In mixing room, rotor seal oil is chronically contaminated by carbon black, oxidation products, metal wear debris and mechanical impurities. During the vulcanisation process, hydraulic oil frequently suffers from contamination and system malfunctions caused by the ingress of moisture and particulates, as well as the formation of sludge and varnish. When oil shifts from a protective medium for equipment to a source of operational risk, profits are continuously – and often invisibly – drained away.

For a typical tyre factory, oil-related expenditures can reach millions of dollars annually. However, industrial waste oil should not be viewed merely as hazardous waste awaiting disposal. Through TMSI’s advanced oil purification and regeneration technologies, contaminated oil can be purified, regenerated and reintroduced into the production cycle – transforming it from a one-time consumable into a recyclable production resource that delivers quantifiable, sustainable value.

MIXER SEAL OIL REGENERATION: 90% OFF-LINE RECYCLING

Seal oil in internal mixer rotors suffers from severe contamination and rapid consumption. Traditional filtration methods struggle to simultaneously address oxides, acidic substances, mechanical impurities and micro-contaminants. Centred on patented electro-sorption and micron-level precision filtration technologies, the TMSI regeneration system selectively captures polar contaminants. It transforms waste oil into reusable, regenerated oil while maximising the retention of the base oil’s active components.

The system enables 90 percent off-line recycling of waste oil, with a processing capacity of 1.5 tonnes per 8-hour batch. Calculations for a typical project – such as a tyre manufacturer generating 240 tonnes of waste seal oil annually – show potential comprehensive annual savings of approximately USD 280,000 and a payback period of less than one year. Furthermore, the use of clean oil minimises scratching on sealing surfaces, prevents sticking caused by gum deposits and reduces wear on critical components, thereby lowering the risks of leakage, downtime and quality fluctuations.

HYDRAULIC OIL PURIFICATION: NO SHUTDOWN, NO OIL CHANGE, 100% CLOSED-LOOP ONLINE PURIFICATION

The core value of hydraulic oil purification is not only to extend the life of the oil but also to prevent maintenance from interrupting production. The TMSI hydraulic oil online circulation purification system is connected to the hydraulic station in a bypass mode and continuously removes moisture, particulate matter, sludge, paint film and oxidised pollutants during equipment operation, allowing the hydraulic oil to recover its performance in a closed-loop cycle, instead of waiting until the oil is out of control before shutting down for oil changes.

The system flow rate covers 30 L/h to 150 L/h, adapting to different tank volumes; after purification, the moisture can be reduced to less than 0.03 percent, and the cleanliness is better than NAS level 8 and can be further improved to approximately NAS level 7 in actual applications. Under normal circumstances, the hydraulic oil change interval is about 1–2 years; when contamination increases, it may be shortened to 3–6 months. Online purification not only reduces the purchase of new oil and the disposal of hazardous waste but also helps reduce the risk of valve core sticking, lagging action, hydraulic cylinder corrosion and internal leakage, ensures the stability of the mould closing force of the vulcanising machine and the consistency of the vulcanisation quality and allows equipment management to shift from post-repair to pre-protection.

PATENTED COMPOSITE FILTER ELEMENT: ENHANCING THE PURIFICATION CAPABILITIES OF EXISTING SYSTEMS

For hydraulic systems already in operation, the TMSI patented composite filter element offers a streamlined, rapid upgrade path. Designed to fit existing system interfaces, it enables an immediate boost in fluid purification performance – enhancing the equipment’s ability to remove water and impurities while improving acid values – simply through a direct replacement of the filter element.

Leveraging material modification and structural optimisation, the composite filter element achieves multi-stage purification within a single unit. It offers filtration precision ranging from 0.5 to 30 μm and consistently maintains oil moisture levels below 300 ppm through recirculating purification. Its high dirt-holding and water-absorbing structure extends service life; under standard operating conditions, the replacement interval reaches six months or longer, allowing existing equipment to achieve superior, long-lasting fluid management capabilities with minimal investment.

FROM HAZARDOUS WASTE COST TO CIRCULAR ASSET: REDEFINING THE VALUE OF INDUSTRIAL OIL

From North America to Latin America and from Asia to Europe, TMSI’s oil purification solutions are consistently proving stability, adaptability and long-term operational value for more and more manufacturers.

TMSI is transforming industrial oil consumption from the traditional ‘consume-replace-dispose’ model to a circular ‘purify-regenerate-reuse’ model, an approach successfully implemented in the tyre industry.

When waste oil ceases to be merely a cost item on a hazardous waste list and instead becomes a circular asset – capable of being purified, re-evaluated and reintroduced into the production system – fluid management shifts from a routine maintenance task to a strategic factor directly impacting consumable costs, downtime losses, investment payback periods and ESG performance. Returning waste oil to the production line represents more than just an upgrade in oil purification; it paves a new path for tyre factories towards lean, low-carbon and highly resilient operations.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Zeon Corporation broke ground on a multi-product research and prototyping complex at the Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on 16 October with a ceremony held beforehand to seek safety during construction. The company expects the complex to shorten the path from laboratory work to mass production for established and emerging businesses alike, making it central to its long-term growth strategy.

Set inside an existing building within the port's Research & Development Center area, the complex is slated to begin operating in January 2028. Its design aims to move products past the laboratory stage and into medium-scale sample output more quickly, clearing a bottleneck on the route to full-scale manufacturing.

Zeon's core production methods – polymerisation, hydrogenation, coagulation and drying – will be built into the complex, which is engineered to handle diverse manufacturing conditions and operating approaches. Beyond serving established and new businesses, the polymer design company envisions the site as a centre for technology development and a platform for rolling out new processes and operational, analytical, and measurement technologies within and beyond the company. It will eventually host development and prototyping work across a wide range of technologies, including contract prototypes commissioned by outside parties.

The Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port is the umbrella name for the site combining the neighbouring Kawasaki Plant and Research & Development Center. The label underscores the location's role in breaking new ground by merging innovation, research and development and production and casts the Kawasaki waterfront as a port that propels innovation. Once a co-creative innovation facility begins operating in December 2026, the two sites will function as one continuous operation, turning out ever more sophisticated products and production methods and reinforcing their standing as a launchpad for technology.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vipal Rubber has launched the VT290, a tread designed for truck drive axles used on motorways and paved roads, targeting regional and long-distance transport operations in Europe.

The product is available in widths of 240mm, 250mm, 260mm, 270mm and 280mm. It is designed to provide traction and stability on dry and wet roads, as well as in demanding conditions involving snow.

Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “The launch of the VT290 reinforces Vipal’s ongoing commitment to offering technologically advanced solutions suited to the specific characteristics of European roads and climate.” “We want to further consolidate our presence in the region, delivering a high value-added product that combines innovation, operational efficiency and safety,” he added.

The VT290 carries the M+S marking and 3PMSF certification. Its design includes side sipes and grooves intended to help remove snow and mud from the tread, improving grip on slippery surfaces.

The tread pattern is also designed to distribute engine torque more evenly, helping to reduce uneven wear. Tie bars between the tread blocks add structural stability, supporting vehicle control during driving.

Fabrício Nedeff, Commercial Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “With the VT290, weare responding directly to the real needs of fleet operators and truck drivers, combining performance, adherence and efficiency in different driving conditions. [RS2.1]In addition to expanding options for our customers, the product strengthens business opportunities for our partners in the region,”

Vipal said the launch would expand its offering for retreaders, distributors and fleet operators in the European market.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026, noting firmer prices in several markets. Supply constraints, stable downstream demand and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty shaped the month. Renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes added further pressure.

Physical prices for major grades moved in different directions. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.31 per kg, up 4.25 percent from July, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 1.40 percent to USD 2.39 per kg. RSS-3 dropped 4.18 percent to USD 2.80 per kg, but RSS-4 in Kottayam gained 0.57 percent to USD 2.92 per kg. Latex-in-bulk fell 4.73 percent to USD 1.73 per kg. Brent crude averaged USD 91.08 per barrel, driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East instability, which raised energy supply risks and strengthened the oil market risk premium.

On trade, China's imports climbed 3.39 percent month-on-month, while India fell 10.18 percent and Malaysia dropped 8.24 percent; Viet Nam rose 5.08 percent. Exports advanced 5.63 percent in Viet Nam but declined in Thailand (-5.24 percent), Indonesia (-5.36 percent), Malaysia (-1.48 percent) and Cambodia (-1.88 percent).

Global production is projected to rise 0.6 percent to 15.039 million tons in 2026 from 14.952 million tonnes in 2025, after revisions to Thailand's 2025 output and updated 2026 estimates for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weather, including erratic rainfall and drier Southeast Asian conditions, affected output. August 2026 production was estimated at 1.396 million tonnes, down 4.51 percent from 1.462 million tonnes a year earlier. Demand is forecast to grow 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes in 2026 from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest consumption gains expected in China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related supply disruptions, while steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth led by China and India. The ringgit traded between RM4.02 per USD and RM4.09 per USD, and the baht between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY per tonne, up 7.78 percent month-on-month, while the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24 per kg, up 4.32 percent.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd., a global speciality carbon and carbon black manufacturer, has broadened its emissions accounting to include value chain impacts beyond its direct operations. The move advances measurement and management of Scope 3 emissions across its supply and distribution network, according to the company.

The initiative spans Epsilon Carbon’s integrated carbon complex in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. That site has a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of speciality carbon and 215,000 TPA of carbon black. It combines carbon manufacturing with energy circularity efforts in one integrated ecosystem. The company assessed material Scope 3 categories under GHG Protocol guidelines.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect and arise from purchased goods and services, transportation, business activities and downstream product use where relevant. The assessment gives Epsilon Carbon clearer visibility into emissions outside its direct control and a foundation for spotting reduction opportunities. It builds on existing operational emissions and energy efficiency work.

The company previously reported a 98 percent Scope 2 reduction against its baseline year. A 17 MW captive power plant uses waste heat from carbon black operations, energy consumption intensity fell 6 percent from baseline, and 77 percent of energy needs came from waste heat recovery, avoiding over 89,000 tonnes of CO₂. Epsilon Carbon now emphasises supplier engagement, data transparency and circularity, aligning disclosures with global sustainability frameworks to track value chain emissions consistently and develop measurable reduction initiatives.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Meaningful climate action requires us to look beyond the boundaries of our operations and understand the impact of the entire value chain. Scope 3 measurement gives us greater visibility into the emissions and enables deeper engagement with our partners and suppliers. Building this visibility will help us make more informed decisions as we scale our operations and advance our decarbonization plans.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!