Global consumption of silicone elastomers will approach 500,000 tonnes in 2019 for the first time, according to exclusive provisional data from the forthcoming Smithers Rapra report, the Future of Silicone Elastomers to 2024.

Haydale Graphene Industries plc announced that it will be launching a range of functionalised nanomaterials pre-dispersed in process oils for improvements in the properties of elastomers at the International Rubber Conference (IRC) 2019, which will be held from 3 – 5 September 2019 at the Kia Oval in London, UK.

Birch Chemicals, a specialist in the manufacture of microfine calcium oxide desiccants and calcium hydroxide curing agents, announced that it will have a presence at three major events in its sector later this year.

The K 2019 trade fair for plastics and rubber will take place from 16 – 23 October 2019 in Düsseldorf, Germany, where the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association will shine the spotlight on the recycling sector and show how closed loops can work effectively.

Tony Radoszewski has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) effective from 16 September 2019. Radoszewski, a plastics industry veteran with nearly 40 years of experience in the field, joins the association after serving since 2006 as the president of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI).

Bayer and Lanxess announced that they will sell their stakes in the chemical park operator Currenta to funds managed by the infrastructure investor Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA). Both companies signed corresponding agreements with MIRA on 6 August 2019. The transaction still requires the approval of the responsible authorities.

The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is now accepting online abstract submissions for its 197th Technical Meeting to be held 28 – 30 April 2020 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Cleveland Rockside, in Independence, OH, USA.

The Japanese Toyo Tire Corporation announced it will establish a subsidiary in Indijia City, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the Republic of Serbia in September 2019. According to the company, the subsidiary will construct and operate a new manufacturing plant for radial tyres for passenger vehicles and light trucks on a 600,000 m2 (about 150 acres) site.

Dirk Elvermann, until April 2019 Member of the Board of Wintershall Holding GmbH, Finance, Sales and Commercial, has been appointed as new President of the division Finance at BASF. He succeeds Marc Ehrhardt, who will assume responsibility for the establishment of the new division Global Business Services, effective from 1 September 2019, and subsequently its leadership.

Dow announced it will showcase collaborative, innovative and sustainable solutions at K 2019 that reflect its changing company culture and brand. The company said it is looking to encourage debate across the industry at the world’s No. 1 trade fair for plastics and rubber.