Orion Engineered Carbons, a global supplier of carbon black products, has begun construction of its second plant in China for carbon black.

Orion’s new facility, with a production capacity of 65-70 kilotonnes per year, is expected to be completed late next year and to begin operating in 2023.

With this project, the company seeks to expand the production capacity in the rapidly growing carbon black market. 

Carbon black – available either as powder or beads – is commonly used in tyres, textile fibres, coatings, batteries and numerous other everyday goods. Its highly versatile application includes tinting and adding colour; it also reinforces products, conducts electricity and provides UV protection.

Corning F Painter, CEO, Orion, said, “The strongest growth in demand for carbon black in the coming years is widely projected to be in Asia. This new site in China will enable us to better supply our customers and strengthen our position as a leading global supplier of speciality and high-performance carbon black.”(TT)

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Dunlop Motorsport will bring a striking new presence to the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2026 by entering a Porsche 911 GT3 R in both the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the renowned ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. This move represents an expanded commitment to one of motorsport’s most challenging circuits and underscores the brand’s dedication to performance and technological advancement.

This initiative follows a significant strategic shift by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which acquired the Dunlop trademark in May 2025. Since then, Dunlop has been positioned as the cornerstone of the company’s global growth strategy, aimed at enhancing international visibility and reinforcing long-term brand equity. The motorsport programme now serves as a visible expression of that direction.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R entered by Dunlop Motorsport will feature a distinctive yellow and black livery, designed by the creators of the Gran Turismo video game series. This design not only ensures high visibility but also reflects a partnership established at the end of 2025, making Dunlop the official tyre partner of the Gran Turismo World Series and Gran Turismo 7. Through this collaboration, players can virtually experience Dunlop tyre performance under realistic racing conditions. The car will carry the number 17, a nod to the Porsche Group C prototypes from the 1980s, linking historic racing heritage with contemporary GT3 engineering.

With a legacy dating back to 1888 and the invention of the pneumatic tyre, Dunlop has long been intertwined with competition. Its motorsport history includes rallying, overall victories at Le Mans and success in the DTM, establishing a deep-rooted presence in international racing. The Nordschleife programme continues that tradition.

Driving the entry in 2026 will be Julien Andlauer, Nico Menzel, Dorian Boccolacci and Alessio Picariello. Each brings considerable experience with both the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the Nürburgring circuit. Andlauer, a Porsche factory driver, contributes expertise from the World Endurance Championship, while Menzel offers detailed knowledge of the Nordschleife as an Eifel native. Boccolacci and Picariello have secured overall victories on the track and are recognised as consistent frontrunners in the endurance series.

By competing on the Nordschleife, Dunlop leverages the circuit’s reputation as both a development environment and a global showcase. For the brand, motorsport is more than competition – it is a demonstration of engineering capability, performance standards and the strength of its global identity.

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Falken Motorsports has confirmed its continued commitment to the Nürburgring endurance scene, announcing its participation in both the full ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series season and the prestigious ADAC RAVENOL 24h Race in 2026. The team, a favourite among fans, will once again field its distinctive teal-and-blue Porsche 911 GT3 R, which will carry the iconic number 44 on its doors.

Following a remarkably dominant 2025 campaign, the squad’s objective for the upcoming season is to maintain its recent trajectory of success. The past year saw Falken achieve an impressive tally of five overall NLS victories, a run that included four one-two finishes, alongside 12 podium appearances and two pole positions. This consistent high performance secured the NLS Speed Trophy for the second consecutive year, underscoring the team’s status as one of the most successful and well-supported outfits on the grid. This marks a continuation of a longstanding relationship with the circuit, as the brand has been a near-constant presence at the 24-hour race since 1999, becoming an integral part of both the competitive and wider event atmosphere.

Driver lineup continuity remains a cornerstone of the team’s strategy, with a blend of returning talent and established experience. Austrian Klaus Bachler, a proven winner on the Nordschleife with the squad, makes his return to the fold. He will be joined by Morris Schuring, who impressed by taking a victory in his very first race for Falken at the start of 2025. Further strengthening the roster are Sven Müller, a longstanding team member who also secured victory at last year’s NLS opener, and Tim Heinemann, a mainstay since 2022 who has built a formidable reputation for pace around the legendary circuit. This quartet combines extensive Nordschleife expertise with a proven winning mentality.

Beyond the driver changes, Falken will maintain a consistent visual identity, with the Porsche’s familiar livery remaining largely untouched. The number 44, a tribute to the brand’s first German headquarters in Offenbach, will also stay. In parallel with its own racing efforts, Falken will extend its technical partnership with Max Kruse Racing into 2026. The collaboration, active since 2021, has yielded numerous class successes on the Nordschleife. This commitment to the venue is further solidified by a renewed sponsorship agreement with the 24-hour race itself, which now runs through to 2028, while the Falken brand will also remain visible across competitor vehicles in the Nürburgring Endurance Series.

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Titan International has introduced the Radial Trail A/T, a new all-terrain high-speed trailer (HST) tyre described as the first true product of its kind in the industry. Unlike conventional trailer tyres that are often adapted from older light truck designs, this model has been engineered entirely from the ground up as a dedicated trailer tyre capable of performing reliably across diverse environments. Alongside this launch, Titan has announced a speed-rating upgrade to its established Radial Trail HD tyre.

The new Radial Trail A/T tyre’s field-tested design incorporates an aggressive tread pattern for enhanced traction on gravel, mud, grass and uneven backroads. The tyre also features a centre tread bridge that lowers rolling resistance to support better fuel efficiency and towing stability. Shoulder tread bridges promote even wear and extend the tyre’s lifespan while reducing road noise, and an open shoulder configuration helps dissipate heat and shed debris. Alternating scoops improve control on soft surfaces such as sand and mud, and extended tread elements along with a rim guard offer added protection against scuffs and impacts. The Radial Trail A/T is currently available in size ST235/75R15 LRE, with four additional sizes expected to roll out over the summer.

Now carrying an N speed rating, which allows for operation at speeds up to 87 mph (approximately 140 kmph), the updated Radial Trail HD tyre incorporates heat-resistant engineering to deliver reliable performance under demanding conditions while surpassing Department of Transportation standards. The enhanced Radial Trail HD tyres are available for order immediately.

Both product releases reflect Titan’s continued focus on advancing trailer tyre technology through purpose-built solutions. Whether used for long highway journeys or off-road exploration, these tyres aim to provide drivers with improved traction, durability, and dependability. Together, they represent the company’s broader effort to support trailer owners with greater confidence and peace of mind on the road.

Ryan Fuller, High Speed Trailer Product Manager, Titan Specialty Division, said, “Titan is setting a new standard in high-speed trailer tyre performance. The Radial Trail A/T is the first trailer tyre truly engineered for all-terrain conditions, not adapted from outdated moulds. Combined with the enhancements to the Radial Trail HD, we’re giving our customers unmatched confidence whether they’re hauling down highways or navigating rugged backroads.”

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Continental has once again been recognised as ‘Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ at the latest edition of Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, marking the fifth time it has received this prestigious honour. The independent jury acknowledged the company's groundbreaking tyre technologies, innovative measurement approaches and continuous production process enhancements for establishing new industry standards. Additionally, Continental received the ‘Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing’ award for its substantial progress in reducing water consumption during tyre production.

During the 3 March ceremony in Hannover, the jury specifically highlighted several key developments from Continental's 2025 initiatives. The company advanced sustainability through the adoption of renewable synthetic rubber components, including pyrolysis oil recovered from end-of-life tyres and recycled cooking oil. A collaborative effort with the Technical University of Braunschweig yielded an innovative method for detecting tyre wear particles using a specialised vacuum system positioned behind drive wheels, equipped with sensitive particle sensors capable of identifying even microscopic airborne debris from various vehicle locations.

The VanContact A/S Eco received special recognition as the first van tyre to achieve the highest ‘A’ rating across all three EU tire label categories – rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise. Continental's partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit promoting responsible natural rubber sourcing in Indonesia also earned jury commendation.

Between 2020 and 2025, Continental successfully reduced water withdrawal per metric tonne of product by over 10 percent across all production facilities, conserving an impressive 197 million litres of water. This achievement resulted from implementing advanced filtration and membrane technologies that enable approximately 90 percent of wastewater to be treated and reused. The company maintains a comprehensive water management approach, systematically refining processes related to heating, cooling and sanitation. External validation of these efforts came through a ‘B’ rating from the independent organisation CDP for Continental's 2025 water management practices.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research and Development at Continental Tires, said, “Tyres are our passion. We are committed to optimising them and making our manufacturing processes even more advanced and resource-efficient. Our greatest strength is our global team, working together closely to develop highly creative and innovative solutions. The jury honoured this very special commitment. And I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all our colleagues for their remarkable dedication.”

Henning Mühlenstedt, Head of Future Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure at Continental Tires, said, “Water is a valuable resource. Our continued progress in reducing consumption at our plants demonstrates how effective our approach is.”

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