Andrew Schunk

4 days ago | rubbernews.com | Andrew Schunk

AKRON—The histories of the tire industry and Smithers are inextricably linked, all-American stories born of persistence, innovation, resilience and an unwavering commitment to scientific research. Since its founding by Vernon Smithers in a three-car garage on Sweitzer Avenue in Akron in April 1925, the 1,000-employee, global testing, consulting and compliance firm continues to evolve around the tire space—and many other industries—as it celebrates 100 years.

1 week ago | rubbernews.com | Andrew Schunk

MUNICH—Determining a rubber product's carbon footprint from cradle-to-gate has been a holy grail of sorts for upstream raw material suppliers and their customers alike. Terms like carbon calculator, product carbon footprint and life cycle assessment are top-of-mind today for companies like Wacker Chemie A.G., as well as international non-profits like the International Carbon Black Association—which just released an industry average PCF for CB.

1 week ago | rubbernews.com | Andrew Schunk

PONTA GROSSA, Parana, Brazil—South America is a mecca for the mining industry, and ContiTech is capitalizing in Southern Brazil with a $34 million expansion at a heavy duty belting facility. The group sector of Continental A.G. officially opened the 75,000-sq.-ft. expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, branded ContiTech's "Total Conveyance Event," May 15. The two-day event welcomed approximately 100 guests, including customers, industry professionals and local leaders.

1 week ago | rubbernews.com | Andrew Schunk

ZHANGJIAGANG, China—Wacker Chemie A.G. and its growing silicones division are not shying away from China—or the entirety of the Asia-Pacific region, for that matter. In fact, the Munich-based chemical giant is embracing the largest economy in the world, commissioning a new, "low three-digit millions of dollar" expansion May 21 at the western port city of Zhangjiagang for production of silicone fluids, emulsions and elastomer gels.

2 weeks ago | rubbernews.com | Andrew Schunk

TAMPA, Fla.—Flexfab L.L.C. is a hose engineering firm at its core, driven by a more than 60-year-old pledge to find timely solutions for customers in the industrial, aerospace and heavy duty truck markets. The 1,100-person company has grown from humble beginnings in Hastings, Mich., in 1961 to a global sales network today, with manufacturing and distribution locations in North America, Brazil, China, Germany and the United Kingdom.