Flexsys, a global speciality chemicals and materials technology company, has announced an increase in regional prices for Insoluble Sulphur products with effect from 23 March 2026.

The price increase schedule is as follows:

• Asia: USD 0.60 per kg
• Europe: EUR 0.45 per kg
• North America: USD 0.40 per kg
• Latin America: USD 0.40 per kg

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Hankook Tyre UK has confirmed it will continue as a key partner for the 2026 London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally, building on the success of the 2025 event. The premium tyre manufacturer reaffirmed its dedication to innovation, sustainability and the future of electric mobility. Scheduled for 20 June 2026, the rally will again bring together industry leaders, electric vehicle enthusiasts and the public for a major celebration of electric transport.

The event will commence in Westminster, with an electric vehicle convoy travelling through central London before finishing along Brighton’s seafront. More than 100 vehicles will take part, with drivers challenged to complete the route using minimal energy. This format highlights the critical importance of efficiency in advancing sustainable mobility. Upon arrival in Brighton, up to 35,000 spectators are expected to welcome participants at the seafront e-village.

Hankook will showcase its iON range, the world’s first complete tyre lineup developed specifically for electric vehicles. The company will also serve as the official sponsor of the awards ceremony, a highly anticipated after-party at the Malmaison, bringing together industry figures and participants for an evening celebrating energy efficiency and EV innovation. The event programme includes an electric stunt show, live music, interactive experiences and test drive opportunities.

Hankook’s iON range includes the iON evo for summer, the iON i*cept for winter, the all-weather iON FlexClimate and the iON GT for compact EVs, all available for SUVs. These tyres feature reduced rolling resistance, low noise levels and high load‑bearing capacity to handle instant torque and increased vehicle weight, thereby extending driving range and comfort. As the exclusive tyre supplier to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Hankook will also display a Formula E car and its racing tyre at its stand.

Harrison Hughes, Director of the London to Brighton EV Rally, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Hankook Tyre UK back as a key partner of the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally. Their continued support plays an important role in helping us deliver and grow the event year on year, and we’re especially pleased to have them sponsoring the evening awards, which are a real highlight of the event.”

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Goodyear has reinforced its position as an all‑season tyre pioneer on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the world’s first all‑season tyre. The company introduced the Vector All Season 4, an engineering milestone shaped by decades of expertise and an award‑winning portfolio. With a new high‑contrast sidewall design and rim diameter coverage now reaching 23 inches, the tyre unlocks premium year‑round capability for vehicle segments that previously lacked any all‑season solution.

The Vector All Season 4 delivers optimised performance on dry roads, in rain and on light snow, carrying the European Three‑Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. Developed with Goodyear’s latest technologies and dedicated materials, the tyre balances capabilities without compromising any single performance area, allowing it to adapt to changing temperatures, road conditions and driving styles.

Independent testing by TÜV SÜD, commissioned by Goodyear, confirmed the tyre as a well‑rounded product with consistently strong performance across all evaluated criteria, while AutoBild awarded it an ‘Exemplary’ rating. The tyre’s WeatherReady Technology, combining Dry Contact Plus, a 3D Blade Sipe System and a new compound formula, supports confident grip, effortless dry and wet control, improved tread wear and reduced rolling resistance – making it well suited for electric vehicles.

Designed for today’s heavier, more powerful and increasingly electrified vehicles, the Vector All Season 4 responds to evolving market demands with broader fitment. By 2026, the lineup will include 96 SKUs across 16‑ to 23‑inch rim diameters, with 66 percent of the range in 19 inches and above. For the first time, models such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Panamera and Macan, as well as the Audi A6 e‑tron, Q7 and SQ7, can combine confident all‑season performance with year‑round convenience. Fitments of 19 inches and above feature an exclusive laser‑engraved sidewall.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “Goodyear has played a defining role in shaping the all-season category since its very beginnings, starting with the launch of Goodyear Tiempo in 1977 – the world’s first all-season tyre. As we approach the 50-year anniversary of that milestone next year, Vector All Season 4 represents the next step in how we continue to redefine the all-season category. By raising all‑season performance and expanding the range to meet the demands of today’s premium and electric vehicles, we are making it easier than ever for more drivers to rely on a single tyre solution throughout the year.

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Bridgestone is broadening its premium agricultural tyre portfolio for next-generation high-horsepower tractors. The company has added six extra-large sizes to its VT-TRACTOR range, covering 38-to-46-inch rims. These XXL tyres deliver superior traction, extended wear life and enhanced durability. An optimised rolling circumference ensures ideal lead percentage between front and rear tyre combinations, which is critical for maintaining proper driveline synchronisation and preventing mechanical stress under heavy field loads.

Advanced design features enable these performance gains. Developed using virtual three-dimensional simulation and robust Bridgestone design criteria, the tyres incorporate deeper and wider tread profiles that balance traction with even wear distribution. A patented involute lug design provides up to 12 percent more lug volume than competitors, maximising grip while minimising energy loss. This design maintains consistent performance over extended working seasons, reducing the need for premature replacements and lowering operating costs for farmers.

Durability comes from Bridgestone’s unique S-LINE bead profile, offering greater flexibility at lower pressures to reduce soil compaction and prevent rim slip. The high durability casing ensures even pressure distribution across the soil footprint, preventing both circumferential and shoulder cracks while improving tyre longevity. The tyres are fully compatible with Central Tyre Inflation Systems, allowing operators to adjust pressure on the move for different applications. Additional benefits include improved fuel efficiency and stable steering precision even under challenging field conditions.

Production takes place at Bridgestone’s Puente San Miguel plant in Spain, following significant upgrades to manufacturing capabilities including advanced production technology and specialised equipment for large-diameter tyres. These investments enable expansion into the 44- and 46-inch segment. The new XXL sizes will launch progressively from April 2026, expanding compatibility with a wider range of modern high-horsepower agricultural machinery across global markets.

Andrea Marconcini, Director Agriculture at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “Today, farmers operate larger, more powerful tractors and need tyres that can keep up – doing more and going further in demanding conditions. Our updated VT-TRACTOR range is engineered to enable faster, more efficient work in the field, together with a longer service life that reduces long-term costs.” 

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Pirelli has been reconfirmed as the global leader in the Auto Components and Automobiles sectors within the Dow Jones Best‑in‑Class World and Europe indices, formerly known as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. The tyre manufacturer achieved this distinction based on its performance in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

Pirelli, which remains the only tyre company featured in both the World and Europe indices, secured a score of 86 points. This result is the highest among all companies in both the Auto Components and Automobiles categories and far exceeds the sector averages of 34 points for auto components and 37 points for automobiles.

The company earned maximum scores across multiple criteria, including Business Ethics, commitment to Human Rights, Occupational Health and Safety programmes, supply chain ESG assessment and environmental management related to water, waste and energy. Additional top scores were recorded for biodiversity protection and Pirelli’s verified pathway towards its Net Zero by 2040 target, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

This latest recognition follows Pirelli’s reconfirmation in February 2026 as the only tyre manufacturer worldwide included in the Top 1 percent of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026. Originally launched in 1999 as the first global best‑in‑class sustainability benchmark series, the S&P Dow Jones indices now cover 62 business sectors and assess more than 12,000 companies annually across regional and global levels.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President Sustainability, New Mobility and Motorsport of Pirelli, said, “The confirmation of Pirelli at the top of the Dow Jones Best‑in‑Class indices is a testament to the solidity of a journey built on industrial innovation and responsibility across the entire value chain. This approach is embedded in our strategic and operational decisions, from technology to processes, from supplier management to the protection of people and contributes to strengthening the Group’s competitiveness while supporting its long‑term growth.”

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