European Rubber Journal articles from May 2006

European Rubber Journal archives from May 2006

On the ERJ web site ... www.europeanrubberjournal.com.(Website overview)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... You can find all the news we can't fit into the magazine, including... Pirelli lifts N American prices 3 percent... Wennemer expects more runflat sales... ASV expands US rubber track factory... UK truck fleet saves 3 percent on fuel...

Hexagon hit by costs in Q1.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... European engineering group Hexagon AB reported strong growth in the first quarter. The company said overall sales increased 43 percent to SEK 3335 million ([euro]357 million). The company said this improvement was helped by exchange rates and...

UK rubber boot maker goes into receivership; Hunter Rubber, maker of the famous green welly, is sold to investors' consortium.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Hunter Rubber Co., manufacturers of a famous (in the UK) brand of Wellington boot, has been sold to a consortium of investors following the appointment of receivers. The Dumfries, Scotland-based company called in...

ContiTech expands Romanian belt plant.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... ContiTech's Power Transmission Group has expanded capacity for automotive drive-belts at its factory in Timisoara, Romania. ContiTech Romania SBL, the firm's Romanian subsidiary, has opened a new 3440 m[sup.2] plant at its site there, mainly...

Lewis-Goetz buys Goodall Rubber from Trelleborg; Trelleborg disposes of US-based hose and couplings maker, but retains liability for asbestos litigation.(News)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Through its Trelleborg Engineered Systems business area, the Trelleborg Group has sold the operations of its US subsidiary Goodall Rubber Co. for SEK 205 million ([euro]21.8 million), of which SEK 160 million is to be...

Shojiro Ishibashi inducted into Auto Hall of Fame.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The US-based Automotive Hall of Fame has inducted Shojiro Ishibashi, founder of Bridgestone Corp., into its list of honoured contributors to the global automotive industry. The latest round of seven Inductees was announced at the New York...

Smithers buys Rapra Technology; Pensions shortfall forces Rapra into receivership, but White Knight Smithers picks up the pieces.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw The Smithers Group is to purchase Rapra Technology. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The April announcement ended weeks of speculation of the fate of Rapra Technology, which was forced into Administration...

Female Health confirms order for 500 000 female condoms.(Hindustan Latex Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Female Health Co. of Chicago has confirmed that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL), to negotiate, formal agreements related to the manufacture of FC2, the Company's second generation...

Female Health signs distribution agreement with Fuji Latex.(News)
May 1, 2006... The Female Health Co. (FHC) has appointed Fuji Latex as its exclusive marketer and distributor of the female condom in Japan. The agreement was signed 28 March, 2006 and completes FHC's plan to bring the FC female condom to Japanese women. ...

briefs.(Preferred Rubber Compounding Corp. purchases Associated Rubber Co.)(ECI Medical Technologies Inc. receives fund from Atlantic Innovation Fund)(Fenner PLC sells stake to Peotona Group Holdings Ltd.)
May 1, 2006... US-based custom compounders join forces Barberton, Ohio - Preferred Rubber Compounding Corp. has purchased Associated Rubber Co., giving customers of both mixing firms the benefits of multiple production facilities, expanded geographic...

Brown says process can economically restore scrap; As materials costs rise, new technology allows mechanical devulcanisation of process scrap.(Watson-Brown HSM)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Watson-Brown HSM claims it can process scrap rubber so that it can be re-used in the production process at high volumes. The company claims its products can function succesfully at up to 100 percent, but more typically,...

ETRMA replaces BLIC as tyre and rubber organisation; BLIC gives way to ETRMA and allows tyre companies as members.(European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association, Bureau de Liaison des Industries du Caoutchouc)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw European tyre and rubber manufacturers have created a new association - European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association - to replace BLIC (Bureau de Liaison des Industries du Caoutchouc) as their representative body...

NR prices jump over $2.70/kg on shortages, violence.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Natural rubber prices rose to new heights in global markets during April and May. The trend is set to continue as the rainy season throughout S E Asia will tend to reduce output in the face of strong demand. The wintering is lasting longer this...

Queensland Uni researchers study guayule agronomics.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia are studying new varieties of the desert shrub guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) with the aim of developing commercial plantations for production of natural rubber latex. The...

Goodyear claims it can substitute 15 percent of NR; If NR is going short, Goodyear engineers have found a way to replace it with synthetic elastomers.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company says it can freely replace more than 15 percent of its natural rubber usage with synthetic materials without impacting tyre performance. The company said it began seeking new...

briefs.(revenue report of Sinopec)(GLS Corp. opens a new plant)(Kraton Polymers LLC opens a new polymer plant)
May 1, 2006... Sinopec made 626 kt of SR in 2005 Beijing - Sinopec, China's national petrochemicals company has reported its figures for 2005. The company said it increased production of synthetic rubber materials by over 11 percent in 2005, compared with...

Saurer buys Day International's textile division; Cots and Aprons under the Accotex and Daytex brands go to Swiss textile company.(Suppliers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Saurer AG and Day International Inc. have agreed to transfer all of Day's Textile Group activities to Saurer, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of May. Day's products...

briefs.(DuPont Elastomers begins Neoprene expansion)(Performance Fibers to acquire Invista)(APA appoints regional manager John Radonich )
May 1, 2006... DuPont Elastomers begins Neoprene expansion in Louisiana LaPlace, Louisiana-DuPont Performance Elastomers LLC has broken ground on a $50 million expansion of its polychloroprene capacity at its Pontchartrain Works in LaPlace, according to...

Lanxess' rubber business returns to profit; Lanxess is cutting capacity still further as it continues 'price before volume' policy.(Suppliers)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Lanxess says its performance rubber segment has returned to profit, but is nevertheless restructuring its polybutadiene (BR) and butyl rubber (IIR) activities. By the end of 2007, the company will close one of its...

Lanxess adding rubber chemicals in China, India.(Suppliers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Lanxess AG is strengthening its presence in rubber chemicals in Asia with new and expanded capacity projects in China and India. In China, Lanxess has set up a joint venture company, Anhui Tongfeng Shengda Chemical Co. Ltd, to make Vulkanox...

briefs.(rubber industry)
May 1, 2006... PolymerLatex says chloroprene latex supplies are short Washington, DC - A German supplier told its customers it can't assure them it will be able to supply chloroprene latex after 30 April. PolymerLatex GmbH sent a letter to customers...

Flexsys ups the ante in patent row with Korea Kumho; Legal challenges fly backwards and forwards over patent dispute involving 4-ADPA process.(Flexsys America, Korea Kumho Petrochemical Company Ltd.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Flexsys America LP has entered a new round in the war of words - and lawsuits - with Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (KKPC). Flexsys has issued a statement saying it emphatically denies the allegations asserted by...

Global chemical union forms action plan for rubber; Unions call for solidarity with workers in UK, Turkey.(rubber industries)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Delegates at the ICEM's 3rd World Conference for the Rubber Industries ended two days of discussions and information exchange on 7 April with the adoption of a plan for action. At the conference, two special...

Europe's prime event for the rubber industry.(DKT preview 2006)(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... Venue Exhibition Center Nuremberg D-90471 Nuremberg Conference CCN CongressCenter NurembergMesse CCN Mitte: (Brussels Room) Trade Exhibition Hall 1 of the Exhibition Centre, Nuremberg. Opening ceremony Monday,...

DKT Preview: Tuesday.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... Monday, July 3, 2006 09.00: Opening of the trade exhibition 13.30 -15.30: Ordinary members' meeting of DKG 15.30 -18.00: Opening ceremony, Munchen room, congress centre-mitte. 19.00: Welcome evening Maritim-Hotel, Ballsaal...

Wednesday, July 5, 2006.(calendar)(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... 08.30 -12.40: Scientific lecture programme Brussels room, congress centre-mitte. A: Thermoplastic elastomers, reinforcing materials. B: New Methods in Processing. 09.00 -12.40: Educational symposium Munchen room, congress...

Thursday, July 6, 2006.
May 1, 2006... Thursday, July 6, 2006 08.30 -12.40: Scientific lecture programme Brussels room, congress centre-mitte. A: Chemicals and softening agents. B: Quality management systems; new systems of fillers. 09.30 -12.30: Visit to...

Exhibition times.(DKT preview 2006)
May 1, 2006... Opening Hours for the Trade Exhibition: Monday 3 July 2006, 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Tuesday 4 July 2006, 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Wednesday 5 July 2006, 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Thursday, 6 July 2006, 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Index of exhibitors.
May 1, 2006... 1-326: 01dB - Metravib 1-419: Acrolab 1-410: aic-regloplas gmbh 1-108: Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals b. v. 1-307: Alpha Technologies UK 1-225: Anseros GmbH 1-506: Arburg GmbH + Co. KG 1-129: Artigum GmbH ...

Exhibitor Profiles: 1.
May 1, 2006... 01dB-Metravib 1-326 www.dma-instruments.com 01dB will be demonstrating a new automated loading device for its Viscoanalyser series of testing instruments. This device, known as the Viscopilot, allows the analysis of a large number...

Exhibitor profiles: 2.
May 1, 2006... Elkem 1-307a www.sidistar.com Elkem is presenting the Sidistar R-series, viscosity modifier, which it claims is designed for reducing viscosity with silica. Sidistar is a unique type of silica, enabling lower viscosities in highly...

Exhibitor Profiles: 3.
May 1, 2006... Kuttner Industrieberatungs 1-316 www.kuettner-gmbh.de The most important aspects of the Kuttner stand is to show the company's competence in the rubber and plastics industries. The company will also help publicise its partners,...

Exhibitor Profiles: 4.
May 1, 2006... Polymer-Technik Elbe GmbH 1-107 www.polymertechnik.com As one of the leading custom compounders in Europe, PTE is constantly working on new ways to meet the ever-higher demands of Europe's rubber industry. This year the company...

Exhibitor Profiles: 5.
May 1, 2006... Schill+Seilacher "Struktol" 1-600 www.struktol.de Schill + Seilacher "Struktol" Aktiengesellschaft, says it is the worldwide leader in additives and release agents for the rubber industry. It is showing a range of new products:...

More stories on the web.(News)
May 1, 2006... Don't miss out on the news. We don't have room in the magazine for all the news that goes on the ERJ website, day in, day out. So make sure you get full value out of your subscription. Go to www.europeanrubberjournal.com to see these stories....

Vamac allows performance at right cost, says manufacturer.(DKT preview 2006)
May 1, 2006... Among the materials being showcased on the DuPont stand, Vamac ethylene acrylic elastomer is one material that offers a good combination of performance at a relatively low price, says the company. Marco Coletta, global marketing director for...

Kumho to build $155m car tyre plant in Vietnam; Korean company to make over 3 million high-performance car and light-truck tyres each year in Vietnam.(News)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Kumho Tire Co. Inc. plans to build a $155 million ([euro]121 million) tyre plant in Vietnam in partnership with a local investment company, pending final negotiations. Representatives from Kumho and Becamex IDC Corp....

briefs.(Compagnie Generale des Etablissement Michelin launched a new range of bicycle tyres)(Pirelli tyre SpA has deposited a request with the Borsa Italiana)(Pirelli inaugurates truck/bus tyre plant in Brazil)
May 1, 2006... Michelin uses silica in bicycle tyres Ladoux, France - Michelin has launched a new range of bicycle tyres to the public as well as to professional sportspeople. The tyres continue Michelin's approach of using 100 percent silica compounds...

Ford to ask NHTSA for six-year consumer advisory on tyres; Car maker claims it has hard evidence that six years is old enough for any tyre.(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Ford Motor Co. will petition the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a consumer advisory that motorists change their tyres after six years of service, said a top Ford scientist at the Clemson Tire...

briefs.(Goodyear Tire & Rubber co.)
May 1, 2006... Goodyear to close tyre factory in UK Akron, Ohio - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company intends to close its Goodyear Dunlop Tyres passenger car tyre factory in Washington, UK as part of its strategy to reduce costs in its worldwide...

ISOPA honors Urethanes Technology editor and publisher.(David Reed and Paul Mitchell)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Urethanes Technology editor David Reed and publisher Paul Mitchell have been recognised for their "exceptional contributions" to the polyurethanes industry by ISOPA, the European isocyanates producers association. ISOPA Secretary General Mike...

Apollo Tyres reports sales up by 18 percent in 2005/06; Apollo continues to develop its globalisation strategy, integrating its tyre-making business with wheels and retreading.(News)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Apollo Tyres Ltd said it recorded sales of fractionally over Rs 30 000 million ([euro]526 million) in the 12 months to 31 March, 2006, compared with Rs 26 568 million a year earlier. The company also maintained a 3...

Apollo raises funds for possible acquisitions.(Apollo Tyres Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Apollo Tyres plans to raise Rs 4500 million ([euro]82 million) from a share issue in Indian and/or international markets. The company said it aims to use the cash to fund its global acquisitions and capital expenditure programmes, but did...

Pirelli, Schrader to develop sensor for runflat tyres.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Pirelli and Schrader Electronics have signed an agreement for the development and marketing of tyre condition sensors. The unit would be positioned inside the tyre and be capable of reading temperature and pressure as well as tyre...

briefs.(Bridgestone Europe names new president Takashi Urano )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Bridgestone Europe names new president Brussels - Takashi Urano has been appointed chairman, ceo and president of Bridgestone Europe. He took over the post on 1 April and succeeds Minekazu Fujimura, who is retiring. Urano joined...

Yokohama sets out 12-year management plan; Globalisation, growth and diversification all figure in Yokohama's ambitious long-term plan.(Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd.)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has drafted a management plan for the 12 fiscal years to 31 March 2018. Yokohama's centenary is in 2017, and the company has dubbed its new management plan Grand Design 100. The plan...

briefs.(Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd.'s management re-shuffle Tooru Kobayashi, Seiji Takai , Yuji Goto)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Yokohama wide-ranging management re-shuffle Tokyo - Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has made some changes in directorships. These become effective upon approval at the firm's AGM scheduled for 29 June. Tooru Kobayashi has added the role of...

Yokohama builds China truck plant.(News)
May 1, 2006... Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd will build a plant in China for radial truck and bus tyres, with production to start in October 2007. Yokohama said it has budgeted $81 million for the plant, which will have annual capacity initially of 350 000...

Yokohama posts record profits.(News)
May 1, 2006... Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd has posted a 4.7 percent increase in operating income, to [yen]21 900 million ([euro]154 million), in the 12 months ended 31 March 2006. Net sales increased 7.7 percent, to [yen]451 900 million ([euro]3192 million), a...

Amtel-Vredestein reports loss for 2005 on write-offs; Fundamentals are strong in Amtel-Vredestein's first annual report since going public.(News)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Amtel-Vredestein NV recorded a net loss for 2005 of $81 million ([euro]63.4 million), due to $86 million-worth of write-offs. However, the company said margins grew, while operating profit doubled in the year. These...

briefs.(Compagnie Generale des Etablissement Michelin's Rene Zingraff retires)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Zingraff retires from top Michelin post Paris - Rene Zingraff, a managing partner of Michelin since 1986, retired from that post at the firm's annual meeting on 12 May. Zingraff, 69, has been with Michelin since 1964. He is was replaced...

CEFIC sets up REACH info centre; European Union's Chemical federation establishes centre to coordinate information on REACH legislation.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Cefic is establishing ReachCentrum, an independent service unit to help companies all through the value chain initially with preparation and then with implementation of REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation...

Diary.
May 1, 2006... 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/ * German Rubber Conference. 3-6 July,...

NR prices shoot up to $2.75 while oil prices seem stable.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 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...

NR, oil prices rising. Link, or coincidence?(Column)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Every few years, when the NR price spikes, I start to wonder about the people who forecast price changes based on economic models. I have huge respect for the predictive power of numbers in rational, ordered systems,...

Haffenden Mouldings calls in the receivers, is for sale; UK moulding company suffers from Chinese competition.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Haffenden Mouldings has gone into receivership. The Kent, UK-based company specialises in custom compounds and making hot water bottles, swim caps, and bath and shower products. Prior to the receivers coming in,...

briefs.(United Kingdom company fined by Environment Agency for latex leak)(Goodyear Engineered Products develops fuel hoses)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... UK company fined by Environment Agency for latex leak Dewsbury, UK -A Derbyshire company has been fined [pounds sterling]10 000 ([euro]14 600) for polluting four kilometres of the River Spen near Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, with liquid latex....

Avon Rubber sells automotive unit to MBO team; Troubled UK rubber company sells automotive division to management and US-based private equity company.(Red Diamond Capital)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw The senior management of Avon Rubber plc's automotive group has entered into a definitive agreement with the company to acquire its automotive division. Backed by Red Diamond Capital, a private equity firm based in...

Hexagon to build greenfield compounding unit in China; New factory in China will emphasise quality. On stream in early 2007.(Hexagon Polymers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Hexagon Polymers is investing in a greenfield mixing operation in China. The new facility will initially produce around 12 000 tonnes of rubber compounds per year in one production line, but a second line is also...

Trelleborg buys Australian docks systems company.(Trelleborg Engineered Systems, Harbour & Marine Engineering Pty Ltd)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Through its Trelleborg Engineered Systems business area, Trelleborg has acquired Melbourne, Australia-based company Harbour & Marine Engineering Pty Ltd, with operations in systems for docking and mooring. Harbour & Marine Engineering has...

Avon posts H1 results.(Avon Rubber PLC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Byline: David Shaw Avon Rubber posted strongly higher sales for the six months ended 31 March, 2006, but still only managed to break even a marginal improvement on the year before. Revenues were up to [pounds sterling]36.9 million...