USW Seeking Tire Trade Relief Again

June 1, 2020 I $99 per year, $4.50 per copy The Rubber Industry’s International Newspaper Successful rst decade ARPM tops century mark in members, looks to bright future By Andrew Schunk under the RMA, and ARPM did not convert all those Rubber & Plastics News Staff companies in its nascence, Nix said. INDIANAPOLIS—The Association for Rubber Products He cited a culture change at his alma mater, the Unit- Manufacturers has come a long way in its short, 10- ed States Military Academy at West Point, as having year existence. helped its academic recruitment by upping the rigors With access to international standards, training, and selecting quality over quantity. It was a similar cost-reduction programs, networking, industry bench- change in culture that was needed in the non-tire group. marking data, a COVID-19 resource center and more, “When we’re talking about culture, you can change ARPM has grown from a somewhat inauspicious begin- any culture,” Nix said. “The Academy had an attrition ning into an association that non-tire rubber product rate where it would thin itself—and now selects its ca- businesses find of value, according to officials and dets by merit, with early screenings. They switched to members of the organization. leadership development, and there are fewer cadets.” That value-added philosophy has not gone unnoticed, Nix said he was approached in the middle of 2010 by as the decade-old non-profit recently exceeded the cen- Charlie Braun, president of Cleveland-based Custom tury mark with its membership, adding its 100th and Rubber Corp.; Regan McHale, president of Cuyahoga 101st members in April. Falls, Ohio-based Eagle Elastomers Inc.; and Bernard “Oh man, this is truly bubbles and champagne, you Troy Nix has been executive director of the ARPM since its Gregoire of Toronto-based Hamilton Kent Inc. to estab- don’t know how hard this has been,” said ARPM Exec- founding in 2010. lish a new non-tire presence using the same basic utive Director Troy Nix, who along with a few key structure and guidelines that Nix used in organizing original members established ARPM 10 years ago. “We industry non-profit in 1996, for which he also serves as previous industry groups. basically started a new company, and it is not easy to executive director. Custom Rubber and the other founding start a company like this. In some instances, in might ARPM came into being after branching off of the members of ARPM all were part of the Read about be easier to have a product to sell. We didn’t have any- Rubber Manufacturers Association, which at the time now-homeless GPG, Braun said. ARPM’s Rubber thing. We had to create everything from scratch.” mostly focused on its tire manufacturing members. “A number of things happened that Industry Pulse The Indianapolis-based group may not have had a Essentially, the non-tire folks needed to find a new led ultimately to the joint decision by Survey. product to sell, but its commodity was value—some- home to share information and best practices. There the tire members and the GPG that Page 17. thing Nix learned from his time establishing another were 35 members in the old General Products Group See ARPM, page 22

USW seeking tire trade relief again Union petitions DOC for duties Tire rms argue tari s would against more Asian importers boost prices, hurt consumers By Bruce Davis dies benefiting Vietnamese tire By Bruce Davis economy,” said Greg Hathcock, presi- Tire Business producers, including loans, tax Tire Business dent of Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co. WASHINGTON—The United Steel- breaks and grants. Most companies potentially Hathcock noted the similarities to the workers union has turned its crusade Passenger and light truck tire Thailand now top affected by the United union’s action in 2009—when the U.S. to protect U.S. tire workers from “dumped imports from these four countries Steelworkers’ petitions for under the Obama administration elevat- and subsidized” passenger and light totaled 85.3 million tires last year, source of U.S. import duties on passen- ed import duties on Chinese passenger truck tires on four new targets—South up nearly 20 percent from 2017, tire imports. ger and light truck tires and light truck tires for three years. “It Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. according to Commerce Depart- Page 18. from South Korea, Tai- will result in higher tire prices without In antidumping and countervailing ment figures. That total equals wan, Thailand and Viet- generating new jobs,” he said. duty petitions filed May 12 with the De- roughly 38 percent of the U.S. after- nam are, for now, reserving The 2009-11 action is estimated to have partment of Commerce and the Interna- market for those products. comment on the issue. cost consumers more than $1.1 billion in tional Trade Commission, the USW alleges The imports were valued at $4.4 Those who did comment, however, fo- price increases and other costs while sav- dumping margins on these types of tires billion last year, up nearly 32 per- cused on a couple of issues: higher prices ing approximately 1,200 jobs at U.S. tire as high as 217 percent for Thailand, 195 cent over 2017. for consumers and their own long-term factories (at a cost of $926,000 per job), ac- percent for South Korea, 147 percent for “This deluge of unfairly traded heritage of service to U.S. consumers. cording to Hathcock. At the same time, he Taiwan and 33 percent for Vietnam. imports hurt our domestic indus- Tariffs on tires imported from the said, the moves eliminated approximately The petitions also detail what the USW try and workers, including many targeted countries would be “bad for 2,500 retail jobs across all industries due claims are “numerous” government subsi- See Petitions, page 19 the consumer and for our overall See Tariffs, page 19

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Akron, OH | Chino, CA | Norton, OH | Stow, OH akrochem.com 800.321.2260 www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 3 In focus Conti ramps up tire production By Jim Johnson Rubber & Plastics News Staff FORT MILL, S.C.—Continental A.G. is ramping production back up around the NewAge is adding new locations. world, and while some things have changed thanks to COVID-19, others remain the NewAge expansion plans same in the tire making business. bring 2 new buildings Benny Harmse is vice president of manufacturing for Continental Tire the By Sarah Kominek Americas and oversees operations in Plastics News both North America and South America SOUTHHAMPTON, Pa.—NewAge In- from Fort Mill. dustries Inc. purchased two building While each of the company’s manufactur- units at a location seven miles away ing sites around the world need to adhere to from its Southampton headquarters local regulations in restarting operations, intended for production capacity ex- there are lessons learned that facilities can pansion and office space. share with one another, he said. The manufacturer of rubber, sili- “We’re getting back to business,” cone and plastic tubing, hose and Harmse said in an interview with Rub- molded components plans to renovate ber & Plastics News. “Of course, it looks a the space for tubing extrusion equip- Benny Harmse, vice president of manufacturing for Continental Tire the Americas, oversees bit different than it did prior to the ment and injection molding presses, production in both North America and South America. COVID incident. We have a global safety according to a May 26 news release. team, which set up protocols and guide- sure they can be trained to work under ica have benefited from being part of the The company plans to maintain the lines. We did an assessment on each lo- new conditions. larger Continental organization. Offi- additional manufacturing facility “in cation that we have.” “I don’t think it’s going to make a huge cials in the region saw other company case of any potential disruption at the Social distancing is becoming common difference on the plant floor,” Harmse said facilities around the world close first, but main plant.” Demand for NewAge’s as people look to keep themselves safe about how people will be able to perform then also reopen first. products “is high,” the release said, both inside and outside of work. And so their jobs under the new conditions. “I “We have facilities in Asia. We watched “especially during this pandemic, and are masks. think social distancing will be something what happened in Asia and we saw that NewAge needs to ensure capacity to That’s certainly true at Continental. that people naturally will do for a long continue in our European region. Ameri- produce more inventory.” But the manufacturing floor can create time. It will take some time to get back to cas was the last to be hit,” Harmse said. “It’s growth for the company and a some unique challenges in trying to keep normalcy. People are talking about what “We were the third region, so we could fail-safe,” NewAge CEO Ken Baker people physically separate. the new normal is, and in the manufactur- learn a little bit from them.” said in the release. “Some of our cus- That’s where the liberal use of plexiglass ing world, I don’t see too much of a change.” But even within regions, not all facili- tomers have expressed concern about comes in. Just like at retail stores around Certain functions and activities can be ties are returning at the same pace, as security of supply. Being able to make the country, Continental has created physi- adapted to a new approach—virtual they must deal with local conditions and our products at multiple locations not cal barriers between workstations as need- meetings and travel restrictions, for ex- situations. only lets us increase our output but ed to help keep its employees safe. ample. But, Harmse said, “we need to As employees resume to tire making, helps ease those concerns.” “We took advantage of when we shut all keep running the business. There will be Continental is seeing an increasing de- NewAge said it plans to use the new of the plants. We used time for some of the some changes around that, but you’ve mand in the replacement market as facility primarily for the manufactur- maintenance to put up plexiglass,” always got to find a balance. The majori- economies around the world begin to ex- ing of high purity tubing and molded Harmse said. “When people came back, ty of our people need to be on the shop pand. Business with original equipment assemblies for its AdvantaPure divi- we were ready for them. It wasn’t a big floor producing. We have to make sure manufacturers—the automotive compa- sion, which supplies biopharm and deal, to be honest. It wasn’t as difficult as we keep the balance in how we treat ev- nies—is a bit more unpredictable at this pharmaceutical manufacturers with we were worried about getting supplies.” erybody in the same manner.” point, Harmse said. single-use fluid transfer systems. Continental had no problems sourcing Even as Continental reopens amid “That portion of the business may be a NewAge plans to begin renova- both the plexiglass needed at its facilities COVID-19, Harmse repeatedly stressed little bit slower going forward. It all depends tions at the new location this sum- as well as enough masks for all their that the health and safety of the compa- on their performance and how they go former and hopes to move in, test and employees to use, Harmse said. ny’s employees is paramount. With that ward,” he said. “It varies, again, from region validate manufacturing equipment “All of our plants are running,” he in mind, employees have been respectful to region and location to location.” sometime in 2021. said. “What we did do is we’ve ramped and disciplined when it comes to new Continental said most of its workers The two building units have 46,000 them up a little bit slowly, not to bring all work rules. “I think people generally feel have been ready to return to their jobs. square feet of manufacturing space of the people on board immediately. We the reality of the situation,” Harmse said. “People want to come back to work. It’s and 3,000 square feet of offices. In ad- staggered shifts, staggered the number “It’s not always easy. I think the team really positive. There’s always a few people dition to tubing extrusion machinery of people coming in.” has done a really good job with commu- who are a little bit hesitant. But I think and injection presses, the manufactur- This allowed Continental to train work- nicating, staying in contact with our we’ve provided all the safety measures to ing area will have clean rooms for ers about new ways of protecting them- employees, telling them what’s going on make them feel comfortable,” he said. manufacturing and packaging, and selves while working. so when they came back they knew what Along with the need to earn paychecks, quality inspection areas, the release Some jobs can be done from home. But to expect. We put them through training employees also look forward to their re- said. NewAge will inventory and ship making tires is not one of them. Employ- when they came back. I was very pleased turn because of the social interaction jobs products directly from the new location. ees who must be on the plant floor are with the preparation,” he said. provide. “I think that’s an important part The company expects to double being brought back in waves to make Operations in North and South Amer- of the story,” Harmse said. manufacturing capacity for its Ad- vantaFlex TPE tubing in the short and long terms to triple capacity, the release said. Silicone tubing manu- Nokian names new CEO to replace Korhonen facturing capacity also will increase substantially. NOKIA, Finland—Hille Korhonen, president and CEO of Noki- utive for 11 years (through April 2019), and prior to that was an Tyres P.L.C. since 2017, has stepped down, and the company president and CEO of Ahlstrom Oyi for four years. has reached outside its corporate ranks for her successor, Jukka Nokian Chairman Jukka Hienonen said Moisio “has a proven Inside this edition Moisio, former president and CEO of global packaging company record in successfully leading stock listed companies and com- Huhtamaki Oyj. pany turnarounds, delivering strong financial performance and Moisio’s appointment was effective May 27. shareholder returns.” He also noted that Moisio has the “experi- During her three years as Nokian’s top executive, Korhonen ence and capabilities to lead the company to its next phase of presided over an ambitious expansion program that has yielded development.” a factory in the U.S. and a tire proving grounds in Spain, which Moisio called Nokian a “great company with fantastic prod- collectively represent nearly $400 million in investments. ucts, a valued brand and leading position in its home markets, Korhonen, 59, did not comment publicly on her reasons for and a lot of opportunities for development.” stepping down. Korhonen was named president and CEO in March 2017, filling Moisio, 59, is described as having a “strong background” in a post vacated in late 2016 by Ari Lehtoranta. She had been a leading international companies. He was Huhtamaki’s top exec- Nokian board member 11 years before stepping into the CEO role. Carbon black special report Technical notebook ...... 13 Coming into 2020, carbon Departments Calendar ...... 12 Editorials ...... 8 black producers were looking for a stable year. So far, it’s Vol. 49, No. 22. June 1, 2020—Rubber & Plastics News (ISSN 0300-6123) is published bi-weekly by Crain Communications Inc. Periodical postage paid at Akron and at 10 additional mailing offices. Address all subscription correspondence to: Circulation Department, Rubber & Plastics News, 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912. been anything but. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Rubber & Plastics News, Circulation Dept., 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912. 4 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com

COVID-19 The coronavirus pandemic Polyhose focuses on long term despite pandemic By Andrew Schunk Rubber & Plastics News Staff CHENNAI, India—When an unforeseen crisis like the coronavirus pandemic strikes, the tendency can be to try to Polyhose Inc. distributed bags of fresh veggies resolve immediate rather than long- and food to its workers who remained on the term issues. Polyhose campus during a 40-day shutdown. The key, according to the leadership team at Polyhose Inc., is to strike a balance for the hose maker’s warehouse in South between the two philosophies, one that Carolina in the coming years, said Pressler, prioritizes the safety and well-being of its who will be based at the Wilmington lo- more than 2,000 employees, yet remains cation. flexible enough to keep its operations, and “These spots are all centrally located its bottom line, afloat during volatile times. in the U.S., with very good access to trans- “Polyhose has a long-term commitment, portation and infrastructure,” Pressler even during a global financial crisis,” said. “North Carolina is a great state for said Senior Vice President Jonathan business with a quality work force, com- Pressler. “Polyhose will always keep a pared to other areas. There exists a very long-term perspective. This really is a good local government, community col- plus. The company’s expenditures into lege and other amenities.” research and development and their Rajagopalan said the company’s will- commitment to quality doesn’t waiver ingness to keep capacity on hand in during this time of financial volatility, North America allows Polyhose to serve and that’s very refreshing.” Workers at the recently re-opened Polyhose Inc. plant in India practice social distancing at all types and sizes of customers with its The global hose manufacturer also their workstations. hose lines. demonstrated its commitment to its “When you look at North Carolina and work force during the pandemic, as a Mohammed said. hose’s foresight to keep capacity (mainly the warehouse,” he said, “we believe in majority of Polyhose’s employees live in “They wanted to ease restrictions up for the paint spray industry) on hand in carrying stock in North America so we northern India and are housed at the earlier, but then things shot back up New Jersey and South Carolina. And as can cater to smaller distributors—not company’s campus in southern India for again,” Mohammed said. “But now, this the construction industry goes, so goes selling by containers, but rather allow- periods of time. All of the company’s week and the end of last week, we have the paint spray market. ing customers to draw from our volume manufacturing is done across 1 million started to function fully, more or less.” “North America really was unaffected and buy product quickly with access to square feet of production space in India. Some employees returned to their for us, given that the paint spray indus- what’s on the shelf there. This is just a There have been no cases of COVID-19 Northern India homes for various rea- try business—focused in construction— much different approach to business.” at any of the company’s facilities, either sons—health concerns, concerns for remained at the same level in North Polyhose’s innovative thinking per- in India, New Jersey, South Carolina, family members—and have not yet re- America throughout the pandemic,” Ra- haps is best demonstrated by its $5 mil- Europe, the Middle East or Asia, accord- turned to Polyhose in the south, but most jagopalan said. lion per year investment in research and ing to Polyhose President Fatima Mo- of the work force is back on the floor, With stock on hand before the pan- development. hammed. Mohammed said. No staffing changes demic hit, it was easy to meet customer “There is constant investment every When the pandemic struck, the Indi- are anticipated because of the pandemic, orders when other markets became year with product lines,” Millwala said. an government instituted a “Section according to Polyhose. strained, he said. “Some companies specialize in certain 144,” which essentially put in place a “The company is taking measures to “There was no expectation of ship- things, and Polyhose can offer these curfew for everyone in the country, where ensure their safety,” she said. ments coming from India (where all the items at a high quality and excellent no more than five or six people could While the pandemic’s impact in Asian manufacturing is done),” he said. “That’s price. Manufacturing in India allows us congregate at a time, said Raja Rajago- and European markets—namely oil and one of the key aspects of the locations in to be competitive with quality. It’s just palan, the firm’s senior vice president of gas—was “significant,” the company re- North and South Carolina, and one of the part of the culture to do that.” distribution and sales. mains strong financially, with cash on main reasons we are investing in North Prioritizing R&D has given the compa- Polyhose closed for 40 days, with many hand and proper liquidity, said Moham- America. We want a piece of the pie.” ny one of the more diverse product portfo- of its workers relegated to their campus med Millwala, vice president of opera- And Polyhose sees even those strained lios in the hose industry, from rubber and homes. tions at Polyhose. hose markets, such as transportation, re- thermoplastic hoses to PTFE (polytetra- “Even when we were allowed to open, “Financially the company is very turning before long to meet the booming fluoroethylene, or Teflon) and stainless we maintained protective gear for all our strong,” Millwala said. “We were able to agriculture and construction segments. steel, often used in hydraulic fluid trans- employees,” Rajagopalan said. “But Poly- support employees while managing our “Polyhose is positioned to capture fer systems. hose really went above and beyond, as we overhead and associated costs.” growth in all these markets,” Rajagopal- Millwala said the company has devel- provided masks for both our employees Some orders in the aforementioned an said. “Once again, Polyhose main- oped hoses for specialty applications, such and the local community. Since the stores markets were unable to ship due to shut- tains a long-term view. The company is as extruded, 3-channel medical tubing for were closed, we got veggies and food for downs farther down the supply chain, very sound. Pandemic or not, Polyhose its relatively new medical division. the workers housed near the plants and and the timing of the oil “war” between has been a leader in the field. The best There is a wide range of hose sizes offered placed the food on their door steps.” Saudi Arabia and Russia “could not have part of private ownership is it is in the at Polyhose as well, Rajagopalan said. Polyhose reopened in India in mid- come at a worse time,” Rajagopalan said. DNA of the owners within the company. “The range and quality control is May, and is operating at between 80 and But in North America, the hose mar- The financial ‘quarter mentality’ is just phenomenal, there is a true culture of 85 percent as it ramps up once again, ket remained strong, buoyed by Poly- not there. It is a long-term view.” innovation and quality that permeates the entire organization,” he said. “It’s U.S. expansion moving forward why we continue to invest in innovation.” For Polyhose, an expansion into Pend- The North Carolina facility will be er County, N.C.—and the overall U.S. built in an industrial corridor along U.S. and North American markets, the larg- Route 421, for hose assembly and distri- est in the hose industry—can be at- bution. Infrastructure already is in tributed to the company’s strong stand- place, Pressler said, and Wilmington ing within the global hose community, has the added benefit of being a seaport. according to company officials. Wages for the employees at the Pender The hose manufacturer is looking to County location will average $38,216 per build a warehouse and assembly center year, according to a news release from just outside of Wilmington, N.C., bring- the North Carolina governor’s office. A ing 51 jobs and investing nearly $8 mil- $75,000, performance-based grant from lion in the facility over the next several the One North Carolina Fund will assist years. Phase I will comprise a 50,000-sq.- Polyhose with its operations. ft. facility, set to begin in the fourth Polyhose, which began with a lone ther- quarter of 2020 or early in 2021, while moplastic division in 1996, maintains Phase II will include another 50,000-sq.- contracts with Boeing, Caterpillar, Graco Polyhose Inc. employees wear masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Polyhose also ft. addition in the coming years. and Wagner SprayTech, among many distributed masks to the community at large in Chennai, India. In addition, a satellite facility is planned others, according to the company. www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 5 Rol-Tec boosts o erings with Axis Machine purchase By Mike McNulty become a roll finishing expert.” their operations going.” Rubber & Plastics News Correspondent He said that now more than ever, man- Overall, because rubber roller compa- GREEN BAY, Wis.—Rol-Tec Inc. has ufacturers “are seeking suppliers that can nies serve many essential manufactur- significantly expanded its capabilities handle all of their needs in a given catego- ers in the U.S., the rubber roller market and product portfolio with the acquisi- ry. The Axis Machine purchase helps us has been doing well, he said. “Some in- tion of high precision grinder Axis Ma- achieve a comprehensive product offering dustries that we serve, like oil and gas, chine Co. of precision rollers and parts to critical have been slow, but other markets have Axis Machine, which is based in a original equipment manufacturers and been extremely busy and have more 20,000-sq.-ft. facility in Green Bay just manufacturers throughout the world.” than filled the gaps.” one block away from Rol-Tec’s headquar- Umentum acknowledged it might seem Rol-Tec has seen orders rise dramati- ters and plant, will operate as a division to be an odd time to purchase a company, cally from producers of paper products of Rol-Tec out of its present factory. “but we have been working on this acqui- and film, Umentum said. “At the begin- Rol-Tec produces rubber and cast ure- sition for quite some time. Many of our ning of the pandemic, our sales orders thane roller coverings, tungsten carbide customers are adjusting production to spiked with businesses scrambling for Workers at the Axis Machine operation roller coatings, ure- make critical personal protection products rollers and parts to fully stock their purchased by Rol-Tec measure the outside thane molded parts to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. This spare parts inventory. Now, as the end of diameter of the precision ground chrome and laser engraved acquisition allows us to more efficiently the crisis nears, we are seeing sales ease roller. The facility has the capability to preci- rubber coverings, and service those customers and to help keep back to a more reasonable level.” sion-grind rollers more than 20 feet in length. is a provider of roller machining services. The deal extends its offerings to include precision-grinded chrome, tungsten and metal rollers with the acquisition, said Matt Umentum Umentum, Rol-Tec president and CEO. silica He added that the equipment needed “to do this type of work is large and very DESIGNED FOR expensive. We will now also have ex- YOUR HIGH panded surface grinding capabilities.” ADDITIVES Financial details of the transaction, PERFORMANCE which closed May 1, were not disclosed. Five of the six Axis Machine employ- APPLICATIONS ees have been retained; the sixth has reached retirement age and is moving • STRUKTOL® HT 207 on from the company. Umentum said he anticipates up to 10 additional jobs will be added within the next year. • STRUKTOL® HT 276 “We will retain the office staff so orders continue to flow smoothly,” he said. • STRUKTOL® JV 46F “The previous executive team will not be retained. We will be bringing in Rol- Tec management to ‘cross pollinate’ our • STRUKTOL® ZB 49 systems and culture to Axis Machine along with our sales and customer service teams.” Umentum will serve as president and CEO of both operations. He said the acquisition allows Rol-Tec, which operates out of a 70,000-sq.-ft. plant in Green Bay and employs 70, to be a single source provider for both rubber covered and precision ground rollers, both of which are used in many industrial applications. “One of the major assets that Rol-Tec will bring to Axis Machine is an experienced team of sales and customer service advisers,” Umentum said. “Our team is proficient in identifying those customers Saves Processing – Saves Fuel and industries that can benefit from the umbrella of unique services Rol-Tec offers. “In the past, we have identified industries such as flexographic printing or blown film, and made targeted efforts to acquire equipment and experienced people to provide complete roller services and molded parts to these specific industries. The Axis Machine acquisition helps us complete our offerings with skilled metal grinding craftsmen to many targeted industries deeper in the supply chain.” Axis Machine has more than 20 years of experience in outside diameter, inside diameter, cylindrical and centerless grinding, and can precision-grind roll- Struktol Additive Solutions – let our team improve the functionality, quality and performance ers more than 20 feet in length. It produces metal rollers and machine parts values in your business. When it comes to polymer additives, Struktol’s vast chemical experience is translated used in flexographic printing, paper into the most intelligent solutions available anywhere. Our sales and technical staff are the industry’s most making and coating operations. knowledgeable polymer additive experts and are dedicated to improving your processing performance. An added bonus for Rol-Tec is that Axis Machine’s offerings are used by Call 800-FAST-MIX or visit www.struktol.com for our Intelligent Additive Solutions. many of the same customers that Rol- Tec serves. Struktol Company of America “Axis Machine has been a longtime 201 E. Steels Corners Road | P.O. Box 1649 | Stow, OH 44224-0649 valued supplier to Rol-Tec and is widely recognized as the highest quality preci- 330-928-5188 | 800-327-8649 | Fax: 330-928-0013 sion grinding company in the region,” Email: [email protected] Umentum said. “The most important assets are the people. It takes years to 6 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com Feeling the wrath of nature State of Michigan photo Dow Inc.’s brine pond that sits to the north of three tertiary wastewater treatment ponds was inundated with the ooded Tittabawassee River. Michigan ooding impacts Dow site, other area operations By Frank Esposito Tittabawassee. The river flows into the Saginaw River and damaged by flooding, and all Cabot employees are safe, Plastics News from there into Lake Huron. according to a Cabot spokeswoman. MIDLAND, Mich.—Major flooding in Michigan forced Even as the water was rising, Dow officials said all oper- “The team proactively took the site down to a safe state Dow Inc. to evacuate most workers from its Midland ating units on site were safely shut down, except for facilities (on May 19) as the flooding continued and breaches of headquarters site May 19, but within days officials said needed for safely managing chemical containment. All rail dams were becoming a certainty,” the spokeswoman said recovery was under way. cars also were secured. in an emailed statement. “Our facility is not expected to Two dams failed following days of heavy rain on May 19, Dow assets on site include silicones as well as research take on any water at this time, but our facility will remain flooding the Tittabawassee River, destroying homes and and development operations and tenant assets. The sili- in a safe state until our fence line partner, Dow, is ready to flooding Midland. The river crested 11 feet over flood stage. cones assets haven’t been impacted by flood waters, but supply our utilities and receive our waste streams.” In a May 20 statement, Dow said its local emergency were shut down because of lack of access to needed in- The AptarGroup, a global producer of dispensing systems operations center had been fully activated and it imple- frastructure. in the liquid silicone molding industry, said its Midland facil- mented its flood preparedness plan. It also partnered with “While we are in the early phases of recovery, we ity is not expected to be impacted by the flooding. the U.S. Coast Guard to activate emergency plans when currently do not expect our Midland silicones assets to However, the lives of some of its employees have been floodwaters commingled with on-site containment ponds. be offline for an extended period of time,” the firm said. upended due to the resulting mandatory evacuations, By May 21, however, Dow officials said that flood “Business continuity plans are in place to ensure cus- according to an Aptar spokeswoman. waters had crested and that the firm’s focus had shifted tomer needs are met.” The company, which is not in immediate proximity to “into a clean-up and recovery mode.” The emergency began when the 96-year-old Edenville the flood-ravaged areas where residents were evacuated, “We have begun implementing site recovery plans and Dam failed after 6 p.m. on May 19. Water that had made did close May 19 and May 20 to support evacuation and will continue to advance site assessments as the situation up Wixom Lake then overwhelmed the 95-year-old San- flooding relief efforts, she said. safely allows,” officials said. “This plan includes an in- ford Dam downstream. “Our thoughts are with our Aptar teammates and every- spection of all facilities and remediation assets along the An estimated 11,000 residents near Midland were one in Midland who has been impacted by the terrible Tittabawassee River as flood waters recede.” told to evacuate when the dams failed. flooding,” the spokeswoman said. “We are focused on the They added that no product releases or employee inju- CDB reported that the Edenville Dam had been rated in safety and support of our people as we do have some employ- ries have been reported. unsatisfactory condition by the state in 2018. That same ees who live closer to town and were safely evacuated.” Officials also said that although flood waters mingled year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission revoked Aptar Midland reopened May 21. “At this time, we do with an on-site brine pond, the material from the pond the license of the company that operated the dam because not foresee an impact in the supply chain from raw ma- doesn’t create any risk to residents or the environment. of noncompliance issues, including spillway capacity. terials through to production of our products for our Crain’s Detroit Business, a sister publication of Rubber & The 95-year-old Sanford Dam received a fair condi- customers,” she said. Plastics News, reported that the ponds cover 200 acres of tion from the state in 2018, according to CDB. The company is providing a $20,000 donation to the Dow’s 1,900-acre property in Midland. The ponds collect Midland is a city of 42,000 in central Michigan. Dow, Michigan Red Cross in support of the Midland Flood wastewater that is filtered before being discharged into the one of the world’s largest elastomers, plastics and chemi- Relief Campaign, and any additional contributions from cals makers, has operated in Michigan since 1897. U.S. Aptar employees will be matched by Aptar, Rear- According to a Dow website, polymers made by the firm in don said. Midland are used in food and liquid packaging. Other prod- Dow, likewise, is supporting flood relief and recovery ucts made in Midland include adhesives for automotive efforts, saying May 22 it will provide a $1 million donation. bonding; coatings for airbags; herbicides and insecticides for “Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region has been Dow’s agriculture; beauty, hair and personal care ingredients; and home for more than 120 years, and we are committed to health care materials for medical devices, drug delivery and helping our employees and our neighbors as we recover pharmaceutical tubing. from this historic flood,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow chair- Dow’s Michigan operations include production of man and CEO. plastics and specialty chemicals, as well as major R&D The funding includes $250,000 for a new Dow Employee assets. Several other firms have operations at the Dow Assistance Fund at the Midland Area Community Foun- complex, including DuPont, Corteva Agriscience, Trinseo dation to help Dow employees who have suffered emergen- and SK Saran. cy hardship from the flooding. It also includes $250,000 to the United Way of Midland County’s Rise Together Fund, Recovery, relief support providing resources for thousands of families throughout Trinseo maintains office and production operations Midland County who were impacted by the events. These in Midland, where it makes latex and acrylonitrile buta- funds will be matched by the Herbert H. and Grace A. diene styrene. A spokesman said the situation still is Dow Foundation. being assessed and declined further comment, referring State of Michigan photo to Dow’s statement regarding the facility and complex. Rubber & Plastics News staff members Jim Johnson, Flooding resulted from the overrun Edenville Dam, which Cabot Corp. operates a fumed silica manufacturing Andrew Schunk and Erin Pustay Beaven contributed to caused damage in Midland, Mich., and surrounding areas. plant near the Dow facility in Midland. This plant was not this report. Lenk: Flooding evacuation like a scene from a movie By Bruce Meyer bawassee River. This caused the Eden- Rubber & Plastics News Staff ville Dam to fail that evening, and water SANFORD, Mich.— For Charles Lenk, that had made up Wixom Lake then vice president of Laur Silicone Inc., it overwhelmed the 95-year-old Sanford was like a scene out of movie. Dam downstream. Lenk said the San- But as he and his wife were forced to ford Dam didn’t collapse, but the over- evacuate their home in Sanford, not flow safety wall built several years ago once but twice to escape the flooding gave way because it couldn’t hold the that hit Midland County May 19, it was pressure, and all the water rushed a real tale they were living. downstream. “It’s pretty devastating up here,” Lenk The Lenks live on Sanford Lake, said. “The town of Sanford is pretty about 2 miles north of the dam. “We live much gone. ... People don’t have houses, on the water, but we don’t have any wa- people don’t have businesses. It’s pretty ter anymore,” he said. bad, a sad situation.” Lenk and his wife first were told to Lenk was luckier than many others in evacuate about midnight on May 18, the Sanford and surrounding areas, as his when there was word of the possibility of Photo courtesy of Charles Lenk home was high enough to avoid damage. a breach of the Edenville Dam. About 4 When the Sanford Dam gave way, water immediately rushed downstream, causing disastrous Heavy rains May 19 flooded the Titta- See Flooding, page 7 impacts to properties south of the dam. www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 7 added, has remained open throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, but with some Flooding changes. The firm normally operates one shift five days a week. Throughout Continued from page 6 the pandemic, Lenk said the 10-person a.m., the dams were deemed safe and company has split into two shifts to al- sound, so they returned home. low for social distancing. The day shift Lenk then worked all day May 19— ends at 4 p.m., while the night shift Laur Silicone is about 15 miles north- comes in at 4:30 p.m. west of Sanford in Beaverton, Mich.— “We don’t see each other,” Lenk said. and returned home that evening. He “That’s keeping us healthy, I think. We re-tied his pontoon boat because water don’t have a lot of cases up here, but we’re was coming up, and he needed to give doing what we can to keep everybody safe. the line more slack. We’ll probably be doing two shifts for an- As soon has he went back in the house other couple months. We’re not a big com- and sat down—it was about 6 p.m. at pany, but we put out a lot of rubber.” this point—the alarms on their cell Business had slowed some, he said, but phones went off, saying the dam had Laur is starting to see orders rising some breached and to evacuate immediately. now. “We do have a bunch of customers “By the time we got out, which was a that are essential, and they kept work- Photos courtesy of Charles Lenk matter of 15 minutes at most, there were ing. So we kept getting orders but not like Flooding that ensued when the Sanford Dam’s over ow safety wall gave way caused fire trucks going through the neighbor- we usually do. It’s picking up a bit now.” considerable damage to homes and businesses in Sanford, Mich. hoods, screaming at people to get out of their houses. It was utter chaos for awhile,” Lenk said. “It’s like something you’d see in a movie. It’s just amazing the number of cars that were just streaming out of the towns. But everybody got out before the water got here. That was a good thing.” He, his wife and their dogs evacuated safely to their son’s home in Midland, about 10 miles away. The next morning he made his way back to the house, not knowing at that point what he would find. The normal 15-minute trip took 1 1/2 hours because of detours caused by closed roads and washed-out bridges, Lenk said. “My home was high and dry. Water came up from the normal level, it came up probably 15 feet, but it didn’t get to the house,” he said, because when the Sanford Dam was compromised all the water immediately traveled downstream. “My pontoon was flipped right over on its top, sitting on the mud bottom of the river. My neighbor across the water, his pontoon is sitting in his back yard up on a bunch of rocks. People are still looking for some of their boats. Motor homes are sitting in the middle of the lake. It’s just amazing what the power of water can do.” Those located south of the dam, however, weren’t so fortunate, including those in the town of Sanford, which had fewer than 1,000 people as of the 2010 census. Many houses were moved or simply washed away because of the flooding. “All the restaurants are just de- stroyed,” Lenk said. “This one in particular was pulled right off of its foundation. We used to go there every Saturday and have breakfast. It was part of our routine. In fact, during the pandemic we’d order take out food and sit in their front parking lot and have breakfast.” Another business that was devastated was the Fieros Forever car museum. An enthusiast of the sports car built by Pontiac only from 1984-88 had 20 of Fi- eros in his collection at the time of the flooding, and all but one were totaled by the disaster. “Right now we have Fieros all through town,” Lenk said May 22. “Thank God there were no deaths or injuries because of this,” he said. “We have to give thanks to the emergency response people who told everybody to get out. They were on top of it for two days watching it. It could have been disastrous.” The Lenks were back living in their house by late in the afternoon of May 20, but still had no power as of May 22, though they did have a generator, running water and natural gas for cooking.

Laur operational through pandemic No other Laur Silicone staff members Registered to ISO 9001 were impacted by the flooding, according to Lenk. The supplier of silicone materials, he harwick.com Visit harwick.com for a complete Akron, OH 1-800-899-4412 l Pico Rivera, CA 1-800-883-9911 list of Arlanxeo polymers. 8 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com Opinion Vol. 49 No. 22

Brennan Lafferty, V.P./group publisher ARPM builds solid EDITORIAL STAFF Bruce Meyer, Editor (330-865-6124) Erin Pustay Beaven, Managing editor association one (330-865-6106) Andrew Schunk, Reporter (330-865-6115) Jim Johnson, Reporter member at a time (937-964-1289) Michael McCrady, Art director lowly but surely, the Association for Rubber Products (330-865-6148) Manufacturers has built itself into a worthy advocate John Dick, Technical editor for the non-tire rubber companies of the U.S. It has tak- ([email protected]) S Don Loepp, Editorial director en nearly a decade, but the organization just hit an import- ([email protected]) ant milestone in its journey, passing the 100-member mark. ADVERTISING That’s a long way from where the ARPM started in Octo- Christine Zernick, Sales director ber 2010. At that time, those in the non-tire rubber product 330-865-6108 [email protected] REGIONAL MANAGERS game, if they wanted any sort of representation, had little Peter Bianchi choice but to join the General Products Group of the former an association that would cater to their needs. Nix, after all, 312-265-6484 [email protected] John Hickey Rubber Manufacturers Association. had organized other industry groups, including one in the 260-437-8502 [email protected] The big problem with the RMA, from their perspective, plastics industry. He would use the same principles and Linda Hickey was that the larger tire producers easily overshadowed structures as in the other associations he leads, so the new 330-592-4857 [email protected] Pete McNeil their non-tire brethren in the association. After all, it was ARPM wouldn’t need to re-invent the wheel, so to speak. 330-865-6109 [email protected] the tire makers that covered roughly 80 percent of the That’s not saying it would be easy. The new association Bruce Miller RMA’s budget, so if they wanted the Washington-based didn’t even maintain all of the 35 GPG members from the 313-737-6665 [email protected] Diane Owen group to concentrate on lobbying on tire-related issues, RMA. Nix knew the ARPM didn’t have a product to sell, 313-446-0445 [email protected] that was going to top the agenda. other than the value it could bring to the non-tire rubber Catherine Clipper, Business Development 313-446-6063 [email protected] The RMA wasn’t meeting the needs of its GPG compa- community. It had to offer services the prospective mem- Patrick Cannon, Group sales director nies, and membership in that wing of the RMA dropped to bers couldn’t get anywhere else and would make them be- (313-446-1625) a paltry 35 companies. The GPG annual meeting had been lieve the membership was a wise investment. Lynn Calcaterra, Classified advertising sales representative (313-446-0446) scrapped, taking away the one true networking opportuni- So the ARPM held plant tours, fulfilling the need for Lori DiFrancesco, Sales and conference ty for those members. And with so few members remaining, networking. It also concentrated on building technical coordinator (330-865-6121) they lacked the infrastructure to have programming ca- standards, offering industry benchmarking data and edu- RUBBER DIRECTORY & BUYERS GUIDE tered to their needs. cational opportunities such as its safety summit. Sally Dietz, Assistant events manager/editorial coordinator (330-865-6112) It became clear that an agreement to have the non-tire One by one, companies joined—mostly rubber product INTEGRATED MARKETING members split from the RMA would be in the best interests makers, but also custom mixers, machinery suppliers, 313-446-5869 of all. That would leave the tire members free to run the material companies and others. Debbie Hershfield, Director, Events & Marketing organization as they saw fit, including changing its name The official 100th member, Zelionople, Pa.-based Eagle Joe Pryweller, Conference director Colleen Jones, Events specialist to the current U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. Rubber Products Inc., with 18 employees, is typical of a Mark McCarron, Digital coordinator The leaders of three GPG member companies—Custom large part of the membership base. But the ARPM also Hadi Shehadeh, Graphic designer Meaghan Crawford, Email marketing specialist Rubber Corp., Eagle Elastomers Inc. and Hamilton Kent Inc. boasts some of the larger names among non-tire rubber Alliya Samhat, Audience development specialist (one of its few non-U.S.-members)—led the effort to find a new firms, including ContiTech, Freudenberg and Trelleborg. IT/PRODUCTION STAFF home for the non-tire firms. Custom Rubber President Char- In all, ARPM has seen a solid first decade and has what Scott Merryweather, Media services manager lie Braun said they settled on Troy Nix as the person to form looks to be a bright future ahead. Anthony DiPonio, Chief information officer AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Elise Coyle, Group director/Audience development (313-446-1602) Veebha Mehta, Chief Marketing Officer Viewpoint (212-210-0725) EXECUTIVE OFFICES 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000, Cuyahoga Join our Best Places to Work program Falls, Ohio 44221. Phone: 330-836-9180; Edito- rial fax, 330-836-2831; Sales, administration fax: By Bruce Meyer distributors, machinery makers and recycling 330-836-1005 here’s no doubt that 2020 has been a mem- firms, just to name a few. Rubber & Plastics News is published bi-weekly by Crain Communications Inc. orable year thus far, but for all the wrong Basically, the main criteria is your firm must: Subscriptions: U.S., one year $99; two years, reasons. 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And with all the turmoil brought about by and determines the winners and rankings. information and delivery concerns please email COVID-19, this actually is a good time to get a gauge on So take this break from “pandemic mania.” I think [email protected] or call 877-320- 1726 (in the U.S. and Canada) or 313-446-0450 the morale of your staff. you’ll be glad you did. (all other locations) The Best Places to Work program is open to virtually Reprints: Lauren Melesio, 212-210-0707; e-mail, [email protected]. all companies doing business in any aspect of the rubber Meyer is editor of Rubber & Plastics News. He can be reached Website: http://www.rubbernews.com industry. That includes end product makers, suppliers, at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @bmeyerRPN. CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC Online Quote of the week Keith E. Crain Mary Kay Crain Chairman Vice chairman Check out our website at rubbernews.com What we have now is really rare because, KC Crain Chris Crain See behind-the-scenes as FCA welcomes its employees back to the not only is nobody buying a car, but nobody— President Senior executive PHOTOS: vice president factories. and I mean nobody—is driving. This is a really Lexie Crain rare kind of double-hit. There is no replace- Armstrong Robert Recchia Secretary Chief financial officer THE BEST PLACES. Has your company gone the extra mile during the ment demand and there is no OE demand. I COVID-19 crisis? It may be one of our Best Places to Work. Learn more at G.D. Crain Jr. Gertrude R. Crain don’t think we have ever seen a situation that Founder (1885-1973) Chairman (1911-1996) bestplacestoworkrubber.com is quite this stark, quite this dire. Other online content: -Paul Ita, Notch Consulting Inc. STORIES • VIDEOS • PHOTOS • NEWS • BLOGS • NEWSLETTERS

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COPY: copy www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 9 Lessons learned managing from afar during pandemic By Thomas Shorma employees, company and customers. the Good of Your Employees. If you WCCO Belting Perspective • Get Creative with Interaction. make your decisions based on the best I think it’s safe to say that most of us Even if you can’t physically be together, interest of your employees with the never have prepared our businesses to This ended up being the longest period it’s important to create other interaction available facts, they’ll make decisions operate during a pandemic. To further of time I’ve ever been away from the facili- opportunities. Seeing people and listen- similarly for you. People can do amazing complicate matters, when COVID-19 be- ty. Although I participate in numerous ac- ing to voices creates an entirely different things when you give them the opportu- gan plaguing our country, I was on vaca- tivities and events that require me to feel when sharing messages and having nity to do so. tion with my family. travel, I’ve never been one to enjoy working a conversation, and it also can alleviate With all these great learnings in place, It was then that I remotely. I like sitting down to focus at the potential communications issues. We en- at the end of the day, it also has made us learned first-hand desk that’s been mine for almost 20 years. couraged all meetings to go virtual as value working together in-person even how leading and man- I want to take regular strolls through the soon as the COVID-19 crisis escalated, more. aging the situation production floor and check out the hot and strongly suggest to our employees When I finally was able to go back to the from afar created even projects people are working on. During the that they keep their laptop cameras on. office, I intentionally—but safely—stuck more challenges. Even self-quarantine, getting comfortable in my In addition, our monthly employee meet- around for a couple hours to see employees so, we knew we need- home office was a challenge, but I had to ings are being turned into videos, and from all three production shifts. It was an ed to take immediate adapt, as everyone has done. we enlisted in a third-party Emergency emotional time as people walked by, action to ensure our Though it was—and still is—extremely Notification System. The ENS has been waved and smiled. I wanted to be sure ev- employees remained hard not being physically present every an impactful tool that’s allowed me to eryone knew that we are in this together. safe. Shorma day, it’s reassuring that I still can see the communicate updates directly with our Through the pandemic thus far, WCCO Luckily, our business development de- team’s reactions face-to-face during our employees via voice and text messages. Belting has been fortunate to keep our en- partment—with the support of our IT online calls with our collaboration tools. • It’s Important to Be Flexible. As tire work force on board and contributing team—already had started putting mea- We are a family business and personal a business, we already were headed to the goals we set at the beginning of the sures in place to allow our teams to work connections mean so much, so a phone down the road of telecommuting because year, and it’s promising to see a glimmer of remotely and virtually collaborate when call simply isn’t enough sometimes. After of the preferences of the younger genera- light at the end of the tunnel now. needed, so we were fortunate to have a all, how do you conduct family reunions? tions in our work force. Our leadership From what I’ve seen throughout the head start. Typically, not over the phone! now sees the efficiencies and how it can past few weeks, I know that we are going The morning we decided action was For me, it’s important to see people, look work even more clearly. It’s still import- to successfully weather this storm be- necessary, even though I was thousands them in the eyes and be able to reassure ant for us to be centered around the pro- cause our care for each other and our of miles away, I easily was able to connect them. However, I also realized I needed to duction facility in order to have the ca- customers doesn’t end when we punch with our leadership team to get things in set an example for my employees by mak- maraderie we seek as a family and a out or work from home. As cliche as it motion while I was waiting for my flight ing the sacrifice to work from home to re- business, but there is a happy medium may be to say, I do believe this too shall back to North Dakota. duce the risk of exposure to those who we can strike moving forward. Because pass, and we will be stronger—and bet- We set up a task force that included the have to be onsite to do their jobs. we were able to adapt easily, our busi- ter leaders—because of it. leadership team and others who needed to Outside of the protocols that needed to ness didn’t have a lapse in productivity be involved in decisions, including human be put in place, such as social distancing, from those who were working remotely, Thomas Shorma is president and CEO resources and communications. We contin- acquiring of protective gear, implementing and our employees felt supported. of WCCO Belting Inc., based in Wahpe- ue to meet daily to review rapidly changing additional sanitary procedures, and nu- • Make Fact-Based Decisions for ton, N.D. updates, restrictions and news. The virtu- merous other measures to keep our em- al meeting is as short or long as needed to ployees safe, here are a few things I learned ensure that we cover everything and our through our COVID-19 response efforts: people felt taken care of. Given the speed • The Value of a Unified Voice. By at which things were progressing early on, involving members of different teams in it often felt as if we were in a tug of war the task force, we ensure every viewpoint between action and reaction. There’s not is considered, and we cover all our bases. an instruction manual for this situation, Though we don’t always agree, we come to so we trust our instincts and do our best to conclusions that benefit the greater good. sort facts from fear. Because of this, we ultimately are able to In our first task force meeting, we make decisions unanimously, ensuring agreed that anyone traveling via air would everyone is aligned and able to educate be required to stay at home for 14 days af- their teams and peers on how and why ter returning to North Dakota. Though it decisions were made. The clear communi- was extremely difficult for me, I stayed at cation connects everyone to the deeper home, physically away from our team, for meaning behind the decisions and how the full 14-day self-quarantine. the changes are in the best interest of our SPE, Crain establish scholarship to honor Bregar DANBURY, Conn.—To honor longtime Bregar, who was a resident of Ashtabu- plastics journalist Bill Bregar, the Society la, Ohio, also reported on SPE events and of Plastics Engineers and Crain Commu- news. Because he was considered a long- nications have launched the Bill Bregar time friend and asset to the SPE Akron Memorial Scholar- Section, Bregar recently was inducted ship Fund, which posthumously into the Section’s 2020 will support aspiring Plastics Hall of Honor. This award recog- journalists and busi- nizes individuals whose quiet service and ness communicators support are often overshadowed by the in the plastics and celebrity of people or programs deemed of manufacturing in- higher rank or visibility. He was nomi- dustries. nated by Keith Pelfrey, awards chair of Bregar, who died SPE’s Akron Section. on April 5 of an ap- “Bill has been a huge supporter of the parent heart attack, Akron chapter over the years. We enjoyed spent 31 years re- Bregar his wit and humor,” Pelfrey said. porting on the plas- The Bill Bregar Memorial Scholarship tics industry. He joined Crain Communi- Fund was established on behalf of the cations’ Plastics News as a staff reporter Bregar family by SPE and Crain Commu- shortly before the publication’s launch in nications. Crain will provide initial fund- 1989. Plastics News is a sister publication ing of $5,000 with additional funding of Rubber & Plastics News. coming through donations. The SPE “I think Bill liked the reporting part of Foundation is accepting donations through journalism best,” PN Editor Don Loepp the Bill Bregar Scholarship Fund website. said. “Meeting people, calling people on “By honoring Bill’s memory with a schol- the phone, asking them questions, learn- arship for a journalism or communications ing about them and about their business. student, we are affirming his life’s work He was an excellent writer, too, and his as well as his excellence in reporting on an style came through in almost everything industry we all hold dear,” said Eve Vitale, he wrote, even briefs about new products. chief executive of the SPE Foundation. But his real gift was his reporting skill. He Scholarship applications will be accept- also enjoyed mentoring young reporters, ed from Dec. 1 through April 1, 2021, on sharing his knowledge and sources freely the SPE Foundation website at www.4spe. when they showed interest.” org. 10 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com

Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Carbon Black Unexpected turn of events Carbon black rms nd steady ground amid pandemic’s uncertainty

By Erin Pustay Beaven think anyone was coming into this year income from the lower sales volumes.” • OE light truck tires likely will fall 18 Rubber & Plastics News Staff thinking it was going to be a gangbuster.” Weakening market demand in the au- percent to 4.8 million units, from 5.9 If anything, 2020 kind of feels like one Cancarb Ltd., part of Tokai Carbon Co. tomotive and pipe markets throughout million; and big dizzy bat race. Ltd., came into 2020 expecting to see slight North America and Europe had a partic- • OE medium truck tires are expected The coronavirus pandemic has sent drops in demand from the automotive mar- ularly pointed impact on Orion Engi- to plummet nearly 31 percent to 4.5 mil- the industries spinning, and businesses ket, and was preparing to adjust accordingly. neered Carbon L.L.C.’s Specialty Carbon lion units, from 6.5 million. are forced to find the finish line on un- “We started to see shipment volumes Blacks segment in the first quarter of What makes the coronavirus’ impact sure footing and unfamiliar terrain. softening from the onset of the second 2020. Volumes in the segment fell 8.8 so devastating for the tire market is that But it wasn’t supposed to be this way. half of 2019 as automotive builds began to percent to around 58,000 metric tons. it has reached into the replacement tire It was supposed to be an extension of slow down,” Cancarb President Peter In terms of production, Orion was able market simultaneously. Shelter-at-home 2019, which saw some market softening, Donnelly said in an emailed statement. to maintain operations globally, ensur- orders kept drivers off the roads, and but overall turned out to be pretty solid. “We certainly felt the impact of the global ing a steady supply to its customers. As their lack of travel was compounded by Last year, the global market for carbon slowdown in the auto sector, but this was demand waned, Orion said it adjusted. layoffs and furloughs. black was around 13.7 million metric tons, partly offset by the fact that we sell our “Where demand slowed,” Orion CEO “What we have now is really rare be- and had a value of about $16.2 billion, ac- thermal carbon black into a myriad of Corning Painter said in a statement, cause, not only is nobody buying a car, but cording to the Carbon Black World Data applications in many industries, includ- “our people have been flexible allowing nobody—and I mean nobody—is driving,” Book issued by Notch Consulting Inc. By ing ceramics and refractories.” us to drive operational and safety im- Ita said. “This is a really rare kind of end market, carbon black broke down: Cabot Corp. was expecting to see consis- provements with everyone pitching in. double-hit. There is no replacement de- • passenger car tires—28 percent; tency from 2020. The automotive market, “Orion executed well in the first quarter, mand and there is no OE demand. I don’t • truck/bus tires—24 percent; which had been slowly softening, was begin- and we were on track for strong financial think we have ever seen a situation that • other tires—22 percent; ning to stabilize and early indicators showed results until the latter half of March when is quite this stark, quite this dire.” • manufactured rubber goods/non-tire that the year was going to be a good one. many tire customer plants shut down. Still, All of that adds up to a crunch on the rubber goods—19 percent; and “As the 2019 calendar turned to 2020, we delivered adjusted EBITDA of $63.8 replacement tire market. • specialty blacks (all non-rubber)—7 we were seeing a stable market globally,” USTMA’s latest prediction assumes percent. Cabot said in a statement. “The automo- CARBON BLACK MARKET the same. USTMA expects 2020 replace- ( gures in metric tons) This year was supposed to be similar. tive market was not terribly strong, but 15 ment tire shipments to trail 2019. By It was supposed to be stable and, if noth- not terribly weak either, and customers 14 category, it predicts: ing else, predictable. who had destocked at the end of 2019 13 14.0 • Passenger tires to be down 17 percent 13.7 million “To use a sports term, we were looking were restocking for 2020, so the year got 12 million to 184.4 million units, from 222.6 million; at a rebuilding year,” said Paul Ita, a con- off to a strong start.” 11 • Light truck tires to fall 16 percent to sultant with Notch Consulting. “I don’t But if 2020 has been anything, it’s 10 10.5 27.3 million units, from 32.5 million; and been unstable. At least through the first 9 million • Medium truck tires to slip 7 percent three months of the year. 8 to 17.6 million units, from 18.9 million. Carbon black makers—and others 7 The European Tyre & Rubber Manufac- along the automotive industry supply 6 turers’ Association’s analysis of the first chain—began to feel the economic impact 5 quarter echoed the USTMA’s findings. of the coronavirus early in 2020 as Asia 4 Compared to 2019, Europe’s passenger SOLTEx grappled with its spread, and manufac- 3 and light truck tire shipments were down CARBON BLACK DEMAND GLOBAL turing there slowed and stopped. 2 CARBON BLACK DEMAND GLOBAL 12.8 percent for the quarter to 48 million CARBON BLACK DEMAND GLOBAL “We first experienced the impact of 1 units, ETRMA said. In March alone, those COVID-19 in China with the extension of 1.90 1.95 1.45 shipments were off 26.4 percent. 0 million million Lunar New Year holiday closures into million The truck tire aftermarket fared the best 2019 2020 2020 February,” Cabot said. “Many of our cus- Original forecast Revised forecast among the categories tracked by ETRMA, Acetylene tomers’ plants in China were closed or North America with shipments falling 5.6 percent to 2.83 Carbon black global demand Source: Notch Consulting Inc. running at low rates for most of February. million units. March, however, saw a 15.1 We began to see improvement as we million despite the shutdowns, an abrupt halt percent decline in truck tire shipments when BLACK moved through March, and by April Chi- in consumer spending and miles driven, compared to the same month last year. na volumes for the domestic tire market and a sharp decline in oil prices.” BEYOND CARBON BLACK were back to more normal levels.” For the carbon black industry, COVID- Silver linings Then the automotive industry sputtered 19’s economic punch was repeated. In a Still, every gray cloud is said to have its its way through the first few months of the typical recession, one sector may suffer but silver lining, and the economic storm Upgrade your carbon black pandemic in Europe and North America. others will be stronger. In the tire market, brought on by the coronavirus is no different. to Soltex high-conductive More tire makers and auto suppliers were for instance, if OEMs have a down year, “Certainly, the current market situa- forced to suspend operations both to pro- chances are the aftermarket will be robust. tion is a challenging one, though our focus acetylene black – the ultra-pure tect their work forces and adjust to the But not this time around. begins with the health and safety of our specialty additive that takes decreased demand for products. employees and their families,” Cabot said, performance to a new level. That weighed on the carbon black Tire market battered praising its employees for their dedication makers. “In Europe and the Americas, The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Associa- and flexibility during the uncertain times. we experienced solid demand from Janu- tion’s revised tire shipment figures are “What gives us great optimism is the way North American Supply ary through early March,” Cabot said. evidence of just how deeply the COVID-19 our colleagues, customers and partners “By the end of March, many of our tire pandemic has cut into the tire market, and around the world have quickly adapted to Fast Delivery and automotive customers across these subsequently, the carbon black market. In the circumstances and continue to man- regions began to stop operations and de- April, the USTMA said 2020 shipments age through the challenges each day. We Any Volume mand was reduced over the last two could fall to their lowest levels in de- feel confident in the resiliency of our col- weeks of the quarter. This led to weaker cades—to 273.6 million units. That rep- leagues, our customers and our industry.” Technical Support volumes, mainly in our Reinforcement resents an 18 percent drop compared 2019. In the tire market, those bright spots Materials segment.” And that’s a stark contrast to the asso- have been the commercial tire industry— Despite the drops in demand, Cabot said ciation’s early March projections. Before which includes retreading—and the ag it was able to maintain all of its operations, the coronavirus’ economic impact was tire market. but production has been scaled back “to evident, USTMA said it expected U.S. Growing food and delivering essential align to the lower customer demand.” tire shipments to increase this year. goods remained key components of every- The same is true for Cancarb, which But the newest outlook shows that’s day life, even as many other facets of busi- has continued with production, adjusting not the case anymore. And the original ness and manufacturing halted, so ag tire to demand as necessary. equipment sector is expected to take the and commercial tire makers continued op- “As the auto and tire sectors began to slow biggest hit. USTMA now estimates a erations, Ita said. Another silver lining for down or completely close plants, this quickly full-year drop of 24 percent in the OE carbon black makers was manufactured translated into customers postponing orders sector, compared to 2019. rubber goods, which continued to see steady and, hence, our sales volume has been re- By individual category, the USTMA’s demand from essential industries. duced,” Donnelly said. “We have scaled back latest forecast indicates: “Looking around, anything you see as production accordingly and have had a cor- • OE passenger tires could drop 24 per- essential is still running,” he said. responding impact to sales and operating cent to 35 million units, from 46.3 million; See Carbon, page 11 800-275-8580 www.soltexinc.com/ab [email protected] www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 11

Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Carbon Black Birla, GranBio claim breakthrough in sustainability By Jim Johnson incorporation of sustainable, bio-derived nanocellulose company’s commercialization of its BioPlus nanocellu- Rubber & Plastics News Staff into commercial rubber products,” the companies said. lose technology. MARIETTA, Ga.—A joint development program between Nanocellulose utilization has caught the attention of News of the sustainability improvements comes as Birla Birla Carbon and GranBio Technologies expects to improve both industry and research in recent years, but there have also is revealing that its 16 global manufacturing plants the sustainability of tire and rubber products through been challenges regarding effective dispersion of hydro- have been certified by the International Automotive Task what the companies are calling a breakthrough technology. philic nanocellulose into hydrophobic rubber formulations, Force. Birla claims it is the first carbon black maker to gain The two companies claim to have figured out how to the companies said. this recognition. effectively disperse nanocellulose in tire and rubber Nanocellulose is described by the companies as a “versa- IATF certification “signifies that the company meets products, the result of a three-year development pro- tile high-strength, lightweight renewable biomaterial.” all the requirements of the global Quality Management gram involving the two sides. GranBio makes a variety of nanocellulose products at a System standard, especially for the automotive indus- Birla Carbon and GranBio are calling the new prod- biorefinery in Thomaston, Ga. try,” the company said. “It incorporates the structure uct nanocellulose dispersion composite rubber master- “A key product innovation goal of our tire customers is to and requirements of the ISO (International Organiza- batch and using the trademark “NDC” for it. increase the amount of renewable raw materials in their tion for Standardization) quality management system “The NDC masterbatch overcomes traditional dis- tires through product innovation,” Dale Clark, Birla’s chief and additional requirements for automotive customers.” persion challenges by combining several synergistic technology officer, said in a statement. “The NDC master- Certification is developed by members of the Interna- innovations developed by our team members including batch enables delivery of this goal while maintaining or tional Automotive Task Force and submitted to the GranBio’s patented hydrophobic form of nanocellulose,” improving tire properties and performance.” ISO. Certification can cover any company manufactur- the companies said in a joint statement. Birla has a regional headquarters in Marietta and ing and supplying components to the automobile indus- The new masterbatch addresses sustainability de- global headquarters in Mumbai, India. try, Birla said. mands “both in terms of improving tire rolling resis- Kenneth Hill, GranBio’s chief commercial officer, Birla has 16 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries tance and vehicle fuel economy through enabling the called the development “a significant milestone” in his and two technology centers in Marietta and Taloja, India.

the financial crisis of 2008-09, it really REVISED U.S. TIRE SHIPMENTS FORECAST ( gures in tire units) is different because that crisis is not Carbon what we are looking at now. There were ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT MARKET no limits on people leaving the house. 50 250 Continued from page 10 Maybe people were reluctant to spend 46.3 million 222.6 That’s a good thing for carbon black money, but it’s nothing like anything 40 -24% 200 million -17% companies supplying makers of rubber that we are (experiencing) now.” 184.4 goods that support those industries. For instance, a second wave of infections 35.0 million “We are starting to see the beginnings in the fall could result in an economic hit as 30 million 150 of recovery for the tire markets in recent big or bigger than the one the world faced weeks,” Cabot said. “At the same time, this spring. If that’s the case, it may be im- 20 100 we are seeing a number of applications possible for some companies to overcome. that are growing or potentially benefit- “I don’t know that many companies can 10 -18% -31% -16% -7% ing from the COVID-19 environment. survive that stress test,” Ita said. “My 50 2019 2020 2019 2019 2020 Specifically, strong demand remains in fear is that people will not survive this 2020 2019 2020 5.9 4.8 6.5 4.5 32.5 27.3 2019 2020 million million 2019 2020 million million 18.9 17.6 the agricultural space as well as applica- downturn, even companies that were 0 million million 0 million million tions such as packaging, and specifically pretty stable. So far, the quarter results demand revised demand revised demand revised demand revised demand revised demand revised food packaging. These are important have been concerning, but have not been forecast forecast forecast forecast forecast forecast markets for both our carbon black and disastrous, so companies may have gotten Passenger Light truck Medium truck Passenger Light truck Medium truck masterbatch products lines.” through the first part of this crisis.” Source: U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association Sometimes, it’s the most difficult of Orion, in particular, remains optimis- 9,000 metric tons of capacity. The project “We eliminated all discretionary circumstances that bring out the best in tic about the road ahead despite the eco- timeline has not been altered as a result spending, stopped travel, curtailed pro- people. That has been true for Cabot, nomic challenges it currently faces. of the pandemic, and is slated for comple- duction, tightened plant spending and which has seen its employees step up and “While uncertainties continue, society tion later this year, according to Donnelly. our President and CEO Sean Keohane help their communities, friends and will emerge from this, and our end mar- “This will give us much more flexibility temporarily suspended his salary,” Cabot neighbors with acts of kindness. kets will rebound,” Painter said. “In par- with operating and maintaining our other said. “Finally, we have further reduced “We are also extremely proud of our ticular, we believe driving is going to be a five units, but we are also optimistic that our capital expenditure forecast by $25 Cabot team across the globe who have popular mode of transportation, and we the research and development efforts that million such that our capital expenditures stepped up to support their local commu- are working to be stronger than ever to we are now engaged in will lead to an in- are expected to be approximately $200 nities during this challenging time, from serve our customers.” crease in our sales volumes in the very million for fiscal year 2020.” donating personal protective equipment near future,” he said. “We will be able to Even as Cabot is working to maintain and contributing raw materials for the Forging ahead meet all of the volume requirements of our its financial stability, it is seeing many production of hand sanitizer, to helping For Cancarb, the economic downturn customers and will continue to focus on opportunities for growth. Continued in- supply food to children who are without has been manageable so far. To maintain growing the thermal carbon black busi- vestments in applications such as batter- access to school meals,” Cabot said. costs, the company has been following the ness along with the economic recovery.” ies and engineered elastomer composites recommendations of its parent company, The Medicine Hat expansion is part of (E2C) are setting the company up for A sense of normalcy Tokai Carbon, but has not had any layoffs. a $40.1 million investment disclosed by growth, once the markets stabilize. Even with the good news, one question In a May 12 financial statement, Tokai Cancarb last year. That cost also includ- “Our recent acquisition of Sanshun, a looms for carbon black makers: When said the COVID-19 pandemic will re- ed the purchase of a warehouse that will leading carbon nanotube producer to the will things return to normal? quire it to “minimize the capital expen- add 27,000 square feet of additional battery sector, will strengthen our posi- Unfortunately, Ita said, there are no ditures, implement thorough cost reduc- storage capacity, bringing the company’s tion in conductive carbon additives,” easy answers. tion, reduce inventory to generate cash total warehouse space in Medicine Hat Cabot said. “We also announced the Initially, Notch Consulting had project- and secure higher financial liquidity.” to 90,000 square feet. commercial deployment of the first E2C ed that demand for carbon black would While capital expenditures have been Cabot also has found ways to weather solution to help tire manufacturers un- grow slightly in 2020, compared to 2019. reduced, Cancarb is moving forward with the economic downturn, mainly by re- lock superior performance sustainably Last year, global demand for carbon black plans to expand capacity at its Medicine ducing short-term costs that won’t hin- and economically. Both developments reached 13.7 million metric tons, and de- Hat, Alberta, facility with the addition of der the company’s ability to ramp up and position us to capitalize on the transfor- mand was expected to grow to about 14.2 a sixth production unit that will add meet demand once it returns. mational potential of these markets.” million in 2020, according to Notch Con- sulting’s Carbon Black World Data Book. In North America, carbon black demand was around 1.9 million tons last year, and Notch Consulting had assumed that demand would grow slightly this Specialty Chemicals • Petroleum Products year to about 1.95 million tons. 1-800-257-9365 • www.recarroll.com But the impacts of the coronavirus coupled with the plummeting prices through- Knowledgeable, Responsible, Trusted: out the oil industry this year changed that What Matters To You, Is Important To Us projection. Notch Consulting now estimates that global demand for carbon black will be somewhere around 10.5 million tons, while North American demand likely will be Environmentally Responsible, Medium somewhere around 1.45 million tons. “The other thing we all have to ac- Reinforcing, Economical substitution for ® knowledge is that nobody—nobody— Phoenix Black knows what this (recovery) is going to Virgin Carbon Black Reclaimed Carbon Black look like,” Ita said. “Even if we look to 12 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com

Rubber Division AKRON, OHIO Rubber Heart to market Rubber Division in Europe Rubber & Plastics News ward to working with the dedicated and passionate AKRON—In a time when social distancing is criti- Rubber Division, ACS team to strengthen its position cal, it’s connections that matter. internationally, particularly in Europe.” A newly signed memorandum of understanding be- As the coronavirus spread around the world, the tween the ACS Rubber Division and Rubber Heart—a Rubber Division said it adapted many of its programs, marketing, communications and events company based events and educational opportunities to continue to in the United Kingdom—is intended to expand and meet the needs of its members, while also working to strengthen the rubber industry’s global connections. keep everyone safe. This included moving training “Those involved in the rubber industry will be con- and events online. One training, focusing on the im- sidering ways to broaden and create more flexible pact of COVID-19 on the industry, drew a large Euro- supply chains in the future, and I believe that the pean audience. Rubber Division, ACS community can play a signifi- Additional webinars, including those focusing on cant role in connecting and driving business, particu- failure analysis of rubber as well as polymer testing larly between the U.S. and Europe,” Lakisha Mill- and processing, will be offered throughout the spring er-Barclay, Rubber Division executive director, said in and summer. a statement. So far, the Rubber Division plans to hold its annual Under the agreement, Rubber Heart founders David International Elastomer Conference in person in Cawthra and Gail Reader will serve as European Knoxville, Tenn., but those plans routinely are being representatives, tasked with broadening Rubber Divi- reviewed. sion awareness and engagement throughout Europe. “We are still actively planning for our International Pictured are (clockwise from top right) Lakisha Miller-Bar- “We have seen firsthand the benefits of the Rubber Elastomer Conference Oct. 20-22 this year in Knox- clay, Rubber Division executive director; and Rubber Heart Division, ACS Corporate Membership scheme during ville, Tenn., to proceed as scheduled as we believe it founders David Cawthra and Gail Reader. our previous employment and how it can have such an would provide the global rubber industry with a meet- impact on making new connections, driving business ing hub to reassess and create new business models for well-being of all involved with our event, so we will be forward and keeping abreast of new research and in- the future,” Miller-Barclay said. “However, our over- closely monitoring the evolving situation and any po- novations,” Reader said in a statement. “We look for- whelming priority is to ensure the safety, health and tential impact new developments may have on it.”

Calendar

ural rubber has been postponed until fall due to coro- Rubber groups navirus concerns, dates and venue TBD, Lyon, France. Bourbon Trail Elastomer Group: Golf outing (re- Looking (www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/elastomers-conference) scheduled from May 19), now Sept. 15, Glenview Golf Course, Cincinnati; technical meeting (rescheduled Ahead from Sept. 15), now Nov. 17, Louisville, Ky. (www. Trade/technical associations bourbontrailelastomergroup.org) ACS Rubber Division: International Elastomer Energy Polymer Group: Educational symposium...... Sept. 15-16 Conference, featuring Rubber Expo, 198th Technical Brazil Rubber Group: 18th Brazilian Congress of Meeting & Education Symposium, Oct. 20-22, Knox- Rubber Technology (rescheduled from June 30 -July 1), International Silicone Conference: Latest innovations in industry..Nov. 9-10 ville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tenn.; Courses, now Sept. 23-24, Sao Paulo, Brazil. (www.abtb.com.br) June 17, Elastomer Training Center, Akron, Ohio; Webinars, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, online Polyurethanes Technical Conference: 63rd annual conference .....Oct. 5-7 only. (330-595-5531; www.rubber.org) Chicago Rubber Group: Chicago golf outing, July 16, Village Links, Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Wisconsin golf ACS Rubber Division: International Elastomer Conference...... Oct. 20-22 outing, Aug. 12, Hawk’s View Golf Club, Lake Gene- Adhesive and Sealant Council: Additives Short va, Wis.; Fall technical meeting, Sept. 17, Top Golf. Course, Sept. 28-30, Omni Hotel and Resort William (www.chicagorubbergroup.org) New England Rubber Group: NERPG annual golf International Silicone Conference: Rescheduled Penn, Pittsburgh. (Malinda Armstrong; malinda. outing, Aug. 4, Blackstone National Golf Course, to Nov. 9-10 due to coronavirus concerns. Focus on [email protected]; 301-986-9700 Ex. 1106; Sutton, Mass.; Fall technical meeting/tour, Nov. 5, latest innovations in industry, organized by Rubber Detroit Rubber Group: The June 18 fishing event www.ascouncil.org) location TBD. (www.nerpg.com) & Plastics News, Shin-Etsu and Wacker, Sheraton has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. Next Suites, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. ([email protected]; scheduled event: Golf outing, July 21, Bay Pointe Golf www.rubbernews/conferences) Association for Rubber Products Manufactur- Club, West Bloomfield, Mich.; Board meeting, July Ohio Rubber Group: Golf outing set for June 16 at ers: Environmental, Health and Safety Summit, re- 27, 3M, Livonia, Mich.; Board meeting, Sept. 14, Yankee Run Golf Course, Brookfield, Ohio, has been scheduled to Nov. 11-12, Cleveland Airport Marriott, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, Plymouth, canceled due to the pandemic; Golf outing, Aug. 31, Latin American & Caribbean Tyre and Latin Cleveland; Benchmarking and Best Practices Confer- Mich.; Fall technical meeting, Nov. 11, Freuden- Silver Lake Country Club, Stow, Ohio; Fall technical Auto Parts Expo: Rescheduled from July 14-17 to ence, Oct. 20-22, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, berg-NOK Sealing Technologies, Plymouth, Mich.; meeting, Sept. 29, Hilton Garden Inn, Twinsburg, Nov. 17-20 due to coronavirus pandemic. Joint confer- Indianapolis. (317-863-4072; www.arpminc.org) Board holiday dinner, Dec. 7, location TBD, Novi, Ohio. (www.ohiorubbergroup.org) ence focusing on the tire and auto parts industries, Mich. (Jim Eddy, [email protected]; www. Amador Convention Center, Panama City, Panama. rubber.org) Southern Rubber Group: Summer technical meet- (786-293-5186; [email protected]; www. ASTM International Committee D24 on Carbon ing, June 22-24, The King and Prince, St. Simons LatinTyreExpo.com) Black: Summer meeting scheduled for June 29-July Energy Polymer Group: Educational symposium, Island, Ga. (www.southernrubbergroup.org) 1 in Boston, canceled due to coronavirus outbreak; Sept. 15-16, Hilton Palacio Del Rio, San Antonio; Fall Medical Tubing: International conference on poly- Winter meeting, Dec. 7-9, Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, Fla. (Melissa Marcinowski, technical meeting, Sept. 17, Hilton Palacio Del Rio, Twin Cities Rubber Group: Golf outing, Aug. 6, meric medical tubing and catheters scheduled for [email protected], www.astm.org) San Antonio. (www.energypolymergroup.org) Willingers Golf Club, Northfield, Minn.; Technical June 17-18 in Berlin has been canceled due to meetings: Sept. 17, Nov. 19, Holiday Inn & Suites— COVID-19 pandemic. (www.amiplastics.com/events) Fort Wayne Rubber & Plastics Group: Social Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove, Minn. (tcrg2013@gmail. Center for Automotive Research: CAR manage- com; www.twincitiesrubbergroup.org) event, June 10, the Hoppy Gnome, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Polyurethanes Technical Conference: 63rd an- ment briefing seminars featuring topics impacting Memorial Golf Outing, June 11, Maxwelton Golf Club, nual conference bringing together industry leaders the automotive industry, converted to virtual format, Syracuse, Ind.; Technical meeting, Sept. 23 Ceruti’s, Seminars/conferences to discuss and learn about innovations and applica- Aug. 4-5. (Lisa Hart, 734-929-0465. lhart@cargroup. Fort Wayne, Ind.; Christmas Party, Dec. 3, Ceruti’s, tions for polyurethanes, Oct. 5-7, San Antonio, Texas, org; www.cargroup.org) Fort Wayne, Inc. (www.fwrpg.org) Clemson Tire Conference: Rescheduled for Sept. Marriott Rivercenter. (http://polyurethane.ameri- 1-3 due to coronavirus concerns. Annual event dis- canchemistry.com) Fluid Sealing Association: Annual meeting, Oct. cussing issues impacting the tire industry. (Nan Los Angeles Rubber Group: Summer conference, 20-22, Kimpton Hotel Palomar, Phoenix, Ariz., Johnston, 864-656-2200; [email protected]) set for June 5-7 in Las Vegas, has been canceled due to Silicone Elastomers/Thermoplastic Elastomers (www.fluidsealing.com) the pandemic; Basic Rubber Technology Course, Sept. U.S. Summit: Conference on silicone and TPEs orga- 3, R.D. Abbott, Cerritos, Calif.; Technical conference, Foam Expo North America: Trade show and con- nized by Smithers-Rapra, virtual format, June 24, Gasket Fabricators Association: Semi-annual Oktoberfest and mini expo, Oct. 6, Phoenix Club, ference for the technical foam industry, Aug. 25-27, July 1 and July 8. (Brienne Alves, 330-762-7441, meeting, Sept. 22-24, Dallas Marriott City Center, Anaheim, Calif.; Christmas Party, Dec. 5, Hilton Or- Novi, Mich. (855-436-8683; callum.gibson@smarter- [email protected]; www.elastomer-forum.com) Dallas. (www.gasketfab.com) ange County, Costa Mesa, Calif. (www.tlargi.org) shows.com) International Rubber Conference Organiza- Mexico Rubber Group: Technical courses: July 9, FPDA-ISD Summit: Fluid Power Distributors Asso- Techtextil North America: Symposium featuring developments in technical textile and non-wovens, tion: RubberCon 2020, postponed to Feb. 11-12, Aug. 27, Oct. 8, Nov. 26, Rubber Chamber Auditorium, ciation and the International Sealing Distribution 2021, in Paris; International Rubber Conference, Mexico City; End of year luncheon, Dec. 5, Concamin Association joint industry summit, Oct. 4-7, Hilton rescheduled to Oct. 1-3, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta (www.techtextilNA.com) postponed to April 15-17, 2021, in Chennai, India. Ballroom, Mexico City. (52-55-55666199; 52-55- Sandestin Beach Resort & Spa, Sandestin, Fla. (www.internationalrubberconference.org) 55352266; Francisco Martha [email protected]; (www.isd.org) Miguel Bernal [email protected]; Jose Gazano Tire Technology Expo 2021: 21st showcase for the [email protected]; www.cnih.com.mx) iLearn Innovation Institute: A division of Ace NIBA-The Belting Association: Annual conven- global tire design, development and manufacturing tion, Sept. 16-19, Hilton Austin, Austin, Texas. Products & Consulting L.L.C., all courses held at Ace industry, March 2-4, 2021, Deutsche Messe, Ha- Products in Ravenna, Ohio; Rubber Compounding for (www.niba.org) Michigan Rubber Group: The May 28 golf outing nover, Germany. (www.tiretechnology-expo.com) Durability, Endurica event, June 9-10; (Christie has been postponed until Sept. 3 at Forest Akers Golf Robinson, 330-577-4088, christie.robinson@aceprod- Course at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Polyurethane Foam Association: General meet- con.com) Traction Summit: Tire conference, Nov. 9-10, Hil- Mich. The rest of the year’s events have been sus- ings, Nov. 4-5, Omni La Mansion del Rio, San Anto- ton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, N.C. pended until further notice due to coronavirus pan- nio, Texas. (www.pfa.org) (www.tractionsummit.com) demic. (Keith Korthals, 989-435-7400, kakorthals@ ITEC: Tire Manufacturing: Biennial event spotlighting laursilicone.com, www.michiganrubbergroup.com) the tire industry, Sept. 15-17, John S. Knight Center, Power Transmission Distributors Association: Akron, organized by Rubber & Plastics News. (czernick@ UTECH Las Americas: Trade show, conference on 2020 Industry Summit, Oct. 21-24, Atlanta Marriott crain.com; www.rubbernews.com/conferences) Mid-Atlantic Rubber & Plastics Group: Fall polyurethanes, June 29-July 1, 2021, Cento Citi- Marquis, Atlanta. (312-516-2100; www.ptda.org) technical meeting/tour, Sept. 10, ASTM, Consho- banamex, Mexico City. (www.utechlasamericas.com) hocken, Pa.; Educational symposium, Nov. 10, Lehigh India Rubber Expo: Event highlighting the oppor- Tire Society: 39th annual meeting and conference University Iacocca Hall, Bethlehem, Pa. (Bruce tunities for rubber in India, Jan. 19-21, 2021, Pragati World Elastomer Summit: Conference focused on on tire science and technology, converted to online Rhoades, [email protected]; www.marpg.org) Maidan, New Delhi. ([email protected]) market predictions for butadiene, synthetic and nat- format, Sept. 9-10. (www.tiresociety.org) www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 13 Technical Low-temperature cure LSR technology enables processing improvements

By Michael Wang and Craig Gross Dow Silicones Corp. The authors Executive summary Michael Wang is a product devel- and Patrick Beyer A new breakthrough technology, low temperature cure (LTC) liquid silicone opment chemist at Dow Perfor- Dow Silicones Deutschland GmbH rubber, has been developed to enable improved process efficiency and greater mance Silicones. Liquid silicone rubber has emerged as design freedom. With ever-increasing industry focus on innovation and quality, He specializes in a preferred elastomeric material due to and with heightened consumer awareness of sustainability, LSRs have emerged formulation re- a combination of ease of processing and as the performance material of choice for automotive components and consumer search, reaction physical properties. Traditional process- goods. LTC LSRs greatly expand on the properties of silicone rubber. While optimization, ing conditions utilize liquid injection traditional LSRs typically require temperatures between 160 and 220°C, LTC polymer synthe- molding at high temperature, typically LSR can cure quickly at conditions as low as 100°C. sis, material sci- 160-220°C, to produce complex articles At lower temperatures, the ability to vulcanize LTC LSR in the 100-120°C ence and quanti- while allowing short cycle time and range provides design flexibility and maximum process efficiency to the LSR tative analysis. parts consistency. portfolio. At standard cure temperatures, the LTC technology translates to As part of the lower sensitivity to temperature gradients during cure, which allows for fast HTV Elastomers Wang TECHNICAL NOTEBOOK deep-section cure of thick-walled articles. team, he has had the opportunity Edited by John Dick Another benefit is the option to add a cure accelerator to the LTC LSR, which to explore new technology for a can further reduce the processing temperature to 80°C. This new innovation range of silicone elastomer prod- The introduction of a novel low tem- greatly enhances cycle time reduction and speeds up deep-section cure, all ucts, including LSRs, F-LSRs, HCRs perature cure (LTC) technology can while maintaining physical properties. This technology also enables co-molding and FSRs. greatly expand the benefits of LSR of LSR with low-melting plastics or other temperature-sensitive components, Wang grew up in and earned his products. This new class of LSRs allows opening new markets for 2K silicone molding. bachelor’s in chemistry from Wash- for fast curing speeds at temperatures Overall, LTC LSR is a step-change in silicone rubber. The freedom to reduce ington University in St. Louis in as low as 100°C, enabling both optimized curing temperatures, create thicker parts, co-mold with a broader range of sub- 2011, and his doctorate in organic processing as well as new innovative strates or simply reduce cycle times results in new levels of efficiency and quality. chemistry from Northwestern Uni- process and product designs. versity in 2016. The benefits of LTC technology have Craig Gross joined Dow Corning been demonstrated in consumer, elec- in the 100-120°C range provides design of materials. Furthermore, this technolo- in 1996 and became part of Dow tronic and automotive applications. At flexibility and maximum process effi- gy also enables co-molding of LSR with through the acquisition in 2016. higher temperatures, LTC technology ciency to the LSR portfolio. low-melting plastics, opening new mar- During his ca- affords improved cycle times and fast Injection molding process studies and kets for 2K silicone molding. Another reer, he has held deep-section cure. At lower tempera- mold flow simulations both highlight the benefit is the option to add a cure acceler- various roles in tures, the ability to vulcanize LTC LSR broad processing range of this new class ator to the LTC LSR, which can further process engineer- reduce the processing temperature to ing, manufactur- Fig. 1: Addition-curing reaction of LSR (platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction). 80°C, greatly enhance cycle time reduc- ing, development, tion and speed up deep-section cure, all and TS&D within while maintaining physical properties North America. His expertise in- Maximizing cure rates cludes formula- Silicone elastomers are polydimethyl- tion and applica- Gross siloxane (PDMS) rubbers, ubiquitous in tion of LSR, HCR and FSR materials, both consumer and specialty markets, and he has knowledge in a wide characterized by their chemical resis- range of materials and fabrication tance, weatherability, resistance to processes used in both the plastics thermal and photo degradation, low and rubber industries. Fig. 2: DSC cure curve for a standard LSR. Heating rate 10°C/min. The temperature activa- surface energy and low glass transition In his current position, Gross temperatures, which allows for fewer leads a variety of initiatives fo- tion profile is characterized by its onset temperature (Tonset) and peak temperature (Tpeak). changes in physical properties over a cused on delivering silicone elasto- wide temperature range.1,2 mer solutions to customers. He In particular, liquid silicone rubber is graduated from Ferris State Uni- known for its fast cure rate, lower pro- versity with a bachelor’s in plastics duction cost and excellent performance, engineering and has four patents. which result from hydrosilylation, a Patrick Beyer studied chemistry platinum-catalyzed addition reaction.3,4 at the University To maximize the cure rates, LSR is typ- of Mainz, Germa- ically cured at high temperatures rang- ny, where he ob- ing from 160°C to 220 °C to enable cur- tained his doctor- ing times in the order of seconds. ate in 2007 in Hydrosilylation is a robust vulcaniza- polymer chemis- tion chemistry. In LSRs, hydride-func- try with a thesis tional PDMS polymers readily combine on “Liquid Crys- with vinyl-functional PDMS in the talline Elasto- presence of platinum (Fig. 1).5 mers.” In 2007 he Due to its inherent high reactivity, an joined Dow Sili- Beyer inhibitor is usually added to suppress the cones Deutschland GmbH in Germa- Fig. 3: Isothermal cure curves of a standard LSR as tested by MDR. The dotted line cure at room temperature and allows for ny, where he is working as a re- denotes a degree of crosslinking of 90 percent, taken as an estimate to derive cure times. a workable time or pot life. A pot life of 72 search scientist in the field of liquid hours or greater is critical to allow for a silicone rubber. stable injection molding process and avoid undesired curing in the injection ity at the lower temperature range, and unit. To reverse this inhibition and re- thus limits co-molding applications and sume the cure process, LSR needs to be new material combinations of LSRs. cured at high temperatures above its ac- A recent trend in evolution of LSR ap- tivation temperature, generally around plications is to create LSR composite 100°C (Fig. 2). articles.6 Processing LSR materials at higher In co-molding applications, LSR can temperatures well above this activation provide reliable sealing, moisture protec- threshold gives fast cure rates, with heat- tion, soft elastomeric elements or encapsu- ing times in the range of seconds (Fig. 3). lation of sensitive components. Examples Conversely, lowering the cure tempera- include overmolding of electrical devices ture toward the activation temperature used in consumer electronics, automotive significantly slows the cure rates. This electrification and automation, or the en- slow cure significantly impacts productiv- See LSR, page 14 14 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com Technical

perature curing LSR technology would class of LTC LSR is presented for use in to 420 seconds (Fig. 4). Even at 120°C, lead to deformation of the plastic during a wide range of process temperatures. the LSR showed 90 seconds Tc90, com- LSR molding, or to unacceptably long curing pared to 20 seconds at 150°C, which is times and inefficient processes when Experimental much closer to typical curing conditions. Continued from page 13 cured at reduced temperatures. The standard LSR used as a point of LTC LSR demonstrates increased capsulation of functional additives in con- The activation temperature of LSR comparison was Silastic-brand RBL- cure rates at low temperatures. Initial sumer and hygiene applications. cure is a function of many factors, in- 9200-50 liquid silicone rubber from DSC results demonstrated that LTC In these cases, conventional high-cure cluding amount and type of platinum Dow, as the LTC LSR was Silastic LTC had a significantly lower onset tempera- temperatures would lead to thermal de- catalyst and inhibitor. Kinetic studies 9400-50 liquid silicone rubber and Si- ture of Tonset = 85°C This shift in (Fig. 5) composition of the encapsulated compo- allowed us to derive key structure-prop- lastic LTC 9400 acceleration additive. activation temperature significantly in- nent. In overmolding applications, LSR is erty relations and enabled development The LSRs come in two parts and were creases the reactivity in the targeted combined with thermoplastic substrates of the new low temperature cure LSR mixed in a 1:1 ratio using DAC 150 FVZ low temperature range 100-120°C as to produce hard-soft composites. Here series. In this new generation of LSR SpeedMixer. The LSR was mixed three measured by Tc90 (Fig. 6). For example, the cure temperature is limited by the materials, the temperature activation times at 2,000 rpm for 20 seconds, with at 100°C LTC LSR demonstrated a re- softening temperature of the thermoplas- threshold is shifted to below 100°C, with manual hand mixing in between ma- duction of the cure time from 418 sec- tic. The use of conventional, high-tem- an onset temperature of 85°C. A new chine mixing steps. onds to 245 seconds, a greater than 40 Cure curves and cure times were percent reduction of cure time. Fig. 4: Cure time (90 percent cure) of a standard LSR at varying temperatures, derived measured using an Alpha Technologies Next, injection molding tests were done from cure curves of Fig. 3. MDR 2000 moving die rheometer. Tem- to validate the previous results. For peratures were set at various ranges evaluation, rectangular test sheets of 2 and cure curves were recorded for 1° arc mm thickness and a shot weight of 44 for 10 minutes. Samples were prepared grams were created. Molding tests were with 4-7 grams of mixed LSR material. done in direct comparison to a standard Activation temperature profile was LSR. The minimum heating time to ob- measured by differential scanning calo- tain fully cured parts was recorded as a rimetry (DSC) on Mettler-Toledo DSC 1 function of mold temperature (Fig. 7). equipped with HSS8 sensor using a In good agreement with laboratory 10°C/min heat rate. studies, the heating time at low tem- Injection molding trials used Engel peratures is significantly reduced for eMac 100 equipped with CC300 digital the LTC LSR. As predicted, the relative control unit interface. The shutoff nozzle benefits (shorter cure time) tend to de- valve was supplied by Fluid Automation crease at higher temperature, away with Nexus Servomix pail pump. Injec- from the activation temperature range. tion screw was 30 mm in diameter and This was a result of carefully balancing molds were made of stainless steel with See LSR, page 16 surface polish. 3 Fig. 8: Schematic representation of the Fig. 5: DSC cure curve for a standard LSR (right curve, red), and Silastic LTC 9400-50 LSR was injected between 5-160 cm /s into molds at 120-160°C with 1,000 kN computational heat flow simulation. A LSR (left curve, blue). Heating rate 10°C/min. Tonset is shifted from Tonset, strd=101°C to Tonset, sphere of diameter r with initial tempera- =85°C (see arrows). clamping force. The mold was 180 mm LTC by 132 mm by 2 mm, and the shot weight ture T0=25°C is exposed to an outside was 44.2 grams. temperature Tmold. The temperature distri- For modeling, heat distribution was bution in the sphere is then modeled as simulated using octave software, and function of time t and cross-section r. mold flow analysis was completed by Sigma Engineering.

Results Standard LSR materials generally cure at elevated temperatures, about 160°C and above. Once the curing temperature was lowered to 100°C, the Tc90 (time to reach a degree of 90 percent of maximum cure) was greatly lengthened Fig. 9: Simulation of heat transfer in an LSR sphere of varying radii r=1-3mm. At t=0 a temperature of Tmold= 175°C is applied to the outside of the sphere. Graphs show the temperature at the center point (core temperature) as function of time. Fig. 6: Comparison of cure times (90 percent vulcanization) between Silastic LTC 9400-50 and a standard LSR.

Fig. 10: Temperature distribution in a bottle ventilation valve 20 seconds after injection. Fig. 7: Injection molding validation. Heating times as a function of temperature for Simulation done by Sigma Engineering. conventional and low temperature cure (LTC) technology. ARE YOU ONE OF RUBBERAre You & PLASTICS One Of NEWS’ BESTRubber PLACES & Plastics TO WORK? News' Best Places To Work?

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rubbernews.com 16 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com Technical

neously, the curing time of the bulk is 85°C to 70°C. these low-temperature extremes, espe- limited by the thermal conductivity of The impact of the acceleration addi- cially with the inclusion of an accelerant, LSR silicone, resulting in slow heat transfer. tive was then evaluated on the cure time enabling co-molding of LSR with The slow bulk vulcanization is thus the of LTC LSR. The additive had a signifi- low-melting plastics and opening new Continued from page 14 primary limiting factor for fast curing of cant effect on heating times as a function markets for 2K silicone molding. reactivity to maintain an activation thick-walled parts, even at high molding of temperature and dosing levels (Fig. threshold well above room temperature, temperatures. 13 and Table 1). At 100°C, the curing Conclusions leading to enough room temperature sta- LTC LSR technology uses PDMS as times of LTC LSR can be further reduced Low-temperature cure is a novel tech- bility. its primary polymer and likewise also from 245 seconds down to 66 seconds at nology platform for LSR pioneered by The reduced sensitivity of LTC tech- shows the inherent low thermal conduc- 3 percent additive loading, a reduction of Dow Silicones, enabling a step-change nology to temperature distributions and tivity. While a similar temperature gra- cure time of 73 percent. reduction in curing temperatures and thermal gradients, which are unavoid- dient exists upon heating, the lower Tonset For reference, a standard LSR will resulting process cycle times. It enables able in practical injection molding, of LTC LSR allows for earlier thermal need greater than 400 seconds to cure at new design options by allowing co-mold- demonstrate an opportunity for signifi- activation in these cold areas, and con- this temperature. Furthermore, this ing of LSR onto thermosensitive sub- cant productivity gains of thick-walled sequently a faster bulk vulcanization. enhanced reactivity after additive addi- strates and components in consumer, parts. To initiate cure, thermal energy This reduced sensitivity to variations in tion expands the temperature range electronics and automotive applications. heat needs to be transported into the temperature also can minimize effects down to 90°C. At this extreme tempera- At conventional high temperatures, bulk of the molded part. Silicones typi- of temperature gradients in the tool and ture, a standard LSR would need more Silastic LTC LSR allows for a fast bulk cally show low thermal conductivities λ contribute to more uniform cure and than 20 minutes to cure, whereas Silas- activation, resulting in enhanced effi- in the range of ~0.22 W/mK.7 Thermal improved part quality. tic LTC 9400-50 LSR was cured in 127 ciency and quality. A complementary conductivity is thus a key property of the This hypothesis also was tested by seconds using 3 percent additive. additive approach allows manufacturers vulcanization process. modeling. The temperature distribution Addition of accelerant also impacts to further maximize reactivity, and to A computational simulation was per- in a bottle ventilation valve made of LTC the pot life. While the LTC LSR technol- lower the application range to tempera- formed to understand this important LSR was investigated using Sigmasoft ogy is designed to provide a pot life of tures as low as 90°C. factor. LSR spheres of varying diame- virtual molding in a molding simulation >72 hours, use of the cure acceleration The LTC LSR technology is considered ters were modeled with an initial tem- (Fig. 10). In agreement with previous additive incrementally reduces it (Table a key trend in 2K applications, where perature of T0 = 25°C. At time t0, a con- results, large temperature gradients 1). Consequently, the acceleration addi- self-adhesive LTC grades can open new stant external temperature was applied were found specifically in the thick- tive is to be applied temporarily during performance levels in the co-molding of to simulate reflecting the mold tempera- walled sections, which were up to 8 mm the molding process to maximize reac- low-melting plastics, such as polycar- ture, Tmold=175°C (Fig. 8). in diameter. In these areas, the bulk tivity in running molding operations. bonates or polyolefins. For high-melting The temperature profile T(r,t) was temperature did not exceed 100°C, even At the end of molding, the addition is engineering plastics widely used in au- then modeled as a function of cross-sec- 20 seconds after mold filling. terminated to restore the original 72- tomotive and consumer applications, tion, r, and time, t. To understand the As expected, fast bulk activation and hour pot life. The enhanced reactivity this new class of materials can enable behavior of the bulk, the temperature at short cycle times could be demonstrated can help to minimize sensitivity to tem- increased robustness and process effi- the core of the sphere was plotted as a on that part using LTC LSR. Other exam- perature gradients, both at low and ciency, by allowing for fast-bulk vulcani- function of time for different spheres of ples of thick-walled articles include elec- conventional high molding tempera- zation and reduced sensitivity to inter- 1-3 mm radii (Fig. 9). trical connectors in automotive applica- tures. It should be considered as an op- facial temperature gradients inherent to At 1 mm radius, a uniform heat distri- tions, where larger part dimensions are tional component when complex part 2K co-molding applications. These de- bution was obtained after five seconds. necessary for increasingly higher voltages designs, thick-walled parts or new ther- velopments are covered in subsequent Doubling the sphere dimensions to 2 in electric vehicles. For these applications, mosensitive material combinations are extensions of the Silastic LTC LSR ma- mm showed a significantly longer time an oil-bleeding low compression set LSR needed to further push the boundaries terial portfolio. of 15 seconds to reach a temperature based on LTC technology has been added of reactivity. equilibrium. Finally, at 3 mm, the to the product portfolio. For LSR plastic-composite materials, Acknowledgment sphere requires more than 30 seconds to To further enhance reactivity at low molding conditions are particularly im- The authors would like to thank Pierre come to uniform temperature. temperatures, a complementary materi- portant to avoid deformation, haze and Descamps for help with simulating heat As these simulations have shown, al, Silastic LTC acceleration additive, thermal stress on the plastic substrates. distribution using octave software. large temperature gradients during was developed. The additive has low LSRs have been successfully co-molded molding are unavoidable, especially viscosity and can be added at one-to- and overmolded with engineering plas- References when producing thick-walled articles, three-weight percent during a process tics, due to their high heat-deflection 1. K.E. Polmanteer, Rubber Chem. Technol. 54, 5, 1051 (1981). and thus heat transfer is the limiting through the third-stream injector (Fig. temperature (HDT). However, other 2. S.C. Shit and P. Shah, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. factor for the overall curing time. Con- 11). Dosing of the acceleration additive thermoplastics, including polycarbonate 36, 355 (2013). sidering the temperature dependence of leads to a further reduction of the cure and polypropylene, have significantly 3. P. Beyer and H.P. Wolf, GAK Gummi Fasern LSR vulcanization, a temperature gra- activation temperature (Fig. 12). DSC lower HDT, with polyethylene typically Kunststoffe 68, 676 (2015). 4. J.L. Speier, J.A. Webster, and G.H. Barnes, J. dient directly translates into a reactivity analysis showed that after the addition below 100°C. Am. Chem. Soc. 79, 974 (1957). gradient within the molded part: while of 1 percent acceleration additive, cure As demonstrated, standard LSR ma- 5. A. Chalk and J. Harrod, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 87, 16 (1965). the outer areas will be cured instanta- onset can be further reduced from Tonset terials can cure at such temperatures, and while possible, the very long cycle 6. S.S. Banerjee and A.K. Bhowmick, Rubber Chem. Technol. 90, 1 (2017). Fig. 11: Schematic representation of the injection molding process. Components A + B of times would be commercially infeasible. 7. T. Luo, K. Esfarjani, J. Shiomi, A. Henry, and G. the low-temperature cure LSR are mixed in a 1:1 mixing ratio. Silastic LTC 9400 accelera- LTC LSR displays great performance at Chen, J. Appl. Phys. 109, 74321 (2011). tion additive can be added to the process as an optional component. Fig. 13: Cure time of Silastic LTC 9400-50 LSR as a function of temperature, and Silastic LTC 9400 acceleration additive loading.

Fig. 12: DSC cure curves (from right to left): standard LSR, Silastic LTC 9400-50 LSR, and Silastic LTC 9400-50 LSR + 1 percent Silastic LTC 9400 acceleration additive. Heating rate 10°C/min. Table 1: Curing times (90 percent vulcanization) of Silastic LTC 9400-50 LSR at different con- centrations of acceleration additive. For comparison, curing times for standard LSR are included. www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 17 BRC jumps in to help on GM ventilator project By Jim Johnson companies that then supply the vehicle Rubber & Plastics News Staff maker. FORT WAYNE, Ind.—BRC Rubber & It’s through this existing relationship Plastics Inc. is used to rapidly turning that the company found itself on GM’s around orders for customers, but the In- Friday night telephone call with suppli- diana company’s efforts to create multi- ers in late March, seeking help with the ple parts for General Motor Co.’s ventilator project. Interested firms had COVID-19 ventilator project is even be- just until Saturday morning to filter yond what the company normally does. through parts files and determine For BRC, declining to help with GM’s whether they wanted to be part of the efforts to build thousands of ventilators effort. to help battle COVID-19 was never a With COVID-19 rapidly spreading consideration. and an uncertain future, the clock was The Fort Wayne-based based maker of ticking. And BRC was onboard. rubber, silicone and plastic parts is Parts being created by BRC are being churning out six different parts at its used to help build ventilators originally Churubusco, Ind., facility that are being designed and constructed by Ventec of used in the construction of ventilators at Bothell, Wash. When it became appar- a GM site in nearby Kokomo, Ind. ent that there was a need for many more It was in early April that GM put out ventilators than Ventec could build on the call for interested suppliers to help its own, that company partnered with the automotive company ramp up pro- General Motors to seriously ramp up duction of ventilators originally manu- production in Indiana. factured by Ventec Life Systems. In less “Nothing is impossible for the com- than a day, BRC had identified which bined power of American innovation and parts it could re-create and supply to the American workers. Together, Ventec General Motors worked with Ventec Life Systems to boost production of the ventilators that emergency project. and GM worked as one team, with one have been much needed in the ght against COVID-19. Initially awarded five different sili- mission to deliver critical care ventila- cone parts, a sixth was added within a the company still has to sort out the fi- Normal lead times, he explained, typ- tors in one month,” Ventec CEO Chris week, and BRC quickly went to work nancial details. ically range from six to eight weeks. Kiple said in a statement when Vice figuring out how to bring its portion of “Our executive management fully “All of these suppliers have just moved President Mike Pence recently visited the project together. supported knowing going into this pro- mountains to be able to enable the pro- the Kokomo facility. Making parts for the automotive in- gram that they were going to spend a duction of ventilators. It’s really been But that also meant that GM had to dustry is BRC’s bread and butter, and a lot,” Wellman said. “There were no cost this tremendous call to action and dedi- develop its own parts supply chain to close relationship with GM convinced models put together. No quotes sent to cation of so many people to make this produce up to 200,000 ventilators in In- the company it needed to step up and do the customer. The customer said, ‘I need happen. On the GM team supported by diana in an effort to complement Ven- whatever was needed to help with the this. I need it now. … Will you partici- the UAW, on the Ventec team, the supply tec’s existing operations. ventilator effort dubbed Project V. pate?’ ” base. It’s truly been incredible,” GM “A miracle of everyone pulling togeth- “It’s a pride. It’s a humanitarian ef- BRC readily admits it needed help to CEO Mary Barra told CBS Evening er, working tirelessly,” Wellman said. fort. ‘No’ is not an option. It’s got to be pull off a project like this. News. “We wanted to be part of that. We asked done and we’re going to do it,” said Scott “It could not have been done without More than 90 Tier 1 suppliers are in- our extended supply base to be part of it. Wellman, director of sales and market- the efforts of our outside supply part- volved in the project, providing some Everyone stood tall and did what they ing at BRC. ners, the tooling shops, the raw material 700 parts needed to make the ventila- had to do.” With that kind of attitude, it was clear suppliers and the teamwork of all of our tors. “We’re used to doing rapid turn- from the beginning that this was not internal people,” Wellman said. “In less BRC is both a Tier 1 and 2 supplier to around. Be it two weeks or a matter of going to be a typical project. There was than two weeks, and in some cases just General Motors, meaning they manu- days, that was a new challenge. But we no consideration of details like bidding in a matter of days, we had all six of facture parts that go directly to the knew we could do it,” he said. “There’s a and profit margins, he said. Even now, those part numbers tooled up.” company as well as parts that go to other sense of pride. … This saves lives.” ARPM survey: Sta ng up, ‘normalized’ economy pushed back By Andrew Schunk porting they are at a 90 percent staffing level or higher. Rubber & Plastics News Staff INDIANAPOLIS—The Association for Rubber Products Supply chain issues Manufacturers has been monitoring the health of the Supply chain issues varied in the overall sense, with 6 industrial, automotive and construction markets over percent of respondents moving from no issues to minor the last five weeks through its “Rubber Industry Pulse disruptions, but 5 percent moving from moderate issues Survey,” and the trends are as varied by segment as to minor disruptions. they are in response. port operations at 50 percent or higher. “A vast majority are still reporting either no disruptions The 8-question survey asks company leaders in each In construction, rubber processors took a deep dive in (30 percent) or minor disruptions (64 percent),” the survey of the three primary rubber product markets to weigh the number reporting operational levels at 100 percent, said. “While companies are not reporting major supply in on operational levels; percentage of customers who from 75 percent in week 4 to 43 percent in week 5. chain issues yet, supply chain disruptions are likely on are shut down; staffing levels; use or acceptance of The ARPM survey in week 5 found an overall positive the horizon, with manufacturers not fully feeling the im- payroll protection funds; and percentage of respondents trend in the percentage of respondents with customers pact yet.” experiencing supply chain disruptions that affect pro- and OEMs who are shut down, meaning there was an duction. increase in most respondents reporting that less than Revenue forecasting and a ‘return to normal’ The survey concludes with three forward-looking 50 percent of their customers are shut down, and a de- Perhaps most striking in these uncertain times of best questions, one on future staff planning in the next six crease in respondents who reported 90 percent, 80 per- guesses and changing predictions is that 64 percent of to 12 months; another on revenue forecasting through cent, 60 percent and 50 percent of their customers being respondents in all three of the primary markets say they the end of 2020; and a final question on when company shut down. expect to see at least 75 percent of their revenue in 2020 executives believe markets will normalize. For industrial rubber processors, 97 percent reported based on their forecasts. This is a slight 2 percent drop Week 1 data, which took responses from April 20-22, having at least 70 percent of their customers open, from last week at 66 percent saying they will see 75 per- drew the fewest responses at 32; the fifth and most re- while construction dipped from 50 percent reporting no cent of their expected 2020 revenue. However, those rub- cent week, May 18-20, drew 93 respondents, according customer shutdowns in week four to just 29 percent ber product companies forecasting 95 percent of their ex- to the ARPM. reporting zero customer shutdowns the following week. pected revenue for 2020 rose by 2 percent, from 21 percent in week 4 to 23 percent the following week. Operational levels, customers shut down Staffing Another positive trend was a big decrease from 26 per- Overall, operational levels May 18-20 changed very As states begin to reopen and customers at all points of cent to just 8 percent of rubber processors who believe little from the previous week, with 54 percent of re- the supply chain ramp up production, employers are they will see 50 percent of their 2020 forecast, according sponding companies reporting that they are fully oper- bringing people back to work. to the survey. ational (down from 58 percent in weeks 2 and 3) and This trend is evident in ARPM’s staffing question, as And the “return to normal” continues to look bleak for a only 9 percent reporting that they are at less than 25 the percentage of rubber product companies reporting majority of respondents, at least for 2020. percent of production levels (up from 7 percent in weeks they are fully staffed—across all three of the primary About 27 percent of responding rubber processors said 2, 3 and 4), according to the survey. markets measured—increased by 7 percent. they believe normal conditions will not return until ARPM offers a map link within the survey that con- Rubber companies making products for the industrial “sometime in 2021.” The highest percentage of respon- tains information on where each state is with its market jumped 23 percent in the most recent survey, with dents who levied their normalized outlook for sometime in re-opening plans and regulations. 90-100 percent of those companies fully staffed. In auto, 2020 was 15 percent of respondents who predicted the end Within each market, however, the trends vary, as 74 59 percent of rubber product companies were between 50 of August. percent of industrial RPMs report being fully opera- percent and 100 percent staffed, while construction RPMs For much more detail on the ARPM survey by indus- tional, while only 52 percent of auto supplier RPMs re- saw a small decrease (from 62 to 57 percent) who are re- try segment, or to take the survey, visit arpminc.com. 18 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com ailand tops list of U.S. tire trading partners By Bruce Davis 1 spots in terms of passenger and light Tire Business truck tires, with double-digit growth in WASHINGTON—After holding the dis- both categories. It also took over the top tinction of being the U.S.’s largest trad- slot in the truck/bus tire category, where ing partner in the field of new tires for the effect of elevated import duties on the better part of the past decade, China commercial tires from China ate into slid to No. 5 last year as the value of its that country’s numbers. imports plunged nearly 50 percent. Thailand, along with two other coun- Thailand, No. 5 on the list as recently tries and Taiwan, now is facing an im- as five years ago, is ensconced firmly on port dumping inquiry from the U.S. In- the top rung of the importers’ ranking, ternational Trade Commission, at the with shipments valued at $2.79 billion, behest of the United Steelworkers union. ports fell slightly, to $4.99 billion, push- ment of Commerce data. up 25 percent over 2018 and nearly twice Overall, the value of tires imported ing the nation’s trade deficit in tires up In the passenger tire category, the 37.3 that of No. 2 Canada. into the U.S. last year grew 1.1 percent 2.6 percent to $9.85 billion, according to million units imported from Thailand Thailand solidified its claim to the No. to $14.8 billion, while the value of ex- Tire Business’ analysis of U.S. Depart- represent 24 percent of the 154.5 million units imported overall, and are more than twice the number (17.2 million) imported from South Korea, No. 2 on the list. The declared customs value of imported passenger tires last year was $51.27, down 10 cents per tire from the 2018 value. Among the 10 largest countries on the list, values ranged from $24.89 for Viet- nam to $63.41 for Mexico. In light truck tires, Thailand solidified its No. 1 spot over Canada with 15.5 percent higher shipments of 7.67 million units for the year. Canada’s exports to the U.S. fell 15.8 percent to 3.52 million units. Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia rounded out the top five with imports of 2.28 ASK THE EXPERT million, 2.13 million and 2.05 million units, respectively. Overall, imports of light truck tires Financial Livestream Series climbed 6.2 percent to 26.7 million units, the Commerce Department data showed. The average declared customs value of an imported light truck tire improved 4.6 June 2-4, 2020 | 12pm-12:30pm ET percent to $75.67. Average prices among the 10 largest importing nations ranged from $55.95 (Vietnam) to $95.04 (Japan). Sessions with: Based on the strength of an 89.1 percent surge in exports of truck/bus tires from Thailand, coupled with a 65.4 percent drop in shipments from China, Thailand surged to the top spot in that U.S. import category as well, according to the Commerce Department data. Thai companies shipped 4.63 million truck tires to the U.S. last year, or roughly 31 percent of the 14.8 million plasticsnews.com/ask-expert-financial-series tires imported overall. That figure is down 13.3 percent from 2018, the data showed, primarily because of nearly 6 million fewer units from China, which held onto the No. 2 spot with imports of 3.19 million units. Canada, Japan and Vietnam rounded out the top five. The average value of an imported truck/bus tire last year was $170.03, up 9.4 percent over 2018, reflecting the drop in traditionally lower-priced units from China. Average prices ranged from $113.57 for China to $258.42 for Canada. Among its major tire sector trading ASK THE EXPERT partners, the U.S. held a surplus last year with two nations—Mexico and Canada, at $522.9 million and $101.1 million, respectively. Marketing Livestream Series These two nations represented 65 percent of the U.S. tire industry’s exports by value, the data showed. Mexico took in $1.57 billion worth of June 23-25, 2020 | 12pm-12:30pm ET tires from the U.S. last year and export- ed $1.05 billion to the U.S., narrowing the surplus by nearly $200 million from Sessions with: 2018. Canada was the No. 1 export destination in 2019 for U.S.-made tires at $1.68 billion, a slight drop from 2018. Imports from Canada were valued at $1.58 billion, resulting in a much smaller surplus than in 2018. The next largest export destination was Australia, which took in $354 mil- plasticsnews.com/ask-expert-marketing-series lion worth of products from the U.S. www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 19 assembly plant. should not be applicable. We are confident things, he said: quality, service and price. Hankook Tire America Corp. said it’s and hopeful and will be going through A tariff, he said, regardless of how much Tari s still early at this stage in the process, the standard filing process.” it is elevated, ultimately will end up as before anything concrete has been decid- Richard Kuskin, president of tire im- one thing: cost. Continued from page1 ed, according to Peter Jung, senior vice porter/wholesale distributor Foreign Tire “Every customer wants the lowest price to reduced consumer buying power. president and chief operating officer of Sales Inc., said there are only two areas in but the highest in everything else. Most Vogue Tyre sources tires from both China Hankook Tire America. the world with sufficient manufacturing companies see price as the only factor of and Vietnam after trying unsuccessfully Hankook likely will work with the Korea capacity to meet the demand for tires in business because it’s what everyone com- several years ago to secure sourcing in the Tire Manufacturers Association (KOTMA) the U.S.—China and Southeast Asia. plains (about) the most.” U.S. in preparing for the upcoming hearings, Kuskin—whose company represents Thai Roy Littlefield, CEO of the Tire Industry Maxxis International said that as a Jung said, because the USW’s action con- tire maker Otani Tire Co. Ltd.—said, de- Association, said the petition filed by the company that has always prioritized the cerns all South Korean tire companies. pending on the scale of import duties im- USW is an indication of the tire industry’s needs of consumers, it is “dismayed” by If the U.S. were to impose duties, Jung posed (50 percent or higher, for example), the growth and evolution. This is evident, he the USW’s petition. said Hankook would be able to reorganize action could open the door for some Chinese said, by the investments tire makers have “If the requested duties are imposed, its global production portfolio and in- companies to reconsider supplying the U.S. made in China and Southeast Asia. supply chains for Maxxis and all other crease U.S. plant production to meet U.S. This new action by the USW is “escalat- “The union, in seeking antidumping and tire companies operating in the U.S. will stakeholder demands. ing the cat-and-mouse game” between the countervailing duties, is looking to preserve be strained, leading to negative effects As for KOTMA itself, the Seoul, South world’s major tire producers and the more tire manufacturing jobs in the U.S., while for consumers at an already challenging Korea-based trade group said its member cost-effective—but “quality varied” Chinese tire retailers have found success selling time,” the Suwanee, Ga.-based subsidi- companies have started to establish counter- brands—to a whole new level, according to products imported from these countries,” ary of Taiwan’s Cheng Shin Rubber/ measures, such as selecting consulting Mike Cheng, head of TBB Tires, the U.S. Littlefield said. “It’s not surprising, there- Maxxis International said. companies for accounting and legal advice. subsidiary of China’s Jiangsu General Sci- fore, to see this action taken by the USW.” Maxxis said it “will be glad to cooperate KOTMA also is trying to seek ways of as- ence Technology Co. Ltd., which recently Companies and groups declining com- with this investigation, and will provide sisting the member companies through hav- opened a plant in Thailand. ment when contacted by Tire Business documentation of the fact that we have ing related meetings with them and sharing Cheng acknowledged that tire supply were: American Omni Trading Co.; Kenda never engaged in the activities described in related information with the government. also is considered a strategic issue that Tire USA Inc.; Kumho Tire USA Inc.; Tire the petition. … Our trade practices have Joe Kao, operations manager at Feder- can’t be left solely in the hands of foreign Brands America; Nexen Tire Corp.; and been fair and ethical throughout our U.S. al Tire North America, said he isn’t con- entities, as the recent crisis on personal the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. operation, and we have scrupulously fol- cerned about the potential duties yet. protection equipment demonstrated. In addition, at least four companies have lowed the law at all times.” “We don’t believe there is a high risk “The question is, ‘What’s next?’ We have notified the ITC of their intention to partic- Maxxis has been importing tires into for us as our export numbers didn’t surge, literately run out of countries that are ei- ipate in the investigation process: Atturo the U.S. for more than 35 years. Its pres- and our average pricing has been going ther stable enough to invest in and to oper- Tire Corp.; Bridgestone Americas Inc.; ence here includes four distribution cen- up,” Kao said. “Besides, there’s no gov- ate a tire factory efficiently,” Cheng said. ITG-Voma Corp.; and Sumitomo Rubber ters, a technical center and a tire/wheel ernment subsidy, so countervailing TBB Tires’ answer consists of three North America Inc.

stitutes a countervailable subsidy. Tire Corp. The USW claims plants operated by these “The USW has long sounded the alarm on the dangers firms represent more than two-thirds of the U.S. indus- Petitions of currency manipulation and its impact on trade,” try’s installed capacity for such tires. Conway said. “Now, under the Commerce Department’s According to Commerce Department procedures, the Continued from page 1 new rules, we must address it for ITC has until June 29 (45 days from the day the peti- USW members,” USW International President Tom what it is: an illegal subsidy.” tions were filed) to reach a preliminary determination Conway said. “Even though demand for (these) tires in- Tire Business, over the years, has on whether the U.S. should impose AD and/or CV duties creased, domestic producers were still forced to grapple tracked nine separate projects in on the targeted products. Commerce, however, has the with reduced market share, falling these countries involving Chinese power to extend that deadline. profits and lost jobs.” producers, with a combined invest- According to the ITC’s summary of the USW’s peti- Reaction to the USW’s action thus far ment value of more than $2 billion tions, the commission must “determine whether there is has been pointed by a few, who noted and representing roughly 50 million a reasonable indication that an industry in the United that such actions of the past decade did units of capacity. Three of these proj- States is materially injured or threatened with material little more than raise prices for consum- ects, though, are for truck, bus and/or injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United ers while preserving only a few jobs. off-road tires, and four of them have States is materially retarded, by reason of imports of Johnsen Most companies that replied to only recently come on stream or are passenger vehicle and light truck tires from (South) Ko- queries for comment declined to do still under construction. rea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam … that are alleged so until they’d had more time to In its petition to the ITC, the USW requests that to be sold in the United States at less than fair value and study the USW’s petitions. pricing data be collected on four specific tire sizes: alleged to be subsidized by the government of Vietnam.” By country, the increases in im- Conway • 225/65R17, 100-105 load index, H speed rating; If the ITC agrees that AD and/or CV duties are war- ports of passenger and light truck tires during the • 205/55R16, 89-94 load index, H speed rating; ranted, it must transmit its views to Commerce within three-year period under review (2017-19) are: • P215/55R17, 93-98 load index, T speed rating; and five business days, or in this case, by July 7 at the latest. • Thailand—up 28.2 percent to 45 million units; • LT245/75R16, 111-116 load index, R speed rating. Commerce then must undertake its own investigation • Vietnam—up 32.9 percent 12.1 million units; and These are the same sizes tracked for the 2014-15 to determine the extent of the injurious behavior and • South Korea—up 2.6 percent to 19.2 million units. USW antidumping petition, but updated with more re- determine what, if any, duties are warranted. Imports from Taiwan, by contrast, fell 15.7 percent to cent load index information. In previous cases, this process has lasted months, and 9.13 million units. The USW claims the legal right to file these petitions in one case—the USW’s 2016 complaint against Chinese Indonesia, No. 4 on the passenger tire import ranking because it represents more than a quarter of U.S. work- truck/bus tires—took nearly three years to resolve as it and No. 5 on the light truck tire list, was not targeted by ers affected by the dumping. initially was rejected then reinstated under appeal. the USW. The union did not comment on why it didn’t The Pittsburgh-based labor union represents approx- The ITC’s ability to investigate the USW’s claims are include Indonesia in this action. imately 15,000 workers at five firms that produce pas- granted under the Tariff Act of 1930. This is the sixth such action the USW has taken in senger/light truck tires in the U.S.—Cooper Tire & Because of COVID-19-related restrictions on access to the past dozen years covering tire imports. Among those Rubber Co., Goodyear, Michelin North America Inc., the ITC building in Washington, the commission is con- are the AD and CV duty petitions on passenger/light Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. and Yokohama ducting this preliminary phase investigation through writ- truck tires from China in 2015, an action that yielded Passenger tire imports - 2013-19 ten submissions, written testimony, etc. elevated import duties—over 100 percent in some cas- 155 Interested parties wishing to comment may do so by 150 154.5 es—that are still in effect. They are cited as the reason 148.9 149.5 148.9 email at [email protected]. Make reference 145 146.5 147.5 for a 90-plus percent drop in shipments from China of 140 143.7 to investigations 701-TA-647 and/or 731-TA-1517-1520. those tires—fewer than 4 million units last year from 135 Parties wishing to submit documents must do so nearly 60 million in 2014. 130 through the ITC’s Electronic Document Information 50 Coincidentally, these duties on Chinese imports are 50.4 System, edis.usitc.gov. Parties must set up an account up for review this summer under the Commerce Depart- 45 46.0 through the EDIS to do so. ment’s sunset regulations. 40 37.3 The deadline to submit written opening remarks and Chinese producers, looking for continued access to the 35 33.9 testimony is June 1, and June 8 for written briefs with 30.1 U.S. market, have invested in production capacities in 30 information and arguments pertinent to investigation. Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam over the past decade 25 23.6 23.8 All written submissions must conform to the ITC’s rules, as “offshore” sources for consumer tires to export to the 19.2 which can be found in the commission’s Handbook on Filing 20 17.0 18.3 16.0 16.8 17.2 U.S. without paying the elevated duties imposed on 15.8 19.1 Procedures, available via the ITC’s website usitc.gov/docu- 15 16.3 10.6 products from China. 9.8 ments/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf. 10 11.4 8.4 8.5 “Slowing Chinese imports was vitally important to 9.1 Last year, Thailand was the No. 1 source of imported 8.3 8.2 6.9 7.0 7.9 3.6 saving the domestic tire industry,” according to Kevin 5 2.3 passenger tires into the U.S., with 37.3 million units. 0.6 0.6 3.4 3.1 Johnsen, who chairs the USW’s Rubber & Plastics In- 0 2.9 2.8 South Korea was No. 2 with 17.2 million, Vietnam No. 6 000 units 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 dustry Conference. “But Chinese producers found a way \*Elevated AD & CV duties imposed on China imports - August 2015 with 9.95 million and Taiwan No. 7 with 8.46 million. around our safeguards, and other bad actors are eager C=China Th=Thailand K= South Korea T=Taiwan V=Vietnam Together, that’s nearly 73 million units, or 47 percent of Passenger tire imports (000 units) to take advantage of U.S. demand.” 2013 2014 2015 2016 the 154.5 million total car tires imported. 2017 2018 2019 The USW said its petition is the first to contain a Total 143.7 148.9 149.5 146.5 147.5 148.9 154.5 Thailand also was No. 1 on the light truck tire import currency undervaluation subsidy under new rules Com- China 46.0 50.4 23.6 16.3 10.6 8.4 2.8 table, with 7.67 million units. Vietnam was No. 4 with 2.13 Thailand 9.8 11.4 19.1 23.8 30.1 33.9 37.3 merce issued earlier this year. The union alleges the South Korea 17.0 15.8 19.2 18.3 16.0 16.8 17.2 million, South Korea No. 6 with 1.99 million and Taiwan Taiwan 6.9 7.0 8.3 7.9 9.1 8.2 8.5 Vietnamese government’s systematic undervaluation of Vietnam 0.6 0.6 2.3 3.4 3.1 2.9 3.6 No. 9 with 671,154 units. Together they total 12.5 million, the Vietnamese dong in relation to the U.S. dollar con- Source: U.S. Department of Commerce; Tire Business research or 47 percent of the 26.7 million light truck tires imported. 20 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com

COVID-19 The coronavirus pandemic

Destination LE3 all-season light-truck tire, the company’s No. 1 selling pattern; shipping to dealers began in April; Bridgestone forging forward • New sizes for the Firestone Firehawk Pursuit (six sizes) and Firehawk Pursuit AWT (five sizes), bolstering the range for law-enforcement fleet customers; with new products • Eight additional sizes of the Fire- stone Destination X/T all-terrain light By Don Detore and Firestone-brand product portfolio truck/SUV tire line, providing coverage Tire Business by more than 100 SKUs in North Amer- for larger-rim diameter fitments; NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The COVID-19 pan- ica this year. • One additional size each for the demic may have altered TJ Higgins, global chief digital strate- Transforce CV and Winterforce CV the way the tire busi- gic officer and global chief business commercial van tires, improving cover- ness—really almost ev- strategic officer, Bridgestone Corp., said age for last-mile delivery vehicles; and ery business—operates the company is “pretty much on track” to • Six sizes of the new Bridgestone once the entire country launch every product planned, not only Blizzak LM005 winter tire. is reopened, but don’t for this year but 2021 as well. Destination LE3 “Our (research and development) teams expect one aspect to “Tire builds are more challenging to working safely and pretty effectively, have been incredibly flexible,” Higgins change for Bridgestone get done (remotely),” Higgins said during and all of the product launches are still said. “Our information technology team Tire Americas Inc. an interview with Tire Business. “We on schedule as planned.” had us prepared in advance to work re- The tire maker re- have been reallocating what we do and Among expansions of consumer prod- motely. Our systems have been up and mains on track to ex- when we do it. But our teammates have ucts in the pipeline are: running pretty effectively throughout this pand its Bridgestone- Higgins been pretty adaptable and they are • The addition of 66 sizes of the Firestone difficult period. ... Our teams are available

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COVID-19 The coronavirus pandemic to effectively work from home.” and dealers via video conferencing, as well isfaction among customers that we serve.” On the commercial side, Bridgestone as adapting to working remotely. Higgins said Bridgestone has main- will launch the Firestone FD692, a “In-person meetings are critical,” he tained contact with its dealer network, as SmartWay-verified drive-axle tire that said, “but maybe we can touch bases more the company has released 12 online train- will be available in four sizes this year. It frequently through video (in the future). ing courses over the last six weeks. also will expand the Bandag MaxTread “It keeps you closer. I’m optimistic that “We’re trying to share with our deal- retread line for waste, over-the-road and some of the challenges we have in learning ers the things that we are sharing and last-mile delivery segments, increasing to work remotely here will let us work more learning, and that we’re hearing from coverage to nine SKUs from eight. efficiently coming out of this crisis.” other industries,” he said. “In addition to the new launches this Higgins also noted that consumers are His message to dealers: Stay the course. year,” Higgins said, “we are laser-focused becoming more comfortable with online “Let’s keep that partnership. ... Be fo- on ensuring that the development and activities as well as contact-less service, cused on customers and customer experi- industrialization for our 2021 planned such as electronic appointments, curbside ence. As business starts to turn, all of us launches are moving forward to ensure drop-off and a specific pickup time. that are serving customers in a better way that our portfolio continues to be strong “That flexibility and planning is some- will be very happy with the growth that and provides the best support possible for thing they are really appreciating,” he said. we’re going to see and the satisfaction from Among the new additions, Bridgestone our dealers as we move into recovery.” “That concierge-type service could stay with our end users that will make our business will introduce six new sizes to the Blizzak Bridgestone—the No. 1-ranked tire us and could possibly create even more sat- successful in the months and years ahead.” winter line. maker in terms of fiscal 2018 global sales, as published in Rubber & Plastics News’ 2019 Global Tire Report—has been able to weather the coronavirus storm, Higgins said, first by taking de- cisive steps early to fortify the supply channel, then by making difficult financial decisions to reduce costs once the pandemic hit North America. That means that supply remains strong, despite a host of plant shutdowns of various lengths across the world. “I feel very comfortable that our supply chain is ready to meet demand needs,” Higgins said. “We haven’t seen any issues yet, and I anticipate as we come out of this, that we are well-positioned to manufacture to demand.” The plant shutdowns certainly provided the most significant savings as the pandemic hit. Bridgestone, like most Who needs data? Your business! tire makers, furloughed employees across its retail stores, manufacturing plants and corporate offices. According to a spokesperson, the tire maker furloughed 7,000 of its 22,000 Check out the RUBBER & PLASTICS News’ Data Store for scores of retail store employees, as well as several hundred employees who work at factories and corporate offices. Furloughs rankings AND LISTS THAT CAN HELP YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS TODAY typically range from six to eight weeks. In addition, executives across the company took voluntary pay reductions, ranging from 10-15 percent, “depending HERE ARE THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE STORE: 10 • Plastics News, February 24, 2020 on roles and functions,” Higgins said. THERMOFORMERSRMOFORMERS RANKINGS “We’re looking—to the best of our Thermoforming Most recent Rank Company/ sales year’s total Annual Parent company 2020 (millions) corporate resin Rank Company/ Top thermoforming Most recent Previous sales Thermoform Plants/ throughput Materials Processes Primary 28 Nelipak Healthcare Packaging ITEC Data Package: All the tire data you need is a Cranston, R.I. abilities—to control our expenses that Parent company year year (millions) employees Mfg. lines (mil. lbs.) end markets Nelipak Corp. Inc. E E E TOP 1 Pactiv LLC John McGrath $2,875 $2,900 N.A. N.A. 21 N.A. 1,3,5,6,9,10 1,2,3,4,5 1,5,19 PACKAGINPACKAGING TOP 28 Sportech Inc. Lake Forest, Ill. CEO N.A. INDUSTRIAL are discretionary and that are not being Rank Group Ltd. Elk River, Minn. E E E 30 Inline Plastics Corp. TOP 2 Dart Container Corp. Jim Lammers $1,600 $1,600 $3,500 N.A. 21 N.A. 1,3,5,6 1,2,4,6 1,5 click away. Excel lists of Global Tire Company PACKAGINPACKAGING Shelton, Conn. Mason, Mich. President N.A.

E E E E 31 Pelican International Inc. TOP 3 Sonoco Plastics Rodger Fuller $600 $550 $5,390.9 1,800 11 320 1,3,5,6,9,12 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,9,16,19 tied to activity needed today and consid- PACKAGINPACKAGING Thermoforming S r . PV g l abo l 145E Laval, Quebec Hartsville, S.C. consumer pack- 32 Cadillac Products Automotive Sonoco Plastics includes previously ranked Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC, which was acquired Jan. 2. Sonoco Products Co.(P) aging Co. Rankings, Global Tire Production Facilities, Tire Troy, Mich. er our cash flow, so that we can support Cadillac Products Inc. TOP 4 Sabert Corp. Albert Salama $560 $510 $860 1,360 4 N.A. 5,6,12 1,2,4,5 1,5,19 PACKAGINPACKAGING Sayreville, N.J. CEO 51 33 Display Pack Inc. 4 D&W Fine Pack LLC Gary Rehwinkel $560E $560E $615E 1,750E 7 N.A. 3,5,6,11,12 1,2,3 1,5,18,19 Cedar Springs, Mich. the business for the recovery that we are Wood Dale, Ill. CEO 120E 34 Spencer Industries Inc. Suppliers, plus 25 PDFs of tire statistics and printed E Dale, Ind. TOP 6 Genpak LLC Kevin Kelly $500 $500 N.A. N.A. 10 N.A. 3,5,6 1,2 1,19 PACKAGINPACKAGING Charlotte, N.C. President N.A. confident will come.” Jim Pattison Group 35 Allied Plastics Inc. 7 Berry Global Inc.(P) Bill Norman $470 $455 $8,878 1,600 4 N.A. 1,3,5 1,2,4 1,5 Twin Lakes, Wis. Evansville, Ind. P r se i ned t , (9/28/2019) 41 tire maps from the U.S., Europe, China and Asia. consumer 35 Dongjin America Inc. Higgins said Bridgestone’s “financial packaging N.A. Ontario, Calif. 8 Fabri-Kal Corp. Mike Roeder $420E $410E $420E 1,000E 4 180E 1,3,4,5,6,10,11, 1,2,4,5 1,2,3,4,5,9,10, Dongjin Co. Ltd. Kalamazoo, Mich. President 41E 12 19 37 Panoramic Inc. position has been solid and remains sol- 9 Anchor Packaging LLC Jeff Wolff $380 $350 $490 740 2 N.A. 1,3,5,6 1,2,4,5,6 1,3,5,16,19 Janesville, Wis. St. Louis President 40 37 Revere Packaging LLC E E Shelbyville, Ky. TOP 10 Kruger Brown Holdings LLC David Kruger $275 $255 N.A. 1,000 4 150 1,2,5,7,8,12 2,3,5,6 16,17,18,19,22 INDUSTRIAL Portage, Wis. President 39 39 Spartech LLC id coming into this crisis. Our company E E E E Maryland Heights, Mo. 11 Winpak Portion Packaging Inc. David Stacey $235 $240 $889.6 500 3 80 1,3,5 1,2,4 1 Newtown, Pa. President 20E Winpak Ltd.(P) Winpak Portion Packaging Inc. corporate sales are for 2018. 40 LCI Industries(P) has done a nice job of managing our Custom Mixing Annual List: The essential reference 12 Tekni-Plex Inc. Paul Young $225E $225E N.A. 700E 5 N.A. 3,6 2 1,16,19 Elkhart, Ind. Wayne, Pa. CEO & President (6/30/2019) N.A. 13 Christian Fischer $200E $205E N.A. 900E 2 N.A. 3 1,2,4 1 41 L.T. Hampel Corp. Atlanta CEO & President N.A. Germantown, Wis. balance sheet.” Koch Industries Inc. See key on Page 15 guide from the editors of Rubber & Plastics News for all 14 Waddington Group Mike Evans $192E $190E $3,600E N.A. 4 N.A. 3,5,6,12 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,5,18,19 Covington, Ky. CEO N.A. Higgins said the market seemed to Novolex 15 Prent Corp. Joseph Pregont $175E $175 N.A. N.A. 4 N.A. 1,3,5,6,8,9,10, 1,5 2,4,9,19 Janesville, Wis. CEO & President (7/31/2019) N.A. 11 things custom mixing. 16 Plastic Ingenuity Inc. Tom Kuehn $161 $161 $161 580 5 93 1,2,3,5,6,7,9, 1,2,4 1,2,3,4,5,9,19 SUPERG bottom out in early April, down 30-40 Cross Plains, Wis. President 49 10,11,12 17 Novipax LLC Tom Reynolds $157E $160E N.A. N.A. 2 N.A. 3 2,5 1 Oak Brook, Ill. CEO 27E percent, but the company is seeing a 18 Placon Corp. Daniel Mohs $154 $154 $188 570 3 N.A. 3,5,6,9,10,12 1,2,4,5 1,2,3,4,8,9,10, Madison, Wis. Chairman & CEO 34 11,12,19 19 Printpack Inc. Terrence Harper $134E $135E N.A. 300E 2 75E 3,5 1,2,5 1 slight improvement as government pro- Atlanta ucexE t i ev v i ec (6/30/2019) 17E president 20 Silgan Plastic Food Containers Tony Allott $126E $125E $4,489.9 275E 2 60E 1,5 1,2,3,4,6 1,2,5 Union, Mo. Chairman 18E grams start to roll out. Silgan Holdings Inc.(P) 21 D6 Inc. Edward Dominion $120 $90 N.A. 326E 4 N.A. 1,5,6,10,11,12 1,2,3,5 1,2,4,8,16,17,18, Portland, Ore. CEO & President 78E 19

E E E TOP 22 MacNeil Automotive Products David MacNeil $100 $100 $500 N.A. 1 N.A. N.A. N.A. 17 “Since stimulus checks started to come INDUSTRIAL Ltd. CEO N.A. Laboratory and Testing Listing: Rubber & Plastics Bolingbrook, Ill. MacNeil IP LLC and the government was able to put some 22 Rohrer Corp. Steve Wirrig $100E $100E $200E 300E 8 N.A. 3,6,9,10 1,5 3,4,7,8,9,10,12, Wadsworth, Ohio CEO (5/31/2019) N.A. 14,17,18,19

E E TOP 24 Wilbert Plastic Services Inc. Greg Botner $88.2 $98 $160 226 2 8.3 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 2,3,5,6 2,7,8,9,11,14,15, News brings you its newest data product, an Excel file INDUSTRIAL Belmont, N.C. CEO & President 35 9,10,12 16,17,18,19,21, of those support programs in place, we Wilbert Inc. DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW 22 25 Amhil North America Mark Johnston $95E $99E $200E N.A. 1 40E 3,5,6 1,2,4 1,5 DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD Mississauga, NOW Ontario DOWNLOAD VP mfg. NOW(9/30/2019 DOWNLOAD) NOW DOWNLOAD17 NOWE DOWNLOAD NOW did start to see a slight improvement on neW owt r ht T onhce l go i e s DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADCo. Ltd. NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW of laboratories and testing facilities for the rubber E E E E E TOP 25 Brentwood Industries Inc. Peter Rye $95 $85 $150 685 4 35 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 1,2,3,4,5 2,7,11,17,18 DOWNLOADINDUSTRIAL Reading, Pa. President (9/30/2019) OUR 48E 9,10,12 DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW that negative,” he said. “It’s still very E E E E 27 Huhtamaki Inc. Clay Dunn $93 $85 $3,670.9 450 3 100 3,5 1,2,4,6 1,5 DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD De Soto, Kan. NOW NOW DOWNLOAD P r se i ned t , NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD31 NOWE DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW Huhtamäki Oyj(P) North America negative, but probably about 10 points of industry. DOWNLOAD RANKINGSNOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOADAND NOW NOW DOWNLOAD LISTS NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW See key on Page 15 Chart continues on Page 11 improvement from the low.” DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW Researcher: HOLLEE KELLER DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW Once states begin to open—Tennes- DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOADDOWNLOAD NOW NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW see, where Bridgestone Americas is DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW headquartered, was one of the first to do DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW so—Higgins expects consumers to re- DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW DOWNLOAD NOW sume travel, ramping up tire demand. Bridgestone has been in contact with These and so much more are online today. Don’t wait. Visit: its OEM customers, learning what vehicles they will produce initially so it can adapt tire production schedules around rubbernews.com/data-lists that OE demand. The stay-at-home orders initiated across the U.S. and Canada have had some benefits, Higgins said. Visit other Global Polymer Group websites for additional data: plasticsnews.com/data-lists First and foremost has been staying in close contact with customers, wholesalers and tirebusiness.com/data-lists. Need customized data? Contact Lori DiFrancesco at [email protected] or Hollee Keller at [email protected]. 22 Rubber & Plastics News • June 1, 2020 www.rubbernews.com Looking ahead Nix said one needs to look no further ARPM than the present for challenges for ARPM, as the coronavirus pandemic Continued from page 01 has robbed the group of perhaps its most the GPG should break off and form their important line of communication—its own association,” Braun said. “The RMA conferences and plant tours, where el- became increasingly involved in lobby- bows rub, best practices are learned and ing on tire-related issues, which drove invaluable contacts are made. up the costs of the organization.” “We grow our membership through In addition, the annual meeting, the our events,” Nix said. “This COVID cri- primary networking event for the GPG, sis is absolutely horrific for an organiza- was canceled and never re-instituted; tion that prides itself on gathering and tire members controlled more than 80 sharing, and now the entire currency percent of the budget for the RMA, and system is out of whack.” consequently the GPG struggled to meet ARPM’s biggest event of the year, its its share of rent and overhead costs Environmental Health and Safety Sum- through its member dues; and there mit, still is set for Nov. 11-12 at the were too few GPG members to continu- Cleveland Airport Marriott. The sum- ally add programming or members. Charlie Braun, president of Custom Rubber Corp., said ARPM adds value for its members mit is designed to share best leadership “It’s been great to see the increased through networking, conferences and best practices. and safety practices. membership and the increase in network- “It’s a big deal, two days worth of ing,” Braun said. “For me, the networking what you give back into this organization.” house, and ARPM was amazing, putting speakers,” Nix said. “There’s a mill safety has always been the most valuable part of me in contact with the right people. series being discussed, which is import- the organization, and the increase in net- All shapes and sizes welcome “They looked like a great fit for us, and ant. But we can’t get in to plants to see working opportunities over the last 10 Zelionople, Pa.-based Eagle Rubber I feel like this is something we should be a right now. We have $100,000 invested in years has been great to see.” Products Inc., a lathe cut gasket and part of. They have a lot of good resources a technical standards program for seals, Braun said the three members of the seal firm with 18 employees, unleashed and we’re looking forward to sharing belts and hoses which requires funding. pre-ARPM task force interviewed sever- the confetti by becoming the 100th them with the rest of company.” “But I suppose the silver lining is we al association management companies member of ARPM last month. Custom Rubber’s Braun said that are going to save on travel.” to lead the new group. The firm is typical of the wide-rang- many member companies ultimately Nix said the non-tire rubber product in- “Ultimately, as a group, the GPG ing membership at ARPM, which com- have joined the group because, like Ea- dustry itself—and therefore ARPM— members selected First Resource and prises smaller family-owned businesses gle Rubber, they were chasing ARPM’s should continue to address its paucity in Troy to lead our organization,” Braun like Eagle and larger ones like Custom technical literature. technical training, something in which said. “Troy’s pitch was different. He ba- Rubber, which has 90 employees and “I’m very excited about the work that’s other industries seem to be more advanced. sically said, ‘We did this and it got these 66,000 square feet, with sales between been done to revitalize and update all “Something that the industry continues results; we could do this to create more $10 million and $20 million per year. the technical standards that followed to struggle with is we have to make the value for members; we could do these T.J. Chickos, whose grandfather be- our group from the RMA GPG to ARPM,” industry look sexier,” he said. “Whether two things to drive membership growth.’ gan Eagle as Castle Rubber, was search- he said. “Many of those standards hadn’t that’s when you on-board people or with There was a lot more creativity and ing for industry standards on a larger been updated since the late 1970s, and I training and methodologies, we could be willingness to suggest ideas, which ev- lathe cut gasket—in the 40-inch think at this point, every one of them seen as somewhat behind other industries. eryone in the GPG liked.” range—when he discovered ARPM. has been updated—in fact the Rubber You go into a plastics business and there The ARPM began collecting its own “A lot of the reason we joined is that Handbook is on its second revision under is animation explaining what happens membership dues later in 2010. ARPM has standards for what we do,” ARPM right now.” between parts—there is nothing like that “To combine this vision we’ve had, we’ve Chickos said. “We realized that they Braun added that he also appreciates in the rubber industry.” really been fighting the tide along the were truly the only industry standard ARPM’s commitment to training mate- And as a military officer might “take way,” Nix said. “Each and every day we for that kind of lathe cutting. The litera- rial and systems. the hill,” Nix said he is focused on bring- are focused on providing value. You get ture stopped where we find our wheel- “Many of the members cite training as ing the ARPM out the other end of the the one area where help is most needed,” he pandemic and into a new age that will see said. “ARPM has the resources, thanks to the dawn of EVs and AVs. its members, to drive the development of And that means establishing diversity solid, industry-specific training that I’m in markets outside of auto, on which non- really excited to use in our organization.” tire is too reliant, he said. Whereas the benefits provided to “Last year during this time, I was at an Custom Rubber by ARPM have been innovation seminar, trying to get people to “too many ways to recount,” Braun said, look to the future, especially with the de- a reciprocation in value is important. velopment of EVs and AVs,” Nix said. “I think the thing I’m most proud of is “What is missing from them? They exclude the way our team pulled together and reliance on our products. I want to open up hosted the first plant tour event ARPM the AV hood, and (have someone) tell me ever had,” Braun said. “We’ve since the difference between the hoses, gaskets, hosted another plant tour event more electrical. The amount of product depen- recently. It was a great opportunity for dent on auto—that’s a big issue for us. We our team to present some of the things need to try to explore where we can inte- they work hard at every day and then to grate products as we look ahead.” get feedback—mostly positive—and Nix said reaching triple-digit member- Members of ARPM tour a Zochem plant during an excursion organized by the group. Zochem some ideas for improvement. ship, thanks to companies like Eagle manufactures zinc oxide. “And events like the Safety Summit and Rubber, bodes well for the next decade. the Benchmarking Conference are invalu- “This is an exciting milestone,” he able. We always leave with a few gems said. “We are grateful for the support of that can be very helpful—sometimes our founding members and continued transformative—for our organization.” work of our membership and sponsors Chickos said he looks forward to “get- for the good of the association and the ting his toe in the water with ARPM.” industry. The ARPM team is proud to Company Name Web address/Email Phone# Page “We’re going to dive in soon,” he said. serve its members and the rubber indus- Akrochem Corp. www.akrochem.com 330-535-2100 2 “We’re hoping to be as involved as possible.” try and looks forward to the future.” [email protected] 800-321-2260 Cancarb www.cancarb.com 403-529-4352 9 [email protected] Ergon, Inc. www.ergonnsa.com 601-933-3148 24 [email protected] Harwick Standard www.harwick.com 330-798-9300 7 Distribution Corporation [email protected] 800-899-4412 R.E. Carroll, Inc. www.recarroll.com 609-695-6211 11 [email protected] Soltex, Inc. www.soltexinc.com 800-275-8580 10 [email protected] Struktol Company of www.struktol.com 330-928-5188 5 America [email protected] Custom Rubber Corp., which makes custom rubber molded products, was one of the founding A reader service from to Rubber Industry Advertisers companies of ARPM. SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2020 I AKRON, OH

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