Company News
BKT partnering with Kultevat on dandelion rubber development
Instead of just finding dandelions growing in fields, we may soon also find them in the tyres of tractors and other agricultural vehicles that traverse these fields. Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT) sees a future for these plants as a material within the tyres it makes; it recently entered into a joint research agreement with US biotechnology company Kultevat, Inc. to develop new compounding methods based on TKS/Russian dandelion rubber, with the aim of integrating these into its tyre manufacturing process.
- Giti Tire bringing European OE & aftermarket tyre ranges to Cologne show
- Directa Plus collaboration: graphene to boost Marangoni retreading performance
- Hankook bringing world premières and smart tyre solutions to The Tire Cologne
- Continental revises H1 2018 outlook
- Dunlop takes over from Bridgestone as Saroléa technical partner
UK News
A great season for Manchester City – and Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire is revelling in Manchester City FC’s Premier League success. Travis Kang, chief executive officer of Nexen Tire, states that as official tyre partner, Nexen is “thrilled” with Manchester City’s confirmation as Premier League champion.
- Tyresure celebrating 10 years of TPMS
- High levels of satisfaction in aftersales, NFDA Consumer Attitude Survey reveals
- TerraClean-backed racing stars make strong starts to season
- Comline announces product range extension
- UK engineering key to aftermarket success: National Auto Parts MD, David Houlden
Product News
FermRFID and Camso in multi-year RFID agreement
FermRFID, a Division of FineLine Technologies, and Camso have announced a multi-year RFID development agreement to commercialize a patent pending RFID solution for solid tyres called the “plug.” The solution, which has undergone development and testing by FermRFID and Camso for two years, can uniquely identify tyres and track them throughout the entire supply chain from manufacturing, vulcanization, warehousing, shipping and at customer locations.
International News
40 years, 81 million tyres – Kama Tyres reaches milestone
Almost 40 years to the day since the first Kama truck tyre was produced in the Nizhnekamsk Truck Tire Factory, parent company Tatneft reports that the plant has produced its 81 millionth tyre. The tyre will be presented to staff at an event held on 25 April to mark the plant’s 40th anniversary.
- Pyrolyx secures funding for US plant expansion
- Sport sponsorship: Continental official partner, tyre of Giro d’Italia
- Yokohama USA launches new OTR tyre sales and reference guide
- Retread Instead promotes pro-tariff lobbying actions
- Liqui Moly the official sponsor of 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
Career Tracks
Two key B2B appointments at Michelin
Michelin Tyre plc has announced key appointments to lead its B2B division covering the agricultural, bus/coach, earthmover, truck and van sectors. This sees Chris Smith, 34, appointed sales director B2B; and Helen Ratcliff, 38, named as marketing director – both with responsibility for the UK and Ireland.
Motorsport News
Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 approved by Porsche for new 911 GT3 RS
The new Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 has been approved by Porsche as original equipment for the new 911 GT3 RS. The tyre brand will supply sizes 265/35ZR20 (99Y) XL and 325/30ZR21 (108Y) XL to Porsche, both tyres carrying the N1 marking to indicate Porsche homologation.
Retreading News
Vipal Rubber showing new treads, tyre monitoring platform at The Tire Cologne
During the four days of The Tire Cologne, Vipal rubber will introduce two new treads. These are the VM729 and VDE2. The retread manufacturer comments with pride that both treads have very recently been granted 3PMSF ‘snowflake symbol’ certification.
Comment
Why Doublestar’s Kumho purchase is a good idea
15 months after bidding got underway, Qingdao-based Doublestar and its consortium of Chinese banks and investors bought 45 per cent of the South Korean tyremaker Kumho Tire over the Easter weekend. Whatever other clauses are written into the deal, following the release of shares issued for the purpose of the sale, Kumho Tire’s creditors will own a 23.1 per cent shareholding in the tyre maker, down from 42.01 per cent. This makes the Chinese tyre firm controlling shareholders in South Korea’s Kumho Tire.
