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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Maxion Wheels has graduated the first Indian cohort of its Formare vocational education programme and launched a second intake, marking the expansion of the initiative into Asia.

The programme, introduced in India in 2024 through a partnership between the Iochpe Foundation of Brazil and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), combines classroom education with practical manufacturing training for students from underprivileged communities.

Twenty-six students enrolled in the inaugural cohort, with 23 completing the programme and receiving a diploma in Manufacturing Technology. Those who continue for a third year at SPPU will be eligible for a university graduation certificate.

According to Maxion Wheels, 87 percent of the graduates will begin their professional careers at the company's Pune operations.

"The graduation of our first Formare class in India is a proud and meaningful achievement, both for our students and for Maxion Wheels," said Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels' Asia Business Unit. "This programme reflects our belief that investing in education and skills development can transform lives while strengthening our communities and our business. We are especially encouraged and fortunate to see these young professionals beginning their careers with us."

The company also inaugurated the programme's second cohort, comprising 27 students, including six women, who account for 22 percent of the intake.

The ceremony at SPPU was attended by Mark Sinar, Vice President, Global Human Resources and Safety & Sustainability at Maxion Wheels, Rahul Vaidya, Managing Director of Kalyani Maxion Wheels, university representatives and the families of graduating and incoming students.

Graduates described the programme's impact on their personal and professional development.

"Formare has given me the confidence, skills, and opportunity to build a better future for myself and my family," said Aman Mulla. "I am proud to start my career with Maxion Wheels and excited for what lies ahead."

Abha Kamble said: "This programme opened doors I never thought possible. The combination of learning and hands-on experience has prepared us for real-world challenges."

Originally established by Brazil's Iochpe Foundation, the Formare programme has operated for more than three decades and has trained more than 28,000 young people. Maxion Wheels said it plans to introduce the programme in Türkiye later this year.

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Continental has transformed its European Roadshow into a long-term customer engagement platform, scheduled to traverse the continent through 2027. The initiative delivers the company’s newest commercial vehicle tyre technologies, trailer solutions and digital services directly to fleet operators. Following successful kick-off events in the Czech Republic and Denmark, the mobile tour is set to visit Norway and Finland, with further destinations to be announced.

This expanded programme underscores Continental’s strategic commitment to deepening customer ties through direct interaction. The initiative directly addresses critical fleet management concerns, including total cost of ownership, operational efficiency and the ongoing digitalisation of transport logistics. The company aims to position itself as a partner in solving real-world operational challenges.

Central to the roadshow is the Showtruck, a mobile consultation and demonstration hub that allows fleets to experience Continental’s portfolio within their local markets. Attendees navigate themed stations that link product innovations to practical fleet applications and everyday operational hurdles. A primary focus is the Generation 5 tyre portfolio, engineered for enhanced mileage, reduced rolling resistance and superior durability, alongside trailer tyre options and a preview of the upcoming Conti Efficient Pro HT 5.

The roadshow also highlights ContiConnect, a digital tyre monitoring system that supplies real-time data and actionable intelligence to support predictive maintenance and increase operational transparency. Traveling thousands of kilometres across Europe through 2027, the platform engages fleet operators, logistics firms, dealers and industry partners. By merging products, digital services and technical expertise, Continental reinforces its dedication to efficient, digitally connected transport solutions, with additional tour dates to be revealed.

Ivonne Bierwirth, Head of Marketing Communications – EMEA, Continental, said, "Fleet operators are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency, control operating costs and meet evolving industry requirements. The Roadshow allows us to engage directly with customers and demonstrate how our tyre technologies, digital solutions and expertise can help them address these challenges in their daily operations."

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Tyres Europe and the Association of Synthetic Amorphous Silica Producers (ASASP) have released a joint position paper on synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) in tyre manufacturing. The document highlights SAS as a critical component that improves wet grip, reduces rolling resistance and supports durability, thereby enhancing vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, electric vehicle range and lowering use-phase emissions.

A proposed harmonised classification for SAS is under consideration. Though not an outright ban, the industry warns it would likely compel manufacturers to phase out SAS during design rather than manage exposure, effectively bypassing practical risk controls.

Tyres Europe and ASASP urge regulators to base any action on robust evaluation of SAS properties, exposure conditions, established industrial uses and broader socio-economic impacts on European value chains. Policy measures must reflect these factors to avoid unintended disruptions.

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Tegeta Green Planet participated in the recent Social Design Days conference, a three-day event hosted by the Design Institute that centred on circular design and sustainable innovation. The gathering brought together diverse professionals to explore the intersection of creative disciplines and environmental responsibility.

During the proceedings, Tegeta Green Planet Director Shalva Akhvlediani engaged in a panel discussion that examined Georgia’s trajectory in building a circular economy. The conversation addressed the nation’s current obstacles and prospective avenues for growth, with a particular focus on systemic shifts in resource management and regulatory frameworks.

Akhvlediani pointed to measurable advancements in Georgia’s waste management infrastructure, the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility standards and a growing national recycling ethos. These developments, he observed, are creating a robust base for more judicious resource utilisation and fostering habits of conscientious consumption. The panel further acknowledged that resourcefulness is deeply rooted in Georgian heritage, where mending, reusing and bequeathing goods were traditional practices, though modern consumerism has eroded these customs, necessitating a blend of age-old wisdom with contemporary circular strategies.

A critical takeaway from the discussion was the assertion that technological fixes and legislation alone are insufficient. Genuine progress, Akhvlediani argued, hinges on synergistic cooperation between designers, architects, researchers and creatives to engineer products and systems that prioritise longevity and recyclability from inception. Social Design Days proved instrumental in facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue, promoting circular principles and inspiring actionable solutions for national sustainability. Tegeta Green Planet reaffirmed its dedication to advancing these environmental objectives and supporting collaborative platforms that drive meaningful change.

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