Asahi Kasei Corp. (TYO:3407) publicly unveiled its fifth-generation solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) during the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition at IRC 2016 Kitakyushu. The company exhibited XF and XB grades from the new series. Although they had been shown to engineers at conferences, this is the first time for the company to exhibit the grades publicly. Deliveries are already...
Innovation
Sumitomo Rubber Presents Research on Natural Rubber, Expects to Enhance Tire Performance
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has reported results of research on the molecular structural analysis of natural rubber from para rubber trees at the International Rubber Conference (IRC) 2016 Kitakyushu. Based on this research, the company expects significant improvements in the performance and processability of natural rubber, opening up new possibilities for enhanced tire performance in terms of fuel efficiency...
Toyoda Gosei Develops New Rubber Technology, Halves Permanent Distortion
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has developed material technology for rubber that easily regains its shape even after applications of force over long periods of time at high temperatures. The new technology holds promise for thinner, lighter and longer lasting sealing parts to be used in battery units of the next generation of vehicles – including electric cars (EV), plug-in...
Tosoh to Consolidate Macromolecule and Urethane R&D at Yokkaichi
Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042) is looking to integrate its R&D activities through the establishment of a new research wing at its Yokkaichi Complex, Mie Prefecture. The company is investing some 4.5 billion yen ($4.33 million) in order to consolidate at Yokkaichi its macromolecule and urethane-related research, which to date has been divided over three locations. Plans call for the process to...
Togawa Industry Develops Flexible PVC Hose With High-Pressure Capability
Resin hose manufacturer Togawa Industry Corp. has recently developed and launched its Mega High-Pressure Hose, a flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hose with high-pressure capability that boasts four times the pressure resistance of general-purpose blade hoses. The company’s new product is a transparent, high-pressure hose that combines a special blend that is highly elastic with a structure able to handle high-pressure...
Bridgestone Studies High-strength Materials for Tires, Releases Findings
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently announced findings from research into high-strength material that would lead to resource-saving tires. The research was part of an R&D program within iMPACT (Importing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program), a project for furthering innovations in R&D that is being led by the Japanese Cabinet Office’s Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. The R&D program is...