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.

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive electric racing tire supplier and official partner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (Formula E), has launched a digital fan engagement initiative called ‘Make it Yours, Make it Race.’ The AI-powered helmet design campaign runs from June 8 to June 21, local time, during the brand’s final season as the series’ tire provider in Season 12. This marks a significant push into virtual fan experiences as the championship heads toward its concluding partnership year with Hankook.

The campaign represents a collaboration with Formula E and the DS PENSKE Formula E Team, utilizing Google Cloud’s infrastructure and advanced AI models, including Gemini, Nano Banana, and Veo. By moving activations beyond physical race venues, the tire manufacturer aims to offer global motorsport enthusiasts novel methods to interact with the racing ecosystem. The digital platform allows participants to craft personalized racing helmet designs, which are then submitted via Instagram with the dedicated hashtag #HKAIhelmet.

A public voting phase will determine the winner, with the final design officially announced on July 3 across Hankook’s social media channels. The victorious artwork will be prominently featured at the 2026 Hankook London E-Prix, where paper versions will be given to spectators and a full-scale replica will be exhibited at the Hankook Fan Village booth. The grand prize for the winning designer includes two Formula E VIP tickets, a driver-signed cap, a premium merchandise package, and a podium cap, with additional prizes for the runners-up.

This initiative is part of Hankook’s broader strategy throughout its four-season tenure with Formula E, which has included interactive Fan Village experiences showcasing the ‘iON’ electric vehicle tire lineup and the ‘iON Race’ tire. The company also supports the FIA Girls on Track program through lectures and workshops, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing future talent. These efforts collectively enhance brand visibility while deepening customer connections globally.

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Webfleet, Bridgestone’s advanced fleet management solution, has closed a strategic agreement with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG. The collaboration leverages OEM.connect, the company’s original-equipment telematics programme, to erase the need for physical device installations across Volkswagen Group brands. Operators running Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda, Seat, Cupra or Audi models can now channel real-time machine data straight into the Webfleet ecosystem.

Once a compatible vehicle’s identification number is registered, the system activates full-service functionality in under an hour. This digital-first approach accelerates fleet onboarding while unlocking analytics that drive cost reduction, operational refinement and eco-friendly driving habits. Crucially, the interface does not discriminate by brand mix, granting unified oversight of diverse fleets through a single dashboard or companion application, regardless of whether units come from one marque or several manufacturers.

Among the practical tools now available to European customers are fuel-level surveillance, electric-battery tracking for range assurance, granular performance dashboards and early-warning mechanical alerts to curb unplanned stoppages. Every feature is accessible across the continent, giving mixed and single-brand fleets equal command over their daily logistics without legacy hardware barriers.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “We always aim to make connecting vehicles to Webfleet as quick and easy as possible. Adding six Volkswagen Group brands to OEM.connect serves that goal perfectly. Fleet operators get immediate access to valuable data that helps them optimise their operations. This collaboration represents an important step in expanding our OEM.connect ecosystem, enabling fleets to adopt connected services faster and with less complexity.”

Lasse Schmidt van Hülst, Lead Sales & Key Account Management, Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, said, “Combining our vehicle data with Webfleet’s advanced fleet solutions supports the continued development of connected fleet services across Europe. By making vehicle data available through trusted partners, we are helping fleet operators improve performance while ensuring secure and compliant data use.”

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Pirelli has finalised its gravel tyre lineup with the debut of the CINTURATO Gravel RH and CINTURATO Gravel RM, manufactured at the Milan-Bollate plant using FSC-certified natural rubber. These additions arrive as gravel cycling evolves towards faster racing, rougher courses and heightened performance expectations from riders. The ‘R’ designation signals a race-focused philosophy, while the ‘H’ and ‘M’ suffixes align with Pirelli's existing off-road naming system, indicating suitability for hard-packed or mixed terrain, respectively.

The company leveraged its motorsport pedigree and cross-country mountain biking expertise to engineer both tyres, which are positioned within the High-Performance Line. This premium category represents the pinnacle of Pirelli's gravel technology, with all design and production occurring in Italy. The HP-Line distinguishes itself through advanced materials and manufacturing methods, setting a new benchmark for the brand's gravel offerings.

For hard-packed surfaces where speed and efficiency reign supreme, the CINTURATO Gravel RH employs a tread design featuring a smooth centre section to maximise rolling efficiency on tarmac and compact gravel, while aggressive shoulder knobs deliver precise cornering grip. Its 120 TPI ProWALL casing, borrowed from XC racing, enhances ride feel and puncture defence. Internal testing has recorded a 17 percent decrease in rolling resistance compared to the previous Performance Line tyre, establishing it as one of the fastest options in Pirelli's gravel range.

Conversely, the CINTURATO Gravel RM caters to riders navigating a mixture of fast sections and technical terrain, offering a balanced compromise between traction and rolling economy. Its familiar tread pattern, previously known as RC, ensures cornering stability and dependable braking and acceleration on loose surfaces. With the same robust casing and sizes extending up to 700 x 55 mm, the RM serves as a singular solution for varied gravel races, maintaining a smooth and controlled ride. Pirelli's tests indicate a 20 percent improvement in rolling resistance over the Performance Line counterpart.

Both tyres incorporate the newly developed SmartEVO GR compound, tailored specifically for high-performance gravel applications. This formulation aims to reconcile low rolling resistance with trustworthy grip across wet and dry conditions, enabling riders to balance speed and control effectively. The complete range now spans from pure racing scenarios to adventure riding, covering everything from high-speed hardpack routes to muddy and technically demanding trails.

The portfolio is divided into the HP-Line for uncompromising performance and the P-Line, which utilises 60 TPI casings and SpeedGRIP compound for versatile all-round use. The CINTURATO Gravel RH and RM are currently available online and at select retailers, with the HP-Line offered in four sidewall finishes including a new Team Edition with yellow Racing labels. Sizes range from 700 x 40 mm to 700 x 55 mm, representing one of the most extensive size selections in the gravel market.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been honoured with the ‘Highest Revenue Business – Southern Region’ award at the Prachachat Business Awards 2026. The recognition, presented during a ceremony at Paragon Hall in Bangkok on 28 May 2026, is based on performance metrics and tax contributions evaluated by Prachachat Business News, the Department of Business Development and Creden Asia Company.

This accolade underscores STA’s pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s natural rubber sector and its dedication to sustainable, stable growth. The company continues to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency while generating value for stakeholders, including farmers, partners, employees and investors. Amid global industry shifts, STA is committed to raising domestic rubber standards and strengthening its international market position.

The organisation prioritises responsible supply chain management, transparency and strong corporate governance. By integrating digital platforms and artificial intelligence, STA is modernising data connectivity across its operations, facilitating the industry’s transformation into the digital age and ensuring long-term resilience.

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