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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Pirelli's Cyber Tyre has been distinguished as the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Innovation of the Year at the 2025 AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. This accolade, presented by the Tech Breakthrough platform, recognises leading advancements in the automotive technology sector. The Cyber Tyre system represents a significant step forward as the first intelligent tyre capable of directly gathering data, processing it through Pirelli's proprietary algorithms and communicating the information in real-time to the vehicle's electronic systems. This integration enhances driving dynamics, safety and connectivity with broader digital infrastructures.

The technology functions through sensors embedded within the tyre tread that monitor critical parameters including pressure, temperature, load and wear. After this data is processed, it is relayed to the vehicle's control unit, allowing for the optimisation of electronic stability control, anti-lock braking systems and traction control. Developed in collaboration with Bosch Engineering, the system is seamlessly incorporated into the vehicle's electronic architecture.

Beyond improving the performance of individual vehicles, the Cyber Tyre enables communication between vehicles and with road infrastructure. This V2X capability supports the development of smart cities by providing data that can improve urban mobility planning, issue warnings about road conditions, interact with traffic signals and enhance fleet management. Such features are vital for the progression of autonomous driving technologies. Currently available on several high-end vehicles, the technology is being expanded to other premium platforms, with a recent agreement confirming its future integration into Aston Martin's luxury models.

AutoTech Breakthrough stated, “Cyber Tyre is a key technology for the future of smart mobility, which includes autonomous driving, connected vehicles and the digitalisation of infrastructures. By integrating intelligence directly into the tyre, Pirelli Cyber Tyre makes transport systems safer as well as sustainable and data-driven.”

Piero Misani, CTO, Pirelli, said, “This recognition highlights the value of Cyber Tyre, which gives the tyre a new role in the revolution currently taking place in mobility. In Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), the availability of precise real-time data is essential: our technology enables, for the first time, the transmission of detailed information to the vehicle’s electronics regarding the tyre’s status and road surface conditions, improving safety, performance and efficiency. The system has already been adopted on high-end vehicles, with the goal of extending its application to an increasingly wider audience and to different functionalities towards other systems thanks to V2X connectivity.”

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Titan International Inc. has launched its first steel-belted skid steer tyre, the Carlstar Ultra Guard Steel line. This strategic introduction marks a significant step in the company's commitment to becoming a comprehensive, full-service provider across all tyre categories and applications. The new product directly responds to market demand for a high-performance, steel-belted option engineered for the most punishing environments, including construction sites and areas with extreme puncture risks.

The Ultra Guard Steel is built for operators who demand maximum durability without sacrificing comfort. Its heavy-duty steel-belt construction provides a more than 150 percent improvement in puncture resistance over traditional bias tyres. The design also incorporates a larger lug pattern for enhanced load distribution and endurance, while a flexible sidewall improves ride quality through superior shock absorption.

For increased capability, the tyre features a deeper tread depth and greater surface contact, delivering exceptional grip and traction. A built-in robust rim guard offers critical protection against damage, a feature often missing from competitor products. This tyre is engineered to deliver premium performance across diverse industries, giving operators greater confidence. The Ultra Guard Steel line is available for pre-order, with shipments anticipated in February 2026.

Travis Little, General Manager of Ag, Construction and Industrial products for the Carlstar and Carlisle brands, said, “We listened to our customers and studied competitor offerings to engineer a tyre that raises the bar for durability and rider comfort.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, successfully demonstrated its high-performance racing technology at the demanding Central European Rally. As Round 12 of the 2025 season, the event concluded on 19th October in and around the Passau region of Bavaria, challenging participants with one of the calendar's most complex tarmac routes.

The rally's 18 special stages, spanning roughly 307 kilometres of asphalt, presented a severe test. The route wove from the high-speed sections on the rolling hills of the Czech Republic to the narrow, slippery and technical roads of the Bavarian Forest, with surface grip changing dramatically throughout. Unpredictable autumn conditions, including sudden showers, dense fog and sharp temperature swings, further intensified the challenge, pushing drivers and their equipment to the absolute limit.

In this variable environment, Hankook supported all crews with its dedicated tarmac rally tyres: the Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210. The Ventus Z215 provided sharp handling and exceptional cornering stability on dry asphalt, while the Ventus Z210 was crucial for maintaining confident grip and dispersing water effectively during wet stages. The consistent performance of both tyre models amid rapidly shifting grip levels underscored Hankook’s technological advancement and reliability under extreme asphalt conditions.

The rally concluded with a victory for Kalle Rovanperä of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, who secured his third win of the season. This result elevated him to joint second in the Drivers' Championship standings. The event was also historically significant for Toyota, which clinched its ninth Manufacturers' Championship title, setting a new record for the team.

The championship now advances to the final round, FORUM8 Rally Japan, in November. Known for its narrow and treacherous mountain roads, the event will demand ultimate precision. Hankook's involvement as the exclusive tyre supplier is backed by extensive development, including over 2,000 kilometres of FIA-supervised testing across eight countries. This commitment forms the foundation for its continued role as the sole tyre supplier for all WRC categories for three consecutive seasons starting in 2025, a partnership that will further strengthen the premium value of the Hankook brand on the global stage.

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Steelastic LLC, part of the HEICO Companies, has officially announced a new strategic partnership with IBP for the territories of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In this capacity, the company has welcomed John Powath as its official agent for these regions. Powath is a respected leader within the tyre industry, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles as a Partner at IBP and as a Co-Founder of Automoto. He is also recognised as an active contributor to global tyre and automotive industry events.

Operationally, Steelastic’s Business Development Manager Hemant Agrawal will work in close coordination with the IBP team. Their collective focus will be on strengthening the support infrastructure for customers and driving the growth of Steelastic’s business footprint across South Asia. The company has expressed considerable optimism regarding this collaboration and believes it will unlock substantial new opportunities for its valued customer base in the region, enhancing product access and technical service.

The company statement read: “We welcome John Powath as Steelastic’s official agent in these regions. Powath is a respected leader in the tyre industry, Partner at IBP, & Co-Founder at Automoto, as well as an active contributor to global tyre and automotive events. Moving forward, Steelastic Business Development Manager, Hemant Agrawal, along with the IBP team, will work closely to strengthen customer support and grow Steelastic’s business across South Asia. We are excited about this collaboration and the opportunities it will bring for our valued customers.”

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