R&P News reports that Sumitomo Rubber Industries is adding truck tire capacity at its 3-year-old plant in Fazenda Rio Grande, Brazil. The company will spend $96 million to add capacity for 500 u/d of truck tires, with production to begin in March 2019. Another $54 million will be spent to expand capacity for car and light truck tires.
July 24, 2016
July 21, 2016
Evonik opens silica plant in Brazil
On July 20, Evonik Industries announced that it had started up its new precipitated silica plant in Americana (São Paulo) Brazil. The plant focuses on highly dispersible silica used mainly for high-quality, low rolling resistance tires. In addition, the plant will serve various specialty silica segments, including the food, animal feed, and agricultural industries. Evonik has not disclosed the capacity of the new plant or the total investment, though it did say the project budget was in the “mid-double-digit euro range.”
In a company press release, Dr. Johannes Ohmer, member of Evonik’s Board of Management of the Resource Efficiency Segment, said: “The new plant in Americana now enables us to offer our products and solutions to our Brazilian and regional customers as well. Thanks to our dependability, outstanding services, and top-quality products, we provide customized solutions.”
July 15, 2016
Tokai Carbon to restructure Tianjin plant
Earlier this month, Tokai Carbon announced a restructuring plan for its Chinese carbon black business, Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. The plant will remove one production line, reducing capacity from 110,000 tons to 70,000 tons. Some of the related facilities to the production line will also be optimized for less energy operation. In addition, remaining production at the plant will focus more on special carbon black products, which are high value added products. These changes are expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
The restructuring plan was approved at a Board of Directors meeting on June 23, 2016.
July 13, 2016
Strike ended at Orion Engineered Carbons’ plant in France
A strike against the possible closure of Orion Engineered Carbons’ production plant in France has ended after three weeks. ERJ has details.
Yokohama Rubber Co. acquires Alliance Tire Group
Yokohama Rubber Co. officially completed its $1.17 billion acquisition of Alliance Tire Group on July 1. Tire Review has the story.
Michelin group choses Mexico to build a €450m plant
The Michelin group plans to build a €450m plant in Mexico to manufacture high-end tires for passenger cars and light trucks. European Rubber Journal has more.
Plymouth firm Bandvulc has been bought by Continental Tire Group
Plymouth firm Bandvulc has been bought by Continental Tire Group. Here is the link: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymouth-firm-bandvulc-bought-by-euro-2016-sponsor-continental-tyres/story-29475088-detail/story.html
July 12, 2016
Evonik picks S. Carolina for new silica plant
Evonik Industries will build its new precipitated silica plant in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Evonik announced plans to build the plant last year, but did not release a location or budget. Last week, David Wren of The Post and Courier reported that the new plant will be budgeted at $129.4 million and will be located at the Bushy Park Industrial Complex in Berkeley County. Construction will begin in September 2016 and be completed by the end of 2017. The plant will benefit from a $500,000 Economic Development Grant from South Carolina to assist with site preparation and building construction. Evonik has not announced the capacity for the new plant.
July 7, 2016
Sid Richardson adds hopper truck fee and increases hopper car fee
Notch has received word that, effective July 1st, 2016, Sid Richardson Carbon is charging a fee of $0.01 per pound for hopper truck shipments and $0.02 for hopper car shipments. According to the company, these fees are needed to cover the expenses associated with each type of shipment. This includes inspection, cleaning and preparation of the vessel as well as the testing of the multiple samples taken during the loading procedure. Fees also support the company’s continued investment in its hopper car fleet. The fees will applied as contracts allow. For more information on these adjustments contact Sid Richardson at CarbonBlack@sidrich.com or 330-666-2777 (Akron sales office).
July 5, 2016
Tire industry responds to Brexit
Tyrepress has a good round up of the tire industry’s initial reactions to the Brexit vote. This certainly is going to be an interesting process.