Compounding has remained one of the only subjects in the tire industry where information is kept close to the heart. There is very little exchange of technology or know-how and it happens mainly by people changing their positions. Compounding is still probably the single subject that has most influence on both the feasibility of tire production and technological achievements. The process consists of the following stages and machinery, and there is a strong drive toward automation. In several ways, compounding has been left behind in as much as automizing production lines.

• Storing, weighing and dosing CB and whites (bulk fillers)
• Weighing and dosing small chemicals for both master and final batches – advances and new systems, including direct supply to the mixer
• Cutting and feeding rubber slabs and blocks
• Batch mixing versus continuous extrusion
• Dumping and final process by either mills or twin-screw extruders, followed by cooling and preparing the rubber slabs or strips (batch off versus chilling)