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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Tyres Europe has released its latest quarterly market update, prepared by the independent intelligence firm Astutus Research, which tracks tyre industry trends, mobility patterns and recovery and recycling efforts. The report provides fresh data on import shifts and used tyre generation across the EU27 plus United Kingdom.

Passenger car and light truck tyre imports into the region dropped by nearly 22 percent in January and February of 2026, a sharp reversal from the 26 percent increase seen in the first quarter of 2025. The total volume fell by 5.6 million units, driven largely by an 8.7-million-unit decline in Chinese shipments, which cut China’s market share from 74 to 52 percent. An ongoing European Union anti‑dumping investigation, with the potential for backdated duties, had encouraged heavy pre‑buying of Chinese tyres in 2025, peaking that September before accelerating into 2026. In response, ASEAN‑origin tyres, many from Chinese‑owned factories, tripled their share to 21 percent, led by Thailand and Vietnam, while Cambodia added nearly half a million units from a near‑zero base.

Truck and bus tyre imports from non‑European markets rose 24 percent over the same period. Thailand and Vietnam together increased shipments by 39 percent, lifting their combined share above 63 percent. Meanwhile, China’s position weakened as its volumes stagnated, and India emerged as the fourth largest source with a share exceeding five percent, pushing Egypt to fifth place ahead of Korea.

On sustainability, preliminary estimates from Astutus Research indicate that Europe generated approximately 4.4 million tonnes of used tyres in 2025, a figure essentially unchanged from the previous year. This overall stability hides divergent regional trends, with faster growth in Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, while larger Northern markets including the United Kingdom, Germany and France showed little or no increase. Replacement tyres account for more than 90 percent of used tyre tonnage, with the remainder coming from end‑of‑life vehicles.

Of the 4.4 million tonnes generated, around 0.6 million tonnes were reused as part‑worn tyres or retreaded. The term used tyres refers to all tyres removed from vehicles, while end‑of‑life tyres exclude those reused or retreaded. A decline in retreading has increased the share classified as end‑of‑life tyres, adding to volumes that require recovery or recycling.

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Maxxis’ automotive division has earned the Excellence in Quality and Delivery Award from Honda for 2025. This recognition was presented during a ceremony held on 22 April in Columbus, Ohio, where Honda honoured 37 suppliers out of a total pool of more than 700 mass production parts providers across North America.

Maxxis supplies spare tyres for several Honda and Acura models, including the Honda Accord and Acura Integra assembled at Honda’s Maryville plant, as well as the Honda Civic Si produced at the Honda of Canada facility in Alliston, Ontario. The award highlights Maxxis’ consistent performance in meeting stringent quality standards and delivery schedules, reinforcing the division’s role as a trusted partner within Honda’s North American production network.

Andy Lee, Maxxis International – USA President, said, “On behalf of everyone at Maxxis, I want to thank Honda for this tremendous honour. We’re very pleased to have met their high standards for excellence. All of us at Maxxis are very grateful for this recognition and are equally grateful for our partnership with Honda. I also want to thank our automotive OE division for their hard work and dedication, which made this award possible.”

Paul Dentinger, Senior Vice President of the Purchasing & Supply Chain Center at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC, said, “As we focus our automobile business on maximising hybrid and gas-powered models, Honda continues to invest in our North American supplier network, collaborating with our supplier partners to turn innovative technology into value for our customers. In this rapidly changing business environment, we must work closely with our suppliers to find new ways to improve cost competitiveness, speed up development time and enhance product appeal that ensures Honda is the brand of choice for customers. Congratulations to all of our award-winning service parts and mass production suppliers who earned this distinguished honour.”

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German chemical group Wacker is moving forward aggressively with its PACE programme, a global initiative to cut costs and improve efficiency that was launched in October 2025. The overarching goal is to permanently secure the company’s competitive standing by slashing annual expenses by more than EUR 300 million, a target that has already been announced alongside plans for worldwide workforce reductions.

A key development in Germany involves a new agreement between management and employee representatives to handle the planned loss of roughly 1,600 jobs through socially responsible means. Instead of forced dismissals, the company will rely on voluntary measures such as attractive phased early retirement and severance packages. To create the financial breathing room for this approach, all German employees will accept a temporary solidarity contribution until 2028, taking the form of a four percent cut to both their hours and pay. All structural changes under the PACE umbrella are expected to be finalised by the end of 2027.

The distribution of job reductions will see the heaviest impact at the Burghausen site, Wacker’s largest globally, where 1,300 positions will be eliminated. The Nünchritz facility will lose 200 jobs, the Munich headquarters will reduce its headcount by 60 and a collective 50 positions will be cut from other Wacker locations across Germany. The implementation plan, which includes consolidating production facilities, adjusting shift system flexibility and shifting roles to international service hubs, has been fully agreed upon by both employer and employee representatives.

Christian Hartel, CEO, WACKER, said, "With the agreement we have now concluded, we have reached an important milestone in driving forward the necessary transformation in Germany and strengthening our competitiveness. We have already implemented numerous measures at our international sites that make us more flexible, more efficient and faster. Now, the implementation phase will start in Germany as well.”

Angela Wörl, Personnel Director, WACKER, said, "Together with the employee representatives, we have come up with good solutions to implement the necessary structural measures in Germany not only quickly, but, above all, in a socially responsible manner. This will strengthen the position of our German sites in the face of international competition and lay the foundation for future profitable growth."

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Bridgestone Taiwan Co., Ltd. (Bridgestone) has completed a major business transformation, having ceased manufacturing operations at its Hsinchu plant on 11 May 2026 and concluded all related production activities. The decision was based on adjustments to its global operational strategy and long-term market development considerations. Under this plan, Bridgestone continues to deepen its presence in the Taiwan market, having transitioned into a sales and service-focused business model.

The company, which has operated in Taiwan since 1982, stated that the Hsinchu facility has played a key role in supporting the Bridgestone Group’s operations and product supply over the years, building a solid foundation for the brand locally. Bridgestone pledged to follow local regulations in providing affected employees with comprehensive support, including career transition services and other assistance measures.

Going forward, Bridgestone will strengthen its sales and service capabilities by enhancing channel development, refining sales systems and deepening collaboration with local distributors. The company also plans to broaden its product portfolio to meet diverse market demands and improve overall service levels. Guided by its mission of serving society with superior quality, Bridgestone aims to leverage its global manufacturing network to ensure stable supply and greater product competitiveness in Taiwan.

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