Continental’s dedication to comprehensive environmental and social responsibility has been formally recognised with the 2025 Kalmar Sustainability Award. The honour was conferred at Kalmar’s Supplier Day event in Szczecin, Poland, following a rigorous independent evaluation.

Continental distinguished itself by earning the highest score on Kalmar’s supplier sustainability scorecard, which measures performance in critical areas like responsible sourcing, data transparency, hazardous substance compliance and active participation in sustainability initiatives.

This partnership is operationalised through Continental’s role as the premium supplier of V.ply and radial tyres for Kalmar’s port logistics vehicles, which include reach stackers, terminal tractors and container handlers. The collaboration is strengthened by a shared vision for a carbon-neutral future. Continental implements this vision by focusing on the entire tyre lifecycle, from employing energy-efficient production and sustainable materials to designing long-lasting products like the TerminalMaster tyre.

Digital tools such as ContiConnect further this mission by optimising tyre pressure and health, which reduces fuel consumption and extends tyre life, thereby minimising the overall environmental footprint. This award celebrates a synergistic alliance built on a mutual commitment to innovation and superior quality standards.

Christian Berner, Global Key Account Manager for Port Operations at Continental, said, “We are honoured to receive this award from Kalmar, a valued customer with whom we have enjoyed a strong partnership for more than 15 years. This award is a testament to our shared values: a strong commitment to sustainability and lifecycle responsibility as demonstrated in our yearly sustainability report.”

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Nokian Tyres has been named an Official Sponsor for the 2026 and 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, connecting its brand with a premier winter sports spectacle. The sponsorship covers the upcoming tournaments in Switzerland and Germany, which captivate a global audience of millions.

According to Tiina Frazer, VP of Brand, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres, the partnership is a natural alignment. She notes that ice hockey is a sport defined by extreme conditions, where success hinges on control, precision, and grip. This directly parallels the core mission of Nokian Tyres, which is to engineer products that provide drivers with reliable safety and confident performance on the road, regardless of the weather. The collaboration reinforces the company's dedication to excellence in demanding environments.

Frazer said, “We’re proud to support an event that brings together millions of passionate hockey fans – whether they’re cheering at the ice rink or following the excitement from their screens. It’s a privilege to be part of the special moments viewers enjoy around the globe, especially as awareness of our heritage as inventor of the winter tyre is growing globally. We are looking forward to our partnership and wish all the teams and players success for the upcoming tournament.”

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The World Brand Lab unveiled its ‘Asia's 500 Most Influential Brands’ list at the Asia Brand Congress in Hong Kong on 24 September 2025, featuring both Kumho Tires and Doublestar Tires for their significant brand impact.

Kumho Tires achieved a comprehensive ranking of 209th, rising six places from the previous year and positioning it as the second-highest ranked tyre brand. Meanwhile, Doublestar Tires climbed five spots to 305th overall, earning the distinction of being the top-ranked brand within China's domestic tyre industry.

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Michelin North America, Inc. is enhancing retailer access to its bicycle tyres through a new distribution partnership with J&B Importers, effective 1 October 2025. With this development, retailers will be able to order Michelin products directly through J&B Importers, starting with an initial selection of popular models.

A major expansion of the tyre lineup is scheduled for 1 January 2026, which will introduce a comprehensive portfolio. This collaboration is designed for a seamless integration, providing efficient access to Michelin's premium range. The 2026 expansion will include a wide array of new SKUs, encompassing tyres for road, mountain, gravel and city cycling to meet diverse market demands.

Justin Brock, Vice President – Sales, Recreational Products, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Partnering with J&B Importers, Inc. allows us to better serve independent bike dealers with faster access to Michelin’s trusted tyre technologies. This is a key step in expanding our footprint and supporting the cycling community with products that deliver performance and durability.”

Phil Sweet, General Manager, J&B Importers, Inc., said, “We’re proud to welcome Michelin to our distribution portfolio. Michelin is a globally respected brand known for innovation and performance. This partnership allows us to offer our dealers access to premium bicycle tyres backed by a legacy of excellence, and we’re excited to grow the assortment in the months ahead.”

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Pirelli has introduced the Cinturato Winter 3, a winter tyre engineered for sedans and crossovers to deliver safety and control in cold conditions. The tyre’s development prioritised balanced performance across snow, wet roads and dry pavement, achieved through advanced virtual engineering techniques that reduced the need for physical prototypes and accelerated the design process.

Independent testing by Dekra and TÜV confirmed the tyre’s leading capabilities. It ranked first on snow for braking, traction and handling, earning the TÜV Premium Quality Mark. On wet surfaces, it demonstrated top-tier aquaplaning resistance and handling, with a European wet grip rating of A-B across its entire range. The tyre also provides acoustic comfort, with low rolling noise emissions as indicated on its European label.

Key technical updates contribute to this performance. The tread pattern features a central zig-zag channel for improved water evacuation, while optimised sipes and Snow Keeper Teeth on the tread blocks trap snow to enhance snow-on-snow grip without sacrificing wet performance. The compound technology benefits from Pirelli's experience with the high-performance P Zero Winter 2. It uses a Dual-Core Polymer with a structure that provides high grip at low temperatures for snow adhesion while maintaining grip on wet and dry surfaces, coupled with excellent wear resistance for higher mileage.

Material development was streamlined using a generative AI tool called the Virtual Compounder, which identified optimal material combinations for the new compound with greater precision and efficiency. The tyre was validated at Pirelli’s proving grounds, including the Sottozero Centre in Swedish Lapland, a 125-hectare facility with 19 tracks for testing on snow, ice and asphalt. A recent indoor facility at this centre allowed for year-round winter condition testing. The Cinturato Winter 3 was tested on over 10 car models to ensure compatibility.

Available now on the replacement market in over 35 sizes from 16 to 20 inches, the range includes specific technologies. The Elect marking denotes versions that can increase the range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by up to 10 percent through solutions tailored to their powertrains. An optional Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) uses a sound-absorbing material to reduce cabin noise.

The Cinturato Winter 3 joins other recent Pirelli winter products, including the P Zero Winter 2 for high-performance cars and the Scorpion Winter 2 for SUVs. This expanding portfolio addresses the growing market demand for specialised winter tyres, particularly in larger sizes for premium vehicle segments.

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