Kumho Tire’s new ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre, the ECSTA Sport, has been rated ‘Very Good’ in the latest Die Reifentester summer tyre test.

The tyre size used for testing was 225/40R18. Eight tyre manufacturers participated in the test, including well-known names like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin and Continental. Bridgestone and Continental shared the top rating with Kumho's ECSTA Sport. The wet braking results were one of the test's main features. With a stopping distance of only 23.07 metres at 80 kmph, the ECSTA Sport outperformed every other tyre in the test. It was one of just two tyres – the other being the Continental SportContact 7 – to receive the ‘Very Good’ rating in wet handling. In dry weather, the ECSTA Sport also performed admirably. Die Reifentester gave it a ‘Very Good’ grade for dry handling, comparing it to three competitors of premium brands.

Drivers seeking precision handling, robust safety features and high mileage performance are the target market for the ECSTA Sport. The tyre, which comes in sizes 16 to 22 inches, features a new compound blend that improves high-speed stability and reduces stopping distances.

Matthias Bode, Head of Research and Development Europe at Kumho Tire, said, “We are delighted with this result from Die Reifentester. Kumho ECSTA Sport is designed to offer excellent performance for all motorists, including the most demanding drivers, and this test result is an excellent indication that we are on the right course.”

Tony Gangseung Lee, Head of Europe, said, “This test result demonstrates the commitment of Kumho to developing and producing exceptional tyres which offer excellent value to the driving public. I am delighted to see the team’s hard work being so well rewarded in this independent tyre test as we set new performance benchmarks.”

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ContiTech, a group sector of Continental AG, has announced a major investment exceeding USD 85 million to significantly expand its manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Central to this expansion is the construction of a new, state-of-the-art compounding centre. This advanced facility will consolidate production, warehouse and office functions into a single, integrated operation. The project is designed to substantially enhance the company's internal capabilities for creating specialised rubber compounds, which are the fundamental materials for its core products, including industrial hoses and belts.

This strategic investment is expected to create around 50 new high-quality jobs in the region and has received support from the Iowa Economic Development Authority through an incentives package from its High-Quality Jobs programme. By establishing this new compounding centre, ContiTech aims to optimise its North American manufacturing footprint, ensuring consistent quality and improved efficiency.

The facility will feature advanced mixing lines and an automated warehouse, enabling the production of uniform, high-performance materials engineered to withstand extreme conditions. These materials are critical for reliable conveyance systems across diverse industrial applications. Scheduled to break ground in the second quarter of 2026, the expanded Mount Pleasant plant will reinforce its key role within ContiTech's global supply chain and strengthen the company's competitive position as a leading provider of material-driven solutions.

Philip Nelles, Member of the Continental Executive Board and CEO of ContiTech, said, “In today’s dynamic economic environment, we are investing in advanced capabilities not only to drive innovation and competitiveness across our industrial product lines but also to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This expansion reflects our long-term commitment to the US and the North American markets in general and our confidence in the strength of our team in Iowa. This project also contributes to local economic development, reinforcing our role as a reliable partner to the community we work and live in.”

Andreas Gerstenberger, CEO of ContiTech USA and Head of Business Area Industrial Solutions Americas, said, “At ContiTech, our commitment to customer centricity is foundational, and this expansion enables us to respond more quickly and effectively to our customers’ needs. By investing in this facility, we’re not only enhancing our operational capabilities, competitiveness and supply chain resilience; we are also reinforcing our ability to deliver material-driven solutions. This expansion is a critical part of that process and a key enabler in our vision to become the first choice for our customers.”

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The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has unveiled ‘Tread Boldly: Advancing Tire Recycling Through Collective Innovation’ as the official theme for its 10th Tire Recycling Conference. Scheduled for 12–14 May 2026 in Denver, Colorado, the event will focus on the urgent need for a unified effort to transform end-of-life tyre management into a truly circular and sustainable model. This vision depends on shared commitment, bold action and the latest technological advancements.

The 2026 conference is designed to engage all stakeholders across the value chain. The agenda will feature keynote addresses from industry pioneers, strategic discussions on accelerating market growth and panels examining emerging recycling technologies and regulatory policies. Specialised sessions will explore specific markets like rubber-modified asphalt, with updates from state agencies. Ample networking opportunities will allow participants to connect with leaders from every sector of the industry, fostering the collaboration essential for progress.

While USTMA notes that tyres are among the nation's most recycled products, a significant challenge remains as the volume of end-of-life tyres continues to exceed the consumption of recycled materials. Achieving full circularity requires a strengthened focus on developing and sustaining end-use markets. A prime example is rubber-modified asphalt, which not only helps reduce tyre stockpiles but also delivers long-term environmental and economic advantages, including more durable infrastructure and job creation.

Anne Forristall Luke, Board President, TRF, said, “For over 20 years, the biennial Tire Recycling Conference has been a gathering for industry leaders and stakeholders to learn and foster innovative programs to address ELT management and grow tyre recycling markets. The 2026 conference will build on this legacy and galvanise an entire system of national and local businesses, governments and state officials towards effective market-based programmes.”

Stephanie Mull, Executive Director, TRF, said, “Expanding end-use markets for recycled tyres demands bold action rooted in research, education, effective state programmes and collaboration. The conference’s theme, ‘tread boldly’, is a call to action for every stakeholder in the tyre recycling ecosystem and the critical role they play in shaping a future where every end-of-life tyre enters a sustainable and circular programme.”

John Sheerin, Senior Director – End-of-Life Tires, USTMA, said, “This milestone event will showcase the strengths of end-use markets and power of collective innovation. Whether you are a manufacturer, processor or recycler, policymaker, researcher, retailor or distributor, there is a place for you to work alongside industry partners and amplify efforts in advancing tyre recycling.”

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NEXEN TIRE has earned a ‘Good’ rating for its N'BLUE 4Season 2 all-season tyre in size 215/55 R 17 by German motor magazine AUTOBILD Allrad in a comprehensive 2025 all-season tyre test (issue 40/2025). This accolade reinforces NEXEN TIRE's strategic positioning as a global manufacturer committed to premium-level innovation and engineering that meets the demands of performance-oriented drivers.

Developed for year-round use on European roads across a wide temperature range, the N'BLUE 4Season 2 is a versatile performer. It demonstrates significant improvements over its predecessor, offering enhanced braking performance in all conditions, along with superior grip and traction on both wet and snowy roads. The tyre provides predictable handling that inspires confidence in diverse driving scenarios, delivering dependable traction and stable behaviour on snow while maintaining solid dry road capabilities, including good dry braking.

Furthermore, it ensures a comfortable driving experience with low rolling noise. This combination of reliable all-weather competence and everyday comfort establishes the N'BLUE 4Season 2 as a high-performing tyre that instils confidence for all vehicle categories.

Jeff Roh, Vice President of Europe Sales & Marketing, NEXEN TIRE Europe, said, “This test result is further proof of our technological development behind the N'BLUE 4Season 2 all-season tyre. We are proud that our investments in research and development and intensive product testing have resulted in an all-season tyre that delivers exceptional performance in all weather conditions, as well as consistent handling and reliable performance.”

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The European Commission has decisively abandoned its initial proposal to delay the implementation of its cornerstone anti-deforestation legislation. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will now proceed according to its original timeline, a move that underscores the bloc's commitment to combating global forest loss. This decision was confirmed by Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall during the recent Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg, where she outlined a revised application plan designed to balance regulatory ambition with practical feasibility for businesses.

The core implementation date for the regulation remains firmly set for 30 December 2025. In a concession aimed at supporting smaller market players, micro- and small enterprises have been granted an extension, providing them until December 2026 to achieve full compliance. A central feature of the revised approach is a strategic simplification of administrative duties. To alleviate bureaucratic burdens and prevent overloading the new digital traceability infrastructure, the obligation to submit a due diligence declaration will now fall exclusively on companies that are the first to place a covered product on the EU market. This targeted requirement is expected to significantly reduce redundant paperwork across supply chains.

Established in 2023, the EUDR’s fundamental objective is to guarantee that key commodities – including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy and wood – sold within the European Union are not associated with deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020. To achieve this, obligated companies must provide verifiable proof of traceability back to the plot of land where the commodities were produced, confirming that their goods did not originate from recently cleared forest areas.

Commissioner Roswall’s earlier suggestion for a blanket one-year postponement encountered substantial internal resistance. Prominent figures, such as Vice-President Teresa Ribera, voiced strong opposition, cautioning that such a delay would critically undermine the Union's credibility and leadership on the global environmental stage. The newly adopted compromise includes a further measure to ease the transition: a six-month grace period, lasting until 30 June 2026, during which companies demonstrating genuine efforts to comply will be shielded from penalties. This final proposal, however, is still subject to formal approval from both the European Parliament and the member states, where legislators may yet seek additional clarifications or adjustments before the plan is formally enacted.

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