Speciality materials company Trinseo reported a third-quarter net loss of USD 87 million, driven largely by restructuring and other charges totalling USD 26 million. 

This follows recently announced restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining operations. The company posted an adjusted EBITDA of USD 66 million, marking a USD 25 million increase year-over-year.

Despite a one percent year-over-year decline in net sales to USD 868 million, the company attributed an eight percent decrease in sales to intentional reductions in low-margin areas like polystyrene and latex binders. However, a seven percent increase from higher raw material prices partially offset this decline.

Commenting on the company’s third-quarter performance, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo, Frank Bozich said, “As expected, market conditions and Adjusted EBITDA were sequentially similar to the prior quarter. Despite continued weak demand in many of our end markets, particularly building and construction and appliances, we saw significant year-over-year profitability improvement largely as a result of our restructuring actions and continued moderation of European input costs.”

Third Quarter Performance by Segment

Engineered Materials: The segment posted a 12 percent rise in net sales, reaching USD 207 million, driven by increased sales volume in consumer electronics and medical applications. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment rose by USD 20 million to USD 25 million, benefiting from improved margins and a favourable product mix.

 Latex Binders: Net sales increased eight percent to USD 242 million, primarily due to higher prices that offset a drop in sales volume for paper and carpet applications. Adjusted EBITDA increased by USD 8 million to USD 26 million, reflecting improved margins and a positive regional and product mix.

Plastics Solutions: Net sales rose three percent year-over-year to USD 268 million, driven by higher raw material costs. Adjusted EBITDA climbed USD 11 million to USD 28 million, aided by higher fixed cost absorption and inventory builds in preparation for the closure of the virgin polycarbonate facility in Stade, Germany.

Polystyrene: This segment saw a 28 percent year-over-year decline in net sales to USD 151 million, impacted by a 35 percent decrease in volume after the closure of the Terneuzen, Netherlands, facility and a reduction in low-margin sales. Adjusted EBITDA rose by USD 5 million to USD 4 million due to higher margins and cost savings from the Terneuzen facility exit.

Fourth Quarter Outlook

Trinseo projects a net loss of between USD 71 million and USD 81 million in the fourth quarter, with adjusted EBITDA expected to range from USD 40 million to USD 50 million. Bozich noted that while fourth-quarter EBITDA is anticipated to dip from year-end seasonality, restructuring benefits should sustain profitability above prior-year levels. The company also expects positive free cash flow due to seasonal working capital improvements.

Commenting on the fourth quarter outlook, Bozich said, “We expect Adjusted EBITDA to be sequentially lower from year-end seasonality, but still higher than the prior year due to the benefits from our restructuring initiatives. We also expect free cash flow to turn positive in the fourth quarter due to typical seasonal working capital improvements.”

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AZuR partners DIKABO and BEAR Machines have deepened their joint efforts by combining practical innovation with strategic growth in tyre recycling. Through the adoption of BEAR-CUT technology, DIKABO is building a new product line focused on reprofiling, demonstrating how collaboration can advance the circular economy in the commercial vehicle tyre sector.

The semi-automatic BEAR-CUT machine allows DIKABO to offer precise and repeatable reprofiling of truck tyres while fitting smoothly into existing workshop workflows. Sven Wehrmeyer, Managing Director, DIKABO highlights the equipment’s speed, high-quality cuts and straightforward setup, which together enabled immediate productivity gains. The company now plans to recut up to 55 tyres daily for its customers.

Reprofiling plays a vital role in the tyre circular economy by extending tyre mileage by as much as 25 percent, cutting the need for new tyre production, and lowering CO₂ emissions. With BEAR-CUT, DIKABO can further refine this process and tap into new market opportunities. Establishing its own reprofiling division is a strategic move into a high-growth segment that lowers material and energy costs while boosting tyre longevity.

Investing in BEAR-CUT is both a technological upgrade and a strategic portfolio expansion for DIKABO, creating a scalable business model with strong commercial vehicle demand and reinforcing its role in sustainable tyre services. This partnership exemplifies the AZuR network’s philosophy that innovations should be developed and scaled collectively, turning new technologies into resource efficient, low emission and competitive business solutions.

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Anyline has made its TireBuddy ToolKit available for React Native, offering a digital tyre inspection solution designed for easy integration into mobile apps. Originally developed for a limited set of customers, this solution has now been fully packaged, documented and prepared for widespread use.

With TireBuddy, developers can add features like tread measurement, tyre identification, VIN reading and license plate recognition to vehicle inspection applications. Customers can choose between native integration for Android and iOS or cross platform frameworks such as React Native and Flutter. Since React Native is widely adopted in the automotive industry, many clients requested a way to use TireBuddy without losing cross platform efficiency. After a year of real-world testing with selected partners, the TireBuddy React Native wrapper is now ready for broader deployment.

Unlike a simple bridge over native code, this wrapper provides a stable, production ready integration of the TireBuddy SDK and APIs. Key improvements include typed async API calls instead of an event driven pattern, with clear scan result states like completed, aborted or failed. This gives developers more predictable control over scanning logic, retries and user messaging. The wrapper also offers full TypeScript support, versioning utilities, a structured configuration model and feedback APIs for comments, tread depth corrections and tyre identification. For teams using Expo development builds, an automated config plugin handles camera permissions and Android repository setup, reducing integration effort. The wrapper also supports additional context for fleet workflows, such as scan correlation and tire position data.

The release of the React Native wrapper makes TireBuddy more broadly accessible while cutting time to deployment for apps requiring tyre inspection. Being public and versioned, it reduces evaluation time and shortens implementation cycles. Long term, this standardised model improves how updates are delivered and adopted, creating a clearer path for customer feedback and iteration. Teams can now add tyre inspection capabilities without changing their existing architecture or sacrificing cross platform efficiency, all backed by a more consistent and scalable integration foundation.

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Bridgestone has initiated a collaborative research project with Universitas Indonesia, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University (Yokohama City University), and Public University Corporation Maebashi Institute of Technology (Maebashi Institute of Technology) focused on the genetic analysis of para rubber trees. The partnership draws on tree samples and genetic data from Bridgestone’s own natural rubber farm in Indonesia, combined with the advanced capabilities of the academic institutions. The primary goal is to develop a marker assisted selection technique that can identify elite trees, characterised by high and stable yields, at an early stage. A formal signing ceremony took place at Universitas Indonesia on 7 April to mark the beginning of this joint effort.

Sustainability is central to Bridgestone’s management philosophy, reflected in its business model that links operations to carbon neutrality, a circular economy and nature positivity across the entire value chain from production to renewal. This research directly supports that vision by aiming to improve the sustainability of natural rubber. Ultimately, the company seeks to contribute to a more circular and regenerative business model where natural rubber production becomes increasingly efficient and environmentally responsible.

A stable supply of natural rubber is essential for tyre manufacturing and safe mobility, yet para rubber trees grow only in narrow equatorial bands and face threats from climate change and disease. With global vehicle ownership rising, demand for natural rubber is increasing, creating pressure to boost productivity without expanding farmland into forests. Bridgestone has therefore pursued multiple technological paths, including disease diagnostics and big data driven planting optimization on limited land. The company also supports smallholder farmers by sharing these technologies and providing training based on know‑how from its own farms, thereby enhancing productivity, improving livelihoods and strengthening the long-term sustainability of natural rubber.

In this specific research initiative, Bridgestone supplies latex samples and existing genetic information from its rubber trees. Universitas Indonesia handles the extraction of DNA and RNA data, while Yokohama City University and Maebashi Institute of Technology perform genetic analyses to pinpoint genes linked to rubber productivity. Together, they will build a marker assisted selection method for rapid, high-precision identification of elite trees, significantly shortening traditional breeding timelines that once took decades. After validating the technology and establishing propagation and nursery systems, Bridgestone plans to replace ordinary trees with elite varieties over the medium to long term, thereby raising productivity and stabilising yields within finite land resources.

Prof Dr Tito Latif Indra, M.Si, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, said, "In this project, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), will play a key role in supporting the scientific framework of the project by leveraging its expertise in molecular biology and genetic data acquisition. This collaboration is such an important foundation in strengthening FMIPA UI's academic contribution in impactful global research. Through research in the field of sustainable natural resources, we are trying our best to reinforce the ecosystem of global natural rubber production and provide significant innovation to support sustainable rubber plantations in Indonesia."

Yukihisa Shimada, Director, Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University, said, "In this project, Yokohama City University will serve as a strategic and technical advisor, supporting collaboration with Indonesian government agencies and the establishment of research infrastructure. Through international collaboration, we will drive high-precision genome analysis and the selection of promising lines, contributing to the creation of scientific knowledge for sustainable resource use."

Kensuke Nakamura, President, Public University Corporation Maebashi Institute of Technology, said, "In this joint research, Maebashi Institute of Technology will lead the bioinformatics analysis, contributing to the advancement of natural resource research through a data-driven approach. As a public university, we are dedicated to fostering both locally grounded research and international research partnerships. By leveraging these strengths, we seek to generate impactful knowledge that will contribute to building a more sustainable society."

Masashi Otsuki, Executive Director, Institute of Advanced Technology, Bridgestone Corporation, said, "By co-creating with stakeholders across the natural rubber industry and promoting the sustainable use of natural rubber, Bridgestone strives to achieve the corporate commitment of ‘Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations’ described in its Bridgestone E8 Commitment.

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Pirelli has created bespoke versions of its P Zero R tyre for the new Audi RS 5 and the RS 3 competition limited, aiming to deliver everyday driving pleasure without sacrificing track capability. Special emphasis is placed on superior grip and shorter braking distances. Drawing on over 25 years of collaboration with Audi Sport, these fitments reflect experience gained from developing tyres for high-performance SUVs and the sportiest sedans.

Audi’s main target was braking performance, and the P Zero R was engineered to approach Pirelli’s semi slick Trofeo R. This results in extremely short stopping distances with rapid deceleration even under demanding conditions. Pirelli’s German R&D centre worked with Milan headquarters on a new compound that performs well even when cold, responding to Audi’s request for safety during deceleration. Though nearing track-oriented products, the P Zero R remains suitable for daily use.

The RS 3 competition limited celebrates 50 years of the five-cylinder engine. Two tyre options are available: the standard P Zero R provides strong grip on dry and wet roads, while the P Zero Trofeo R semi slick is designed mainly for track driving. Its motorsport derived rubber delivers exceptionally high dry grip, stability and short braking distances. Development used digital simulation at both companies, with physical tests later validating data on circuits like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The Audi RS 5, the brand’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, required a new High Load tyre size. Pirelli reinforced the P Zero R’s structure to handle the hybrid components’ extra weight while maintaining driving precision. This partnership, symbolised by the R0 marking, began with the original RS 4 25 years ago and continues with record setting Nürburgring performances in 2024 by the RS 3 with Trofeo R and the RS Q8 performance with P Zero.

Steffen Bamberger, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, said, “The tyre is the only connection between the vehicle and the road surface. Therefore, it plays a significant role in chassis development, especially in our RS models, where excellent handling has paramount importance. Plus, a close, collaborative partnership is essential to achieving this level of performance.”

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