A proposed bill in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has ignited fierce opposition from the country’s tyre retreading sector, which sees the legislation as an ill-conceived and uninformed attack on an industry that plays a crucial role in the economy and sustainability efforts. The bill seeks to ban the use of retread tyres on buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways, a move that the industry argues is both impractical and detrimental.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest retread market, following only the United States. This achievement has been attributed to the reliability and quality of work carried out by retreaders, which has earned the market’s trust.

In September 2024, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to exercise a ban on the use of retread tyres in buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways. The Brazilian Association of Tyre Retreading (ABR) lashed out at the proposed draft, labelling it as ‘misguided and uninformed’.

Subsequently, ABR President and Federal Senator of Mato Grosso, Margareth Buzetti, told Tyre Trends, “The proposed bill focuses on retread tyres rather than broader factors such as overloading, poor road conditions or inadequate maintenance practices due to sheer misinformation on the part of the person who proposed the project. It is a simplistic and populist proposal that promises to increase road safety by fighting the wrong enemy. Tyres retreaded in Brazil undergo extremely rigorous inspections to ensure that they reach the transport companies safely and reliably.”

“We, as retreaders, meet Inmetro standards that define the technical requirements for tyre retreading, following the standards of excellence practiced in other countries. We are talking about large companies that have strict quality standards. We are in no way inferior to new tyres in terms of safety,” she added.

According to Buzetti, no reputable company would compromise on tyre safety as doing so could lead to financial losses from accidents and endanger lives. She also pointed out that the sector’s ability to generate approximately 300,000 direct and indirect jobs is a testament to the high quality of retreaded products.

Commenting on how the proposed bill might influence public perception about the sustainable practice, she noted, “The way it was proposed is terrible because it gives people the impression that retread tyres in Brazil are of poor quality and are responsible for road accidents. This is absurd misinformation. However, I do not see this issue as something that concerns the general population. Transport companies, which are the largest users of retread tyres, are aware of the reality.”

“Entities linked to both the reform and transportation sectors sent dozens of letters to the Chamber of Deputies against the proposed bill. We will continue this pressure in 2025,” she added.

The association plans to seek out the rapporteur and the author of the bill so that they understand the seriousness of the work carried out by the sector. “The right thing to do would be for the congressman to withdraw the bill he presented and file another one that focuses on combating illegally-made reforms or the poor-quality tyres that are imported from Asia without any control whatsoever. Then they will have our support. Otherwise, we will seek out partner congressmen to wage a real battle within the Chamber against the advancement of this absurd proposal,” contended Buzetti.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL

Buzetti noted that if the proposed bill was implemented, then the implications would be ‘catastrophic’. “If the bill were to become law, the long-term impact on Brazil’s tyre industry would be devastating. Companies are already struggling with the rising cost of raw materials due to increase in the Dollar-Brazilian Real exchange rates. Banning tyre retreading would further cripple the sector, leading to significant financial and operational challenges,” she said.

Currently, tyre retreading saves Brazil BRL 7 billion in transportation costs. If the proposed bill becomes law, which the ABR believes is unlikely and will actively oppose, it would effectively force transportation companies to buy only new tyres overnight, causing a massive rise in costs.

Alluding to the potential impact of this legislation on Brazil’s carbon neutrality and sustainability goals, Buzetti emphasised, “The sector was recently recognised by the Ministry of the Environment as an important asset in the circular economy. This was a milestone that we achieved at great cost, and the government is finally beginning to see our importance for environmental sustainability. I believe that 2025 will be the year in which we will be able to make even more progress on this issue. We cannot ignore the importance for the environment of a sector that retreads 14 million tyres per year.”

While the association can furnish data demonstrating the safety and reliability of Inmerto-certified retread tyres to battle the proposed bill, Buzetti, attacking the project makers, said, “Can the deputy who created the project present data that guarantees that the lack of safety on the roads is caused by retread tyres?”

Commenting on the bill’s impact on small and micro enterprises if implemented, Buzetti said, “Tyre retreading supports 300,000 jobs in Brazil today. It is a well-established market. Banning retreading would be like taking food off the table for thousands of Brazilians who rely on this sector.”

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

According to Buzetti, the legislative year ended with this bill being presented to the Chamber of Deputies’ Transport and Roads Committee and it did not receive any amendments within the statutory deadline. Now, in February, discussions on the proposal can begin and she highly doubts that it will move forward. As a senator, she will not participate in the votes in the Chamber but will personally go to the committee to talk to all the deputies to demonstrate the quality of tyre retreading in Brazil.

Speaking on the steps that the government should take to address any lingering safety concerns and prevent future proposals like this, in case the bill was withdrawn, Buzetti said, “Inspection of poor-quality tyres entering the country and incentives for tyre retreaders to continue operating within the law is a necessary step. I presented a bill that is currently pending in the Chamber of Deputies that provides tax exemption for tyre retreading companies, as a way of attracting them to formality.”

She also noted, “Instead of banning retread tyres, we could have greater oversight of imported tyres that enter Brazil illegally. We are talking about tyres that are so bad that they don’t even need to be refurbished. These should be a priority for parliamentarians. And, of course, improving road conditions and oversight of the rules that must be followed by transport companies (such as not exceeding the maximum load) are also important steps to increase road safety.”

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Omni United has announced the appointment of Dr Mika Lahtinen as Associate Vice-President for Raw Materials and Compounding. The appointment is intended to internalise expert-led design and performance for the rubber compounds used in the company’s flagship brand, Radar Tires.

Dr Lahtinen joins the Singapore-headquartered firm with over 20 years of experience in tyre material innovation. He previously led material development at Nokian Tyres and managed global technology for tyre oils at Nynas, operating across Finland, Sweden and Singapore.

He holds a PhD in Polymer Materials Technology, and at Omni United, he will be involved in the development of materials and compounds, as well as collaboration with global suppliers to advance the company's tyre technology.

The move is designed to provide the manufacturer with direct control over the chemical engineering of its products. Omni United, founded in 2003, markets a range of consumer and commercial tyres under brands including Radar Tires, Patriot Tires and RoadLux.

Omni United sells products in more than 50 countries. Its primary brand, Radar Tires, has been manufactured as a carbon-neutral product since 2013. The integration of in-house compounding expertise is expected to support the company's commitment to innovation and logistics solutions within the global automotive sector.

In an statement the company stated, ‘Bringing Mika’s expertise in-house is a strong addition to our team. It allows us to take a more direct, expert-led approach to the design and performance of Radar Tires’ rubber compounds. With over 20 years in tyre material innovation, Mika has an extensive background in developing breakthrough materials, developing cutting-edge compounds, and collaborating with global suppliers to advance tyre technology.’

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Continental has further strengthened its foothold in the electric mobility sector, with its original equipment tyres now featured on the 10 highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for 2025. This achievement highlights the tyremaker’s strategic commitment to the expanding e-mobility market. Worldwide, the Hannover-based company supplies tyres to 17 of the 20 largest electric vehicle producers, including a mix of premium and volume brands such as BYD, Volkswagen, Stellantis, BMW, NIO, Hyundai and Renault. In the Americas, Continental currently equips eight of the top 10 manufacturers, while in the Asia Pacific region – the most dynamic market – it supplies seven of the top 10. The Chinese market remains especially fluid, with new high-volume players emerging in the rankings over the past year.

Electric vehicles impose distinct demands on tyres. Their heavier weight, due to large batteries, and the instant torque delivered during acceleration contribute to increased tyre wear. Moreover, because these vehicles operate more quietly than traditional combustion-engine cars, tyre rolling noise becomes more perceptible. Continental anticipated these challenges early, focusing on developing tyres with low rolling resistance, reduced noise and long mileage, regardless of the powertrain. The company introduced its first energy-efficient tyre line in 1993 with the ContiEcoContact, and the latest iteration, the EcoContact 7, is now available.

This new model incorporates aerodynamic enhancements, including a golf ball-inspired ‘aerodimple’ structure on the sidewalls, which minimises air turbulence and improves energy efficiency. Such features make it well-suited for both electric and conventional vehicles. Global electric vehicle sales continue to rise, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research projecting a 23 percent increase in battery-electric vehicle sales for 2025, reaching 12.7 million units. The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, remains the dominant market with double-digit growth, while Europe follows as the second largest. North America saw registrations hold steady at 1.4 million vehicles.

Dennis Bellmund, responsible for the global original equipment business at Continental Tires, said, “The EMEA region confirms the success of our strategy. We began designing our passenger tyres for low rolling resistance, quiet rolling noise and high load capacity very early on. These properties are especially important for electric vehicles.”

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Antonio Tulio Jou Inchausti has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer at Unique Rubber Technologies, taking charge at a pivotal moment as the company sharpens its focus on innovation, operational discipline and long-term growth in the global retreading industry. Speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends, he unfolds the forward path.

What are the first three strategic priorities you plan to redefine Unique Rubber Technologies in your first 12–18 months as CEO?

Focus will be strengthening what truly sustains the company viz-a-viz our people, culture and responsibility for the future. The safety of our teams comes first, and throughout 2026, we are implementing a robust SafeStart programme to further embed a culture of care, prevention and accountability across the organisation.

At the same time, we will continue to invest strongly in the development of our people, empowering them to deliver their best every day and reinforcing talent as a key pillar of our success. These priorities support our sustainable growth journey, honouring the legacy of the 50 years we have recently completed while preparing the company for its next phase of evolution, guided by consistency, purpose and long-term vision.

Where do you see the company under-positioned today and how do you intend to close that gap?

Unique Rubber Technologies is well positioned as one of the most relevant players in the retreading market in Latin America, holding leadership positions through its Tipler and Borex brands. Our continuously expanding dealer network delivers strong value to the market by offering products and services recognised for its high quality, reliability and outstanding mileage performance, exactly what end customers expect from our solutions.

Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding into new and complementary markets, growing alongside our existing customers while also addressing opportunities in product segments where we see room to evolve through innovation and embedded technologies in our processes.

How do modern manufacturing and retreading heritage come together in your value proposition?

We are proud to operate one of the most modern manufacturing facilities in the industry, which reinforces safety, consistency and product quality. At the same time, we remain committed to preserving and advancing the company’s legacy by promoting the efficient use of natural resources, inherent to our retreading processes, and by contributing to lower transportation costs through products that combine high mileage performance, safety and reliability.

How will you balance research and development ambition with cost discipline and time-to-market pressures?

Innovation at our company is guided by a disciplined and long-term approach. Our research and development teams continuously monitor developments not only in the domestic market but also in key international markets, ensuring we remain aligned with the most advanced product concepts, equipment and manufacturing technologies available globally.

At the same time, we consistently optimise our processes to maintain a cost structure that is well aligned with market demand, allowing us to remain competitive while accelerating time to market. Our perspective is not short-term; we regularly review our strategic planning with a five-year horizon, focusing on improvements that will translate into superior products and services over time.

How do you balance innovation with market needs to deliver consistent performance?

We firmly believe that high-quality products delivering superior mileage and performance will always earn customer preference and balancing innovation with market needs, execution discipline and sustainable results is at the core of how we continue to move forward every day.

What specific inefficiencies in operations or supply chain have you already identified and what measurable improvements should stakeholders expect?

As with any industrial operation operating at scale, there are always opportunities to improve efficiency and our focus has been on identifying areas where greater integration, predictability and agility can be achieved across operations and the supply chain.

We have already identified opportunities to optimise process flows, reduce variability and strengthen coordination with key suppliers, leveraging data, standardisation and better planning tools. These initiatives are designed to improve lead times, increase reliability and enhance overall operational efficiency without compromising quality or safety.

What measurable improvements can stakeholders expect from this strategy?

Stakeholders can expect measurable improvements in service levels, operational consistency and cost efficiency over the coming cycles as well as a more resilient supply chain capable of supporting our growth strategy. Our approach will be focused on delivering tangible results and keep building a continuous and stronger operational foundation for the future.

How will your approach to client engagement differ from the previous co-CEO model, particularly with global OEMs and strategic partners?

Approach to client engagement is built on continuity while further strengthening clarity, consistency and proximity in how we engage with our customers and partners. The company has established strong relationships over the years and my role as CEO is to enhance those connections through more direct and structured strategic dialogue, particularly with global OEMs and key strategic partners.

We will ensure closer alignment between our commercial, technical and operational teams, enabling faster decision-making and a more cohesive value proposition across markets. Beyond transactional interactions, our focus is on deepening long-term partnerships through collaboration, joint development initiatives and shared growth agendas.

With the former co-CEOs remaining active in governance bodies, how will decision-making authority be clearly defined to avoid strategic overlap or delays?

The transition to a single-CEO model is supported by a well-defined governance structure that clearly separates strategic oversight from executive decision-making. While the former co-CEOs continue to contribute through governance bodies, their role is focused on guidance, continuity and long-term perspective, rather than day-to-day management.

Executive authority and accountability are clearly defined within the leadership team, enabling agile, timely and consistent decision-making. This structure ensures strategic alignment without overlap, preserves institutional knowledge and allows us to move forward with clarity, speed and discipline, fully aligned with our long-term objectives and growth strategy.

Will future growth come from expansion, new products or deeper market penetration?

Our future growth will be driven by a balanced combination of geographic expansion, innovation in product platforms and deeper penetration in existing markets. We see significant opportunities to strengthen our presence where we already operate by expanding our portfolio, increasing customer proximity and extracting more value from established relationships.

At the same time, we will selectively pursue geographic expansion into markets that align with our capabilities and long-term strategy. Innovation remains a key enabler across all fronts, allowing us to develop new product platforms and solutions that respond to evolving customer needs and regulatory requirements. This diversified growth approach provides resilience, scalability and consistency, ensuring that the company continues to grow in a disciplined and sustainable manner.

How prepared is the company to meet stricter regulatory and ESG demands?

Sustainability is deeply embedded in our business model and operational practices, well beyond branding or positioning. Our retreading solutions inherently contribute to the efficient use of natural resources and lower environmental impact, which places us in a strong position to meet increasingly stringent regulatory and ESG requirements.

We continuously invest in safer, more efficient processes, advanced technologies and responsible sourcing to ensure compliance with evolving regulations across the markets we serve. At the same time, we work closely with customers to align our products and services with their sustainability and compliance mandates, offering solutions that combine environmental responsibility, safety, performance and economic value.

Which competitors or substitute technologies pose the biggest threat to your business model over the next five years?

Rather than focusing on individual competitors, we closely monitor broader industry dynamics and substitute technologies that could influence customer choices over the next five years.

The main competitive pressure comes from solutions that promise lower upfront costs or alternative lifecycle approaches, even if they do not always deliver the same levels of performance, safety or sustainability over time.

How does the company turn industry and regulatory shifts into competitive advantage?

Our business model is built on proven technology, high-quality products and superior mileage performance, which continue to be highly valued by customers focused on total cost of ownership and operational efficiency.

We remain attentive to technological shifts, regulatory changes and evolving mobility trends and we continuously invest in innovation, process optimisation and product development to ensure our solutions remain relevant and competitive. This proactive and disciplined approach allows us not only to mitigate potential threats but also to turn industry evolution into opportunities for differentiation and long-term growth.

How will you define success in this role?

I will define success in this role by the strength and sustainability of the organisation we continue to build. Success means a company where people feel safe, engaged and empowered, where customers recognise us as a trusted and long-term partner and where our products consistently deliver quality, reliability and performance.

It also means advancing the company’s strategic objectives with discipline, clarity and consistency while preserving the values and legacy built over the past 50 years. Ultimately, success will be reflected in the company’s ability to grow responsibly, adapt to change and create lasting value for customers, employees and all stakeholders.

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Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) has announced the appointment of Vahid Rashidi as its new Vice President of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The leadership addition marks a strategic step in the organisation's ongoing evolution to better serve the needs of Albertans.

Rashidi brings extensive experience and strategic vision to the role, with a strong track record in driving impactful results. His appointment underscores ARMA’s commitment to navigating complex regulatory systems and strengthening its leadership capacity. He is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the organisation’s EPR initiatives and reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and compliance excellence.

His results-oriented approach aligns with ARMA’s mission to deliver responsible solutions for industries and communities across the province. The organisation anticipates that his leadership will accelerate progress towards its goals, inspire internal teams and help position ARMA for continued success within a shifting regulatory landscape. The appointment has been met with enthusiasm as the authority looks to build on its momentum in environmental stewardship.

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