Defining 2023: The biggest headlines

Every year has its headlines—those that sit above stories that have come to define it. And 2023 is no different.

This year was defined by litigation, investigation and innovation, particularly around PFAS and 6ppd-quinone. Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers Union took on the Detroit 3 in a standoff that left many smaller industry suppliers reeling in the wake of a 40-plus-day strike.

Sustainability—specifically in carbon black space—made headlines again this year as tire makers, tire recyclers and carbon black makers collaborated, innovated and expanded their sustainability strides.

Then, of course, there was Goodyear, the tire maker that had quite a year of its own.

In the weeks ahead, we take exploratory looks at all those topics with detailed recaps and analysis.

In the mean time, here's a look at some of the other big headlines that shaped 2023.

Following a three-day manhunt, police arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting that occurred Dec. 8 at Holz Rubber Co. in Central California.

The suspect and victim both were Holz Rubber employees.

And it was the second rubber industry shooting this year.

An employee at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi plant was shot and killed just after 7 a.m. Feb. 22 following "some type of altercation or argument in the parking lot," according to the Clay County Sheriff officials.

It was believed that the victim, Javerest Gray, 28, was shot by another employee at the plant.

The suspect surrendered to police the next day.

Denka Performance Elastomer L.L.C. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have had a rocky relationship, and that culminated this year with a series of lawsuits and the EPA making Denka the face of air pollution.

In unveiling a proposed update to federal emissions rules on April 6, EPA Administrator Michael Regan did so with Denka's chemical plant in LaPlace, La., as the backdrop. The proposal, which has drawn both intense criticism and praise, would require factories to cut discharges for about 80 chemicals and require fenceline emission monitoring for six chemicals, including chloroprene, 1,3-butadiene and benzene.

It was another point in an ongoing back-and-forth between Denka and the EPA.

Earlier in the year, Denka sued the EPA for "declaratory and injunctive relief" from what it believes is EPA's archaic measuring methodology on toxic emissions. And this came just weeks after a Dec. 22, 2022, "final order" and consent agreement issued by the EPA to Denka.

That consent decree alleges that Denka "failed to make a hazardous waste determination" on the choloroprene emissions, and the ramifications contained within the consent agreement—including related waste management and disposal programs—were set to take effect Jan. 31, according to the consent agreement.

On behalf of the EPA, the U.S. Department of Justice, following the Jan. 11, 2023, lawsuit from Denka, filed its Feb. 28 lawsuit with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana alleging that Denka is a "public health endangerment" for the "carcinogenic air pollution" it is causing.

This ongoing complaint, filed under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act, demands that Denka "eliminate the public health endangerment caused by its emissions by greatly reducing the levels of chloroprene to which this community is being exposed."

Meanwhile, Denka faced civil rights litigation from EPA and community activists groups over emissions from its Louisiana plants, which are located in predominantly Black areas.

The original complaint, filed in January 2022 by the Concerned Citizens of St. John, names the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Health Department, Denka Performance Elastomer and Formosa Plastics Inc. for allegedly downplaying toxic air emission measurements.

The EPA, in June, dropped the civil rights investigation.

As the auto industry electrifies, tire makers are working to keep it grounded with tires tough enough to handle the incredible weight, torque and … well, overall expectations EVs throw at them.

Continental, for one, says it's ready, noting that all of its tires are suited for electric vehicles and has indicated as much with the EV Ready logo on the sidewall.

Meanwhile, Pirelli, Kumho and Hankook are doubling down on their efforts to engineer the kinds of tires with quiet rides, durability and rolling resistance that allows EVs to perform at their highest levels. Yokohama, likewise, is stepping up its game when it comes to EV offerings.

So is Michelin.

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV tire was named among Popular Science's Best of What's New late last year. And the tire maker started 2023 with a pledge to not only continue delivering more sustainable EV-ready tires, but to help ensure consumers understood the difference a tire can make, especially when it comes to vehicle range.

Bridgestone, meanwhile, celebrated a breakthrough it says will allow its tires do just that. Go further and last. The PeakLife Polymer, which debuted in the Turanza EV, is part of the tire maker's Enliten suite of technologies and can improve rolling resistance, Bridgestone said, because it improves silica to SR bonding by 50 percent.

PeakLife also made an appearance in the tire maker's Potenza Sport AS in September.

As the automotive industry continues its EV evolution, companies across the rubber industry are leaning into their expertise to address the challenges new mobility brings.

Right in the middle of that transition is Dow Inc., bringing its materials solutions to every challenge. And it turns out, silicone is a solution that stretches far and wide. When it comes to batteries and protecting against thermal runaway, Dow says silicone foams play a critical role. Dow silicones also are helping to enhance the driving experience, providing the right connections for electronics and better user experiences in the cabin with touch screens.

When the North American market flips the switch and starts rolling out more of those EV models, Zeon will be there to lend a helping hand. Particularly when it comes to ensuring the supply of lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion battery production is coming to the U.S., Zeon said, adding that it intends to support the industry with a domestic source of battery binder materials—the only domestic supply, according to Zeon Chemicals CEO Mike Recchio.

Like Zeon, Cabot Corp. is focused on that emerging lithium-ion battery space, investing in R&D efforts and taking advantage of opportunities to better serve the growing market, particularly in China.

Major players in the automotive space—think: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., Vibracoustic and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies—also are building solutions for new vehicle platforms with electric powertrains. Throughout the year, Cooper-Standard has continued to secure more EV-related business with its diversified product offerings, while Freudenberg continues to roll out products such as gaskets and battery barriers.

Freudenberg also stepped up its R&D game with a multi-million-dollar investment that brought battery testing into the fold.

Turns out 2023 was a milestone year for companies across the rubber industry.

Several companies celebrated anniversaries that reached the century mark in 2023.

Goodyear, the only tire maker to maintain its global headquarters in Akron, celebrated its 125th anniversary in August. And it wasn't the only company to end the year beyond the century mark.

Reed Rubber Products, a St. Louis-based family-owned business focusing on custom extruded products, celebrated its 100th year in business.

Hot Springs, Ark.-based Alliance Rubber Co.—well known for its rubber band products for a range of industries and applications—got its start in Alliance, Ohio, in 1923, which called for a centennial celebration.

Also in 2023, Fort Wayne, Ind.-based BRC Rubber & Plastics Inc. marked its 50th year in business. Chuck Chaffee, co-founder and CEO of the custom molder, which operates primarily in the automotive and industrial sectors, said he never expected to see the company grow like it has.

When it comes to celebrations, Canada's Cancarb marked the occasion with charity. The Medicine Hat, Alberta-based carbon black maker marked its 50th anniversary with a donation to the community that supported it for five decades.