The global demand for efficiency and precision in tyre manufacturing has reached unprecedented levels, and VIPO a.s., a pioneer in advanced bead winding technology, has delivered a game-changing solution: the LIHEXAL 8 – octuple head single wire bead winding machine (production of 8 beads per cycle). Designed specifically for the production of PCR (Personal Car Radial) tyres, this latest innovation epitomises cutting-edge research and development, coupled with decades of expertise in rubber and wire applications.

A LEAP FORWARD IN BEAD MANUFACTURING

The LIHEXAL 8 sets a new benchmark for bead winding machines, enabling the simultaneous production of up to eight beads per cycle. This state-of-the-art machine accommodates bead diameters ranging from 13” to 24.5” and cross-sections in both hexagonal and rectangular profiles.

The latest model of VIPO’s bead winding machine significantly reduces production time while maintaining consistent quality. The result is an increased beads output, minimised downtime and improved profitability for tyre manufacturers around the globe.

INNOVATION AT EVERY STEP

The LIHEXAL 8 redefines bead production with cutting-edge sensing and automation technologies. It offers real-time monitoring of material levels and predictive maintenance, ensuring seamless operations. Precision is at its core, measuring key variables like wire temperature, rubberisation and other parameters to guarantee beads of impeccable quality. Its advanced festooner system with independent pulleys allows precise control of wire tension and pressure, adapting effortlessly to unique production needs. Meanwhile, the upgraded bead winding station delivers unparalleled accuracy and speed, producing one bead every two seconds with flawless consistency.

VIPO’s innovations go beyond speed – they deliver reliability. With every cycle, manufacturers achieve premium-quality beads, securing their competitive advantage in the tyre industry.

GROUNDBREAKING WRAPPING TECHNOLOGY

One of the most notable features of the LIHEXAL 8 is its integrated bead wrapping system. In collaboration with the world’s best wrapping tapes suppliers, VIPO has developed a high-performance wrapping solution that applies tape to bead ends simultaneously without affecting the machine’s cycle time. With a machine autonomy and real-time verification of tape application, this system guarantees optimal quality and consistency.

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

Rooted in the legacy of Tomáš Bata’s historic town, VIPO a.s. has been at the forefront of rubber and wire technology for over 50 years. Combining generational expertise with cutting-edge innovation, VIPO proudly serves the world’s leading tyre manufacturers – partners who trust its solutions to deliver excellence. This enduring trust drives VIPO to continuously push the boundaries of innovation, with gratitude to its customers as the foundation of its success.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, UNMATCHED RELIABILITY

From installation and training to continuous support and machine optimisation, VIPO ensures that clients harness the full potential of the LIHEXAL 8. This exceptional level of service, combined with the machine’s unparalleled performance, makes it a cornerstone for modern, efficient and premium tyre manufacturing. Moreover, the LIHEXAL 8’s unmatched reliability and advanced automation significantly reduce human intervention, paving the way for streamlined operations and optimised production workflows.

WHY EVERY TYRE MANUFACTURER NEEDS THE LIHEXAL 8

The LIHEXAL 8 isn’t just a machine – it’s a revolution in tyre manufacturing. With precision, flexibility and speed, it meets the demand for high-quality beads while driving down costs and enhancing efficiency. Designed to adapt to each customer’s unique needs, it’s the ultimate solution for modern production challenges.

More than a supplier, VIPO is the trusted partner and committed to its clients’ success. The LIHEXAL 8, as well as the other VIPO equipment and services isn’t just about transforming production – it’s about empowering your business to lead in a competitive market.

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has completed and commenced operation of a 17.5-MWp rooftop solar power installation at its facility in Vietnam’s Nhon Trach Industrial Park, located within Dong Nai Province. This marks a significant step in the company’s broader effort to reshape its Vietnam operations – its largest global manufacturing base for tyre cords and technical yarns – into what it terms a ‘Smart Green Factory’. By merging renewable energy infrastructure with digital energy management systems, developed in partnership with the energy IT specialist Nuriflex, the firm is positioning this site at the forefront of its transition towards becoming a global eco-friendly manufacturing hub.

A key element of this transformation is the deployment of an Internet of Things based energy management system, which allows for real-time oversight of electricity generation and equipment performance. This digital layer not only streamlines operational efficiency but also contributes to greater equipment reliability and overall productivity gains, ensuring that the integration of renewable energy delivers tangible improvements beyond simple power generation.

With further solar installations set to be completed by August, total rooftop capacity at the Nhon Trach site will reach 37.5 MWp. Once fully operational in the latter half of the year, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS anticipates annual electricity cost savings exceeding KRW 6 billion (approximately USD 3.94 million), bolstering its cost competitiveness. The expansion is also expected to deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable management practices.

Through advanced energy IoT solutions, the Vietnam subsidiary now systematically manages carbon reduction data generated from its solar power operations. This capability enables a more structured response to rising demands from major global customers – including Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental and Pirelli – for verified renewable energy usage and carbon emissions information. By strengthening its ESG performance across the supply chain, the company is leveraging its solar infrastructure and smart energy management not merely as facility investments but as strategic tools to enhance environmental responsibility and competitiveness in a market where sustainable value chains are increasingly essential.

“Starting with our Vietnam production base, we are simultaneously promoting renewable energy transition and energy efficiency improvements across our operations. By expanding solar power facilities, we will strengthen both cost competitiveness and ESG capabilities while proactively responding to the evolving requirements of our global customers,” said an official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for February 2026, detailing a period of significant market activity influenced by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic changes and shifting supply-demand dynamics within the global natural rubber sector.

As per the report, global natural rubber production for 2026 is forecast to reach 15.324 million tonnes, a 2.2 percent increase from the 14.996 million tonnes recorded in 2025. February output alone is projected at 994,000 tonnes, marking a 3.4 percent year-on-year rise due to favourable weather and higher rubber prices. Despite this overall growth, production trends vary among member nations. While Thailand is expected to remain the top producer, Indonesia and Vietnam face short-term constraints from structural and agronomic issues. Meanwhile, Malaysia is advancing efforts to restore abandoned plantations, with the Rubber Production Incentive activated in Sarawak and Sabah and the Malaysian Rubber Board targeting the rehabilitation of 4,137 hectares of idle land in 2026.

Physical and futures markets saw notable price increases across major grades in February. In Kuala Lumpur, SMR-20 averaged USD 2.01 per kilogramme, a 5.13 percent monthly gain, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 5.12 percent to USD 2.11 per kilogramme. Sheet rubber grades also strengthened, with RSS-3 increasing 7.84 percent to USD 2.35 per kilogramme and RSS-4 in Kottayam surging 10.38 percent to USD 2.34 per kilogramme. Centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur closed the month at USD 1.61 per kilogramme. Futures mirrored this firming trend, as the Shanghai Futures Exchange May 2026 contract averaged roughly 16,508 CNY (approximately USD 2,388) per tonne and the SGX contract averaged USD 1.92 per kilogramme, supported by strong demand and tightening supply expectations ahead of the seasonal low-yield period from February to May.

Crude oil volatility added further complexity, with Brent averaging USD 70.89 per barrel in February – up 6.43 percent from January – before spiking to approximately USD 104 per barrel in early March following military actions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for nearly 20 percent of global oil supply. This has introduced a risk premium with implications for synthetic rubber competitiveness and natural rubber demand. Currency shifts also play a role, as the Malaysian Ringgit appreciated modestly to 3.89 MYR per USD and the Thai Baht strengthened to around 31.08 THB per USD by late February, affecting trade competitiveness. Looking ahead, rising automotive production, especially of new energy vehicles in China, India and Southeast Asia, is expected to sustain demand and support prices. However, risks persist from US-China trade tensions, Middle East geopolitical instability, weather uncertainties during the low-yield season and currency fluctuations tied to US monetary policy, all of which could disrupt supply chains and export revenues.

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Tokyo Zairyo Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation, marked a significant milestone in November 2025 by establishing a new branch office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Following the completion of all necessary preparations, this location has now commenced full-scale operations. The move represents a deliberate effort to broaden the company’s commercial reach across the Indian market while simultaneously constructing an organizational structure capable of responding with greater agility to the evolving and increasingly diverse requirements of its customers.

This southern expansion comes approximately 15 years after the company first established its Indian subsidiary, Tokyo Zairyo (India) Pvt. Ltd., with an office in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2011. By positioning a second office in Chennai, the firm now operates a coordinated network spanning the northern and southern regions of the country. Close collaboration between the two locations is intended to strengthen information services and enhance user support, leveraging both internal capabilities and external partnerships to better serve Japanese automotive parts manufacturers and processors operating throughout India.

Through this dual-office structure, Tokyo Zairyo is poised to advance its core business of purchasing and selling a broad spectrum of materials, including rubber, resins and elastomers. The synchronised operations in Gurugram and Chennai enable the company to deliver more responsive support, ensuring that clients across the Indian automotive supply chain benefit from efficient service and a reliable supply of essential materials.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of Liquid Rubber products and ISOBAM alkaline water-soluble polymer. These changes, which are set to take effect on 16 April 2026, will see prices rise by at least USD 2 per kg.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue the supply of Liquid Rubber and ISOBAM amidst the volatile market conditions.

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