Hiromu Saito, a professor from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), was recently inaugurated as the new president of the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan (SRIJ). Commenting on his thoughts here, Saito said that it will be necessary to watch out for and prepare for risks created by factors such as changing international standards. So for...
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Toyoda Gosei Starts Testing Smart Insoles Using Proprietary e-Rubber
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) recently announced its development of Smart Insoles, a new type of shoe insole that incorporates the company’s e-Rubber sensors to obtain data on foot pressure as the wearer moves. The company has now also started shipping samples of these insoles to a golf school operated by Mizuno Corp (TYO:8022). A next-gen rubber that moves when...
Continental Set to Expand Partnership With Chinese Hydrogen Specialist Censtar
Continental AG and Chinese hydrogen specialist Censtar H2-Electricity Science & Technology are set to deepen their strategic partnership in the Chinese market. Both companies have now formally agreed to work together on developing dispensing hose solutions for hydrogen refueling stations, with the aim going forward of advancing mobility to help get society closer to carbon neutrality. Safe and efficient hydrogen...
Rubber Sheet Manufacturers Eye Price Hikes to Ensure Supply, Business Continuity
A growing number of rubber sheet manufacturers are looking to increase prices on their products. Most companies here are considering a 10–20 percent price hike on rubber sheets and an 8–20 percent price hike on other general-purpose products, including plastic ones. And beyond these general-purpose products, a number of companies are in talks with customers to negotiate price hikes for...

Yokohama Rubber Donates 40 Tires to Mie Prefecture for Use on Vaccine Transport Vehicles
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.’s (TYO:5101) Mie Plant has donated 40 tires for vaccine transport vehicles to Mie Prefecture, providing these on June 1. This comes as part of the plant’s efforts to help out the local community and support medical countermeasures against COVID-19. The donated tires have been fitted to official vehicles used for transporting COVID-19 vaccines to hospitals, health...
Bridgestone to Sell off Chinese Synthetic Rubber Subsidiary by Mid-December
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) announced on June 15 that it will be selling off all of its shares in Bridgestone (Huizhou) Synthetic Rubber Co. Ltd. (BSRC), a Chinese group company that manufactures and sells synthetic rubber for use in automotive tires. These shares will be sold to LCY Chemical Corp., which runs global operations for materials and chemicals. Located in Huizhou,...