November 2020

Tire Technology International

Nanotechnology specialist OCSiAL has developed a solution using graphene nanotubes to solve the issue of producing non-marking anti-static solid tires for industrial trucks, forklifts and trolleys. It states that graphene nanotubes are the only cost-effective solution to comply with both EN and ISO Electrostatic discharge (ESD) standards without impacting tire durability.

Tire Technology International

According to a paper published recently in the journal Nature, the transition of autonomous vehicles into fleets requires an advanced control system design that relies on continuous feedback from the tires. Smart tires could enable continuous monitoring of dynamic driving parameters by combining strain sensing with traditional tire monitoring functions.

The pneumatic tire is a rotating air spring continuously compressed in the region of road contact during each revolution. The pressurized air inside the tire’s toroidal chamber is principally composed of a mechanical mixture of two diatomic gases, nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), plus trace amounts of a whole host of other gases – some quite exotic. Often forgotten is the fact that an inflated tire is a pressure vessel with the compressed air governed reasonably well by the gas laws of physics.

There has been much talk of late about the importance of the circular economy, but for large industries, finding a properly joined up, sustainable approach to their product lifecycles can be challenging. In the case of US-based Trinseo, a plastics, latex and synthetic rubber manufacturer, it is addressing this issue via a commercial collaboration, including an equity investment, with Swiss company Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS).

I have previously discussed how commonly used empirical tire models are essentially complex curve fits; an optimization process is employed to tune the parameters of the model such that which overlays the tire test data. This is a solid approach as it typically results in a model that can be shown to accurately represent the test conditions, while also being fast to solve and easy to use.

Business Insider

Retread is a sustainable re-manufacturing process that applies new tread to worn tires. A retreaded tire takes 20% of the energy used to create a brand new tire. The disposal of tires represents a significant burden on the environment, so companies like Marangoni developed methods to recycle and reuse old tires. 

In Cincinnati, ubiquitous diaper brand Pampers says its new Pampers Pure line features a plant-based liner enriched with shea butter, a 100% renewable moisturizer derived from the fat of the shea nut. Procter & Gamble, which produces Pampers, says the enriched liner “helps keep baby’s skin hydrated while also serving as a barrier between the skin and moisture in the diaper.

Electric buses are increasingly common in cities across Europe, though they tend to be heavier, and have different power delivery characteristics compared to their traditional counterparts. These differences require a fresh approach to tires, which manufacturer Continental says it has provided for with the updated Conti Urban HA3.

Governments across ASEAN are battling it out for foreign investment, and even better if it’s in sectors that are viewed as future. Electric cars are certainly in that category. Indonesia, which has reserves of elements needed to make EV batteries, has made moves to promote EVs, and is even talking to Tesla regarding potential investment. Toyota has already stated its plan to making EVs in the republic, while Hyundai and LG Chem are mulling a battery plant in the region’s biggest country.

A total of RM149 million was disbursed for claims made under the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) between January and October, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Four major glove companies namely Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Supermax Corporation Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd will contribute RM400 million to help the government in its fight against Covid-19.

The mobile cabinet on Tuesday gave the nod to price guarantee schemes for rice and rubber worth a combined 61.9 billion baht. Of the total budget, 51.2 billion baht is allotted towards the rice scheme for the 2020-21 season and 10.0 billion for the second phase of the rubber price guarantee scheme for the 2019-20 season.

The Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) takes notice of the formation of a taskforce to ensure that employers in the rubber-based industry comply with laws safeguarding the welfare of employees including migrant workers.