The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has said in its latest statement that the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and the SPD essentially establishes the correct goals from the standpoint of the German rubber industry.

The promises to technical openness in the automobile sector, to cutting bureaucracy and to a risk-based approach in chemicals policy are undoubtedly welcome, according to Michael Klein, President, wdk. He said that the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act's announced repeal is a significant step towards reducing the burden on businesses and will satisfy the rubber industry's requests during the election campaign.

Praising the announced support for the circular economy, he said, "Waste tyre recycling, in particular, is a prime example of the diverse and successful possibilities of using recycled materials and tyre retreading. The coalition partners would have liked to have highlighted rubber products more clearly here. The promises to reduce bureaucracy are also in line with the demands of the business community. This is especially true for bureaucracy practice checks, which were proposed by the wdk."

But before any real action is done, he also warned that nothing is as it seems because prior government coalitions have also pledged to lessen the various reporting obligations. The executive lamented that the coalition agreement did not specifically target energy-intensive, industrial SMEs and made no mention of market monitoring, although applauding the announced relief for industry from high energy costs.

"Now it's important to breathe life into the letter of the coalition agreement and implement the agreed measures promptly and in close dialogue with the business community. The German rubber industry is happy to provide its expertise for this purpose and will continue to closely and critically monitor the implementation of the agreements,” concluded the wdk President.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Comerio Ercole has achieved a significant international milestone by securing the ‘Italian Company of the Year – Manufacturing’ title at the ACQ5 Global Awards 2026. This honour, conferred by a globally respected M&A magazine, recognises exceptional commercial performance and innovation on the world stage. The award is particularly meaningful as it results from a rigorous peer-driven nomination and voting process, establishing it as a credible benchmark for excellence. For Comerio Ercole, this accolade validates over 140 years of dedication to industrial reliability, quality and technological advancement in specialised calendering and mixing solutions, blending traditional engineering with modern innovation.

Concurrent with this recognition, the company is aggressively pursuing a strategy of global engagement and visibility in 2026. A key component of this strategy involves participation in major international trade shows, including several first-time appearances, to connect with new audiences and strengthen existing partnerships. This direct market engagement supports the company's international expansion and allows it to showcase its expertise while understanding regional industry demands. The upcoming Tire Technology Expo 2026 in Hannover, Germany, from 3–5 March, stands as a prime example. At this leading industry gathering, Comerio Ercole will occupy Stand 8006 in Hall 21 to present its latest advancements in rubber calendering, automated production systems and sustainable manufacturing solutions tailored for the tyre and rubber sectors.

Integral to these presentations will be the company's evolving focus on digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Attendees will be introduced to a suite of AI-based tools, including MINERV-AI, which is designed to digitally capture, structure and automate critical industrial procedures related to work, maintenance, quality and safety. This technology aims to preserve valuable operational know-how and enhance overall efficiency. The inclusion of such smart tools underscores Comerio Ercole’s commitment to merging its deep engineering heritage with cutting-edge digital solutions, offering clients future-oriented capabilities that boost productivity and process reliability.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company reported a marked improvement in fourth-quarter profitability, as restructuring benefits and favourable pricing offset weaker demand and persistent cost pressures across global tyre markets.

The US-based group said fourth-quarter net sales were USD 4.9 billion, slightly lower than a year earlier, while tyre unit volumes fell to 42.3  million. Net income rose to USD 105 million, or USD 0.36 a share, compared with USD 73 million, or USD 0.25 a share, in the same period last year. Adjusted net income was USD 113 million, marginally ahead of the prior year, with adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.39.

The company said the quarter delivered its highest segment operating income and margin in more than seven years, reflecting progress under its Goodyear Forward transformation programme.

“We delivered another strong quarter, driven by execution of our Goodyear Forward plan,” said Mark Stewart, Chief Executive and President. “While we continue to face challenging industry conditions in the first quarter, we are operating with greater focus and discipline on the elements within our control.”

Total segment operating income in the quarter rose to USD 416 million, from USD 382 million a year earlier. On an organic basis, excluding the impact of divestitures, segment operating income increased 18 percent, supported by restructuring benefits of USD 192 million and favourable price and mix compared with raw material costs. These gains were partly offset by inflation, tariffs and other cost pressures, as well as lower volumes.

Goodyear Forward has now generated USD 1.25 billion of cumulative segment operating income benefits since its launch, exceeding the programme’s original commitment by about USD 150 million. By the end of 2025, the company had reached a USD 1.5 billion run-rate over the two-year programme.

During 2025, Goodyear also generated USD 2.3 billion from divestitures and other asset sales, including the disposal of its chemical and off-the-road tyre businesses and the Dunlop brand. The company said the proceeds were used primarily to reduce debt, exceeding its asset sale target by about USD 300 million.

For the full year, Goodyear reported net sales of USD 18.3 billion, with tyre unit volumes of 158.7m. The company recorded a net loss of USD 1.7 billion, or USD 5.99 a share, compared with net income of USD 46m a year earlier. The loss reflected several significant non-cash items, including a USD 1.5 billion deferred tax asset valuation allowance and a USD 674 million goodwill impairment charge. Adjusted net income for the year was USD 136 million, down from USD 278 million in 2024, with adjusted earnings per share of USD 0.47.

Segment operating income for the year totalled USD 1.1 billion, down from USD 1.3 billion a year earlier. Excluding divested businesses, segment operating income declined by USD 170m, reflecting lower volumes amid continued weakness in the commercial tyre market and tariff-related pressures. These effects were partly offset by restructuring benefits of USD 772 million and modest gains from price and mix.

Regional performance remained mixed. In the Americas, fourth-quarter net sales slipped slightly as volumes declined, reflecting high channel inventories of imported tyres and weaker original equipment production. Europe, the Middle East and Africa recorded higher sales, supported by pricing and currency effects, with original equipment volumes rising sharply. Asia-Pacific results declined, largely due to the sale of the off-the-road tyre business, although underlying margins improved once divestment effects were excluded.

Looking ahead, management said industry conditions were expected to remain difficult in the near term, particularly in the commercial segment. The company said it would continue to focus on cost control, pricing discipline and execution of its transformation plan to navigate the current environment.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

NEXEN TIRE has reported record annual revenue for 2025, supported by higher output from its expanded European plant and stronger regional distribution.

The South Korean tyre maker said preliminary revenue rose to around USD 2.2 billion , with operating profit of USD 117 million. The company first surpassed USD 1.4 billion in annual sales in 2019 and has now exceeded USD 2 billion for the first time, despite a volatile global trading environment.

Sales growth was driven largely by the second phase of the European plant expansion, which increased capacity and supported volumes amid trade uncertainty, including the impact of US tariffs. The company said it pursued both volume and quality growth by strengthening competitiveness across its core businesses.

In original equipment, Nexen Tire continued to expand supplies to more than 30 global carmakers, offering products for electric vehicles and internal combustion engine models. Replacement tyre sales grew steadily, supported by region-specific product strategies.

US tariffs had a limited effect on profitability, the company said. While policy uncertainty weighed on demand, Nexen mitigated the impact by diversifying distribution channels and increasing sales of larger-inch tyres to improve its product mix. Cost efficiency measures, alongside stabilising raw material prices and freight rates, also supported margins.

Alongside its earnings update, the company outlined its strategic priorities. During 2025 it launched its EV ROOT range, designed for use across both electric and conventional vehicles, and expanded original equipment partnerships, including with premium brands. It also established new overseas sales bases to strengthen regional distribution.

Product quality and management practices received external recognition. In the fourth quarter, the company’s N’FERA Sport tyre was runner-up in the tyre category at the New Product Awards at the SEMA Show in the US. Nexen Tire was also named an excellent company for quality competitiveness for the fifth consecutive year at the Korea National Quality Awards and received the Presidential Award at the Labour-Management Culture Awards.

For 2026, the company said it would respond proactively to shifting global trade policies while focusing on strengthening sales capabilities and achieving quality-led growth. Plans include sales-focused marketing to raise brand visibility, closer customer cooperation and further development of replacement tyre sales, building on the reputation of its original equipment products.

Nexen Tire said it would continue to refine its product and distribution mix, accelerate innovation using artificial intelligence and virtual technologies, and expand downstream distribution in key markets.

“Despite growing uncertainty in the global trade environment, we achieved a meaningful milestone by surpassing KRW 3 trillion in annual sales for the first time,” said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, Chief Executive of the company. “We will continue to pursue both volume and quality growth by strengthening our product and distribution competitiveness in global markets.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

ZEON Corporation reported higher operating income in its synthetic rubber business in the third quarter, as stronger overseas shipments and a weaker yen offset lower selling prices linked to falling raw material costs.

The elastomer business, which includes synthetic rubbers, recorded quarterly net sales of about USD 357 million, down 4 per cent year on year but up 2 per cent from the previous quarter. Operating income rose 29 per cent quarter on quarter to around USD 19 million, leaving margins broadly stable at about 5 percent.

The company said selling prices declined in line with lower raw material costs, particularly butadiene. Asian butadiene prices averaged USD 875 per tonne in the quarter, down sharply fro USD 1,306 a year earlier, easing cost pressures but weighing on revenues.

Shipment volumes of synthetic rubbers increased both year on year and quarter on quarter, supported by overseas demand, even as market conditions in China remained subdued. Zeon said general-purpose rubber shipments were driven mainly by overseas markets, while specialty rubber volumes were broadly steady in Japan and abroad.

Within the elastomer segment, latexes continued to face a prolonged supply-demand imbalance in medical and hygienic applications, leading to weaker sales. Operating income in the sub-segment nevertheless improved as selling, general and administrative expenses declined. Chemicals sales were lower year on year, reflecting weaker demand for adhesive tapes and labels, although quarterly results benefited from currency effects and lower raw material prices.

For the nine months to December, operating income in the elastomer business increased to about USD 61 million, up from around USD 58  million a year earlier, despite cumulative net sales falling to approximately USD 1.08 billon. Zeon attributed the improvement to cost reductions, lower ocean freight costs and favourable exchange rates, partially offset by lower selling prices and reduced shipment volumes.

Looking ahead, the company said shipments of synthetic rubbers are expected to decline seasonally in the final quarter, which could pressure unit margins as production volumes fall. Zeon has assumed an Asian butadiene price of $950 per tonne for the fourth quarter and said currency movements would remain a key factor in earnings performance.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!