Michelin retained the title of the world’s most valuable and strongest tyre brand in the Brand Finance Tyre 10 ranking for 2021.
According to Brand Finance, the tyres sector had taken a hit last year due to the pandemic, and all brands in the Brand Finance Tyres 10 ranking have lost brand value.
Owing to the lack of travel due to lockdowns, car sales are declining, which means tyre brands are selling fewer units, resulting in a drop in market equity across the industry. Furthermore, since the economy has been riskier in general over the past year, investor risk has increased, triggering a rise in capital cost.
Brand Finance said despite the sector woes, Michelin has maintained the title of the world’s most valuable and strongest tyres brand, with a brand value of US$6.8 billion and a BSI score of 84.8 out of 100.
During the pandemic, the French tyre company continued to strive with its innovation strategies and designing its first-ever eco-tyre, the MICHELIN e.PRIMACY, which delivers high performance and reduces environmental impact. This tyre is rated A for energy efficiency and B for wet grip. With fewer than one percent of tyres delivering a winning combination of A-rated rolling resistance and A or B-rated grip,this makes the MICHELIN e.PRIMACY one of the best tyres currently available on the market. Michelin also announced its target of making its tyres 100% sustainable by 2050 as it continues to strive towards becoming the leader in sustainable mobility.
As per Brand Finance, in terms of brand value, Bridgestone is still only marginally behind Michelin, with a brand value of US$6.8 billion. Bridgestone posted a net loss last year for the first time in 69 years, with the pandemic denting sales in all its major markets.
Alex Haigh, Valuation Director, Brand Finance, commented: “Bridgestone and Michelin are the world’s two leading tyre manufacturers, both with extensive experience on the track. They have proven their merit on racetracks worldwide, but it’s their consumer car tyres that people are most curious about. Michelin is an elite tyre maker with an emphasis on creativity and technology, and you can bet that its ‘normal’ tyres contain some of that racing experience. Bridgestone places greater emphasis on the ‘everyday’ driver, so although its tyre line isn’t especially extensive, Bridgestone obviously understands its customers and what they want from their automobile tyres.”
Yokohama India Enhances Digital Presence With Revamped Website
- By TT News
- November 26, 2025
Yokohama India, the Indian subsidiary of Japan's Yokohama Rubber Co., has launched its newly revamped official website.
The company said that the upgrade is a major milestone and part of its digital transformation, aiming to make tyre discovery, selection and aftersales service simpler and more intuitive for consumers.
The new platform features an intuitive interface with simplified navigation, detailed product information and a mobile-first design for a responsive user experience. The website incorporates AI-led enhancements.
The platform also introduces WhatsApp Connect+, an automated chatbot designed to provide instant product assistance, personalised recommendations and quick connection to dealers. An upgraded dealer locator and a blog section with tyre care tips and maintenance advice are also included.
Gaurav Mahajan, Head of Marketing, Yokohama India, said, “Our goal is to create a digital ecosystem that goes beyond information, it’s about building a closer connection with every driving enthusiast. The new website mirrors the performance, innovation, and reliability our tyres represent, while making every interaction from exploring to support seamless and enjoyable.”
Cabot Announces Leadership Change For Reinforcement Materials Segment
- By TT News
- November 25, 2025
Cabot Corporation has named William ‘Bill’ Masterson as the new Senior Vice President and President of its Reinforcement Materials segment, effective 21 November 2025. He takes over the position from Matthew Wood, whose departure from the company is effective immediately. The company clarified that Wood’s exit is not connected to any form of disagreement concerning business performance, financial controls, operational matters or auditing practices.
Masterson brings considerable experience to his new role, having progressed through a series of leadership positions since joining Cabot from WR Grace in 2011. His most recent assignment was as Vice President of Global Business Operations for Carbon and Silica Technologies, where he managed a worldwide network of manufacturing facilities. In that capacity, his responsibilities extended to overseeing product management, supply chain logistics and technology functions, through which he led key projects focused on improving operational efficiency and fostering sustained growth.
Previously, he served as Vice President and Regional Business Director for the Americas, directing all commercial and technical activities for the specialty carbons and fumed metal oxides lines. This extensive background in managing intricate global operations, supported by his strong commercial strategy expertise, equips him to successfully lead the Reinforcement Materials segment and advance Cabot’s strategic goals.
Sean Keohane, President and CEO, Cabot Corporation, said, “Bill brings a strong and diverse background to his new role, with deep expertise in global business operations, commercial strategy and a proven ability to lead complex organisations. Throughout his career at Cabot, he has demonstrated disciplined execution and a commitment to driving growth and operational excellence. Bill will also have the support of a long-tenured, highly experienced team with decades of knowledge in Reinforcement Materials, providing consistency and strength as he leads the business forward. He is also highly regarded for his collaborative leadership style and his ability to develop talent across the Company. I am confident that his strategic insight and operational experience will position the Reinforcement Materials business for continued success and long-term growth.”
Hankook Tire Partners With Finland’s Rotoboost In Push For Low-Carbon Tyre Materials
- By TT News
- November 21, 2025
Hankook Tire has signed a memorandum of understanding with Finland’s Rotoboost to co-develop a new class of low-carbon carbon materials for tyres, as the South Korean manufacturer accelerates efforts to cut emissions across its supply chain.
The agreement was concluded on 20 November at Rotoboost’s China office in Shanghai and centres on the joint development of carbon materials derived from so-called turquoise hydrogen — a process in which methane is thermally decomposed to produce hydrogen and solid carbon with significantly lower CO₂ output than conventional production methods.
Hankook said the collaboration marks a further step towards its “2050 Net-Zero” target, with a specific focus on the raw-materials stage, where carbon black — a fossil-fuel-based input widely used in tyre manufacturing — is associated with high emissions. The company has been expanding research into recycled and certified forms of carbon black but sees the hydrogen-derived alternative as a promising next stage.
The signing was attended by Hyuncheol Kim, chief operating officer of Hankook Tire China, and Rotoboost chief executive Kaisa Nikulainen. According to the companies, the partnership reflects a shared ambition to “strengthen sustainable materials value chain”.
Turquoise-hydrogen carbon materials, generated during the decomposition of methane in a high-temperature reactor, have recently drawn interest in the automotive and tyre sectors for their potential to reduce lifecycle emissions. Hankook aims to optimise the material’s properties, validate its performance in tyre compounds and achieve more than a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse-gas intensity “without compromising product performance”.
The group will also develop a quantitative verification system, using Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declarations, to assess carbon-reduction effects from raw-material sourcing through to production.
The agreement builds on Hankook’s growing portfolio of sustainability-driven projects. This year the company joined a national research programme on large-scale turquoise hydrogen production and began a development initiative with Solvay Silica to produce circular silica using industrial waste streams. Last year it achieved mass-production use of three ISCC PLUS-certified carbon blacks made from end-of-life tyre pyrolysis oil, and commercialised Korea’s first chemically recycled PET tyre cord through a partnership with SK Chemicals and Hyosung Advanced Materials.
Hankook said it would continue to “reduce its dependence on petroleum resources, prevent the depletion of natural resources, and consistently lower carbon emissions” through global collaborations.
BKT Names Three Senior Oe Executives To Support 2030 Global Growth Plan
- By TT News
- November 19, 2025
India’s Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) has strengthened its original equipment (OE) business with three senior appointments across France and South America, as the off-highway tyre maker accelerates its 2030 growth strategy.
The company said the hires mark a further step in its plan to expand in priority markets and reinforce its position as a global OE partner through technical collaboration and deeper engagement with equipment manufacturers.
In France, BKT has appointed Rémi Morin as Brand Specification Manager. Morin, who has more than 12 years’ experience with a global OEM and a decade in smart farming, mobility and innovation, will lead the firm’s engagement with tractor dealers. BKT said the role is designed to align product development more closely with the needs of OEMs, dealers and end-users in a market where the company already has a strong aftermarket presence.
In South America, BKT has added Cadu Accica as Head OEM South America and Lincoln Sugimoto as OEM Technical Manager South America.
Accica brings 19 years of experience in the specialty tyre sector across Latin America, with a track record in business development, marketing and sales. He will oversee OE partnerships with a focus on customer proximity and long-term collaboration.
Sugimoto, an engineering and project management specialist with 15 years’ experience in the specialty tyre and material-handling industries, will provide technical support to OEMs in the region and drive innovation and operational efficiency.
“These appointments reflect our bold commitment to scaling our OE business worldwide — with Europe and South America being critical parts of that journey. Remi, Cadu, and Lincoln bring passion, expertise, and a shared belief in performance through partnership and innovation. Their arrival enhances our ability to engage with OEMs at the highest level and deliver long-term value across regions. We are building a team that will transform our strong ambitions into reality at a global level,” said Ludovic Revel, President Global OEM, BKT.
BKT said the latest hires follow recent additions to its OE teams across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The company added that it is now positioned to expand its OE footprint across agricultural, industrial and OTR segments as part of its long-term strategic plan.
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