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Rubber

Greater localisation of OEM supply needed

By: Darren Parker 19th February 2021 Despite the pandemic being a strong motivator for original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to localise procurement, rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber MD Stoney Steenkamp believes that too many local OEMs still lack the drive to do so. “Although many customers made huge efforts to localise... →

Rubber manufacturer buoyed in tough economy

By: Darren Parker 19th February 2021 Rubber manufacturer Rubber Products and Mouldings (RPM) is “very bullish” about the year ahead, with the company poised for growth despite the difficult economic circumstances because of ongoing lockdowns. “The economy is not strong, so it certainly won’t be easy for any business. However, RPM... →

WAYNE TOZER AND SUE SUPASAR RPM has performed well after the 2019 takeover, following a series of strategic adjustments to operating costs.

Regulator says local tyres are ‘export worthy’

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 South African pneumatic tyres are on par with their global counterparts, says regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). →

HIGHLY GUARDED Any amendments for compulsory specifications are governed by the development and approval of relevant products

Regulator seeks to improve tyre homologation process

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is not “completely satisfied” with the current approval period for pneumatic tyre homologation, says NRCS automotive GM Duncan Mutengwe. →

TWICE THE TROUBLE The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications follows a two-stage approach for importers applying for tyre homologation

Specialist on course despite pressures

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Despite the local manufacturing sector being under pressure, mouldered product specialist DEMS’ rubber manufacturing division – which operates within a very niche and specialised market – has not been affected negatively, says DEMS MD Mark Baptie. →

ALWAYS ON EDGE DEMS is always investigating and looking for opportunities to remain competitive and continue to have an edge in the market

Rubber remains resilient despite strained sector

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Engineered rubber remains a requirement for many industries notwithstanding local manufacturing industry woes, says rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber MD Stoney Steenkamp. →

RUBBING OFF THE RIGHT WAY The rubber sector will survive the current unfavourable economic climate as the product remains resilient and relevant in the industrial markets

Bleak outlook for rubber SMMEs in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 With the industrial market aspect of its rubber business having declined in 2019 by 25%, rubber compounding specialist National Rubber Matmin (NRM) MD Mike Stuart says 2020 is “not looking much better”. →

MIKE STUART National Rubber Matmin has had success in supplying products to the Australian mining sector

Rubber company to focus on automotive sector

By: Cameron Mackay 15th February 2019 Premium rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber plans to focus on the localisation of rubber products for the automotive sector this year. Following its merger with rubber retail and wholesale specialists Pro-Auto Rubber’s manufacturing operation in November 2016, the most significant... →

Photo by Bloomberg
VITAL INDUSTRY The rubber industry is linked to the state of the economy, as it services various sectors of the economy

Continental optimises tyre test with driverless test vehicle

15th February 2019 Automotive tyre manufacturing company Continental commissioned the first driverless tyre test vehicle for an assortment of road surface types at its test site in Uvalde, Texas, in the US. The aim of the endeavour was to make test results for the company’s passenger and light trucks more... →

DRIVERLESS NAVIGATION The driverless vehicle pilots the testing route with a GPS-supported satellite navigation system

Initiative changing development narrative in townships, rural economies

16th February 2018 A three-year partnership between tyre manufacturing company Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s (SA’s) iconic tyre brand, Dunlop, and development finance agency Ithala Development Finance Corporation’s Small Business Growth Enterprise division will see a minimum of 25 containerised tyre fitment... →

DRIVING CHANGE
A partnership initiative between Dunlop and Ithala will counter the growing number of illegal, dangerous second-hand tyres being sold to consumers

Photo by Bloomberg
DRIVING CHANGE A partnership initiative between Dunlop and Ithala will counter the growing number of illegal, dangerous second-hand tyres being sold to consumers

Radial tyre portfolio available on the market

16th February 2018 Technology company Continental is introducing two additional EM-Master E4/L4 radial tyre sizes to the market, the company indicated in an announcement last month. “This now completes our range of radial tyres for use on wheel loaders and dump trucks in particular for construction work and... →

MASTERCLASS The EM-Master tyre is ideally suited for articulated dump trucks, loaders and dozers

Product testing facility construction to be completed this year

By: Kimberley Smuts 17th February 2017 The construction of Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa’s (Redisa’s) Product Testing Institute (PTI), which started last year, is expected to be completed in the second quarter. →

SATMC emphasises need for tyre homologation

By: Kimberley Smuts 17th February 2017 Tyre manufacturing industry representative the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) says homologation – the process of certifying or approving a product for introduction into a market – of new tyre ranges is crucial, as tyres are a safety critical component in vehicles. →

Tyres manufactured with taxi industry in mind

17th February 2017 Last month, rubber manufacturers Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) announced the launch of its new range of tyre brand Dunlop tyres – the Vantrek V1 White Wall tyre for the South African taxi industry. →

Mindanao to lead Philippine rubber production

12th February 2016 The Philippine Department of Trade and Investment (DTI) aims to position Mindanao as the country’s rubber product manufacturing hub. Mindanao currently supplies 99% of the country’s national rubber production. DTI region 9 director and national coordinator for the rubber industry cluster Dr Sitti... →

Quality skills key to installing rubber flooring

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th February 2016 Despite the growing popularity of rubber flooring in South Africa over the past five years, one of the biggest challenges in the floor-fitting industry is the lack of fitter skills, and using the correct adhesive and tools, says vinyl flooring and protection solutions specialists Polyflor South... →

TANDY COLEMAN-SPOLANDER It is important that recycled granular rubber floors are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with the correct adhesive to ensure a successful outcome

Partnership expects 2017 launch of rubber-related testing institute

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th February 2016 Following the launch of the Centre for Rubber Science and Technology (CRST) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in November, waste management organisation the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) has partnered with NMMU to establish the Product... →

MITIGATING WASTE TYRE CHALLENGE
Redisa has implemented various tactics to encourage the tyre recycling industry to alleviate the problem of waste tyres and ultimately create job opportunities

Photo by Bloomberg
MITIGATING WASTE TYRE CHALLENGE Redisa has implemented various tactics to encourage the tyre recycling industry to alleviate the problem of waste tyres and ultimately create job opportunities

€2.75-billion JV established for synthetic rubber

12th February 2016 Producer of synthetic rubber Lanxess and oil and energy producer Saudi Aramco will each hold a 50% interest in a new joint venture (JV) for synthetic rubber valued at €2.75-billion. The transaction still requires the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities and is expected to be completed... →

MATTHIAS ZACHERT
This JV will enable us to give the rubber business a very strong competitive position and the best possible future perspectives

Photo by Bloomberg
MATTHIAS ZACHERT This JV will enable us to give the rubber business a very strong competitive position and the best possible future perspectives

SA company supplies urethane product to Moroccan project

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th February 2016 South Africa-based polyurethane manufacturing company Urethane Moulded Products (UMP) successfully completed and supplied polyurethane lining for the Jorf Lasfar slurry pipeline project in Morocco. The project won best project in the International Projects Category at the South African... →

ON SITE INSTALLATION
UMP has been the only company worldwide that could supply the precision urethane-lined, 900-mm-diameter steel pipelines’ special bends and fittings

Pipeline service specialists Aptec explains and highlights the details surrounding the Aptec Sure-Liner pipe lining system.

Flooring specialist expands rubber-flooring market

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th February 2015 Having registered positive growth in the rubber-flooring sector in 2014, commercial floor-coverings supplier Polyflor South Africa (SA) aims to continue the expansion of this market in South Africa, particularly through the supply of Ecore ECOsurfaces rubber flooring range. Polyflor SA is the... →

PRODUCT VERSATILITY The ECOsurfaces range of commercial flooring is extremely durable and hard- wearing and can be used in areas that are subject to high traffic

Tyre production levels below yearly capacity

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th February 2015 While tyre exports have assisted South Africa in maintaining its tyre factories’ production levels over the past ten years, the industry’s production levels are well below the maximum 18-million tyres a year that the factories are capable of producing, notes industry body South African Tyre... →

CONTINUED CONTRIBUTION
Local tyre manufacturers contribute close to R20-billion to the South African economy each year and provide direct jobs to at least 6 500 people

Photo by Bloomberg
CONTINUED CONTRIBUTION Local tyre manufacturers contribute close to R20-billion to the South African economy each year and provide direct jobs to at least 6 500 people

Rubber specialist secures multimillion-rand contracts, expands division

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th February 2015 Rubber manufacturing specialist Transvaal Rubber Company (Truco), which recently celebrated its 120-year birthday, has already secured business – including projects and contracts in the supply of rubber hose, belting and sheeting in the general and mining industries – worth about R150-million for... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INDUSTRY SURETY Transvaal Rubber Company secured business worth about R150-million for 2015

Continued drive to develop tyre recycling industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th February 2015 The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) will continue to meet the requirements of the Redisa Plan gazetted in November 2012, especially when it comes to supporting the development of small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) to continue driving... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INDUSTRY ENHANCEMENT By attaching value to a waste product, the current demand for waste tyres currently exceeds supply

Rubber company celebrates half-century, optimistic about future

By: Ilan Solomons 14th February 2014 Local synthetic rubber manufacturer Karbochem will host a series of functions in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth in September to celebrate its golden jubilee of operations in South Africa this year. “We are organising these functions to thank our staff, suppliers and customers for their... →

NEODENE RUBBER BRAND Karbochem is the only synthetic rubber manufacturing company in South Africa

Polyurethane a potential alternative to rubber

By: Ilan Solomons 14th February 2014 Many contractors use rubber instead of polyurethane, owing to rubber being cheaper. However, polyurethane is far more cost effective than rubber, in terms of the cost for every ton transported and energy application use, says polyurethane moulding company Urethane Moulded Products (UMP) MD Trevor... →

TREVOR CAROLIN When deciding between using polyurethane and rubber, the abrasiveness and nature of the application should be considered

Recycling project deals with tyre waste troubles

By: Ilan Solomons 14th February 2014 Sustainability solutions company GCX Africa reports that it has completed the design and registration of a new carbon project methodology for tyre recycling, following the completion of a rigorous validation and verification process. After working on the project for over a year, it was approved... →

KEVIN JAMES South Africa faces a massive challenge in dealing with about 60-million existing waste tyres, which have been illegally dumped at landfill sites

Company launches new abrasion-resistant hoses and matching pontoons

By: Ilan Solomons 14th February 2014 Rubber manufacturing specialist Transvaal Rubber Company (Truco) developed new high-abrasion-resistant rubber dredging hoses last month to be used in mining operations, reports Truco MD John Tait. He says in one particular application, the hoses were made 9 m long, with a 600 mm internal... →

RUBBER INNOVATION The hoses also incorporate Transvaal Rubber Company’s patented double-flange system to allow for improved radii bend and strength at the flanges

Conference to push for approval of alternative waste-tyre collection plan

By: Ilan Solomons 14th February 2014 The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) will aim to get government’s final approval for the implementation of the South African Tyre Recycling Plan (SATRP) Waste Tyre Plan (WTP) in the first half of this year, SATMC CEO and director Dr Etienne Human tells Engineering News. The... →

TYRE WASTE TROUBLES South Africa faces “a major environmental crisis”, owing to the lack of adequate waste-tyre disposal mechanisms

South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference CEO Dr Etienne Human discusses the state of rubber use in the South African tyre sector and the status of the South African Tyre Recycling Plan Waste Tyre Plan.

Recycling process possible solution to waste tyres

By: Zandile Mavuso 15th February 2013 Africa’s largest recycling group Reclam, in partnership with rubber compounder Heever Rubber and Tyre (HRT), believes that its new recycled-rubber technology process could possibly help meet the targets of South Africa’s tyre recycling targets in an environment-friendly manner. →

Rubber education programme needs funding

By: Zandile Mavuso 15th February 2013 Education in the South African rubber industry has fallen into disrepair, with funding needed to sustain the basic-level education programme of the Rubber Industry Worker’s Co-operative (RIWC). →

Lining cushions impact on metal elements

By: Zandile Mavuso 15th February 2013 Traditionally, lining systems in grinding mills have been composed of metal castings, but inherent problems exist in some all-metal systems; therefore, rubber composite lining systems have been introduced by pumps and rubber lining specialist Weir Minerals Africa as an alternative to grinding... →

Labour rates, imports and electricity hikes challenging tyre manufacturers

By: Zandile Mavuso 15th February 2013 Competition from international markets has intensified in the local rubber industry, says South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) chairperson Dieter Horni. →

Lining specialist expands African footprint

By: Nomvelo Buthelezi 17th February 2012 Pump and rubber lining specialist Weir Minerals Africa is expanding its footprint across Africa and into new industries, such as the piping industry, which has grown significantly over the past few years. →

Resistance to change slowing industry growth

By: Nomvelo Buthelezi 17th February 2012 Injection and compression moulded rubber products manufacturer Van Ryn Rubber Holdings says it has adopted Eastern philosophies to improve productivity, and has invested in a combination of European and Eastern new equipment to ensure that it keeps abreast of the changes in the industry →

US company acquires European tyre plant

17th February 2012 US tyre manufacturer Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has acquired the assets of a tyre manufacturing facility in Kruševac, about 200 km from Belgrade, in Serbia. →

Automated tyre-recycling plant starts operating

17th February 2012 India-based tyre and rubber recycling company S&J Granulate Solutions has started operating a new fully automated tyre-recycling plant in the Vapi region, Gujurat, India. →

Rubber industry faces cost pressures, supply shortages

By: Nomvelo Buthelezi 17th February 2012 The South African rubber extrusions market is facing many challenges, including significant cost pressures, reports manufacturer Hudson Rubber. →

New hose floating system more cost effective

By: Idéle Esterhuizen 11th February 2011 Rubber manufacturing specialist Transvaal Rubber Company (Truco) has launched an upgraded version of its yellow detachable low-density polyethylene (LDPE) floatation systems to cater for the needs of the everchanging mining industry. →

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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Dean Thompson

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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