Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co has announced it has become an OE tyre supplier for two new vehicles the Honda N-VAN e: and the Mazda CX-80.

The company will supply its BluEarth-Van RY55 tyres as original equipment (OE) to Honda Motor Co for its new commercial-use mini-EV (electric vehicle), which will be launched in Japan in October 2024. The N-VAN e: is being equipped with 145/80R13 82/80N LT size tyres.

The tyre maker states that the BluEarth-Van RY55 is the first of Yokohama’s fuel-efficient BluEarth brand tyres that is dedicated to vans. It provides both enhanced wear resistance and high wet performance. For the BluEarth-Van RY55 tyres being supplied, in order to match the characteristics of the N-VAN e: EV, the tread rubber has been selected for excellent fuel efficiency and wear resistance and the tyre profile and structure have been optimised to ensure wet grip performance and handling stability.

Yokohama Rubber says it is aggressively developing tyres employing BluEarth tyre technology, and many of these tyres are now coming factory-equipped on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid cars and EVs such as a wide variety of new car models, including the latest-model sedans, SUVs, sports cars, and compact cars.

On the other hand, it is also supplying the Advan V61 tyres as original equipment (OE) to Mazda Motor Corporation for use on its new crossover SUV, the Mazda CX-80. The SUV which will be launched in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and other countries in October 2024 will sport the 235/60R18 103V and 235/60R18 107V tyres.

The Advan V61 tyre is part of Yokohama’s global flagship Advan brand and will contribute towards Mazda CX-80’s superior handling performance while also contributing to a comfortable and quiet ride for everyone in the cabin. In addition, the Advan V61 is highly wear-resistant and displays exceptional hydroplaning resistance that provides superior wet grip performance. The tyre also achieves low rolling resistance, a feature usually considered incompatible with these other characteristics.

It (Advan V61) has been developed utilising specialised tuning to match their tread pattern, profile, and tyre structure to the Mazda CS-80’s characteristics, while also using Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary HAICoLab, an AI-based development framework that aims to foster new discoveries and digital innovation by merging human inspiration and creativity with AI’s enormous data processing capability.

To achieve the highly quiet ride, an optimal pitch sequence was obtained using evolutionary computation (genetic algorithms), one of the technologies incorporated in HAICoLab. The innovative technologies applied in development of the tyres are based on new knowledge obtained by collecting actual data and virtual data generated by simulations and then using AI’s predict, analyse and search functions.

The Mazda CX-80, the three-row mid-size crossover SUV, has an imposing presence and offers powerful driving performance, the environmental and safety performance, and the functionality that allows all passengers to enjoy driving.

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Bridgestone India has joined hands with Sagest (Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability) to launch the Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad Village, Madhya Pradesh. This women-led project improves nutrition, fosters livelihood possibilities and supports environmental sustainability. With the help of Bridgestone staff and locals, the orchard, which spans four acres, is home to more than 1,300 fruit trees of more than 15 species. It is grown using sustainable practices.

With a 96 percent survival rate in its first year, the project has enabled women to run a nursery with 1,000 saplings and turn garden waste into organic compost and insecticides, encouraging environmentally responsible farming and generating extra revenue. The ladies who are in charge of the orchard will have a reliable source of income once it is completely developed. By assisting households in growing 251 kitchen gardens, the programme also improves nutrition in Sulawad by guaranteeing that locals have access to fresh, homegrown produce. Frequent training sessions have improved environmental consciousness and community ownership.

This unique project demonstrates multi-stakeholder collaboration – Bridgestone and Sagest lead implementation, the local panchayat provided land, women manage daily operations and a nearby government school assists. By combining environmental conservation, rural development and women’s empowerment, the initiative serves as a replicable model for sustainable corporate-community partnerships.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “True sustainability goes beyond business – it’s about empowering communities and protecting the planet. This project shows how women-led, community-driven action can create long-term impact on nutrition, livelihoods and the environment. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope, resilience and a better future. This initiative beautifully demonstrates how community-driven, women-led environmental action can improve nutrition, generate income and protect the planet – all at the same time.”

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JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Sylvain Sagot as Director – Quality.

Sagot comes with over three decades of experience in quality assurance, process excellence and operational leadership in the automotive and tyre industry. A French national, he began his career as a Quality Engineer at Michelin Netherlands in 1991.

In 2004, he worked with Renault as a Supplier Development Consultant and went on to grow to the ranks of Supplier Performance Manager for the Renault Nissan Alliance. He also worked with Alstom and Gajah Tunggal, one of the biggest tyre manufacturers in Southeast Asia as QA General Manager & TBR Plant Head in Indonesia for over three years.

Sagot in his last role was the International Truck Trailer Quality & Product Safety Director at Carrier, where he spent over a decade.

JK Tyre & Industries believes that Sagot with deep expertise in supplier development, quality management systems, product safety, and OEM partnerships in large-scale manufacturing environments, will further strengthen its global operations.

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  - Jitendra Pancholi July 04, 2025 19:47 PM

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Nynas, with its strong commitment to innovation and product sustainability, recently commissioned an independent study to evaluate the environmental impact of its products across four key application areas: transformer oils, lubricating greases, tyres and bitumen binders. Conducted by Future Earth Analytics, LLC, the research revealed that many Nynas products deliver significant sustainability advantages, often surpassing industry performance benchmarks.

The study highlighted several environmental benefits across different applications. In transformer oils, certain Nynas products improve cooling efficiency and energy transmission, reducing energy losses during operation. For tyres, specific Nynas tyre oils contribute to lower rolling resistance, which helps decrease fuel consumption in vehicles. In lubricating greases, the use of naphthenic base oils reduces reliance on lithium – a resource-intensive material – while also cutting energy consumption during production. Additionally, Nynas’ strategic location near bitumen customers minimises transportation distances, thereby lowering associated emissions.

The findings underscore a substantial environmental impact: had customers opted for alternative products instead of Nynas’ offerings in 2023, an additional 740,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions would have been generated. This saving is equivalent to avoiding the consumption of five million barrels of oil.

To assess these benefits, researchers employed a dual analytical framework combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Net Energy Analysis (NEA). This approach allowed for a detailed comparison of energy savings and emissions reductions across different lifecycle phases, such as cradle-to-gate and use-phase impacts. By focusing on stages where variations occur, the study provided a quantitative evaluation of how choosing Nynas products can lead to measurable energy and emissions savings compared to market alternatives. The results reinforce Nynas’ leadership in delivering sustainable solutions that support a lower-carbon future. 

Marika Rangstedt, Sustainability Manager, said, “The beneficial effects are true not only for our recent circular or renewable products, but also for many of our traditional products. We are leading the way in sustainability and setting new standards for product related environmental responsibility within our industry.”

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Westlake Performance Tyres, a brand of ZC Rubber, has teamed up with German motorsport team Red Bull Driftbrothers as the new official supplier and tyre partner. The company will supply its Westlake Sport RS tyres for the team’s two 1,000 hp BMW M4s.

Munich marketing agency die agentour was the driving force behind the collaboration. The Red Bull Driftbrothers and ZC Rubber have a long-term cooperation that benefits both parties in many ways. Giving the team tyres will help with technical advancements based on driver Elias Hountondji's input, among other things. The collaboration will also help ZC Rubber spread the word about the Westlake brand throughout the European market. Demonstrating the products' and technologies' performance and quality in harsh environments is also a clear signal to the European OEM and replacement market.

This year's ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring marked the debut of the new collaboration. The Red Bull Driftbrothers created a stir among the record-breaking audience when they performed a display drift in their recently tyred BMW vehicles during the pre-race of the renowned race. The Westlake Sport RS tires were especially taxed by the high track temperatures.

Henry Shen, Deputy General Manager, Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), said, “We’re proud to be the tyre partner of Red Bull Driftbrothers. Their trust in WESTLAKE, especially the performance of our SPORT RS on the demanding drift circuit, is a powerful endorsement. This partnership is built on a shared drive to push boundaries, and we’re excited to support their passion with our technology on the global stage.”

Elias Hountondji, driver and engineer of Red Bull Driftbrothers, said, “We are very excited about the partnership with Westlake Performance Tyres and ZC Rubber. Tyres are crucial for our sport. They have to withstand extreme abuse while providing a consistently high level of grip right to the end. The Westlake Sport RS is the perfect choice for this. It is extremely stable across the entire temperature range and the entire tread depth. Even with a very low tread pattern, you still have complete confidence as a driver.”

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