The European tyre and rubber industry has welcomed the European Parliament’s vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), describing it as a step towards greater clarity in sustainability efforts.

The sector has been actively addressing the Regulation’s objectives even before its formal proposal, notably through its involvement in the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

“Clear timelines and practical guidance are essential for our industry to comply effectively with the EUDR,” said Adam McCarthy, Secretary General of ETRMA. “We are eager to continue working with EU policymakers to find solutions that benefit the entire supply chain.”

In light of the extended implementation timeline, the industry plans to enhance its systems to ensure compliance. Key measures include expanding the mapping of smallholder farmers to cover a broader supply base, providing them with necessary support, and refining Annex I of the Regulation to avoid any unintended impact on circular economy practices.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reaffirmed its commitment to embedding sustainable practices across the natural rubber supply chain. The association also pledged to support the sector’s competitiveness while ensuring a smooth transition to meet the Regulation’s requirements.

This initiative underscores the industry’s long-term dedication to promoting sustainability while aligning with the EU’s environmental goals.

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Goodyear is presenting a collection of forward-looking concept and production vehicles at the Mondial de l’Auto Paris 2026 (Paris Motor Show 2026), taking place from 12 to 18 October at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, highlighting how tyres shape automotive design. For over a century, the company has influenced vehicle appearance, performance and driver connection, with its Advanced Design Studio partnering with manufacturers to create tyres that complement design, reinforce brand identity and support future mobility.

Sebastien Fontaine, Lead Designer at Goodyear’s Advanced Design Studio in Luxembourg, has explained that concept vehicles require customised tyres forming part of a vehicle’s visual identity and supporting the car designer’s vision. Close collaboration with OEM design teams lets Goodyear create unique solutions from early development through public reveal, using laser-carving technologies, customised sidewall treatments and premium production platforms.

Opel’s Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept, displayed on the Opel stand, represents the next stage of the brand’s design philosophy and a bold vision for the electric estate of tomorrow. Its prominent ‘Opel Vizor’ face is accented by strong lighting signatures front and rear, while the side features fluid, technical surfacing, extendable diffuser elements and three-zone alloy wheels. The customised tyres, based on the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric and sized 285/35R22, were tailored to complement the concept’s athletic stance, with visual cues extending from rim to sidewall.

Peugeot’s RCZ Vision concept debuts as the latest expression of the ‘Feline Future’ design language, inspired by the RCZ Coupé produced between 2009 and 2015. It embodies a feline stance leaning forward, with defined shoulders and a light signature of three horizontal claws front and rear. Its electric architecture includes a solid-state battery and ‘X-by-Wire’ technologies, with 500 horsepower delivered through 21-inch front and 22-inch rear forged-aluminium wheels. Tyres based on the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport, sized 255/35R21 and 295/30R22, feature a bespoke sidewall treatment connecting tyre to wheel and displaying the Goodyear and Eagle names.

Across the show, a wide range of production vehicles carry Goodyear tyres, spanning utility, sports, off-road, electric and petrol-powered models. These tyres are developed for efficiency, grip and durability, enhancing each vehicle’s capabilities. Highlights from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, DS, Volkswagen, Lancia, Fiat, Renault and others can be followed on Goodyear’s social channels.

Goodyear’s concept vehicle presence extends beyond the current show. For decades, it has collaborated with manufacturers on visionary concepts through innovative tire designs and custom OE partnerships. Milestones include the 2013 Wingfoot Concept and the 2015 BH-03 Concept, which introduced ideas around energy generation and intelligent mobility. The 2016 Eagle-360 Concept, featuring a spherical tire design, challenged conventional thinking about autonomous mobility, was named one of TIME Magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of 2016’ and earned several design awards.

Later concepts including IntelliGrip, Eagle-360 Urban, Oxygene, Aero and reCharge explored artificial intelligence, autonomous transportation, sustainable materials, flying mobility and renewable tyre technologies, with several earning international design and innovation awards. More recent collaborations include the Citroën Skate Concept, Citroën Oli, Toyota Aygo X Prologue, Lancia PU+RA HPE, Opel Experimental and Peugeot Polygon.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is organising the NRW Tire Recycling Forum on 10 November 2026 at the Lohrheide Sports Park in Bochum, running from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Held under the umbrella of the North Rhine-Westphalia Roundtable on Circular Value Creation, the free event targets municipal officials responsible for building, sports, green spaces, road and civil engineering, along with sustainability and climate protection managers.

Discarded tyres can be transformed into an array of construction materials, including impact-absorbing sports surfaces, sound and vibration insulation and protective layers for green roofs and photovoltaic installations. The gathering will examine how municipalities can integrate such recycled goods into their infrastructure and building projects.

Expert presentations, real-world case studies and details on funding programmes for urban development and sports initiatives across North Rhine-Westphalia form the core of the agenda. Public procurement will receive particular attention, with discussion centring on how technology-neutral, quality-focused tendering can encourage greater adoption of suitable recycled products in municipal work.

A guided tour of the Lohrheide sports park's newly installed running track, which contains tyre rubber granulate, serves as a principal attraction. Attendees will learn about the material's characteristics, the construction process and lessons drawn from planning, tendering and execution, offering concrete evidence of mechanical tyre recycling within a functioning circular economy. The event also connects to North Rhine-Westphalia's new circular economy strategy, which treats used tyres as a distinct field of action.

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BendPak’s Ranger Division has introduced the DST30PX, a next-generation wheel balancer in its DST Series, built to help shops handle larger OEM wheel assemblies and heavy aftermarket truck tyres. Older balancing platforms can struggle with these oversized wheels, slowing service and creating bottlenecks. The DST30PX addresses those issues through a new hood design, a larger shaft and an overhauled structural chassis.

The robust hood accommodates a wider range of tyre shapes and sizes, including oversized off-road and fleet tyres, without time-consuming repositioning. Its open-side design lets wider tyres, aggressive offsets and bulky sidewalls slide in more easily, cutting setup time and allowing operators to position wheel assemblies up to 43 inches in diameter. Ranger reinforced the chassis and hood assembly to handle added mass without flexing, compromising alignment or generating excess vibration, supporting consistent measurements and reliable accuracy. The rugged 40 mm shaft increases stiffness and accuracy for heavier wheels.

A large, 64-tooth magnetic transducer encoder with precision-cut square teeth converts rotary position into a digital electronic signal, helping achieve accurate profile readings and top-dead-centre positioning for minimal, precise wheel placement. This extra resolution benefits modern wheels requiring cleaner correction, smaller weight changes and better placement accuracy. The DST30PX also streamlines repetitive service through simple wheel data entry, precise rolling weight readings, automatic braking, manual or automatic hood-start operation and rapid cycle times. A quick-release hub nut, side-position brake, top-dead-centre weight indicator and tiered placement indicators accelerate setup and correction, while onboard storage includes a top tray, side cone pegs and a side shelf for Ranger Quick-Peel adhesive tape weight rolls.

Key features include a 145-lb (approximately 65 kg) capacity, a 30-inch wheel diameter range, a 43-inch maximum tyre diameter, low-RPM operation, a six-second cycle time, Dynamic, Static and Performance Alloy settings, a 16-bit processor, multi-directional quartz piezoelectric sensors, a multi-user save function with presets, ergonomic controls and a full-tilt LED display control panel. The DST30PX suits shops seeking higher precision, faster workflow, and advanced measuring for modern wheels without moving to a larger premium machine. It is ETL certified to applicable UL and CSA safety standards in the United States and Canada, ships with a starter kit of adhesive and clip-on steel wheel weights and offers Ranger Select setup and training.

Sean Price, Director of Product Development, BendPak, said, “The Ranger DST30PX represents a fundamental shift in how modern shops handle today’s radically heavier, oversized wheel configurations. It ensures technicians can mount, spin and perfectly balance oversized assemblies without a single second of wasted motion.”

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Continental has signed on as a global partner of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), with the agreement set to run from the 2026/27 season through 2029/30. The deal, negotiated by the IBU’s exclusive global marketing partner Infront, covers the LaVita IBU World Cup, the IBU World Championships and the Loop One Festival.

Biathlon’s close ties to winter make it a fitting fit for the tyre maker, which frames the sport as a natural setting for a partnership rooted in a positive view of the cold season. Athletes contend with shifting snow, weather and course conditions, blending endurance with shooting precision, a combination that mirrors Continental’s emphasis on preparation and confidence.

The tie-up places Continental inside one of EMEA’s strongest winter sports properties. The IBU calendar features 54 LaVita World Cup races and 12 World Championship races, many staged in key European winter markets, with Germany, France and Sweden among the largest EMEA television audiences for the sport. Beyond reach, European biathlon fans show a strong affinity for individual mobility, as 88 percent own at least one car, 80 percent drive at least semi-regularly and 59 percent drive regularly.

For the IBU, the cooperation adds an internationally established mobility brand to a partner platform that accompanies athletes and fans across the season, opening chances to develop fan experiences and market activities around major competitions. The deal extends Continental’s longstanding sports engagement in EMEA, giving it a season-long platform that links biathlon’s emotional pull with winter mobility relevance, on the idea that proper preparation turns winter conditions into possibilities rather than limits.

Alexandra Gaillard, Head of Marketing, Continental, said, “Our partnership with the International Biathlon Union brings together two organisations that share a common belief: challenging and unpredictable conditions do not have to limit what is possible. They can create opportunities for those who are prepared. Whether on the biathlon course or on winter roads, determination and the right equipment make all the difference when conditions change. Together with the IBU, we want to inspire people to rediscover winter and embrace the possibilities it offers, helping them navigate changing conditions safely and confidently.”

Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Business Area EMEA, Continental, said, “Biathlon is a natural fit for Continental: success in the sport depends on the perfect combination of performance, precision and control in winter conditions, just as it does for our winter tire portfolio. For decades, biathlon has been one of the most popular and successful winter sports on the Olympic stage, and throughout those decades, Continental has remained a trusted leader in winter tyre technology. This shared commitment to excellence, performance and reliability makes for a great partnership and provides a strong platform to engage with fans, customers and retail partners across EMEA.”

Felix Bitterling, Commercial & Marketing Director, IBU, said, “With Continental, we are welcoming a strong and renowned brand to the biathlon family. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation and performance resonates perfectly with the values of our sport and federation. Biathlon provides an excellent platform for global visibility while creating meaningful engagement opportunities with our passionate fan base.”

Marco Sautner, Managing Director, Infront Germany, said, "Continental has seen firsthand the value that winter sports can create for leading brands. Biathlon's passionate fan base, strong presence in key European markets and range of activation opportunities provide an excellent platform to build on that success. It is hugely satisfying to bring together two organisations that stand to benefit from a long-term collaboration."

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