News from Notch Consulting, Inc.

October 7, 2019

Orion introduces fuel-saving carbon black for tires

Filed under: Carbon Black — Notch @ 6:51 pm

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. is presenting a new surface-modified carbon black for rubber applications at the 196th Technical Meeting of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society in Cleveland, Ohio on October 9, 2019. The meeting is part of the International Elastomer Conference (IEC), which provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, observations, regulatory reforms and emerging scientific technologies.

The paper is titled “Surface Modified Carbon Black for Modern Low Rolling Resistance Tires” and will be presented by Dr. Hauke Westenberg, Compounding Manager from Orion’s Innovation Group. According to Orion, the new carbon black filler system significantly reduces the energy loss of a tire tread compound and therefore the tire rolling resistance. This increases fuel efficiency and reduces the tire’s carbon footprint.

Hankook postpones truck tire plant in Hungary

Filed under: Carbon Black, Rubber Chemicals, Silica, Tires — Notch @ 2:06 pm

Tire Business (via European Rubber Journal) reports that Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd. has postponed plans to establish a $318 million truck and bus tire plant at its existing car tire factory in Rácalmás, Hungary. The project was announced in March 2018 and involved the construction of a separate plant to produce 550,000 medium and heavy truck/bus tires per year. The postponement does “not mean the cancellation of that plan,” Hankook said in a written statement to ERJ on Oct. 2.

The current economic downturn, especially in the automotive industry, was a factor behind the decision, said Felix Kinzer, head of communications at Hankook Tire Europe. The tire maker, he added, is undergoing “mediations” with various stakeholders for future execution of the plan, which would mark the site’s fourth round of expansion.

“Our company has a mid- to long-term plan for truck tire sales growth on the European continent and is reviewing various options,” Mr. Kinzer said.

October 6, 2019

Nokian’s US plant begins production

Filed under: Carbon Black, Rubber Chemicals, Silica, Tires — Notch @ 7:22 pm

On October 2, Nokian Tyres celebrated the official opening of its North American production factory in Dayton, Tennessee. The 830,000-square foot complex will produce approximately four million tires per year once it reaches full capacity. At that stage, the company will employ as many as 400 workers. The factory is currently in the trial production stage and will be ready to make tires for commercial use in early 2020. Nokian Tyres broke ground on the factory in September 2017, and the company has set a goal to double its North American sales in five years. Founded and headquartered in Finland, Nokian Tyres operates factories in Finland, Russia, and now the United States. At the Dayton factory, the company aims to fill expanding North American demand and seize on opportunities in the all-season and all-weather markets.

 

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