Versalis, Ecombine and EVE Rubber Institute announced a Joint Technology agreement to develop an innovative technology for high performance green tires

San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy; Quindao, China - 3 July 2015 - Versalis (Eni), a major producer in the polymers and elastomers industry, Ecombine and EVE Rubber Institute - respective subsidiary and affiliate companies of Mesnac, a Chinese global leading rubber & tire machinery corporation - announced a Joint Technology agreement to develop an innovative technology for high performance green tires.

Versalis' know-how in synthetic rubbers - widely acknowledged as a standard of excellence - will play a key role in attaining a breakthrough generation of tires, based on proprietary solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (s-SBR) and Butadiene Rubber (Nd-HCBR) technologies.

The scope of the partnership will be to integrate the Versalis elastomers technologies with EVE's ATCM - Advanced Technology for Compound Manufacturing -, an innovative technology, for the production of advanced elastomer compounds designed for the tire market.

The combination of Versalis and EVE's technologies is going to generate an innovative Joint Technology Platform which will offer to the tire market an unrivalled array of new materials with enhanced mechanical performances and environment-friendly features. The newly developed technology will be used by Versalis and EVE for joint licensing - thus laying the basis for long-term cooperation.

"Technology innovation in the elastomers industry is fundamental to ensure a leading position in the marketplace. In the tire business, R&D is focused on meeting the ever-growing customer requirements in terms of performances and environmental sustainability. This new partnership - incorporating and leveraging top of the class technologies - will be a real game changer within the tire landscape, capable to significantly upgrade the excellence of the products and the creation of value within the supply chain. " said Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis.

"During the past 30 years since China embarked on its reform and opening-up policy in 1978, China has shifted from the labor-intensive manufacturing to high-tech and high-end manufacturing. Before its reform and opening-up policy, China opened up the global market with a cheap labor advantage. However, it is imperative that China should improve the products quality and focus on innovation. EVE Rubber Institute is an advanced public research platform. It commits itself to the application and development of new rubber materials. EVE has filled many blanks in this field, for example, the new mixing technique is a major innovation and of vital importance. We consider Eni as our most reliable partner in the new material project not only because it is one of the most influential players in the oil industry, but also a solid cooperation foundation between Italy and China, especially in the tire industry. It is worth mentioning that H radial tire technology industrialization in China has been implemented as well by a main Italian tire manufacturer. Ecombine will cooperate with Versalis(Eni) in key and major techniques, introducing SSBR and BR. Our cooperation will facilitate the transition of SSBR and BR from raw materials to mass application. Meanwhile, EVE rubber institute will cooperate with Versalis (Eni) in solvent recycling. The cooperation between the three parties will benefit the development of the green tire industry and improve the creativity and core competence of elastomers.", said Mr Yuan Zhongxue, Chairman of Mesnac.

About Versalis
Versalis (Eni) is interacts with markets through globally-oriented strategies and a market-driven product portfolio. It is the industry leader in manufacturing intermediates, polyethylene, styrenics and elastomers and is entering the green chemicals and polymers industry partnering with worldwide biotech companies. Versalis prides itself on its wide range of proprietary technologies, wide-reaching distribution network and after-sales assistance. As part of its new strategy, the company aims to gain a leadership position in fast-growing markets by leveraging its technological and industrial expertise. In Asia, Versalis has entered into partnerships with global petrochemical producers for development of its elastomer division.

About Mesnac
MESNAC originates from Qingdao University of Science and Technology, which focuses on rubber technology. MESNAC has been committed to R&D and the manufacture of rubber machinery since its establishment in 2000. It can offer an integrated solution that covers the entire tyre manufacture process. Through its dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, MESNAC has grown into a leading tyre equipment supplier in the world. MESNAC is aiming to provide leading products and services of world class quality. MESNAC products are currently working well in the world's top tyre plants in America, Asia, Europe and Africa. The global service network provides excellent support to customers, making MESNAC the world's truly local supplier.

About Ecombine
Ecombine Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. is established to industrialize the compound-mixing of synthetic rubbers, specialized carbon blacks, and high dispersive silica with ATCM technology. Ecombine strives for the low-carbon manufacturing of green compounds at low cost and with little emissions.

About EVE Rubber Institute
The EVE Rubber Research Institute (hereby referred as "EVERI') Co. Ltd is dedicated to the development and recycling of new types of rubber such as functional rubber and green rubber, as well as employing ATCM technology which ultimately leads to this innovative development. The Institute was founded in January 2013, is an important platform of academic exchange and technical cooperation with international advanced level in the field of rubber science and engineering in China. EVERI has established several mature research areas including new rubber materials, environmentally friendly processing technology and the application of rubber materials, the design and development of environmental friendly tyres, as well as research into new functions for rubber . EVERI owns 596 large-scale sophisticated equipment patents including rubber mixing and processing equipment, vulcanized rubber testing equipment, and material analysis and detection testing equipment etc. More than 120 experts from different fields work in EVERI, covering multiple areas including fundamental research, material research, product development, equipment research, technical service, and analytical testing. Under the leadership of President Meng-Jiao Wang, the reknowned rubber expert, EVERI has obtained dozens of patents in the rubber and tyre field. Several of his achievements have now become the industry standard. According to reports from the Spain IDIADA (the EU authoritative testing institution) and USA SMITHERS lab (the US authoritative testing institution), EVERI has reached international advanced level in the field of new tyre material, environmentally friendly technology tyre manufacturing, and providing functional rubber materials. . EVERI is the first scientific institution satisfying the BB level of the EU tyre label.

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