Top 10 of 2017: DowDuPont completes merger

There's always something new and exciting going on in the rubber industry, and 2017 was no exception.

The year saw many more acquisitions, disputes and breakthroughs, not to mention industry-wide trends affecting manufacturers worldwide.

It's easy to lose track of what transpired, so RPN is here to help. We've compiled what the editorial staff saw as the 10 biggest stories in the industry. In addition, we've put together a recap to some of the other major events that had a broad impact in a variety of industry sectors.

We started our countdown with Judit Puskas, whose career was celebrated this year when she became the first female recipient of the ACS Rubber Division's Charles Goodyear Medal, and continued with a look at the slow rebound of the oil and gas industry. Today, we examine a merger heard 'round the world.

8. DowDuPont completes merger

It took about 20 months, but chemical giants Dow and DuPont finally became one.

DowDuPont began trading on the New York Stock Exchange as of Sept. 1, the day the merger officially closed. The newfound company has been busy readying itself to split into three separately focused companies—agriculture, specialty products and material science.

The firm disclosed plans to move several businesses from its materials science division to its specialty products division, including several silicone-based units aligned with applications in industrial LED, semiconductors and medical among others. Also moving are DuPont's performance polymers, Dow's microbial control, Dow's pharma and food solutions, Dow's water and process solutions, Dow's building solutions and Dow's automotive systems' adhesives and fluids units.