Pumping Up Profits: Urethane Technologies Inc. of...

Pumping Up Profits: Urethane Technologies Inc. of Irvine said Wednesday that two bicycle tire manufacturers in Asia will use its proprietary chemicals to make airless tires.

One of the manufacturers is Wei Hei Yicklong Industrial Development Co., a Chinese conglomerate that has a light industrial and bicycle tire manufacturing division. The company is based in the Shandong province of the People’s Republic.

The other manufacturer requested that its name be withheld for competitive reasons.

Together, the two tire makers hope to produce about 1 million bicycle tires this year and 5 million tires in 1994. Based on that production volume, Urethane Technologies said it expects to become profitable in the first half of 1994.

Urethane Technologies develops proprietary polyurethane technology that the company licenses and sells to equipment manufacturers. Applications now in development include technology for athletic shoe soles and fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen.