Chinese tyre manufacturer Doublestar Group has commenced construction of a USD 250 million manufacturing facility in Algeria’s Oran province, marking a significant expansion of Chinese industrial investment in North Africa.

The “Hadj Larbi Industry” tyre factory, developed through a joint venture between Doublestar and local distributor Sarl Hadj Larbi Pneumatique, will produce six million passenger car radial (PCR) tyres and one million truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres annually once operational.

Senior Algerian officials attended the foundation stone ceremony, including the chairman of the Algerian Investment Authority and Oran’s provincial governor, alongside key executives from both partner companies.

The facility will incorporate Doublestar’s advanced manufacturing techniques and intelligent equipment systems, positioning it as Algeria’s most modern tyre production base. The factory aims to serve not only domestic demand but also export markets across Central Africa and Europe.

“Doublestar is a globally renowned tyre enterprise. Sarl Hadj Larbi and Doublestar have always maintained a deep friendship and a good cooperative relationship. The cooperation of building the tyre factory will effectively promote the improvement of the industrialisation in Algeria and provide high-quality tyre products for local users,” said Dilmi, Chairman of Sarl Hadj Larbi Pneumatique.

The partnership builds on nearly two decades of collaboration between the companies. Sarl Hadj Larbi Pneumatique is Algeria’s largest tyre distributor.

Doublestar Chairman Chai Yongsen emphasised the strategic importance of the venture: “Sarl Hadj Larbi is the biggest tyre distributor in Algeria and has had a friendship and cooperation with Doublestar for nearly 20 years. This factory will surely further deepen the friendship between Doublestar and Sarl Hadj Larbi, as well as the people of China and Algeria, and support the local economic development.”

Qingdao-based Doublestar transformed into a dedicated tyre manufacturer in 2008 and established what it claims was the world’s first fully-integrated “Industry 4.0” intelligent tyre factory in 2016. The company has since diversified into artificial intelligence, high-end equipment manufacturing, and waste tyre recycling operations.

According to company data, Doublestar leads Chinese tyre manufacturers in both PCR tyre turnover and overseas revenue, whilst operating the world’s largest waste tyre recycling operation by scale.

The new facility is expected to create hundreds of jobs in Oran province and contribute to Algeria’s broader industrialisation objectives.

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Goodyear celebrated the 100th anniversary of Goodyear Blimp with an unforgettable milestone – hosting the world’s first high-altitude Pokémon battle aboard the iconic Wingfoot Three blimp, soaring 1,000 feet above Los Angeles.

Partnering with GameStop, the event featured popular YouTuber Casey Neistat battling on ModRetro’s Chromatic handheld, a retro-inspired console developed by Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey. Joining as special guest trainers were Luckey himself, ModRetro CEO Torin Herndon and GameStop’s Head of Social Media, Joe Fonicello.

The historic clash blended gaming, aviation and pop culture, with highlights shared across social media afterward. As part of Goodyear Blimp’s yearlong centennial festivities – officially recognised on 3 June 2025 – the event showcased the brand’s legacy of innovation. Fans can expect more thrilling collaborations and aerial spectacles as the anniversary celebrations continue, reinforcing Goodyear’s enduring influence in both technology and entertainment.

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Indian tyre maker sees steady growth despite European challenges

Apollo Tyres reported a four percent increase in first-quarter revenue to INR 65.61 billion, driven by steady growth in its Indian operations whilst European divisions faced challenging market conditions.

The Gurugram-based tyre manufacturer said consolidated revenue for the three months ended 30 June rose from INR 63.35 billion in the same period last year. However, operating profit declined to INR 8.68 billion from INR 9.09 billion.

Net profit jumped to INR 3.81 billion from INR 3.02 billion the previous year, excluding an exceptional restructuring cost of INR 3.69 billion that the company disclosed separately.

The results come as India’s tyre industry navigates mixed demand patterns, with the aftermarket segment showing particular strength whilst original equipment manufacturers face varied demand from automobile producers.

“This quarter’s results reflect solid execution and a focus on profitable growth,” said Onkar Kanwar, chairman of Apollo Tyres. “It’s encouraging to see Indian Operations performing in line with expectations -- driven particularly by strong momentum in the aftermarket segment.”

Kanwar said the quarterly performance demonstrated “the resilience of our business model and our ability to create long-term value for shareholders.”

The European operations faced what the company described as traditionally one of their seasonally weaker quarters, though management said performance was solid given challenging market conditions across the region.

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Germany's rubber industry faces growing challenges due to high energy costs, threatening its long-term competitiveness. The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), alongside other mid-sized industrial sectors within the ‘Alliance for a Fair Energy Transition’, is pushing for immediate government action to introduce a competitive production electricity price. This measure aims to stabilise energy expenses and protect domestic manufacturers from losing ground in global markets.

Current relief policies disproportionately favour large-scale consumers, leaving small and medium-sized enterprises at a disadvantage with higher electricity rates. The wdk emphasises that an effective industrial electricity price must include cost caps, broader eligibility criteria and simplified access – addressing existing shortcomings where support has been insufficient, overly complex and burdened by bureaucracy.

Separately, the association highlights the need for a distinct decarbonisation electricity price to support industrial transformation toward climate-neutral production. This initiative should extend to more businesses, ensuring long-term investment security in electrification projects spanning at least a decade.

However, European Commission regulations, particularly the CISAF framework, currently limit national flexibility in implementing such relief measures. The wdk urges the German government to advocate for reduced bureaucratic hurdles, faster approvals and expanded EU aid frameworks to enable timely support for energy-intensive industries. Without swift intervention, the sector warns of irreversible damage to regional economic stability.

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German tier 1 supplier ZF Group has announced that it has secured three large test system orders including for powertrain, tyre manufacturing and testing, which marks its entry into the Indian powertrain and next-gen mobility segment.

ZF Group’s order, estimated to be several million euros, has been placed across India for a range of testing equipment. The 440 KW transmission test bench is the first of its kind in India. It features a unique 3E dyno configuration that connects directly to the device under test, eliminating the need for an intermediate gearbox. This design significantly reduces energy loss and improves performance, accuracy and efficiency. The system also includes a movable dyno that can be adjusted horizontally for greater flexibility.

Other significant orders include several R&D test benches for a leading tyre manufacturer. These benches will be used for testing rolling resistance (efficiency) and performing endurance and high-speed tests on passenger car and two-wheeler tyres. Additionally, three automated end-of-line (EOL) test benches for passenger car tyres have been ordered by another Indian manufacturer. These systems are used at the end of the production line to ensure product quality before the tyres are shipped out.

Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India, said, “This is a proud moment for ZF as we bring our advanced testing technology to India. These orders not just set a new benchmark in the segment but serve as a reference point for future projects in the region. These orders reinforce our commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering in automotive and industrial segments.”

With this move, ZF introduces a new portfolio of mid-size and large-size powertrain benches, tyre R&D testing machines and low speed uniformity and balancing test systems, which are tailored for the Indian market.

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