Suppliers
Arlanxeo is set to close its butyl rubber production plant in Zwijndrecht, near Antwerp, Belgium, due to oversupply in the market.
The German chemicals supplier said that, as of Oct. 1, it offer its conventional plasticizer range used in rubber and polyurethanes "on the basis of more sustainable raw materials."
Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies recently recognized six suppliers who offered "outstanding service" to the German firm in 2022, including Chemours and Wacker.
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries has revised up its annual forecast for natural rubber production and consumption.
Polymer producer Kraton Corp. is expanding domestically and internationally, and has made several personnel changes recently.
Natural rubber production recovered in May as the seasonal leaf foliation period ended in April, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries.
Global natural rubber production posted slower growth in April, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Counties' May 18 report.
Shell had suspended polyethylene resin and ethylene monomer production in Monaca, Pa., on March 25 but said on May 24 that it is restarting.
Kumho Petrochemical has joined forces with styrene monomer manufacturer Idemitsu and Sumitomo Corp. to create a "biomaterial" supply chain, with a particular focus on tire rubber.