lillie Thomas. She is vice president of quality assurance and regulatory...

Pundits optimistic about latex's future. (Latex developments).
February 1, 2002... Despite problems in the NR latex sector--low prices, a fragmented structure and the protein allergy issue--demand for protective products is high and rising. One driving factor is increasingly high healthcare standards in the developing...

Suppliers aid latex users: granular accelerators, effective antioxidants, plus emulsifiers, stabilisers and defoamers, are all contributing to better latex products, as are advances in the basic polymers. (Latex developments).
February 1, 2002... Rubber chemicals supplier Flexsys NV has recently developed a granular form of accelerators for latex. Advantages for users include reduced dust, lower contamination and better working conditions, and the granules can be supplied in 500 kg...

Diary.
February 1, 2002... Readers are strongly advised to confirm details with organizers before making any travel arrangements. An updated list of industry events is available on the ERJ website at http://www.crain.co.uk/ FEBRUARY * IRSG/International Rubber...