Premium tyre manufacturer Hankook Tire’s associate brand Laufenn is celebrating 10-year milestone of the brand’s presence in Europe.

The brand started with passenger car tyres since 2015 and added commercial vehicle treads to its portfolio five years later. Laufenn today boasts market presence in over 100 countries, offering passenger car tyres in 341 sizes along with a commercial vehicle portfolio of 18 sizes. Hankook intends to boost marketing expenditures in order to raise awareness of its Laufenn brand. In addition, a new generation of passenger car treads for the summer and winter will soon be introduced. Laufenn will increase its market share and supply original equipment tyres to a European automaker in 2025, in addition to its current offering in the passenger car replacement market. Laufenn has also been an official sponsor of the UEFA Europa Conference League since the 2021/22 season, further emphasising its position in strategically important sales markets.

Laufenn first made its foray into the market with performance and touring summer tyres for passenger automobiles. The X Fit Van summer tyre for SUVs and passenger vehicles, as well as the i Fit, the first winter tyre for SUVs and passenger cars in Western and Central Europe, came next. The i Fit ICE, a studded winter tyre for passenger automobiles and SUVs, marked Laufenn's entry into the Northern and Eastern European markets over the ensuing time frame. All-season tyres are now part of the range in addition to summer and winter tyres. Laufenn unveiled the improved summer tyres S FIT EQ+ and G FIT EQ+ in 2020. Laufenn's total market share in Europe has increased fourfold since its launch.

Laufenn is also commemorating a significant milestone in the commercial vehicle tyre industry: the company has been providing truck, bus, and trailer treads throughout Europe for five years. In 2025, the 18 sizes that are now available in the commercial vehicle portfolio will be expanded to include additional sizes, beginning with the trailer tyres LF95 and LR02, which are 265/70 R19.5.

In an effort to further innovate the truck market, Laufenn is this year launching ‘Laufenn365’, a new digital platform that will make it easier to resolve unintentional damage claims for the company's commercial vehicle tyres and provide clients with additional insurance against unforeseen expenses. Initially, this platform will be available in the United Kingdom. Laufenn intends to reach further European markets with its smart product and tyre warranty. The launch of another affiliate brand, Optimo, is a recent illustration of Hankook's strategic brand growth. Optimo serves a market niche with increasing demand for passenger automobiles and enhances Hankook's sibling and premium brands.

Jongho Park, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With our associate brand Laufenn, we offer tyres that deliver excellent value for money without compromising on safety, reliability and quality. Customers benefit from the many years of experience of the Hankook brand and get a product that meets the highest standards. This allows us to create a win-win situation in every respect.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “Laufenn has established itself as a strong associate brand to Hankook with a steadily expanding portfolio and growing international presence. The brand will continue to focus on quality and customer relationships in order to further build on its success.”

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The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) has launched Member Spotlight Series, a new monthly initiative designed to profile the diverse organisations and leaders within the nation's tyre and rubber sector. The programme offers comprehensive examinations of member companies, covering their business models, technological advancements, environmental strategies and corporate philosophies.

Pirelli is the first company to be featured, with its profile providing insight into its leadership approach and industry contributions. Subsequent spotlights will be released monthly through TRAC’s digital platforms, including its official website, newsletters and social media channels, with each instalment detailing products, strategic goals and recent achievements.

By sharing these narratives, TRAC intends to bolster member connections and highlight the sector's role in Canada's economy and ecological progress. The series further aims to encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration, allowing members to share best practices and elevate awareness of the proficiency present within the domestic tyre and rubber industry.

Carol Hochu, President and CEO, TRAC, said, “One of TRAC’s greatest strengths is the expertise and leadership found across our membership. The Member Spotlight Series celebrates the companies and people shaping our industry while helping share the stories of innovation, advanced manufacturing, sustainability and collaboration that define Canada’s tyre and rubber sector.”

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TyreSafe has announced a new alliance with Logistics UK, marking a significant step in uniting efforts to enhance road safety, promote sustainable transport and disseminate best practices within the freight and haulage industry. This collaboration formalises the mutual dedication of both organisations to address critical safety challenges facing UK's transport networks.

Logistics UK, a prominent membership association representing over 21,000 enterprises, encompasses the breadth of the supply chain, including road, rail, water and air freight. Its extensive network accounts for nearly half of the national lorry fleet, comprising more than 200,000 vehicles. Through advocacy, training and compliance support, the organisation is instrumental in maintaining secure and efficient supply chains, making it a pivotal partner for TyreSafe's safety initiatives.

The partnership underscores the growing recognition of tyre management as a cornerstone of modern logistics, impacting not only vehicular safety but also operational costs and environmental footprints. Data indicates that a majority of tyres on UK roads are underinflated, leading to approximately GBP 1 billion in annual fuel waste and accelerating tyre degradation. Furthermore, tyre defects are a primary cause of MOT failures, with over two million infractions recorded yearly, and they contribute significantly to roadside breakdowns and motorway incidents.

For commercial fleets, the stakes are particularly high, as proper inflation and tread depth are directly linked to fuel economy, emissions reduction and cost efficiency. As part of this joint effort, TyreSafe will promote its specialised, vehicle-specific safety resources, offering tailored guidance for HGVs, vans and cars. This educational push aims to empower drivers and operators with the knowledge to conduct effective tyre checks, thereby mitigating risks and supporting the logistics sector's sustainability and operational goals.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Logistics UK, an organisation that shares our commitment to safer, more sustainable and more efficient transport. Tyres and their maintenance absolutely fundamental to fleet safety and performance. This partnership allows us to extend vital tyre safety messaging to a broad and influential logistics audience at a time when operators are balancing safety, compliance, cost pressures and sustainability ambitions. By working together, we can help ensure tyre safety remains firmly on the agenda across the sector.”

Arthur Gribbin, Engineering Policy Lead at Logistics UK, said, “Efficient logistics depends on vehicles operating safely, legally and reliably. Tyres play a critical role in achieving this, influencing everything from vehicle safety and fuel efficiency to downtime and environmental impact. By partnering with TyreSafe, we are helping ensure our members and the wider logistics community have access to trusted information and practical guidance to support safer and more sustainable fleet operations.”

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Continental has significantly broadened its Gravity mountain bike tyre lineup by introducing 13 new combinations, thereby offering riders extensive customisation options for aggressive trail riding, enduro racing and downhill disciplines.

The expanded portfolio now includes novel size, casing and compound pairings for the Argotal, Kryptotal Front, Kryptotal Rear and Xynotal models. Additional Trail Soft and Enduro SuperSoft variants are available for 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels, while the trusted mixed-conditions tread remains accessible for 20-, 24- and 26-inch sizes.

This strategic enlargement underscores Continental’s dedication to providing gravity riders with tailored flexibility in balancing grip, control, durability and rolling efficiency. The Enduro casing with SuperSoft compound offers peak traction for demanding trails, whereas the Trail casing with Soft compound delivers a stable and durable option for aggressive riding.

Alexander Haenke, Product Manager for MTB & Gravel at Continental Tires, said, “MTB riders have very different needs depending on where and how they ride. With these 13 new tyre combinations, we are giving riders even more ways to find the perfect balance of grip, control and durability for their individual setup. Whether they are racing enduro, pushing their limits on technical trails or simply looking for maximum confidence on the descents, our expanded Gravity range offers the performance and flexibility they need.”

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AZuR partner Hofdmann Runderneuerungstechnik GmbH, based in Wittmund, has announced a significant expansion of its operational capabilities. The company, already well-known for its cold retreading services, is now integrating hot retreading for truck tyres into its production portfolio. This development follows the recent extension of the firm’s ECE R109 approval, and the first batches of hot-retreaded commercial vehicle tyres are already in production and entering the market.

This strategic move broadens Hofdmann’s technical expertise within the retreading sector and reinforces the tyre circular economy across Germany. As a longstanding member of the AZuR network, the company contributes deep knowledge in tyre repair, casing management and retreading processes. The addition of hot retreading complements the prevalent cold retreading method used in the commercial vehicle industry, offering enhanced options for specific tyre designs and applications, while both methods aim to extend the lifecycle of premium casings.

By diversifying its production programme, Hofdmann demonstrates that industry players are actively investing in retreading technologies and strategically scaling existing operations. This expansion not only bolsters the sector’s competitive position but also ensures a more reliable supply of retreaded tyres for fleet operators and commercial end-users. The process involves meticulous inspection of high-quality used casings before applying a new tread, significantly prolonging tyre usability prior to eventual material recovery or recycling.

The company’s capacity growth coincides with broader AZuR initiatives, including a recently launched European project group designed to strengthen collaboration among businesses, research bodies and value-chain stakeholders. With approximately 90 network partners, AZuR continues to pioneer solutions for maximising tyre usage and recovering raw materials. Hofdmann’s latest investment underscores that retreading remains a vital and enduring component of this sustainable industrial evolution.

Christina Guth, Network Coordinator of the Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR), said, “Every investment in retreading strengthens the European tyre circular economy. By expanding its hot retreading capabilities, Hofdmann is broadening its offering and creating additional opportunities to keep high-quality commercial vehicle casings in circulation for longer. This sends an important signal to the entire industry.”

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