European Rubber Journal articles from January 2002

European Rubber Journal archives from January 2002

Continental to close Austrian, Swedish units: axe finally falls on troubled Austrian plant as global truck tyre demand drops. Swedish plant is also set to close. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Continental AG plans to initiate the closure of its Traiskirchen factory in Austria, with the loss of nearly 1000 jobs. It is also planning a similar move at its Continental Gislaved Dack unit in Gislaved, Sweden, with the loss of 774 jobs in...

Vita divests rubber unit to management team: rubber compounds unit goes to MBO as Vita continues non-core disposals. (Rubber news).(British Vita PLC)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... British Vita plc has sold its rubber compounding subsidiary, Vitacom, to a management buyout team headed by Chris Turner, managing director of the business. Following the deal's completion on 30 Nov, the company has been renamed E3g, a...

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres wins $7 million contract.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Birmingham, UK--Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd (DATL) has won a $7-million contract to supply tyres to FLS Aerospace in Dublin, London-Stansted and Palma. The five-year deal with the Danish-owned aircraft maintenance firm covers the requirements...

Parker to acquire Saiag hose unit: US firm to pay $68 million for Italian hose making and rubber compounds unit. (Rubber news).(Parker Hannifin acquires ITR S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Parker Hannifin Corp. is to acquire ITR SpA of Italy--Saiag Group's hose making and rubber compounds subsidiary--for $68 million in cash. The companies expect to complete the deal in the first quarter of 2002, subject to regulatory approval....

Bayer to sell Rhein Chemie & PolymerLatex: Bayer is continuing its recent reorganization to give sharper focus on core businesses. One single polymer unit will be created for rubber, plastics and polyurethanes as well as coatings and colorants, but some non-core businesses will be sold. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Bayer AG plans to sell its 50-percent interest in latex manufacturer PolymerLatex GmbH & Co. KG of Marl, Germany, and will also sell the rubber additive maker Rhein Chemie Rheinau of Mannheim, Germany, as part of continued restructuring at the...

EC clears ZF to buy Mannesmann Sachs: European commission approves deal which creates Germany's third largest supplier of automotive components. (Rubber news).(ZF Friedrichshafen AG)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The European Commission has approved automotive components maker ZF Friedrichshafen AG's planned takeover of German engineering firm Mannesmann Sachs AG (Sachs). ZF supplies transmission units, components for axles and chassis units,...

Michelin plans Moscow tyre-making venture: European Bank for reconstruction and development to fund Michelin ventures in Russia and Romania. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Groupe Michelin is seeking to establish production facilities in Russia with the help of a $20-million financial support package from the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Under a funding proposal to the...

Checkmate to supply Norwegian navy.(with hull-pressure seals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Melksham, UK--The Checkmate Group has gained what it describes as a multi-million pound contract to supply hull-pressure seals for the Norwegian navy's fleet of mine clearance and counter-measure vessels (MCMV). The Melksham, UK-based...

Bayer may halt EPDM project: German firm considering delaying one EPDM plant expansion in response to lower demand projections.(Ethylene-propylene diene monomer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Bayer AG is reviewing the timing of a plan to increase its EPDM capacity at Marl, Germany, according to Werner Spinner, Bayer managing board member. However, a second expansion at Bayer's other EPDM plant in Orange, Texas, is definitely going...

Ford recalling cars.(Ford Focus)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Detroit, Michigan--Ford Motor Co. is offering to replace rear wheel seals on 279 646 Focus vehicles in the US and Canada. The seals may experience surface corrosion in areas where salt is used on roadways in the winter, Ford said. The problem...

TPV replaces EPDM.(on Opel Astra headlamp seals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Brussels--Headlamp seals for the new Opel Astra (below) are to be made from Advanced Elastomer System's Santoprene, replacing vulcanised EPDM rubber. The thermoplastic vulcanisate grade used, TPV M 100, gives good stress relaxation and...

Second JV for ContiTech Fluid unit in China: German firm clinches second Chinese JV for automotive hose products. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... ContiTech Fluid, part of ContiTech Holding, has completed the acquisition of a 51-percent stake in Grand Ocean, a Chinese hose manufacturer based in Chang Chun, Jilin Province. The deal, first announced in April, has led to the formation of a...

Meteor starts work on new sealing plant: automotive seals plant in eastern Germany may double employment. (Rubber news).(Meteor Gummiwerke KH Badje GmbH and Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Meteor Gummiwerke KH Badje GmbH and Co. has held a ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of a new automotive seals facility at Worbis in the Thuringia region of eastern Germany. Bockenem-based Meteor aims to transfer operations from...

Dana to consolidate engine, fluid units: extensive global restructuring to eliminate 11 000 jobs cost $445 million. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Dana Corp. is consolidating its engine and fluid businesses as part of "the most extensive restructuring" the company has ever undertaken. Dana will take a charge of about $445 million to combine those two groups and integrate the axle...

Seals and gaskets to reach $9700 million in 2005.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... * Cleveland Ohio--Demand for seals and gaskets in the US is predicted to rise by nearly 5 percent annually to reach $9700 in 2005, according to market research firm The Freedonia Group Inc. Healthy aftermarket opportunities will contribute...

Endless belts from Warbrick.(Haul-offs for cable, tubing and flexible products)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... * Knutsford, UK--Warbrick International Ltd, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, has launched a range of endless haul-off belts, under the CIGO brand name. These are individually made to specific application requirements. The products are assembled...

Trelleborg to invest 10 million [pounds sterling] in UK. (Rubber news).(Will build new plant in Leicester, UK)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Trelleborg group subsidiary Trelleborg Industrial AVS has revealed details of its plans to build a 10-million [pounds sterling] ($15-million) factory at Bursom Park, on the northern outskirts of Leicester, UK. "This is a significant statement...

Vorwerk takes over Magna's sealing unit: deal gives German firm better access to car makers in southern Germany as well as production units in Germany and Poland. (Rubber news).(Vorwerk Dichtungssysteme GmbH acquires Magna Spiegelsysteme unit)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Vorwerk Dichtungssysteme GmbH, a subsidiary of Vorwerk & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, has taken over the high-quality profile systems business of Magna Spiegelsysteme, based in Zaberfeld, near Heilbronn, Germany. No financial details were released, but...

Foamed TPV for Fiat Punto.(New co-extruded hood seal)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... * Brussels--Foamed Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanisate has been specified for use in a co-extruded hood seal on the latest Fiat Punto models thermoplastic vulcanisate supplier Advanced Elastomer Systems said The product is formed by...

Gates starts belt production in Poland.(New automotive parts plant)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Legnica Poland--Gates Rubber Co has officially started production of automotive and industrial synchronous belts, V-belts and multi-ribbed belts at a new plant in Poland. The 16 100-[m.sup.2] facility at Legnica is expected to employ over 250...

Smiths in talks to sell John Crane-Lips unit.(Wartsila Corp. buys John Crane-Lips from Smiths Group plc)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * London--Smiths Group plc is negotiating the possible sale of its John Crane-Lips marine propulsion, seals and bearings unit to Wartsila Corp., a supplier of ship power and power generation systems. John Crane-Lips, which employs 1300 at...

Laird buys R&F, boosts EMI-shielding lines: UK group to apply acquired expertise in shielding to high frequency applications. (Rubber news).(Laird Technologies acquires R and F Products Inc.'s high-end EMI absorption technology)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Laird Group plc has purchased R&F Products Inc. to augment its electromagnetic interference shielding offerings. Laird Technologies, the global leader in the EMI shielding market, will pay $5 million and another $1.5 million in a contingent...

CSO Deep Blue's pipe-laying capacity extended.(Large capacity installation for laying oil and gas pipelines)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Aalten, The Netherlands---The Beele Engineering `RISE' fire-safe cable-ducting system, installed as an original fitting on the CSO Deep Blue pipe-laying vessel, has made an extension to the vessel's pipe-laying capabilities simple. The...

Seacon uses HP seals in underwater connectors.(New optical fiber cable connectors)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... * Poole, UK--A new range of subsea connectors for optical fibre cables made by Seacon (Europe) uses rubber seals and boots from DP Seals Ltd of Poole, Dorset, UK. The connectors allow optical, electrical and hybrid cables to be easily and...

Tokai advances fuel hose.(New automotive fuel hose reduces hydrocarbon emissions)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... * Tokyo--Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd (TRI) has developed an automotive fuel hose, which, it claims, cuts hydrocarbon emissions to 1 percent of current levels. The product is based on a new technology for coating fluorine-containing resin onto...

UK closure as Avon profits tumble: restructuring at Avon in light of aggressive hose pricing in Europe forces closure of hose plant at Trowbridge. (Rubber news).(Avon Rubber PLC restructures its European automotive operations)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Avon Rubber plc plans to close its UK hose plant at Trowbridge with the loss of 285 jobs under a restructuring of its European automotive activities. Overall, the programme will cost 17.5 million [pounds sterling] ($10.5 million) in 2002, but...

SKF sets up new global aerospace unit. (Rubber news).(SKF Aerospace unit focuses on air technology sector)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Five high technology business units have been combined to form the SKF Aerospace unit, focussed on supplying parts to the demanding air technology sector, said a statement from the new organisation. The units, employing a total of over 2000...

Correction.(Injection moulding machines)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2002... * Various inaccuracies appeared in a piece about DJ Profiles in ERJDec (p 7). DJ Profiles has four injection moulding machines, not departments; the new toolmaking unit is not housed on the mezzanine floor; and Lewis Neilsen's name was spelt as...

Bridgestone lowers 2001 earnings projections: Japanese tyre maker lowers forecast to meet US recall costs. (Tyre news).(Reports 27.6% drop in pre-tax income to $628 mn)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Bridgestone Corp. has lowered its corporate sales and earnings projections for 2001 to Ireflect a decline in unit sales at Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding Inc. Bridgestone is now projecting a 27.6-percent decline in ordinary (before tax)...

Tomkins firm wins GM tyre monitor contract.(General Motors light trucks supplier contract)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * London--Northern Ireland-based Schrader Electronics, part of Tomkins plc's Industrial and Automotive Division, has won a contract to supply remote tyre pressure monitoring systems (RTPMS) for General Motors light trucks. The deal applies...

Restructuring at Trelleborg Wheel Systems.(Cuts one-third of its workforce)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Trelleborg, Sweden--Trelleborg AB is cutting 156 jobs--about a third of the workforce--at its Trelleborg Wheel Systems unit, based in Trelleborg. The move follows a 15-20 percent drop in agricultural tyre demand and expectations that...

Satra buys Hampden Test Equipment Ltd.(Satra Technology Centre)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Kettering, UK--Satra Technology Centre has acquired Hampden Test Equipment Ltd, a Northampton, UK-based manufacturer of hardness, resilience and abrasion test machinery. The deal will add 2 million [pounds sterling] ($2.8 million) to Satra's...

Pakistani tyre firm threatened by imports.(General Tyre and Rubber Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Despite achieving record sales, General Tyre & Rubber Co. of Pakistan is facing increasing pressure from currency factors and low-cost imports, the company reported. Production of 785 269 tyres and sales of 812 543 tyres represented growth...

Vredestein now forecasting a loss in 2001: difficult trading conditions and other costs undermine earlier forecast. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Vredestein NV will make a "substantial loss" in 2001 rather than a profit, as previously forecast, the Dutch tyre and rubber boot manufacturer announced 3 Dec. The downgrade is due mainly to difficult trading conditions and one-off provisions...

Personal transportation device rides on Michelins: Novel gyroscopic -- stabilised scooter uses non-marking tyres with tread which allows precision handling. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Segway Human Transporter self-balancing, electric-powered personal transportation device unveiled in December depends on newly developed Michelin Balance tyres for its traction, ride and mobility. Michelin North America Inc. developed the...

VMI and CIMA in tyre press link: dutch firm adds Italian curing presses to product portfolio. (Tyre news).(VMI Epe Holland, CIMA Impianti)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... VMI Epe Holland BV is teaming up with Italian curing press maker CIMA Impianti SpA to promote CIMA's tyre curing system, the CTC Press. Designed to increase uniformity while using less energy, the CTC press differs in several ways from...

Michelin to expand earthmover plant.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Columbia, South Carolina--Michelin North America Inc. will expand capacity at an earthmover tyre plant in Lexington County, South Carolina, and may add a number of jobs at the facility in the future. The project, which may take several...

Bridgestone develops "world's largest tyre".(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Tokyo--Bridgestone Corp. is to launch what it claims is the world's largest tyre-- a radial dump truck tyre for use n operation in the mining industry. Designated 59/80R6:3 V-Steel E-Lug S, the tyre has a nominal load rating of 101...

Goodyear restructures North American Tire operations.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Akron, Ohio--Goodyear has restructured its North American Tire business unit to focus on distinct business segments and shifted some executive positions as a result of the changes, the tyre maker announced 30 Nov. The split into...

Sabanci to take KoSa's stake in tyre cord JV: Turkish group takes full control of polyester fibre maker. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Turkish conglomerate Sabanci is to take full control of Sakosa Tire Cord by acquiring KoSa's 50-percent share in the joint venture, based in Izmit, Turkey. The deal is expected to close shortly, subject to regulatory clearance. KoSa will...

JSR launches range of olefinic TPEs: new products offer better softness and elasticity equal to vulcanised rubber. (Supplier news).(thermoplastic elastomers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... JRS Corp. has launched a new range of olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, which are targeted to achieve annual sales of [yen] 2000 million ($17 million), by 2004. The JSR Excelink-branded products include both dynamically crosslinked...

Daikin opens US fluoroelastomer centre.(Daikin America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Orangeburg, New York--Daikin America, a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd of Osaka, Japan, has commissioned a full-service fluoroelastomer applications laboratory at its headquarters in Orangeburg. The facility will support the...

Ajax to play on rubber-filled pitch at Amsterdam Arena.(soccer team)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Maastricht, The Netherlands--Top Dutch soccer team AFC Ajax is to play on artificial grass pitches, which have been made using a rubber infill system supplied by local firm Rubber Resources BV. The firm's Ecorr Infill Pro artificial grass...

December date for NR producers to meet.(natural rubber)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Jakarta, Indonesia--Government ministers from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia--the world's three largest producers of natural rubber--will meet 12 Dec in Bali to complete a joint plan to cut rubber production and boost world prices. ...

Rapra study tracks TPE growth. (Supplier news).(thermoplastic elastomer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Western European demand for TPEs will grow by around 5 percent per annum between 2000 and 2005, about five times faster than the region's thermoset rubber market, estimates Rapra Technology Ltd. Growth in TPE demand is being driven by its...

Degussa and Ameripol ink merger. (Supplier news).(carbon black joint venture)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Degussa Corp. and Ameripol Synpol Corp. subsidiary Engineered Carbons Inc. have agreed plans to combine their North American carbon black businesses. A 50-50 venture is due to begin operating on 1 Jan, 2002, under the name Degussa Engineered...

IISRP will meet in Naples.(International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Houston, Texas--Speakers from throughout the world will make presentations at the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers meeting, 12-15 May, 2002, in Naples, Italy. "An Expertise of Tradition... The Dynamics of Growth"...

ExxonMobil Chemical catalyst comments. (Correction).(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2002... * Following an article in the ERJDecember issue (p28), ExxonMobil Chemical has pointed out that the new plant it is building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is on time. It will use metallocene catalysts to produce new grades to complement the...

Ausimont fluoroelastomer plant on schedule. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Ausimont USA Inc., part of Ausimont SpA of Italy, said it is on schedule with its $20 million project to establish a new fluoroelastomer plant. Located beside the firm's existing headquarters and facilities in Thorofare, New Jersey, the unit is...

Find a rubber expert the easy way: former IRSG executive launches on-line exchange which enables users to tap into industry expertise. (Supplier news).(Philip Watson sets up Elastomer Associates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The new Elastomer Associates website www.elastomers.org.uk, set up for exchange of expertise in the rubber sector, is offering free initial registration to interested parties until the end of March 2002. The aim of the organisation, set up...

Rapra launches handbook.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Shawbury, UK--A new handbook from Rapra Technology Ltd is designed provide a basic foundation in rubber technology, covering recent developments. The 14 chapters, written by experts in their fields, cover natural and synthetic rubber,...

Reichhold to sell Swift.(Swift Adhesives goes to Forbo Holding AG)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Research Triangle Park, North Carolina--Reichhold, Inc., part of Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc., plans to sell its Swift Adhesives business to Zurich-based Forbo Holding AG. Talks with the Swiss maker of adhesives, belting and floor...

Bayer improves cure of thick rubber articles.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Leverkusen, Germany--Bayer claims its Vulcuren agent has been significantly developed to improve crosslinking of thick-walled rubber such as earthmover tyres (above). They can now be cured at high temperatures without surface degradation, for...

Rhodia's US silicone elastomers to move: US silicone elastomer production to move from New York to South Carolina. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Rhodia Inc. said it will move its North American speciality elastomers production to Rock Hill, South Carolina, from Troy, New York. The relocation will be part of a phased implementation that includes a $1.5 million to $2 million expansion of...

Green light for latex JV.(Cleared by the FTC)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Durham, North Carolina--Dow Chemical Co. and Reichhold Inc. have been cleared by the US Federal Trade Commission to move ahead with plans to build a speciality latex joint venture, Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex Ilc. The joint venture is...

ACC opens UK office.(ACC Moulding, an affiliate of ACC Automation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Akron, Ohio--Dip moulding equipment maker ACC Automation Co. has opened a sales and engineering office in the UK to serve the European marketplace. ACC Moulding Systems Ltd opened shop in Shepperton recently under the guidance of Peter...

Columbian makes changes.(Jim Berresse becomes executive vice president carbon black operations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Marietta, Georgia--Columbian Chemicals Co. has appointed Jim Berresse, executive vice president carbon black operations, with responsibility for global manufacturing, sales and marketing, and supply chain. He was previously senior vice...

Chemical spill at Bayer site.(Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany--About 16 tonnes of nitric acid were released into the Rhine by a tanker unloading the chemical at Bayer's Krefeld-Uerdingen site on 21 Nov. The plant uses nitric acid to make nitrobenzene, a feedstock for...

Gumix advances intermesh technology.(New intermeshing rotor designs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Barcelona, Spain--Gumix SA, a Barcelona-based maker of rubber processing equipment, has developed new intermeshing rotor designs, which, it claims, offer a significant improvement over conventional tangential rotor mixers. The new...

Bayer down at Q3.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... * Leverkusen, Germany--Bayer reported third quarter earnings before exceptional items of 66 million [euro] ($59 million) on sales from continuing operations of 6868 million [euro]. Turnover fell 5.9 percent compared to the same period last...

Executives divided over outlook for 2002: rubber industry executives, asked about prospects for the next six months expected slightly slower sales, but nothing disastrous. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Business in 2002 is likely to be patchy. Some companies report strong growth, healthy future orders and no prospect of things slowing down. Others are much less bouyant. Of the people who responded to our snapshot survey, almost all felt...

Synthetic polyisoprene seeks new markets: following a collapse in sales to the type industry, Kraton Polymers is seeking new markets for its Kraton IR product. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Kraton Polymers is developing a latex grade of its Kraton polyisoprene material, but it is currently at least ten times the price of natural rubber latex. The material is being made in Kraton's plant in Pernis, The Netherlands, but is then...

Continental Carbon India plans expansion.(Funding comes from the International Finance Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * New Delhi, India--A Washington-based organisation will invest $20.5 million to finance an expansion of Continental Carbon India Ltd, a carbon black producer owned by Continental Carbon Co. The Indian company said the funds investment from...

Cancarb no longer for sale.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Medicine Hat, Alberta--TransCanada PipeLines Ltd has taken thermal black producer Cancarb Ltd and an adjacent power plant off the market. In a letter to employees, the parent company expressed confidence in the two businesses and concluded they...

Stemaco on track in Spain.(Opens new rubber reprocessing plant near Barcelona, Spain)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Maidenhead, UK--Rubber recycler Stemaco is building a new rubber reprocessing plant to the north of Barcelona, Spain, which is due to open in 2002. This factory will have a modern process line to reprocess synthetic rubber in bale, crumb or...

Otto to lead Berstorff service activities.(Berstorff GmbH's new service center and quality assurance chief)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... * Hanover, Germany--Oliver Otto has been appointed to the new position of head of service centre and quality assurance at Berstorff GmbH, Hanover, part of the Mannesmann Plastics Machinery Group. Otto, who also becomes chief executive officer...

Trelleborg plans more acquisitions: at Trelleborg's capital markets day, the company outlined its plans for the future, and said it was still looking for acquisitions to complement its existing business activities. (Automotive).($20 bn auto supply industry)(International Pages)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Trelleborg is still considering acquisitions and still has the money to do it. Chief executive Fredrik Arp said there are many automotive supply companies for sale. Speaking to financial analysts at the company's capital markets day in...

Trelleborg US division to boost mixing output. (Rubber news).(Expands its noise, vibration and harshness components capacity)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... South Haven, Michigan--Trelleborg Automotive Americas plans to increase its mixing capacity by a third and install equipment to begin full-vehicle durability testing of its noise, vibration and harshness components in the US The technical...

Good news in materials for the latex market: enzymes treated NR latex, a new peroxide post-cure process and synthetic polyisoprene latex are positive developments for a latex sector which has been heavily challenged by allergy issues and a proliferation of regulatory controls in recent years. (Latex developments).(Introduces Allotex enzyme-treated latex)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... "It is good to be able to start presenting the latex industry with solutions instead of problems," commented Frank Perella, vice president of research and development with Tillotson Healthcare Corp. The latex expert was describing the...

Users show interest in polyisoprene latex.(Kraton Polymers' new synthetic polyisoprene latex)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Latex product makers at the meeting showed considerable interest in the synthetic polyisoprene latex developed by Kraton Polymers. Anionic polymerisation produces a cis-1,4 polyisoprene similar to NR, with specific properties and...

Apex--developing medical methods.(Dip-moulded products)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... McGlothlin says he, "figured out ways to solution dip-mould IR in the late 1990s," and also successfully developed peroxide post-cure to make solution dip-moulded products such as catheters and balloons. Then he looked for a source of IR...

Analysing noise patterns: Chicago Rawhide engineers, searching for the source of a `ziz' noise in a modern power steering system, identified the pinion seal as the source. They reproduced the noise in the laboratory, worked out how and why it occurred and used the data to develop a new criterion for vibrational instability. Finally, they re-designed the seal and developed a very specific new compound. (Testing).(Steering gear noise study)
January 1, 2002... It was an intermittent problem. Very intermittent. The steering gear noise occurred only in a very small number of cars and was extremely unstable, appearing one day and disappearing the next. The temperature and pressure of the steering...

Vehicle sales expected to fall in 2002: Charles Young, speaking at Trelleborg's capital markets day in Copenhagen in November.(North American, European automotive sales projections)(International Pages)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Charles Young, speaking at Trelleborg's capital markets day in Copenhagen in November, said the view of his company, LMC International, and its affiliate, J D Power, is that the automotive business is on a cusp at present, changing from a...

DuPont Dow to bring Seadrift on stream. (Elastomers).(Seadrift, Texas plant to open in first quarter of 2002)
January 1, 2002... Following two full-scale trial runs on the former Union Carbide plant in Seadrift, Texas, DuPont Dow says it can bring the plant on stream during the first quarter of 2002. In addition to its plans for the Seadrift plant, the company has...

AIF seeks industrial owner: as fibres producer Acordis finally looks set to be split into separate units and sold the industrial fibres business sets out its stall. (Reinforcement).(CVC Capital Partners' Acordis' textile fiber business)
January 1, 2002... When CVC Capital Partners set up Acordis in 1999, following its purchase of Akzo Nobel's fibres business, the new management was full of enthusiasm for its role. Acordis originally saw itself as becoming a major global fibres supplier, but is...

Bridgestone's goal: regain credibility. (Firestone recall).(Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. splits with Ford Motor Co. over tire recall)
January 1, 2002... Firestone in North America has been under siege for the last year or more, since it was forced to recall over 6 million tyres fitted to the Ford Explorer. Then Ford publicly blamed Firestone and recalled a further 8 million tyres....

End is nigh for Decatur plant. (Firestone recall).(Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. closes 38-year-old tire factory)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The last tyre from Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.'s Decatur plant will be made 14 Dec as the facility's 38-year run as a company factory ends. The majority of workers will be out of the facility by Dec. 14 and 15, said Roger Gates, president...

Measure displacement under load to 0.1 micron. (Product Showcase).(Messmer Instruments' Lab Master Stress-Relaxation Tester)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Lab Master Stress-Relaxation Tester provides precise, repeatable measurement of resilient materials. Force is measured to 0,001 N resolution and 0.02% accuracy. Position is measured to 0.1 micron resolution and 0.2 micron repeatability....

Abrasive Developments Ltd. (Product Showcase).(Vaqua Komet wet blast cabinet)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Abrasive Developments Ltd supplies the Vaqua Komet wet blast cabinet, which has helped companies like Flexsys to cut maintenance costs. The firm had been using a Vaqua for many years and when that wore out wanted to replace it. Abrasive...

Things can only get (a bit) better. (postscript).(rubber industries)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... In earlier pages you will have seen the predictions of many people in this industry. Here, for your entertainment are my own suggestions for some things which might happen in the next few months. First, prices. Raw material prices jumped in...