THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER

ORANGE, TEXAS — About 130 workers at the Firestone Polymers LLC synthetic rubber and thermoplastic elastomer facility in Orange went on strike March 18 over management's health care proposals for employees.

WINONA, MINN. -- Compounder RTP Co. has licensed manufacturing rights from ExxonMobil Chemical Co. for Santoprene TPV, a thermoplastic vulcanizate nylon bondable thermoplastic elastomer.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers should rise at a compound annual growth rate of 5 percent in volume and 6.4 percent in value in the 2012-2018 year period, according to a new market report.