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.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been named a ‘Supplier Engagement Leader’, the top ranking in the 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment by CDP, a global environmental nonprofit focused on a sustainable economy. This marks the second consecutive year the company has received the highest rating.

The CDP assessment examines how businesses effectively collaborate with suppliers on climate change issues, based on five criteria from its climate questionnaire: governance and strategy, emissions targets, Scope 3 emissions, risk management and supplier cooperation. Yokohama Rubber aims to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions from its own operations by 2050 and has disclosed Scope 3 emissions since 2013.

To address supply chain climate impact, the company created the Yokohama Green Procurement Guidelines with suppliers to promote eco-friendly raw materials. It also holds annual CSR briefings for suppliers on carbon neutrality. Under its ‘Caring for the Future’ sustainability slogan, Yokohama Rubber continues to generate shared value by tackling social issues through business activities.

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HF Group’s Freudenburg site in Germany has once again been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal, a distinction granted only to the top five percent of companies assessed by EcoVadis in the 12 months prior to the medal issue date.

The recognition reflects the quality of the company’s sustainability management system and demonstrates a firm commitment to promoting transparency throughout the value chain, acknowledging its continued dedication to responsible business practices and continuous improvement.

Simultaneously, the group is now preparing for a group-wide EcoVadis assessment, aiming to achieve its first consolidated group result by the close of 2026. This initiative represents another important milestone in strengthening HF Group’s sustainability journey on a global level, reinforcing its long-term environmental and social governance objectives across all operations.

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BKT Tyres, the tyre mobility brand of Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), has introduced a 24x7 journey assistance programme called BKT YOU FORWARD for two-wheeler riders. The initiative marks the company’s shift from a pure tyre manufacturer to a comprehensive mobility partner, offering support that extends well beyond the point of sale and aligns with its Elevate Your Drive philosophy.

Available across India, the programme provides round-the-clock assistance through a dedicated helpline for unexpected incidents like punctures, breakdowns or accidents. Services include towing, repairs, ambulance access, cab arrangements and legal aid, all aimed at reducing rider anxiety and ensuring uninterrupted mobility.

A digital-first campaign film starring veteran actor Rakesh Bedi brings the initiative to life through everyday riding scenarios, showing how reliable support turns stressful roadside moments into reassuring experiences.

BKT YOU FORWARD offers three structured plans with two-year validity: the Basic Plan at INR 99, the Signature Plan at INR 149 and the Elite Plan at INR 199. Partner agencies Crossroads and Bi WW support the programme, which relies on a robust service infrastructure, real-time monitoring and defined processes to maintain consistent customer experiences and long-term engagement.

Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer, BKT Tyres, said, “Indian riders face diverse challenges every day, and access to timely, reliable support can redefine their journey experience. At BKT Tyres, our philosophy of Elevate Your Drive is not limited to selling tyres; it’s a long-term commitment to rider confidence and mobility. BKT YOU FORWARD, as the name suggests, is designed with consumer-first principle and embodies this promise by offering a structured, 24x7 assistance programme that covers nearly every scenario a rider may encounter. This initiative is not just about solving problems, it’s about building trust, continuity and assurance into every journey. By combining strong service infrastructure, real-time monitoring and defined escalation processes, we are setting a new benchmark in customer engagement. Our vision is to ensure that riders don’t just move forward but move forward with confidence.”

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Xingda, a prominent producer of rubber reinforcement materials, has joined forces with tyre manufacturer Pirelli and low-carbon steel specialist Nanjing Iron & Steel (NISCO) to obtain ISCC PLUS certification across the entire scrap steel recycling chain. The jointly awarded certification spans every stage from raw material sourcing and steel cord production to finished tyre manufacturing.

The pilot project, championed by Pirelli and taken up by both Xingda and NISCO, seeks to add recycled steel to the ISCC PLUS approved materials list. This achievement represents continued progress in certifying the complete tyre supply chain under the ISCC PLUS framework for recycled steel usage.

Through this certification, a fully traceable circular model has been validated. Scrap steel carrying ISCC PLUS certification is turned into high-grade wire rod at NISCO, then converted into steel cord by Xingda and finally incorporated into tyres produced by Pirelli. The three value chain leaders are demonstrating collective action under a single certification system to speed up the circular economy transition. The partnership has helped define technical standards and sustainability protocols, enabling transparent communication about raw material origins.

Xingda has confirmed that recycled steel can be used in steel cord and bead wire applications at proportions between 40 and 100 percent. The company has established targets of reaching 40 percent recycled content by 2030 and full 100 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, Pirelli, as an early adopter of ISCC PLUS certified recycled steel in tyre production, aims to launch a tyre composed of over 80 percent bio based and recycled materials by 2030 while achieving 40 percent in total raw material use. NISCO supplies green special steel to the automotive sector using advanced electric arc furnace technology, with plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The ISCC PLUS certification awarded to this three-party collaboration ensures that the recycled steel meets strict sustainability and traceability standards. As a globally recognised system for tracking recycled and renewable materials across complex supply chains, ISCC PLUS now supports a replicable model for the worldwide tyre industry, allowing the full journey from scrap steel to finished tyres to be verified in response to rising market demand for transparent, circular supply chains.

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