FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and the Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V. have gained a patent for a process to produce silane, hydrophobated silica, silica masterbatch and rubber products.
The companies use the process to produce a silica masterbatch with a broader processing window to enhance manufacturing efficiencies for the end user.
The process is the result of close collaboration between the two companies under a long-term joint development agreement, the companies said.
"Collaborative efforts between manufacturing companies like Cooper and key suppliers like INSA can lead to the development of breakthrough technology," said Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global research and development for Cooper. "We expect the relationship between Cooper and INSA to ultimately benefit both companies and the industry as a whole."
"We have continuously invested in new technologies for our synthetic rubber business for many years," said
Felipe Varela Hernandez, general director of Industrias Negromex, a unit of Grupo Kuo, said the firm's opportunity to co-develop technology with a long-time customer "could have a big impact on the tire business in the future as we focus together on breakthrough technologies."