Kordsa, a global player in advanced material technologies, displayed its sustainability and innovation-driven solutions at Tire Technology Expo 2025, one of the leading trade fairs for the tyre industry, which was held in Hannover, Germany, from 4–6 March 2025.

Kordsa shared its objective of offering solutions to the global tyre market with the advantage of local production while highlighting its achievements in tyre reinforcing technology. Kordsa demonstrated REV Technologies, its umbrella brand created to meet the expanding need for high-performance electric car goods, as part of its dedication to sustainable transportation. The firm also demonstrated its commitment to sustainable, next-generation reinforcement solutions by showcasing its RFID tyre label products and cord fabric manufactured from rPET, which is derived from recycled plastics.

Kordsa and Continental jointly delivered a presentation on Cokoon, a formaldehyde-free, environmentally friendly bonding technology, as part of the conference schedule. Dr Cornelia Schmaunz-Hirsch, Senior Reinforcement Developer, Reinforcement Development Tires at Continental, and Dr Mustafa Yasin Şen, Expert Researcher, Chemicals and Materials at Kordsa, spoke about the advancements made by Cokoon technology in textile reinforcement applications during a session on the first day of the expo. Furthermore, in a separate session, ‘Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for Tires: Sustainable Reinforcement Solutions of Nylon 66 and Polyester’ was the subject of presentations by Begüm Aytuğar, Kordsa Marketing Manager, and Seda Aracı, Kordsa R&D Technology Manager, Tire Cord Fabric.

Doğan Sevim, Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer, Kordsa, said, “Tire Technology Expo 2025 is one of the most strategic events in the tyre industry, offering us a valuable opportunity to emphasise our sustainability and innovation-focused approach while engaging with our customers. Through REV Technologies, we continue to differentiate ourselves in the sustainable solutions, particularly by addressing the specific needs of electric vehicle tyres. We are not only delivering innovative solutions to our customers but also addressing their specific requirements in different markets by combining our global expertise with our local manufacturing capabilities. Our ability to leverage both local production and a global supply chain aligns seamlessly with our sustainability strategy, allowing us to provide more effective and tailored services.”

Pyrum Innovations AG, a technological pioneer in the field of pyrolysis, focusing on the recycling of end-of-life tyres and composite materials, has announced that football legend Felix Magath has joined the company as brand ambassador and investor with immediate effect.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The fact that such a well-known personality as Felix Magath has chosen to actively support a young company like Pyrum is a great sign of confidence for us – and also a leap of faith. We hope that his charisma as a brand will help to bring our vision and technology closer to a broad public and decisively advance Pyrum.”

“I am convinced by the combination of technological pioneering spirit, entrepreneurial consistency and social relevance. I am looking forward to contributing my experience and my network to make Pyrum even better known – among investors, in industry and among political decision-makers. It is about making a real contribution to our country’s green tech offensive. We need companies like this to get back to the top of the world,” said Magath.

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd., a leading Indian speciality chemicals manufacturer, is reinforcing its market position with significant expansions in carbon black production, a strategic entry into speciality tyre manufacturing, and ambitious diversification into EV battery materials.

The company reported robust financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025, with profit after tax jumping 36 percent to INR 5.58 billion, setting the stage for its expansion plans.

In a major development for its core business, Himadri is expanding its speciality carbon black operations at Singur from 60,000 to 130,000 metric tonnes annually, with operations expected to begin by Q3 FY26. This expansion will boost total capacity to 250,000 metric tonnes, making it “the single largest site for speciality carbon black facility in the world," according to Managing Director Anurag Choudhary.

The INR 2.2 billion investment is projected to generate annual revenue of INR 4.4 billion, with impressive margins ranging from INR 20,000 to 50,000 per tonne, depending on grades. The expansion targets growing demand across specialty fibre blacks, conductive black, inks, plastics, coatings, and battery segments.

Unlike competitors facing market pressures, Himadri's strategic focus on specialty products has created resilience in its business model. “We are largely protected. Our very minimum volume goes to the tyre industry," Choudhary noted, with less than 25 per cent of its carbon black sales going to tyre manufacturers.

Following its acquisition of Birla Tyres alongside resolution applicant Dalmia Bharat Refractories, Himadri is strategically entering specialty tyre manufacturing. The company will focus on off-highway and electric vehicle segments, with operations beginning in phases starting from the end of Q1 FY26.

Initial production will be 10-20 tonnes, gradually increasing quarterly. Products initially include agricultural and mining tyres and bias tyres for commercial vehicles before expanding into passenger car radials and EV tyres. The company is currently awaiting Bureau of Indian Standards approval, which is expected within 30 days.

Himadri is also establishing a 200,000 metric tonne annual capacity plant for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material, with the initial 40,000 metric tonne capacity phase operational by Q3 FY27. "We’ll be the first manufacturing plant in the world other than China for electric commissioning,” Choudhary said.

The company aims to boost profit to over INR 8 billion ($96 million) by fiscal 2027, representing a 43 percent increase from current levels. “By FY ’27, we expect a PAT of 800-plus crores," said Choudhary. “Our PAT will be INR 8 billion-plus, so that lays down the road map for growth, and it will be coming from all around the business, from our existing business to the new businesses that we are entering and the capacities that are setting up."

Export sales accounted for 27 percent of total revenue in FY25, with carbon black exports representing 35-40 percent of that segment's sales. The company sees "very bright” export opportunities for its coal tar pitch business in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asia.

"Battery breakthroughs won't just come from one component, but from a holistic mastery of the ecosystem," Choudhary told analysts, highlighting the company's strategic push into clean energy materials amid booming electric vehicle adoption.

Leading global tyre manufacturer NEXEN TIRE has signed a long-term supply agreement with LD Carbon (LDC) for recovered carbon black (rCB) with an aim to boost the adoption of sustainable materials. This partnership is in line with the company's commitment to improving worldwide sustainable management standards.

In order to significantly reduce carbon emissions and encourage resource cycle, LD Carbon produces its recovered carbon black by pyrolysing end-of-life tyres in an oxygen-free atmosphere. Using recycled carbon black instead of petroleum-based carbon black is a smart move that preserves product performance and promotes environmental sustainability. The company has been using more recovered carbon black over time, and this agreement aims to hasten the shift to more ecologically friendly raw materials.

Recovered carbon black from manufacturing sites worldwide, such as those in China, the Czech Republic and Korea, will be used by NEXEN TIRE. In order to increase its global competitiveness, NEXEN TIRE is creating a circular resource structure that will provide a steady supply of recycled materials and integrate them into its global manufacturing chain. The use of sustainable materials in tyre manufacturing will be required under the European Union's proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and NEXEN TIRE is in a strong position to increase its competitiveness by proactively creating a sustainable raw material supply chain, especially in Europe, where it accounts for almost 40 percent of total sales.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Expanding the usage of recovered carbon black is a strategic step that demonstrates our commitment to ESG management and proactive response to global environmental concerns. We will continue to accelerate the transition to eco-friendly materials and establish a tire manufacturing system that has a low environmental effect from production to disposal.”

LANXESS, a speciality chemicals company, has achieved the top score of ‘A’ in the Climate Change category of the CDP annual sustainability ratings. This is LANXESS’s eighth time in a row in the climate category on the A list by the global environmental non-profit organisation.

In the most significant investor questionnaire in the world, the non-profit CDP assesses the performance and openness of organisations in the categories of Climate Change, Water Security and Forests. Every year, it gathers and evaluates data and information on environmental consequences, goals and plans on behalf of investors. Participation is entirely voluntary.

LANXESS led the evaluation group of more than 24,700 businesses globally in the Climate Change area with the highest grade of A, secure a spot among the top two percent of all rated companies. These businesses, according to CDP, are distinguished by extensive and high-quality data that offers a thorough summary of environmental impacts and transformation goals. Additionally, LANXESS got an A- and reaffirmed its top spot in the Water Security area.

Hubert Fink, member of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG, said, “With our solutions and expertise, we are making a significant contribution to sustainable development. At the same time, we are helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals. CDP's renewed top rating underscores our commitment to climate protection and shows that we are on the right track.”