The ACS Rubber Division’s International Elastomer Conference is among the industry’s premier events for a reason.

It brings together all facets of the industry for learning, growing, networking and sharing.

During a special livestream on Oct. 1, Rubber Division leaders will sit down with Rubber News team members to talk about the changes, successes and highlights that defined the 2024 IEC. The hour-long program begins at 2 p.m.

Join us in Schaumburg, on October 1-2, 2024 for the Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference!

A summary of technologies leading to improved passenger tires over the past 25 years, with a focus on increasing road grip/safety while maintaining other important factors, including processability.

Primary Topics:

• Presents a step-by-step formulation process to develop passenger treads with maximum levels of road grip.
• Discusses the evolution of key out-of-the-box technologies which went beyond the conventional wisdom of the grip-RR-wear triangle.
• The effect of rubber-resin compatibility is explored and discussed in terms of dynamic behavior and tire tread performance.

The Tire Society is pleased to announce the 43rd Annual Conference, to be held September 11th through the 13th, 2024, at the University of Akron, Ohio.  This year’s conference theme is “Beyond the Surface – Models, Materials, and Manufacturing”.  The Conference is historically the premier technical event covering tire science and technology and will include a Keynote Address from a Tire Industry Top executive, a Plenary Lecture, Banquet Speaker, and a wide array of more than 20 interesting and significant original works by top tire technologists.  The Conference was expanded from 2 to 2 ½ days, based on positive feedback from last year’s attendees, to allow more time to interact at the student poster session and sponsor exhibits.

Achieving the biggest 2050 sustainability aims will take an all-encompassing rubber industry approach.

Through material innovations and alternative research, more energy efficient machinery and operations, and the kind of know-how required to scale up without sacrificing safety or performance—all while taking environmental risk into the equation—the rubber industry has its opportunities moving forward.

During an hour-long livestream event beginning at 2 p.m. Aug. 22, Rubber News Reporter Andrew Schunk and Editor Bruce Meyer will talk with experts about what it takes to turn big ideas into a more sustainable reality.

Women don’t just strive for leadership positions across the rubber industry, they belong in leadership positions. Just like anyone else. And it takes strong leaders to guide the next generation of women in the industry. Leaders who, after breaking through glass ceilings of their own while climbing the corporate ladder, don’t pull the ladder up with them and let the shards fall to those who follow.

During an hour-long livestream, set for 2 p.m. July 24, Rubber News Online Content Editor Sam Cottrill and Managing Editor Erin Pustay Beaven will talk with women across the industry about the importance of strong leadership, both in the workplace and for laying the foundation of success for future generations.

Amidst the tire industry's pursuit of novel compounds to meet evolving demands for enhanced fuel efficiency and traction, this study explores SureMix® functional process aid combined with blocked mercapto-silane and high performance silanization (HPS). Manufacturers, grappling with challenging raw materials, can benefit from SureMix® to improve processability while addressing concerns about compromised tire wear performance. This innovative approach holds promise for simultaneously enhancing processing efficiency and tire performance, particularly crucial with the rising prevalence of electric vehicles in today's automotive landscape. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of SureMix® in driving silica microdispersion, offering a compelling solution for optimizing tire compounds.

OEM’s, rubber part manufacturers and raw materials suppliers all think about durability – how long a product will last – differently. This panel discussion will be a unique opportunity to hear from representatives across the supply chain providing unique insights into the contemporary and future challenges for ensuring the best durability for our products. The discussion will include: How durability requirements will change in the near future; challenges to meet durability requirements together with sustainability goals; the move toward more modelling, simulation and zero prototypes; and the role of machine learning and AI in future materials, component and vehicle development.

North American drivers know exactly what they want from their tires: Everything.

They want more sustainable tires with optimal all-weather performance, excellent fuel economy/range and a long tread life—all for a value price. It’s a tall task, but it’s one that tire makers are up to. It’s a challenge they’re meeting again and again.

During a special livestream set for 2 p.m. June 6, Rubber News Managing Editor Erin Pustay Beaven and Editor Bruce Meyer will talk with tire makers about changing expectations of North American drivers and how they’re designing tires that meet those expectations.

The 16th edition of ITEC will take place May 14-16, 2024 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio.

Organized by Rubber News, the International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC) is the largest tire manufacturing trade show and conference in North America. It is dedicated exclusively to tire makers and those that serve the industry.

Solvent-based adhesives and primers have been used for rubber bonding for their robustness and reliability in harsh applications, but as companies move towards sustainability, water-based products will play an increasing role in the industry. The EHS and regulatory benefits are clear, but a common limiting factor to implement water-based products is cost. This webinar will introduce the topic of the Applied Cost of Parker Lord’s Aqueous Chemlok® and will help to quantify the potential benefits of implementing water-based solutions.

For the automotive industry, there is great promise in 2024.

In many ways, it is returning to a pre-pandemic kind of normal, especially when it comes to manufacturing and sales.

The new normal that is settling in brings with it new expectations and uncertainties.

During a special livestream event, set for 2 p.m. Feb. 22, Rubber News Managing Editor Erin Pustay Beaven and Online Content Editor Sam Cottrill will talk with industry experts as they examine what lies ahead in 2024 as well as reflect on the trends and events that shape 2023.

The FT-Rheology via Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) is one of the most sensitive test methods to characterize non-linear response of viscoelastic materials in a shear/viscometric flow and probably the best way to quantify the level of Long Chain Branching (LCB) in polymers.

This webinar will outline the FT Rheology LAOS test method and how to use it with a Rubber Process Analyzer. We’ll provide you with case studies that help you to better understand the data and results from the LAOS method.

The next Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum will be held at the Hilton Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 13-14, 2023. The event features a full schedule of presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions and numerous networking opportunities over two days.

Join us in Scottsdale and find out why female professionals find this event one that can’t be missed!

Are you ready for the next level of innovation in tire manufacturing? The tire industry is on the fast track to meet evolving demands for improved fuel economy, tire life, and traction. In the quest for superior performance, some have turned to low-reactive silanes to overcome production challenges. While this approach may enhance processability, it traditionally comes at the expense of tire life, a compromise that is becoming increasingly critical, especially with the rise of electric vehicles.

But what if a novel approach could enhance compound processability while preserving essential performance properties? Enter SureMix® functional process aids in conjunction with high-performance silanization (HPS). SureMix® USDA Certified Biobased Products have a proven track record of improving processability while retaining or enhancing tire performance by optimizing silica microdispersion and hydrophobation.

In this webinar, our experts will unveil how the innovative application of SureMix® and HPS can revolutionize your tire manufacturing process. We will show you how to improve processability without compromising on crucial performance attributes while staying ahead of industry challenges.

Join us for an enlightening session that explores the future of tire manufacturing and arms you with the knowledge to elevate your products’ performance to new heights. Your journey to uncompromised formulations starts here!