Monday, October 21, 2019 - Brussels, Belgium - Solvay will increase production capacity of its Tecnoflon FKM peroxide curable fluoroelastomer by nearly a third at its plant in Spinetta Marengo, Italy, to serve ongoing strong demand growth for high-performance sealing applications in the automotive, oil and gas, and semiconductor industries. This extra capacity is due to come on stream by May 2021, and follows recent increases at the same site, as well as at Solvay's state-of-the-art Tecnoflon FKM plant in Changshu, China. Solvay, with its unmatched portfolio of specialty polymers, also produces Tecnoflon FKM in the United States. “Solvay, over the past few years, has globalized its leadership position in Tecnoflon FKM fluoroelastomers by expanding our manufacturing footprint in Europe, the United States and China. Our global presence and technical expertise allow us to consistently serve and anticipate the growing demand of our customers for these advanced materials. This most recent investment solidifies our leadership in peroxide curable FKM, enabling advanced applications such as cutting-edge turbocharger designs that reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, and allow for smaller, lighter engines,” said Augusto Di Donfrancesco, a member of Solvay’s executive committee. Tecnoflon FKM is used in low emission internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV, EV), in applications such as exhaust gas recirculation, turbocharger hoses, seals and gaskets where they resist high temperatures and chemical fluids. It is also used in the semiconductor industry and in wearable electronics, where they help provide a high purity environment.

Monday, October 21, 2019 - Pittsburgh, PA - Covestro announced Dr. Newell Washburn as the recipient of its global Science Award, in recognition of his role in pioneering a scientific innovation that speeds the development of customized polymer formulations. Washburn, an associate professor of chemistry and biomedical engineering with a courtesy appointment in the department of materials science and engineering at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), accepted the award during the Covestro Science Celebration at K 2019. Held every three years, K 2019 is the world’s leading trade show for the plastics and rubber industry. It takes place October 16-23 in DÜsseldorf, Germany. “Our collaboration with Dr. Washburn is the latest example of how Covestro is harnessing the promise of digitalization and innovation to address shorter product cycles and an increased demand for new products,” said Dr. Haakan Jonsson, president and managing director, Covestro LLC. “This ability puts us in position to better meet the needs of our customers and consumers.” Washburn was singled out for a proprietary technology that solves a common industry challenge. Traditionally, formulating polyurethane elastomers, foams and coatings to a customer’s exact specifications is a time-consuming process, filled with trial and error in the laboratory. Washburn’s Hierarchical Machine Learning approach, developed in collaboration with Dr. Barnabás Póczos in CMU's Machine Learning Department, leverages data analytics and simulation to more quickly determine the formulation that meets customer requirements. Washburn, on sabbatical from CMU, is working closely with Covestro experts in the Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties, and Polyurethanes businesses to optimize this novel approach. “The experience I’ve had with Covestro has been extremely valuable,” said Washburn. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with an organization that nurtures innovation and recognizes the value it brings to its business, and the business of its customers.”

Monday, October 21, 2019 - King of Prussia, PA - Arkema Inc. continues to innovate, develop and improve its Luperox AIR technology used for rubber crosslinking with the introduction of Luperox AIR XL80 and Luperox AIR XL2 organic peroxides. This latest technology has been developed based on positive customer interaction, market feedback and extensive laboratory and plant evaluations. It was featured at the IEC Rubber Expo in Cleveland, OH, October 8-10, 2019. Luperox AIR XL80 organic peroxide, which features improved free flow properties, allows year-round warehouse storage with no blocking at normal temperatures. It also maintains excellent mechanical performance and cure properties in the presence of air. Users can exceed the compression set and heat-aging performance offered by traditional sulfur vulcanization without nitrosamine by-products, and produce excellent tack-free surfaces. Luperox AIR XL2 organic peroxide continues the value offer of curing EPDM compounds in the presence of air with tack-free surfaces. Even at a lower loading level, AIR XL2 consistently exceeds the heat aging and compression set performance of sulfur. In addition, users can eliminate steam or nitrogen purging, the use of talc, and reduce scrap by increasing compound shelf-life. Introduced in 2017, Luperox AIR XL organic peroxide was designed to answer customer needs in crosslinking EPDM, EPM and HNBR polymers for improved mechanical performance and heat aging properties. It also eliminates nitrosamine by-products as compared to the standard sulfur-cure. Traditional sulfur-containing EPDM compounds must be used within 24 hours. Compounds containing Luperox AIR XL80 and AIR XL2 organic peroxides have demonstrated shelf stability for weeks, or even months. Industrial and transportation markets depend on the compression set and tensile performance of EPDM and other elastomers for a range of components and products. The finished goods need to perform under extreme conditions for long life spans to meet consumer demands. AIR XL80 and AIR XL2 organic peroxides can help to move elastomer performance to the next level.

Monday, October 21, 2019 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Enviro is now participating in India Sweden Innovations Accelerator (ISIA) as a step in a long-term investment in the Indian market. ISIA is a collaboration project between the Swedish Energy Agency, Business Sweden and the Confederation of Indian Industries, and is directed at selected Swedish companies with new technologies and solutions in the area of renewable energy that are ready to be launched worldwide. “The aim is to increase the exchange of technical developments in renewable energy and resources across international borders. It is part of our long-term strategic work to establish our technology in India,” says Thomas Sörensson, CEO of Enviro. ISIA started in 2013, and since then, it has led to numerous collaboration projects for Swedish innovation companies. One example is the Spowdi company, whose solar-powered water pumps are installed locally in Bangalore. Companies that are selected for the program have, just like Enviro, scalable innovations that enable them to expand onto an international market and that are appropriate for Indian conditions. “The problem of end-of-life tires is a worldwide one. The tires that are recycled in India are predominantly used to produce energy through technologies that are simpler and more dubious in terms of the working environment, safety and emissions. The country is therefore in great need of sustainable solutions for end-of-life tires, while, at the same time, it is also one of the largest markets for tires, rubber and carbon black in the world. The ISIA project is a step in the right direction, and an opportunity for us to establish ourselves on the Indian market in the longer term. Dialogues and tests are already under way with several of the country’s largest tire manufacturers.” Enviro and the other participating companies will initially be making three trips to India, to meet Indian companies, interested parties and potential collaborative partners. The first delegation will travel to India and be there from November 6-14. “At the end of last year, we opened an exhibition hall in New Delhi, where the participating companies are able to meet Indian stakeholders and, by using AR (augmented reality) technology and interactive stations, show how their energy solutions can be applied in Indian society,” says Ludvig Lindström, program manager with the Swedish Energy Agency. “We see this as the first step in a long-term collaboration project with the Swedish Energy Agency and other relevant contacts, to establish our technology on the Indian market when the time is right,” says Thomas Sörensson. Enviro has developed a leading technology for the production of oil, steel, gas and carbon black materials through the recovery of end-of-life vehicle tires. The use of these recovered materials in production or energy supply reduces not only carbon dioxide emissions, but also the use of finite resources such as oil and steel. The carbon black materials recovered through Enviro’s technology have an approximately 80 percent lower CO2 impact than virgin-produced carbon black from fossil resources. “A standard plant using our technology, which handles 30,000 metric tons of tires a year, annually produces approximately 14,000 metric tons of oil, containing around 40 percent biomaterial from natural rubber,i.e., recovered and significantly greener energy than the fossil equivalent. “The process is energy-efficient and is mainly used with recovered energy, and with the highest possible environmental standards,” says Thomas Sörensson, CEO of Enviro.

Monday, October 21, 2019 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) announced its Firestone Destination M/T2 tires are specified as original equipment on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys. Featuring an aggressive tread design and specially designed sidewall construction, the Firestone Destination M/T2 tire is built for extreme off-road traction and performance. “The Destination M/T2 is the ultimate tire for adventure-seekers looking to get the most performance out of their vehicle,” said Shannon Quinn, president, original equipment tires, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “The rugged appearance and design of the tire for this special edition Jeep Wrangler will allow drivers to venture across a wide range of intense conditions and have an incredible off-road driving experience.” Engineered to be tough and perform in the most demanding off-road conditions, the Firestone Destination M/T2 tire features mud and stone rejectors to keep the tire’s tread clear of debris for increased traction, and an advanced sidewall construction offers resistance to chips and tears. Additionally, the Firestone Destination M/T2 tire has biting edges for better grip on slick, wet surfaces and in snowy conditions. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys edition maximizes its off-road appeal with a limited-slip rear differential, Rubicon rock rails and shocks and heavy-duty brakes. These features, combined with Jeep’s Command-Trac 4x4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and maximum traction Firestone Destination M/T2 tires bolster the Jeep Wrangler Willys’ off-road capability. The Firestone Destination M/T2 is available on the Jeep Wrangler Willys in size LT255/75R17 and is available with classic white lettering. The special edition Jeep Wrangler Willys with Firestone Destination M/T2 tires is available in showrooms now.

Monday, October 21, 2019 - Singapore - Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has increased its global presence in the ongoing campaign to find better uses for waste tires. It has become an industry member of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), a vital source of all information relating to the rubber industry. “IRSG is the sole multinational body dedicated to discussing the many issues that affect natural rubber and synthetic rubber production, usage, trade and recycling,” said Secretary-General of IRSG Salvatore Pinizzotto. “We welcome Tyre Stewardship Australia into our group and look forward to hearing their ideas and sharing our knowledge,” he said. The IRSG has 36 member countries and over 100 members covering the whole natural and synthetic rubber value chain. “This will ensure TSA is connecting directly with government officials from these countries and enable us to work on a global scale to understand, manage and end unethical uses of waste tire products,” said the CEO of TSA, Lina Goodman. “It gives TSA a far greater insight into current global trends and how this affects what happens to Australia’s waste tires,” Goodman said. TSA is an industry-led product stewardship program, established by leading tire importers keen to find a solution for end of life tires. TSA is a voluntary scheme, made up of representatives from across the tire supply chain, including tire retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors. At the moment, only 10 percent of the 56 million tires used by Australians each year are being used locally as a value-added product, like horse racing tracks, local roads and residential concrete slabs. TSA is already working hard to ensure better outcomes for old tires. It has committed $5 million to the establishment of local innovative projects. We are also working with a global quality assurance organization, Intertek, to verify what happens to Australian waste tires that are currently exported overseas.