ERJ: Players of the Week

1 RubberTech China: The show will go on
In top slot this week has to be China United Rubber Corp. for its organisational effort around RubberTech China 2020, which – despite various Covid restrictions – is to go ahead as planned 16-18 Sept in Shanghai. Read more

2 Top Glove weathering migrant-labour storm 
Malaysia group takes steps to deal with migrant worker payment issues, which triggered the US customs and border protection agency to slap a detention order on disposable gloves manufactured by two of its subsidiaries. Read more

3 Semperit boosts profitability as it keeps gloves on
A strategic decision to delay the divestment of its medical gloves business Sempermed, has paid off for Austrian rubber goods manufacturer Semperit as it devlivered “very positive earnings development” for the first half of the year.  Read more

4 Bridgestone addressing decline in profitability 
With profitability 37% down during the four years to end of 2019, Bridgestone Corp. is considering plans to restructure its production footprint and carry out expense & cost reforms in its procurement and logistics to improve profit margins.  Read more

5 US agency finds tire imports 'significantly undersold'
The ITC has concluded that passenger and light truck tires imported from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam the past few years were "significantly undersold" compared to similar tires produced in the US.  Read more

6 Michelin launches farm tire pressure technology in UK
Following ‘years of research’ and successful trials across Europe, Michelin has launched its latest agricultural tire pressure technology for high-powered tractors in the UK, enabling farmers to easily adjust tire pressures for heavy road or field work. Read more

7 China targets aircraft tire technology
Building on existing research for military use by Guangzhou’s Huangpu Advanced Materials Institute, the local government of Guangzhou, in the southeastern Chinese province of Guangdong is setting up a €69m research centre for aircraft tires.  Read more

8 Rodolfo Comerio reports 15% growth in second quarter revenue
Italian manufacturer of calendaring lines for rubber and PVC industries Rodolfo Comerio reports a 15% increase in second quarter revenue on the back of a “huge order hike”. Read more

9 BASF steps up footwear activities
BASF is intensifying its focus on the footwear industry with the opening of an innovation centre, with strategic partners Longterm Concept, in Asia’s hub of footwear manufacturing, Taiwan.   Read more

10 UK chemicals industry reports ‘halt’ in 2020 declines 
After months of severe business declines, UK chemicals manufacturers are now reporting “stability” with a majority expecting a stronger performance in the next 12 months.  Read more

11 Hartalega adding capacity as Covid drives demand
Rubber gloves manufacturer has acquired a 60-acre land adjacent to its existing facility in Sepang, on the west coast of Malaysia, to expand capacity amid Covid demand. Read more