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 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has approved a plan to close its last two chemical manufacturing plants in the United States, located in Niagara Falls, New York, and Bayport, Texas. This decision, made on 29 September 2026, signifies the company's complete withdrawal from the chemical sector as it seeks to streamline operations and concentrate solely on its core tyre products and services.

The decommissioning process is set to begin immediately, with operations at the Niagara Falls facility potentially ceasing by 31 October 2026. The full shutdown is expected to be largely finished by the end of 2027. This move will result in roughly 85 job losses across both sites. Goodyear anticipates total pre-tax exit charges between USD 55 million and USD 75 million, yet projects an annual boost of USD 15 million to USD 20 million to its Americas segment operating income starting in 2027.

This announcement follows the company's October 2025 sale of most of its polymer and chemical operations to a Gemspring Capital Management affiliate for USD 650 million. The Niagara Falls plant, operational since 1946, has also been under heavy regulatory scrutiny and investigative reporting concerning emissions of ortho-toluidine, a known carcinogen, which allegedly surpassed legal limits.

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Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) celebrated the critical role its customer service teams play in shaping the customer experience with the Customer Service Appreciation Week 2026, recognising them as the vital connection between customers and the many internal teams working together to deliver on company commitments.

This year’s theme, ‘The Extra Mile’, honours the dedication behind that work, including coordinating complex logistics, anticipating customer needs, connecting customers with appropriate expertise and navigating unexpected challenges. Teams bring together people, information and solutions to keep customers moving forward, often making a difference through extra follow-up, proactive updates or determination to find a solution.

Levi Neufeld noted that the EVAL customer service team keeps the customer at the centre of every decision, a commitment shared across all service teams. For Dental, Dinesh Weerasinghe said going the extra mile means understanding each customer’s needs, providing accurate guidance and ensuring nothing is left unresolved. Tim Davis pointed to the PVOH team’s strength in supporting one another through heavy workloads, weather disruptions and unexpected challenges to provide seamless service.

Christian Amad emphasised AIS’s role as the first point of contact, ensuring customers receive needed information and products on time. David Steinberg highlighted Elastomers’ can-do attitude, which helps the team stay flexible and work effectively across three business units and product lines. Across all teams, that extra effort builds customer trust. KAI thanked each member for their responsiveness, knowledge, teamwork and care.

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Hankook Tire, a leading global tyre company under Hankook & Company Group, has earned a place on the ‘World’s Best Companies 2026’ list compiled by the US weekly news magazine TIME. Since 2023, TIME has collaborated with global market research firm Statista to identify the world’s top 1,000 companies annually, evaluating factors such as employee satisfaction, three-year company growth and Statista’s key ESG indicators.

The selection was driven in part by sustained performance growth over the past three years. Hankook Tire’s tyre division reported revenue of KRW 10.3186 trillion in 2025, exceeding KRW 10 trillion for the first time since the company’s founding. This achievement was supported by an expanded premium-focused portfolio and stable sales in major global markets.

Sustainability management has also yielded notable results. The company has broadened its renewable energy procurement, including a long-term power purchase agreement for its Hungary plant signed in February, and now holds international ISCC PLUS certification at four production sites: Geumsan, Hungary, Daejeon and Jiaxing in China. Its recently published ‘2025/26 ESG Report’ introduced a group-wide ESG management framework and an integrated materiality assessment system, with transparent disclosure of key outcomes in sustainable materials, supply chain management and human rights.

Beyond these efforts, Hankook Tire continues creating social value through its group’s integrated ESG brand. It is advancing a ‘Mobility-Tech’ strategy incorporating artificial intelligence and data while adding eco-friendly vehicle models to its flagship ‘Vehicle Sharing’ social contribution programme and expanding it into a demand-tailored support model. The company has set a ‘2050 Net-Zero’ goal, became the first Korean tyre company to receive SBTi approval for 2030 reduction targets in 2023 and earned FIA 3-Star Environmental Accreditation in 2024. It was also named to TIME and Statista’s ‘World’s Most Sustainable Companies’ list and the Financial Times and Statista’s ‘Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders’ list in 2024.

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Tegeta Green Planet was represented by its director, Shalva Akhvlediani, at the 4th IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress & Exhibition, convened by the International Road Federation (IRF Global). The three-day gathering assembled specialists possessing international and regional expertise, alongside public and private sector delegates and researchers, to deliberate on pressing matters concerning road infrastructure development.

Sustainable, Smart and Safe Roads for Sustainable Economic Growth served as the congress's central theme. Akhvlediani took part in a session titled ‘Sustainable Road Infrastructure: Climate Risks, Emissions and Long-Term Efficiency’, which examined methods for reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of road infrastructure across its complete lifecycle, spanning planning, design, construction, maintenance and renewal.

Climate change adaptation, low-carbon materials, circular economy approaches and environmental efficiency featured among the session's principal subjects, together with solutions guaranteeing road infrastructure's durable, long-term performance. Akhvlediani shared Tegeta Green Planet's expertise and outlook, noting that the company's operations accord directly with circular economy principles by converting waste into resources and advancing responsible waste management.

Operating within Extended Producer Responsibility, Tegeta Green Planet occupies a significant role in Georgia's collection and management of specific waste streams, including used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries. This practical experience illustrates how circular economy principles can be embedded in real business and infrastructure solutions. Congress discussions additionally addressed international experience exchange and practical approaches for strengthening infrastructure resilience, environmental efficiency and long-term durability.

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