Japanese rubber belt production in 2015 was around 29,000 tons, marking a 6-percent year-on-year drop to below the 30,000-ton level for the first time in five years, according to statistics compiled by the Japan Belting Manufacturers' Association. Domestic demand held to only a small three-percent decline, but export demand decreased steeply by 15 percent.
NEDO has announced a new synthetic fluororubber material with the world’s highest level of resistance to environmental stress factors. Made by attaching single-wall carbon nanotubes to fluororubber, the material promises to achieve heat resistance on a par with perfluoroelastomer at much lower cost.
Bridgestone has announced the release of the Playz PX-Series, tires that contribute to driving safety by reducing driver fatigue. These tires have a different pattern on the inboard side and outboard side of the tread. By stabilizing contact with the road surface, they reduce the need for the driver to constantly make minor directional adjustments in steering.
Major Japanese belt manufacturer Bando Chemical has developed an optimal seal blade for sliding parts in machine tools using a special polyurethane. The blade has improved coolant resistance, durability under fast wiping and wear resistance. The development is based on technology the company has built up over many years related to polyurethane cleaning blades for office automation equipment.
Kinsei Rubber has developed perfluoroelastomer extrusion-molded tubes and molding parts with superior resistance to chemicals, oil, and solvents. The products have a wide range of uses including O-rings and boards. The tubes are particularly suited to use with semiconductors and pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.
Rubber consumption will see its first annual increase in five years, according to a forecast by the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA). The combined total consumption volume of natural and synthetic rubber in 2016 is expected to amount to 1.3414 million tons, up 0.8 percent from the previous year. See a breakdown of the figures by major product category below.
