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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Prinx Chengshan has successfully concluded its inaugural Latin American distributor brand promotion conference, which drew participants from key markets including Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The event, organised under the theme ‘GROW TOGETHER, WIN TOGETHER’, underscored the manufacturer’s strategic commitment to fortifying its commercial ties and operational presence across the region.

Deputy Director Zhu Deqiang of the Asia-Africa-Latin America Sales Centre offered an extensive overview of the company’s global operations and manufacturing capabilities. His presentation was specifically tailored to address the varied road conditions, diverse vehicular applications and specific consumer preferences found throughout Latin America, with a particular focus on the company’s flagship commercial and passenger tyre ranges. This strategic communication effectively enhanced regional partners’ comprehension of the brand’s technical evolution and historical legacy.

Distributor representatives Rodrigo and Marcelo, handling the Chengshan and Prinx brands in Brazil, respectively, provided valuable frontline insights into channel development, promotional tactics and commercial performance. Their contributions served to illustrate the tangible market traction and upward trajectory of Prinx Chengshan’s product portfolio within the competitive Latin American environment. The conference agenda also included visits to local retail outlets, allowing attendees to observe the brand’s in-store presence firsthand while fostering stronger relational bonds through informal cultural exchange.

With a current commercial presence spanning more than 20 Latin American nations, Prinx Chengshan is leveraging this milestone event to propel its regional expansion strategy forward. Marking the commencement of its 50th anniversary year, the conference represents both a decisive move to consolidate its Latin American foothold and a critical component of its broader global aspirations. The company intends to continue adapting its tyre technology and after-sales support infrastructure to meet evolving local demands, aiming to drive sustained growth throughout the region.

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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has announced the acquisition of Lidingö Bilcenter, a well-established service point located on the island of Lidingö east of Stockholm. The transaction represents a strategic move to broaden Citira’s service network across the Stockholm metropolitan area, incorporating another essential facility into its growing portfolio.

Originally founded in 1995, Lidingö Bilcenter has cultivated a durable reputation within the local community over several decades. Since assuming ownership in 2016, Niclas Lind has reinforced the business’s standing through attentive, personalised service, ensuring consistent customer loyalty. Its advantageous position in one of Stockholm’s suburbs makes it a critical hub for passenger car maintenance in the region.

Under the new arrangement, the workshop will retain its existing personnel and operate from its current location while gaining access to Citira’s broader resources and logistical network to facilitate future expansion. Furthermore, Lind will assume a co-ownership role within Citira, solidifying the partnership beyond the initial transaction.

Urban Tibbelin, Head of Sweden at Citira, said, "We are thrilled to have Niclas and his team on board. They have built something with real staying power on Lidingö, with the kind of customer loyalty that is hard to earn. We look forward to having their quality service now come to the benefit of our customers and to supporting the continued development of the business on Lidingö.”

Niclas Lind of Lidingö Bilcenter said, "Joining Citira is the right next step for the business. Becoming part of a strong group means we can further strengthen both our service and product range, without changing what our customers value most. You will still meet the same team, in the same place, with the same commitment to quality, now with the added strength and support of Citira behind us. We look forward to this new journey together.”

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China's Zenith Group has formalised an agreement with the Egyptian Government to establish a manufacturing facility for automotive tyre components within the Sokhna Industrial Zone, a key part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The project represents an investment of USD 300 million and is set to occupy a 320,000-square-metre site inside the TEDA Egypt industrial development area, reports Forbes Middle East.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the signing ceremony, highlighting the initiative as a cornerstone of the state's broader strategy to bolster local manufacturing and draw advanced industrial investment. The new plant is projected to produce 120,000 metric tonnes of steel cord and 50,000 metric tonnes of bead wire annually while generating around 1,000 direct employment opportunities for the local workforce.

SCZone Chairman Walid Gamal El-Dien emphasised that the project aligns with the authority's objectives to attract heavy industries and enhance high-value manufacturing. The facility is expected to deepen industrial integration with existing tire producers in the zone, fostering a comprehensive production chain. By localising the production of essential steel wire, the project aims to diminish import reliance and strengthen supply chain resilience for Egypt's automotive and rubber sectors.

Significantly, approximately 30 percent of the plant's output is earmarked for export to the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. This development is part of a larger investment surge within the SCZone, which encompasses over 461 square kilometres. During the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the zone attracted 80 new ventures worth more than USD 5.1 billion, surpassing the total from the entire previous fiscal year and underscoring the region's growing industrial momentum.

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has expanded its international network with the addition of the Thailand Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (TATMA) as its ninth Affiliate Member. This strategic integration marks a significant enlargement of TIP’s operational footprint into Southeast Asia, a critical hub for global tyre production.

Affiliate Members play a vital role in advancing TIP’s core objective of identifying and addressing pressing environmental, social and governance challenges throughout the tyre lifecycle. By contributing crucial regional intelligence, these members bolster TIP’s capacity to observe and interpret evolving industry dynamics, particularly within the burgeoning Southeast Asian market.

The inclusion of TATMA is particularly strategic given Thailand’s status as the second-largest tyre exporter worldwide. The nation is currently fostering a circular economy framework across its tyre sector, presenting substantial opportunities for collaborative research with TIP. This partnership will facilitate a vital exchange of expertise, especially concerning end-of-life tyre management and sustainable circularity practices, while TATMA also oversees local trade, quality standards and environmental compliance.

TIP’s affiliate network comprises trade associations selected for their regional economic impact and ESG relevance. This coalition includes representatives from Australia, India, United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, Korea, Canada and United States, collectively ensuring a comprehensive global perspective on tyre industry sustainability.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “We are pleased to welcome TATMA to our network. The tyre trade associations’ local insights inform our global sustainability-related activities. Through our expanding and diverse membership, we are strengthening our shared vision of a sustainable tyre value chain.”

Keeratisuda Khakhong, Secretary General, TATMA, said, “We recognise TIP as the global platform for addressing key ESG challenges facing the tyre industry, particularly in the areas of tyre and road wear particles, ELT and sustainable raw materials. Through this partnership, we look forward to active knowledge exchange, sharing best practices and engaging with global affiliates to support the tyre industry towards a more sustainable future.”

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