The Tire Cologne – larger in 2024, but missing some big names
Major industry trade fair The Tire Cologne is drawing near and will take place between 4 and 6 June. Following its debut in 2018 and first post-pandemic show in 2022, this third instalment promises to be a significant event for the tyre and wheel industry. Advance ticket sales for the three-day event have commenced and show organiser Koelnmesse has now published an exhibitor list online. Three of the world’s largest tyre makers don’t appear on it.
Continue ReadingUK fleets could save over £300m annually with graphene-enhanced truck tyres, says Levidian
Levidian Nanosystems has presented a prototype truck tyre made with a butadiene rubber tread compound containing its net zero graphene, and reports that this compound “has been shown to deliver significant improvements in the mechanical and dynamic properties of the tyre.” The Cambridge-based firm is confident such tyres can deliver considerable fuel and CO2 savings.
Continue ReadingHankook Tire gains CDP Carbon Management Sector Honors
CDP Carbon Management Sector Honors for Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire). The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Korea Committee hosted its Climate Change and Water Security Awards on 13 March. Based upon the CDP Climate Change Response Project’s evaluation of more than 23,000 global companies, the Committee acknowledged Hankook Tire within the Consumer Discretionary awards category. The tyre maker achieved an A- rating in the evaluation, one of only 25 Korean companies achieving this distinction.
Continue ReadingTitan International completes plant upgrade
Completion of a major upgrade to its Des Moines facility in the USA gives Titan International greater plant capacity. The company invested US$2 million in the expansion project, which includes the addition of two new 104-inch curing tyre presses that will accommodate the recently expanded AgraEDGE tyre line.
Continue ReadingNo reprieve for Michelin’s German plants
Michelin has dashed union and works council hopes of reversing the planned end of truck tyre production in Germany, with company management rejecting a more than 100-page document outlining alternative concepts for maintaining the plants. The IGBCE union and works councils presented the document to the tyre maker last month; according to the union, Michelin management rejected all proposals at the beginning of March.
Continue ReadingFirestone Liberia earns ISCC PLUS
On 12 March 2024, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced that its Firestone Liberia natural rubber growing and processing facility has attained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition. Firestone Liberia earned ISCC PLUS certification for its efforts in “reducing environmental impacts, utilizing resources efficiently and enhancing its capacity to adapt to, mitigate and build resilience to climate change”, according to the company.
Continue ReadingNew Yokohama Mexico factory to be built in Saltillo, Coahuila
The new consumer/light truck tyre plant Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) intends to build in Mexico will be constructed at the Alianza Industrial Park in Saltillo, Coahuila. The details emerged after approval by the YRC board on 18 March.
Continue ReadingKumho Tire to build plant in Europe
In response to an article that The Korea Economic Daily published this morning, Kumho Tire has confirmed that it is considering establishing a new factory in Europe. The company indicates this interest in a disclosure to the Korea Stock Exchange but adds that it has not yet decided precisely how much it will invest in the project, nor its exact timing. Kumho Tire intends to supply further information within the next month.
Continue ReadingYokohama Rubber to set up plant in Mexico
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced plans to strengthen its capacity for supplying tyres to the North American market by building a passenger car tyre factory in Mexico. The company intends to invest up to US$380 million to build a plant with an annual production capacity of 5 million tyres.
Continue ReadingQuality focus for Fortune
The Fortune brand is a relative newcomer in the UK commercial vehicle tyre market, but behind the range is one of China’s largest and fastest-growing tyre makers. Prinx Chengshan produces the entire Fortune truck tyre line-up in a state-of-the-art facility in Chonburi, Thailand, and recently invited distribution partners from the UK and Europe to see the technology behind this Industry 4.0 plant for themselves. This visit also served as an opportunity to forge stronger business ties as well as to present the latest products within the Fortune portfolio.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Farm Tires creates LSW European hub in France
Goodyear Farm Tires has created a new Low Sidewall Technology Development Centre in France to “provide its UK and European …customers with improved access to one of the most innovative products on the market”, according to the company. The French HQ of Titan International – which re-introduced Goodyear Farm Tires to the European market in 2019 – has been scheduled to begin the manufacturing and customisation of wheels for the exclusive LSW wheel and tyre assemblies at the start of April. Previously, all production and assembly of LSW products took place in the USA.
Continue ReadingPyrum Innovations entering Scandinavia with GreenTech JV
A consulting agreement with Swedish firm GreenTech Recycling Tires AB gives Pyrum Innovations AG its first point of entry into the Scandinavian market. On the proviso that GreenTech’s financing is fully secured, Pyrum will invest up to 3 million euros in a joint venture SPV (special purpose vehicle) to build a pyrolysis recycling plant capable of processing 20,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually.
Continue ReadingYokohama Rubber back in the black in Russia
Several tyre makers have sold their manufacturing operations in Russia since 2022; Yokohama Rubber has not. L.L.C. Yokohama R.P.Z. suspended operations at its Lipetsk passenger car tyre plant in March of that year due to issues with raw material procurement, resuming production in August 2022.
Continue ReadingFurther Prinx Chengshan tyres gain TÜV SÜD certification
During a ceremony held in China on 6 March, TÜV SÜD Group acknowledged Prinx Chengshan with certification that will “serve as a milestone” to “accelerate” the tyre maker’s entry into the European market. The certification agency awarded Prinx Chengshan the VECTO-based (EU) 2017/2400 carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption certification for three commercial vehicle tyre models sold in Europe under the Fortune and Austone brand names – AR 603, TH 135 and TH 155.
Continue ReadingHankook sponsoring UK truck shows
Visitors to three trucking events taking place in the UK this summer will have the opportunity to get better acquainted with the Hankook and Laufenn truck tyre ranges. In addition to continuing its support of the Devon and Cornwall shows, as of this year Hankook Tyre UK has announced its sponsorship of the Best of the Best event.
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