The praised solution has been in use at Eurl Saterex-Iris in Algeria since autumn 2019. Eurl Saterex-Iris is the third biggest tyre manufacturing plant in Africa, serving both local and export markets. The modern plant was mainly designed and constructed by Black Donuts Engineering and its international partner network. Black Donuts is also responsible for production management, which applies the core principles of Lean Management and focuses on reducing the interim stocks to the bare minimum according to the pull method. To enhance this, the company developed an RFID-based electronic eKanban solution together with Toptunniste.

“The eKanban project started from a need to improve production management. The first acute challenge we met was the lack of adequate and accurate information on the overall production status,” Solution Manager Aki Nurminen recalls.

Originally, there were nine Kanban boards located all over the two-floor factory. One had to check each board manually, so it took time and effort to capture a complete view of the production status.

Another deficit concerned the insufficient information provided on manufacturing schedules. The old Kanban boards did not give enough information on when certain materials were supposed to be in production.

The returned cards included no accurate time markings, so it was hard to stay updated, notice stock alerts and to respond on time.

Real-time production status

New technology was needed to solve the problem. It became clear that initiating remote monitoring would require electronic boards instead of the traditional ones. Black Donuts contacted another Finnish technology company, Toptunniste, to present the idea and search for a way to actualise it. The solution was simple: adding RFID features to an existing Kanban board would upgrade it to a more accurate, more informative, and easy-to-use eKanban board. Next, the old cards were replaced by RFID tagged cards, readable through RFID technology.

Now, all nine eKanban boards are online in Saterex’s internal data system and easily monitored from any computer. Consequently, an up-to-date overall view of the entire production is now always at hand.

The eKanban solution enables better and real-time tracking of overall production status and enhances the supervision of production processes.

It adds the time markings automatically to each card on return, keeps account, and establishes automatic triggers to replenish stock when predefined minimums are reached for each inventory item.

The system also calculates and presents the estimated time left before reaching the pre-defined minimum of each item in the downstream processes. This is the lens that helps us prioritize and schedule the production runs.

Optimised processes

The new eKanban boards were taken into use at Saterex tyre plant in fall 2019. For the users operating in the production lines, the new solution has not brought any changes in their daily routines, but the Kanban boards are used the same way as before. For the supervisors and factory management, the new system enables a remote and real-time view of the production status through a web interface.

The new solution helps in prioritizing the tasks and shortens the reaction time to different problems arising in production. eKanban is also a great planning tool, as it gives us a complete process overview, Aki explains.

The eKanban system gets all the production information it needs straight from the company’s MES, where the daily consumption levels of each process, as well as the minimum and maximum storage levels, are defined. Separate eKanban views, visualizing the interim storage levels, can be reviewed through MES which enables effective inventory management.

The eKanban solution is designed for tracking the production, not to automatically assign anything. It is always the team, the people, who make the decisions based on the information they receive. However, the solution helps to improve tracking and optimizing operations, Aki says.

Advanced work management

Moreover, the eKanban solution enhances work management.

Compared to manual Kanban systems, eKanban gives additional information on storage unit rotations, events and even stock rotation history. It is valuable information for both follow-ups and for managing transportation activities and best working methods. Earlier, the material transportation could idle, and the return of cards to the Kanban boards be irregular, which caused various scheduling challenges, stockouts and unexpected changes in demand.

It was nearly impossible to find the root cause for problems and consequently improve it. Thanks to the digitised solution, we can now track every event, which supports work development and feedback giving.

While the manual Kanban boards already gave a good boost for companies in optimizing production, the new eKanban solution brings monitoring, tracking and optimizing to a remarkably higher level.

eKanban is an excellent example of how we can improve proven old methods during digital transformation.

eKanban was designed to add a remarkable value to the supply chain support operations. This was accomplished by optimizing cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and the movement of materials. Currently, Aki’s team is already developing the next generation eKanban solution, one without any physical cards or printed labels and boards. This will serve the needs of the highest automation solutions, which require visual identification instead of manual labelling or printed cards.

The operators do not even need to touch the storage units anymore, but the Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) completes the visual identification. Electronic Shelf Label is automatically updated during the manufacturing processes and events referring to RFID identifications and data communication. This way, the labels are never missing, old or wrong, and they are readable in all occasions and all the time, Aki explains.

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Webfleet, the fleet management arm of Bridgestone, used the IAA Transportation event to introduce its Commercial Trip Monitor, a free online benchmarking tool that assesses how easily vans and trucks move through 32 major European cities. Initial results suggest operating conditions are growing tougher in numerous urban centres.

The monitor refreshes monthly, drawing on anonymised, aggregated commercial vehicle data to track shifts in fleet operating conditions over time. Because it examines repeat business journeys rather than general traffic, it offers operators and city stakeholders a clearer picture of where urban operations are improving or deteriorating. Even minor changes in reach or idling can reduce productivity, raise fuel use and increase emissions.

Two core metrics underpin the platform. The 15-Minute Reach metric shows how far a typical van or truck travels in a fixed quarter-hour, with higher scores indicating greater distance covered. Idling Intensity measures the share of a journey spent stationary with the engine running, where a higher percentage signals more wasted time. Users can rank cities, compare performance and follow trends.

Early 2026 data revealed sharp contrasts. Zaragoza, Apeldoorn and Utrecht posted the strongest average 15-Minute Reach rankings, while Berlin, Paris and Kraków were the most difficult. Poland was the only country where every analysed city improved year-on-year while idling stayed stable or fell. Rome and Milan improved on reach, yet Milan recorded Europe’s highest Idling Intensity at 21 percent, against Paris’s 16 percent. Berlin finished last overall, with Munich, Leipzig and Hamburg covering 4.4 percent, 4.3 percent and 3.3 percent less ground respectively than in 2025. Users can also examine trip volumes, distance, CO₂ emissions, fuel consumption and local conditions.

Webfleet developed the methodology with mobility intelligence specialist Mobito, leveraging over 25 years of fleet experience and one of Europe’s largest connected vehicle ecosystems.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “The Webfleet Commercial Trip Monitor provides a clearer picture of urban mobility through the lens of fleet operations. Commercial vehicles do not experience cities the way commuters and consumers do. They follow different routes, operate under different regulations, make multiple stops and load and unload. When conditions change due to congestion, roadworks, low-emission zones, regulation or major events, fleet businesses often feel the impact first. Even relatively small changes can affect productivity, operating costs, fuel use and emissions.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) strengthened its ties with the worldwide rubber sector by attending the 12th International Rubber Glove Conference & Exhibition (IRGCE) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, which ran from 8 to 10 September 2026. With ‘Synergising Innovation: Redefine the Future of Rubber Glove Ecosystem’ as its theme, the gathering drew together manufacturers, technologists, industry leaders and other players from around the world.

Their discussions revolved around innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth across the rubber glove ecosystem. Dr Suttipong Angthong, ANRPC Secretary-General, addressed the plenary session ‘Economic Synergies and Sustainable Initiatives for the Glove Ecosystem’, delivering a presentation titled ‘Navigating the Global Natural Rubber Outlook’. His remarks covered major trends affecting the world natural rubber market and what they mean for glove producers.

Dr Angthong and Dr Lekshmi Nair of ANRPC also used the event's sidelines for high-level talks with international partners. With the Latin American Rubber Association (SLTC), the focus was on possible Asian-Latin American cooperation among natural rubber-producing nations, especially sharing knowledge and building capacity through experiences and best practices. A joint session with the China Synthetic Rubber Industry Association (CSRIA) pinpointed areas for collaboration in both natural and synthetic rubber, such as exchanging data and publications and taking part in one another's events.

Talks with TechnoBiz centred on possible partnerships for organising rubber industry events alongside programmes in ANRPC member countries. Altogether, the engagements confirmed ANRPC's dedication to international cooperation, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships, creating new openings with partners across Asia and Latin America.

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Hankook Tire has secured a multi-year original equipment agreement with Schmitz Cargobull, Europe’s foremost trailer manufacturer. The arrangement commenced on 1 July 2026 and will continue through June 2030, marking Hankook’s re-entry into the European commercial vehicle tyre original equipment market.

Under the deal, Schmitz Cargobull will fit Hankook trailer tyres ex-works on a portion of its newly built semi-trailers and trailers. The tyre range encompasses the Smart Line series for long-distance haulage, Smart Flex for regional and local distribution and Smart Work for off-road construction applications.

(From left): Andreas Schmitz, CEO, Schmitz Cargobull AG, and Jongho Park, President and COO, Hankook Tire Europe

The agreement also extends to the used-trailer segment. Schmitz Cargobull produces curtainsiders, dry freight containers, refrigerated semi-trailers, container chassis and tippers across three German plants plus facilities in Great Britain, Spain, Lithuania, Romania and Turkey.

Jongho Park, President and COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “The development of the European logistics market opens up new potential for close partnerships in the commercial vehicle tyre segment, which is increasingly important to us from a strategic perspective. As an industry leader, Schmitz Cargobull has particularly high standards in terms of quality, performance, efficiency and sustainability. We are proud that our tyres meet all these criteria and are delighted about the strategic partnership.”

Andreas Schmitz, CEO, Schmitz Cargobull, said, “With Hankook, we are gaining a capable partner whose high-quality tyres are the perfect complement to our portfolio. In addition to the product qualities, reliability of supply for our European production sites was an important consideration. The agreement will enable us to offer the right tyre solutions for different applications, whether long-distance transport, regional transport or use on construction sites, while also taking into consideration our customers’ requirements for cost-effectiveness and operational reliability.”

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Pirelli will bring the E1089 soft-compound development front tyre to Moto2 riders for the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend. The tyre, which debuted at Aragón and drew positive feedback, shares the SC1's structure but uses a different compound. At the Red Bull Ring, with its many braking zones and heavy decelerations, the E1089 could deliver greater stability, especially under braking. The range SC1 completes the front allocation, allowing riders to compare both options directly.

For the rear, Pirelli is confirming last year's allocation, offering the SCX supersoft. In 2024, as the E0126 development specification, it won both qualifying and the race. The range SC0 soft serves as the alternative, also present at the Red Bull Ring last year as a development solution and potentially useful if temperatures drop.

In Moto3, both axles will have the SC1 soft and SC2 medium compounds. In 2025, Argentina's Valentin Perrone (KTM) took Saturday's pole and Sunday's victory using the SC2 front and SC1 rear, the latter unanimously selected by the entire grid, while the two front options were chosen equally.

The Red Bull Ring is atypical, just over four kilometres long with only 11 corners, eight right and three left. Its layout demands braking stability, strong corner entry and good traction out of slow corners. The asphalt generally offers low grip with limited wear, and weather could matter greatly, as this year's race falls in early autumn rather than mid-August, meaning potentially lower temperatures.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “The Austrian Grand Prix represents a further opportunity to continue the development work on Moto2™ front tyres, which began in Aragón and continued at Misano. On a track that differs significantly from MotorLand Aragón, with severe braking, strong acceleration and few high-speed corners, we will once again make the E1089 soft front specification available. This will allow us to broaden its evaluation and continue the comparison with the range SC1. The objective is to gather further data and feedback that will be useful for the development of this solution.

“At the rear, we are confirming last year’s allocation with the SCX, which also originated as a development tyre. Introduced in 2025 as the E0126 specification and subsequently added to the range, it is now the category benchmark. If weather conditions are favourable, it will be interesting to assess the performance gains compared with last season, both over a flying lap and across race distance. In the event of lower temperatures, riders will also have the range SC0 soft at their disposal, which was introduced at the Red Bull Ring in 2025 as the E0125 development solution. The Austrian event will also be particularly relevant looking ahead. On the Monday following the race, the Spielberg circuit will host a private test session dedicated to the tyres that will be used by the premier class next season, providing an important opportunity to continue data collection and development work ahead of Pirelli’s debut as the World Championship single tyre supplier.”

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