News from Notch Consulting, Inc.

March 18, 2020

Epsilon Carbon ventures into carbon black segment

Filed under: Carbon Black — Notch @ 2:22 pm

Epsilon Carbon, an Indian coal tar derivatives company, has released new details on a previously announced carbon black project located in Bellary, Karnataka, India. The plant will be 300,000 tons/year built over two stages. The first phase is expected to be commissioned by Q3 of FY 21 with an investment of Rs 425 crores.

COVID-19 impacts global NR consumption

Filed under: Rubber, Rubber Chemicals — Notch @ 2:17 pm

According to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, a sharp decline in demand in the first two months of the year has impacted global production and consumption figures.   The association has revised downward its figures as China’s manufacturing has been severely disrupted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The association also expects further downward revision in light of the anticipated economic slump due to COVID-19.

Denka revises fiscal year outlook after rubber sales drop

Filed under: General, Rubber, Rubber Chemicals — Notch @ 2:16 pm

Japanese chemicals company Denka Corp. expects significant sales decline of its chloroprene rubber for the fiscal year 2019, due in large part to the U.S.-China trade war and the weak global economy.  Plunges in raw material prices also caused downward revision of sales prices of stryene-based products, and Denka expects the decline in CR sales to continue.  Denka asserts that the U.S.-China trade dispute, coupled with the current Coronovirus outbreak, is causing uncertainty for the future global outlook and recovery could take time.

Conferences, expos and meetings rescheduled due to Coronavirus outbreak

Filed under: Auto, Conferences, General, Rubber, Rubber Chemicals, Tires — Notch @ 2:15 pm

The following conferences, expos and meetings have been postponed and/or rescheduled due to the coronavirus:

  • As of March 17, 6 pm, the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo and Latin Auto Parts Expo has rescheduled the joint event from July 14-17 to Nov. 17-20 at the recently opened Amador Convention Center in Panama City.  Organizers expect over 400 exhibitors.  Contact Linda Bassitt, president of Latin Expo Group, at linda@latinexpogroup.com for more information.
  • As of March 17, 4:10 pm, the International Silicone Conference has been rescheduled from May 13-14 to Nov. 9-10 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, at the Sheraton Suites Cuyahoga Falls.  For more information, go to the conference website.
  • As of March 17, 11:53 am, the Fort Wayne Rubber and Plastics Group has postponed its April 8 meeting at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.  A new date is TBD and will be be “available soon.”
  • As of March 17, 10:47 am, Federal Corp’s factories in Taiwan continue to operate at normal capacity, implementing “stringent safety measures” and “precautionary protocols.”  Domestic travel for employees has been suspended.
  • As of March 16, 4:52pm, Marangoni Tread North America remains operational.  Marangoni is following CDC recommendations and will closely monitor and evaluate the situation.
  • As of March 16, 12:03 pm, NAHAD canceled its upcoming annual convention.  More details can be found here.
  • Late last week, the ACS Rubber Division canceled its Spring Technical Meeting.
  • As of March 16, 10:48 am, the American Coatings Show and Conference scheduled for March 31 through April 2 was postponed.  New dates will be announced soon and organizers are hoping to keep the show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.  For more information, contact, acshow@paint.org.
  • As of March 16, 10:39 am, Continental A.G. is postponing its 2020 shareholders’ meeting originally scheduled April 30.  It plans to keep the meeting in Hanover and a new date will be announced “soon.”
  • As of March 13, 2:29 pm, the World Adhesive & Sealant Conference set for April 20-22 is postponed.  Organizers are hoping to keep the conference at the Hilton Chicago, and will post updates at wac2020.org.  Email info@wac2020.org for more information.  Those who have booked rooms can check corp.hiltonbusinessonline.com for more information.
  • As of March 13, 11:52 am, the 38th Clemson Global Tire Conference has been canceled.  It was scheduled for April 28-38 on Hilton Head Island.  The conference may still be held in June.  Registered participants may seek immediate refund, have payments held, or have invoices voided.
  • The Mid-American Trucking Show have canceled the 2020 show scheduled for March 26-28 at the Kentucky Exposition in Louisville.  Paid attendee registrations and fees are being moved to the 2021 show, tentatively scheduled for March 25-27, 2021.  For questions, please call 800-743-3100.
  • As of March 13, 11:17 am, the Plastics Industry Association has canceled their lobbying event, and will reschedule at a later date.  Parts of the March board meeting scheduled for March 24-26 in Washington will move to a virtual platform at an undetermined date.
  • As of March 13, 10:49, The Automotive News postponed its annual World Congress originally scheduled for March 24-25 in Detroit, and hopes to sometime in the summer of 2020.
  • As of March 12, 4:39 pm, Marangoni remains operational in the face of government restrictions.  They remain in compliance and will continue operations, arranging for employees to work remotely.
  • As of March 12, 12:02 pm, the Tire Industry Association is postponing its Lobby Day and Environmental Summit scheduled for May 6-7 in Washington.  TIA had planned several events for its 100th anniversary, and will reschedule when the virus subsides.  Currently, TIA does not anticipate any impact for the Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show to be held in November in Las Vegas.
  • As of March 12, 10:15 am, the American Chemical Society has canceled their Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo scheduled for March 22-26 in Philadelphia.

Powered by WordPress.com.