The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has partnered Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to launch a country-wide tyre safety awareness initiative.

The partners state there is an urgent need to address tyre safety as part of the broader cause of road safety in India.

The campaign will educate motorists about proper tyre care and maintenance through free tyre health checks and direct engagement at Indian Oil retail outlets (ROs). The initiative will be spearheaded by the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), comprising technical experts from across the tyre industry.

The initiative was inaugurated at an Indian Oil retail outlet in South Delhi by Amit Kumar Khayalia, Divisional Retail Head, IOCL. Prominent leaders from the Tyre Industry, including V K Misra and Rajesh Dahiya, along with officials from ATMA, ITTAC, and service engineers from ATMA member companies, were present to mark the occasion.

The tyre safety drive follows extensive training programs conducted by ATMA at IOCL facilities across the country to educate fuel tanker drivers on tyre maintenance and safety. In the past year alone, over 1,000 commercial drivers connected to IOCL's supply chain have undergone training, significantly raising awareness about the critical role tyres play in road safety.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice-President – Sales & Service, Apollo Tyres and Member of ATMA Managing Committee said, “Tyre safety is of paramount importance, as tyres are the only contact point between the vehicle and the road. Poor tyre maintenance is a serious road hazard. We are pleased to join hands with Indian Oil in this crucial campaign. This collaboration between ATMA and IOCL is expected to create a significant impact, starting with the Delhi NCR region and extending nationwide."

V K Misra, Technical Director, JK Tyre and Past Chairman, ITTAC added, “The partnership between ATMA and Indian Oil, one of India’s premier corporations, is a significant step forward towards making a difference to the road safety campaigns being held in the country. We look forward to significant improvement in awareness levels of motorists, especially with regard to tyre care and safety.”

As part of the campaign, tyre health checks will be provided free of charge, and motorists will be briefed on key aspects of tyre safety, including maintaining the correct inflation pressure and identifying Tread Wear Indicators (TWI). TWI is present in all tyres for easily identifying tread depth and replacing worn out tyres within time so as to prevent accidents. Besides direct interaction with vehicle owners, informative booklets have been designed for distribution.

ATMA states that tyre care often does not receive the attention it deserves. Properly maintained tyres are crucial for vehicle safety, as they bear the entire weight of the vehicle and ensure safe contact with the road.

ATMA member companies, including Apollo, Bridgestone, CEAT, Goodyear, JK Tyre and MRF, have been actively participating in such tyre safety awareness campaigns organised by ATMA and ITTAC across India.

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Bridgestone India announced the winners of the 5th Edition of its Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) 2025 in Pune, celebrating organisations that use mobility for social good.

The top honour in the Road Safety Innovation and Excellence category went to ALERT (Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team) from Chennai for empowering over 450,000 citizens with emergency response skills. Safety Research Foundation (SRF), based in Pune, received a Jury Commendation for its BRACE Project, which transforms school zones with safety audits and infrastructure upgrades.

In the Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities category, The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru, won the top honour for its Rehab on Wheels initiative, which provides last-mile rehabilitation services.

The winners were presented with their awards by social worker Dr. Girish Kulkarni, founder of Snehalaya.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said: “It is a privilege to honour these changemakers who are redefining mobility for social good. Their work reflects our shared commitment to building inclusive, safe, and empowered communities.”

Jeya Padmanaban, Founding Trustee, Safety Research Foundation (SRF), said, “We are truly honoured to receive the Jury Commendation at the Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards 2025. The BRACE Project reflects our belief that road safety must begin at the community level, where awareness and infrastructure meet action. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue building safer environments for children and fostering a culture of responsibility and care on our roads.”

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Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

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German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

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Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

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