Bridgestone to raise prices in Japanese aftermarket
TOKYO-Citing sharp increases in raw materials costs, Bridgestone Corp. will raise prices June 1 for tires, tubes and flaps sold in the Japanese replacement market.
The increases will average 5 percent for passenger and light truck tires and 6 percent for truck and bus tires. Prices for other kinds of tires, tubes and flaps will rise 5 to 6 percent, Bridgestone said.
The tire maker said it has tried to offset rising raw material expenses through productivity and cost-saving actions, but the hikes proved too large and persistent to be absorbed. Two months ago the company announced similar increases in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa and Russia.
Yokohama to add sealing plant in China
TOKYO-Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. will build a plant in Hangzhou City, China, this year for its Hamatite automotive window sealants business.
Yokohama will spend $1.5 million to build the factory on a site adjoining its Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co. Ltd. joint venture tire operation. Phase I startup capacity will be 1,000 metric tons per year. The company has budgeted $2.2 million for a Phase II doubling of capacity within three years.
The factory, to be operated by Yokohama Hamatite (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., will be the firm's fourth for the Hamatite sealing product line, Yokohama said. The others are in Japan, Thailand and the U.S.
Up to now, Yokohama exported products from Japan to supply car assembly operations in China.
ISP to hike SBR capacity at Texas factory
WAYNE, N.J.-International Specialty Products Inc. said it will boost production capacity of hot polymerized emulsion SBR at its Port Neches, Texas, plant by 50 percent, after completely restoring the facility's hot polymer capability.
ISP also has made substantial capital investments to raise the level of "manufacturing excellence, improve both hot and cold emulsion product quality, increase product standards and ensure a cost-competitive position for the long-term viability of the business," said Mel Martin, ISP Elastomers general manager.
ISP said it is actively marketing the synthetic rubber through a worldwide sales and marketing operation. The specialty chemicals and minerals producer bought the former Ameripol Synpol facility and related assets in August.