Rubber Journal Asia Technology News
Bridgestone to farm guayule in Arizona
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apanese firm Bridgestone has identified Arizona in the US to locate its guayule research farm. The 281-acre agricultural site in Eloy will include a multi-purpose office/laboratory building, greenhouses and a farming operation to develop guayule as a commercially viable source of natural rubber, as an alternative to the Hevea tree. Moreover, it will supply guayule to the company’s 32-staff process centre located in nearby Mesa City. The ground breaking is anticipated late this year or early 2013 and operations will start up in 2014. Collaborating in this project are Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations (BATO), which has undertaken the selection of the site leveraging on the technical expertise of its US research centre, and the Akron Technical Centre as well as the parent company that will provide the funding and strategic inputs.
Bridgestone’s latest project is a guayule farm in Arizona
Keyuan starts up second SBS line
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hina-based petrochemical supplier Keyuan Petrochemicals has commenced production of its second 70,000-tonne/
year line for styrenebutadiene styrene (SBS). The new facility, which was completed in September 2011, had undergone trial productions, including various technique tests spanning several months for its first production line with commercial production kicking off in January this year. By June 2012, this production line has produced 13,049 tonnes of SBS. The current price of SBS is US$3,175/tonne in China.
The firm says that an estimated 14 million healthcare workers in the US alone will be benefiting from the new antimicrobial rubber bands.
Russian/Indian jv started up
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joint venture between Indian firm Reliance Industries and Russian petrochemical company Sibur has started its operations in Mumbai, India, focusing on constructing a 100,000-tonne/year butyl rubber facility in Jamnagar. Sibur owns 25.1% and Reliance 74.9% of the new business known as Reliance Sibur Elastomers. The deal was announced in February this year. A license agreement was also signed wherein Sibur’s proprietary butyl rubber technology will be used at the new plant. The venture, which will widen Sibur’s geographic reach into India and Southeast Asia, will be looking into the petrochemical products market in the region as well as support business development, working alongside Indian partners. It will also oversee Sibur’s employees who will be coming to India for installations and start-up work at the new plant.
Latex-free rubber bands
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S-based rubber band manufacturer Alliance Rubber Company has introduced what it says are the world’s first latexfree anti-microbial rubber bands in response to the global call for safety against exposure to fungi and other hazardous organisms.
Latex-free anti-microbial rubber bands
Recent reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) showed that increasing exposure to mould and other microbes can cause a variety of health risks. And while latex products are effective barriers against transmission of a host of infectious diseases, their usage could also result in allergic reactions, especially to healthcare workers who are in the forefront of the symptoms.
Roll-up rubber door
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S-based Rytec Corporation has launched industrial rubber doors made from engineered styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) that are said to be virtually indestructible. The Powerhouse rollup rubber door, which
is made from the same durable materials used to manufacture tyres, is able to withstand the rigours of everyday heavy use as well as constant exposure to external elements, thus earning it the reputation of being the world’s first maintenance-free door, says Rytec. The patent-pending design, which features Dual-Sync drives with two motors providing the power necessary for rapid access and minimal interior exposure, is speed, wind and pressure-resistant. And unlike conventional metal doors, its single-push button feature can release and restore the door’s operation.
The roll-up rubber door is said to be the first maintenance-free door
Industry News
Purchases of rubber moulders and tyre firms
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S firm Titan International has bought 56% shares of Australiabased OTR tyre company Planet Corporation Group while QSR has purchased Lexington Precision. Titan’s purchase of US$22.9 million will make Planet a subsidiary of its newly established mining business venture, Titan Mining Services. Planet, which includes National Tyres, Acme Wheel and Resource Tyre & Choice Tyre Wholesalers generated over US$75 million sales in the past 12 months from
1 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012
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