For the second year running, Bridgestone EMIA has been awarded a platinum rating in its annual EcoVadis sustainability assessment. The award recognises Bridgestone’s sustainability achievements, with the platinum status putting Bridgestone EMIA in the top 1 percent of over 100,000 companies from over 200 industries worldwide.

EcoVadis is a provider of business sustainability ratings. It uses a system of scorecards to assess company sustainability performance, scoring companies out of 100 in four key areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Since its first assessment by EcoVadis in 2015, Bridgestone EMIA claims that its continued commitment to sustainable business practices has seen the company go from being in the top 12 percent of companies to the top 4 percent in 2018, before confirming its place in the top 1 percent in both, 2021 and 2022. This year’s improved score in labour and human rights is testament to Bridgestone’s ongoing application of its global human rights policy. The tyre manufacturer states that it conducts due diligence across its significant supply chain and range of operations throughout the year, ensuring that it meets and exceeds societal expectations. Bridgestone EMIA claims that its overall score climbed five points compared with 2021, with its rankings for labour and human rights and sustainable procurement each increasing by 10 points.

In the assessment category of sustainable procurement, Bridgestone’s work to continuously apply and strengthen its global sustainable procurement policy helps drive sustainability throughout the entire supply chain – to benefit both the environment and the communities it operates in. 

While scores in the remaining categories of environment and ethics remained the same as those in 2021, Bridgestone EMIA brought forward new evidence and initiatives to demonstrate its ongoing sustainability journey and commitment. According to the company, its sustainability efforts are a major part of Bridgestone’s mission to continue to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company toward 2050. They are also the embodiment of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment – a set of eight values (energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ease, empowerment) which provide a compass and guide for the company to do business in a sustainable way.

Sharing his thoughts, Koji Takagi, Management Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer, Bridgestone EMIA, commented “Receiving the top rating from EcoVadis for the second consecutive year confirms Bridgestone’s strong commitment to sustainability, and the fact we continue to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. We are particularly pleased to be recognised for our efforts to drive sustainability not just within Bridgestone but also throughout the entire supply chain. This rating reaffirms the positive impact our various initiatives, including the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, are having, and gives us renewed encouragement for our plans for the years ahead.”

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.