Global oil prices surged on August 20, 2026, after a ballistic missile strike in the United Arab Emirates triggered nationwide alerts—the first such warning in weeks—fueling fresh geopolitical jitters. Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped 2.5% to $93.90 per barrel,…
Chinese tire giant Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has posted year-on-year growth in both sales and profits for the first half of 2026, driven by aggressive overseas expansion and sustained order demand. The Hangzhou-based company reported operating revenue of Yuan23.5…
Chinese carbon black producer Liaoning Changxing Black Cat Carbon Materials Technology plans to invest over Yuan 1 billion (€130 million) in a new 240 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) carbon black plant in Liaoning province. The project, listed on the Chinese…
Japanese tire giant Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has inked a joint research pact with Thai institutions to probe low-frequency tapping systems for natural rubber (NR) trees. The initiative, announced on 19 August 2026, aims to slash tapping frequency to enhance…
Hong Kong-based Shougang Century Holdings has signed a cooperation framework agreement with Hong Kong BMC (Europe I) Ltd (HK BMC)—a major shareholder of Cordenka—to explore the establishment of a joint venture focused on tire reinforcement materials. The proposed deal aims…
German automotive supplier Continental has reduced its capital expenditure by 25% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with the sharpest cuts falling on its Tires division. Group-wide capex for property, plant, equipment, and software totaled €437 million in H1…
Federal Reserve officials indicated growing support for higher interest rates during their July 28-29 policy meeting, with minutes released on August 19 revealing that several policymakers favored a quarter-point increase. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) ultimately voted 9-3 to…
Pennsylvania has enacted a new law to crack down on unlicensed commercial driver’s license (CDL) training schools, giving regulators the power to impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 50 on July 20,…
The United States is poised to slash tariffs on certain Canadian steel and aluminum imports from 50% to 25% under a tentative trade deal currently being negotiated, according to multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter. The proposed reduction,…
U.S. fuel refiners are operating at the highest capacity since the Iran conflict began, processing 17.4 million barrels of crude oil per day last week—the most since September 2019. The surge comes as global fuel markets tighten due to disruptions…