Image source: Synthos

The global tyre industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need for materials that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance. In a world where sustainability is essential, close collaboration with suppliers is critical to addressing these challenges.

For Synthos, Europe’s largest producer of synthetic rubber, the path is clear: develop advanced solutions that support sustainable mobility, promote circularity and work closely with tyre customers and partners to advance environmentally responsible tyre production and accelerate the transition to a net-zero future.

Synthetic rubber innovation

As part of its Synthetic Rubber Division, Synthos operates three state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with a combined annual production capacity of 760,000 metric tonnes, producing a diverse portfolio of elastomers, including SSBR (SPRINTAN), BR (SYNTECA) and ESBR (KER and BUNA), which are essential to the tyre industry and a wide range of other technical applications. Supported by commercial offices across the Americas and Asia, Synthos supplies advanced solutions to global markets.

 Marjolein Groeneweg

Tyres account for over 90 percent of their energy consumption during the use phase, primarily through vehicle fuel or electricity usage.
Improving energy efficiency is therefore critical to reducing their environmental impact. At the same time, tyre wear particles are a key challenge, with longer-lasting tyres and enhanced abrasion resistance essential to addressing microplastic generation. For electric vehicles (EVs), these challenges are further amplified by increased weight and instant torque, which place greater demands on tyre performance.

As the world’s largest producer of functionalised solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), Synthos is tackling these challenges head-on. Its next generation of multi-functionalised SSBRs, developed under the SPRINTAN brand, features optimised low glass transition temperatures (Tg) to deliver lower rolling resistance for improved energy efficiency, alongside excellent abrasion resistance and wet grip. A standout example is SPRINTAN 918S, which entered full commercial production in 2024. Developed with proprietary technology, this highly functionalised SSBR combines exceptional wet and dry grip with enhanced energy efficiency and wear resistance, all while maintaining processability during compound production. Designed for summer, winter and all-season tyres, SPRINTAN 918S is particularly effective for EVs, where durability and efficiency are paramount.

With additional low-Tg SSBR grades in development, Synthos remains at the forefront of sustainable, high-performance materials for the future of mobility.

Investing in a greener future

While leading in supply, Synthos’ commitment to sustainability sets it apart. Recognising the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes and products, Synthos is dedicated to minimising this impact throughout its operations, implementing measures to minimise waste and ensuring the efficient use of resources.

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Synthos was the first in the industry to offer its entire synthetic rubber portfolio as bio/circular-attributed materials under ISCC PLUS certification, now supplied through its PLUS range. The company also prioritises transparency and traceability, providing detailed data from its production processes to help customers make sustainability-focused decisions. Each synthetic rubber grade is accompanied by a cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), enabling precise evaluation of its environmental impact.

Aligned with its Sustainable Development Strategy, Synthos has pledged to operate all facilities with carbon-free energy by 2028, investing in low- and zero-carbon energy sources. By reducing the environmental impact of its operations, Synthos is laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future.

Building strong partnerships

Collaboration is at the heart of Synthos’ approach to advancing sustainability and innovation. By working closely with partners across the tyre lifecycle, the company is driving circular innovation and addressing key challenges within the industry. 

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Through its partnership with Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS), Synthos promotes the use of TyreXol™ rubber powder, derived from end-of-life tyres, in synthetic rubber formulations. This collaboration supports sustainable manufacturing by keeping valuable materials in circulation and reducing waste. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sumitomo Rubber Industries further strengthens this initiative, with both companies focusing on the development, testing and application of TyreXol™ technology as part of their shared commitment to the circular economy.

Synthos has also signed an MoU with Kumho Tire, a leading South Korean tyre manufacturer, to jointly develop sustainable raw materials for tyre production. This collaboration includes research into neodymium-butadiene rubber using bio-based butadiene, aiming to expand the use of environmentally friendly synthetic rubber in tyre manufacturing.

Upstream, Synthos has partnered with OMV, an Austrian multinational integrated oil, gas and petrochemicals company, to secure a long-term supply of sustainable butadiene produced from circular feedstocks, such as used cooking oil and pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres.

Beyond these partnerships, Synthos is actively involved in leading industry initiatives, including the Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) and the Circular Rubber Platform, further reinforcing its connections within the industry.

Focused on the mobility of tomorrow

The challenges of sustainability cannot be solved in isolation. As demand from leading tyre manufacturers for sustainable synthetic rubber continues to grow, Synthos is aligning with stakeholders across the value chain to deliver advanced, high-performance materials tailored to its customers’ needs, whether ISCC PLUS-certified materials, bio-based rubber or customised products developed in collaboration with its partners.

Through its dedication to innovation, renewable resources and strong partnerships, Synthos is shaping a future where performance and sustainability work together, ensuring the tyre industry evolves responsibly.

Groeneweg is the Global Marketing Director, Synthetic Rubber at Synthos.

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CAMSO Construction and CEAT Specialty has announced the appointment of Jason Canning as Vice President & Head – International Sales for CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT business units. The executive will assume responsibility for steering the company’s worldwide sales strategy, accelerating international revenue expansion, and fortifying collaborations with original equipment manufacturers, distribution networks and end-users in pivotal global regions.

With a career spanning over two decades, Canning brings extensive commercial leadership experience garnered across the speciality tyre, industrial products and engineered materials industries. His professional track record is distinguished by consistent delivery of sustainable financial growth, the cultivation of high-performance international sales teams and the establishment of durable strategic alliances with major OEMs, channel partners and a diverse clientele across multiple continents.

This strategic hire underscores the organisation’s ongoing commitment to securing premier global talent in support of its ambitious international development objectives. The move also reaffirms the company’s dedication to providing customer-centric, premium-grade solutions on a worldwide scale, aligning with its broader vision for sustained market presence and operational excellence.

Canning said, "I am excited to join CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT at such a pivotal time for the organisation. I look forward to leveraging my international experience to strengthen our global partnerships, expand our market presence and drive sustainable growth for the business."

Amit Tolani, Director, CAMSO Construction and Chief Executive, CEAT Specialty, said, " Jason's international experience and proven track record of building high-performing sales teams make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. His deep understanding of the OHT products landscape, along with strong OEM and channel relationships, will support our global expansion."

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ZC Rubber has held its first Indonesia Distributor Conference, bringing together around 140 representatives from the company, PT Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI) and its core Indonesian distributor network as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia.

The two-day event, held in Jakarta on July 23–24 under the theme "Gathering Momentum in Indonesia, Creating Success Together", focused on the company's manufacturing development in Indonesia, product planning for regional markets and closer collaboration with distributors.

Opening the conference, Henry Shen, Senior Vice President of Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), highlighted the progress of MTI since it was established nearly three years ago. According to the company, the Indonesian plant began production 289 days after construction started and produced its first one million tyres a further 282 days later.

"MTI is an important part of our long-term development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It gives us a stronger local manufacturing base, closer access to market demand and greater flexibility in serving both regional and international customers,” said Shen.

Located in Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, the 58.8-hectare facility is ZC Rubber's second overseas tyre plant. The company said Phase I has reached its planned production capacity, while Phase II has entered operation.

During the conference, Wang Xianning, Vice President of ZC Rubber and General Manager of MTI, outlined developments in production capacity, intelligent manufacturing and the plant's end-to-end quality control system.

Zhang Chunsheng, Deputy General Manager of ZC Rubber's Truck and Bus Tire Division and Director of its TBR and OTR Research Institute, presented the company's tyre technology roadmap and product development plans. These include refining products for Indonesia's road conditions, heavy rainfall, high temperatures and demanding commercial vehicle applications.

"Feedback from distributors, fleets and users in Indonesia is helping us refine products for local conditions, while ZC Rubber's global R&D platform allows those products to meet the requirements of wider regional and export markets," Zhang said.

Jeffrey Zhang, General Manager of ZC Rubber's International Business Department, and Justin Cui, Assistant General Manager of MTI, also presented localised product planning, marketing programmes and channel development strategies for the Indonesian market.

The conference included discussions with distributors covering product performance, customer demand and regional market conditions. The company said the feedback gathered would be incorporated into future product planning and market support.

ZC Rubber also announced the formation of an Indonesia Marketing Committee, comprising representatives from four national distributors. The committee will provide a forum for MTI and its partners to discuss product requirements, market developments and coordinated sales and marketing activities.

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SI Group has promoted Robert Kaiser to Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing, concurrently appointing him to the company’s Executive Leadership Team. The global developer and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions and chemical intermediates has tasked the executive with spearheading market-focused growth efforts and enhancing the synergy between client demands and the firm’s enduring strategic vision.

Kaiser’s elevation follows a distinguished tenure with the organisation that began in 2014, during which he assumed progressively significant roles in strategic marketing and business development. His contributions have been instrumental in refining the company’s product portfolio and market positioning, as well as fostering interdepartmental cooperation on pivotal expansion projects. His professional background also includes commercial leadership stints at AkzoNobel and Arizona Chemical, now part of Kraton Corporation.

The newly appointed Senior Vice President holds a Master of Business Administration from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. With his extensive commercial acumen, Kaiser is poised to drive alignment and execute the company’s long-term objectives in his new executive capacity.

David Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer, SI Group, said, "Robert has consistently demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our markets. His ability to turn information into actionable insight has been instrumental in strengthening our commercial organisation and advancing our strategic priorities. We look forward to the unique global perspective and market-centric lens he will bring to our Executive Leadership Team.” 

Kaiser said, “I am honoured to join the Executive Leadership Team. Our customers are navigating an increasingly complex business environment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role at a time when SI Group has the global footprint and strong foundation needed to create value for our customers and the markets we serve. I look forward to working with colleagues across SI Group to deepen customer relationships and continue advancing our commercial strategy.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has extended its partnership with Cricket Australia for a further three years, remaining the naming rights partner of the Golden Cap awards in the Big Bash League (BBL) until the end of the 2028-29 season. The renewal takes the partnership beyond a decade, making it one of the league's longest-running commercial agreements.

BKT has been an Official League Partner of the Big Bash League since 2018. The companies said the extension reflects their continued commitment to supporting the growth of Australian cricket while enhancing the experience for players and fans.

Over the course of the partnership, BKT has developed a strong presence across the Big Bash Leagues through its association with the tournament and fan engagement initiatives. The renewed agreement, the companies said, reflects a long-term relationship built on community engagement and a shared commitment to Australian cricket.

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT, said: “The extension of the partnership with the BBL has continued to evolve since 2018, bringing us to achieve significant milestones together. Australia remains a strategic market for BKT, and cricket is one of the country's most popular and passionately followed sports, bringing together millions of fans every year. That’s why we are pleased to continue supporting one of the world's most exciting cricket competitions through the 2028/29 season. We look forward to building on the success we have achieved together and creating lasting value for our stakeholders, partners and fans around the world.”

Alistair Dobson, General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues at Cricket Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with BKT, who has been such a fantastic supporter of the Big Bash for nearly a decade. The BKT Golden Bat and BKT Golden Arm caps have long been popular with players and fans and a great way to celebrate the world-class batting and bowling across both the BBL and WBBL. BKT Big Bash Tipping also adds to the fan experience, giving fans another avenue to engage with the leagues and challenge their friends, families and workplaces. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on our strong relationship with BKT as this partnership extends beyond a decade in the coming years.”

The companies said they would continue to work together as the partnership enters its second decade, with a focus on innovation, fan engagement and the long-term development of Australian cricket.

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