Continental has introduced the Conti Coach HA 5, the inaugural tyre in its new Conti Coach Generation 5 line, specifically engineered for the coach and bus sector across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This all-axle product is designed to address the complex challenges of long-distance and intercity travel by offering a balanced performance profile that prioritises longevity, fuel efficiency and all-weather safety.

A key achievement of the Conti Coach HA 5 is its best-in-class rolling resistance, a result of an optimised casing and a specially formulated tread compound that minimises heat generation. This engineering focus directly translates to lower fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions for fleets. The tyre’s environmental and efficiency credentials are confirmed by its EU label ratings, which show a B grade for both rolling resistance and wet grip, demonstrating a strong combination of energy savings and safety.

Durability is another central feature, achieved through an advanced tread cap compound that provides superior wear resistance. This ensures the tyre can withstand high loads and varied road conditions, effectively extending service life and reducing operational costs. Complementing this durability is a commitment to passenger safety. The tyre’s pattern design incorporates features like pocket sipes that enhance grip in wet conditions, providing dependable all-weather performance and bolstering driver confidence.

Beyond its physical attributes, the Conti Coach HA 5 is offered as an intelligent tyre. An integrated sensor enables digital monitoring, allowing for real-time fleet management. This capability helps operators track tyre performance, optimise maintenance schedules, extend service intervals and minimise vehicle downtime. By maximising tyre lifespan and operational efficiency, this intelligent system significantly lowers the total cost of ownership.

Now available for both original equipment and the replacement market in a size 295/80 R 22.5, the Conti Coach HA 5 is ideally suited for long-haul and intercity bus fleets. With sensors included as standard for new vehicles and available on request for replacements, this tyre represents a comprehensive solution. It empowers fleets to achieve greater year-round dependability while simultaneously reducing their operating expenses and environmental impact.

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development at Continental Truck Tyres EMEA, said, “The Conti Coach HA 5 is the most advanced coach tyre we have ever developed. By combining state-of-the-art tread compounds with an optimised casing design, the new tyre is independent of weather conditions. It delivers outstanding 20 percent higher mileage, 10 percent lower rolling resistance and reliable safety thanks to its high grip, compared to the predecessor tyre. This means that fleets can cover more miles over the entire life of the tyre, consume less fuel and produce fewer CO₂ emissions. Our goal was to create a tyre that doesn’t force fleet operators to choose between cost efficiency and environmental responsibility. The Conti Coach HA 5 directly supports operators’ climate targets by lowering fuel usage and emissions, while its durability and retreadability reduce raw material consumption. It’s a solution designed for both operational performance and measurable environmental benefits.”

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Nokian Tyres is putting the question of North America’s roughest roads directly to drivers, launching a voting campaign that runs from 30 March to 10 April 2026. The initiative invites the public to cast votes for the state or province they believe has the most challenging surfaces, with the conversation playing out across the tyremaker’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok under the handle @NokianTyresNA.

This bracket-style competition brings back champions and notable contenders from previous years, with the semifinal matchups now set. Quebec faces off against Massachusetts, while Colorado takes on Oregon. For those living outside these regions, the company encourages participation through a write-in option on its dedicated contest website, where drivers can also make their case for why their local roads deserve the title.

Central to the campaign is Nokian Tyres’ use of aramid fibres, the lightweight yet incredibly strong material found in aerospace and defence applications. By weaving these fibres into the sidewalls and sometimes the tread, the company strengthens its tyres against punctures and blowouts. This technology features prominently in the new Hakkapeliitta 01, a studded winter tyre debuting this fall, and qualifies the tyres for the brand’s Pothole Protection warranty, which offers a free replacement if a tyre is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard.

The campaign will be amplified through social media content, testimonials from North American brand ambassadors and messaging from business partners. Drivers following @NokianTyresNA can vote directly on posts and stories, while those entering the tyre giveaway or submitting their regional nomination can do so on the contest website. The company, renowned for inventing the winter tyre, continues to serve the North American market with its full range of all-season, all-weather and winter products.

Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing, Nokian Tyres North America, said, “Our tyres come with a Pothole Protection warranty because we understand the unique challenges of North American roads. While the ‘Worst Roads’ contest offers a chance to complain about potholes and rough surfaces, it’s also an opportunity for consumers to learn about the ways Nokian Tyres helps keep them safe thanks to our aramid-reinforced products.”

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Tyrecycle has announced the upcoming implementation of a pioneering conveyor belt system at its East Rockingham facility in Western Australia, marking a significant step forward in sustainable industrial practices. This particular product, the Infinity Series, was developed by Fenner Conveyors and holds the distinction of being the first conveyor belt manufactured in Australia using locally sourced recycled materials. The material used in its production was supplied through an established strategic partnership between the two companies, underscoring a collaborative foundation that prioritises resource efficiency and domestic manufacturing.

By integrating this locally manufactured belt into its own operations, Tyrecycle is transforming its facility into a living demonstration of the shared environmental vision it holds with Fenner Conveyors. The deployment at East Rockingham serves a dual purpose: it not only upholds the rigorous performance standards required for such critical infrastructure but also actively nurtures a novel closed loop ecosystem. This system represents a first of its kind approach where industrial components are deliberately reclaimed and repurposed, reinforcing the viability of circular economy principles within heavy industries like mining.

Together, the two organisations are effectively closing the loop by converting end-of-life conveyor belts into robust new products that maintain high durability standards. This collaborative effort directly supports mining operations seeking to advance their decarbonisation strategies and circularity targets. Their work illustrates how a combined focus on innovation and corporate responsibility can yield tangible solutions, proving that industrial advancement and environmental stewardship can indeed move forward on a parallel and mutually reinforcing path.

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CEAT Kelani Holdings emerged as a standout performer at the 2026 Best Management Practices Company Awards of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (CPM Sri Lanka), securing the overall Gold award for Best Management Practices. This top honour, which recognised the company as the nation’s best-managed enterprise, was complemented by four additional distinctions. Among these were the Sector Award as the winner in the Manufacturing category for Tyre and Rubber, a place among the 40 Outstanding Companies and a Best Management Practices Excellence Award, underscoring the breadth of the organisation’s operational excellence.

The company’s leadership also received significant acclaim, with Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Dadlani being presented with the Leadership Excellence award. This particular recognition highlighted the effectiveness of the strategic direction at the helm of the organisation. The CPM awards themselves serve to evaluate public and private sector entities based on comprehensive management criteria, including leadership effectiveness, people management, resource utilisation and overall performance during the review period.

Central to CEAT Kelani’s achievements this year is its Quality-Based Management philosophy, which prioritises customer satisfaction by aligning quality controls and workforce efforts with strategic business goals. A notable initiative presented during the awards process was the overhaul of the customer claim settlement process, which now facilitates inspections within a single day. This improvement was driven by a structured Quality Improvement Project involving cross-functional teams from Technical Services, Supply Chain and Distribution, supported by digital integration and process enhancements.

The revamped claim settlement system has not only bolstered customer confidence and dealer trust but has also contributed to volume growth, particularly in the Truck and Light Truck segments. Dadlani emphasised that the QBM approach has been instrumental in steering the company towards greater customer centricity while maintaining strong financial results, with continuous improvement through digital transformation and employee engagement remaining central to the corporate strategy. This consistent recognition by CPM reflects the sustained depth and continuity of the company’s management practices over time.

Commenting on the awards, Dadlani said, “To be named the best-managed company in Sri Lanka is an extraordinary honour as well as a reward for years of hard work in times of challenge. This recognition reflects the company’s sustained focus on embedding best-in-class management practices across its operations with the involvement of employees at every level.”

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Zeon has confirmed its role as an official sponsor of RubberCon 2026, scheduled for 28 and 29 April in Paris. The conference is organised by AFICEP under the aegis of IRCO. The event will centre on the theme ‘Ecodesign and Rubber Innovation’, serving as a gathering for global experts spanning academia, research, manufacturing and technology sectors. This focus reflects the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainable material development and circular economy principles.

Through its sponsorship, the company underscores its commitment to sustainable solutions, innovation and international knowledge exchange. Zeon anticipates engaging with industry professionals to explore new approaches and contribute to meaningful sector progress.

“By sponsoring RubberCon 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to driving forward sustainable solutions, fostering innovation and supporting the international exchange of knowledge and best practices. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals, discovering new approaches and contributing to meaningful progress within our sector,” read the company statement.

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