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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Maxam Tire has introduced the MT152 Rubber Track, a new product featuring an enhanced Z-Lug design. This track is engineered to provide exceptional traction, durability and extended service life for compact track loaders operating in demanding environments.

Building on the proven performance of traditional Z-Lug rubber tracks, the MT152 combines aggressive traction with increased tread depth and a larger footprint. This design improves wear life without sacrificing performance. It is intended for construction, site preparation and general earthmoving applications, excelling in loose ground conditions while offering the stability and durability contractors rely on daily.

The MT152 features a heavy-duty carcass for enhanced machine stability and long-lasting structural integrity under demanding workloads. Its stepped tread pattern improves self-cleaning by allowing mud and debris to expel more efficiently, maintaining consistent traction throughout the workday. A cut and tear-resistant tread compound further boosts durability in harsh conditions, while the increased tread depth and optimized net-to-gross ratio deliver longer tread life and greater overall value.

Matt Fagan, Director – Research & Development, Maxam Tire, said, “The MT152 was developed to give equipment owners aggressive traction and the durability they need to maximise uptime. By enhancing the traditional Z-Lug design with a deeper tread, larger footprint and reinforced carcass construction, we’ve created a rubber track that delivers outstanding performance, extended wear life and dependable operation across a wide range of challenging jobsite conditions.”

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Birla Carbon will use its presence at RubberTech China 2026 to demonstrate how its operations across Asia, including China, are being scaled up to meet demand from both regional and international customers. The manufacturer of high-quality carbon materials will exhibit at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from 15 to 17 September 2026 at Booth No. W5B467.

Growth in manufacturing capacity and geographic reach underpins the company's push for greater supply reliability, responsiveness and consistency. Thailand's Rayong facility and an additional high-output Indian plant both commence operations this year. Across key Asian markets, these additions bolster dependable volume availability, sharpen the company's ability to react swiftly to changing customer demands and shorten delivery timelines by operating nearer to buyers.

A broad solutions portfolio awaits exhibition attendees. Engineered materials for mechanical rubber goods (MRG) deliver enhanced hose durability, superior belting abrasion resistance and reliable performance in anti-vibration and sealing systems. Tyre-focused carbon black grades extend product lifespan while improving fuel and energy efficiency, with Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed options covering PCR, LT and TBR applications. Low PAH grades hold certification for skin-contact and export markets, functioning as drop-in ASTM replacements. Continua SCB and SCM products permit elevated recycled and bio-based content as drop-in substitutes for conventional ASTM grades, assisting customers in advancing circularity goals without sacrificing performance.

Amit Kumar, President, Asia, Birla Carbon, said, “The Asia region is increasingly viewed as a manufacturing hub for the world, with China playing a central role in the growth of high-value MRG and tyre markets.  This is making performance, supply reliability and sustainability more critical than ever for the region. At Birla Carbon, we are strengthening our regional material capacity and footprint to be closer to our customers and respond more effectively to their evolving needs. With expanded capacity and innovative solutions spanning MRG, tyres, including Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed performance materials low PAH applications, and sustainable offerings, we are well positioned to help customers enhance product performance, build more resilient supply chains and advance their sustainability goals.”

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Bridgestone has expanded its road safety efforts in Scotland by hosting its inaugural dedicated tyre safety event in the region. The initiative, held at Betty’s Diner off Westfield Road in Motherwell, drew such a strong response from local motorists that additional visits north of the border are already being arranged.

Working alongside Auchinlea Tyres, the company inspected over 100 tyres during the event while offering drivers guidance on tyre safety and the value of routine checks and maintenance. The results underscored the need for such efforts, with 16 percent of tyres requiring urgent attention and a further 24 percent flagged for close monitoring.

To encourage awareness of basic tyre checking practices, ‘Become a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero’ bags were distributed, and the firm’s branded VW Buzz drew considerable interest when parked at the site. Organised by Chris Liddle, Key Account Manager for Consumer and Commercial Products, the event forms part of Bridgestone’s wider Become a Road Safety Hero campaign, which sees colleagues across the UK engaging with motorists to promote essential tyre safety messages.

Recent data reinforces the campaign’s urgency. TyreSafe estimates that 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn at any given time, often because tread depth falls below the 1.6 mm legal limit. Meanwhile, the Department for Transport’s Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: Final Results 2025 report showed that people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose from 169 in 2024 to 201 in 2025. For Bridgestone, events like the Scottish check transform safety messaging into practical advice, letting motorists have their tyres inspected while learning simple self-checks.

Liddle said, “This was a really important event for us because it was the first time we have taken our road safety outreach into Scotland in 2026 and the response was fantastic. We inspected 25 vehicles and 100 tyres during the event, giving us a great opportunity to speak directly to motorists about the importance of checking their tyres and making sure they are safe and properly maintained. The feedback we've received since our visit has been extremely positive, and we've already been asked if   we could hold similar events with Auchinlea Tyres. That's a great indication of how successful the day was. We're now looking at the possibility of taking the Road Safety Buzz to different locations across Scotland before the end of the year, working with Scottish dealers to help engage local communities. The Buzz certainly attracted plenty of attention. It's a real head-turner and a great way of starting conversations with people about tyre safety.”

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Maxion Wheels has reaffirmed its dedication to responsible business practices, operational excellence and environmental stewardship by strengthening a resilient and sustainable global supply chain. The company emphasises that collaboration with suppliers sharing its values is vital for delivering long-term value to customers, communities and stakeholders while maintaining high expectations for performance in quality, delivery, sustainability, innovation and ethical conduct. The 2025 Maxion Wheels Supplier Awards recognise exceptional partners whose contributions have advanced the business and reinforced its supply chain worldwide.

Among the honourees, Akzo Nobel Coatings Ltda of Brazil received the Supplier of the Year award for the Americas. A global leader in paints and coatings, AkzoNobel supports Maxion facilities in Brazil and Argentina with liquid and powder coating technologies. In 2025, it earned an ‘A’ rating in the annual Supplier Performance Evaluation for its commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability and supply reliability.

For Asia, JSW Steel Limited of India was named Supplier of the Year. Part of the O.P. Jindal Group, JSW Steel is one of India’s leading steel manufacturers, with an annual production capacity of 35 million tonnes across six plants. As a strategic partner for Maxion India, it supports product development, operational flexibility and business growth. Its senior leadership engagement and strong collaboration helped it meet all environmental, social and governance requirements, securing an ‘A’ rating.

In the EMEA region, FreiLacke, a brand of Emil Frei GmbH & Co KG, received Supplier of the Year honours. The family-owned German coatings specialist, based in the Black Forest, supplies powder and liquid coatings to several Maxion aluminium wheel plants and supports development for both aluminium and steel applications. FreiLacke achieved Supplier Performance Evaluation scores above 97 and met all quality, ESG and governance requirements, earning an ‘A’ rating.

The Green Wheel Award for 2025 went to Akzo Nobel Coatings CZ of the Czech Republic. Based in Opava, the company is part of the AkzoNobel group and serves as a key supplier to Maxion Wheels Ostrava, providing high-quality coating solutions for wheel manufacturing while demonstrating responsible business practices.

Akzo Nobel Coatings CZ was recognised for outstanding sustainability performance, achieving a Supplier Performance Evaluation sustainability score of 24 out of 25 and full compliance with Maxion’s ESG, governance and responsible sourcing requirements. Supported by AkzoNobel’s ambitious sustainability agenda and strong transparency, the company exemplifies leadership in environmental stewardship and sustainable value creation across the supply chain.

Pia Schütz, Vice President – Global Purchasing, Maxion Wheels, said, “At Maxion Wheels, we view our suppliers as strategic partners in our success. Their dedication to quality, innovation, sustainability and operational excellence enables us to better serve our customers and continuously improve our performance. These awards recognise organisations that have distinguished themselves through exceptional collaboration and a shared commitment to creating long-term value.”

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