Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. announced at a recent press conference that it is developing highly functional biomass materials for tires. Conventional rubber used in tires contains oil from fossil resource as a softener. The problem, however, is that the oil gradually leaches out of the rubber, causing tires to harden. Sumitomo Rubber solved this problem by using plant-based oil as...
Bridgestone Corp. announced on Oct. 30, 2015 that group company Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSA) would acquire TireConnect Systems. Announced by BSA on Oct. 22, the deal provides BSA with TireConnect Systems, a software company that supports tire dealers and distributors in North America (primarily Canada) with a tire Internet sales tool featuring e-commerce capabilities. Bridgestone, the world’s largest tire manufacturer,...
Major plastic hose manufacturer Totaku Industries Inc. has developed a new product for the food processing industry, the TAC Ecoline 100-degree heat-resistant and oil-resistant hose. The plastic hose can be washed with hot water (withstands continuous exposure to 100-degree Celsius liquid), something not possible with conventional plastic hoses. This makes it ideal for food processing industry applications where hygiene is...
Zeon Corp., the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) held a completion ceremony at Zeon’s plant for the world’s first mass-production of carbon nanotubes using the super-growth method developed by AIST. The plant goes online in November 2015. The super-growth method offers the benefits of high-speed and...
On Nov. 3, 2015, former JSR Corp. President Yoshinori Yoshida received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from the Cabinet Office of the government of Japan. The Cabinet was conferring its autumn decorations and medals of honor. Yoshida was cited for accomplishments including spearheading global diversification that restructured JSR’s business and led to growth; contributing to...
As of Jan. 1, 2016, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. will absorb its consolidated subsidiary Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd., which serves the original equipment market with tires and other products. The move will focus Sumitomo Rubber’s resources for more effective management and operations....
