Lanxess expanding tire bladder output in US ahead of rising demand
4 Mar 2025
German chemicals supplier says developed new rubber compound to reduce tire vulcanisation times
Little Rock, Arkansas – Lanxess is installing a new injection press at its production site in Little Rock site to meet growing US demand for its tire curing bladders.
Set for operation in the first half of 2025 the new press will produce bladders for the manufacture of tires for passenger cars and light trucks, the German chemicals supplier said 27 Feb.
Bladders are employed in tire production to maintain the product’s shape in response to heat and to maintain even pressure during curing.
Lanxess's Rhenoshape bladdders are claimed to benefit from better conductivity and their inside coating enables faster unfolding from the start of the cure process.
Furthermore, Lanxess said it has developed an 'ultra-high heat conductive' rubber compound for tire bladders, which enables time saving and process efficiency in tire vulcanisation.
The company will use the rubber in its Rhenoshape bladders and will be presented during the Tire Tech Expo, in Hanover, Germany 4-6 March.
In addition, Lanxess will also present a range of sustainable rubber additives at TTE.
Other featured items will include the new Vulkanox HS Scopeblue rubber additive, based on more than 55% sustainable raw materials.
And from the second quarter of 2025, samples of “superior silica dispersion processing” promoter Aflux SD will be available.
According to Lanxess, the processing agent improves performance of tire compounds, “combining reduced rolling resistance, increased wear resistance and improved wet grip”.
