On March 22, Birla Carbon announced that effective May 1, 2019 it will increase base prices for all carbon black products in North America by $170/MT. All shipments made on or after this date are subject to the price increase. Adjustments for customers with supply agreements will be implemented as agreements are renewed. According to the company, this increase is made necessary by capital requirements and increased operating cost associated with meeting emission limits in the United States and the increasing cost of compliance elsewhere in North America.
March 25, 2019
March 22, 2019
New Danish pyrolysis plant will recycle 30,000 tons of tires a year
The Danish company Elysium Nordic is building its first pyrolysis plant in Nyborg, Denmark, and it will be operational by 2021. The plant will be able to recover more than 9,000 tons of carbon black from 30,000 tons of ELT.
“We want to help create a more circular and thus far more sustainable and economically sound approach to the management of waste tires. With this facility we have taken the first step,” says Jens Elton Andersen, CEO of WindSpace, the team behind Elysium Nordic.
Read the full press release here (original in Danish).
March 21, 2019
Birla Carbon to launch new product at 2019 European Coatings show
Birla Carbon has announced that it will be adding a new product to their family of Raven® carbon black products.
The new solution, called Raven 5100 Ultra®, will help customers achieve unseen jetness levels in waterborne systems, superior performance, and improved formulation costs.
“Our new Raven 5100 Ultra is the result of the transformative energy we’re experiencing at Birla Carbon. We’re constantly innovating to drive new ideas into market, so we can ultimately deliver better customer experiences,” said Todd Cottrell, President of Birla Carbon’s Specialty Blacks business. “This is just the beginning, and with our expanding global footprint, we look forward to serving more customers with our expertly crafted solutions.”
The company plans to launch the new offering at the upcoming European Coatings show in Nuremberg, Germany in March. The European Coatings show focuses on trends and technologies across all aspects of the production of paints, coatings, sealants, construction chemicals and adhesives.
Read the full press release here.
Toyota to recall 3,643 cars in China for safety concern over run-flat tires
Japanese automaker Toyota will recall 3,643 cars in China for safety concern over run-flat tires, according to the country’s market regulator.
In accordance with a recall plan Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co Ltd filed with the State Administration for Market Regulation, the move will involve 2,396 imported Lexus LS500h manufactured between June 14, 2017 to July 18, 2018, and 1,247 imported Lexus LS350 produced between Nov 23, 2017 to July 18, 2018.
The affected vehicles were equipped with run-flat tires, which were not installed on the wheel hubs properly. This may lead to abnormal noise or vibration of the vehicles, the Japanese automaker said.
The company will replace the defective tires free of charge.
Enviro sees growth potential in North America
Recovered carbon black manufacturer Scandinavian Enviro Systems A.B. has its sights set on North America, a region where it sees great potential for growth as it moves forward with joint venture initiatives.
With joint venture projects with EE TDF Cleveland L.L.C of Cleveland, Texas, and Treadcraft Ltd., near Buffalo, N.Y., progressing as planned, Enviro is seeking a third U.S.-based opportunity in Maryland.
In Canada, Enviro has signed a memorandum of understanding with Regina, Saskatchewan-based ArticCan Energy Services Inc.
The Swedish recycling company believes there is more room for growth in both countries.
“There are several reasons why we are more active than ever in North America. The market’s need for carbon black is expected to increase as the establishment of virgin production is becoming increasingly difficult due to stricter regulations and penalties, implemented to overcome the environmental problems created by the existing carbon black production”, says Thomas Sörensson.
Read the full press release here.
Cabot to implement feedstock surcharge for carbon black products
Cabot Corp. will begin applying a feedstock surcharge of 1 cent per pound to all carbon black products sold in North America as of April 1.
According to a recent press release, the move comes in response to “significant carbon black feedstock costs, which are not fully reflected in fuel oil price indices.”
The surcharge will enable Cabot to “remain a reliable supplier of high-quality carbon black products and meet growing demand in the region.”
Read the full press release here.
Updated EU tire label to include snow and ice grip information
The EU is updating its rules on the energy performance labeling of tires and extending its scope to tires for heavy-duty vehicles. The labels will be displayed more visibly for consumers and include information on snow and ice grip.
“The new rules will benefit customers, who can make an informed choice on the safety and fuel efficiency of their tires. They will also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the road sector and thereby help the EU meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement,” said Anton Anton, Minister for Energy of Romania and chair of the Council.
Read the full press release here.
Michelin Selfseal tires OE on new Ford Explorer
Ford Motor Company will equip the new Ford Explorer with Michelin Selfseal tires. The 2020 Explorer is the first SUV to offer Michelin Selfseal tires, according to Ford.
The company claims the tires seal 90 percent of tread punctures up to a quarter-inch in diameter and help drivers avoid potentially dangerous side-of-the-road repairs, lost time, and loss of vehicle control.
Selfseal tires are standard on Explorer Platinum and Explorer Limited Hybrid four-wheel-drive models, and optional on Explorer Limited two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models.
Read the full press release here.
March 8, 2019
Algeria tire plant completes first test phase
Six years after the Michelin Group closed its plant there, tire production returns to Algeria. The Iris Group announced the successful completion of the first test phase of the company’s new tire factory in Setif, Algeria.
Production of 1 million passenger car radial (PCR) tires is planned for the first year, followed by 2 million units of both PCR and truck and bus (TBR) tires in the second year.
Kordsa and Continental join forces to offer eco-friendly adhesion system
Continental and Kordsa have together developed a new sustainable adhesive technology standard for bonding textile reinforcing materials with rubber compounds. Reinforcing materials of this kind are used in the tire industry, as well as in the production of mechanical rubber goods like hoses and conveyor belts. The new technology enables the bonding activation of textile reinforcing materials without the use of resorcinol and formaldehyde. Continental intends to manufacture the first series-produced tires using this technology in 2019.
The two development partners are offering the new bonding system technology to all other tire manufacturers and the supplier industry as an open source solution under the brand name ‘Cokoon’. Free licensing will be handled by the independent law firm Advinno. Continental and Kordsa have chosen to waive development or licensing fees. In return, they expect licensees to make their patents concerning the further enhancement of this technology available to the other partners free of charge via a licensing pool. Interested companies can request first lab samples now.
Read the full press release here.