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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The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has warned that UK’s circular economy goal will remain out of reach if waste tyre processing continues to move abroad. Environment Agency data shows enhanced verification measures introduced last October have a compliance rate below two percent, a figure the TRA described as deeply concerning. Without a fundamental shift in policy and enforcement, a closed-loop system cannot be realised.

Exporters are systematically ignoring the new rules. Of 4,189 waste tyre shipments since 1 October 2025, only 54 post-shipment forms were completed correctly, a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent. The vast majority of UK’s annual 300,000 tonnes of tyre exports end up at illegal batch pyrolysis plants in India. The TRA called this both an environmental failure and an economic loss, as the UK ships abroad the very feedstock needed to power its own circular economy.

While the UK treats waste tyres as a disposal problem, the domestic sector holds 150,000 tonnes of licensed but idle processing capacity. The TRA argued that with enforceable regulation and proper oversight, the industry could expand significantly, creating skilled jobs and generating high-value secondary materials at home instead of losing them overseas.

Shredding tyres reduces environmentally harmful disposal and unlocks new value streams. Shredded tyres are strategic feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, advanced continuous pyrolysis, recovered carbon black for new tyre manufacturing and rubberised asphalt for long-life roads. The TRA urged immediate regulatory action to stop uncontrolled exports and activate dormant domestic processing capacity without further delay.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General, Tyre Recovery Association, said, “The Environment Agency’s transparency is very welcome, but the figures are an indictment of those tyre export brokers who continue to operate without conscience. To see a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent is ultimately depressing, these measures are a long way off having any meaningful impact.

“New measures need to be introduced so that EA can fulfil their statutory duty; until then, the export chain simply continues to abuse their goodwill. We must face the hard reality. Shred is the only immediate route to a circular economy and sustainable future for British operators. Unless we mandate that tyres must be mechanically processed into shred before they leave our shores, we will continue to fuel pollution abroad while our domestic recycling assets wither.

“Our neighbours and competitors are realising the opportunity from secondary materials. We continue to export the UK’s future in the back of shipping containers, while the rest of the world builds a circular economy. If the UK does not move to a shred-only mandate, we will be left behind.”

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Pirelli has claimed the top position in a recent ranking of the world’s fastest road-legal track tyres, according to the Tyre Reviews platform. The comparison, which evaluated four products available in Europe and North America, crowned the P Zero Trofeo RS as the pinnacle of Pirelli’s road range. The tyre integrates technological solutions derived from the Italian company’s 120 years of motorsport experience at the highest levels.

During dry handling tests, the P Zero Trofeo RS set the fastest lap time and was described as clearly superior. Tester Jonathan Benson noted he had to recalibrate his braking points twice due to unexpectedly high grip levels. The tyre enabled quick and precise turn-in, earlier throttle application and immediate traction on corner exits, with the front axle delivering strong grip and confidence. It also ranked first in dry braking with the shortest stopping distance.

Consistency of performance under demanding conditions was another standout feature, confirming the product’s ability to maintain high performance over time. These results were reinforced by a separate test from Auto Bild Sportscars, which compared five road-legal semi-slick tyres. There, the P Zero Trofeo RS also secured first place with an ‘Exemplary’ rating thanks to best-in-class dry performance and long-distance consistency.

Designed for track use yet approved for road driving, the P Zero Trofeo RS was originally developed for original equipment and is now available on the replacement market. It brings Pirelli’s expertise from bespoke fitments for high-performance prestige and premium models to all customers. While conceived to maximise vehicle performance on the track, Pirelli engineers have also ensured a high level of safety on wet surfaces.

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Sun Auto Network has expanded its footprint in the Midwest through two strategic moves: the opening of a new Plaza Tire Service in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the acquisition of two Checkpoint Tire & Service locations in Illinois.

The Kentucky addition marks the 89th Plaza Tire Service overall and the eighth within the state, broadening regional access to automotive care. Meanwhile, the Illinois acquisitions include one Checkpoint Tire & Service location and one Checkpoint Express Lube Center, bringing Sun Auto’s total presence in the state to 15 sites. The Checkpoint additions specifically introduce express oil changes and maintenance services, offering faster and more convenient options alongside complete vehicle care.

Both the Kentucky and Illinois locations now operate under Sun Auto’s Driver Commitment, which emphasises clarity, confidence and customer care. They also benefit from the company’s scaled network advantages, including a Price Match Guarantee, access to leading tyre brands, round‑the‑clock online appointment scheduling, digital vehicle inspections, nationwide warranties and a full range of services such as tyre replacement, alignments, brakes, batteries and preventative maintenance.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, said, "Growth is focused on strengthening the markets we already serve and improving access to dependable automotive care. These additions build on that approach, bringing greater convenience and service capabilities to the communities we support."

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Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres emerged as the central strategic battleground in the LMGT3 class during the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The Italian circuit’s notably smooth asphalt led to unexpectedly low tyre degradation across the six-hour race, which allowed teams to experiment with varied tactical plans rather than following a single, predictable approach. Under this season’s increased tyre allocation rules, teams enjoyed greater flexibility, although not every squad chose to use its full supply.

The performance and consistency of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound proved decisive, with most teams minimising pit lane time by double- or triple-stinting their tyres. However, a minority of competitors opted for a contrasting strategy, fitting fresher Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres more frequently. Crucially, the durability of the Medium compound ensured that both approaches remained competitive, resulting in a wide array of live strategies unfolding simultaneously across the LMGT3 field.

The FIA World Endurance Championship resumes with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from 7 to 9 May 2026. Over the same weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres have also been in action at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as at Donington Park for the British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “In the first half of the race, we saw several teams double stinting the unloaded left-hand side, but changing their right-hand side tyres at every stop. But as the race progressed, some teams began to double-stint both sides. This meant that teams that had only changed the right-hand side at the previous stop were onto their third stint with the left-hand tyres. Across the field, we saw some teams stop as little as five times during the race, and some as many as eight, emphasising the range of different strategies teams employed.”

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