The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) has elected Douglas Wilson as its President-International for the year 2025–2026 at the association’s 65th Annual General Meeting on April 9, 2025. Wilson replaces Zhuang Yi of Sinopec, who became the Institute's Past President-International.

Wilson is now in charge of P&L for every facet of LCY's Styrenic Block Copolymer business in North and South America, including the Baytown SBS production facility, as the General Manager of the Americas business for LCY Elastomers LP. After 22 years at Honeywell International, Wilson served as Global Business Director for Vertellus (now Aurorium) for five years in the Polyether Sulfones, Citrates and Additives business until joining LCY in 2023. Wilson served as the Global Business Leader for two distinct divisions at Honeywell. He started up as the head of Honeywell's nylon-based film and active resins division, which supplied materials for composites and food and industrial packaging. Later on, he oversaw Honeywell's Research Chemicals division, which included integrating a USD 120 million purchase.

In addition to Wilson, the other members elected to the association’s Executive Committee for the year 2025–2026 include Masayoshi Iwasa of Asahi Kasei Corporation as President of the Asia Pacific Section and member of the FPAC; Giovanni Cassuti of Versalis as EMEA Section Vice-President; Brian Chapman of Kuraray Americas as Member of the FPAC; Shiga Satoru of ENEOS Materials as Vice-President of the Asia Pacific Section; Robert Rikhoff of Lion Elastomers as President of the Americas Section; Zhuang Yi of Sinopec as past President-International and Roxanna Petrovic of IISRP as Managing Director, Assistant Treasurer and Recording Secretary.

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires), a global leader in Off-Highway tyre manufacturing, has reinforced its commitment to India’s healthcare and sports development by enabling the establishment of a world-class Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Mumbai through its CSR arm, the BKT Foundation. Spread across more than 15,000 square feet within the hospital premises, the facility represents a significant addition to public healthcare infrastructure while responding to the growing needs of India’s evolving sports ecosystem.

Designed to serve athletes from diverse disciplines, the centre is expected to emerge as one of western India’s most comprehensive rehabilitation hubs within the public healthcare system. With the ability to support more than 1,000 athletes each year and facilitate over 500 specialised surgical procedures, it aims to accelerate recovery, enhance performance and help sportspersons prepare for competition at national and international levels.

Clinical leadership of the facility rests with Dr Roshan Wade, sports specialist and additional professor in the Orthopaedics Department, who will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physiotherapists, rehabilitation experts and nutrition professionals. Together, they will deliver integrated and end-to-end care under one roof, addressing both injury management and long-term physical conditioning.

The centre houses a fully equipped operation theatre complex with three advanced surgical rooms, a 20-bed inpatient ward and ICU-backed post-operative care. Its rehabilitation wing features high-end technologies including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, zero-gravity and underwater treadmills, virtual reality-based recovery systems and a specialised gait analysis laboratory. Outpatient services are supported by consultation rooms, in-house imaging such as X-ray and scannogram facilities and a wide range of interventional therapies.

The inauguration on 14 December 2025 was attended by senior leadership from BKT, municipal authorities and KEM Hospital, underscoring strong public–private collaboration. With an investment of approximately INR 200 million and a multi-year agreement ensuring equipment upkeep and infrastructure support, the project reflects BKT Foundation’s broader vision of strengthening healthcare capacity while nurturing India’s sporting potential.

Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director, BKT, said, “At BKT, we believe progress truly happens when communities move forward together. ‘Growing Together’ is more than a motto for us. It guides our decisions. By creating this centre with KEM Hospital and the BMC, we want to make world-class treatment accessible to every athlete. We are confident this facility will help many sportspersons return stronger.”

Vijayalaxmi Poddar, Chairperson, BKT-CSR committee, said, “This project reflects the values BKT stands for – Care, Dignity, Accessibility and Empowerment. Our goal was to create a space where healing is dignified and where every athlete feels supported at every stage of recovery. We want our youth to believe that their dreams are achievable, and we stand with them as they pursue excellence.”

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INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION MEETS ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE WITH TROESTER ROBOTICS

In today’s evolving industrial ecosystem, manufacturing is no longer just about physical output. Modern factories must simultaneously manage a range of challenges – from efficiency and flexibility to sustainability and quality control. Traditional automation systems often fall short, while smart, integrated and data-driven solutions are now the foundation of next-generation production strategies.

TROESTER Robotics emerged from this vision, formed in 2025 through a strategic acquisition. That year, TROESTER GmbH & Co. KG, a renowned German engineering company with over 130 years of heritage, acquired Turkey’s dynamic automation firm SC Otomasyon. This union brought together two strengths: deep engineering experience and practical implementation agility.

What resulted was more than just a new company – it became a transformative platform that doesn’t just produce automation systems but redefines the way production itself is designed and executed.

Today, TROESTER Robotics delivers durable, scalable and intelligent automation solutions across industries, with a strong focus on rubber and tyre production. These systems are built to improve precision, consistency, safety and operational sustainability.

Founded in 1892 in Hannover, Germany, TROESTER has become a global benchmark in the field of rubber, cable and plastics processing. With extrusion systems, full-scale production lines and advanced process engineering, TROESTER is known worldwide for engineering excellence and trust.

SC Otomasyon, on the other hand, earned its reputation in Turkey through flexible project execution and on-site know-how – delivering tailored automation projects in sectors such as glass, automotive and end-of-line applications. Notably, its success in rubber and tyre manufacturing drew international attention.

Through the acquisition and integration under TROESTER Robotics, this unique combination of capabilities has been elevated to serve global markets. It reflects the perfect synergy of depth and agility, tradition and innovation and global vision with local adaptability.

AUTOBOOKER: A NEW STANDARD IN TREAD HANDLING

Autobooker, developed by TROESTER Robotics, directly addresses a common bottleneck in tyre production: the handling and stacking of precut rubber treads.

Due to the nature of rubber – its sticky surface, flexibility and weight – manual operations are not only labour-intensive but also prone to inconsistencies such as misalignment and uneven stacking. This leads to increased cycle times and compromised product quality.

Autobooker was designed to solve these challenges in a compact robotic cell that automatically identifies and handles treads of various profiles and sizes while delivering repeatable and balanced stacking with minimal operator intervention. The system easily integrates into existing production lines with its compact structure and adapts to different production scenarios without the need for reprogramming. Most importantly, Autobooker ensures not just speed but precision and consistency in its operations.

Unlike traditional systems, Autobooker is not just a robot – it is a stabilising element of the production line, enabling a more consistent, reliable and efficient flow.

BEYOND MACHINES: AN INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION ECOSYSTEM

Autobooker is just one part of the broader technology ecosystem developed by TROESTER Robotics. Across various stages of tyre and rubber manufacturing, the company continues to build systems that prioritise productivity, safety and quality. One of the systems is Green Tyre Spraying Cells, which are robotic spray units that ensure uniform surface coating, reduce VOC emissions and minimise operator exposure. The Robotic Creel Loading Systems are designed to automate the placement of heavy steel and cord rolls; these systems significantly improve ergonomics and workplace safety.

Another solution, the End-of-Line Palletizing Solutions, enables fast, reliable palletising of finished tyres with minimal human involvement, increasing throughput and reducing handling errors. All TROESTER Robotics systems are equipped to communicate with MES and ERP platforms, enabling smart factory integration. This ensures the production process is not only automated but also traceable, measurable and optimised in real time.

DELIVER A VISION, NOT ONLY MACHINES

At TROESTER Robotics, automation is not just about hardware – it’s about engineering precision, industry insight, global standards and future-focused thinking. Every system installed is designed to standardise quality, minimise waste, reduce operator dependency and boost competitiveness while laying a solid foundation for digital transformation.

For TROESTER, every solution is a chapter in its customer’s production story. The company says, “We’re not just writing that story for today – we’re building it for the factories of the future.”

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AGU is enhancing its sports and urban cycling offerings in the Benelux region through a new partnership with the premium tyre brand Vredestein. This move aligns with AGU's strategic shift towards a more streamlined and high-quality portfolio, emphasising brands that deliver tangible value to retailers. A key element of this approach is AGU's commitment to providing dedicated account management for each store, which has already secured renewed confidence and agreements from numerous dealerships for 2026. Integrating Vredestein further reinforces this positive trajectory.

The partnership is a strong fit, founded on shared values including a dedication to quality, reliable performance and a focus on modern mobility needs like comfort and safety. Both brands bring relevant expertise for sporty and urban cyclists, along with a sustainable vision for the future of cycling. For AGU, Vredestein elevates the portfolio's quality and focus, while Vredestein gains extended reach and a stronger presence in key segments, backed by AGU's proactive sales network. Ultimately, this collaboration is centred on mutual growth and providing superior daily mobility solutions for cyclists.

Andy Vrooland, Commercial Director AGU Wholesale, said, "With Vredestein, we are strengthening our position in the sports and urban segment. The brand offers grip, security and performance, exactly what our dealers are looking for."

Olaf de Jong, Account Manager Vredestein, said, "Our cooperation with AGU fits seamlessly with our ambition to continue to grow in the Benelux."

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NEXEN TIRE is advancing a sophisticated global strategy centred on localised product development to deepen its market penetration. The initiative moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach by tailoring tyre offerings to the specific driving conditions, regulatory environments and consumer preferences in each major region. This is underpinned by a unifying ‘One Tire’ corporate strategy, which seeks to engineer a cohesive product lineup that delivers high performance across both traditional and electric vehicles. A key component of this is the EV ROOT technology, designed to enhance stability, mileage, braking and noise reduction for a comprehensive driving experience.

The company’s regional adaptations illustrate this focused approach. In the United States, NEXEN TIRE is broadening its portfolio with performance-oriented tyres like the N’FERA Sport and an upcoming all-season model, the N’PRIZ S, noted for fuel efficiency. Complementing these product introductions, the manufacturer is expanding its distribution partnership with Walmart to ensure wider availability of key tyre sizes, directly aligning supply with local demand. In Europe, regulatory shifts towards stricter winter tyre standards have prompted the launch of the new Winguard Sport 3 winter tyre and an expansion of fitments for its all-weather N’BLUE 4 Season 2 line. Simultaneously, in Australia, the company has introduced the ROADIAN ATX, a versatile tyre crafted for the popular SUV and pickup truck segments, capable of handling both on- and off-road terrain prevalent in the market.

Through these concerted efforts, NEXEN TIRE is not merely selling products internationally but is systematically integrating global design philosophy with regional customisation. This dual focus on unified performance standards and localised portfolio expansion sharpens the brand’s competitive edge and strengthens its connection with diverse consumers worldwide.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “NEXEN TIRE is continuously expanding its global market competitiveness through a product strategy of precisely reflecting local demand characteristics and consumer needs. Going forward, we will further strengthen our foundation for global growth by advancing innovations, especially for our EV ROOT technology, and enhancing our locally customised product portfolios.”

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