Elastomer suppliers create E-marketplace

WILMINGTON, Del. (April 12)—Several leading suppliers will create a global Web-based marketplace, www.ElastomerSolutions.com, devoted exclusively to the elastomers and associated products industry. The site will be launched in the third quarter. The marketplace will link rubber processors; materials, ingredient and equipment suppliers; service providers and other companies. Companies who signed the letter of intent to form the alliance include Bayer, CK Witco Corp., DSM Elastomers, DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C., Flexsys, M.A. Hanna Rubber Compounding, and Zeon Chemicals L.P. ElastomerSolutions.com will improve the efficiency of existing channels and business processes while incorporating the speed of electronic commerce, an alliance spokeswoman said. The global market for elastomers and associated products is estimated at about $40 billion, she said.