No Slowing Down

June 28, 2021 I $99 per year, $4.50 per copy The Rubber Industry’s International Newspaper No slowing down Michelin embracing future technologies to drive future growth By Erin Pustay Beaven tics recycling, cargo ship sails, hydrogen elec- Rubber & Plastics News Staff tric vehicle charging stations and even the GREENVILLE, S.C.—Make no mistake, Miche- medical industry. And while some of those in- lin makes tires. vestments may seem unconventional, each one That has been the heart and soul of the comes back to a simple premise: responsibility. company since 1889, and that won’t be chang- “When we say Michelin is motion today, we ing any time soon, even if the company changes mean that Michelin is in motion for our cus- a little along the way. tomers, we are in motion for people and also for The world’s largest tire maker has estab- our environment,” Alexis Garcin, chairman lished a long-term vision for its business that is and president of Michelin North America Inc., built on three pillars: people, profit and planet. told Rubber & Plastics News. “Because what we In the decades ahead, Michelin intends to grow deeply believe at Michelin is that we should not by establishing key partnerships and making oppose the economical growth and the mobility strategic investments in technologies, materi- of the people because motion is life. We should als and developments that drive not just the not oppose that to the protection of the envi- tire industry, but sustainable mobility overall. ronment. It is not either or. It is with.” That journey may connect Michelin to plas- See Michelin, page 18 Alexis Garcin, chairman and president of Michelin North America Inc. NAHAD Conference 2021 Coverage on page 4. Split decision ITC a rms duties on certain Asian P/LT tires, dismisses Vietnam from case By Bruce Davis Commerce are: percent on all other companies. Tire Business • In South Korea—Hankook P/LT tire imports from the WASHINGTON—The Interna- Tire & Technology Co. Ltd., 27.05 targeted nations totaled 85.4 tional Trade Commission has percent; Nexen Tire Corp., 14.72 million units in 2020, accord- voted to uphold the imposition percent; “all others” 21.74 percent. ing to U.S. Commerce Depart- of antidumping duties on con- • In Taiwan—Cheng Shin ment data, including 13.8 mil- sumer tires from South Korea, Rubber Industry Co. Ltd./Maxxis lion from Vietnam. Semperit photo by Jason Buch Photography Taiwan and Thailand, but ter- International, 20.04 percent; The USW, which represents Semperit A.G. Holding’s new facility will manufacture, warehouse and distribute minated the investigation into Nankang Rubber Industry Co. approximately 12,000 workers at rubber gaskets, seals and expansion joints. dumping from Vietnam. Ltd., 101.84 percent; “all others,” eight consumer tire factories in The vote was 4-1, with Re- 84.75 percent. the U.S., “welcomed” the ITC’s publican Commissioner David • In Thailand—Sumitomo decision, saying it affirms what Johanson dissenting. Rubber (Thailand) Co. Ltd., 14.62 USW members see every day: “a Semperit centers on N.A. The Commission affirmed the percent; LLIT (Thailand) Co. deliberate effort to undercut our imposition of countervailing du- Ltd. (Linglong), 21.09 percent; domestic industry and overtake ties on said imports from Vietnam. “all others,” 17.08 percent. our market.” with new Georgia seal plant The decision cements elevat- In Vietnam, Commerce had de- The USW represents workers By Andrew Schunk for specialized construction window ed import duties on nearly $3.5 termined five named compa- at plants operated by Cooper Rubber & Plastics New Staff profiles, building facade seals, road billion in imports from the nies—Sailun Vietnam Co. Ltd.; Tire & Rubber Co. (Findlay, NEWNAN, Ga.—Semperit A.G. and bridge expansion joints, and three remaining Asian lands, Kenda Rubber (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.; Ohio, and Texarkana, Ark.); Holding, a European producer of other sealing components. as determined earlier by the Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Goodyear (Fayetteville, N.C., hydraulic and industrial hoses, It also will serve as a distribution U.S. Commerce Department, Vietnam L.L.C.; Kumho Tire and Topeka, Kan.); Michelin conveyor belts, extruded gaskets hub for conveyance products, though which based its ruling on its (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.; and Yokoha- North America Inc. (Fort Wayne, and other products, will Semperit will not manufac- belief that such tires “are be- ma Tyre Vietnam Co. Ltd.—did Ind., and Tuscaloosa, Ala.); Su- invest $9 million in a ture its conveyance applica- ing, or are likely to be, sold in not engage in dumping and there- mitomo Rubber North America new 150,000-sq.-ft. seal tions there. the U.S. at less than fair value.” fore would not be assessed duties. (Tonawanda, N.Y.); and Yokoha- production facility just The facility, which al- The investigation—which was The ITC chose to end all in- ma Tire Corp. (Salem, Va.) southwest of Atlanta—a ready existed prior to Sem- carried out in response to a peti- vestigation on this portion, but There are 16 other non-union- hub that will serve as perit taking ownership, tion from the United Steelwork- did vote to assess countervail- ized tire plants in the U.S. pro- Semperit’s new North will be operational by Nov. ers in May 2020—covered the ing duties on Sailun Vietnam ducing P/LT tires, with roughly American headquarters. 1. The company previously period from April 1, 2019, and Kumho Tire Vietnam of 20,000 workers, according to The building, scouted had its central N.A. offices through March 31, 2020. 6.23 percent and 7.89 percent, Rubber & Plastics News research. and discovered after in Stone Mountain, Ga. The final rates published by respectively, as well as 6.46 See Decision, page 17 about one year, will in- “We are just thrilled to fi- corporate operations with Coughlin nally have a manufacturing an eye toward sustainability in the footprint here in the U.S. We have Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Rankings Coweta County Industrial Park. been a trader for so many years,” The plant will manufacture, ware- said Irene Coughlin, managing di- North America Rubber Sales Leaders house and distribute rubber gaskets See Semperit, page 21 1 2 3 4 5 ©Entire contents copyright 2021 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved. See the rest of the Rankings starting on page 10 See Decision, page 17

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RPN05185.indd 1 3/26/21 10:05 AM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 3 In focus Feds to help boost U.S. glove production By Jim Johnson DOD said. Rubber & Plastics News Staff Buyers in America have to commit to WASHINGTON—More than $200 mil- paying “a little more” for domestically pro- Wilson to again provide lion in federal money is going toward in- duced gloves to ensure the long-term via- creased domestic nitrile glove production bility of production. A return to a low- NBA game balls at private firms. est-cost-only approach ultimately will sink Rubber & Plastics News Staff It’s part of a larger push by the U.S. the resurgence now occurring, he warned. CHICAGO—A familiar name is re- government to lessen the country’s de- With such a commitment, glove compa- turning to the NBA next season. pendency on imported personal protec- nies can successfully deliver their products Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has tion equipment following critical shortag- and then innovate and improve, he said. agreed to a multi-year partnership es last year as COVID-19 raged. “Because what America is great at is mak- with the NBA to supply the official This includes additional cash for one ing things better. We’ve got a bunch of bril- game ball beginning with the company that’s already begun construc- liant minds that can improve and innovate.” league’s 75th anniversary season. tion of additional glove making capacity Renco is not the only company receiv- The ball was introduced at the in the Northeast and has plans for a sec- ing federal funding to help develop the NBA Draft Combine June 21-27 and ond facility in Texas. Among the Renco Corp. products are nitrile domestic glove industry. will be available to purchase on Renco Corp. is receiving a $35 million accordion sleeves. A U.S. Department of Defense contract Wilson.com beginning July 29, the contract modification to increase nitrile for $63.6 million with U.S. Medical Glove day of the NBA Draft. glove production both at its existing Cole- we can be closer to raw material vendors Co. L.L.C. will allow the company to in- Wilson supplied the game ball for brook, N.H., location and at a planned and suppliers. That’s why we’ve chosen crease production by 2.31 billion gloves the NBA’s first 37 seasons. Spalding facility in Houston. Houston for that next location,” Renehan annually at its Fort Knox, Ky., location by had been the supplier since 1983. Renco previously was awarded a $22 explained. May 2023. The contract was made in co- “Wilson is excited to unlock our his- million contract to expand in New Hamp- The CEO said the country needs a net- ordination with the U.S. Department of tory and heritage with the NBA to shire at its American Performance Poly- work of glove-making facilities to help fill Health and Human Services. grow the game of basketball on the mers subsidiary, and the modified con- the needs of the nation, whether they end “The award will facilitate the produc- global stage,” Wilson General Man- tract now will help fund construction in up being Renco locations or not. tion of 24 new production lines to support ager Kevin Murphy said in a news Houston, CEO Rich Renehan said in a Virtually all rubber gloves made in the domestic nitrile exam glove manufactur- release. “On the heels of launching June 22 interview. world come from Malaysia and the pan- ing,” DOD said in a statement our WNBA and BAL (Basketball Afri- Reshoring glove and other PPE manu- demic strained global supply lines to the The contract for Kentucky is part of ca League) partnerships, we will con- facturing is an important step in pre- point where countries were in desperate U.S. Medical Glove’s plans to create a tinue building for the future of the venting the shortages that occurred in competition with one another to secure network of six regional hubs around the sport. Wilson will focus first on sup- 2020, he said. shipments. The result was higher prices country. The company said it expects to porting the league and its players with “It’s jobs in America and it’s an indus- as demand outstripped supply during the employ as many as 3,000 workers. its high-performance game balls, then try that needs to be domestic because it’s teeth of the pandemic. Another $123.1 million contract with extending our basketball family to critical infrastructure for medical care,” The divide between the supply and de- Blue Star NBR L.L.C. of Berlin, Conn., reach fans, coaches and players at all Renehan said. mand left severe shortages during the will help that company boost production levels, around the world.” Along with greatly expanding the com- pandemic’s height, underscoring the need of nitrile butadiene rubber at a new Vir- The Wilson balls feature the same pany’s existing Colebrook site, Renehan to onshore production of certain medical ginia location. Blue Star expects output materials, eight-panel configuration, said locating a glove making facility in goods. Now the U.S. is working to revital- to increase by 90,000 metric tons per performance specifications and leather the Houston area makes logistical sense. ize domestic glove manufacturing to help year by August 2022. as the current game balls. Over the Renco is in the process of identifying an avoid the situation in the future. Officials at both U.S. Medical Glove past year, the NBA and the National existing building that meets glove manu- “The target is 1.8 billion gloves per and Blue Star NBR could not immediate- Basketball Players Association worked facturing requirements. The company year to 2 billion gloves for Houston, and ly be reached for comment. jointly with Wilson to develop and ap- wants to use an existing building to go Colebrook should max out at about a bil- Funding for all three rubber-related prove the new game ball through team into production more quickly. But there lion gloves,” Renehan explained. projects, totaling about $221.7 million, is evaluation sessions. The game ball fea- are unique building requirements of glove Houston will include 10 high-speed dip coming through the U.S. Department of tures the NBA and Wilson logos in full lines, which are hundreds of feet in length. lines that will boost production by 166.7 Defense in coordination with the U.S. De- grain pebbling, with the Wilson logo “The next logical place was Houston so million gloves per month by 2022, the partment of Health and Human Services. also including an anthracite inline. “Our partnership with Wilson fit- tingly comes to life as we approach our 75th anniversary season,” said Salva- Linglong unveils plans for Chinese tire plant tore LaRocca, the NBA’s president of European Rubber Journal Once fully operational, the factory will manufacture 12 mil- global partnerships. “As the NBA’s offi- ZHAOYUAN, China—Linglong Tire has unveiled plans for lion sets of semi-steel radial tires and 3 million units of all-steel cial game ball for the league’s first 37 the construction of a new greenfield tire production facility in radial tires per year. seasons, Wilson makes its return Tongchuan, in the central province of Shaanxi. It also will produce 100,000 aircraft tires (including 60,000 building on our shared history and The $943 million project will have the annual capacity to retreaded tires), 100,000 specialty tires, 500,000 retreaded car looking ahead toward the continued produce 15.2 million units of high-performance radial tires and tires and 1 million inner tubes and pads. growth of the league.” 500,000 sets of retreaded tires, Linglong said June 10. According to Linglong, Tongchuan City was selected for the Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young The move is part of the company’s 2020 global expansion strategy, location of the plant due to “complete regional infrastructure” and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal which pursues a “6+6” layout—six plants in China, and six globally. and proximity to car makers and auto parts manufacturers. Murray will serve on the first NBA Linglong expects to start the preliminary procedures for The new plant will be Linglong’s sixth domestic production Advisory Staff, testing and giving building the plant in the second half of 2021 and to begin con- facility, in addition to the ones in Zhaoyuan, Dezhou, Liuzhou, feedback on Wilson basketball prod- struction by April 2022. Jingmen, and a fifth which is being constructed in Changchun ucts. Other advisory staff members The project will be located at the Dongjiahe Circular Econo- City, in northeastern China. include three-time WNBA All-Star my Industrial Park in Tongchuan City and will be completed in The company also operates an overseas plant in Thailand Liz Cambage, FIBA 3×3 players Du- three phases by March 2028. and is building a $970 million facility in Serbia. san Bulut and Migna Toure, skills coach Chris Brickley and taste maker Beija Velez. Inside this edition Make sure your team gets the recognition it deserves! Deadline for nominations is July 9 Visit rubbernews.com/heroes to submit honorees Capitalizing on rubber Akron may not have as many tire Departments Opinion ...... 8 Technical notebook ...... 13 makers as it used to, but the city Vol. 50, No. 25. June 28, 2021—Rubber & Plastics News (ISSN 0300-6123) is published bi-weekly by Crain Communications Inc. Periodical postage paid at Akron and at 6remains a hub for rubber industry additional mailing offices. Address all subscription correspondence to: Circulation Department, Rubber & Plastics News, 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912. innovation. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Rubber & Plastics News, Circulation Dept., 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912.

P003_RPN_20210628.indd 3 6/24/21 6:16 PM 4 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com NAHAD Conference 2021 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA NAHAD Conference 2021 doing in America,” Howse said. “We are adding people here, putting them in place to service the customer here. The hydraulic A desert gathering hose line is mature and very big in Europe and Asia, and it is growing for us in North America.” NAHAD back to business at first in-person meeting in 2 years More recently, the company By Andrew Schunk has focused production on hose Rubber & Plastics News Staff lengths that are appropriate for SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—As Molly American customers. Many times, Alton Mullins passed by one of Howse said, North American the 600 attendees at the 37th an- consumers request hoses that nual NAHAD Convention, a are 100 or 200 feet in length, manufacturer who was in a bit of while European customers want a quandary with no meeting room something that is 40 or 60 meters to discuss business with a client, in length. she helped him secure a spot near “We have a new plant in the the ballroom at the sprawling Czech Republic, begun in 2018, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. where we are expanding our ca- She passed the same manufac- pabilities for hose lengths for turer a few hours later and in- North America,” he said, adding quired how the meeting with the that Semperit ships direct to the customer went. customer. “Thanks to you,” the manufac- Like Snap-Tite, Semperit offi- turer told the executive vice presi- cials say raw material pricing and dent of the Association for Hose and supply chain movement remain a Accessories Distribution, “I was problem. able to close on $20,000 in sales.” “You have to adjust to the supply RPN photos by Andrew Schunk chain side, but it is nothing we hav- That’s what the convention is NAHAD organizers said the 2021 convention may have been one of the most important ever, consider- en’t been able to overcome,” Howse about—benchmarking, networking the logistical pressures caused by the pandemic. Next year’s conference is slated for Miami, Fla. ing and meeting with customers, said. “Our order boards are higher all things that have not been everybody. I couldn’t be happier “If you want a U.S.-made rubber in cycles regardless. than they have ever been. We have conducted face-to-face since the about everyone’s reaction. hose, you need to talk to us.” But business in all enough suppliers and reliable sup- pandemic began. “This wasn’t the most highly The company, with about 190 down markets has ply chains in place to overcome “I was so glad I could give him attended,” Petillo would later say, employees, conducts its manufac- picked back up again. these problems.” From left, Jessica Hauser Forte, Sam Petillo and American Biltrite, based in Sher that opportunity,” Mullins said. “but it was definitely the most turing in the U.S. and maintains “We have seen a va- Molly Alton Mullins enjoy the pool party June 13. “That’s why we’re NAHAD. That’s meaningful—not just coming out warehouse and distribution loca- riety of different is- brooke, Quebec, manufactures a why we’re here.” of the pandemic, but the challeng- tions in the United Kingdom and sues,” Schad said. in Newnan, Ga., a $9 million, range of industrial rubber products, The convention, the first in more es faced by our members, with Ireland. Assembly of the larger “With the supply chain in general 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes with an array of polymers, on-site than two years, initially was slat- inflation, pricing volatility and diameter, thermoplastic polyure- and the availability of contain- seal production just southwest of mixing, and state-of-the-art curing ed to take place in the supply chain challeng- thane hoses takes place in North ers, especially. There remains a Atlanta. and testing facilities. Bahamas in 2020, es. We all remain opti- Carolina. huge amount of pricing volatility, Semperit’s hose production Trevor McMillan, vice president then in San Diego. mistic about what the The company is looking to pio- on both the freight and supply takes place in the Czech Repub- of sales for North America, With just two months future holds for this neer the use of Kevlar in its hoses, side. We let customers know that lic, Poland, Thailand, Asia and manned the booth at the NAHAD to spare, it was can- industry.” a material that already is used in we would do what we could, but Austria. The company is working showcase along with Janna Quar- celed in California In addition to the firefighter turnout gear for its high we are not willing to cheapen our on production of a “new genera- ing, also in the sales division for and moved to Arizona. networking events heat threshold, tensile strength product, so price increases got tion” of chemical hoses, conduits American Biltrite. “We are so grateful and Lokar’s talk on and lightweight traits. passed down.” that boast easier handling and While they were there to offer to get everyone to- the economic forecast “No one has put Kevlar in a In an industry as critical as the installation, as well as greater the company’s industrial sheet gether,” she told Rubber & Plastics over the next decade, the confer- hose yet,” Schad said. “There are one supplied by Snap-Tite, safety, bending force and durability, rubber line in an array of different News during closing ceremonies ence featured a powerful and in- issues with fire hoses made of ny- quality and performance trans- said Doug Howse, sales director colors and materials (SBR, neo- June 15. “It is one of those things spiring talk on leadership from lon or polyester, as they will burn lates to life-saving capabilities. for the eastern U.S. The company prene and EPDM, among others), that could have gone either way. Herm Edwards, head coach of at a lower temperature and will “Snap-Tite has a long history, also makes general purpose air American Biltrite also maintains We listened to our members, and the Arizona State Sun Devils burn quickly. We believe that the and in the last five years we have and water hoses, as well as oil-re- a flooring division. The company they wanted to get together in and a former NFL head coach maximum survivability (of the really been able to stabilize our sistant hose lines. has eight locations in the U.S. and person. So we reacted to that.” and player, and the all-important hose) needs to be longer than (90 business,” Schad said. “We place While hydraulic hoses usually two in Canada. With an even split between “Showcase Tuesday” for the seconds). This will last in a full an importance on doing things are part of the specific vehicle or “These are our new samples distributors and manufacturers many vendors and distributors fire blaze for 15 minutes.” right the first time.” equipment and use oil under pres- that came out during COVID,” at about 75 businesses apiece, the on site. Happy to be meeting custom- The Vienna, Austria-based Sem- sure to move incredibly heavy ob- McMillan said, offering up a book convention saw beautiful weath- ers in person, Schad said the perit A.G., specifically the Semper- jects, industrial hoses are typically of the different swatches. “Our er—save one rare rainstorm on Stealing the show pandemic flattened his munici- flex hydraulic and industrial hose attached to equipment and move numbers are good right now con- the final evening—between June The showcase at the NAHAD pal business with cities and segment, was in Scottsdale to some form of media from point A to sidering the situation. In April 12 and June 15. Typically be- convention was a true display of towns, and decreased Snap-Tite’s tout its hose lines for hydraulic, point B. They can be abrasion-re- and May they were not so good. tween 20 and 25 percent of the all things hydraulic and indus- agricultural and industrial seg- pressure washing, aviation fuel sistant and move mineral oils, wa- But we are back to 2018-2019 lev- convention comprises interna- trial hose and hose accessories. ments as well. The military seg- and fire hoses. ter, chemicals, compressed air or els now.” tional attendees, though no such With more than 100 booths set ment was unaffected by the pan- The company recently opened a fuel, among many other products. McMillan added that with raw contingent was present due to up for the vendors this year, the demic, he noted, but seems to go new North American headquarters “It is exciting the things we are material costs “several times what COVID, Mullins said. event was a huge success, accord- they were,” supply line challenges The conference typically fluc- ing to organizers. and separate quarantine polices tuates between about 850 and “Having company meetings for every country, the pandemic 1,000 attendees, but considering again, benchmarking again, the caused American Biltrite to oper- the logistical pressures, the camaraderie that’s here—that’s ate in ways it had never before gathering may have been the what this is all about,” Petillo said. considered. most important of any thus far. On site were companies hawk- “Agile is a word we use a lot at Sam Petillo, of Houston-based ing hoses of all types, from the American Biltrite,” McMillan said. Singer Equities and president of “Layflat” PVC agricultural and “COVID caused us to look at every- NAHAD, kicked off the confer- construction hoses from Kuriyama thing differently. When you are run- ence June 13 with a brief introduc- and hydraulic hoses from Jason ning the rat race and the status quo tion of Connor Lokar, an economist Industrial, to couplings and hose is acceptable, you need to take a step with the prestigious ITK Econom- fittings from other companies. back and look at your operations in ics Group, who was just one of The privately owned Snap-Tite times like these. Business still has to the speakers who pivoted along Hose of Union City, Pa., was get done. with NAHAD to make the conven- there, its bread-and-butter indus- “It is the businesses that are tion a success. try being the fire and military willing to do things outside the Appropriately, Aerosmith’s “Back hose space. The company also box that are successful.” in the Saddle” blared throughout works in agricultural hose pro- Jessica Hauser Forte, director of the ballroom as Petillo took the duction. conferences for NAHAD, said the stage. CEO Jeff Schad said customers face-to-face interactions during “I never thought we would get are having difficulty finding qual- the showcase and all the 5-star here,” Petillo said. “Doing this ity imported hoses, and Snap-Tite events at this year’s convention virtually just was not going to cut can help fill that gap. “Many of were a welcome sight, as business it for NAHAD members, and I am them would like to have a domes- The 600 or so attendees of the 2021 NAHAD Convention pose for a photo following an inspiring talk from Herm Ed- was indeed accomplished in so excited to be in-person with tic source for their hoses,” he said. wards, Arizona State Sun Devil head coach and former NFL head coach and player, seen on stage in the background. pre-pandemic ways—with a smile,

P004_P005_RPN_20210628.indd 4 6/24/21 3:48 PM www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 5 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA NAHAD Conference 2021 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA doing in America,” Howse said. a handshake and a commitment to “We are adding people here, put- one another. ting them in place to service the “It’s been incredible to see peo- customer here. The hydraulic ple coming out of the gates to see A desert gathering hose line is mature and very big each other,” she said on the final in Europe and Asia, and it is day of the 4-day event. “We moved growing for us in North America.” states, times and dates, but our NAHAD back to business at first in-person meeting in 2 years More recently, the company members wanted to get together. has focused production on hose They are happy and they were able lengths that are appropriate for to get business done that they had American customers. Many times, not been able to do over Zoom calls Howse said, North American over the past two years. consumers request hoses that “We found a phenomenal prop- are 100 or 200 feet in length, erty and a phenomenal partner while European customers want with the Fairmont Princess. Our something that is 40 or 60 meters hospitality partners have been in length. incredible and very gracious “We have a new plant in the throughout. It has been reinvigo- Czech Republic, begun in 2018, rating to see people get back to RPN photos by Andrew Schunk where we are expanding our ca- doing what they do best, what Snap-Tite team members, with CEO Jeff Schad second from Trevor McMillan and Janna Quaring staff the pabilities for hose lengths for NAHAD does best.” right, man their booth during “Showcase Tuesday.” American Biltrite booth at NAHAD 2021. North America,” he said, adding that Semperit ships direct to the customer. Like Snap-Tite, Semperit officials say raw material pricing and supply chain movement remain a problem. “You have to adjust to the supply chain side, but it is nothing we hav- silica en’t been able to overcome,” Howse DESIGNED FOR said. “Our order boards are higher than they have ever been. We have YOUR HIGH enough suppliers and reliable sup- ADDITIVES ply chains in place to overcome PERFORMANCE these problems.” From left, Jessica Hauser Forte, Sam Petillo and American Biltrite, based in Sher APPLICATIONS Molly Alton Mullins enjoy the pool party June 13. brooke, Quebec, manufactures a in Newnan, Ga., a $9 million, range of industrial rubber products, • STRUKTOL® HT 207 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that includes with an array of polymers, on-site seal production just southwest of mixing, and state-of-the-art curing • STRUKTOL® HT 276 Atlanta. and testing facilities. Semperit’s hose production Trevor McMillan, vice president takes place in the Czech Repub- of sales for North America, • STRUKTOL® JV 46F lic, Poland, Thailand, Asia and manned the booth at the NAHAD Austria. The company is working showcase along with Janna Quar- • STRUKTOL® ZB 49 on production of a “new genera- ing, also in the sales division for tion” of chemical hoses, conduits American Biltrite. that boast easier handling and While they were there to offer installation, as well as greater the company’s industrial sheet bending force and durability, rubber line in an array of different said Doug Howse, sales director colors and materials (SBR, neo- for the eastern U.S. The company prene and EPDM, among others), also makes general purpose air American Biltrite also maintains and water hoses, as well as oil-re- a flooring division. The company sistant hose lines. has eight locations in the U.S. and While hydraulic hoses usually two in Canada. are part of the specific vehicle or “These are our new samples equipment and use oil under pres- that came out during COVID,” sure to move incredibly heavy ob- McMillan said, offering up a book jects, industrial hoses are typically of the different swatches. “Our attached to equipment and move numbers are good right now con- some form of media from point A to sidering the situation. In April Saves Processing – Saves Fuel point B. They can be abrasion-re- and May they were not so good. sistant and move mineral oils, wa- But we are back to 2018-2019 lev- ter, chemicals, compressed air or els now.” fuel, among many other products. McMillan added that with raw “It is exciting the things we are material costs “several times what they were,” supply line challenges and separate quarantine polices for every country, the pandemic caused American Biltrite to oper- ate in ways it had never before considered. “Agile is a word we use a lot at American Biltrite,” McMillan said. “COVID caused us to look at everything differently. When you are run- ning the rat race and the status quo is acceptable, you need to take a step Struktol Additive Solutions – let our team improve the functionality, quality and performance back and look at your operations in times like these. Business still has to values in your business. When it comes to polymer additives, Struktol’s vast chemical experience is translated get done. into the most intelligent solutions available anywhere. Our sales and technical staff are the industry’s most “It is the businesses that are knowledgeable polymer additive experts and are dedicated to improving your processing performance. willing to do things outside the box that are successful.” Call 800-FAST-MIX or visit www.struktol.com for our Intelligent Additive Solutions. Jessica Hauser Forte, director of conferences for NAHAD, said the Struktol Company of America face-to-face interactions during 201 E. Steels Corners Road | P.O. Box 1649 | Stow, OH 44224-0649 the showcase and all the 5-star events at this year’s convention 330-928-5188 | 800-327-8649 | Fax: 330-928-0013 were a welcome sight, as business Email: [email protected] The 600 or so attendees of the 2021 NAHAD Convention pose for a photo following an inspiring talk from Herm Ed- was indeed accomplished in wards, Arizona State Sun Devil head coach and former NFL head coach and player, seen on stage in the background. pre-pandemic ways—with a smile,

P004_P005_RPN_20210628.indd 5 6/24/21 3:48 PM 6 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com 5for50 5 for 50 Akron still capitalizing on rubber By Andrew Schunk overall population topped out at just more than 290,000, reasons why the city remains a global hub for all things Rubber & Plastics News Staff but it remains a major player. rubber. AKRON—And the winner ... and STILL Rubber Capi- From Goodyear’s headquarters (now combined with In every issue leading up to our special 50th Anniver- tal of the World ... Ohio-based Cooper Tire), to the University of Akron’s sary edition on Aug. 9, we’ll explore a new list of 5 things Akron may not be the epicenter for the commodity esteemed School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engi- that have changed or are changing the industry. When that it was post-World War II, circa 1960, when its neering, to the ACS Rubber Division and the various our 50th anniversary issue arrives, you’ll have a total of rubber industry workers peaked at 58,000 and the testing agencies that call Akron home, here are five 50 things that define the last five decades.

1. Bouncing back “What’s past is prologue,” a quote from William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone’s to decide—with the knowledge gleaned from the past. And since no city maintains a greater rubber pedigree than Akron, the community’s future remains bright. As a hub for air ship production, the city produced early zeppelins and later the iconic Goodyear Blimps. Akron-Fulton Airport was a center for production of the Goodyear Corsair, arguably the premier Allied air-to-air fighter of the Pacific Theater. And Akron itself was home to Goodyear (named for Charles Goodyear, the father of vulcanization), B.F. Goodrich, Fire- stone and General Tire, the four largest rubber producers in the world at that time, who chose to set up in the now 194-year-old city. Though the latter three companies moved elsewhere in the 1980s, Goodyear remains devoted to Akron, opening its 639,000-sq.-ft., $160 million headquarters, one of the largest buildings ever constructed in the city, in 2013. With the $1.5 billion merger with Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. finalized in early June, Goodyear’s position increases dramatically, keeping the city of Akron synonymous with rubber production.

2. This is only a test As much as it remains a hub for tire production, Akron similarly remains a city of testing and technical centers. Global firms such as Smithers and the Akron Rubber Development Laboratory Inc. call the region home, and their presence in Northeast Ohio is no coincidence. Smithers, founded in 1925 in Akron, has a timeline that reads like an infinitely progressive learning curve. The company has a winter test track in Michigan and other labs in Massachusetts, analytical and functional testing labs in Akron, and similar facilities for hose and tire testing in China and the United Kingdom. The company continues to be a go-to lab for the medical, rubber and instrument industries in all types of fields. ARDL also has a long history in the area, as a center for regulatory testing for a range of industries. The company works with customers to develop rubber compounds, to test elastomer physical and analytical properties (think chemical, failure and forensic testing) and even offers webinars and continuing education in the polymer industry. A Smithers engineer conducts instrument tests in downtown Akron.

3. An academic feedstock Just as rubber requires its own feedstock materials, chemical and engineering companies require their own sources for the best and brightest employees. Akron has carved out a corner on that market as well, via the University of Akron’s School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, one of the premier academic institutes in the world. The college sits at the center of campus, a gleaming glass facility that beckons to the world’s top students. It was born out of the rubber chemistry field in 1909, when Charles M. Knight had the foresight to teach courses in polymers. The college’s reputation became so well respected that the U.S. government sought out the school—then part of Buchtel College—to train employees during the war effort. Today, the institute continues to grow alongside the polymer industry, offering doctorate programs in cutting-edge research. Its students and faculty read as a “who’s who” of scien- tists and engineers, with George S. Whitby, Maurice Morton and James L. White as alum- ni of the school.

4. Educate, connect and grow The ACS Rubber Division is part professional, part academic, and all knowledge, comprising chemists, engineers, plant managers, those on the distribution side and any others related to the rubber and polymer field. Based in Akron, the group organizes and sponsors the annual International Elastomer Conference, coming up this year in early Oc- tober, as well as continuing education and training. The group has an extensive library of technical and research papers, and its training programs and classes are sought by industry experts across the world. As recognition is appreciated amongst peers in any space, the group’s Science and Technology Awards are considered some of the most prestigious in the industry, a line item on a resume that would make any professional or student proud.

5. Looking over that next hill Just as Goodyear is as much a global technology firm as it is a tire company, the same can be said for Germany’s Continental A.G. and its Fairlawn, Ohio-based ContiTech. Located in a quaint suburb of Akron, ContiTech is the tire maker’s non- tire division, and its research is world renowned in anti-vibration, fluid and hydraulic power, conveyance, power transmission and sealing services, among many others. Like its parent group in Hanover, the group prides itself on the most advanced predictive maintenance and sustainability solutions and consistent- ly looks to the horizon—whether that represents the coming EV revolution, AI in vehicles or the use of IoT in its products. The ContiTech division is a fitting example of why Akron’s future is as bright as its history is rich—and why the city will remain a “Rubber Capital of the World.”

P006_RPN_20210628.indd 6 6/24/21 3:54 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 7 Sim Lim grows molding capacity By Jennifer Karpus-Romain tiebarless injection molding ma- Rubber & Plastics News Correspondent chines and Elmet dosing units, and WHITEWATER, Wis.—Sim Lim the company has been pleased with Technic L.L.C., an injection their reliability, repeatability and molder specializing in technical support. parts made from liquid silicone “The tiebarless Engel victory ma- rubber, recently expanded its chines give us better access to the molding capacity with the instal- platen and available mold area, lation of a new molding cell this which is a key benefit in that the Sim Lim Technic L.L.C. uses Engel year. It purchased a 180-ton Wide machine has a smaller overall foot- machines for its molding processes. Platen Engel tiebarless injection print or size relative to its tonnage, “We navigated what was a chal- molding machine and an Elmet permits faster mold changes and lenging period along with everyone TOP5000 P silicone dosing unit. access to a wider array of mold sizes else in 2020, supported with various “The purchase of the new pro- including a larger robot axis move- PPE-related applications throughout duction cell is to satisfy mainly President Michael Robins (right), and Michael O’Hara, vice president of en- ment envelope,” he said. the year, and are currently positioned new and supplement existing busi- gineering and technology, lead Whitewhiter, Wis.-based Sim Lim. Sim Lim previously announced as planned for further growth in the ness capacity needs,” said Michael fine-tune durometers, are key as- Platen Engel tiebarless injection its goal to add these capacities in a short- to medium-term and beyond, O’Hara, vice president of engineer- pects of interest to Sim Lim,” molding machine, O’Hara said Rubber & Plastics News article in maintaining a consistent and mea- ing at Sim Lim. O’Hara added. that most of the company’s produc- 2019, originally scheduled for late sured approach as we continue to “Much of our business is liquid In terms of the 180-ton Wide tion machines are Engel Victory 2020. grow,” O’Hara said. injection molding of LSR components provided into the life sci- ences market, but we are continuing to see sustained growth into commercial and industrial applications also.” The new production cell will satisfy new business, supplement existing business and reinforce Sim Lim’s commitment to investing in new technology, such as the very precise metering accuracy (+/- 0.1%) of the Elkem LSR Select capable dosing unit from Elmet; TOP5000 P. “Elmet’s newest TOP 5000P dosing unit offered two key capabilities where we saw value,” The Perfect Fit O’Hara said. “Besides its efficient use of metered material and precise metering accuracy, it allows us to integrate the dosing system With business relationships, we know As Henry Ford said, “Coming together control into the control system on when we have found a perfect fit. is a beginning. Keeping together is the Engel, so we can manage and Harwick Standard thinks of its 75+ year progress. Working together is success.” consolidate all production, molding and dosing, parameters in- relationship with PPG Silica Products in Let’s come together and find out if our cluding key SPC protocoling infor- this way. This type of partnership hasn’t quality products and dedicated service will mation, onto one drive.” “Crucially, the machine came endured by accident. It’s our shared vision mesh with your business. Visit harwick.com equipped with four, third-stream of excellence, commitment to service, and to check out all of our products from PPG controlled additive lines that give mutual focus on the future that has kept or our other respected suppliers. Then us access to Elkem LSR Select material technology.” our partnership going strong since 1941. contact us to get this relationship started. This system gives Sim Lim the ability to optimize cure kinetics to achieve double-digit improve- ments in productivity, upwards of 50 percent and beyond, and the flexibility to deliver precise solutions for customers. Additionally, LSR Select can create custom durometer blends from 20 to 70 ShA to achieve specific performance requirements. “Unlike the traditional two-component LSR system, LSR Select is a single component base polymer that cures when mixed with the LSR Select Control (inhibitor) and CATA (catalyst) using the very precise third-stream metering capability from Elmet,” O’Hara said. “This new process for injection molding gives the molder more freedom of design and processing of parts.” LSR Select also enables lower cure temperatures, down 167°F-176°F (75°C-80°C) from traditional molding temperature set points, which can expand the range of applications and substrates for injection molding. “This, as well as the freedom to Harwick Standard and PPG: Working Together for Over 75 Years

Registered harwick.com l Akron, OH 1-800-899-4412 l Pico Rivera, CA 1-800-883-9911 to ISO 9001 PPE demand helped to bolster Sim Lim in 2020.

P007_RPN_20210628.indd 7 6/24/21 5:31 PM 8 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com

Opinion Vol. 50 No. 25

Positives outweigh Brennan Lafferty, V.P./group publisher EDITORIAL STAFF Bruce Meyer, Editor 330-865-6124 • [email protected] negatives in Goodyear, Erin Pustay Beaven, Managing editor 330-865-6106 • [email protected] Andrew Schunk, Reporter Cooper acquisition 330-865-6115 • [email protected] Jim Johnson, Reporter ow that the carbon black dust has settled, and Goodyear has of- 937-767-2751 • [email protected] cially become the owner of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., it’s time Joe Scalzo, Online content editor to analyze the merits of the deal while pondering its impact on 330-865-6169 • [email protected] N Michael McCrady, Art director the tire industry. 330-865-6148 • [email protected] There is no doubt that the $2.5 billion cash-and-stock deal, nal- John Dick, Technical editor ized June 7, is one of the largest in industry history, perhaps just [email protected] Don Loepp, Editorial director as chain-rattling as Bridgestone’s acquisition of Firestone 33 years [email protected] ago. It will be dif cult to nd one person in the industry who won’t ADVERTISING be affected by the deal. distributor? Christine Zernick, Sales director 330-865-6108 • [email protected] What are some of the initial negatives of the deal? At least one analyst, James Picariello of Keybanc Capital Markets REGIONAL MANAGERS For starters, it cuts the number of major U.S.-based Inc., said he believes Goodyear will maintain Cooper’s relationship Tony Antolini tire makers to just two—Goodyear and Titan Interna- with ATD, even if TireHub takes over some of the distribution. 917-705-8252 • [email protected] Peter Bianchi tional Inc.—among the leading global tire companies. In “I think Cooper will have the autonomy to keep doing what they’re 312-265-6484 • [email protected] effect, the merger ends the independence of a 107-year-old com- doing,” he said. John Hickey 260-437-8502 • [email protected] pany that had grown to employ around 10,000. Some Cooper dealers have expressed concern that Goodyear will Linda Hickey It no doubt will cost jobs—“synergies” as it is called in the busi- change its programs, allocations and/or approach. 330-592-4857 • [email protected] ness world—as duplicate positions get eliminated. Perhaps. That is inevitable as a new owner takes over and imple- Diane Owen 313-446-0445 • [email protected] And that doesn’t begin to account for the economic impact on af- ments business practices it has found successful. Catherine Clipper, Advertising & marketing liated businesses and communities—particularly in Findlay, Ohio, But Goodyear hasn’t maintained its status as the third largest specialist 313-446-6063 • [email protected] where Cooper is based—once these synergies shake out. tire maker in the world by ignoring sound business principles, no Lynn Calcaterra, Classified advertising sales We think, however, the positives that come from the deal will far matter where they come from. representative outweigh any collateral damage it leaves behind. The move cements a legacy for Richard Kramer, Goodyear chairman, 313-446-0446 • [email protected] EVENTS & INTEGRATED MARKETING The move strengthens an already muscle-bound Goodyear, one CEO and president, who helped execute the deal, doing so while pre- Debbie Hershfield, Director, events & of the most recognizable names in any industry, in any part of the venting any news leaks that might have sabotaged the whole thing. marketing world. Cooper’s broad and cost-effective portfolio of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Kramer’s legacy now will be tied to the Cooper acquisition and the 330-608-0231 • [email protected] Joe Pryweller, Conference director products is a perfect complement to Goodyear’s range and will help combined company’s success moving forward. 330-212-3731 • [email protected] bolster the offerings of its dealer network. And we agree with what Picariello said, in describing why he re- Colleen Jones, Events manager 313-446-1645 • colleen.jones@ crain.com Goodyear, in turn, will bene t the Cooper brand, bringing its tech- vised his industry growth forecast for the rest of 2021—to 12 percent Katherine Hampson, Marketing manager nological advancements, business partnerships with big names and from 7 percent. +44 (0)7976 222256 • [email protected] startups alike, and keen eye for sustainable mobility. “I think things are only getting better for the tire industry,” he Christian Davis, Custom project editor 248-930-2943 • [email protected] It remains to be seen what the revamped tire maker decides to said, “and things are going to get better for Goodyear and Cooper.” DeShonta Dupree, Digital events specialist do with distribution, a key question for dealers and wholesalers 248-943-9561 • [email protected] Meaghan Crawford, Email marketing specialist alike. Will Goodyear end Cooper’s long and successful relationship This editorial originally appeared in Tire Business, a sister 313-446-1652 • [email protected] with American Tire Distributors and make TireHub Inc. its main publication of Rubber & Plastics News. Amber Steelman, Web/digital specialist 313-529-5968 • [email protected] Lindsay Crawford, Trade show coordinator 313-446-5869 • [email protected] Viewpoint Hadi Shehadeh, Graphic designer 313-446-0425 • [email protected] IT/PRODUCTION STAFF Putting money where mouth is Simone Pryce, Media services director Paul Vaccari, Media services manager By Bruce Meyer Human Services to provide more than $220 million in fund- Anthony DiPonio, Chief information officer ne thing the COVID-19 pandemic proved is just how ing for three rubber-related projects. AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Veebha Mehta vulnerable the global supply chain is. The shortage One of the bene ciaries is Renco Corp. and its Ameri- Chief marketing officer of personal protection equipment—including medi- can Performance Polymers subsidiary. It previously was 212-210-0725 O EXECUTIVE OFFICES cal gloves—was particularly glaring. awarded a contract to boost production for nitrile gloves 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000, Cuyahoga Whenever that happens, what follows are calls for the at its site in Colebrook, N.H., and a modi cation to that Falls, Ohio 44221. Phone: 330-836-9180; onshore manufacturing of such goods back to the U.S. will allow construction of a new factory in Houston. Editorial fax, 330-836-2831; Sales, admini- stration fax: 330-836-1005 But the predictable talk often is just that, and when push Plans are to make up to 2 billion gloves a year in the new Rubber & Plastics News is published comes to shove the lure of lower costs tends to win out. Texas facility, with the New Hampshire plant chipping bi-weekly by Crain Communications Inc. Customers stick with their traditional suppliers, particu- in with 1 billion annually. Subscriptions: U.S., one year $99; two years, $178. Group rates, $79 each for five or larly when it comes to items like gloves, and producers in Renco and American Performance Polymers can lay more copies. Air mail and first class delivery Malaysia hold the upper hand because of the easy access to raw claim to being the legacy of one of the oldest names in U.S. exam to U.S., U.S. possessions, Mexico and Canada, $164; the Middle East and Europe, materials and low-cost labor. glove production. According to its website, American Perfor- $219; all other regions, $293. For surface Years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to have gloves produced in the mance Polymers is the descendant of the Tillotson Rubber Co., delivery to Canada, $138 (including GST); U.S. Even after the offshore migration of most glove production founded in 1931. It produced latex exam gloves that were invent- Mexico and all other foreign countries, $140. Single copy, $4.50. GST #136760444. of any sizable scale, there remained some holdovers who still ed by Neil Tillotson, a legend in the industry. Printed in the U.S. tried to make gloves domestically. As time moved forward, how- Renco CEO Rich Renehan said producers in the U.S. now can For new subscriptions and change of address, write: Audience Development ever, those numbers dwindled, as did the size of the operations do what they do best: innovate, utilize the best technology and Department, Rubber & Plastics News, 1155 that remained. make things better. Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48207-2912; call 1-877-320-1726 or e-mail customerservice But this time around, it appears that this call for onshoring may But customers must realize something as well, he said. They must [email protected] for customer service. For bring about some real progress. be willing to pay a little bit more to ensure quality and supply securi- subscription information and delivery Ensuring an ample supply of PPE has been deemed a national ty. Because if they return to chasing the lowest price, the resurgence concerns please email customerservicerpn@ crain.com or call 877-320-1726 (in the U.S. security issue, bringing about an in ux of federal money to boost U.S. of domestic glove production will be over before it even begins. and Canada) or 313-446-0450 (all other manufacturing of nitrile exam glove production, along with a related locations) project to increase domestic supply of NBR. The U.S. Department of Meyer is editor of Rubber & Plastics News. He can be reached at REPRINTS Lauren Melesio, Reprint account executive Defense is coordinating efforts with the Department of Health and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @bmeyerRPN. 212-210-0707 • [email protected] Quote of the week Website: https://www.rubbernews.com Online Exclusives CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC “We found a phenomenal property and Keith E. Crain Mary Kay Crain Stories available only at rubbernews.com/online-exclusive Chairman Vice chairman a phenomenal partner with the Fairmont KC Crain Chris Crain DON’T PANIC: Economist Bill Wood says it’s not quite time to sound the CEO Senior executive in ation alarm, but prefers to “stay wary.” Princess. It has been reinvigorating to see Lexie Crain vice president people get back to doing what they do Armstrong Robert Recchia MID-YEAR REPORTS: With 2020 behind them, and half of 2021 still Secretary Chief financial officer ahead, global tire makers are evaluating where they are and what’s in store. best, what NAHAD does best.” G.D. Crain Jr. Gertrude R. Crain Founder (1885-1973) Chairman (1911-1996) —Jessica Hauser Forte, NAHAD conference director, on Other online content: the association hosting its annual convention STORIES • VIDEOS • PHOTOS • NEWS • BLOGS • NEWSLETTERS in-person

P008_RPN_20210628.indd 8 6/24/21 6:06 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 9 North American expansions timely for Bridgestone By Don Detore agricultural suppliers.” we’ve seen this ramp-up coming Tire Business The growth of retreading is out of Q2, Q3 last year to where NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A small in- another positive sign, buoyed, he we are right today,” Damon said. vestment could translate into big said, by an increasing global fo- “I expect it to continue, though, dividends for the world’s No. 2 cus on sustainability. capacity is continually inching tire maker. “There’s a lot of tailwinds around up across every manufacturer Bridgestone Corp. recently com- sustainability,” he said. “You’re go- including Bridgestone.” pleted small capacity additions at ing to see Bridgestone play this The shutdown was the largest several plants in North America— broader role where the tire is still in the company’s history. just in time to help meet burgeon- an integral part of it in a world Of course, that isn’t the only ing demand for products that that probably is going to move challenge manufacturers face. serve the last-mile delivery, con- more fleet-managed. It’s going to Shortages in raw materials and sumer and agricultural markets, have a higher element of retread- container ships, labor issues and according to Scott Damon, Bridge- ing—retreading in markets that natural disasters such as the re- stone America Inc.’s group presi- we don’t traditionally think about, cent shutdown of the Suez Canal dent of operations and the newly because you have a tailwind. each has contributed to supply minted chief operating officer. “You’re going to see adjacencies chain difficulties and rising prices. “We’ve been on a journey in there with this tailwind, and “We’re basically trying to man- North and South America of add- how it touches these end-of-life age our supply chain from our ing small capacity gains, so all of tire platforms where you’re basi- Asia manufacturing, our Europe our consumer plants in North cally trying to get to a world that manufacturing and South Ameri- America have finished basically is carbon neutral and really ca, and given that the capacity adding more capability around 100-percent reusable materials has not quite caught up to the de- high-rim-diameter and technolo- in a tire. That’s a broad vision, mand, that certainly is affecting gy stacks that drive differentiated but I would say that entire circu- inventory positions,” Damon said. performance,” Damon told Tire lar economy touches those three “We’re trying to optimize that as Business. platforms, and I think we want best we can from customer satis- The investments include: to be very aggressive there.” faction, customer preference. • Adding 32,000 square feet of Supply issues continue to be “It’s something we’re monitoring manufacturing space to accom- challenging. With 22 manufac- from a finished-good side, and Bridgestone has completed capacity additions at several North American modate new equipment at the turing facilities in North and certainly from a raw-material plants for the last-mile delivery, consumer and agricultural spaces. tire maker’s radial truck/bus tire South America alone, each affect- side. It’s a daily grind, not only on plant in Warren County, Tenn. ed by shutdowns, furloughs and the container issue, which not only supply. New vehicle inventory in “You’re seeing people wanting to The expansion, a three-year in- other difficulties related to the is tire industry related, but every- the U.S., he said, is at 34 days, less pay more for the premium brands,” vestment of $40 million, in- COVID-19 pandemic, Bridge- one importing into this market. than half of what it normally is. he said. “That’s going to continue creased plant capacity by 275 stone has been trying to keep up But the raw materials are very “What all of us will do, includ- to be strong, that high-rim-diame- tires per day, bringing daily pro- with the increased demand across volatile, from chemicals to natural ing Bridgestone, is basically pivot ter, high-value-added mix of con- duction to 9,400 tires per day. most segments. rubber to other sources that you’re your manufacturing point to sumer should continue to be • Adding warehouse space at “Everyone has been trying to continually managing.” make more replacement (tires) strong. So that’s going to be a posi- its passenger/light truck tire rebalance inventory against the With OE business down as auto where you have the available tive, pleasant surprise that, even plants in Aiken County, S.C., demand, but the demand is just makers struggle with a shortage of amount of time to do so,” he said. in a world post-pandemic where (272,000 square feet) and in Wil- outpacing the inventory position, semiconductors, Damon said Consumers are demanding you maybe think consumers are son, N.C., (288,000 square feet), which certainly has been an in- Bridgestone will need to balance premium brands, he said, partic- constraining income, it hasn’t re- with an investment of $72 million; dustry issue, so I would say sup- that in the second half against the ularly tires with rim diameters sulted in that. And we expect that • Adding 3,000 tires of capacity ply will continue to be tight as appropriate consumer replacement 18 inches and above. to continue to be strong.” per day at its 38-year-old P/LT plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The $100 million investment included additional manufacturing space to accommodate new tire assembly machines, material-handling systems, curing presses and asso- ciated equipment. Damon said the tire maker— ranked second globally with $24.3 billion in tire sales in 2019—will consider other options to meet growing demand. “We will continue to look at our footprint and our supply chain, both in consumer (and) commercial (markets) post-pandemic, to see proximity to customer base, how the supply chain strategy will move, and we’ll look at that accordingly,” Damon said. “That’s constantly going to be under study for us.” Damon reports that Bridge- stone, like other tire makers, has seen strong demand continue in the TBR segment, fueled by last- mile delivery vehicles, but also in other segments, including consumer replacement, agriculture and retreading. In fact, he said, ag sales have been their strongest since 2014. “We continually see that growing, where it has been somewhat of a declining market based on the demand,” he said. “It’s changed dramatically.” Business slowed, he said, in 2014 as new competitors from India entered the market, “so the supply and the capacity versus demand was keeping it from not growing as much as it could. It’s really boom- ing. That’s a positive sign for all the

P009_RPN_062821.indd 9 6/23/21 5:28 PM 10 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Rankings Pandemic casts pall on rubber industry in 2020 By Bruce Meyer enues for the year, four of those benefited 2020, AirBoss of America Corp. and Avon the continent’s rubber product makers, Rubber & Plastics News Staff from supplying rubber goods into health Rubber P.L.C. both gained a good share of while Freudenberg Group slipped past As rubber-related firms started releas- care fields that showed spikes in demand. defense-related contracts in 2020, while Continental A.G. to become the top global ing their financial results during the first Those included West Pharmaceutical Ser- Parker-Hannifin Corp. benefited from hav- producer of non-tire rubber goods. half of 2021, it was clear that the global vices Inc., Ansell Healthcare Inc., Semperit ing a full year of revenue from its purchase In North America, Bridgestone kept the coronavirus pandemic would have a deep Group and Q Holding Co. of Lord Corp. in 2019. No. 1 position even though its rubber impact. Semperit’s Austrian parent, in fact, Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. product sales in the region dropped an But with the rankings of the Top 50 North pulled back on selling its health care was the only tire manufacturer to see its estimated 13.6 percent during 2020 to American rubber product makers and Top business because of the positive financial sales grow in North America in 2020. $9.25 billion. 50 Global Non-Tire rubber goods firms now impact it had in 2020 and into 2021. For the record, Bridgestone Americas Michelin remained No. 2 at $8.07 billion, complete, the numbers make it even more Of the other four with sales gains for Inc. again retained the No. 1 spot among See Rubber, page 12 apparent just how deep the downward pressure on the industry was in 2020. For example, of the 50 rubber firms Rubber Company Operating Ratios - 2020 (listed alphabetically) represented in the annual Rubber & Plas- tics News rankings for North America, 42 2020 Corp. Capital % change Cap-Ex R&D % change R&D of those showed sales declines for the year, Company sales expend. vs. ’19 %/sales spending vs. ’19 %/sales with many high percentage drops. Many Acushnet Holdings Corp. 1,612.2 24.7 -25.2% 1.5% 48.9 -5.2% 3.0% of the players moved up multiple positions Airboss of America Corp. 501.6 14.9 -23.6% 3.0% 2.7 42.1% 0.5% even while seeing sales slump. Ansell Ltd. 1,613.7 64.8 48.6% 4.0% 14.3 17.2% 0.9% Of the eight that did see a bump in rev- Callaway Golf Co. 1,589.5 39.3 -28.2% 2.5% 46.3 -8.5% 2.9% Carlisle Companies Inc. 4,245.2 95.5 7.4% 2.2% 54.8 -10.0% 1.3% Compiling the Top 50 Church & Dwight Co. Inc. 4,896.0 98.9 34.2% 2.0% 102.6 9.6% 2.1% Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. 2,375.4 91.8 -44.2% 3.9% 101. 6 -11.6% 4.3% The annual Rubber & Plastics News ranking of the Top 50 North American Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 2,521.1 151.2 -25.4% 6.0% 64.1 -8.3% 2.5% rubber product manufacturers is the Dana Inc. 7,106.0 326.0 -23.5% 4.6% 146.0 30.4% 2.1% product of several research tools. Eaton P.L.C. 17,858.0 389.0 -33.7% 2.2% 551.0 -9.1% 3.1% The financial information is derived Enpro Inc. 1,074.0 18.3 -15.3% 1.7% 15.2 -26.2% 1.4% from a questionnaire sent to about 50 Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. 2,793.0 67.4 -18.9% 2.4% 67.2 -1.0% 2.4% companies, via annual reports and a vari- Goodyear 12,321.0 647.0 -16.0% 5.3% 390.0 -9.3% 3.2% ety of financial documents, and from Kadant Inc. 635.0 7. 6 -23.2% 1.2% 11. 3 3.7% 1.8% various industry sources. The firms all Myers Industries Inc. 510.4 13.4 30.1% 2.6% N.A. — — have a North American manufacturing presence, and the rankings are based on Oil States Industries Inc. 638.1 12.7 -77.4% 2.0% 6.1 — 6.9% rubber product sales on the continent. Parker-Hannifin Corp. 13,695.5 232.6 19.3% 1.7% 293.9 -0.3% 2.1% Data for the rankings of the world’s Top Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 1,295.2 26.3 -34.4% 2.0% N.A. — — 50 non-tire rubber product makers is Quanex Building Products Corp. 851.6 25.7 3.2% 3.0% N.A. — — compiled jointly by Rubber & Plastics Rogers Corp. 802.6 40.4 -21.7% 5.0% 29.3 -7.6% 3.7% News and London-based European Rub- Tenneco Inc. 15,379.0 394.0 -47.0% 2.6% 273.0 -15.7% 1.8% ber Journal. Timken Co. 3,513.2 121.6 -13.5% 3.5% 42.2 1.9% 1.2% If you believe your company should have Titan International Inc. 1,259.3 21.7 -40.4% 1.7% 9.0 -9.1% 0.7% been included in the North American or global rankings, please email RPN Editor TransDigm Group Inc. 5,103.0 105.0 3.3% 2.1% 130.9 12.1% 2.6% Bruce Meyer at [email protected]. Unique Fabricating Inc. 120.2 1. 5 -42.3% 1.2% N.A. — — Wabtec Corp. 7,556.1 136.4 -26.4% 1.8% 162.1 -22.8% 2.1% West Pharmaceutical Services 2,146.9 174.4 38.0% 8.1% 46.9 20.6% 2.2% Rubber Company Wolverine World Wide Inc. 1,791.1 10.3 -70.1% 0.6% N.A. — — Sales/Employee - 2020 N.A. = not available Figures in millions. (listed alphabetically) 2020 2020 sales Company employees employees Acushnet Holdings Corp. 5,365 $300,503 Rubber Company Earnings - 2020 (listed alphabetically) Ansell Ltd. 13,513 $119,418 2020 Corp. % change Rubber % Operating % change % of Net % change % of Callaway Golf Co. 4,200 $378,452 Company sales vs. ’19 of sales earnings vs. ’19 sales earnings vs. ’19 sales Carlisle Companies Inc. 12,000 $353,767 Acushnet Holdings Corp. 1,612.20 -4.1% 31.5% 145.5 -21.6% 9.0% 100.0 -19.7% 6.2% Airboss of America Corp. 501.6 52.9% 49.0% 135.9 178.5% 27.1% 56.3 452.0% 11.2% Church & Dwight Co. Inc. 5,100 $959,961 Ansell Ltd. 1,613.7 7.7% 100.0% 202.3 40.8% 12.5% 158.7 40.3% 9.8% Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. 25,000 $95,016 Callaway Golf Co. 1,589.5 -6.6% 12.3% -105.5 -179.5% -6.6% -126.9 -260.2% -8.0% Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 9,839 $256,235 Carlisle Companies Inc. 4,245.2 -11.8% *33.5% 483.6 -26.1% 11.4% 320.1 -32.3% 7.5% Dana Inc. 38,200 $186,021 Church & Dwight Co. Inc. 4,895.8 12.3% *17.8% 1,029.7 22.6% 21.0% 785.9 27.6% 16.1% Eaton P.L.C. 91,987 $194,136 Cooper Standard Automotive Inc. 2,375.4 -23.6% *95.0% -15.9 -116.3% -0.7% -267.6 -496.4% -11.3% Enpro Inc. 4,400 $244,091 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 2,521.1 -8.4% 100.0% 230.9 32.3% 9.2% 142.8 48.1% 5.7% Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. 14,000 $199,500 Dana Inc. 7,106.0 -17.6% *10.0% 386.0 -39.4% 5.4% -51.0 -121.9% -0.7% Eaton P.L.C. 17,858.0 -16.5% *7.0% 1,746.0 -32.6% 9.8% 1,410.0 -36.2% 7.9% Goodyear 62,000 $198,726 Enpro Inc. 1,074.0 -10.9% *21.0% 25.9 -54.2% 2.4% 184.4 381.5% 17.2% Kadant Inc. 2,600 $244,231 Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. 2,793.0 -9.5% 100.0% 211.1 -39.1% 7.6% 90.0 -87.0% 3.2% Myers Industries Inc. 2,400 $212,667 Goodyear 12,321.0 -16.4% *90.0% -14.0 -101.5% -0.1% -1,254.0 -303.0% -10.2% Oil States Industries Inc. 2,338 $272,926 Kadant Inc. 635.0 -9.9% N.A. 81.1 -7.6% 12.8% 55.2 6.0% 8.7% Parker-Hannifin Corp. 50,520 $271,091 Myers Industries Inc. 510.4 -1.0% N.A. 53.6 43.7% 10.5% 36.8 -51.4% 7.2% Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 6,500 $199,262 Oil States Industries Inc. 638.1 -37.3% N.A. -534.3 -134.1% -83.7% -468.4 -102.1% -73.4% Quanex Building Products Corp. 3,767 $226,068 Parker-Hannifin Corp. 13,695.5 -4.4% *20.4% 1,512.6 -21.8% 11.0% 1,206.7 -20.2% 8.8% Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 1,295.2 -20.0% *33.0% 15.7 -81.1% 1.2% -4.5 -111.7% -0.3% Rogers Corp. 3,350 $239,582 Quanex Building Products Corp. 851.6 -4.7% N.A. 55.3 -309.5% 6.5% 38.5 -182.4% 4.5% Tenneco Inc. 73,000 $210,671 Rogers Corp. 802.6 -10.7% N.A. 67.3 22.1% 8.4% 50.0 5.7% 6.2% Timken Co. 17,000 $206,659 Tenneco Inc. 15,379.0 -11.9% *10.0% -724.0 -698.3% -4.7% -1,460.0 563.6% -9.5% Titan International Inc. 6,000 $209,883 Timken Co. 3,513.2 -7.3% N.A. 454.9 -11.9% 12.9% 284.5 -21.4% 8.1% TransDigm Group Inc. 14,200 $359,366 Titan International Inc. 1,259.3 -13.1% *80.0% 114.3 -11.4% 9.1% -65.1 -26.4% -5.2% Unique Fabricating 1,001 $120,080 TransDigm Group Inc. 5,103.0 -2.3% N.A. 1,751.0 -9.1% 34.3% 699.0 -21.4% 13.7% Unique Fabricating Inc. 120.2 -21.2% *20.0% -6.0 25.0% -5.0% -5.7 -37.4% -4.7% Wabtec Corp. 27,000 $279,856 Wabtec Corp. 7,556.1 -7.9% N.A. 744.5 12.3% 9.9% 414.4 26.8% 5.5% West Pharmaceutical Services 9,200 $233,359 West Pharmaceutical Services 2,146.9 16.7% *70.0% 406.9 37.2% 19.0% 346.2 43.2% 16.1% Wolverine World Wide Inc. 3,400 $526,794 Wolverine World Wide Inc. 1,791.1 -21.2% *33.0 -137.1 17.0% -7.7% -136.9 -206.5% -7.6% Source: Annual Reports, surveys. Sales in dollars. * = estimated, N.A. = Not Available Figures in millions.

P010_P012_RPN_20210628.indd 10 6/23/21 4:57 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 11 Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Rankings North America Rubber Sales Leaders Sales: 2020 ($Millions) 2019 Rank N. American N. American 2020 N. American ’20 ’19 Company Headquarters Rubber Corp. Rubber Tires Hose Belts Molded GoodsExtruded Calendered Latex Other Comments 1 1 Bridgestone Americas Inc.1,2 Nashville, Tenn. *9,250.0 28,051.7 *10,700.0 • • • • Bridgestone Corp. subs. 2 2 Michelin North America Inc.1 Greenville, S.C. 8,070.5 23,260.00 9,968.7 • • Includes revenues from Fenner P.L.C. purchase 3 3 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.3 Akron *5,382.6 12,321.2 *6,980.0 • • 4 4 Continental Tire North America1,4 Fort Mill, S.C. *4,279.1 42,866.3 5,098.1 • • • • • • Includes tire, non-tire activity 5 6 Parker-Hannifin Corp.#, 5 Cleveland *2,200.0 13,695.5 *1,900.0 • • • Hose and sealing businesses 6 5 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.3 Findlay, Ohio *2,150.0 2,521.1 *2,280.0 • 7 8 Toyo Tire (USA) Corp.1 Cypress, Calif. 1,741.7 3,220.3 1,819.0 • • U.S. factory in White, Ga. 8 12 Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc.1 Tonawanda, N.Y. 1,464.2 7,410.0 1,440.1 • • Operates plant near Buffalo, N.Y. 9 9 Yokohama Tire Corp.1 Fullerton, Calif. 1,419.7 5,340.0 1,600.0 • • • • 10 11 Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. Denver 1,346.4 2,793.0 1,511.6 • • • • • 11 13 Carlisle Companies Inc. Charlotte, N.C. *1,260.0 4,245.2 *1,351.5 • • Rubber roofing business 12 14 Hutchinson North America Trenton, N.J. *1,122.7 4,318.0 *1,256.0 • • • Part of Total Fina 13 10 Cooper Standard Automotive Inc.6 Novi, Mich. *1,084.3 2,375.4 *1,560.0 • • • 14 15 Pirelli Tire North America1 Rome, Ga. 990.0 4,888.80 1,233.9 • Pirelli & C. S.p.A. subs. 15 7 Hankook Tire America Corp. Nashville, Tenn. 913.1 913.1 1,894.4 • Operates tire factory in Tennessee 16 16 Trelleborg North America1 Wilmington, Del. 821.8 3,573.0 1,043.3 • • • • Trelleborg A.B. subs. 17 17 Eaton P.L.C.7 Cleveland *785.0 17,858.0 *900.0 • • Hose business, golf grips 18 22 Ansell Healthcare Inc.# Red Bank, N.J. *717.2 1,613.7 *643.0 • 19 25 West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. Exton, Pa. *690.0 2,146.9 *590.0 • 20 18 Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies Plymouth, Mich. 679.4 704.8 822.3 • • JV of Freudenberg and NOK 21 20 Sumitomo Riko America Inc.1 Novi, Mich. *670.0 3,727.9 735.0 • • Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. subs. 22 19 Tenneco Inc. Deerfield, Ill. *645.0 15,379.0 *750.0 • Includes former Federal-Mogul business 23 23 Church & Dwight Inc. Princeton, N.J. *610.0 4,895.8 *635.0 • Trojan condom mfg. 24 21 Henniges Automotive Auburn Hills, Mich. 564.4 910.6 692.9 • • Auto weatherstripping manufacturer 25 27 Giti Tire Manufacturing (USA) Ltd.1 Richburg, S.C. *525.0 *2,870.0 *550.0 • Began production at S.C. factory in 2017 26 24 Titan International Inc. Quincy, Ill. *524.0 1,259.3 *600.0 • 27 29 Kumho Tire USA Inc.1 Atlanta 446.0 1,841.1 *475.0 • Operates tire factory in Georgia 28 28 New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. Boston *440.0 3,300.0 *530.0 • Operates five U.S. factories 29 26 Wolverine Worldwide Inc. Rockford, Mich. *435.0 1,791.1 *560.0 • Footwear maker 30 30 Dana Inc. Toledo, Ohio *360.0 7,106.0 *450.0 • • Automotive sealing supplier 30 31 TG North America Corp.1 Troy, Mich. *360.0 6,758.8 *445.0 • • • Toyoda Gosei subs. 32 32 Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. Cleveland *338.0 1,295.2 *425.0 • • • Hose, molded goods businesses 33 33 Dayco Products L.L.C. Troy, Mich. *290.0 *831.0 *340.0 • • • • • 34 34 Acushnet Holdings Corp. Fairhaven, Mass. *280.0 1,612.20 *310.0 • Produces Titleist golf balls 35 34 Yusa Corp. Washington Court House, Ohio 275.0 275.0 ^300.0 • • • Yamashita Rubber subs. 36 40 AirBoss of America Corp.8 New Market, Ontario 230.1 501.6 190.0 • • Also a rubber compounder 37 37 Carlstar Group L.L.C. Franklin, Tenn. *215.0 550.0 *245.0 • • Carlisle tire business 38 36 Hwaseung R&A Co. Ltd. Detroit *210.0 *1,110.0 *250.0 • • Operations in U.S. and Mexico 39 43 Avon Rubber P.L.C.# Cadillac, Mich. 196.0 215.4 175.4 • • • May change name to Avon Protection P.L.C. 40 38 Nokian Tyres Inc.1 Nashville, Tenn. 195.0 1,493.2 232.3 • Opened U.S. tire factory 41 39 Nishikawa Cooper L.L.C. Topeka, Ind. *172.0 *172.0 192.0 • • Cooper-Standard, Nishikawa Rub. JV 42 41 Akwel Cadillac, Mich. *165.4 1,065.0 *185.0 • Parent of former Avon Automotive business 43 N.R. Zhongding Sealing Parts (USA) Inc.1 Monroe, Mich. 164.0 1,676.1 ^212.0 • • • Includes Precix, Mich. Rubber 44 47 Q Holdings Co. Twinsburg, Ohio 162.0 274.5 158.9 • • QSR, Qure Medical 45 49 Semperit Group1 Fair Lawn, N.J. 154.9 1,054.1 124.2 • • • U.S. unit of Austrian firm 46 44 JK Tornel S.A. de C.V.# Mexico City 153.5 1,185.7 167.0 • Operates tire plant in Mexico 47 42 ElringKlinger A.G.1 Southfield, Mich. *146.0 1,681.8 *176.0 • German company has 7 N.A. sites 48 45 SKF USA Inc.1 Elgin, Ill. *143.4 8,144.9 *160.0 • Includes former Chicago Rawhide business 49 45 Enpro Industries9 Charlotte, N.C. *135.2 1,074.0 *160.0 • 50 48 Datwyler Holding A.G.1 Middletown, Del. *131.3 1,138.7 *133.0 • Holdings include former Parco business *=estimated; # = Fiscal year-end other than Dec. 31; N.A. = not available; N.R. = 4 — Includes revenue from Continental Tire North America Inc. and ContiTech for $3.3 billion. As of presstime, deal still had not been finalized. not ranked; ^= Restated GmbH’s North American activities. 8 — AirBoss of America Corp., in November 2020, bought full control of the AirBoss 1 — Corporate sales for parent company. 5 — Parker reached a deal in 2019 to buy Lord Corp. Data for 2020 includes a full year Defense Group venture it had shared with Critical Solutions International Inc. 2 — Bridgestone, in April 2021, completed the sale of the Firestone Building Products of revenues from Lord businesses. 9 — Enpro Industries, in August 2020, signed a deal to sell its Stemco air springs business for $3.4 billion. 6 — Cooper Standard agreed in May 2020 to divest its European rubber fluid transfer business to Turnspire Capital Partners L.L.C. in a $39.5 million deal. 3 — Goodyear closed its acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. June 7 in a $2.5 and specialty sealing business to Mutares S.E. & Co. billion cash and stock purchase. 7 — Eaton Corp. agreed in January 2020 to sell its hydraulics business to Danfoss A/S

P011_RPN_20210628.indd 11 6/23/21 5:18 PM 12 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News SPECIAL REPORT Rankings

amount of revenue from its ContiTech Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C., moving up and Trelleborg North America, which business, a major producer of hose, belts a spot to join the top 10 at $1.35 billion. had a decline of more than $200 million Rubber and other non-tire rubber goods. And To put the breadth of the decline in during 2020. Parker-Hannifin, boosted by the revenue perspective, the top 10 firms in last year’s Church & Dwight Inc. was one firm that Continued from page 10 from Lord Corp. business, moved up one ranking had cumulative sales of $43.8 saw its corporate sales climb during 2020, down 19 percent from 2019. Goodyear again spot into No. 5, with an estimated $2.2 billion in 2019. This year, the total for the but its rubber product sales dipped a bit. was No. 3, with estimated rubber product billion for 2020. Parker again was the top top 10 slumped 14.8 percent to $27.3 bil- The Princeton, N.J.-based firm markets a sales of $5.38 billion in North America, off ranked North American rubber goods lion in 2020 sales. number of brands that are well-known in 23 percent from 2019. It will benefit in next manufacturer that didn’t derive all or the There were 13 members of the billion- the U.S. Its “power brands” include such year’s rankings, with nearly seven months majority of its revenues from tires. aire club in 2020, three fewer than those names as Arm & Hammer, Orajel, Oxi- of results from its purchase of Cooper Tire After Cooper at No. 6, the top 10 was with sales exceeding $1 billion in North Clean and many others. These products & Rubber Co., which ranked as the No. 6 rounded out by Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. at America for 2019. Those dropping below included a handful that were among those rubber product producer in North America No. 7, with $1.74 billion in sales on the that prestigious mark were Pirelli Tire in high demand during the early days of at an estimated $2.15 billion. continent; Sumitomo, jumping up four North America, which fell just $10 mil- the pandemic, leading to sales gains. Continental Tire North America re- spots to No. 8, with $1.46 billion; Yokoha- lion short; Hankook Tire America Corp., Overall sales for Church & Dwight tained the No. 4 slot at $4.28 billion. Be- ma Tire Corp., steady at No. 9 with $1.42 which reported a more than 50-percent climbed 12 percent, but one of its other sides tires, it also derives a significant billion in North American sales; and decline for its revenue on the continent; power brands—Trojan condoms—saw sales dip along with the rest of the condom industry. While Trojan remains the No. 1 U.S. brand, the company noted in its an- World Top 50: Non-Tire Rubber Products - 2020 nual report that condom usage has de- 2020 % of 2020 total 2020 total Earings clined for a number of reasons, such as a non-tire corporate corporate corporate as percent lower population of 18 to 24 year olds, al- Rank Company Headquarters rubber sales sales sales earnings of sales ternate birth control options, less fear of HIV and decreased need due to the social 1 Freudenberg Group1 Germany *6,027.8 *60.0% 10,046.4 461.0 4.6% distancing requirements put in place be- 2 Continental A.G.2 Germany *5,572.6 13.0% 42,866.3 -1,093.1 -2.6% cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3 Hutchinson S.A.3 France 4,318.0 100.0% 4,318.0 N.A. — 4 Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd.4,5 Japan *3,541.5 *95.0% 3,727.9 46.4 1.2% Global Non-Tire ranking 6 Medical firms also made gains on the 5 Bridgestone Corp. Japan *3,366.2 *12.0% 28,051.7 -218.3 -0.8% global stage, with a number seeing their 6 Parker-Hannifin Corp.7 U.S. *3,286.9 *20.4% 13,695.5 1,206.7 8.8% non-tire rubber products revenues soar 7 NOK Inc.1,4 Japan 2,969.2 53.2% 5,585.6 12.8 0.2% during 2020. 8 Gates Industrial Corp. P.L.C. U.S. 2,793.0 100.0% 2,793.0 90.0 3.2% For example, West Pharmaceutical saw estimated rubber products sales jump 9 Trelleborg A.B. Sweden 2,608.3 73.0% 3,573.0 295.0 8.3% 17.4 percent to $1.5 billion, allowing it to 10 Reckitt Benckiser Group P.L.C.8 United Kingdom 2,333.2 *13.0% 17,939.7 1,521.8 8.5% move up from No. 20 to No. 16 in the 11 Cooper Standard Automotive9 U.S. *2,256.6 *95.0% 2,375.4 -267.6 -11.3% rankings. Other medical firms with significant 12 Top Glove Corp.10 Malaysia 1,703.5 100.0% 1,703.5 421.2 24.7% gains in 2020 were Malaysia’s Top Glove 13 Anhui Zhonding Sealing Parts Co. Ltd. China 1,642.6 98.0% 1,676.1 N.A. — Corp., which jumped 10 spots to No. 12 14 Tenneco Inc.11 U.S. *1,537.9 *10.0% 15,379.0 -1,460.0 -9.5% with 2020 sales of $1.7 billion, 47 percent 15 Ansell Ltd.12 Australia *1,533.0 *95.0% 1,613.7 160.1 9.9% higher than the prior year; Ansell, with global rubber goods sales up 7.6 percent to 16 West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. U.S. *1,502.8 *70.0% 2,146.9 346.2 16.1% $1.53 billion; and Supermax Corp., which 17 Carlisle Companies Inc. U.S. *1,500.0 *33.5% 4,245.2 320.1 7.5% saw sales soar 35 percent to $501.4 mil- 18 Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology Co. Ltd. China *1,400.0 *75.0% 1,866.7 N.A. — lion, good enough for No. 43. 19 Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.4 Japan *1,351.8 *20.0% 6,758.8 341.8 5.1% Looking at the top half of the rankings, 13 just eight of the top 25 saw sales growth 20 Eaton P.L.C. U.S. *1,250.0 *7.0% 17,858.0 1,410.0 7.9% in 2020. 21 New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. U.S. *1,100.0 *33.3% 3,300.0 N.A. — Freudenberg took the No. 1 spot with 21 Hwaseung R&A Co. Ltd. South Korea *1,100.0 *100.0% *1,100.0 N.A. — an estimated $6.03 billion in rubber prod- 23 Semperit A.G. Austria 1,054.1 100.0% 1,054.1 270.2 25.6% uct sales, with Conti dropping to No. 2 at $5.57 billion. 24 Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. Japan 1,040.0 14.0% 7,410.0 211.7 2.9% The rest of the top five were the same, 25 Michelin14 France *950.0 *4.0% 23,260.00 710.2 3.1% with Hutchinson S.A. third at $4.32 bil- 26 Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. Japan 922.7 17.3% 5,340.0 246.5 4.6% lion; Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. No. 4 at $3.54 billion; and Bridgestone No. 5 at 27 Henniges Automotive Inc. U.S. 910.6 100.0% 910.6 N.A. — $3.37 billion. 28 Datwyler Holding Inc. Switzerland 884.9 77.7% 1,138.7 -155.8 -13.7% Rounding out the top 10 were Park- 29 Dayco Products L.L.C. U.S. *831.0 100.0% *831.0 N.A. — er-Hannifin, the top ranked U.S.-based 30 Nitta Corp.4 Japan 737.2 100.0% 737.2 44.2 6.0% firm, at No. 6 with $3.29 billion; Japan’s NOK, up two spots to No. 7, at $2.97 bil- 31 Church & Dwight Inc. U.S. *735.0 *15.0% 4,895.8 785.9 16.1% lion; Gates No. 8 at $2.79 billion; Trelle- 32 Bando Chemicals Industries Ltd.4 Japan *724.2 *95.0% 762.3 36.9 4.8% borg No. 9 at $2.61 billion; and condom 33 CQLT Saar Gummi Technologies S.a.r.L. Germany 721.6 100.0% 721.6 N.A. — maker Reckitt Benckiser Group P.L.C., 34 Nishikawa Rubber Co. Ltd.4 Japan *714.0 *95.0% 751.6 25.3 3.4% marketer of the Durex brand, climbing one spot to join the top 10 at $2.33 billion. 35 Dana Inc. U.S. *710.0 *10.0% 7,106.0 -51.0 -0.7% As is true in most years, mergers and 36 SKF A.B. Sweden *651.6 *8.0% 8,144.9 486.8 6.0% acquisitions made a difference this year 37 Yamashita Rubber Co. Ltd.4 Japan 645.3 100.0% 645.3 21.7 3.4% and will do so in the years to come, both in the North American and Global Non- 38 Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.4 Japan *600.0 *90.0% 665.6 51.2 7.7% Tire rankings. 39 Fukoku Co. Ltd.4 Japan 592.2 100.0% 592.2 11.8 2.0% Besides the gains Parker made by pur- 40 Wolverine Worldwide Inc. U.S. *590.0 *33.0% 1,791.1 -136.9 -7.6% chasing Lord and Goodyear’s just-com- 41 ElringKlinger A.G. Germany 588.6 *35.0% 1,681.8 31.8 1.9% pleted purchase of Cooper Tire, other deals of note included: 42 Acushnet Holdings Corp. U.S. 507.8 31.5% 1,612.2 100.0 6.2% • Bridgestone’s $3.4 billion sale of its 43 Supermax Corp. Malaysia 501.4 100.0% 501.4 125.8 25.1% Firestone Building Products business, 44 Nichirin Co. Ltd.4 Japan 482.5 100.0% 482.5 40.4 8.4% one of the top rubber roofing businesses; 45 Manuli Rubber Industries15 Italy 481.4 100.0% 481.4 25.1 5.20% • Cooper Standard Automotive Inc.’s divestment of its European rubber fluid 16 46 Akwel France *479.3 *45.0% 1,065.0 97.2 9.1% transfer and specialty sealing business to 47 Park-Ohio Industries Inc. U.S. *445.0 *33.0% 1,295.2 -4.5 -0.3% Mutares S.E. & Co.; 48 Alfa Gomma Group Italy *427.0 *85.0% 502.3 N.A. — • Italy’s Manuli Rubber Industries, a newcomer to the Global Non-Tire Top 50 49 JX Zhao Group China 426.4 100.0% 426.4 N.A. — ranking, boosted by its purchase of Aus- 50 Woco Industrietechnik GmbH Germany *419.3 *60.0% 698.9 N.A. — tralia’s Ryco Hydraulics, a deal that in- .A. = not available; * = estimated. business for $3.4 billion. 12 – Ansell in March purchased a 50-percent stake in Malaysian rubber gloves maker creased its 2020 revenues by $101.3 mil- 1 – Freudenberg Group owns a minority share of NOK Inc., and the two companies are 7 – Fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. Parker reached a deal in 2019 to buy Lord Corp. Careplus (M) Sdn. Bhd. partners in Freudenberg-NOK G.P. in the Americas and NOK-Freudenberg Group China. Data for 2020 includes a full year of revenues from Lord businesses. 13 – Eaton Corp. agreed Jan. 21, 2020, to sell its hydraulics business to Danfoss A/S lion; and 2 – Includes data from ContiTech business in firm’s Rubber Group. Purchased AVS 8 – Producer of Durex-brand condoms. for $3.3 billion. As of press time, deal still had not been finalized. • Eaton’s January 2020 agreement to business of Cooper Standard effective April 1, 2019. 9 – Cooper Standard Holdings sold its former European rubber fluid transfer and 14 – Non-tire rubber products formerly were part of Fenner P.L.C., which Michelin 3 – Part of Total Fina Group. specialty sealing business to Mutares S.E. & Co. KGaA. acquired in 2018. sell its hydraulics business to Danfoss 4 – Fiscal year ended March 31. 10 – Fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2020. 15 – Manuli’s purchase of Australian hose maker Ryco boosted 2020 sales by $101.3 5 – Company formerly known as Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd. 11 – Rubber product activities include former Federal-Mogul seals and gaskets million. A/S for $3.3 billion, a transaction that has 6 – Bridgestone in April 2021 completed the sale of the Firestone Building Products business, along with Clevite Elastomers. 16 – Akwel is parent company of Avon Automotive. yet to close.

P010_P012_RPN_20210628.indd 12 6/23/21 4:57 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 13 Technical Investigating premature degradation of NR dry suit seals By Richard Pazur Canadian Department of National Defence Natural rubber-based dry suits Executive summary commonly are used for cold water A series of dry suit face, neck and wrist seals displaying extensive evidence of degradation in terms diving expeditions. Face, neck of soft, black material and cracking have been analyzed. The soft and sticky material located primar- and wrist seals are bonded to the ily around the trimmed edges in the degraded seals was identified as oxidized natural rubber. The dry suit and are trimmed to as- chlorinated rubber surface showed signs of cracking and chlorine level decreased as a function of the sure proper fit for the end user. degree of degradation. The later stages of oxidation of natural rubber include hardening and rubber Some of these dry suit seals have cracking. been failing unexpectedly, well The oxidation of the rubber likely is caused by the presence of transition metal elements such as Pazur before their expected useful life- iron (up to 550 ppm) and copper (up to 100 ppm), which were identified in high concentrations in the time. As shown in Fig. 1, the degraded samples. Metal contamination is taking place primarily from the outside of the suit. The sealing areas appear to have a direct detection of iron oxide particles on the sample surface suggests that the contamination is The author “melted” appearance consisting of likely coming from the soil being stirred up with the water during diving expeditions. Richard Pazur received his shiny patches of black, sticky, de- doctorate in chemistry from graded rubber. The premature Laval University in Quebec degradation of the seals has been employed to monitor the weight ma-mass spectrometer (Per- and accurately reweighed in order City in 1994. He has worked at occurring for years and appears to loss of a specimen while heating kin-Elmer Elan). Quantitative to determine the percentage loss Bayer Rubber/Lanxess (1998 to escalate during the summer it from room temperature to analysis of the chemical elements upon ashing. In order to dissolve 2007) and Freudenberg-NOK months. Degraded seals were dis- 600°C in an inert atmosphere present in a sample is possible the remaining residue, 20 ml of G.P. (2008-2010). covered primarily in seawater (nitrogen), at a rate of 20°C/min- down to 1 ppm (parts per million). 1:1 HCL was added to each cruci- Presently, he is working for dives, but the same type of degra- ute, followed by heating in an Following ASTM D4004-06 ble followed by heating at low the Department of National De- dation also was identified for a suit oxidative atmosphere (air) to Method D, 0.1 gram samples were temperature on a hot plate. The fence in Ottawa, Ontario, as used exclusively in fresh water. 800°C. The three temperature accurately weighed into separate samples were cooled, transferred part of the Quality Engineering ranges employed for the mea- porcelain crucibles and reduced into separate 100 ml volumetric Test Establishment (QETE). TECHNICAL NOTEBOOK surement of weight loss were to ash at 550ºC for a minimum of flasks and diluted to volume with Pazur is a lead scientist in elas- Edited by John Dick 100-300°C (low temperature vol- an hour. The samples were cooled See NR, page14 tomers and works on the failure atiles), 300-500°C (polymer) and analysis and/or service/shelf life The purpose of this investiga- 610-630°C (oxidation). Fig. 1: Pictures of highly degraded wrist (left) and neck (right) seals used prediction of rubber materials. tion is to determine the root Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatograph/ in Kodiak dry suits. He is on the executive board of cause of the premature degrada- Mass Spectrometry (PY-GC-MS) the Rubber Chemistry and tion of the face, neck and wrist was carried out using a Trace Gas Technology Division of the seals used for diving expeditions. Chromatograph coupled with a Chemical Institute of Canada. A combination of the following DSQII Mass Spectrometer (Ther- He is an active volunteer in analytical techniques will be mo Electron Corp.) for separation the ACS Rubber Division, serv- employed: Attenuated Total Re- and detection, respectively, of the ing on the Best Paper Commit- flectance–Fourier Transform In- pyrolyzed samples. tee, as an associate editor of frared (ATR–FTIR) Spectrosco- The Inductively Coupled Plas- Rubber Chemistry and Technol- py, Thermal gravimetric analysis ma–Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) ogy, and a member of the Science (TGA), Pyrolysis-Gas Chromato- analysis was carried out by a and Technology Awards Com- graph/Mass Spectrometry (PY- DRC-e inductively coupled plas- mittee. GC-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectroscopy (ICP– MS) and Scanning Electron Mi- croscope–Energy Dispersive Spec- troscopy (SEM-EDS). OUR ADDITIVE Experimental PRODUCT LINE Clear Advantages to Materials DOVERPHOS® LGP-11® & LGP-12 Table 1 summarizes the face, ® neck and wrist dry suit seals DOVERPHOS SOLID PHOSPHITES that were received for the inves- ® Keep You Covered DOVERPHOS LIQUID PHOSPHITES tigation. Sample A is a virgin neck seal sample that was kindly DOVERNOX® ANTIOXIDANT BLENDS provided by the seal manufacturer. For each dry suit, either used DOVERNOX® HINDERED PHENOLS face, neck or wrist seals (B to F) ALKYLPHENOLS were provided, and all samples displayed some physical sign of DOVERLUBE METALLIC STEARATES advanced degradation. The actual age of the dry suit seals unfor- Our umbrella of products is designed to meet stringent protocols, including many with FDA tunately was unknown, but it is approval, while delivering thermal and hydrolytic stability and excellent color. DoverPhos® known that they were well within their expected service lifetime. LGP phosphite stabilizers provide compatibility in thermoplastic resins and rubber, resulting in After their use in a diving expe- reduced additive migration and exposure. dition, dry suits are normally hung up vertically to dry in a Dover Chemical’s family of products improves the performance of resins including: dark locker environment. • Polyoleﬁ ns • Coatings • Rubber • Engineering Experimental techniques Plastics Infrared spectra were collected • PVC • Adhesives • Elastomers on a Fourier Transform Infrared • PUF Spectrometer (Thermo Scientific) with the attached Smart iTR ac- Dover Chemical is uniquely positioned to provide standard or custom pure, high-performance cessory and inserted germanium solutions. Contact us today and let’s talk about your phosphite requirements. window for use in the attenuated total reflectance mode, which allows for analysis of the first few microns of the sample surface. Spectra were measured using a series of 32 scans and a resolution of 4 cm-1 and a DTGS KBr detec- www.doverchem.com tor was employed. Spectra were recorded from 4,000 to 500 cm-1. 330-343-7711 • 800-321-8805 • Fax: 330-364-9626 A TGA250 thermogravimetric Customer Service: 800-753-6837 • [email protected] analyzer (TA Instruments) was

P013_P016_RPN_20210628.indd 13 6/23/21 5:42 PM 14 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com Technical Technical

Representative seals display- extensive array of cracking away zinc oxide, which is commonly taining alkene is related to the develop for high levels of chlori- ing the extent and features of the from the edge area. The cracking used in combination with sulfur mobile oxidation products being nation or extended reaction times, NR premature degradation (samples area is composed of hard and during the vulcanization of natu- produced during the oxidation of causing both surface roughening B, C and E) from Table 1 were embrittled rubber at the seal ral rubber compounds. poly(isoprene). and, thus, reducing the thermal Continued from page 13 examined under low magnifica- edge inward. All degraded sam- Examining the undamaged stability of the material.2,3 The deionized water and then ana- tion on the optical microscope. ples in Table 1 possessed the areas away from the degradation SEM-EDS sample analysis network surface cracking seen on lyzed by ICP-MS. Degradation was noticed directly black, sticky material in the edge in sample E reveals significant SEM-EDS was the method of the virgin sample in Fig. 6 ap- A tabletop Scanning Electron on the sealing edge of the face area of the seals. Some samples, differences by TGA. Compared to choice in order to analyze all dry pears to be a by-product of the Microscope (SEM) (Hitachi seal of sample B as shown in Fig. such as the wrist seal (sample E) the control sample, the amount of suit seal samples. An SEM pho- chlorination process. Crack prop- TM3000) was used to take highly 2. The degraded area consists of in Fig. 4, showed advanced deg- low-temperature volatiles has tograph of the sealing edge along agation can occur from these de- resolved images of the sample sur- a shiny, soft and sticky rubber. radation in addition to severe increased by about 4 percent with the large surface of the un- fects upon stretching the dry suit. face. The integrated Energy Dis- Other areas away from the seal- cracking and rubber hardening. with the amount of polymer de- used neck seal sample A is shown As tearing or ripping was not the persive Spectroscopy (EDS) unit ing area appear to be undamaged creasing about the same level. in Fig. 6. The large outside sur- major failure event, the surface allows for identification of elements and elastic in nature upon Investigation by ATR-FTIR Given the findings from ATR– face of sample A appears gray cracking was not considered as a within the first few microns of the stretching, showing little visual The ATR–FTIR spectrum of FTIR, it is likely that the and composed of a network of factor in the premature degrada- sample surface. A rapid quantifica- signs of degradation. virgin neck sample A was com- low-temperature volatile region fine, black cracks are confined to tion of the dry suits. tion is possible for elemental con- Fig. 3 displays the type of pared directly to that of the comprises low molecular weight the surface layer. The straight A sulfur vulcanization system centrations greater than approxi- degradation observed in the neck shiny, black, viscous material of oxidized poly(isoprene), since sealing edge area possesses a was used for crosslinking the mately 0.2 weight percent. For seal of sample C. The normally the heavily degraded seal of sam- base polymer concentration has black smooth surface due to the natural rubber due to the high measured values less than 0.2 trimmed sealing edge appears to ple C as shown in Fig. 5. Sample been lost. It also appears that trimming process. weight percent, the concentration have disappeared (melted) with A was analyzed on a freshly cut additional inorganic-based for- An elemental analysis was Fig. 6: SEM image displaying the was reported as 0 weight percent. some areas containing the black surface representing a cross-sec- eign matter is present (up to 0.4 performed on both outside and large surface and edge portion of A SZX16 stereo-optical micro- viscous material on the edge and tional edge. The characteristic weight percent compared to the inside large surfaces and the the unused sample A. scope (Olympus) fitted with a an area away from the edge =C-H out-of-plane deformation of control). sealing edge of sample A in order digital camera (DP71) was used where this same viscous liquid poly(isoprene) at 843 cm-1 is read- In summary, these areas of the to investigate any difference in to obtain optical micrographs of may have flown. The wrist seal ily observed in sample A, but dry suit seals display an onset of chemical surface composition. the sample surface topology. of sample E (see Fig. 4) illus- hardly noticeable in sample C. In degradation but the material These results are summarized in trates a very high level of degra- the oxidized sample, substantial properties still are elastic and Table 4. Total carbon levels are Results and discussion dation comprising a combination growth of peaks in the 3,100- acceptable. The heavily degraded much higher on the edge versus Optical microscopy of seal of some black, shiny and soft 3,600 (-OH), 1,700-1,760 (C=O) areas of sample E display low the large surface. Chlorine was degradation material along the edge and an and 1,300-1,000 cm-1 (C-O) re- temperature volatile and base detected in high levels on the gions is seen. These IR active vi- polymer degradation weight large surfaces along with lesser Table 1: Summary and description of dry suit seals samples received for brations are due to the presence losses of 11 percent and 84 per- amounts of sodium and silicone. the investigation. (*virgin sample). of carbonyl type groups and are cent, respectively. These results On the black edge surface, nei- characteristic of the oxidative clearly suggest that the base ther chlorine, silicone nor sodium degradation of natural rubber. polymer is degrading into lower were detected. Both oxygen and Table 4: Elemental analysis (wt%) by SEM-EDS of the large surfaces and The soft degraded areas of all the molecular weight molecules upon sulfur levels were higher on the edge of control sample A. Reported values are the average of three mea- samples showed similar IR spec- oxidation. The decrease in elas- surface versus the edge. Rinsing surements. tra. Thus, the soft, black rubber tomer concentration contributes the sample with de-ionized water was identified as degraded and to the overall loss of rubber elas- (three times) did not significantly oxidized natural rubber. No addi- ticity, increasing the viscous change the weight percent val- tional identification of the oxi- component of the viscoelastic ues. Furthermore, the outer and dized components by ATR–FTIR material. Additional oxidizable inner surfaces present similar was possible. chemical substances (about 1 to values in surface chemical com- 1.5 weight percent) appear to position. Thermal analysis by TGA present in the degraded areas. The high carbon level is due to Fig. 2: Sample B (face seal) showing degradation at the seal edge in a) Wrist sample E of Fig. 4 along Apart from carbon black, the the natural rubber base polymer and b). with the control neck sample A identification of these extra mol- and to a lesser extent, the carbon were analyzed in detail by TGA. ecules cannot be inferred by TGA black reinforcing agent (as seen Sample E was divided up into analysis. Furthermore, addition- by TGA results earlier). As the two families for testing: areas al inorganic residues (up to 0.8 chlorine is organic in nature representing heavily degraded percent) are found in the degrad- since it is not removed by the zones comprising soft rubber and ed samples. These results sug- de-ionized water, the rubber was cracking; and undamaged (good) gest that the degraded areas chlorinated in order to improve Table 5: Elemental analysis (wt%) of the neck seal area of sample B. Ele- areas away from the degraded contain a small amount of highly its surface characteristics. This mental weights after rinsing are given in the rounded brackets. The edge zones that were still exhibiting heat stable foreign matter (2 to likely explains the contrast be- represents a freshly cut surface. elastic behavior with no visual 2.5 weight percent) in both or- tween the gray and black zones signs of cracking. All TGA test ganic and inorganic forms. seen in Fig. 6 (i.e. surface versus results are summarized in Table edge). Fig. 3: The edge of the neck seal Fig. 4: Sample E showing the out- 2. PY-GC-MS analysis Surface chlorination is an ef- of sample C. er edge of the wrist seal. The virgin sample A contains Pyrolyzed poly(isoprene) gives fective method to reduce the coef- no plasticizers (no low tempera- rise to a characteristic array of 4 ficient of friction of natural rub- ture volatiles) and is highly primary retention peaks as dis- ber.1-3 The modified surface polymer rich, reinforced with a played in Table 3. In addition, a characteristics increase the level small amount of carbon black molecular fragment at a reten- of hydrophilicity due to the gen- (oxidative degradation) and con- tion time of 2.55 minutes was eration of chlorinated and oxi- taining small amounts of inor- detected in the heavily degraded dized structures.2 The reduced ganic residues. Inorganic resi- areas of sample E. The best coefficient of friction is advanta- dues may be due to the addition match from the chemical data- geous for the donning process of of a mineral-based filler or the base was methyl vinyl ketone. It rubber articles such as gloves.3 presence of a metal oxide such as is likely that this oxygen con- Surface cracking, however, can Fig. 5: Overlay of ATR-FT-IR spectra of the virgin sample A (bottom) and Table 2: TGA weight loss (%) results for samples A and E. of the soft degraded area of sample C. Table 6: Elemental analysis of the face seal area of sample B. Elemental weights after rinsing are given in the rounded brackets.

Table 3: Summary of the primary peaks observed in samples A (control) and E (degraded area) and their identification by PY-GC-MS analysis. *Additional small peak present only in sample F.

P013_P016_RPN_20210628.indd 14 6/23/21 5:42 PM www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 15 Technical taining alkene is related to the develop for high levels of chlori- presence of sulfur. The higher side surface possesses less chlori- TGA. minum on the surface in this mobile oxidation products being nation or extended reaction times, sulfur concentrations on the nation on the surface (about 4 The topology of the outer sur- particular sample (Table 7). The produced during the oxidation of causing both surface roughening large surface versus the edge is percent weight). Sulfur blooming face of the used face mask seal TGA results in the heavily de- poly(isoprene). and, thus, reducing the thermal indicative of possible sulfur is taking place toward both the (sample B) is heterogeneous as graded regions of sample E con- stability of the material.2,3 The blooming. The presence of some outside and inside of the neck depicted in Fig. 7. EDS was used firmed that inorganic residue SEM-EDS sample analysis network surface cracking seen on silicone on the large surface area seal. No significant difference is to attempt to identify the parti- concentrations increased by up SEM-EDS was the method of the virgin sample in Fig. 6 ap- indicates the use of a sili- observed in the elemental compo- cles identified from 1 to 5 which to 1 weight percent. In order to choice in order to analyze all dry pears to be a by-product of the cone-based mold release agent to sitional of the matrix, which is are present on the sample sur- check for transition metal ion suit seal samples. An SEM pho- chlorination process. Crack prop- help in the demolding process. given by the edge results in com- face. Some of the particles on the contamination which may be the tograph of the sealing edge along agation can occur from these de- The presence of calcium could be parison with those in Table 4. surface include clays (particles 1 cause of the premature degrada- with the large surface of the un- fects upon stretching the dry suit. related to the use of calcium ox- Chemical compositional changes and 4), silica (particle 3) as well tion comprising oxidized natural used neck seal sample A is shown As tearing or ripping was not the ide, calcium carbonate or a pro- are taking place primarily in the as recrystallized sulfur from the rubber, the concentrations of in Fig. 6. The large outside sur- major failure event, the surface cessing aid like calcium stearate. surface layer of the degraded and rubber formulation (particle 2). iron, copper and manganese face of sample A appears gray cracking was not considered as a The EDS analysis of the unused seals. Particle 5 was identified by EDS were analyzed. The same test and composed of a network of factor in the premature degrada- damaged areas of the neck seal of The EDS analysis on the face as containing predominantly specimens that were analyzed by fine, black cracks are confined to tion of the dry suits. sample B is shown in Table 5. seal area of sample B shows some iron and oxygen signifying that TGA (A control, E good and dam- the surface layer. The straight A sulfur vulcanization system The area examined showed no significant differences, depend- it is an iron-oxide-based mineral. aged areas) were used for ICP– sealing edge area possesses a was used for crosslinking the adverse degradation effects such ing on sample location (see Table Notwithstanding the sulfur, MS. The percentage loss in black smooth surface due to the natural rubber due to the high as soft rubber or crack formation. 6). Square-like samples were these mineral-based particles weight upon ashing as well as trimming process. The sample was also rinsed three taken around the face sealing are contaminants not included in the concentrations of iron, copper An elemental analysis was Fig. 6: SEM image displaying the times with de-ionized water. Be- area where extensive degrada- the rubber formulation. Given and manganese in µg/g (or ppm) performed on both outside and large surface and edge portion of fore rinsing, the outside surface tion (soft, black rubber) was not- this finding, it was decided to are provided in tabular form in inside large surfaces and the the unused sample A. possesses significantly more ed. The low chlorine levels on the continue the examination of the Table 8. sealing edge of sample A in order chlorine, oxygen and sodium than outside surface confirm that ei- other degraded seals with partic- Upon ashing the samples, it to investigate any difference in the inside surface. Rinsing the ther chlorination did not take ular interest to metal concentra- was found that the degraded ar- chemical surface composition. sample brings about a loss of both place or that the chlorinated tions on the outside surface of the eas contained up to 1 percent by These results are summarized in sodium and chloride, likely due to barrier surface has been essen- samples. weight more inorganic residue in Table 4. Total carbon levels are the exposure to sea water. In ad- tially removed due to wear or to The outer surface of the wrist the heavily degraded areas (sam- much higher on the edge versus dition, oxygen levels decrease af- aging effects on the seal. seal of sample E (see Table 7) ple E degraded) versus other ar- the large surface. Chlorine was ter rinsing the outside surface, Upon rinsing the sample, the contains a significant amount of eas away from the degradation detected in high levels on the possibly due in part to the remov- chlorine and sodium levels drop iron (0.4 weight percent) and (sample E good). This observation large surfaces along with lesser al of oxygen containing inorganic together, indicating the presence much less chlorine compared to a agrees with the TGA results on amounts of sodium and silicone. based minerals containing zinc, of sodium chloride. Iron surpris- typical chlorinated seal sample. the same samples. The control On the black edge surface, nei- calcium and magnesium. The in- ingly was detected at levels just The inside surface shows evi- sample A had the lowest ash level ther chlorine, silicone nor sodium above 0.2 weight percent. The in- dence of 4 times more chlorine, as expected. These results con- were detected. Both oxygen and Table 4: Elemental analysis (wt%) by SEM-EDS of the large surfaces and side or reverse surface showed and hence the chlorination pro- firm that inorganic residue levels sulfur levels were higher on the edge of control sample A. Reported values are the average of three mea- heavy areas of degradation indi- cess, since upon rinsing with de- are highest in the heavily de- surface versus the edge. Rinsing surements. cated as black areas on the SEM ionized water, the chlorine count graded areas, followed by the the sample with de-ionized water images and consisted mainly of increased due partly to the re- undamaged areas of the same (three times) did not significantly just carbon, oxygen and some moval of sodium chloride. The sample and, finally, lowest in the change the weight percent val- sulfur. Moving away from the picture shown in Fig. 8 attests to control sample. Low levels of iron, ues. Furthermore, the outer and degradation toward where miner- the remains of the chlorinated copper and manganese were mea- inner surfaces present similar al salts were present confirmed surface (white areas) in combina- sured in the control sample A, values in surface chemical com- the presence of sodium and calci- tion with an irregular surface likely representing typical levels position. um chloride, but a higher amount morphology. There is a loss of the for a rubber based formulation. The high carbon level is due to of chlorine indicating that the protective chlorinated surface Iron levels display the highest in- the natural rubber base polymer surface is chlorinated. Rinsing due to wear and/or aging. crease in the heavily degraded ar- and to a lesser extent, the carbon this surface removed the mineral In summary, EDS analysis eas, five times over the undam- black reinforcing agent (as seen salts but left the remaining chlo- shows the loss of the protective aged areas of sample E and 25 by TGA results earlier). As the rine levels high and comparable chlorinated layer in the undam- times higher than the control. chlorine is organic in nature to the values seen in the neck re- aged areas on both the inside and Copper concentrations increased since it is not removed by the gion. Levels of iron on the inside outside surfaces. Samples experi- fourfold in all areas (good or heav- de-ionized water, the rubber was surface were insignificant, signi- encing extensive loss of chlorine ily degraded) of sample E to an chlorinated in order to improve Table 5: Elemental analysis (wt%) of the neck seal area of sample B. Ele- fying that iron contamination is generally correlate to ones with average of about 100 ppm. Manga- its surface characteristics. This mental weights after rinsing are given in the rounded brackets. The edge coming from the outside of seal. the highest oxygen and lowest nese values are very low in the likely explains the contrast be- represents a freshly cut surface. The degraded edge is com- carbon levels. Iron contamination degraded samples. In parallel tween the gray and black zones prised primarily of carbon, oxy- was evident, and in most of the with the SEM–EDS results, these seen in Fig. 6 (i.e. surface versus gen and some sulfur. Examining cases when iron is detected, both findings confirm the high concen- edge). a cut edge about 2 mm away from chlorine and carbon levels are trations of iron that are present in Surface chlorination is an ef- the degraded edge caused the lower than normal, while oxygen the used dry suits seals. These re- fective method to reduce the coef- oxygen weight percent to drop levels are high. It also appears sults also reveal that copper is ficient of friction of natural rub- almost 10 percent while the car- that when iron is present, there present at significant concentra- ber.1-3 The modified surface bon level increased by about the are also increased levels of both tions (over 100 ppm). Iron concen- characteristics increase the level same amount (see Table 6). This aluminum and silicone. trations are much higher in the of hydrophilicity due to the gen- difference in oxygen content heavily degraded areas where the eration of chlorinated and oxi- demonstrates the high level of ICP-MS investigation sealing takes place suggesting dized structures.2 The reduced oxidation of the rubber at the Given the high levels of metal that it is being transported to the coefficient of friction is advanta- edge of the seal. This concurs contamination seen by EDS in sealing area. geous for the donning process of with the fact that higher levels of many of the degraded samples, a rubber articles such as gloves.3 oxidized rubber (volatiles) were representative sample (sample E Metal contamination Surface cracking, however, can reported earlier in the heavily wrist) was selected for an in- The preceding results and dis- degraded areas analyzed by depth ICP-MS analysis. EDS cussion point to the fact that Table 2: TGA weight loss (%) results for samples A and E. Table 6: Elemental analysis of the face seal area of sample B. Elemental weights after rinsing are given in the confirmed quantitative concen- metal contamination appears to rounded brackets. trations of silicone, iron and alu- be the key repeating element oc- Fig. 7: Close-up of outer surface curring in combination with the of the face mask seal (sample B) premature degradation. It is after rinsing in de-ionized water. known that trace amounts of Elemental composition of each of transition metals such as iron, the particles: 1–potassium, alumi- cobalt, copper and manganese num, silicon, titanium. 2–sulfur, are enough to accelerate the oxidative degradation of natural 3–silicon. 4–calcium, aluminum, 4-6 silicon, oxygen. 5–iron, oxygen. rubber based products. The oxidation rate has been shown to Table 3: Summary of the primary peaks observed in samples A (control) and E (degraded area) and their identifi- follow the sequence of Co2+ > cation by PY-GC-MS analysis. *Additional small peak present only in sample F. Mn2+ > Cu+ > Fe3+. The effective- ness of the ion as a catalyst was found to depend on the number of electrons transferred by the metal ion during redox reactions.5 Transition metals cata- lyze the rubber oxidative reactions by accelerating the breakdown of peroxides which in See NR, page 16

P013_P016_RPN_20210628.indd 15 6/23/21 5:43 PM 16 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com Technical

expect similar values for the ge- tion, iron—and to a lesser ex- Conclusions trimmed areas where it blooms ology of Canada and for the soil tent, copper—appear to be the A series of dry suit seals (face, and gathers at the edge bringing NR found in ocean or sea beds. Sili- metals of concern since they are neck and wrist) displaying exten- along with them, the transition con, which is found in sand (sili- widely known to accelerate oxi- sive evidence of degradation (soft, metal ions such as iron. Degrada- Continued from page 15 con dioxide), and many compo- dation reactions in natural rub- black material and cracking) have tion can therefore be enhanced in turn propagate the oxidation re- nents of clays like aluminum, ber. Some of these metals in the been analyzed. The soft and sticky this region causing the appear- action. For example, compounds calcium and potassium dominate dissolved ionic state are able to material located primarily around ance of more black viscous rubber. comprising natural rubber mixed the list. Of particular interest is penetrate into the subsurface the trimmed edges in the degrad- Solubility and diffusion effects with copper salts having concen- the high concentration of iron and beneath the chlorinated surface ed seals was identified as oxidized dictate this phenomenon. trations of 0.02 to 0.06 weight the presence of both manganese of the seal. Catalyzed oxidative natural rubber. The protective percent (200 to 600 ppm) lose up and copper. Suit contamination reactions also are possible on chlorinated rubber surface is par- References to 50 percent of their tensile from soil containing a form of iron the chlorinated surface and tially or completely destroyed in 1. C.W. Extrand, A.N. Gent, Contact An- strength after heat aging for 12 is a good probability for divers possibly within the fine surface samples showing degradation. gle and Spectroscopic Studies of Chlori- 6 nated and Unchlorinated Natural Rubber days at 70°C. The rate of oxygen walking on ocean or sea beds. cracking network. This may, in The later stages of oxidation of Surfaces Rubber Chem. Technol. 61, 688 absorption has been shown to part, explain for some of the de- natural rubber include hardening (1988). increase dramatically after 6 Poly(isoprene) oxidation terioration of the chlorinated and rubber cracking. The oxida- 2. C.C. Ho, M.C. Khew, Surface Charac- hours for a natural rubber sam- The generally accepted oxida- surface seen in the SEM micro- terization of Chlorinated Unvulcanized tion of the rubber is being caused Natural Rubber Latex Films. Int. J. Ad- ple containing approximately 1.7 tion mechanism for poly(isoprene) graphs for the degraded sam- by the presence of transition metal hes. Adhes. 19, 387 (1999). percent by weight of iron.7 Fe3+ has been summarized in Fig. 9.11 ples. Once oxidation is initiated, elements such as iron, which were 3. D. Lenko, S. Schloegl, R. Kramer, W. ions were shown to have more The oxidation of poly(isoprene) it is known to increase exponen- identified in high concentrations Kern, R. Schaller, A. Holzer, Contribu- catalytic action than Fe2+ ions on commences with the reaction of tially. Small and labile oxidized tions to the Characterization of Chlori- (550 ppm) in highly degraded nated Polyisoprene Surfaces. Macromol. oxidative degradation of crepe oxygen at the tertiary center of the degradation by-products such as samples. The presence of copper Symp. 311, 9 (2012). rubber, and total iron concentra- isoprene group giving rise to a levunlinaldehyde appear to also was identified in concentra- 4. P. Chovin, The Prooexygenic Effect and tions were recommended not to stable cycloperoxide. Radical preferentially migrate like a tions of 100 ppm. Transition metal the Resulting Deterioration of Rubber. exceed 30 ppm in the rubber for transfer takes place onto the plasticizer within the polymer elements are well known to speed Rubber Chem. Technol. 19, 296 (1946). 8 5. L-H. Lee, C.L. Stacy, R.G. Engel, Mech- optimal storage stability. The neighboring tertiary carbon cen- matrix due to the effects of grav- up the oxidation degradation reac- anisms of oxidative degradation. I. Oxi- final result of transition contam- ter. Repetitive reaction with oxy- ity for a hung dry suit. At the tion of natural rubber. Metal con- dation of synthetic rubbers catalyzed by ination is chain degradation with gen leads to a clustering of oxidized same time, metal ions such as tamination is taking place pri- metallic ions. J. App. Polym. Sci. 10, 1699 loss of molecular weight and the polymer in a localized area along iron appear to be dragged along (1966). marily from the outside of suit (not 6. H. Villain, The Action of Copper and its production of small, oxidized, la- the chain backbone. Application of with the oxidized natural rubber from the inside). The detection of Derivatives on the aging of rubber. Rub- bile molecules of poly(isoprene). heat causes these clustered cyclop- molecules to the seal edge which iron oxide particles on the sample ber Chem. Technol. 23, 352 (1950). Given the extremely low con- eroxides to decompose, provoking is non-polar in nature (non chlo- surface suggests that the contami- 7. “Elastomer Technology–Special Topics” centration of dissolved iron, cop- chain cleavage and loss of molec- rinated) where they can easily Ed. K. Baranwal, H. Stephens, ACS Rub- nation could be coming from the ber Division, Akron, OH p. 296 (2003). per and manganese in sea water ular weight. Transition metals exude from the seal. The in- soil stirred up with the water 8. U.N. Ratnayake, P.H. Sarath Kumara, (see Table 9), and that discrete accelerate cycloperoxide decom- creased concentration of metal during a diving expedition. Other T.A.S. Siriwardene, A.K.D.W. Prasad, mineral particles were observed position. Small molecules such as ions near the seal edge will only sources of contamination also V.C. Rohanadeepa, Effect of iron in pro- by SEM on the outside surface of levulinaldehyde are released worsen the effects of degrada- cessing water on quality of crepe rubber. might be possible. It appears that J Rubber Res Inst Sri Lanka, 91, 1 (2011). the samples, it is likely that the during the process and the mate- tion, causing continued localized the oxidized natural rubber prod- 9. “Oceans” Ed. K.K. Turekian, Pren- metal contamination is coming rial softens. Other small oxidized deterioration of the sealing area. ucts, which include levulinalde- tice-Hall, New York (1968). from the soil environment. Table molecules are possible contain- This proposed mechanism can hyde, a well-known oxidation 10. H.T. Shacklette, J.G. Boerngen, Ele- 10 lists the average values for ing end groups such as carboxylic explain the appearance of the ment Concentrations in Soils and Other product of natural rubber, easily Surficial Materials of the Conterminous selected surficial element con- acid and alcohol. The presence of viscous rubber material around can migrate toward the non-polar United States U.S. Geological profession- centrations in soils tested across the methyl vinyl ketone that was the trimmed edges of the seals. al paper 1270, U.S. Government Printing the U.S. It is not unreasonable to observed by PY-GC-MS for the Assuming that a regular Table 9: Ionic concentrations of Office, Washington (1984). oxidized natural rubber in the maintenance and rinsing some of the major inorganic ele- 11. J.A. Kuczkowski, Rubber Chem. Tech- nol. 84, 273 (2011). Table 7: Elemental analysis (wt%) degraded dry suit seals can be schedule of the dry suits is fol- ments found in sea water at 3.5% 9 12. D. Barnard, M.E. Cain, J.I. Cunneen, near the degraded area of wrist explained by the breakdown of lowed in order to decontaminate salinity. T.H. Houseman, Rubber Chem. Technol. seal sample E. levulinaldehyde by pyrolysis into the outer surface of the dry 45, 381 (1972). two fragments, namely formalde- suits, certain antioxidants are Fig. 9: Summary of oxidation mech- hyde and methyl vinyl ketone. highly effective in reacting with anism to explain the degradation Natural rubber under longer metal ions to form inert com- of poly(isoprene) leading to chain conditions of time and heat/oxy- plexes through chelating. Dry cleavage and softening and finally gen exposure will exhibit hard- suit seals made with additional the liberation of small volatile mol- ening due to subsequent sec- antioxidants effective against ecules such as levulinaldehyde ondary oxidation reactions, iron and/or copper contamina- (adapted from ref. 11). Under py- which tie up the polymer chains tion may help to prolong the life rolysis conditions, the levulinalde- due to crosslinking. This mech- of the dry suit seals and slow hyde continues to break down into anism would explain the pres- down the oxidation effect in the smaller molecules. ence of cracking seen in the natural rubber. Finally, creams, heavily oxidized samples.12 skin lotions, insect repellents and sunscreens containing Premature seal degradation transition metal elements such explanation as iron, copper or manganese Table 10: Selected element con- In summary, metal contami- should not be used when wear- centrations in soils in contermi- nation is taking place on the ing the dry suit as they will ac- nous U.S.10 Fig. 8: SEM photograph of the in- dry suit seals from the outside celerate the premature aging of side surface of wrist seal sample E. surface. In terms of concentra- the seals. Table 8: Micrograms/gram or parts per million (ppm) of Fe, Cu and Mn on samples A and E as determined by ICP-MS. Reported values are the average of 3 measurements.

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P013_P016_RPN_20210628.indd 16 6/23/21 5:43 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 17 and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber which suggested they be made at considerable financial impact be- can from Virginia and vice chair; North America Inc., summed up its factory in China. cause of the underselling, but Ned Rhonda Schmidtlein, a Democrat Decision the anti-duties delegation’s posi- As a result, Atturo turned to Marshak, an attorney for GDLSK, from Missouri; and Amy Karpel, a tion by saying: manufacturers in Taiwan and a law firm representing Thai tire Democrat from Washington. Continued from page 1 “The U.S. tire market is in a state Thailand, which produce the brand makers, countered that in 2020, The ITC will publish its final The USW recently won certifi- of constant and accelerating transi- “with the precise performance and “in the face of a global pandemic, decision on or about July 5. Com- cation at one other plant, Kumho tion, and producers in the U.S. do technical specifications we request.” … domestic producers realized merce will then issue final orders Tire Co. Inc.’s in Macon, Ga. not have the capacity or production Victor Li, executive vice presi- over $2 billion in operating in- on or about July 12. The ITC commissioners based flexibility to fully and profitably dent of private- and import-brand come.” The ITC will publish a public their decision in part on testimo- service all market segments.” distributor Tireco Inc., testified The operating income/sales ra- report—Passenger Vehicle and ny given May 25 during a virtual He noted that applying duties in that companies like his “service tio was 18.7 percent, he testified, Light Truck Tires from Korea, ITC hearing by a dozen or so subject tires will not help U.S. a critical segment of the market six points higher than in 2014. Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam representatives of the petition- production. “This is not a problem which U.S. producers have shied A number of other private brand- (Inv. Nos. 701-TA- 647 and 731-TA- ers—the United Steelworkers caused by the subject imports and away from.” ers source tires from one or more of 1517-1520 (Final), USITC Publica- (USW) union—and those oppos- they should not be punished for Tires imported and sold by Tireco the subject nations and therefore tion 5212, July 2021)—that will ing the action, such as tire mak- supplying tires the market needs.” “complement rather than substitute also likely would be impacted. contain the views of the commis- ers from the subject nations, im- Smallwood also noted that while for the (high-value-added) market, The ITC has five commission- sion and information developed porters, private branders and duties would cut off or limit sup- which is the U.S. producers’ focus,” ers. Besides Johanson, they are: during the investigations. government officials. plies from the four subject coun- he said. “Our retail and wholesale Jason Kearns, a Democrat from The report will be available by Importers/distributors of the tries, “multinational producers dealers request that Tireco address Colorado and chair of the commis- July 28, accessible on the U.S. targeted P/LT tires have been will find ways to supply the tires this market (for lower tier tires), and sion; Randolph Stayin, a Republi- ITC website. paying duties on tires they have demanded by the U.S. market.” that is precisely what we do. imported since January, after He also said that nearly all com- “We hope the Commission real- Commerce ruled preliminarily in panies producing consumer tires in izes that assessing additional duty Import duties case trends: 2018-20 favor of continuing the investiga- the U.S. have retooled or are in the on imports will not bring product tion. process of retooling their factories of the tires we sell to the U.S. Passenger & light truck tires Partly as a result of that, P/LT for higher value-added products— Prices will rise, but domestic pro- Imports (Volume in thousands of units; Value in thousands of U.S. dollars) tire imports from Thailand and tires in 18-inch and larger-rim-di- duction will not rise.” Country Volume/ 2018 2019 2020 2021 Q1 Taiwan fell measurably (down 18.9 ameter sizes, high-performance The government of Taiwan, Value Tendency percent and 42.5 percent, respec- tires and/or tires designed for based on its analysis of the U.S. Volume 19,327.0 19,142.0 17,076.8 -2.9% tively) in the first quarter compared SUVs, CUVs, etc.—which are al- tire market, argues that the U.S. South Korea with the first three months of 2020, most mutually exclusive with the domestic tire industry has not Value $1,919,413.5 $1,171,289.6 $972,249.8 according to the latest Commerce imported products targeted by the suffered due to imports of P/LT Taiwan Volume 8,351.3 8,809.6 10,012.5 -42.5% Department data. USW’s petition and the Commerce tires from Taiwan, which it notes Overall, P/LT tire imports rose Department’s investigation. represent no more than 5 percent Value $343,996.1 $373,048.7 $438,244.0 2 percent in the quarter, as ship- Curtis Brison, U.S. passenger of the U.S. replacement market for Thailand Volume 40,595.4 45,282.2 44,496.0 -18.9% ments from countries like Mexico car and light truck sales vice presi- such products by volume and less Value $1,717,231.4 $1,962,225.5 $1,976,749.8 and Indonesia jumped by double dent at Hankook Tire America than 4 percent by value. Volume 10,634.4 12,146.7 13,807.7 8.9% digits to help fill the void. Corp., said, “a global tire manufac- Taiwan, through its Taipei Eco- Vietnam Among U.S.-based companies turer like Hankook cannot practi- nomic and Cultural Representative Value $411,428.8 $469,640.0 $542,056.2 affected by Commerce’s ruling are: cally and efficiently rely on a single Office in the U.S., also urged the Achilles Tires USA Inc.; Ameri- U.S. manufacturing facility to pro- agency to restrict its investigation to Total Volume 78,908.1 85,380.5 85,393.1 -14.2% can Kenda Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd.; duce all of the many tire models the original 2017-19 time period and Value $4,392,069.8 $3,976,203.8 $3,929,299.8 American Omni Trading Co.; demanded by our U.S. customers. to not include any data from 2020, Duro Tire & Wheel; Federal Tire “We rely on imports to comple- arguing that it would be “distortive Others Volume 91,456.2 95,559.8 85,238.6 17.0% North America Inc.; Foreign Tire ment our U.S. production and and unfair” to include data for the Sales Inc.; Hankook Tire America thereby provide our U.S. customers full-year considering the extraordi- Value $5,134,579.1 $5,827,583.2 $4,953,230.7 Corp.; Horizon Tire Inc.; Kumho with an attractive range of tires. nary nature of the world economy Tire USA Inc.; Linglong Americas Brison added: “The success of during the COVID-19 pandemic U.S. replacement market (thousands of units) Inc.; Maxxis International–USA; Hankook’s U.S. operations and and the extreme impact on U.S. Volume 249,500.0 255,100.0 244,700.0 Nexen Tire America Inc.; Sentury ongoing investment in Clarksville, production. Tire USA Inc.; TBC Corp.; Tireco Tenn., depends on our ability to The USW also testified that the Production 151,608.0 149,145.0 112,100.0 Inc.; Vee Tyre & Rubber Co.; and continue supplying our U.S. cus- U.S. tire industry has suffered Sources: U.S. Commerce Department; U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association; Tire Business research Zafco International L.L.C. tomers with imports from Korea.” He noted that the U.S.-based Opposing viewpoints manufacturing capacity is limit- At the May 25 hearing, the ed in its ability to serve the di- USW argued that “subject im- verse demands of the replacement ports” increased their share of the market, and “even if U.S. demand domestic market for P/LT tires by were not so diverse, imports 5.3 percentage points during the would still be necessary because period of investigation, in large the U.S. tire industry does not part because such products “un- have sufficient production capaci- dersold the domestic-like product ty to make the total volume of about 90 percent of the time. tires required by U.S. customers.” “Underselling at significant This latter situation is compound- margins was nearly universal in ed by U.S. producers’ poor track re- all products,” the USW contends, cord in fill rates, meaning retailers “covering tires from all countries and distributors have to carry mul- and regardless of whether the tiple brands and a wide variety of imports and domestic product SKUs in order to ensure that they were branded or private label.” always have product available to The USW’s position was pre- meet consumer demand. sented predominantly by Roger “This further drives the need Shagrin and Elizabeth Drake, for imported tires,” he said, “par- attorneys with Shagrin Associ- ticularly in the replacement mar- ates of Washington. ket segment.” Their testimony was supported Michael Matthis, president of by statements from USW President private-brand tire distributor At- Tom Conway; Kevin Johnsen, chair turo Tire Corp., pointed out that of the USW’s Rubber and Plastics “there is virtually no domestic Industry Conference; and the pres- availability of private brand tires,” idents of USW Locals in Fort which represent a sizable percent- Wayne, Ind.; Findlay, Ohio; Texar- age of the U.S. aftermarket. kana, Ark.; and Fayetteville, N.C. “Tier 3 and Tier 4 private-brand While the USW’s case is based tires represent an attractive re- almost entirely on establishing that placement alternative when there the subject imports were sold at are fewer miles left on an older dumping rates in the U.S.—and vehicle’s lifecycle.” therefore took market share away Matthis noted that U.S. pro- from U.S.-produced goods—those ducers moved production of such testifying against the duties argued brands—if they agreed at all to to a large degree that the subject make them—to their own off- imports compete for business in the shore facilities. industry’s lower tiers that U.S.- Atturo, he said, tried to source based tire production doesn’t serve. its tires from U.S. producers, but Richard Smallwood, president found only one interested party,

P001_P021_RPN_20210628.indd 17 6/24/21 6:33 PM 18 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com years may be a tall task, but it’s one rinds, sunflower oil, pine resin, that Michelin is determined to and recycled steel and aluminum. Michelin meet. And the company already Michelin prepared for electric vehicle revolution has made strides toward that end. Recyclable, renewable Continued from page 1 On average, Garcin said, Mi- Michelin’s expertise in sustain- By Erin Pustay Beaven Rubber & Plastics News Staff In the years ahead, Garcin said, chelin tires contain about 30 per- able materials has been boosted you’ll see Michelin make invest- cent sustainable materials. For by a recent partnership with GREENVILLE, S.C.—Bring on the disrup- ments in companies, technologies, now, the tire maker is focused on Canada-based Pyrowave Inc. and tion. Michelin is ready. products and materials that push meeting that 50 percent threshold Houston-based McDermott Inter- The auto sector may be undergoing one the tire maker—and other compa- and doing it relatively quickly. national Ltd. Through the part- of its biggest transformations ever as rap- nies across a range of industries— “We have to close the gap be- nership, Michelin is exploring idly emerging technologies push it toward closer to carbon neutrality. tween 30 and 50 (percent),” Gar- how plastics recycling technology connected, autonomous, shared and elec- Michelin’s high-tech materials cin said. can yield commercially viable tric vehicles. These shifts are forcing business unit—which encompass- At least fundamentally, Miche- styrene for tires. companies industrywide to innovate and es rubber products, hydrogen mo- lin has closed the gap. Late last year, Michelin and Py- find sustainable solubility, waste tire recycling, clean During its annual Movin’On rowave launched an initiative to tions for a future that and bio-sourced materials and 3D Summit hosted virtually June 1-4, advance catalytic microwave-based Michelin believes hydrogen fuel cells are a “strong lever” for clean mobility. isn’t quite defined. metal printing—plays a key role in Michelin unveiled a new racing technology that culls styrene mono- But if there is one tire this effort. The unit itself may not tire, one containing 46 percent mer from plastics found in polysty- were most evident in the last year great opportunity for developing maker that can embrace be focused entirely on tire develop- sustainable and recycled content. rene packaging, insulation panels as supply chain constraints plagued a great mobility in the future.” the uncertain and make ment, but it is focused on technolo- The tire maker touted the product, and/or household appliances. companies and industries during Michelin’s investment in hy- the transition to new gies that drive sustainability. saying it marks the marriage of McDermott, for its part, will the pandemic. drogen mobility is more than two mobility with grace and And that allows Michelin to sustainability and performance. provide value engineering, risk “We have a very robust crisis decades in the making and has fortitude, Scott Clark is thrive. “With its totally new innovation analysis and a detailed construc- management at Michelin, and I culminated with Symbio, a joint certain that it’s Michelin. “Once we grow in the high-tech engineered for motorsports, Miche- tability study. am very proud of that, despite the venture with Faurecia S.E. “Quite frankly, many materials, we open the group to lin has found what many observers Recycled materials are just one tension we have on the supply In the early 2000s, when the of those (CASE) trends new business territories like thought was impossible: a way to part of the sustainability equation. chain overall,” Garcin said. “We concept of vehicle electrification leverage Michelin’s strengths and give us medical or like aerospace, for ex- make a tire with high sustainable Renewable sources matter, too. took the right measures at the was new, Michelin was focused an opportunity to generate value through ample,” Garcin said. “And, at the content that still delivers superior And as the auto industry makes right time to be sure that the nat- on the development of green our leadership in technology,” Clark, Miche- same time, we have access to and on-track performance,” the compa- its transition to electric vehicles, ural rubber and all of materials technologies, Yves Faurisson, lin executive vice president of automotive, we develop new high-tech materi- ny said in a news release. the need for sustainably sourced will be available when we need it.” global head of hydrogen activities motorsport, experiences and the Americas als that help us to bring to the The achievement largely result- natural rubber is expected to rise. for Michelin, said during the Regions, said during the tire maker’s recent market by 2050, a tire that will be ed from the increased use of natu- EVs demand much from their Hydrogen driven company’s Capital Day event, Capital Market Days. made 100 percent of fully renew- ral rubber and recycled carbon tires, and building tires that sup- Clean mobility is an inevitabil- hosted virtually April 8. New automotive technologies change the able and recyclable materials.” black recovered from end-of-life port the weight and torque of the ity, and Michelin is prepared for “Michelin leaders already envi- game for tire makers, because they change Developing a 100-percent sus- tires. Other sustainable materi- vehicles likely will require in- a future propelled by batteries sioned the age of zero-emission the expectations of and demands on the tainable tire within the next 30 als used in the tire included citrus creased use of NR in compounds. and fuel cells. mobility, a concept largely devel- tires. Electrified powertrains, especially, But with NR demand already To this end, the tire maker is oped during the Michelin Chal- call on tires to last longer and go farther. outpacing supply, it’s imperative focused on developing tires that lenge Bibendum/Movin’On events, And as it turns out, those are the expec- to protect the commodity. meet the unique needs of EVs. and they understood why and how tations Michelin has always put on its own With ecological and social re- It’s also investing in technology hydrogen could play a major role in tires. The expertise the tire maker has sponsibility as its guiding lights, that will drive those tires, specif- transitioning away from fossil fostered in these areas, particularly in the Garcin said Michelin is investing ically hydrogen fuel cells. fuel,” Faurisson said. last 20-30 years, position it to be a leader in the NR industry, “working “I think hydrogen is—and we Since the JV was formalized in in the years ahead. hard with the plantations to be believe it is—a strong lever for 2019, Symbio has grown significant- “We are really in a defining moment,” sure that it is extracted in a very clean mobility,” Garcin said. “… ly thanks to the combined expertise Alexis Garcin, Michelin North America sustainable way.” It is a completely clean mobility, of the two mobility companies. Inc. chairman and president, said later, Michelin also is positioned to lead because basically you just take Today, Symbio has more than during an exclusive interview with Rub- the industry toward a more sus- some air and mix it with electric- 2.5 million miles of on-road vehi- ber & Plastics News. “ … We are at a time tainable supply chain, Garcin said, ity and create hydrogen and the cle experience and more than a where what we have been developing over pointing to the strength of the sup- only output you have is water. It decade of combined technology the last decades—if not now a century—is As Michelin moves forward, it remains committed to technologies, materials ply chains—and relationships—the is a very clean mobility system, testing and vehicle integration. coming to a point where it is extremely and partnerships that lead to a more sustainable, zero-emissions future. company has built. Those strengths and this is why we believe this a The expertise it has built will relevant for the environment we are in give Symbio leverage in the years ahead, Faurisson said, as it looks to capture a sizable share of the hydrogen mobility market. Michelin “Our ambition,” he said, “is to Continued from page 18 make hydrogen one of the con- gen fuel cell technology has poten- tributors of the future growth of tial to grow quickly in a transporta- IMPROVE PROCESSING the group, while a significant tion industry transitioning toward share of the group’s business will a zero-emissions future, according OF RECYCLED MATERIALS effectively be non-tire related in to Garcin. Michelin sees hydrogen 10 years’ time.” checking all of the necessary boxes McKinsey & Co., Faurisson noted, to move the industry toward elec- WITHOUT SACRIFICING estimates that the hydrogen value trification because it has the poten- chain could reach as much as $300 tial to increase range and signifi- QUALITY billion in the U.S. by 2030. And by cantly reduce charging time. that time, Michelin and Faurecia “Hydrogen is just wiping (long hope to have Symbio established as charging times) off the table,” FREE WEBINAR: June 30th I 11 am EDT I 10 am CDT a leader in the technology. Garcin said. “Especially when Symbio aims to sell 200,000 you think about medium- to fuel cell stacks per year by 2030, long-distance for cars and trucks, and achievement of that goal will this is a fantastic opportunity.” require Michelin and Faurecia to From a broader perspective, rely on their strengths. It also hydrogen technology also tran- SPEAKERS: means establishing relationships scends the automotive space, with traditional and non-tradi- Faurisson said, adding that its tional partners from OEMs to potential reaches into marine, fleet managers. railway, aviation, materials han- Meanwhile, Symbio is gearing dling and mining industries. up to grow its manufacturing As Michelin works toward and R&D footprint. This year the Ankur Kant Alexander Paasche shaping its vision for the compa- JV disclosed plans to build the ny and the future of mobility, it largest fuel cell factory in Eu- may take what seem to be Global Business Manager Global Business Development Manager rope. Set to be built in Saint- Evonik Evonik non-traditional paths with its in- Fons, France, the facility is ex- vestments and developments. pected to come online in 2023. Through it all, one thing is cer- ORGANIZED BY: Faurisson did not offer specif- tain: This 132-year-old company ics during his presentation, but has no plans of slowing down. he did note that Symbio also has “Everything is linked to mo- evon1K an eye on the growing automotive Leading Beyond Chemistry tion, to mobility and is linked to Rubber&Plastics News industry in China, and it plans tires,” Garcin said of Michelin’s to develop the technology in the momentum. “And, at the same country within the coming years. time, it is helping us to develop a Register now! rubbernews.com/webinar/Evonik There are several reasons hydro- business and bring new offers to See Michelin, page 19 the market.”

P001_P021_RPN_20210628.indd 18 6/24/21 6:34 PM www.rubbernews.com www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 19 Michelin prepared for electric vehicle revolution By Erin Pustay Beaven and what is in front of us.” Rubber & Plastics News Staff Globally, governments are backing the GREENVILLE, S.C.—Bring on the disrup- transition to lower-emissions vehicles with tion. Michelin is ready. regulations and infrastructure invest- The auto sector may be undergoing one ments. OEMs also are pouring financial of its biggest transformations ever as rap- resources into the development of EVs, idly emerging technologies push it toward with several pledging to discontinue sales connected, autonomous, shared and elec- of internal combustion engines within the tric vehicles. These shifts are forcing coming two decades. companies industrywide to innovate and Although it could be a while before sales find sustainable solu- of EVs actually eclipse the sales of ICE vehi- tions for a future that cles, it’s clear that the momentum is moving Michelin believes hydrogen fuel cells are a “strong lever” for clean mobility. isn’t quite defined. toward electrification. Michelin estimates But if there is one tire that by 2030, about half of all new vehicles great opportunity for developing maker that can embrace sold will have electric powertrains. a great mobility in the future.” the uncertain and make “If we look at EV’s share of total new car Michelin’s investment in hy- the transition to new sales,” Clark said, “we anticipate that nearly drogen mobility is more than two mobility with grace and quadrupling between 2020 and 2030.” Electric vehicles, with their weight, torque and regenerative braking, are hard on tires. Michelin, decades in the making and has fortitude, Scott Clark is Electrification, Clark noted, will be however, is up to the challenge of designing tires that meet the needs of EVs. culminated with Symbio, a joint certain that it’s Michelin. driven by a number of factors, including “Quite frankly, many extended range from more efficient, fast- said. “You have to take that force on the and can result in reducing interior noise venture with Faurecia S.E. Clark In the early 2000s, when the of those (CASE) trends er-charging batteries; the expansion of tire, while at the same time making sure by as much as 20 percent. concept of vehicle electrification leverage Michelin’s strengths and give us the charging infrastructure; and govern- it has the right grip, the right longevity. As the tire maker works to lessen vibra- was new, Michelin was focused an opportunity to generate value through mental regulations for fuel and emissions Obviously, it should stick to the road, but tions and noise from the tires, it’s also ex- on the development of green our leadership in technology,” Clark, Miche- standards. it should not stick too much because if you ploring ways to help electric vehicles technologies, Yves Faurisson, lin executive vice president of automotive, While it’s widely accepted that electric have a very, very strong force when the achieve their greatest range potential. global head of hydrogen activities motorsport, experiences and the Americas vehicles are easy on the environment, it’s tire is turning and hitting the road, you Range anxiety remains one of the big- for Michelin, said during the Regions, said during the tire maker’s recent also well-known that the vehicles—with need more energy to rotate it.” gest concerns for consumers thinking company’s Capital Day event, Capital Market Days. their weight, torque and regenerative This, Garcin said, is where Michelin’s about EV purchases. Building up the hosted virtually April 8. New automotive technologies change the braking—aren’t so easy on tires. decades of materials and technology de- charging infrastructure around those ve- “Michelin leaders already envi- game for tire makers, because they change “Electric vehicles are demanding on velopment shine. Building on all that ex- hicles will help, but tires have a part to sioned the age of zero-emission the expectations of and demands on the tires,” Clark said. “And if you look at the perience will help Michelin meet the de- play here as well. mobility, a concept largely devel- tires. Electrified powertrains, especially, performance characteristics required to mands of EVs without sacrificing range, For Michelin, this begins with tire com- oped during the Michelin Chal- call on tires to last longer and go farther. make an excellent EV tire, they fit very performance or safety. pounds, tread design and other engineer- lenge Bibendum/Movin’On events, And as it turns out, those are the expec- nicely with Michelin’s strengths and our The quiet ride of EVs present another ing properties. But it also involves the and they understood why and how tations Michelin has always put on its own technological leadership.” challenge to tire makers. Because there’s tire’s ability to self-heal. The company’s hydrogen could play a major role in tires. The expertise the tire maker has Electric vehicles are game changing for no drivetrain noise, tires become the pri- Selfseal technology is a cornerstone of transitioning away from fossil fostered in these areas, particularly in the the tire industry, in part because the mary source of noise in the cabin, the these efforts. fuel,” Faurisson said. last 20-30 years, position it to be a leader weight of the batteries rest heavy on the quiet accentuating each and every sound Selfseal is designed to curb flat tires by Since the JV was formalized in in the years ahead. tires and this leads to a reduction in the the tires create. sealing most punctures from common ob- 2019, Symbio has grown significant- “We are really in a defining moment,” tires’ wear life. EVs also have a good Michelin, already dedicated to creating jects such as nails and/or screws. It relies ly thanks to the combined expertise Alexis Garcin, Michelin North America amount of torque. When coupled with the quieter rides, is relying on developed on a natural rubber sealant material that of the two mobility companies. Inc. chairman and president, said later, weight of the battery packs, the two char- noise-canceling technology such as Miche- Michelin said has no impact on rolling re- Today, Symbio has more than during an exclusive interview with Rub- acteristics combine to reduce a tire’s wear lin Acoustic to help design tires for EVs for sistance, while maintaining all of the 2.5 million miles of on-road vehi- ber & Plastics News. “ … We are at a time life by about 20 percent, according to Clark. the years ahead. tire’s performance characteristics. cle experience and more than a where what we have been developing over “That electric vehicle is of a different Michelin Acoustic technology relies on a It’s just another reason both Clark and decade of combined technology the last decades—if not now a century—is nature than an ICE one. Because it is polyurethane foam applied to the inside of Garcin are certain that Michelin is poised testing and vehicle integration. coming to a point where it is extremely heavier, the torque is far greater and all of the tire. The foam dampens vibrations to meet just about every challenge the The expertise it has built will relevant for the environment we are in that puts pressure on the tire,” Garcin caused by contact with the road surface electric vehicle landscape presents. give Symbio leverage in the years ahead, Faurisson said, as it looks to capture a sizable share of the hydrogen mobility market. Michelin “Our ambition,” he said, “is to Continued from page 18 make hydrogen one of the con- gen fuel cell technology has poten- tributors of the future growth of tial to grow quickly in a transporta- the group, while a significant SUBMISSIONS tion industry transitioning toward share of the group’s business will a zero-emissions future, according effectively be non-tire related in to Garcin. Michelin sees hydrogen 10 years’ time.” checking all of the necessary boxes McKinsey & Co., Faurisson noted, to move the industry toward elec- estimates that the hydrogen value NOW OPEN trification because it has the poten- chain could reach as much as $300 tial to increase range and signifi- billion in the U.S. by 2030. And by cantly reduce charging time. that time, Michelin and Faurecia “Hydrogen is just wiping (long hope to have Symbio established as charging times) off the table,” a leader in the technology. Garcin said. “Especially when Symbio aims to sell 200,000 you think about medium- to fuel cell stacks per year by 2030, long-distance for cars and trucks, and achievement of that goal will this is a fantastic opportunity.” require Michelin and Faurecia to From a broader perspective, GET THE RECOGNITION rely on their strengths. It also hydrogen technology also tran- means establishing relationships scends the automotive space, 2021 with traditional and non-tradi- Faurisson said, adding that its tional partners from OEMs to potential reaches into marine, YOUR COMPANY fleet managers. railway, aviation, materials han- Meanwhile, Symbio is gearing dling and mining industries. up to grow its manufacturing As Michelin works toward Your Company and R&D footprint. This year the shaping its vision for the compa- DESERVES. HERE JV disclosed plans to build the ny and the future of mobility, it largest fuel cell factory in Eu- may take what seem to be rope. Set to be built in Saint- non-traditional paths with its in- Fons, France, the facility is ex- vestments and developments. pected to come online in 2023. Through it all, one thing is cer- Faurisson did not offer specif- tain: This 132-year-old company ics during his presentation, but has no plans of slowing down. he did note that Symbio also has “Everything is linked to mo- Submission Deadline: an eye on the growing automotive tion, to mobility and is linked to industry in China, and it plans tires,” Garcin said of Michelin’s to develop the technology in the momentum. “And, at the same July 23, 2021 country within the coming years. time, it is helping us to develop a There are several reasons hydro- business and bring new offers to rubbernews.com/bestplaces See Michelin, page 19 the market.”

P001_P021_RPN_20210628.indd 19 6/24/21 6:35 PM 20 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com Goodyear involved in migrant worker labor dispute By Jim Johnson dividual employment contracts entered into Rubber & Plastics News Staff by the company and each of the plaintiffs in SHAH ALAM, Malaysia—Goodyear finds the legal action governed compensation, not itself at the center of an ongoing labor the collective agreement reached for sepa- dispute regarding the company’s alleged rate unionized employees at the plant. treatment and payment of migrant work- But the Industrial Court ultimately ers employed in Malaysia. ruled the employees fall under the collec- It’s a situation where the Malaysia In- tive agreement despite their individual dustrial Court already has ruled against employment contracts. Goodyear twice, and the matter is receiv- “The complainants are not union mem- ing international attention thanks to a bers, however they still enjoy the benefits recent media report out of Malaysia. in the collective agreement (CA),” the rul- The Akron-based tire maker—through a ing states. joint venture called Goodyear Malaysia “The complainants are the workers, Bhd.—allegedly underpaid workers from which fall within the scope of the CA, as Nepal, India and Myanmar working at the such they are covered by the scope of CA company’s plant in Shah Alam, according and entitled to any of the benefits under to lawyer Chandra Segaran Rajandran, At issue in the complaint is $1.2 million in dues allegedly owed to migrant workers. the CA. My humble view is that it has who is handling the cases for the plaintiffs. been successfully established the fact that “Goodyear Malaysia Bhd. had been the recent judicial review involving Good- Court in Kuala Lumpur has sided with the complainants are the workers who fall short-changing the migrant workers in their year Malaysia Bhd., which are awaiting the the employees in two separate cases, within the scope of CA and entitled to the employment for more than 10 years. The decisions of the Industrial Court and judi- which are now under appeal. benefits under the CA.” company held to a position or interpretation cial review at the High Court. As the ques- The Shah Alam plant operated by Good- The workers were hired as production of the law which best suited their monetary tions posed are related to the pending litiga- year Malaysia Bhd. has been in business operators and builders, which are not interests,” Rajandran said in an email inter- tion, Goodyear cannot comment on them.” since 1972 and is 51 percent owned by listed as job classifications in a section view. “Goodyear should now come clean, ad- A total of 140 people are covered under Goodyear and 49 percent owned by Per- of the labor agreement. They also are mit their mistakes and immediately pay the two cases already determined by the In- modalan Nasional Bhd., according to Ma- excluded from managerial, executive, migrant workers their dues.” dustrial Court, but appealed by Goodyear. laysian court records. Permodalan Nasi- confidential and security capacities, the Goodyear offered a statement in re- Another 65 are included in a third case onal Bhd. is a fund established by the court stated. sponse to the complaint. that still is under consideration in Indus- Malaysian government that’s open to “In this situation, the complainants can- “Goodyear has strong policies and prac- trial Court, according to information pro- public investment. not be in the middle (gray area), either they tices relating to and protecting human vided by the lawyer. A complaint was filed in July 2019 by are within the scope or outside the scope,” rights, including our Human Rights Poli- Workers allegedly have been short- 119 workers alleging Goodyear Malaysia the Industrial Court ruled. cy. We take seriously any allegations of changed by about $1.2 million, Rajandran Bhd. did not comply with a collective labor “This is a wakeup call to all employers improper behavior relating to our associ- told Reuters. agreement from 2016 to 2019. At issue in Malaysia who have engaged migrant ates, operations and supply chain,” the At issue is whether the workers were were shift allowance, annual bonus and workers to re-look at their employment company said. eligible for higher pay because they were wages/salaries. practices. Treat migrant workers fairly,” “Goodyear is aware of the lawsuits and of not part of a labor union. The Industrial Goodyear Malaysia Bhd. claimed that in- Rajandran said.

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P020_RPN_20210628.indd 20 6/24/21 6:00 PM www.rubbernews.com Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 21 Australia and South America, as struction now, but we have the well as in the U.S. in Georgia, technology to apply that to other Semperit New Jersey and Nevada. industries,” Coughlin said of the Semperit began in 1824 in Newnan site. 3D printing company Continued from page 1 Austria, when its founder was Sempertrans and Sempermed, rector of the Americas, who was in granted a concession to produce for transportation and medical buys Adaptive3D Scottsdale, Ariz., for the NAHAD waterproof clothing from woolen elastomer applications, as well as Annual Convention for hose manu- fabrics. Its Wimpassing plant Semperflex for hydraulic and in- By Sarah Houlton company’s core technology was facturers and distributors. “We there houses the Semperform seg- dustrial hoses—products that Urethanes Technology International developed with DARPA funding. have a decent presence in North ment, which produces filter mem- were on display at NAHAD— BOSTON—Printed elastomer “We are thrilled to partner America, but this will really estab- branes, sleeper pads for rail sys- round out the overall Semperit specialist Adaptive3D has been with Desktop Metal to enable lish us here. The goal is to grow tems and other molded products. business segments. acquired by 3D printing compa- additive manufacturing through the Americas region … not to take On the industrial side, the seal Besides seals, conveyance and ny Desktop Metal, which will our differentiated materials,” away from Europe, but thus far we division is based in Vienna, while the other aforementioned prod- expand the material range said Walter Voit, founder and have been relatively small here. We Semperit Industrial Products ucts, the publicly held Semperit available for its printers. CEO of Adaptive3D. “This ac- can now offer a whole array of N.A. is based in Fair Lawn, N.J. A.G. develops, produces and sells Plano, Texas-based Adap- quisition extends our already products here.” Semperit maintains other, small- cable car rings, pressure wash- tive3D manufactures elastomers strong partnership with Envi- The Coweta County building er facilities in Georgia (besides ing hoses, products for railway for additive manufacturing. The sionTEC, enabling us to acceler- will employ about 70 people, the new facility, a conveyance superstructures, and examina- products are compatible with ate our growth into the $129 Coughlin said, with room for ex- plant), New Jersey and Nevada, tion and surgical gloves that are high-throughput manufacturing, billion elastomer and flexible pansion. The company already is with the latter two locations pro- sold in more than 100 countries. and are used in consumer, health foams market just waiting for hiring on the operational side, as cessing hand rails for escalators Semperit employs about 7,000 care, industrial, transportation, high-volume, additive manufac- well as for customer service, and other applications. people with 14 manufacturing and oil & gas applications. The turing elastomer capabilities.” marketing, finance and supply “We are mainly focused on con- facilities worldwide. chain management positions, and is converting a portion of the facility for its office space. The notion of manufacturing product where its customers exist is not lost on Semperit management, and the centralized Georgia location meets that need. “Customer intimacy is one of Semperit’s strategic guiding principles,” said Martin Fuellenbach, CEO of Semperit A.G. Holding. “With our commitment and investments in a market-oriented approach, stronger focus on applications, and faster product development, we want to drive growth in North and South America.” Who needs data? Your business! And the Newnan facility is committed to sustainability and renewable energy, Coughlin said. According to Semperit, the company looks to remain in step Check out the RUBBER & PLASTICS News’ Data Store for scores of with its environmental objectives, waste reduction and lower energy consumption, as the new U.S. rankings AND LISTS THAT CAN HELP YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS TODAY plant will be powered 100 percent by renewable energy sources. With the massive infrastructure plan being considered by U.S. leg- FEATURING: islators, Semperit is banking on the North American construction The Book: This business resource is an essential sector, which is expected to spend around $212 trillion by 2030. reference guide as well as the ultimate business “We have seen substantial development and lead generation tool. The Book is growth in the Americas in recent your one stop resource for the latest and most years, and we are convinced that our strengthened regional focus, sought after news in the rubber industry. plus the establishment of the U.S. headquarters, in combination North American Rubber Rankings: with a new production site, will strongly support in meeting our Annual Spreadsheet of the Top 50 North American increased customer requirements while allowing us to service cus- rubber product manufacturers tomers faster and more efficiently,” Coughlin said. “The new Global non-tire Top 50 headquarters and manufacturing footprint will also allow for im- North American Top-50

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P001_P021_RPN_20210628.indd 21 6/24/21 6:36 PM 22 Rubber & Plastics News • June 28, 2021 www.rubbernews.com Pitstick: EVs present challenges along with opportunity By Andrew Schunk Rubber & Plastics News Staff DENVER—The ultimate success of the electric vehicle revolution bodes well for the environment, consumers, and both OEM and aftermarket suppliers, but getting there presents a complex set of issues and challenges that will not be met overnight. Tom Pitstick, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of strategic planning for Gates Corp., said the EV arena faces a number of headwinds, from vehicle and infrastructure costs, to OEM research and development costs, to range anxiety and battery concerns. And there are raw material challenges as the sustainability of manganese, cobalt, nickel and lithium will play a major role, Auto makers are ramping up their electric vehicle offerings, bringing hundreds of new models to the market in the years ahead. Tom Pitstick, a senior vice since a finite amount of these president with Gates Corp., said the slowdowns and lockdowns of 2020 also may have helped to propel the EV industry forward. materials exists. “The ramp-up in raw materi- “Whether you buy an EV to- new transformer,” he said. said. “There will be many, many The consumer will not be spend- als required for the EV industry day or wait awhile, it is a com- Level 1 charging stations will more options moving forward.” ing money on fuel, but rather on is going to create some really plex calculus for the consumer,” require 120 volts; Level 2 Automotive production is ex- electricity. dramatic shifts in these indus- Pitstick said from his home of- charging stations will require pected to reach a threshold of “EVs are approaching incen- tries,” Pitstick said June 3 fice in Denver. “I am going between 200 and 240 volts; and about 15 percent in EVs by 2030, tive-free cost parity. The mainte- during a talk on the impact of through it right now. But it’s not Level 3 charging stations, which perhaps 40 percent by 2050, Pit- nance angle will be there, but electrification in the automotive a question of if, but when, I will will provide a 100-mile or longer stick said, citing a study by IHS perhaps less so for an EV than industry at the virtual Rubber in have an EV.” range, will require more than Markit. That ratio was only 3 an ICE. By 2025 or 2026, cost Automotive Conference, orga- And utility companies and that. percent globally in 2020, with parity should be achieved. We nized by Rubber and Plastics the U.S. at 2 percent of EVs com- are not too far off from this News. “There are a number of prising the automotive produc- break-even point.” headwinds facing these markets “We are making pretty good tion market. There also is the question of and these transitions. This is a “We are relatively early in this whether raw material supply can complex topic and so much progress on the charging transition, but if we look at be ramped up as demand for cer- change is going on right now.” station front—I’m not too OEMs, there is just tons of devel- tain elements required by EVs But there are tailwinds as opment in these platforms,” Pit- skyrockets between now and well, industry shifts that will worried there, as there is stick said. 2030. propel an EV-dominant society As for vehicles in actual opera- There may be grams of cobalt, forward. These include EV avail- enough government discussion tion, the forecast is even lower. nickel, manganese or lithium in ability, the regulatory environ- to know this will occur.” With about 1.4 billion vehicles on a smart phone, but those ment, incentives and sustain- Pitstick roadways worldwide in 2020, less amounts are scaled up exponen- ability trends. than 1 percent were EVs. tially in an EV, on the order of EV adoption will be driven by their respective electrical grids EVs generally have a lower IHS Markit suggested that could 10-20 pounds. vehicle economics and the avail- will need to address the coming impact on the environment than reach 5 percent by 2030 and 20 “EVs will become the dominant ability of charging stations, as revolution. ICEs or hybrids, but this depends percent by 2050. destination for these critical raw well as by consumer behavior— “We are making pretty good on where in the western world “There is a lot going on and a materials,” Pitstick said. “Lithi- which, in turn, will be influenced progress on the charging station one is looking. lot accelerating these markets, um is projected to go from a by incentives to purchase an EV. front—I’m not too worried there, Energy consumption in the U.S., but the reality is the consumer 2,000-year supply to 109 years by “There is a lot of pressure, and as there is enough government predominantly petroleum-driven has some time to figure this out,” 2030. And there is only 40 years this will not be all smooth sail- discussion to know this will oc- in its current state, sees trans- Pitstick said. of cobalt left on the planet unless ing,” he said. “But California has cur,” Pitstick said. “You may have portation as—by far—the largest So what does this mean for we figure out something else.” announced a complete transition to wait an hour for 100 miles of piece of the pie. And the vast suppliers? And with 60 percent of cobalt to these vehicles by 2030, with range, but the infrastructure majority of that consumption is Engine powertrain components, coming from the Congo, geopolit- other states to follow by 2035. will be there.” wasted, Pitstick said, as 75 per- mounts and seals are expected to ical issues will become major France has the largest EV incen- He noted that there are about cent of the energy is turned into take a major hit in demand, as hurdles with the onset of EVs. tives in the world—they are real- 140,000 gas stations and about heat and greenhouse gases, are engine hoses such as fuel, “Lithium itself could become ly injecting a lot of government 40,000 charging stations, with a while only about 25 percent is turbocharger and emissions-re- the next ‘peak oil,’ ” Pitstick said. support into these things, as are $50 billion target investment to used to move a vehicle. lated hoses. “But the key takeaway is that we other governments and domestic reach the full, necessary EV in- “The more utilities that can Seals for doors and windows, do have time. There is a huge OEMs.” frastructure. de-carbonize their (electricity) anti-vibration dampening equip- amount of momentum behind In this shifting regulatory en- But what about the grids to generation assets, the greener ment and other types of hose, this transition. If you haven’t vironment, Pitstick noted there is support these charging stations? the shift to EVs will be,” he said. such as those used in air condi- figured it out yet, you have not universal support for EVs, from What happens if everyone on a Pitstick noted that one in five tioning, power steering and cool- missed the boat.” the U.S., to Europe and Asia, city block plugs in their EV to Californians reverted to a tradi- ant transmission, should see no With all of the noise and though there are varying levels of charge, and turns on their air tional internal combustion en- real sway in demand with the hype—the notion that half the support. The U.S. tends to shift conditioners at the same time? gine vehicle due to frustration onset of EVs. world is in trouble while the oth- from state-to-state with its poli- “Significant investment in from a lack of charging sta- Suppliers who can expect to er half will get rich—the need for cies, rather than maintaining a utility grids will be required,” tions—or the need for a new, ex- see a surge in demand include a supplier to evaluate how they uniform domestic agenda. Pitstick said. “Do we have enough pensive breaker panel in their those who produce thermal man- fit into this burgeoning industry “Japan has doubled its incen- generation capacity for this homes. agement materials, such as mod- is critical, Pitstick said. tives,” he said. “Generally speak- amount of electricity? And if we “When they realized they need- ular coolant hoses and electric “I encourage you to rent an ing, every region of the world is generate it, can we get it to places ed a Level 2 charger, this became water pumps. EV, drive it around, put it on a putting regulatory might behind where people want to charge a much more complicated equa- “The coolant system is much jack and look at it—this will this industry.” their vehicle?” tion than they initially anticipat- more distributed across the EV help you understand the appli- He estimated that a model ed,” Pitstick said. platform,” Pitstick said. “Both cations and move the ball down Utility companies at the utility with between 2 million rubber elastomer hoses and ther- the field as well,” he said. “De- fore of EV challenges and 3 million customers would Impact on suppliers moplastic hoses likely will be re- spite the hype, there is time to Pitstick, who came to Gates need somewhere between $1,700 OEMs are investing ridiculous quired.” adapt. We have decades of run- from the electrical sector of Ea- and $5,800 in grid upgrades per amounts of money into EV plat- As battery costs—particularly way to participate here as a ton Corp., also led business de- EV—and 40 million EVs means forms, Pitstick said. those for lithium-ion batteries supply base. And it’s not all velopment efforts at Cooper $200 billion in utility upgrades, “Every time you turn around, used in EVs—accelerate toward about cars—we are seeing elec- Power Systems and ran the he said, citing a study by the there is another investment,” he $100 per kilowatt-hour, the play- trification everywhere, from Smart Grid Business Unit prior Boston Consulting Group. said. ing field should be leveled against skateboards to motorcycles to to the merger with Eaton. “I looked at a typical block in There are about 70 known EV ICE platforms in cost parity. buses. Pretty much anything He noted that the year the Denver, like my block, which has platforms coming onto the mar- “The target is the $100 mark— with wheels has electrification world spent in lockdown may 23 houses on the transformer. If ket from OEMs in the next few this is where it approaches cost in play. have allowed some of these nec- six homes plug in EVs at the years, he said. parity with ICE vehicles,” he “You just need to look for op- essary innovations in the EV in- same time, there is a decent “And you don’t need to buy a said. “There will be trade-offs, as portunities as we make this dustry to coalesce. chance we are going to need a (Tesla) Model S any longer,” he upfront costs might be higher. transition.”

P022_RPN_20210628.indd 22 6/24/21 6:23 PM Keynote Speakers

Roxanna Bauza-Petrovic General Director of Programs International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers

Tom Marsh Managing Director - Global Latex Operations Pioneer Worldwide

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