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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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has taken decisive action to terminate its agreements with Infiniteria Europe Sàrl and Cuibhil Luxco concerning their joint venture, Infiniteria. This move is formally supported by Chapter 3, Section 9 of the Swedish Company Reorganization Act and forms a key component of the corporate restructuring that received approval from the Gothenburg District Court on 27 February 2026. A three-month notice period is now in effect.

The decision stems from a strategic need to free Enviro from what it describes as burdensome and loss-making contractual commitments that hindered its path to a sustainable business model. Prior to this termination, Enviro had spent considerable time attempting to renegotiate the terms with both the joint venture company and Cuibhil Luxco in order to establish a more viable long-term structure. Those discussions ultimately failed to yield an agreement, leaving Enviro with no alternative but to invoke the legal provisions available under its ongoing reorganisation.

Once the notice period expires, the joint venture will no longer hold exclusive European rights to Enviro’s patented pyrolysis technology, nor will it continue to receive the management and technical services previously provided. By reclaiming full control over these assets and capabilities, Enviro clears the path to market its technology on a global scale, unencumbered by the prior arrangement’s restrictions.

The agreements terminated by Enviro are: a license agreement between Enviro and Infiniteria Europe Sàrl under which Enviro licenses its patented pyrolysis technology to the JV company; a marketing and agency agreement between Enviro and Infiniteria Europe Sàrl under which Enviro acts as marketing and sales agent for the products produced through tyre recycling; a services agreement between Enviro and Infiniteria Europe Sàrl under which Enviro provides technical services and management support to the JV company and its group companies; an option agreement between Enviro and Cuibhil Luxco, a subsidiary of Antin Infrastructure Partners, granting Cuibhil Luxco the right, under certain conditions, to acquire shares in the JV company from Enviro; and a shareholders’ agreement relating to the JV company between Enviro, Cuibhil Luxco and Infiniteria Europe Sàrl (collectively, the “Agreements”).

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Michelin has added three new accolades from the JD Power 2026 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, securing the highest ratings from drivers across the Passenger Car, Performance Sport and Luxury segments. This achievement raises the brand’s total to 106 JD Power Awards since the research programme began.

The study gathered insights from over 38,244 vehicle owners, who evaluated satisfaction based on tyre wear, ride quality, appearance and traction with handling. These four key areas form the foundation of how original equipment tyres are assessed in the annual benchmark.

For more than five decades, JD Power has provided automotive manufacturers, retailers, lenders and insurers with essential data and advanced analytics to support confident decision-making. By applying proprietary intelligence and deep industry expertise, the firm continues to help partners strengthen performance and better understand customer interactions with brands and products.

Matthew Cabe, president and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc, said, “Michelin’s enduring leadership in tyre performance and customer satisfaction is driven by our unwavering commitment to excellence. Earning three new JD Power Awards reflects the passion and precision our teams bring to every product we design. Every mile and every moment, drivers can trust Michelin to deliver long‑lasting tyres and uncompromising quality.”

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Facing mounting pressure on the industrial sector, the German rubber industry is demanding that the federal government adopt a crisis-mode approach. Michael Klein, President of the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), issued the warning in Frankfurt am Main, criticising policymakers in both Germany and Europe for inaction while manufacturing firms, especially mid-sized companies, are already operating at maximum alert and fighting for survival.

Klein expressed strong support for the ‘Enough with the snail's pace!’ initiative launched by the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), which calls for accelerated reforms. He also aligned with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s view that economic policy must move more swiftly. According to Klein, the wave of site closures and production relocations underscores the severe strain on Germany as an industrial hub. He stressed that all nationally controllable competitive disadvantages must now be eliminated without delay.

To achieve this, Klein proposed tangible steps such as lowering the national CO₂ price and temporarily suspending national emissions trading, alongside a significant and immediately noticeable reduction in bureaucratic burdens.

Addressing broader economic pressures, the wdk president warned of additional strains from the conflict involving Iran. He pointed to surging fuel prices driving up transport costs and disruptions to global container shipping routes, which are increasingly jeopardising supply chains across sectors, including the rubber industry. With multiple crises converging, Klein cautioned that without swift countermeasures, Germany’s status as a production location faces further irreversible damage.

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Cooper Tires, a subsidiary of Goodyear, has unveiled a completely reimagined global brand identity aimed at increasing visibility, sharpening consumer recognition and reinforcing its position within a fiercely competitive market. The refresh speaks directly to drivers who rely on durable, dependable tyres.

Drawing on more than a century of building trust with those who expect peak performance, the new look merges Cooper’s established legacy with a contemporary aesthetic. The result conveys strength, intentionality and assurance. Central to the update are refined brand marks, an updated colour palette and a modern design approach tailored to stand out in both physical retail spaces and digital environments.

The evolution pays homage to two symbolic figures. One returns to Cooper’s history: a knight’s helm, first adopted in the 1940s following the brand’s Armored Cord tyre innovation, now reimagined with sharper lines to lead Cooper forward. Joining it is the American grey wolf, native to Ohio where Cooper is rooted. Representing adaptability, resolve and readiness for any terrain, the wolf reflects the brand’s character and the mindset of its drivers. Both icons will appear prominently across major brand materials.

The updated colour system balances heritage with visibility. Valor Green nods to Cooper’s history of crafting products for rugged conditions and natural landscapes, symbolising endurance and expertise. A heritage orange accent recalls the brand’s early days, adding energy and distinction. The overall palette draws inspiration from nature, a core element of Cooper’s identity.

Additional updates span typography, photography and illustration. Developed with Publicis P1T Crew and creatively led by BBH USA, the rollout begins in March 2026 with global website and social media updates, along with select paid media campaigns. Retail point-of-sale materials will follow gradually to ensure a consistent worldwide experience.

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