Rhein Chemie bladder business ‘expanding’

Article published in the March/April issue of ERJ

Hanover, Germany – Rhein Chemie Additives’ tire bladder business has grown from start-up about five years ago to now representing around 20 percent of its rubber additives business – when associated release agents are taken into account.

The company is continuing to invest in this business, as seen with last year’s start-up of a new bladder production plant in Qingdao, China – its first in Asia and fourth worldwide.

In growing the business, however, Rhein Chemie has to overcome some conservative attitudes in certain quarters of the tire industry.

“For a tire maker to give up one part of their value chain takes a lot of convincing, even to get to the trialling stage,” said Dr Anno Borkowsky, head of Rhein Chemie Additives – citing a former Goodyear CEO who said “we don’t win awards for bladders, we win awards for tires.”

Nevertheless, the Rhein Chemie boss expects a shift from in-house production by tire makers. Within the next 10 years, he said, the majority (around 60) percent of bladders will be outsourced, compared to only 40 percent today.

“A lot of companies produce their own bladders for in-house consumption,” added Philipp Junge, head of rubber additives at Rhein Chemie. “But for some of their new installations they won’t necessarily invest in an increased bladder business. That part will be outsourced to third parties like us.”