INTERNATIONAL

Michelin debuts new high-performance adhesive

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France—After more than nine years of research and development, Michelin is launching a new high-performance resin adhesive designed for bonding textiles.

AUTOMOTIVE

Freudenberg to consider IPO for Vibracoustic

DARMSTADT, Germany—Vibracoustic's parent company could take the company public in 2019.

CUSTOM MIXING

Chinese compounder invests $15 million in U.S. site

LIYANG, China—Chinese thermoplastic elastomer maker Top Polymer is investing $15 million in a factory near Atlanta, its first outside China, as it makes a bigger push into the U.S. market.

ACQUISITIONS

Polymer Solutions acquires Phoenix Chemical

CALHOUN, Ga.—Polymer Solutions Group acquired Phoenix Chemical in February as part of an effort to strengthen its position in the soft floor market and to broaden the reach of its product line.

AUTOMOTIVE

Tooling strong, but payment times slow down

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—Automotive tooling demand looked strong through the first quarter of 2018, although payment times are getting longer, according to the Q1 Tooling Barometer, published by Harbour Results and the Original Equipment Suppliers ...

MANUFACTURING

Hoosier Racing Tire venturing into motocross tires

LAKEVILLE, Ind.—Hoosier Racing Tire is adding a line of motocross tires to its product portfolio.

BELTING

ContiTech exploring 'leasing' business model for conveyor belts

HANOVER, Germany—ContiTech is working on a new business model whereby clients lease conveyor belts instead of buying them.

ACQUISITIONS

A. Schulman sets June meeting to vote on merger

FAIRLAWN, Ohio—A. Schulman has set June 14 as the date for a special meeting for shareholders to vote on a merger agreement with global plastics, chemicals and refining company LyondellBasell.

INTERNATIONAL

Mahr signs cooperation agreement with NanoFocus

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Mahr and NanoFocus have signed a cooperation agreement in which Mahr will offer confocal microscopes from NanoFocus as the new Mahr product family MarSurf CM beginning in May.

INTERNATIONAL

New Products: Staubli focusing on saving time with quick mold changes

DUNCAN, S.C.—Staubli says it is pioneering automation systems to help injection molders move toward an Industry 4.0 workflow, and will show advances that allow faster and safer mold changes at NPE2018.

EXPANSIONS

Cabot expands specialty compounds business

BOSTON—Cabot has completed two expansion projects that will extend its global footprint in black masterbatch and compounds, and increase manufacturing capacity in advanced polymeric materials.