Chinese tyre maker Jinyu Tire Group has completed the passenger car tyre project in Vietnam as part of its strategy to return to the passenger vehicle tyre market. The group fully commissioned the plant, which can manufacture 10 million high-performance semi-steel radial tyres annually, in a ceremony on 15 April.

Launched in January last year, the project is an expansion of Jinyu’s existing truck & bus tyre production facility in Tay Ninh province, which currently produces two million TBR tyres annually. By the second half of 2026, the factory should be scaled up to full capacity. The company expects to produce 10 million TBR and 10 million PCR tyres annually across all of its production facilities once the initiative goes into full-scale production.

After a five-year hiatus to concentrate on the development of TBR tyres, Jinyu is making a triumphant comeback to the passenger vehicle tyre market with this landmark project. The facility has a testing unit, a technical R&D centre and automated manufacturing equipment. In order to guarantee that operations are traceable and controlled, the factory additionally uses intelligent management systems like MES, RDM and LIMS for real-time data collecting and analysis.

Chang Xianxu, Chairman, Jinyu Tire, said, "The successful completion of the PCR project in Vietnam is another breakthrough for Jinyu Tire in multiple dimensions such as high-end tyre manufacturing, technology research and development, production management and international operation capabilities. This also serves as a strong testament to Jinyu Tire’s unwavering commitment to the development and application of rubber tyre technologies and services, with the mission of delivering optimal value and experience to its customers. Upon full-scale production, the project is expected to reach an annual capacity of 10 million high-performance passenger and light truck (PLT) tyres by the second half of 2026. By then, Jinyu Tire will possess a dual production capacity of 10 million units each for TBR (Truck and Bus Radial) and PLT tyres, enabling the company to better serve and meet the needs of its global customers, while helping its global partners achieve greater business scale. This reflects a deep embodiment of the company’s core value – ‘Common Interests Above All Else’.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Blackcircles.com has become a member of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), deepening its engagement with the UK tyre trade. The NTDA represents businesses spanning retail, wholesale, distribution, mobile fitting, manufacturing, retreading and recycling, along with the broader automotive aftercare sector.

The move marks a further step in Blackcircles.com’s efforts to forge closer industry relationships and help shape conversations about the sector’s direction. Membership offers a chance to share its digital tyre retail expertise with the wider trade while drawing insight from companies active in different parts of the market.

Since its 2001 launch, Blackcircles.com has changed how motorists purchase tyres, merging online ordering with a nationwide network of independent fitting partners. As UK’s leading online tyre retailer, it now links customers to a broad selection of tyres and fitting choices.

NTDA involvement will support greater participation in discussions on industry standards, professional development, regulation and tyre safety. Blackcircles.com has long valued fitters and independent garages, and the membership reinforces that connection as the trade confronts evolving vehicle technology, electric vehicle growth, sustainability pressures and shifting customer expectations.

Michael O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer, Blackcircles.com, said, “Joining the NTDA is an important step for Blackcircles.com and reflects our commitment to playing an active role in the wider UK tyre industry. Our business brings together the convenience of digital retail with the expertise of tyre professionals across the country, and we’re looking forward to working more closely with the NTDA and its members to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and support high standards across the sector.”

John Paterson, Head of Network, Blackcircles.com, said, “One of the real strengths of the NTDA is its ability to bring together businesses from across the tyre industry and give the sector a collective voice. As customer expectations, vehicle technology and the way people buy tyres continue to evolve, that collaboration becomes increasingly valuable. We’re excited to work alongside the NTDA and its members, sharing our experience in digital tyre retail while contributing to the conversations that will help shape the future of the industry.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!