WACKER, one of the largest silicone manufacturers worldwide, has started production of hybrid polymers at its Nünchritz site.

The state-of-the-art production line at the Nünchritz location is equipped with a variety of technological advancements. Short distances and extremely effective continuous manufacturing operations are made possible by the building's fully integrated essential operating phases. The current production plant at the Burghausen location will be replaced by the new high-speed facility, which will significantly increase the capacity for producing hybrid polymers. WACKER's alpha-silane-terminated hybrid polymers make it possible to create consumer-friendly goods without tin. The new production facility is expected to cost tens of millions of euros and create 50 new jobsat the location.

Among the business division's most significant growth areas are hybrid polymers. Under the brand name GENIOSIL STP-E, the materials are silane crosslinking binders used to create high-performance sealants and adhesives for use in construction and industrial settings, as well as, more recently, liquid waterproofing membranes. Consumers and the environment may benefit from hybrid polymers based on WACKER's exclusive alpha-silane technology as they can also be utilized to create tin-free goods.

Managing Board member Christian Kirsten said, “With annual growth rates of well over five percent in some cases, the market for hybrid polymers is extremely attractive for us. Expanding our production puts us in a position to support the growth of our customers. The facility thus aligns with our strategy of increasingly focusing on tailor-made specialties that offer great innovation potential, high vertical integration and high customer benefit.”

Tom Koini, Head of the Silicones business division, said, “The new facility’s production capacity will increase our output many times over. If the market continues to grow as dynamically as before, we will be able to significantly boost our production capacity once again.”

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HANWA THAILAND CO., LTD., a subsidiary of Japan’s HANWA CO., LTD., has acquired a partial stake in PYRO ENERGIE CO., LTD., a Thailand-based company specialising in tyre pyrolysis recycling. This strategic move addresses the persistent global issue of end-of-life tyres and manufacturing defects, which often lead to environmental harm through illegal disposal or landfill accumulation. While HANWA Group already supplies tyre chips as an eco-friendly fuel source to Japanese industries, pyrolysis has emerged as a preferred recycling solution in global markets.

The pyrolysis process thermally decomposes waste tyres in an oxygen-deprived environment, yielding reusable materials like pyrolysis oil and carbon residue. These outputs serve as valuable fuel alternatives or raw materials for tyre production and other industrial uses, advancing decarbonisation goals. By partnering with PYRO, HANWA seeks to enhance the commercial viability of pyrolysis-derived products and establish an international supply chain in cooperation with tyre manufacturers. The resulting materials will support the chemical, synthetic rubber and tyre industries, promoting a circular economy.

Both HANWA and HANWA THAILAND hold ‘ISCC PLUS’ and ‘ISCC EU’ certifications, underscoring their commitment to sustainable practices. The group remains dedicated to expanding its portfolio of certified recycled and biomass products, reinforcing its role in building a decarbonised future.

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a Canadian leader in sustainable scrap tyre recycling, has achieved a significant milestone as its primary offtake client has officially approved the quality of the recovered carbon black (rCB) produced at its Hawkesbury Thermal Decomposition Process (TDP) facility. This approval follows the successful commissioning of new milling equipment and an rCB processing line, marking a critical step towards full-scale production.

To ensure compliance with stringent quality standards, Ecolomondo conducted extensive in-house testing using advanced laboratory equipment. Key parameters, including humidity, pellet size, pellet hardness, ash content and particle size, were meticulously evaluated. After confirming that all specifications were met, the company shipped rCB samples to offtake clients for independent verification. The clients’ test results aligned closely with Ecolomondo’s own findings, validating the material’s high quality.

In response to this successful validation, the primary offtake client placed an initial order for 23 metric tonnes of rCB, which Ecolomondo is preparing to ship immediately. At full operational capacity, the Hawkesbury facility is projected to recycle between 1.3 million and 1.5 million scrap tyres annually, yielding approximately 4,000 metric tonnes of rCB, 5,000 metric tonnes of pyrolysis oil, 2,000 metric tonnes of steel and 1,200 metric tonnes of process gas. This milestone underscores Ecolomondo’s leadership in sustainable tyre recycling and reinforces the commercial viability of its TDP technology.

Jean- François Labbé, Interim CEO of the Company, said, “The commercial acceptance of our rCB by offtake clients reflects the achievement of many years of technology development and commitment. It is a major achievement for the Company and we are confident that additional orders should come because of the quality of our rCB.”

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CARBIOS has signed a multi-year commercial agreement with Indorama Ventures, the world’s leading PET producer, to supply biorecycled monomers from its Longlaville plant. Indorama will repolymerise these monomers into r-PET filaments, which Michelin will then integrate into its tyre reinforcements.

Using its proprietary enzymatic recycling technology, CARBIOS will process complex PET waste into high-purity monomers at its new facility. Indorama will handle the conversion of these monomers into technical-grade filaments, enabling Michelin to enhance the sustainability of its tyres. This partnership accelerates the pre-commercialisation phase of CARBIOS’ industrial project, building on recent contracts with two major cosmetics brands for biorecycled PET.

The collaboration highlights the growing demand for circular solutions in manufacturing, with CARBIOS’ innovation playing a pivotal role in transforming waste into high-value materials. This milestone reinforces CARBIOS’ position as a leader in enzymatic recycling and supports Michelin’s commitment to sustainable mobility.

Vincent Kamel, CEO of CARBIOS, said, “This commercial agreement with Indorama Ventures marks a new step in the realisation of our industrial project. It confirms the trust of Indorama Ventures and Michelin in our PET biorecycling technology. Alongside the commercial successes already achieved in cosmetic packaging applications, this agreement illustrates our ability to deliver innovative solutions to the most demanding industries, particularly industrial filaments for tyre applications and, more broadly, textile.”

Fabien Gaboriaud, Director of Circularity and Renewable & Recycled Materials at Michelin Group, said, “This partnership is a tangible expression of our commitment to turning complex waste into high-performance materials. By integrating enzymatically recycled r-PET into our tyres, we are marking a new milestone on our journey toward achieving 100 percent renewable and recycled materials by 2050 — all while staying within planetary boundaries. It is by combining innovation, industrial excellence and close collaboration with trusted partners that we are building a strong and lasting circular model.”

Renato Boaventura, Global Market Head – Mobility at Indorama Ventures, said, “This alliance with both, CARBIOS and Michelin, underlines our commitment to plan ahead and take a leading role in shifting the industry towards circularity.”

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Wind, a leading financial data provider, has released its 2025 ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings, showcasing notable improvements for several listed companies under Sinochem Group. The ratings reflect these companies' strong commitment to sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

Sinochem International achieved an AA rating in 2025, a significant improvement from its previous rating in 2024. With a comprehensive score of 8.56 out of 10, the company now holds the highest ESG rating in the diversified industrial sector, setting a new record among Sinochem Group’s listed companies. Sinochem Equipment and Shenyang Chemical also demonstrated substantial progress, with both companies upgrading from a BBB rating in 2024 to an A rating in 2025. These improvements underscore the group-wide advancements in sustainability practices.

The upgrades highlight Sinochem Group’s intensified focus on sustainability initiatives, including enhanced environmental compliance, green transition efforts, stronger corporate governance and improved transparency. Additionally, the companies have made strides in social responsibility programmes, such as worker welfare and community engagement.

The ESG rating jumps for Sinochem International, Sinochem Equipment and Shenyang Chemical underscore Sinochem Group’s leadership in sustainable business practices. As China continues to push for carbon neutrality and ESG integration, these companies are well-positioned for long-term growth and resilience.

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