Bridgestone Corporation has developed a new polymer to bond rubber and resins at the molecular level. The new polymer shows the high levels of durability and resistance found in conventional rubber coupled with substantially higher levels of performance with regard to difficulty of opening holes (puncture resistance), fixability (recyclability, repairability), and resistance to low temperatures (low-temperature impact resistance). The name that was chosen for this polymer is Susym.

Biorizon co-initiator Vito, VMH and Worley Belgium have partnered to design and build a continuous pilot plant for the depolymerization of lignin into bio-based aromatics and are inviting companies to participate and/or invest in the project. The pilot facility, with a total budget of EUR 4.3 million, is expected to have an output of 250 kg/d of lignin oil. Operations are anticipated to begin in mid-2021.