European Rubber Journal articles from January 2003

European Rubber Journal archives from January 2003

Bridgestone lays out plan for European attack: Japanese tyre group to target Europe's high-performance tyre sector. (Rubber news).
January 1, 2003... Bridgestone/Firestone Europe SA (BFE) has launched a 400-million [euro] ($408 million) business plan to raise its share of the high-performance lyre market in Europe. The company will also drop `Firestone' from its name, under the strategy...

New US name.(Bridgestone Corp. to rename US business unit Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Citing a desire to "build a strong, high performance corporate identity under the Bridgestone name," Bridgestone Corp. will rename its US business unit Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc., from 1 Jan The change will not affect other units,...

Price fixing probe spreads to EPDM: rubber supply sector suffers a third time as Crompton triggers EPDM investigation. (Rubber news).
January 1, 2003... EPDM rubber producers are the target of new price fixing investigations launched 12 Dec by authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. Over the last two months, European and North American officials have launched similar probes in the rubber...

Phoenix sells hydraulic hose unit to Knapheide: non core business cut as Phoenix continues to focus on more profitable segments such as oil hose. The on feeder hose pictured is made by Phoenix's Taurus unit in Hungary. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Phoenix AG has sold its European industrial hydraulic hose activities to Germany's Knapheide GmbH Hydrauliksysteme, with effect from 1 Jan 2003. The transaction involves Phoenix's Waltershausen location in eastern Germany, and includes...

Italian firm to make hose in Czech Republic: first non-domestic production venture for IVG Colbachini. (Rubber news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Italian hose producer IVG Colbachini SpA has started construction of its first overseas manufacturing plant, an industrial hose facility in the Czech Republic. The IVG Colbachini CZ unit, sited in Krnov in the Moravian-Silesian region,...

ContiTech opens Romania belt unit.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Hanover, Germany -- ContiTech's power transmission belting division has opened its new factory in the west Romanian Town of Timisoara. An initial investment of 6 million [euro] has allowed ContiTech to further expand "our production...

Gates moving HQ.(Gates Rubber Co. relocating its world headquarters to modern building in downtown Denver)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Denver -- Gates Rubber Co. is relocating its world headquarters from an historic industrial factory site to a modern 10-storey building in lower downtown Denver. The company will move about 850 employees to the new Legacy Plaza office...

Veritas opens hose plant in Spain.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] London -- German supplier Veritas invested 800 000 [euro] in a new facility that will open in early 2003 at Cugat del Valles, Spain. Veritas' Spanish subsidiary, Veritas Hispania, will operate the plant with 24 employees. It will make...

Trelleborg adds to fender business with US buy; Swedish company buys US marine fender unit as it aims for No 1 in this market. (Rubber news).
January 1, 2003... Trelleborg AB has bought Seaward International Inc., a producer of marine fenders based in Clearbrook, Virginia, for an undisclosed price. Seaward International, which employs 60, makes dock and floating fenders at two plants in the...

New plant move.(Trelleborg's Industrial Antivibration Systems unit )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Trelleborg's Industrial Antivibration Systems unit has officially taken over its purpose built 10-million [pounds sterling] plant at Bursom Park, Leicester, UK. Trelleborg IAVS will finish moving into this 13 000-[m.sup.2] unit early next...

TI shifts production focus eastward: UK fuel and hose group's mission to Eastern Europe generates new contracts. (Rubber news).(TI Automotive searches central and eastern Europe for new sources of supply)
January 1, 2003... TI Automotive is searching central and eastern Europe for new sources of supply. TI's European chief executive officer Howard Duxbury is heading a purchasing mission that started in June in Brno, the Czech Republic. The latest stops were...

Galaxy Tire advances Yugoslav presence: Trayal is to make more tyres for US firm, which is also taking control of Serbian tyre maker Ruma. (Tyre news).(Galaxy Tire & Wheel Inc. extends off-take tyre manufacturing relationship with Trayal Corp. and to buy majority control of Rumaguma AD)
January 1, 2003... Speciality tyre company Galaxy Tire & Wheel Inc. has extended its off-take tyre manufacturing relationship with Yugoslavia's Trayal Corp. It has also entered a final phase of negotiations to acquire majority control of another Yugoslav tyre...

KoSa expanding US, Mexican tyre cord units. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Polyester fibre maker KoSa is expanding its tyre cord production facilities at Queretaro, Mexico and Salisbury, North Carolina, the company announced 25 Nov. In Queretaro, KoSa will convert existing capacity to increase production of its...

Kumho sale to industrial consortium lapses.(Kumho Industrial Co. Ltd.'s negotiations with JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Carlyle Group break down regarding Kumho Tire Co. Ltd. unit after negotiations with an investors' consortium involving JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Carlyle Group broke down, reportedly over the sale price)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Seoul, South Korea -- Kumho Industrial Co. Ltd is back to square one regarding its Kumho Tire Co. Ltd unit after negotiations with an investors' consortium involving JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Carlyle Group broke down, reportedly over the...

Michelin sells tyre cord plant.(Michelin North America Inc. to sell Scottsville, Virginia, textile processing plant to Hyosung America Inc. )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Greenville, South Carolina -- Michelin North America Inc. has agreed to sell its Scottsville, Virginia, textile processing plant to Hyosung America Inc., an affiliate of South Korea's Hyosung Corp, for an undisclosed price. Michelin...

Yokohama back in the black.(Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Tokyo -- Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd's North American operations posted an operating profit of $7.5 million during the six month period ended 30 Sept, reflecting the company's efforts to reverse several years of losses. The turn around in North...

SmarTire wins contracts.(SmarTire Systems Inc wins contracts for its tyre pressure and temperature monitoring devices)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Richmond, British Columbia -- SmarTire Systems Inc is to supply its tyre pressure and temperature monitoring devices to a "premier" European car maker beginning in mid-2003. The contract's projected value is between $3.77 million and $6.2...

Bridgestone to expand tyre making in Thailand; third Thai tyre plant will make radial bus, truck tyres. (Tyre news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Bridgestone Corp. said it will build a radial truck and bus tyre plant in Thailand--its third tyre facility in that country--at a cost of $139 million. The factory, located about 60 miles south of Bangkok, in Chonburi, will begin operation...

Nizhnekamsk opens US marketing office. (Tyre news).(JSC Nizhnekamsk to begin selling farm and off-the-road tyres through independent marketing firm, Kama Interamerica Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Russian tyre maker JSC Nizhnekamsk plans to start selling Kama-brand farm and off-the-road tyres throughout the western hemisphere through an independent marketing company, Kama Interamerica Ltd of Miami. Nizhnekamsk is completing tests on...

Reshuffle for Goodyear UK tyre operations. (Tyre news).(Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe downgrades status of UK manufacturing operations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe has downgraded the status of its UK manufacturing operations, which are based in Wolverhampton. All UK tyre plants are to report directly to the firm's regional manufacturing headquarters in Luxembourg, instead of...

Elemica claims tyre deal first.(the e-business firm for chemicals industry carries out its first transaction between Bayer AG, Degussa, and unnamed tire firm)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Wayne, Pennsylvania -- Elemica an e-business company for the chemicals industry, has carried out its first transaction between Bayer AG, Degussa, and an unnamed global tyre maker. The two suppliers achieved more accurate order processing...

Tough business climate puts stop to UK tyre show.(InterTyre show will not place as scheduled for 4/03 in Birmingham, UK)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] London -- the InterTyre show, scheduled to take place in Birmingham, UK, 27-30 April 2003 will not now take place, according to a statement from the National Tyre Distributors' Association one of the main sponsors of the event. ...

PolyOne exits Italian TPE maker So.F.Ter: PolyOne and Italian compounder are to go their separate ways but will retain relationship based around So.F.Ter's TPV technology. (Supplier News).(PolyOne Corp. sells 70% stake in So.F.Ter S.p.A. to team led by Dr Italo Carfagnini)
January 1, 2003... PolyOne Corp. has sold its 70-percent stake in So.F.Ter SpA (Societa Forli Thermoplastichi) to a team led by Dr Italo Carfagnini, managing director of the Italian compounder. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Under the deal, PolyOne...

Zeon to use AES technology for TPEs; deal between TPE and elastomer supplier to develop heat-and-oil-resistant TPEs. (Supplier News).(Zeon Chemicals L.P. gets license to use Advanced Elastomer Systems L.P.'s thermoplastic vulcanisates technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Advanced Elastomer Systems LP has given Zeon Chemicals LP an exclusive license to use AES technology involving heat- and oil-resistant thermoplastic vulcanisates. Zeon will combine AES know-how with its speciality elastomers to produce and...

Rhein Chemie sale to Advent falls through: surprise announcement heralds continued period of uncertainty for Bayer additives business. (Supplier news).(sale of Bayer AG subsidiary Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH to Advent International Corp. terminated)
January 1, 2003... The sale of Bayer AG subsidiary Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH to US equity firm Advent International Corp. has been terminated by mutual consent. The parties "were unable to agree on a number of outstanding points," Bayer announced 5 Dec. ...

Six carbon black makers face pricing probe: suppliers to the tyre industry are hit by a new price fixing investigation on both sides of the Atlantic. (Rubber news).
January 1, 2003... European and US authorities have launched a coordinated investigation into alleged price fixing by carbon black suppliers. The probe, which started on 19 Nov, covers at least six companies. The world's three largest carbon black...

Great Lakes buys Flexsys America business.(Great Lakes Chemical Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Indianapolis, Indiana -- Great Lakes Chemical Corp. has purchased Flexsys America LP's nonstaining phenolic antioxidants business and process technology for an undisclosed sum. Indianapolis-based Great Lakes said it will expand factories...

Dow opens latex unit in China.(Dow Chemical Co. inaugurates new styrene butadiene latex plant in Zhangjiagang)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Zhangjiagang, China -- Dow Chemical Co. has formally inaugurated a new styrene butadiene latex plant in Zhangjiagang, in the People's Republic of China, the company announced 25 Nov. The plant is designed for rapid expansion, according...

Injection firms combine.(Demag Ergotech GmbH and Van Dorn Demag Corp. merging into single firm called Demag Plastics Group)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Schwaig, Germany -- Two firms that already work closely together, Demag Ergotech GmbH and Van Dorn Demag Corp., announced their formal marriage on 19 Nov. Demag Ergotech GmbH manufactures injection moulding machines with clamping forces...

Huber to raise silica prices.(Huber Engineered Materials)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Atlanta -- J.M. Huber Corp.'s Huber Engineered Materials unit plans to raise prices for silicas and silicates by 7 to 8 percent on average, effective 1 Jan. The increase, the first in more than two years, is being doric to help offset rising...

New female condom is latex.(Dr A.V.K. Reddy designed the condom which is sold by Intellx Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Petoskey, Michigan -- A new latex condom for women, containing a PU sponge, was launched in the US on World AIDS Day, 1 Dec. Currently, the patented V-Amour--designed by Dr A.V.K. Reddy and sold by Intellx Inc. of Petoskey, Michigan--is...

Premier Tech buys Chronos Richardson: UK materials handling firm becomes part of global operation. (Supplier news).(Chronos Richardson sold by BMH)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Materials handling equipment supplier Chronos Richardson has been sold by owners BMH to Canadian group Premier Tech of Riviere-du-Loup, Canada. The Nottingham, UK-based operation will become part of Premier Tech's packaging business,...

Initiative to eliminate UK powdered glove use: partners agree to work towards reducing allergy risks from latex gloves in UK health system. (Supplier news).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Health authorities in the UK, along with latex glove makers and trade unions, have agreed to jointly draw up new guidelines to regulate the use of latex gloves in the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The agreement was reached at a...

Latex industry examined.(report finds globbal market for natural and synthetic latex is now over 9 million tonnes)
January 1, 2003... [] Shawbury UK -- A new market study from Rapra Technology Ltd focuses on, "tremendous changes in the latex market" resulting from the increased use of disposable gloves in the medical sector and from, "the search for elastomers which do not...

Ford eyes test for better weatherstrip sealing: high/low temperature stress relaxation test should provide better performance prediction for TPEs and EPDM. (Automotive news).
January 1, 2003... Ford Motor Co. may establish a new dynamic weatherstrip test that could settle the question of what material has better long-term compression set performance, EPDM or thermoplastic vulcanisates. The test could also help make seal-related...

Solvay expanding TPO use into belt-line carriers: new outlet for TPOs stimulated by TPV use in belt line seals. (Automotive news).(Solvay Engineered Polymers Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A new marketing approach by Solvay Engineered Polymers Inc. sees it pitching its thermoplastic olefins for use as the carrier component on inner and outer belt-line seals made of thermoplastic vulcanisates, for car door windows. Carriers...

VW using TPV for Polo belt line seal.(Volkswagen AG uses Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanisate for innere belt line seal on new Polo AO4)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Brussels -- Volkswagen AG is using Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanisate for the inner belt line seal on its new Polo AO4 model. The co-extruded seal has a rigid polypropylene base reinforced with metal, with the sealing lip made from...

Freudenberg awaits shakeout in sealing: German-based seal maker is gearing up for new consolidation in supply sector. (Automotive news).
January 1, 2003... Freudenberg plans to use its size, technology prowess and global alliances to prosper in an anticipated consolidation of the sealing segment. "The supplier concentration process is only starting [among automotive sealing suppliers]," said...

Metzeler supplies first seals.(Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems' thermoplastic vulcanisate inner belt seals used on 2003 Chrysler RS minivans and 2003 Saturn Ion)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Dearborn, Michigan -- Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems has launched thermoplastic vulcanisate inner belt seals for the 2003 Chrysler RS minivans and the 2003 Saturn Ion. These products are the first fitments of their kind in the North...

PU bonding process used in N America.(GDX Automotive transferring polyurethane bonding technology for weatherstrips and related hardware to North American market)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Dearborn, Michigan -- GDX Automotive, the vehicle sealing unit of GenCorp. Inc., is transferring its polyurethane bonding technology for weatherstrips and related hardware to the North American market In this process, the seal is locked...

Globalisation spurs changes in quality: if your process is more sensitive than your tests, you need better tests. according to executives at Alpha Technologies. (Rubber news).(quality control in rubber industry)
January 1, 2003... Quality control in the rubber industry is going through a rapid evolution, according to Jeremy Clarke, Alpha Technologies' vice-president for sales in the European region. "In the past," he said, "processors used the manufacturing process...

ISO 17025.(new standard is for comparing results from different testing machines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Implementation of ISO 17025, a new standard for comparing results from different testing machines, is becoming a significant issue for many companies, says Jeremy Clarke of Alpha Technologies. This standard covers comparison of the measurements...

Avon set for growth after tough times, restructuring: business is more valuable than two years ago, says Avon boss. (Rubber news).(Avon Rubber PLC)
January 1, 2003... Despite showing a loss of 1.5 million [pounds sterling] ($2.37 million) for 2002, Avon Rubber plc's chief executive Steve Willcox is quietly confident that the group's recent restructuring has set the "foundations for growth." Recent moves...

Finnish firm re-invents itself--and intends to do so again and again. (Spotlight on Mar-Con).(Mar-Con Polymers Oy )(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... Mar-Con was a small rubber moulder that turned near-bankruptcy some ten years ago into a positive event. It is now a specialist supplier of seals and other parts with shielding properties, using TPEs, silicone rubber and other advanced...

Europe's auto hose market shows growth. (Automotive hose).(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2003... The European market for hose is still growing, despite a general slow-down in the automotive sector. While the business has restructured over the last few years, only some of the manufacturing capacity has moved to low-cost countries, as...

Phoenix automotive hose strategy.(to focus on 2 main business sectors in the hose area)
January 1, 2003... According to Thilo Moller, head of Phoenix's fluid handling division, the company has been re-thinking its strategy over the last two years and has now decided to concentrate on two main business sectors in the hose area. The first is its fluid...

Fighting for fairness. (Workers' rights).(international union group says rationalisation of tyre making sector into 'triad' structure put workers under pressure globally)
January 1, 2003... Following a major study of the global rubber industry, and a survey of its affiliates, an international union group claims that the rationalisation of the tyre making sector into a `triad' structure has put workers around the world under...

China has most growth potential for carbon black: in a slow-growing global economy, China seems to be "the only game in town," if you're looking for growth, delegates at Carbon Black World 2002 in Nice, France, heard. (carbon black world).
January 1, 2003... While vehicle and tyre markets across the developed world are suffering slow growth, "very exciting things" will occur in the emerging markets, especially in the People's Republic of China, according to Dennis Byrne, emeritus professor of...

China, India analysed for potential tyre growth.(strong vehicle output in turn boosts tire and carbon black demand )
January 1, 2003... India and China are likely to see strong growth in vehicle production over the next years, according to a presentation written by Anil Kumar, president of Hi-Tech Carbon, part of the India-based Birla Group. This in turn will boost tyre demand...

European car sales down six percent in November. (ERJ dataflow).(tables show new passenger car and commercial vehicle registrations in Europe )(Illustration)
January 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...

Diary.(calendar of events for 1/03)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
January 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/ * ITRA Expo 2003. Date tba: Louisville,...

Suspicion of price fixing falls on rubber industry. (Postscript).
January 1, 2003... One antitrust investigation into the rubber industry seems unfortunate, two is a bit too much of a coincidence, but three in as many months is cause for real concern. I wondered a bit when the European and US authorities launched their...

Honda uses Soft-Touch TPE.(thermoplastic elastomers from A Schulman Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... [] Akron, Ohio -- Honda Motor Co. in the US is using soft touch thermoplastic elastomers from A Schulman Inc. for three vehicle platforms. The Invision VX material has been specified for door armrest skills, assist handles, and other...