To reduce its production overcapacity and improve its cost efficiency in Europe, Bridgestone will shut down its Bethune plant.

The company added that it intends to minimize the impact on the region as much as possible by deploying a solid employment revitalization plan for the area. It will also set up a dedicated outplacement programme and to actively search for a buyer for the site.

This project would not take place before the second quarter of 2021. Bridgestone will continue to keep a high presence in France, notably through sales and retail operations with about 3 500 employees.

Announcing the decision , Bridgestone said, it intends to stop all activity at the Bethune plant, as it is the only viable path to safeguard the competitiveness of Bridgestone’s operations in Europe.

The closure could impact 863 employees. The company will have close consultation and through sustained dialogue with employee representatives. Preretirement measures, support for the reassignment of employees to other Bridgestone activities in France and initiatives to facilitate external redeployment, will be proposed by the company and discussed in detail with employee representatives in the coming months.

The current industry context for passenger tyres is threatening Bridgestone’s competitiveness in the European market. For the last several years, the market for passenger tyres has been facing strong headwinds – even without taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The passenger tyre market has seen its volumes stabilize over the last few years (average annual growth < 1%) while competition from low-cost Asian brands continues to increase (market share of 6% in 2000 increased to 25% in 2018) leading to general production overcapacity. This has resulted in pressure on pricing and margins, as well as overcapacity in the Low Rim Diameter segment, given a declining demand in LRD. And within Bridgestone’s overall European footprint, the Bethune plant is the least well positioned and least competitive.

Over the last years, Bridgestone has taken several measures, including attempts to increase the competitiveness of the Bethune plant. These have proven to be insufficient and Bridgestone has been losing money on tyres produced in Bethune for several years. Considering the current market dynamics, no improvement in the situation is foreseeable.

“Closing the Bethune plant is not a project we are taking lightly. But there is no other solution to overcome the challenges that we are facing in Europe. This is a necessary step to ensure that we preserve the sustainability of Bridgestone’s business in Europe,” said Laurent Dartoux, CEO of Bridgestone EMIA. “We are fully aware of the implications of the announcement made today and of the consequences that it could have for the employees and their families. This project is no reflection on the engagement of the employees, nor on their many years of commitment to delivering high quality products for our customers, it is a direct result of a market situation that Bridgestone needs to address. The priority is clearly to find a fair and adapted solution for all the employees by offering each of them individual support, as well as solutions consistent with their personal and professional projects.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tegeta Green Planet recently visited the Georgian-American School in Batumi to mark Earth Day, where a presentation on specific waste management was held for fifth and sixth grade students. The meeting was conducted in an interactive format and included a variety of activities, enabling students to better understand environmental responsibility and the importance of proper waste handling.

Students actively participated in discussions, answered questions and engaged in practical tasks, gaining knowledge they can apply in everyday life about treating the environment responsibly and transforming waste into a resource. At the end of the activity, participants received certificates and symbolic gifts for their engagement, which further boosted their motivation and positive experience.

Established under the corporate social responsibility framework of Tegeta Holding, Tegeta Green Planet aims to raise environmental awareness in society and encourage sustainable behaviour. The organisation’s team actively collaborates with educational institutions by visiting schools and delivering informative presentations, interactive activities and engaging games that help students understand environmental protection through practical examples.

The main goal of the initiative is to raise environmental awareness among the younger generation and develop skills that will help them become more responsible citizens in the future. This activity is part of a broader educational campaign through which Tegeta Green Planet will gradually visit schools across different regions of Georgia.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has called on the Government of India to introduce customs duty relief on critical raw materials due to supply chain instability from the West Asia crisis. ATMA acknowledged the government’s temporary duty exemption on synthetic rubber and certain resins until June 2026 as a constructive step.

Despite this, ATMA noted that inputs like tyre cord fabric, bead wire, steel cord, carbon black, processing oils and petrochemical chemicals still attract high import duties during price volatility and supply constraints. Crude-linked inputs account for up to 70 percent of raw material costs, with volatile crude prices and stressed shipping routes raising costs, delaying shipments and increasing freight and insurance premiums.

ATMA also highlighted bead wire shortages caused by domestic industrial gas and LPG issues, requesting a temporary waiver from Quality Control Order requirements for imports. The association sought sulphur supplies for tyre manufacturers and urged refineries to sustain process oils while shifting towards high-value materials like Neodymium Polybutadiene Rubber.

ATMA warned that raw material disruptions could affect farm and logistics tyre supplies. The association reaffirmed support for Make in India and self-reliance, stressing continued government-industry dialogue to protect original equipment manufacturers, transporters, farmers and consumers.

Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA, said, "We appreciate the Government’s timely support. However, given continued global uncertainties, extending duty relief to other critical raw materials is essential to maintain production stability and cost competitiveness."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited have unveiled India’s first official F1 Sim Racing Championship, marking a milestone for motorsport in the country. Under an agreement granting Mumbai Falcons rights to host an F1 sanctioned virtual competition, the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 establishes a national platform for emerging talent. The championship creates a structured transition from simulated to professional motorsport, offering young drivers a credible entry point. This marks the first time Formula 1 has introduced such a program exclusively for India.

The announcement arrives amid growing momentum to bring Formula 1 back to India and rising fan engagement. With esports now recognised under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act of 2025, the championship connects the country to Formula 1’s global driver pathway, tapping into an expanding motorsport ecosystem.

The competition will be conducted on F1 25, the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, featuring identical circuits, formats, and liveries as the global series. Registrations open 30 April 2026 on the MFRL App. Participants can compete via PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Online qualifiers will lead to city-based simulator rounds, culminating in a national final in Mumbai in November.

Mumbai Falcons has previously supported the early careers of drivers who reached motorsport’s pinnacle, including Jehan Daruvala, Kush Maini, Arthur Leclerc, Dino Beganovic, Sebastian Montoya, Rafael Camara, James Wharton, Freddie Slater, Kean Nakamura Berta, Oleksandr Bondarev, Kimi Antonelli, Arvid Lindblad and Oliver Bearman. This proven foundation positions Mumbai Falcons to deliver India’s first scalable motorsport pipeline.

Narain Karthikeyan, India's first Formula 1 Driver, said, “India has long been central to global growth story of Formula 1. With 78.8 million fans and a generation raised on F1 gaming, the time is right to introduce an official, competitive Sim Racing Championship here. Mumbai Falcons are the ideal partner, having invested years in building India’s motorsport pipeline. This initiative is unique, globally exclusive and will set a new benchmark for talent development.”

Ameet Gadhoke, Managing Director, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, said, “When we founded Mumbai Falcons in 2019, our ambition was to place India firmly on the global motorsport map and build a pipeline for world-class talent. Mumbai Falcons became the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing Championship. We have also supported the early careers of future Formula 1 stars. Partnering with Formula 1 to bring the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026 to life is yet another significant initiative in that direction.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has gained a new technology partner, AKIN Solutions, which is pioneering advanced material recycling methods for end-of-life tyres through its developing platform known as Rubber BioRefine. This biotechnology-driven system applies enzymatic processes originally refined in the plastics industry to rubber recycling for the first time, marking a significant step forward in the tyre circular economy. The central innovation focuses on converting previously hard-to-recycle tyre components into high-quality raw materials that match the quality of primary resources, thereby addressing a long-standing challenge in waste tire management.

At the core of the Rubber BioRefine approach is the selective cleavage of rubber polymer chains at the molecular level, which produces defined polymer fragments while preserving their structural integrity. Unlike conventional mechanical recycling methods that typically lead to a reduction in material value, this enzymatic technique enables a much higher grade of material reuse. It opens new possibilities for demanding rubber applications. The technology is specifically designed to integrate with existing recycling systems, particularly in combination with devulcanisation processes.

Another essential element of the platform is high-resolution molecular imaging using MALDI-MSI, a technique that allows AKIN Solutions to analyse the composition of rubber samples and create precise spatial maps of the compounds present. For the first time, this provides detailed insights into which substances exist in specific areas and at what concentrations, enabling more targeted assessment of material flows. Such precision is a key prerequisite for significantly more efficient recycling processes and for achieving high-quality circular economy management.

The technology remains in the development phase, with the ultimate goal of achieving industrial scalability and enabling large-scale economic application. Through this innovative combination of precise molecular analysis and enzymatic recovery, AKIN Solutions aims to fundamentally improve the material recycling of scrap tyres, reduce waste and emissions and help close material cycles. The partnership with AZuR is expected to strengthen the creation of future-proof, sustainable solutions for the entire tyre recycling value chain.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!