WADSWORTH, Ohio—After more than a year of work, Goldsmith & Eggleton L.L.C. has opened a refurbished carbon black masterbatch mixing plant that offers improved process flow and a reduced handling of raw materials.
The enhancements were completed March 14.
"We have always been dedicated to servicing the rubber industry and supporting growth within this dynamic marketplace," said Rob Eggleton, business manager of Goldsmith & Eggleton. "These improvements will allow us to continue to produce high-quality rubber masterbatch products while maintaining a clean and safe working environment for our employees."
Specifically, the improvements include the addition of a new internal mixer, automation of the material feed line, better air filtration and improved PLC-controlled weigh-up systems.
Together, these enhancements reduce the need to handle as much carbon black and rubber; offer safer ergonomics for employees; and increase batch-to-batch consistency.
In addition, the new mixer offers a "measurable increase in throughput, allowing G&E to continue offering growth opportunities within its current customer base as well as expanded opportunities for new customers."
According to Eggleton, the improvements are part of G&E's longer-term strategy that focuses on "innovative polymer solutions," sustainability and a circular economy.
In 2023, G&E achieved the QA-CER system 2 certification.
"To achieve QA-CER status, all plant functions, manufacturing, technical, sales, management and raw material procurement were audited for meeting sustainability metrics and the support of a circular economy," Eggleton said. "Complying with the sustainability metrics allows us to certify the products we bring to market are 100-percent recycled rubber. The certification validates that our recycled products will satisfy our customer's commitment to meeting their sustainability goals."
HB Chemical Corp., based in nearby Twinsburg, Ohio, is the exclusive distributor of Goldsmith & Eggleton Ravaflex polymers and masterbatches.
G&E and HB Chemical are Ravago companies. HB Chemical absorbed G&E last February, bringing reprocessed rubber manufacturing and chemical distribution services under one roof.