Material gaps in exhibitor list for K2022 expo

LONDON—Arlanxeo will not be exhibiting at the K2022 international plastics and rubber expo in October, while question marks remain over the involvement of at least one other major polymer supplier.

In a statement to European Rubber Journal, The Netherlands-based synthetic rubber supplier Arlanxeo confirmed that it would not be returning as an exhibitor to this year's staging of the triennial Dusseldorf show

"We have decided not to exhibit at the K-Fair 2022 with a physical Arlanxeo booth, instead we will replicate physical events in the online world to help us to stay connected with our customers," it said.

Stating that the COVID-19 pandemic had made the world "more digitally connected," Arlanxeo said it had adapted to this way of connecting with customers while also reducing its carbon footprint.

"We are committed to support the development of the global rubber industry while seeking new opportunities to meet and engage with our customers," the company said.

Arlanxeo is, however, to sponsor the Gummi Strasse (Rubber Street) rubber-technology focused section of K2022, which takes place Oct. 19-26, in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Also missing, at least from the current K2022 exhibitors list is Dow Inc., which includes silicone rubber and elastomer materials in its extensive polymer portfolio.

The U.S.-based group has yet to reply to any of ERJ's enquiries about its intentions regarding the world's largest plastics and rubber expo.

While DuPont will be exhibiting, it has yet to state which materials/products will feature on its K stands, given the ongoing changes at the company.

DuPont's $5.2-billion acquisition of Rogers Corp. is due for completion by June 30, while the $11 billion sale of most of its Mobility & Materials business to Celanese Corp. is set to close by the yearend.

"DuPont Performance Materials is exhibiting at K Show later this year, but not the Healthcare Liveo (business unit)," a DuPont spokeswoman said in a written statement.

Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. recently reported the volume of retreads produced by its network of ContiLifeCycle licensees in the U.S. over the past three years grew at double the pace of the market.

"Retread is a key part of our strategy in the U.S. market," said Tom Fanning, head of truck tires, U.S. market, for CTA, noting that the volume of CLC network-sourced retreads increased 2.5 percent annually from 2019-21.

Conti estimated the overall U.S. retread market grew by 1.2 percent annually (compounded annual growth rate) over the same time period, the tire maker said.

As fleets look to keep their vehicles on the road longer, more business is going to be driven to the replacement market.