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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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has secured Platinum recognition from EcoVadis, the highest distinction awarded by the sustainability ratings provider, placing the natural rubber leader among the top one percent of assessed companies globally. The accolade reflects STA's exceptional management standards and its dedication to pursuing business growth alongside environmental and social responsibility across its entire value chain.

The recognition was addressed by Chief Executive Officer Veerasith Sinchareonkul, who characterised Platinum as a significant milestone in STA's drive to embed sustainable practices throughout its operations. He noted that the company's efforts span continuous improvements in corporate governance, ethical conduct, environmental stewardship, respect for labour and human rights and responsible procurement and supply chain development, all aimed at creating shared value and fostering long-term stakeholder confidence.

EcoVadis, an internationally recognised provider of business sustainability assessments, evaluates management performance across four themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. STA's top-tier result underscores its progress in integrating sustainability into operations and reinforces its role as a responsible business partner, while the company remains focused on raising operational standards, strengthening its value chain, supporting quality of life and safeguarding natural resources to build a foundation for lasting growth and a sustainable future for the natural rubber industry.

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Pirelli has entered a three-year agreement with Netcompany INEOS, beginning in 2027, that will make the Milan-based manufacturer the Official Tyre Partner of one of professional cycling’s most prestigious teams. The partnership rests on a shared commitment to performance through innovation, technological progress and close attention to details capable of influencing final results.

Ahead of the collaboration, two Pirelli tyres underwent technical assessment. The PZERO RACE SL-R is a road tyre focused on aerodynamics and rolling efficiency, engineered to reduce aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance in fast racing and high-speed conditions. The PZERO RACE RS was developed to balance rolling efficiency, grip, protection and predictable cornering, giving riders confidence and stability across varied road surfaces, racing situations and weather.

The team’s bike, fitted with Pirelli tyres, is being displayed at the Pirelli stand during Rouleur Live in London from today until Saturday 14 November. The partnership will centre on developing and evaluating technical solutions suited to WorldTour cycling, where efficiency, reliability and performance must work together across conditions ranging from Grand Tours to the five Monuments.

Netcompany INEOS riders’ technical feedback will support product development and validation, with Pirelli technicians working alongside the team’s engineers and research and development management and integrating road data into outdoor testing protocols. The collaboration also reflects both organisations’ focus on marginal gains, with the tyre treated as a key part of the rider-and-bike system. Pirelli’s patented PAAS technologies are cited as helping address trade-offs such as rolling resistance versus grip. Pirelli tyres are due to race on the team’s Pinarello bikes at the Santos Tour Down Under from 16 January 2027.

Aldo Nicotera, Head of Moto & Cycling Business, Pirelli, said, “At the highest level of sport, success depends on a constant search for technological solutions that can deliver ever-greater performance. This is an approach we know well and one we are now bringing to our collaboration with Netcompany INEOS. We share the belief that optimising every detail can make a difference and contribute to outstanding results, together with an unwavering focus on innovation, quality and precision. We will have the opportunity to work alongside world-class technical staff and athletes, making the most of this exchange and gathering valuable insights to drive the ongoing development of increasingly advanced tyres that meet the needs of both professional riders and cycling enthusiasts.”

Geraint Thomas, Director of Racing, said, “Pirelli bring a huge amount of technical expertise and a real commitment to innovation, so it's exciting to have them working closely with our riders and performance team. It's not just about the equipment we race on, but how we can work together to keep developing. So, we're really looking forward to building that relationship and seeing what we can achieve together.”

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Plaza Tire Service, a prominent tyre and automotive service provider across the Midwest and a member of the Sun Auto Network, has expanded its footprint in central Missouri with a newly opened store in St. Robert. The location sits along the historic Route 66 corridor, offering local motorists a dependable option for tyres, preventive maintenance and vehicle repair.

The St. Robert facility stocks a broad selection of leading tyre brands and provides a comprehensive range of services, from oil changes and brake work to batteries, alignments, steering and suspension repair and other routine maintenance. Customers also benefit from the company's Price Match Guarantee and its signature 4 Tires in 1 Hour Guarantee, with same-day installation available on many purchases, allowing drivers to minimise downtime and get back on the road quickly.

Founded in Missouri in 1963, Plaza Tire Service has become one of the Midwest's largest tyre and automotive service providers, operating locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas and Indiana. The company pairs its regional heritage with the resources and scale of the more than 600-location Sun Auto Network, reinforcing its presence in central Missouri through the new St. Robert store.

Rob Kingery, Regional Vice President, Sun Auto Tire & Service, said, "For more than 60 years, Plaza Tire Service has focused on making tyre and automotive care easy for our customers. We're proud to bring that commitment to St. Robert and support drivers with fast service, trusted expertise and a team dedicated to keeping vehicles road-ready."

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TyreSafe has entered an official partnership with BLT Driver Training, the driver training division of the Blue Lamp Trust. The UK charity, which works to raise awareness of tyre safety, said the collaboration reflects a joint commitment to road safety and to helping motorists make better-informed decisions. The tie-up connects BLT Driver Training's work with TyreSafe's broader mission and impact.

The new partner delivers professional driver education, training and assessments intended to raise driving standards and protect passengers, drivers and other road users. Its services span taxi and private hire training, fleet driver development, safeguarding and disability awareness courses and a Mature Drivers Confidence Builder Course. It works with licensing authorities, businesses, fleet operators and individual drivers; as a not-for-profit, it supports the Blue Lamp Trust's charitable work helping older and vulnerable people stay safe.

Collaboration will initially concentrate on three areas: taxi and private hire vehicles (PHVs), mature drivers and fleet safety. Drivers in the taxi and PHV sector cover high mileages on demanding schedules, and the partners will examine ways to embed TyreSafe's taxi-focused campaign materials into training and communications so that pressures, condition and tread depth receive greater attention. For mature motorists and their families, the organisations hope to develop accessible, practical resources that prompt regular tyre checks and informed choices supporting safe driving and independence. Fleet safety will be pursued through TyreSafe's November campaign, with both parties looking at how to share guidance on maintenance, inspection procedures and safety-conscious fleet management.

Bringing together BLT Driver Training's educational expertise and TyreSafe's specialist tyre knowledge, the partnership aims to put practical road safety advice within reach of more people and build safer habits across a range of road users. The two organisations believe the collaboration will help drivers and operators treat vehicle safety as a routine priority while supporting the Blue Lamp Trust's wider charitable mission.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We warmly welcome BLT Driver Training as a TyreSafe partner. Improving road safety requires a joined-up approach, combining driver skills and awareness with the condition and maintenance of the vehicles they use every day. By working with an organisation that shares our commitment to practical education and safer journeys, we have a real opportunity to reach more drivers, support fleet operators and help people understand the simple checks that can make a difference. We’re particularly excited about exploring resources for mature drivers and their families, as well as working together to promote tyre safety among taxi and private hire drivers and across the wider fleet sector.”

Emma Burt, CEO, Blue Lamp Trust, said, “We’re delighted to be working with TyreSafe to help improve road safety and driving standards. At BLT Driver Training, we believe that effective education gives drivers the knowledge, skills and confidence to make safer decisions, and vehicle maintenance is an essential part of that picture. This partnership offers exciting opportunities to bring practical tyre safety advice into our training and communications, from supporting taxi and private hire drivers to helping mature motorists and their families have constructive conversations about vehicle safety and maintenance. We look forward to working with TyreSafe to develop useful resources and initiatives that help protect drivers, passengers and the wider community.”

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