The German automotive supplier Fischer Automotive has opened a new factory in Jagodina, Serbia in June 2021. The new site increases the company`s production capacity in Europe. Fischer will use the new site for the production of ventilation nozzles for clients like Mercedes and BMW.

Since 1 April 2021 Dietmar Dieing is leading Sesotec’s Plastics Industry division as the new Vice President of Sales.

The distribution portfolio of Hamburg-based Albis Distribution GmbH & Co KG will now be expanded to include the Evoprene R product series from Alphagary, a global compound manufacturers with sites in the UK, US, Mexico and Colombia (formerly Mexichem Specialty Compounds). The TPE-S compounds are particularly suitable for use in applications with high regulatory requirements, such as food contact, medical and dental applications, as well as children’s toys.

Wanhua Chemical, a global leader in the production and marketing of polyurethanes, petrochemicals and fine chemicals, has received the inaugural “Excellence Award” from Axalta. Dr. Howard Ding, Sales Director of Wanhua Fine Chemicals, and Marc Block, Vice President of the Performance Chemicals Business Unit, accepted the award online on behalf of the company.

According to Messe Düsseldorf, now that the deadline for registrations for K 2022 has been reached, it is clear that the interest taken by exhibitors in the world’s most important trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 19 to 26 October 2022, continues unabated. “K 2022 will again occupy the entire fairgrounds,” said Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, and added: “When talking to exhibitors we feel that there is an enormous demand for personal exchange on a global level.” 

Covestro and the Brazilian footwear manufacturer Calçados Beira Rio are jointly developing concept shoes with more sustainable material solutions. An elegant women's shoe and a comfortable casual shoe are used as examples to illustrate the variety of possibilities – from upper to lining, from sole to heel.

The Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) announced a new category for its 50th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Gala, the oldest and largest recognition event (established in 1970) in the automotive and plastics industries.

Ten leading personalities from the international plastics industry were recently inducted into the "Plastics Hall of Fame" - one of them is Ulrich Reifenhäuser, CSO of the Reifenhäuser Group, Chairman of the Exhibitors' Advisory Board of the “K” plastics show and Chairman of the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association in the VDMA.

On 17 May 2021, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. announced that it has established a new plant in Mexico, the Tapex Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. Monterrey plant, and has started production of the bags that are a main component of automotive airbags in March 2021.

Bryan Whitfield has been appointed as new Group Sales Director at Texon, a producer of sustainable footwear components, materials for consumer accessories and performance fabrics. He succeeds Matt Smith, who leaves Texon after almost a decade of successful service. Whitfield will be based in Dallas, TX, USA.