Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) announced today that it is on pace to achieve one of its highest year-over-year results in its Bandag business, with a nine percent increase over 2021. With the growth experienced by strategic fleet partners and the unprecedented demand in the market, the company forecasts year-end sales of Bandag retreads will reach more than seven million units in North America and anticipates continued growth in 2023, with a $60 million investment in its Abilene, Texas retread plant to increase production capacity.

Bridgestone claims that retreading is an increasingly important solution that fleets are incorporating into their tyre programme that not only extends the life of their premium tyre casings, but helps reduce the environmental impact of end-of-life tyres, maximises fleet uptime and mitigates overall operating costs. Retreading also remains a critical component for fleets to unlock their ESG and sustainability goals contributing to a circular economy.

Bridgestone states that in 2022, Bandag retreads, which account for nearly half of the North American retread market, are forecast to deliver environmental benefits of approximately as follows –

• 105 million gallons of oil saved
• 290 million pounds of landfill waste avoided
• 207 million pounds of tyre waste avoided
• 5.6 billion KwH of energy saved which is the equivalent of powering 500,000 US homes for a full year

“Retreading makes more sense today than it ever has for fleets,” said Jason Roanhouse, Executive Director of Bandag Operations, Bridgestone Americas. “Not only does retreading deliver the same reliable performance of new tyres, it helps fleets deliver on their sustainability goals while also driving bottom-line business efficiencies."

Earlier this year, Bridgestone announced a new $60 million investment in its Bandag tread manufacturing plant in Abilene, Texas, which will add 50,000 square-feet and additional production days to meet the accelerating demand for the company's retread products. According to Bridgestone, the expansion will increase the plant's retread output by 16 percent and further Bridgestone's sustainability commitments.

Additionally, the all-new Bridgestone Last Mile Tire System (LMTS), introduced in the second half of 2022, will begin utilising retread for small and medium-sized fleets in Q1 2023 with the goal of extending the benefits of retreading to a broader population of fleet customers. As per the tyre manufacturer, LMTS will allow smaller fleets operating out of the same terminal to realise greater economies of scale in their tyre operations, including access to Bandag retread solutions and Bridgestone fleet care products. The programme was launched at the 2022 Route Consultant Expo, where more than 500 fleet contractors expressed interest as potential early adopters of the programme.

Bridgestone claims that the continued expansion of Bridgestone Bandag retreading aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which consists of eight Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter ‘E’. These are energy, ecology, efficiency, extension, economy, emotion, ease and empowerment that the tyre manufacturer commits to implement together with employees, society, partners and customers to create a sustainable society.

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.