If you are not happy with the results below please do another search
With the latest SMMT data naming the Tesla Model 3 as the most popular new-car in December as well as the second most popular in 2021 – no-one can deny that the era of electric vehicles is well and truly upon. However, while internal combustion engines (ICE) have generally separated engine, wheel and tyre, electric vehicles are bringing these vital mobility components closer together than ever.
Arriving at Bovington Camp, a military base in Dorset, for the finale of the inaugural season of electric off-road series Extreme E, the lack of noise is the first indication that this is international motorsport done differently. When the nine fully electric 550bhp Odyssey 21 SUVs enter the arena, it is in large part to the sound of wet mud displaced by exclusive tyre supplier Continental’s Extreme E tyre, which is based on the German manufacturer’s CrossContact range. Primarily targeting a broadcast and internet audience, the teams, event staff, and small number of attendees on-site mingle under canvas, watching most of the action from the circuit unfold on big screens. During the races, teams complete the switch between the male and female drivers – another indicator of how Extreme E approaches motorsport differently – in front of this area.
A quick glance at our recent top 10 articles of 2021 email offers a unique overview of the major themes of the last 12 months. Since most of those issues are ongoing stories, they bring with them a useful insight into some of the things we can expect in 2022 – an insight that can be summarised by these three words: acquisitions, consolidation and sustainability.
NTDA Tyre Industry Award-winning business Autogem, has played a key role in the UK TPMS aftermarket since its inception. Indeed company representatives are clear, if there was one product area where the firm can boast star quality, then look no further than its TPMS offering.
Tyre makers have a lot on their minds these days. In addition to experiencing an extraordinary couple of years that began with a virus and then mutated into a succession of rising input prices, they also need to think far beyond the traditional product development cycle. Legislation and end user expectations are driving manufacturers to explore new materials and achieve greater sustainability, while at the same time evolving technology means a growing focus upon connectivity and services. We recently caught up with Paolo Pompei to find out how Trelleborg Wheel Systems (TWS) is addressing these key issues.
Project TREE is the first attempt to establish natural rubber traceability using blockchain, and the UK is the first market where consumers can buy tyres containing verifiable sustainable rubber. Following the launch of traceable Pirelli tyres earlier this month, Hankook Tire & Technology is now distributing tyres manufactured through the project.
Goodyear has announced the renewal of partnerships to equip tyres for two legendary and heavily titled truck racing teams, Kamaz-master and Petronas Team De Rooy IVECO, at the 2022 edition of the Dakar rally. Both outfits will continue to put their trust in Goodyear’s proven Offroad standard tyres for the gruelling competitive trek through the Arabian Desert from 1 to 14 January.
Following up the news that its parent company European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL) is acquiring leading tyre recycler Murfitts Industries, Kwik Fit shares some statistics that suggest not everyone understands the potential value of end-of-life tyres. According to the automotive parts and tyre network, fly tipping incidents have increased by a quarter in the past year.
While tyre makers serving the UK and European markets typically cover replacement demand for electric vehicle tyres with energy-efficient products they also aim at ICE-powered cars, in North America Goodyear has introduced a replacement market tyre that’s specifically tuned for EVs. It has launched the Goodyear ElectricDrive GT in size 255/45R19 104W XL and intends to expand the line-up in 2022.
On 17 December, Birla Carbon executed a US$750 million Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) with a syndicate of more than 15 banks and intends to use the proceeds from the loan to refinance its existing debts. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to the facility include: “direct CO2 intensity, bringing circular products to market, and an external rating of Sustainability”. The fund’s direct connection with “bringing circular products to market” could be interpreted as an indication that the company is willing to invest in technologies such as pyrolysis which seeks to recover carbon black from end-products such as tyres.
European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL), which owns leading tyre retail and wholesale operations Kwik-Fit and Stapleton’s, has agreed the acquisition of Murfitts Industries, the country’s leading tyre recycling company. ETEL is buying 100 per cent of Murfitts Group Ltd, the parent company of Murfitts Industries. Murfitts operates a national network recycling the equivalent of around 20 million car tyres per year. Murfitts, which processes and recycles tyres into granulate, has been a long-term provider of post-consumer tyre collection and recycling services to ETEL.
Australian waste tyre processor Pearl Global Limited, a firm claiming to possess a proprietary technology superior to traditional pyrolysis, has appointed a new chief executive officer. David Wheeley will commence in this capacity on 1 February 2022.
Goodyear and the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (FIA ETRC) have renewed their long-standing partnership with another three-year contract extension. The tyre maker says this underlines its “commitment to the exciting future vision of FIA ETRC”, including an increased focus on innovation, sustainability and talent development.
On Tuesday, the Marangoni Group and Indian reclaimed rubber manufacturer GRP Ltd. entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for the sale of Marangoni’s equity shareholding in Marangoni GRP Pvt Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture established in 2015 to bring the Marangoni Ringtread system of retreading to India.
UK firm Low Sulphur Fuels Ltd. (LSF) is the winner of the second Continental Challenge for sustainable material solutions. The Amersham-based enterprise prevailed over more than 50 participants from across the world with its conversion technology that can produce low sulphur distillate from end-of-life hydrocarbon materials such as oils and tyres.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.