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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Fornnax Technology has received the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 from the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA). The recognition stems from the company recording the highest export volume of tyre recycling plants to Europe, marking a significant achievement in its international trade performance.

For more than 10 years, Fornnax has driven innovation within India’s tyre recycling sector. The firm now holds a 90 percent share of the domestic market, while exports constitute 30 percent of its operations, serving regions such as Europe, Australia and the GCC. Its integrated, high-capacity recycling lines and shredding systems support a more circular ecosystem.

The company’s approach centres on complete infrastructure rather than standalone equipment, combining multiple shredding and size-reduction stages to boost throughput and reliability. Fornnax aims to expand its global footprint and advance technologies suited to rising international recycling demands.

Jignesh Kundaria, Founder and Director, Fornnax, said, “This honour from AIRIA is a reflection of an incredible journey we have undertaken over the years. When we started Fornnax, there was no established recycling industry in India to follow. We chose to build for the future instead. Today, when you see India’s tyre recycling sector, it has already transformed into a dynamic, high-growth industry, and we are proud to have played our part in building it.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has expanded its industrial tyre portfolio with the introduction of the AWE 733 flotation tyre, engineered for mobile excavators working on soft and sensitive ground. Developed in Europe, the product reflects the company’s ‘Engineered for Tough Conditions’ approach, combining minimal surface compaction with high traction and durability.

The tyre, offered in size 600/50-22.5, targets construction, infrastructure and utility duties requiring low ground pressure and dependable off-road manoeuvrability. Its wide flotation tread incorporates rounded lugs and shoulders to reduce ground disturbance while preserving grip.

A steel-belted bias construction supports stability during lifting and digging, and a reinforced carcass with steel breaker guards against cuts and punctures. High flotation and a durable tread compound extend service life and cut downtime. Global sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Bernhard Schmolz, Division Head OHT Europe, said, “The AWE 733 flotation tyre is an important addition to our proven excavator portfolio. It combines flotation, traction and durability in a purpose-built solution, enabling operators to work productively in challenging conditions while reducing ground impact. It is another example of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to providing reliable and application-focused solutions for industrial equipment operators.”

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Hankook Tire has entered a five-year partnership with Racing America, a US motorsports company, becoming the official tyre partner and exclusive racing tyre supplier for its major series from 2027 through 2031. The agreement was signed at Hankook’s Tennessee plant on 25 September local time.

Under the deal, Hankook will exclusively supply racing tyres to Racing America’s major series while collaborating on technical and engineering support, trackside services and joint marketing initiatives. The company will begin supporting Trans Am, a leading US road racing series, and International GT, a premium sports car racing series. It will also renew partnerships with Racing America’s Formula ladder series, which it has backed since 2019.

Trans Am, established in 1966, is a historic series featuring muscle cars with nearly six decades of competition. International GT showcases premium sports cars, while Racing America’s Formula ladder focuses on developing the next generation of formula drivers. Through the partnership, Hankook aims to display its racing tyre technology across North American motorsports and strengthen its premium brand position. Fan engagement will expand through exclusive tyre supply, technical and trackside support, event branding, digital and broadcast exposure and social media activities.

Globally, Hankook supplies racing tyres and supports teams at more than 70 motorsports events, including the FIA World Rally Championship. In North America, it continues expanding its premium presence through partnerships with major events such as the off-road racing event King of the Hammers.

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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), served as a panellist at the Economic Forum 2026, hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 25 September 2026 at the Imperial Lexis Hotel. The event, titled ‘Bridging the Two Borders: Elevating Thailand – Malaysia Resilient Value Chains in Halal and Rubber Industries’, gathered government agencies, industry players, chambers of commerce, academia and think-tanks from both nations. H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Thailand's Ambassador to Malaysia, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by opening remarks from YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, Malaysia's Minister of Economy.

Dr Angthong participated in Panel Session 2, titled ‘Strategic Partnership in Action: Advancing Thailand–Malaysia Sustainable Rubber Value Chain’, moderated by the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation. Fellow panellists represented the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Thai Eastern Group Holdings PCL, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority and the Malaysian Rubber Board. Discussions centred on upstream-downstream cooperation, border economic corridors, joint research and development, international standards compliance and safeguarding smallholders and grassroots stakeholders.

Dr Angthong outlined the natural rubber market landscape and challenges confronting ANRPC member nations, including sustainability and traceability demands in importing markets, price volatility and the imperative to increase value addition within producing countries.

“ANRPC welcomes cooperation among its member countries that supports a sustainable and resilient natural rubber sector. Regional dialogue of this kind helps members share experience on value addition, standards compliance and smallholder welfare. ANRPC will continue to support its members with statistics, market analysis and a platform for cooperation,” said Dr Angthong.

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