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Hangzhou ZhongCe grows and grows – but prudently

Without exception, Chinese tyre manufacturers aim their European market production at the budget segment, where they are most competitive. However the ‘cover charge’ costs for entering the European market – the expensive testing for REACH and the tyre label – plus swelling production costs in China due to raw material and labour expenses are reducing their competitiveness in Europe. Any manufacturer wishing to build up long-term customer relationships and secure a healthy market share without needing to rely upon spot market brokers and purchasers must therefore focus upon their distribution channels and, in particular, deliver a product whose quality is far removed from the old ‘low budget equals low quality’ stereotype. One company already taking considerable steps in this direction is Hangzhou ZhongCe; recently the company allowed its European customers a glimpse behind the scenes at its factory in China and discussed its plans for the future.

5th October 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

“Re Tyre" aimed at securing the future of medium-sized retreaders

Now that its financing appears secure and all pertinent formalities are expected to be sorted out in Brussels any day now, work linked to the “Re Tyre” project is now ready to commence. With the aid of results gained from this study one of its backers, the European retreading association BIPAVER, aims first and foremost to secure the continued existence of medium-sized retreading businesses.

5th October 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Is the sun setting in the East?

International News, News

Much has happened in the European tyre market in recent times. Last year’s introduction of the REACH regulations has been of particular interest, as is the run-up to November 2012’s tyre labeling. The second of these has been interpreted by many Chinese tyre makers and distributors as being, in practical terms, a trade barrier intended to make entry into Europe more complicated and expensive. Yet the Chinese appear to be responding pragmatically to the ‘problem’ of Europe. During the CITExpo show in Shanghai the opinion was often voiced that no real problem as such exists, rather a challenge to overcome. And as hardly anyone in China doubts success in this area, in future established western manufacturers in our part of the world can expect the presence of even more competitive, driven Chinese companies.

4th October 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: Natural rubber prices to average $5.10/kg in 2012

Natural rubber prices should average $5/kg, $5.10/kg and $4.50/kg in 2011, 2012, 2013, respectively, according to a recent Deutsche Bank report. The stabilisation of prices that have been skyrocketing for the last few years is predicted as the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, whose members produce 92 per cent of the world's supply, is expected to expand production by about 6.3 per cent in 2011. Production will grow another 6 per cent in 2012. Global production was about 10.4 million metric tonnes in 2010.

3rd October 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin partners with US firm to develop renewable isoprene

California-based renewable products company Amyris, Inc. reports it has signed a definitive agreement with Michelin to collaborate in the development and commercialisation of isoprene sourced from renewable feedstocks. The substance being developed, Amyris No Compromise renewable isoprene, is expected to be ready for commercialisation and use in tyre industry and other applications in 2015. Amyris says Michelin has committed itself to “off-take volumes” for a ten-year period. In addition, Amyris will retain the right under the agreement to market its renewable isoprene to other customers.

28th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to increase European prices in Q4

A new round of Bridgestone Europe price rises will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2011. On October 1 prices for agricultural tyres will increase by an average of four per cent, while winter passenger, light commercial vehicle and 4×4 tyre prices will go up by an average of five per cent. Commenting on decision to increase prices, Mitsuhira Shimazaki, senior vice-president of Sales and Marketing at Bridgestone Europe, said that these two product groups “still require efforts to fully compensate for the raw materials hikes that we have suffered in the last two years.”

22nd September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Lanxess “ready” for growth in rubber demand

At its most recent “Rubber Day”, held today in Germany, specialty chemicals company Lanxess reported it expects – and is well equipped for – a labelling-related boost in demand for high performance rubber. Speaking at the event, company Board of Management chairman Axel C. Heitmann said “in order to meet the new legislation and the expected customer demand, our high-tech materials are essential. As the world’s largest partner for the tyre industry, we have adapted to the trend on time. We have made the right strategic investment decisions and have strengthened our capacities.”

21st September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone announces North American price increases

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced price increases for passenger and light truck consumer replacement and original equipment tyres in the United States and Canada, effective from 1 November. Prices for Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand passenger and light truck tyres will increase by up to eight per cent.

9th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Standards Testing Labs to host tyre technology seminar

Registration is now open for Standards Testing Laboratories annual Tyre Technology Seminar, held on 18-20 October, 2011 at the company's Massillon, Ohio headquarters. The seminar is a two and a half day event that aims to provide “a comprehensive overview of the technology employed by the tyre industry,” according to the STL. Speakers from the engineering, chemistry and mechanics/vehicle dynamics fields will address topics including tyre testing, tyre design and research, tyre engineering and compounding, product development and advanced concepts. The deadline to register for the seminar is 30 September.

9th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Rewards reinstated via Maxxis International website

Maxxis has announced that it is bringing back its “hugely popular” Maxxis Rewards programme for the remainder of 2011 and into next year. The initiative was suspended temporarily during the summer while the brand’s exclusive distribution agreement with Grouptyre was dissolved. Maxxis Rewards was previously run in conjunction with the wholesaler, and while Maxxis says it will continue to supply Grouptyre in the foreseeable future, the incentive programme will now be run through the company’s own website. Retailers are encouraged to register through the Rewards microsite, or to contact Denise Prout at Maxxis Internation UK.

9th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Multistrada bid falls through

Career Tracks, International News

The scramble to purchase a controlling stake in Indonesia’s second largest tyre manufacturer Multistrada Arah Sarana PT continues, as Reuters reports that the company’s shareholders have rejected a bid from Hankook for a controlling stake. Yokohama and private equity investment firm TPG Capital are reported to be the other bidders, though a Hankook spokesperson told Reuters that “none of the bids satisfied” Multistrada’s shareholders.

6th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

China’s clean oil production ‘unlikely to grow’

China’s production of treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) – so-called ‘clean oil’, is “unlikely to grow significantly” according to a report published in online chemical industry journal icis.com. The reason? The “poor demand for the product” which itself is probably due to the fact that it costs 30 per cent more than the regular aromatics-based rubber oil.

5th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Steel price down 15% in 6 months

The price of steel price has dropped US$120-130/tone in Europe (North European HRC) since March and now sites around $730-770/ton level (515 – 540 euros/ton), according too financial analysts. Writing in an investor’s note dated 30 August, Deutsche Bank explained its view of that the market has stabilised in the medium term market: “We expect current prices to remain more or less stable in the second half of 11 and for full year 2012.”

30th August 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Eurotire announces bias, radial price increases

OTR tyre company Eurotire has announced that it will increase prices by up to 9.8 per cent on all its OTR bias tyres and up to 11.5 per cent on all its OTR radial tyres, effective globally on 5 September, 2011. Orders delivered before then will be at pre-increase prices.

24th August 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Dow, Lehigh partner to develop sustainable tyre rubber

Specialty chemical and advanced materials manufacturer Dow Chemical Company and Lehigh technologies, manufacturer of sustainable, micronised rubber powders, have announced their intention to collaborate in order to develop sustainable materials for the tyre industry. Under this partnership, the two companies will combine proprietary technologies to create modified rubber particles, a programme that will combine Dow's expertise in polymer chemistry with Lehigh's strength in sustainable rubber compound development and testing.

23rd August 2011/by Tyrepress Editors