Tire producer Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), headquartered in India, is not exempt from having to face this extraordinary emergency and its many ensuing complications, a situation which the Group has to face as a whole, on an international level. The Group will not lose its capacity to react and it is currently re-organizing both their internal and external processes in the best way possible, so that business can resume as soon as possible. The supply chain team remains active, in constant contact with the suppliers of raw material, in order that the manufacturing can also resume, and not waste any time.

In March 2020 Amyris, global science and technology company for pure, sustainable ingredients for the health and wellness, cleaning, beauty and flavors and ragrances markets, announced the launch of a new, safe and clean Pipette Baby branded hand sanitizer – that can be used by everyone – to help combat COVID-19. Initial production of its hand sanitizer has started with Allure Labs as its contract manufacturing and packaging partner.

The increasingly severe impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on our societies and economy is unlike anything we have seen before. Health concerns, supply shortages, low demand and government measures have led the European tyre industry to take decisive action. Over the past week, many member companies of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) have announced the temporary closure of their European manufacturing facilities. The impact goes beyond that: R&D facilities, other operational areas and retail networks, which are key to the industry’s future, are also affected. Due to the extensive economic and human consequences of this crisis, ETRMA calls for constructive dialogue on remedial measures and support schemes at both the EU and national level.

SaarGummi is among the 2020 winners of the Daimler supplier award and was the only one to receive the award in the area of Mercedes Benz Cars & Vans in the category "Quality". Assessment criteria included economic efficiency and delivery reliability, sustainable behaviour and open communication.

On 26 March 2020, the Bergamo-based company RadiciGroup and the Italian soccer club Atalanta Bergamo announced that they have decided to support the temporary field hospital that the Associazione Nazionale Alpini (National Association of Italian Alpine Soldiers) is building in the premises of Bergamo trade fair, with the aim of responding to the coronavirus emergency.

Elkem Silicones has presented its liquid silicone rubber (LSR) technology at the Medical Design and Manufacturing (MD&M) West 2020 conference from 11 – 13 February 2020 in Anaheim, CA, USA.

Deutsche Messe AG announced that Hannover Messe 2020 cannot take place this year due to the increasingly critical situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hanover region has issued a decree that prohibits the staging of the trade show for industrial technology. From now until the next Hannover Messe in April 2021, a digital information and networking offer will provide exhibitors and visitors with the opportunity for economic policy orientation and technological exchange, said the organiser.

Parker Hannifin announced on Friday, 27 March 2020, that effective immediately, all on-site operations at the Adro facility will be suspended from 30 March 2020 until 3 April 2020. This action has been required following new directives from the Italian Government issued on Thursday 26 March 2020 requiring all non-essential manufacturing operations in Italy to cease.

Directa Plus, a producer of graphene nanoplatelets based products, announced that it has signed an agreement with Comerio Ercole SpA to pursue joint research and development projects using its G+ (Graphene Plus) technology. Together, the companies aim to find industrial graphene applications, e.g., in the rubber and tyres, plastic and non-woven materials industries.

European Bioplastics, the association representing the interests of the bioplastics industry in Europe, has issued a Call for Papers for the 15th European Bioplastics Conference taking place on 1 – 2 December 2020 in Vienna, Austria. The event will focus on the latest developments in bioplastics as well as on environmental aspects and opportunities for growth in the bio-based plastics sector. Experts are invited to submit proposals for a presentation on the following topics: