The Polymer Industry Cluster, in partnership with The University of Akron (UA), has announced the selected location for a new innovation pilot facility dedicated to provide crucial resource for innovators by offering the specialised space and equipment needed to transition new materials from research to market.

A significant advancement for Northeast Ohio's polymer industry, the new scale-up facility will be built on the UA campus next to the existing National Polymer Innovation Center building. This proximity is designed to foster a powerful collaborative environment, giving users direct access to the centre’s advanced resources and expertise. Its location at the heart of the region's polymer corridor will provide a centralised hub for businesses and researchers across the area.

A primary goal of the initiative is to fill a recognised void in the product development cycle. The facility will offer turnkey operational space for both startups and established companies to conduct initial production runs and refine their manufacturing processes before committing to full-scale commercial operations. This support is vital for de-risking innovation and accelerating the launch of new advanced polymer products.

Funding was secured through a USD 31.25 million award from the State of Ohio's Department of Development, granted under the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub programme. This state investment is further strengthened by an additional USD 10.4 million in matching contributions from local partners. The construction timeline is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, following the vacating of the current Lincoln Building on the site and pending final state approvals. This project underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Ohio's position as a global leader in polymer science and manufacturing.

Hans Dorfi, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Polymer Industry Cluster, said, “This project underscores Akron’s position as the hub of polymer innovation. By placing this facility next to NPIC and close by other polymer and engineering labs, we’re ensuring that entrepreneurs, researchers and industry partners have the tools, environment and support needed to transform new ideas into commercial realities.”

UA President R J Nemer said, "The University of Akron is excited to make room for the polymer facility project. As the number one institution in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering, we look forward to working with our Akron area partners to elevate polymer research, expand development and amplify production right here at the UA campus."

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said, “Locating the Polymer Industry Cluster innovation pilot facility on The University of Akron Campus demonstrates the importance of the University as a force for education and innovation within the pipeline of polymer development from idea to industry. This new addition complements the work of Bounce Innovation Hub, builds a new resource for our industry partners and highlights the City of Akron as the centre of polymer innovation at the state and national level. This new facility will be just a short walk from Akron's Rubber Worker statue in the heart of downtown which illustrates the importance of Akron's rubber past as a foundation for our polymer future.”

Mark Smale, Executive Director – Advanced Polymer Science, Bridgestone Americas and co-chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster, said, “This facility will represent a transformational step for the Polymer Industry Cluster. It will attract start-ups seeking to validate new materials, researchers aiming to commercialise discoveries and established companies looking to innovate without interrupting their current operations.”

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro said, “This new facility is not just an investment in physical infrastructure. It’s an investment in the future of our economy. By strengthening our position as the global centre of polymer innovation, we are attracting new jobs and talent and ensuring that groundbreaking research and manufacturing will continue to thrive right here in our region for generations to come.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has completed and commenced operation of a 17.5-MWp rooftop solar power installation at its facility in Vietnam’s Nhon Trach Industrial Park, located within Dong Nai Province. This marks a significant step in the company’s broader effort to reshape its Vietnam operations – its largest global manufacturing base for tyre cords and technical yarns – into what it terms a ‘Smart Green Factory’. By merging renewable energy infrastructure with digital energy management systems, developed in partnership with the energy IT specialist Nuriflex, the firm is positioning this site at the forefront of its transition towards becoming a global eco-friendly manufacturing hub.

A key element of this transformation is the deployment of an Internet of Things based energy management system, which allows for real-time oversight of electricity generation and equipment performance. This digital layer not only streamlines operational efficiency but also contributes to greater equipment reliability and overall productivity gains, ensuring that the integration of renewable energy delivers tangible improvements beyond simple power generation.

With further solar installations set to be completed by August, total rooftop capacity at the Nhon Trach site will reach 37.5 MWp. Once fully operational in the latter half of the year, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS anticipates annual electricity cost savings exceeding KRW 6 billion (approximately USD 3.94 million), bolstering its cost competitiveness. The expansion is also expected to deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable management practices.

Through advanced energy IoT solutions, the Vietnam subsidiary now systematically manages carbon reduction data generated from its solar power operations. This capability enables a more structured response to rising demands from major global customers – including Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental and Pirelli – for verified renewable energy usage and carbon emissions information. By strengthening its ESG performance across the supply chain, the company is leveraging its solar infrastructure and smart energy management not merely as facility investments but as strategic tools to enhance environmental responsibility and competitiveness in a market where sustainable value chains are increasingly essential.

“Starting with our Vietnam production base, we are simultaneously promoting renewable energy transition and energy efficiency improvements across our operations. By expanding solar power facilities, we will strengthen both cost competitiveness and ESG capabilities while proactively responding to the evolving requirements of our global customers,” said an official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for February 2026, detailing a period of significant market activity influenced by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic changes and shifting supply-demand dynamics within the global natural rubber sector.

As per the report, global natural rubber production for 2026 is forecast to reach 15.324 million tonnes, a 2.2 percent increase from the 14.996 million tonnes recorded in 2025. February output alone is projected at 994,000 tonnes, marking a 3.4 percent year-on-year rise due to favourable weather and higher rubber prices. Despite this overall growth, production trends vary among member nations. While Thailand is expected to remain the top producer, Indonesia and Vietnam face short-term constraints from structural and agronomic issues. Meanwhile, Malaysia is advancing efforts to restore abandoned plantations, with the Rubber Production Incentive activated in Sarawak and Sabah and the Malaysian Rubber Board targeting the rehabilitation of 4,137 hectares of idle land in 2026.

Physical and futures markets saw notable price increases across major grades in February. In Kuala Lumpur, SMR-20 averaged USD 2.01 per kilogramme, a 5.13 percent monthly gain, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 5.12 percent to USD 2.11 per kilogramme. Sheet rubber grades also strengthened, with RSS-3 increasing 7.84 percent to USD 2.35 per kilogramme and RSS-4 in Kottayam surging 10.38 percent to USD 2.34 per kilogramme. Centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur closed the month at USD 1.61 per kilogramme. Futures mirrored this firming trend, as the Shanghai Futures Exchange May 2026 contract averaged roughly 16,508 CNY (approximately USD 2,388) per tonne and the SGX contract averaged USD 1.92 per kilogramme, supported by strong demand and tightening supply expectations ahead of the seasonal low-yield period from February to May.

Crude oil volatility added further complexity, with Brent averaging USD 70.89 per barrel in February – up 6.43 percent from January – before spiking to approximately USD 104 per barrel in early March following military actions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for nearly 20 percent of global oil supply. This has introduced a risk premium with implications for synthetic rubber competitiveness and natural rubber demand. Currency shifts also play a role, as the Malaysian Ringgit appreciated modestly to 3.89 MYR per USD and the Thai Baht strengthened to around 31.08 THB per USD by late February, affecting trade competitiveness. Looking ahead, rising automotive production, especially of new energy vehicles in China, India and Southeast Asia, is expected to sustain demand and support prices. However, risks persist from US-China trade tensions, Middle East geopolitical instability, weather uncertainties during the low-yield season and currency fluctuations tied to US monetary policy, all of which could disrupt supply chains and export revenues.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tokyo Zairyo Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation, marked a significant milestone in November 2025 by establishing a new branch office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Following the completion of all necessary preparations, this location has now commenced full-scale operations. The move represents a deliberate effort to broaden the company’s commercial reach across the Indian market while simultaneously constructing an organizational structure capable of responding with greater agility to the evolving and increasingly diverse requirements of its customers.

This southern expansion comes approximately 15 years after the company first established its Indian subsidiary, Tokyo Zairyo (India) Pvt. Ltd., with an office in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2011. By positioning a second office in Chennai, the firm now operates a coordinated network spanning the northern and southern regions of the country. Close collaboration between the two locations is intended to strengthen information services and enhance user support, leveraging both internal capabilities and external partnerships to better serve Japanese automotive parts manufacturers and processors operating throughout India.

Through this dual-office structure, Tokyo Zairyo is poised to advance its core business of purchasing and selling a broad spectrum of materials, including rubber, resins and elastomers. The synchronised operations in Gurugram and Chennai enable the company to deliver more responsive support, ensuring that clients across the Indian automotive supply chain benefit from efficient service and a reliable supply of essential materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of Liquid Rubber products and ISOBAM alkaline water-soluble polymer. These changes, which are set to take effect on 16 April 2026, will see prices rise by at least USD 2 per kg.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue the supply of Liquid Rubber and ISOBAM amidst the volatile market conditions.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!