In this webinar, Polymer Solutions Group will demonstrate how SureMix®, a patented line of functional process aids, is helping formulators set new benchmarks for tire performance by optimizing cure rates, improving filler microdispersion, and reducing rolling resistance.

Rubber industry companies are faced with unprecedented disruptions. Take, for instance, the transition to a new mobility space—one that relies on electric, autonomous, shared and connected vehicles—that is changing the game for a number of companies.

And that’s just the start.

There’s also the COVID-19-induced supply chain hiccups that have pushed companies to diversify suppliers and materials, while bringing the supply chain closer to home whenever possible. Meanwhile, new expectations from customers and consumers are forcing companies to rethink their operations and offerings, especially when it comes to technology and sustainability.

During the next Rubber News Live event at 2 p.m. ET Nov. 17, Managing Editor Erin Pustay Beaven and Reporter Andrew Schunk will talk with companies about how they are meeting the challenges before them as they work to identify and implement sustainable solutions that will propel them toward greener futures and stronger businesses.

Starting this November, Rubber News will join with Plastics News’ long-running conference for women in the manufacturing sector and open its doors to female professionals in the rubber industry. This year’s theme is “Finding Your Voice” and we’ll help you accomplish that through sessions focused on navigating the workplace, using soft skills to grow relationships, and even in-depth breakout tracks that will help both male and female professionals find additional success.

Scientists are the literal lifeblood of new product development and innovation, but they often spend much of their time simply pulling together data to conduct analysis in hopes of key learnings. The biggest lever that R&D leaders have today is to implement tools that make this learning process faster and easier, through better data tools. This webinar will be a discussion of the kinds of existing tools in the market, and how modern software solutions compare. Particular emphasis will be placed on how recipe, process, and analysis data can be connected together in one unified workstream for scientists to better understand their products.

There is need for a simpler approach to measure viscoelastic tire performance predictors for tread compounds that is quick and easy to automate. Standard dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) involves time-consuming sample preparation and requires specialized operators which limits its use to R&D environments. New Sub-Zero technology provides faster testing using one instrument, test method, and sample for pre and post cure testing.

Rubber News Editor Bruce Meyer and Online Content Editor Sam Cottrill will discuss happenings from the International Elastomer Conference in Knoxville, Tenn., the Rubber Division’s flagship event of the year. They will be joined by panelists Lakisha Miller-Barclay, executive director and CEO of the Rubber Division, and James Eddy, chair this year of the technical association. The RN Live event will touch on what the “hot topics” were at the IEC, what was new on the exhibit floor and how the Rubber Division plans have progressed throughout 2022.

The extrusion of rubber compounds is often a multistep process including mixing, milling, extrusion and curing. This adds complexity to the job of a formulator trying to optimize formulations and processing conditions. Large scale process changes can first be replicated on a laboratory-scale to do so in a timely and cost-effective way. This webinar explores the effect of intermeshing and tangential lab scale mixers on the evaluation and properties of rubber formulations. We will then demonstrate how to fine tune rubber processing parameters and carbon black fill rates on the lab scale. ASTM D2230 will be used to assess processability.

It’s time to retire manual efforts because mobile automation is paving the way! Join one the leading experts in the tire production industry for this livestream where we will cover everything you need to know about the role mobile automation has in tire manufacturing, and how production and logistics are merging. From localization to navigation to safe docking, mobile robots will streamline your operations. Take your tire manufacturing from zero to sixty in 3.5 with mobile automation!

Join belting industry leaders representing member companies from around the globe to build connections, exchange ideas and have fun! Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? Contact Amanda Stimart at [email protected]

The International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC) is the largest tire manufacturing trade show and conference in North America. The show returns to the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio, on September 13 – 15, 2022. ITEC combines world class exhibitors with an exceptional technical conference program.

The 41st Annual Tire Society Meeting and Conference on Tire Science and Technology will return to an in-person event in 2022, will full day sessions on September 12th and 13th, 2022.  The conference will be held once again on the campus of the University of Akron where it was located from the first conference in 1982 through 1997. The conference will be held in the same week as Rubber News’ International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC), which is the largest tire manufacturing trade show in North America, making “Tire Week in Akron” a can’t-miss event for anyone travelling from outside of Northeast Ohio.

The Tire Mechanics Short Course is a five-day educational and developmental course that provides engineers and scientists with an in-depth, intense study of developments surrounding tire engineering. The course is designed for practicing engineers, chemists and scientists concerned with tires and vehicles, and those who have an engineering or science background at the bachelor of science level. The course will be held concurrently with Rubber News' International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC), also at the John S. Knight Center. The Tire Mechanics Short Course requires a separate registration. Those who complete this course will receive a certificate from the University of Akron.

Rubber News Editor Bruce Meyer and Tire Business Special Projects Editor Bruce Davis will co-host a Livestream webcast highlighting the 2022 Global Tire Report. They will be joined by three industry experts to examine how the tire industry leaders shaped up this past year; what current market conditions are; and what to look for the rest of 2022 and entering 2023.

Using real world case studies as the basis for this 45-minute presentation, Chem-Trend’s Industry Technical Manager, Joe Deering will outline key considerations for rubber manufacturers looking to extract greater value from their molding operation. Incorporating advanced application techniques and monitoring devices alongside a properly selected release agent has proven to drive gains in customer efficiency and sustainability while reducing operational waste and downtime. Join the session to ask your questions live.

There are number of challenges that keep rubber industry executives up at night, but supply chain chaos is almost certain to be among them. And 2022—like the previous two years—is shaping up to be a difficult one for those looking to ship products and secure materials.    

At 2 p.m. EDT on June 15, Rubber News Managing Editor Erin Pustay Beaven and Reporter Sam Cottrill will be joined by a panel of industry experts who will help break down shipping and logistics challenges and sort through what to expect in the months ahead.