Beratex, part of the Bernauer Group alongside Texpak, is positioning itself as a specialist partner to global tyre manufacturers at a time when efficiency demands, sustainability pressures and the technical requirements of electric mobility are reshaping the industry. In a sector often described as mature, the company argues that meaningful gains are still being unlocked – not through disruption but through materials innovation and process optimisation that deliver measurable improvements on the factory floor.

“Beratex and Texpak are both part of the Bernauer Group, which positions itself as a system supplier of specialised auxiliary and raw materials for the tyre and rubber industries. Beratex & Texpak sees itself as a trusted specialist partner to the global tyre industry, with a strong focus on high-performance product solutions. Our products help tyre manufacturers maintain stable, efficient and high-quality production processes across both PCR and TBR applications,” says Hanspeter Bernauer, Owner and CEO. “At the same time, building on our experience since 1972, we continue to expand our footprint in the tyre and rubber sector with complementary products such as low-melting EVA materials for mixing process and embossed PE films for single-use applications, which we distribute through our subsidiary Texpak.”

A key differentiator for Beratex is its vertically integrated production model, spanning from HDPE film supplied by its subsidiary Kunststoffwerk Lahr to in-house yarn production, weaving, heat-setting, hot-calandering, finishing and confectioning, allowing the company to manage the full value chain internally. In addition, its own hydropower generation plays an important role in ensuring supply reliability, efficiency and sustainability.

INCREMENTAL INNOVATION IN A MATURE INDUSTRY

Despite tyre manufacturing’s maturity, Bernauer sees ample scope for innovation – though largely incremental. “Even in a mature industry like tyre manufacturing, there is still considerable room for innovation. In our view, some of the most meaningful progress comes from better materials, more efficient processes and solutions that help customers reduce waste without compromising performance,” he says.

“Innovation does not always have to be disruptive. In many cases, the biggest improvements come from practical developments that make production more stable, cleaner and easier to automate. That is exactly where close cooperation between suppliers and manufacturers can create real value,” he adds.

FACTORY-FLOOR IMPACT AND CONSISTENCY

The operational impact of Bernauer Group’s solutions is most visible in production environments. Liner materials are engineered to stabilise the handling of uncured rubber and reduce variability.

“The most tangible benefits are seen directly on the production floor. Our liner solutions help improve handling reliability, reduce contamination risks and support a smoother, more consistent manufacturing process. As a result, customers benefit from fewer interruptions, lower material waste and more stable output,” Bernauer says.

Texpak’s EVA low-melting bags and films complement this by offering consistent processing behaviour, a defined melting point, consistent thickness, a reliable quality standard and integration into mixing processes.

“For tyre manufacturers, that means better process efficiency, improved product quality and more effective use of materials. In high-volume production, even small improvements in these areas can have a significant operational impact,” Bernauer says.

Consistency remains central to the value proposition. Bernauer notes that Beratex liners are designed to bring consistency and process reliability to high-volume tyre production, with PE and textile liners offering uniform gauges, controlled surface properties and reliable release performance, enabling uncured rubber components to be handled without deformation, contamination or unnecessary variability.

By reducing sticking, tearing and uneven release, these solutions support stable cycle times, smoother automation and lower rejection rates. “Another important advantage is the durability of our liners. Their long service life helps maintain stable conditions over extended production runs, reduces replacement frequency and contributes to overall efficiency on the factory floor,” he adds.

PRODUCTIVITY AND TOTAL VALUE

The company links these performance improvements directly to productivity metrics. “Our solutions can have a very direct impact on factory-floor productivity. When liners perform reliably, manufacturers experience fewer stoppages due to sticking, tearing, misfeeds or contamination. That helps keep line speeds stable and supports better throughput,” Bernauer says.

He explains that by adapting liner solutions to the specific requirements of a process, the company helps customers improve handling, reduce waste  and strengthen production control, contributing, in practice, to better overall equipment effectiveness and a more predictable manufacturing environment.

This underpins a broader emphasis on total value rather than initial price, reflecting the economics of high-volume manufacturing.

EVOLVING EXPECTATIONS: COST, PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Supplier expectations have shifted materially over the past decade. “Customer expectations have changed significantly over the last 10 years. In the past, the focus was often on price and basic functionality. Today, tyre manufacturers expect much more: reliable performance, process consistency, compatibility with automation and clear added value,” Bernauer says.

Sustainability is now central, with Bernauer noting that customers increasingly look for solutions that support material reduction, recyclability and a lower environmental impact while also expecting closer technical cooperation and more customised support – factors that have made supplier relationships significantly more strategic than before.

“Today, it is clearly a combination of all three,” he says, referring to cost, performance and sustainability. “Cost pressure remains important, but manufacturers also understand that performance and process reliability directly affect efficiency, quality and total production cost. The most attractive solutions are therefore the ones that combine cost efficiency, performance and sustainability rather than treating them as trade-offs.”

REGIONAL SHIFTS AND GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

The tyre industry’s geographic footprint continues to evolve. “Yes, we are seeing clear regional shifts in both demand and manufacturing. Capacity continues to move towards Asia and other cost-competitive regions, driven by local market growth, export opportunities and broader supply chain diversification,” Bernauer says.

At the same time, new regions are emerging. “We are also seeing increasing activity in regions that previously played a smaller role in the global landscape, including parts of Africa,” adds Bernauer.

This creates a dual requirement for suppliers: global consistency and local flexibility.

SUSTAINABILITY IN SOURCING AND PRODUCTION

Sustainability considerations are reshaping procurement decisions, with Bernauer noting that the biggest change is that sourcing decisions are no longer driven by price alone, as tyre manufacturers increasingly assess recyclability, material efficiency, carbon footprint and the overall environmental profile of their suppliers. There is also a growing focus on reducing waste through downgauging and the use of reusable materials.

“Beratex is very well positioned in this respect. We generate 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources through our own hydropower plants, and we can fully recycle all our production waste and reprocess it into new products,” he says.

EV-DRIVEN REQUIREMENTS

Electric vehicles are tightening manufacturing tolerances. According to Bernauer, the rise of electric vehicles is raising the bar for tyre manufacturers, with EV tyres typically requiring tighter dimensional precision, higher load-bearing performance and very consistent production conditions.

“For us, that means developing liner solutions with even greater surface consistency, controlled release behaviour and clean processing performance,” he says.

DIFFERENTIATION THROUGH DURABILITY

Durability and long-term performance are central to the company’s positioning. “What sets Beratex apart is that we combine proven product performance with a strong understanding of manufacturing realities. Our liner solutions are designed to deliver consistent quality, reliable release performance and exceptional durability, with customer references showing Beratex liners in use for over 15 years when properly handled,” Bernauer says.

Bernauer notes that with more than 135 million square metres of liner solutions supplied, the company’s track record demonstrates both long-term product performance and customer trust, adding that the focus remains on total value rather than just initial price.

REDUCING DEFECTS AND WASTE

At a functional level, the materials are designed to minimise defects. Bernauer explains that, in simple terms, the company’s materials help tyre manufacturers handle uncured rubber components cleanly and consistently. When release performance is stable and the liner behaves predictably, there is less risk of sticking, tearing or surface damage.

“Texpak EVA materials help reduce defects and waste in tyre production by offering consistent melting behaviour, uniform thickness and reliable quality,” Bernauer adds.

CHALLENGES AND OUTLOOK

The operating environment remains pressured. “One of the main challenges is the overall cost pressure in a highly competitive market,” Bernauer says, citing raw material volatility and supply chain disruptions. “Another challenge is meeting rising sustainability expectations while still delivering the functional performance customers require,” he adds.

Looking ahead, he identifies two key opportunity areas. “The first is advanced and more sustainable material solutions,” he says, pointing to the demand for recyclable and environmentally responsible products.

“The second is the ongoing shift towards higher-performance tyres, including EV-related applications, which require greater precision, cleanliness and process stability,” he adds.

For Bernauer Group, the approach remains consistent: deepen process integration, refine materials and deliver incremental improvements that scale across global tyre manufacturing.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026, noting firmer prices in several markets. Supply constraints, stable downstream demand and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty shaped the month. Renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes added further pressure.

Physical prices for major grades moved in different directions. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.31 per kg, up 4.25 percent from July, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 1.40 percent to USD 2.39 per kg. RSS-3 dropped 4.18 percent to USD 2.80 per kg, but RSS-4 in Kottayam gained 0.57 percent to USD 2.92 per kg. Latex-in-bulk fell 4.73 percent to USD 1.73 per kg. Brent crude averaged USD 91.08 per barrel, driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East instability, which raised energy supply risks and strengthened the oil market risk premium.

On trade, China's imports climbed 3.39 percent month-on-month, while India fell 10.18 percent and Malaysia dropped 8.24 percent; Viet Nam rose 5.08 percent. Exports advanced 5.63 percent in Viet Nam but declined in Thailand (-5.24 percent), Indonesia (-5.36 percent), Malaysia (-1.48 percent) and Cambodia (-1.88 percent).

Global production is projected to rise 0.6 percent to 15.039 million tons in 2026 from 14.952 million tonnes in 2025, after revisions to Thailand's 2025 output and updated 2026 estimates for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weather, including erratic rainfall and drier Southeast Asian conditions, affected output. August 2026 production was estimated at 1.396 million tonnes, down 4.51 percent from 1.462 million tonnes a year earlier. Demand is forecast to grow 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes in 2026 from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest consumption gains expected in China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related supply disruptions, while steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth led by China and India. The ringgit traded between RM4.02 per USD and RM4.09 per USD, and the baht between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY per tonne, up 7.78 percent month-on-month, while the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24 per kg, up 4.32 percent.

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HS HYOSUNG has formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government of San Luis Potosí, with the signing taking place at the World Trade Center Mexico City. The event formed part of the Korea-Mexico Business Forum, held alongside the Korean economic delegation's visit to Mexico.

Attending officials included Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's Secretary of Economy, and Mario García Valdez, Secretary of Economic Development of San Luis Potosí. The two sides confirmed their shared resolve to back the company's local investment and regional growth. Separately, HS HYOSUNG's leadership met bilaterally with Secretary Ebrard to elaborate on its strategic vision and investment plans.

The agreement sets out a phased expansion of HS HYOSUNG's investments in San Luis Potosí beginning in 2027, with the goal of creating a major advanced materials production hub that bolsters supply for North American and wider global markets. The company's advanced materials span tyre cord, a flagship world-leading product, along with mobility, energy, aerospace and defence applications. Its North American operations, spanning Mexico and the United States, turn out tyre cord, airbag materials and mobility interior components for global leaders such as General Motors and Goodyear, underpinned by a highly dependable global supply chain.

Nak-yang Sung, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “This investment goes beyond establishing a simple manufacturing base – it reflects our strategy to turn Mexico into a pivotal hub connecting North America with global supply networks. We are also committed to strengthening local supply chains and creating high-quality jobs to contribute directly to the region's industrial ecosystem.”

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Kumho Petrochemical Group is steering its business towards research-driven, higher-value outputs as oversupply and soft demand continue to weigh on the worldwide petrochemical sector. The Seoul-based group outlined plans to boost spending on speciality chemicals, sustainable materials and novel production methods, a push intended to lift profits while building a foundation for future expansion.

Underlying the move is a deliberate evolution in the group's identity, from a bulk materials vendor to a provider of technology-backed solutions that address shifting customer requirements and stricter environmental rules. A central element of that effort involves widening the speciality lineup, exemplified by added capacity for solution styrene butadiene rubber, a synthetic rubber that enhances durability, rolling resistance and tread wear in high-performance electric vehicle tyres.

Environmental initiatives form another pillar. Facilities built by the company can trap approximately 76,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, while separately developed technology turns recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sourced from scrapped household appliances into automotive-grade interior components that satisfy performance standards and generate fewer emissions than conventional methods. The group has also joined forces with POSCO Future M and BEI on anode-free lithium-metal battery development.

Parallel technology-focused programmes are underway at affiliated units. Kumho P&B Chemicals is formulating water-based epoxy resins that curb volatile organic compound releases while incorporating more bio-based inputs to reduce carbon intensity. Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is advancing bio-based polyurethane systems and electric vehicle materials, alongside debottlenecking work to add 100,000 tonnes of annual methylene diphenyl diisocyanate capacity. Kumho Polychem, meanwhile, is targeting ethylene propylene diene monomer through low-temperature polymerisation paired with energy-efficiency improvements.

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Birla Carbon has confirmed a price increase of up to 15 percent for its Speciality Materials products across Asia, scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2026. The company pointed to significant and sustained rises in feedstock costs, driven partly by ongoing geopolitical instability and disruptions in global feedstock markets, as the reason behind the adjustment.

Although Birla Carbon pursued operational efficiencies, supply chain optimisation and disciplined cost management to soften the impact, the scale and persistence of the cost escalation left a price adjustment unavoidable. The company's sales teams will engage customers directly to explain the details and help them navigate the transition.

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