Rubber Journal Asia

More tyre bladders in South America

Last month, Rhein Chemie acquired Darmex S.A. and its production sites in Argentina (Burzaco and Merlo) and Uruguay (Colonia). With this acquisition, Rhein Chemie says it is the only producer worldwide of both bladders and release agents, representing a one-stop solution for tyre manufacturers.

Bladders are used in the tyre manufacturing process. A green or non-vulcanised tyre is placed in a press. Once the press is shut, the internal pressure forces the green tyre against the internal wall of the tyre mould. This is done using a butyl rubber bladder that is then inflated under high pressure and at high temperatures to give the tyre its final shape.

Rhein Chemie says its bladders, to be sold under the brand name Rhenoshape, have a longer life cycle thus increasing the number of tyres produced about 20%.

Release agents are required to prevent the tyre from sticking to either the bladder or the mould. For tyre manufacturers, these chemicals are essential for ensuring a smooth, cost-effective production process.

The demand for release agents and bladders is expected to expand in parallel to global tyre production, which is expected to grow on average by approximately 5% a year in the next ten years. The mega-trend of mobility is underpinning this growth, driven by a growing middle-class in countries such as Brazil, China and India.

In addition, an increasing number of tyre companies are outsourcing their bladder production in order to optimise productivity and take advantage of the higher quality offered by bladder specialists.

Rhein Chemie develops, produces and sells additives, speciality chemicals and service products for the rubber, lubricant and plastics industries. In fiscal 2009, it achieved sales of EUR226 million and has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. The company is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany and has production facilities in Europe, Asia and North and South America.