How will the collaboration with Michelin influence the future of the company? What vision do the companies share?

Michelin evaluated our recovered carbon black material in 2016. Since then, they have made significant testing of quite large volumes of our material over time to evaluate its consistency and quality. This is probably the most important parameter for any tyre manufacturer to use recovered carbon black. The interest in the technology itself started to grow as they saw that the performance of the recovered carbon black material was quite impressive. Over time, they started doing due diligence on the technology during those years. We intensified the negotiations in the early stages of 2020 and finally entered into a partnership agreement in April where Michelin invested 20 percent in Enviro. But, that was only one part of the partnership we envisioned. We also had, from the beginning, discussions about how we can provide the technology as a part of their solution to build a business model around mining tyres. This way, they could also offer their mining customers a solution for the recovery of the mining tyres. In that aspect, we negotiated regarding a joint plant project we are currently building in the Antofagasta region of Chile. We are also preparing the permitting for a plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, of 60,000-tonne ELT capacity for car and truck tyres.

In addition to that, we evaluate different technology experiences from both sides where we contribute with our experience in pyrolysis and treating end-of-life tyres in a professional way. Michelin is contributing with their extensive knowledge about developing and innovation into industrial capacity plants. What we have is a very intense collaboration on a more or less daily basis.

Going forward, we see that Michelin has a strategic ambition to replace up to 100 percent of the materials in the tyres with sustainable alternatives. Carbon black is one of the materials where we think that quite large volumes can be replaced over time. They're also involved in replacement and development of different types of oils in the tyres. From Michelin’s side, I think they have a wider interest in the recovery of all the materials in the tyres. This also aligns with our interest since we are recovering tyre pyrolysis oil and doing that quite successfully. We expect more plans in collaboration with Michelin in one way or another. Their investment in our company and the clear engagement in showing the market that they're using our material in motorcycle racing tyres in Moto E and in performance tyres for racing cars is helping us to get the acknowledgement in the market. This is important for our growth and our expansion plan.

How are you matching the quality and consistency of the recovered carbon black to virgin carbon black? Can you also please elaborate on the collaboration with AnvaPolytech, where Enviro completely replaced virgin carbon black used in Volvo's rubber components back in 2015?

We are using our patented batch process, which is a fixed batch process. The technology that we are using was developed for over 20 years to maintain control of the pyrolysis process. We can make sure that the result of the pyrolysis in the material is consistent, which means that we are not creating new carbon, as you easily do when you have a continuous process, and we are making sure that the pyrolysis process has evaporated all the volatiles out of the carbon fraction. This is very important and we control this with the system in multiple parameters that we measure during the process. We also have a significant quality control system downstream. So, in the post process of the pyrolysis, we do multiple quality checks. Before each shipment, we have ASTM standard controls for about 10 different parameters where we compare to the industry ASTM standard normally used for carbon black. There are a few ASTM measurements used for virgin carbon black that are not applicable for all recovered carbon black products, but the majority of the tests can be similar and we keep a very high consistency there. This is also one of the main achievements of the company since January 2016. We made the first commercial delivery to AnvaPolytech and they are a rubber component supplier to Volvo Cars. They have been involved with us before the commercial deliveries in the research and development of the material for rubber components. They were also involved in lots of different types of testing, where meeting the automotive standard for EPDM rubber components was a very significant part, and also got the final approval from Volvo Cars to replace the material. Since 2016, we have replaced 100 percent carbon black in those components with our material. I think it's now more than 100 million components delivered from Anva to Volvo Cars.

The gas produced during the pyrolysis process is used to fuel the machinery itself. Is there a commercial value for the gas in this market and are you exploring those business verticals?

It is a very valid question; we are producing new pyrolysis gas, and in the process, we condense out the oil, but there will be a fraction of gas that is not condensable. That gas is the excess gas that we use for the next pyrolysis phase. In our current plant at Åsensbruk, we use the excess gas and part of the oil to power the main process and the post process for heating purposes. In the new plants we will be building, for instance, one in Sweden, we plan to start production in the fourth quarter of 2023, where we will use green energy from wind, solar, water and waste to provide energy. In this case, the excess gas will be used only to heat the dryer system in the post process. Does it have a commercial value? I think some markets do; it might be used also in-turn to produce energy or electricity, but at the moment, this is not something that we are exploring further in detail.

The company recently received two ISCC certifications, one for the pyrolysis oil and the other for the carbon black. What were the challenges in earning the certifications and are there any other benchmarks that you're targeting for any other product in the future?

We are very proud to be the first to achieve the certification for the recovered carbon black. It is an important step for both the certification and for us as a company. We are already seeing some of the players in the tyre industry looking to certify according to ISCC now. This means that there will be a higher value in connection to using that type of material. There are always challenges with being certified and the most challenging maybe is to follow the certification requirements in terms of how, when and where to measure. We need to make sure that this is something that we can live up to when we are audited annually. We must also commit resources and capabilities to do this. We also needed to involve our supplier of tyre material, which, in Sweden, are Ragn-Sells. They are also audited by the certifier.

Enviro was evaluating business prospects in India. What is the current status of opening a full-size plant? Pyrolysis is banned in India across almost all states by the pollution board, and we're seeing various companies being ordered to shut down plants. Where does Enviro fit in and what are the developments?

Yes, we have been conducting meetings together with the Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish Export Organization, Business Sweden and a few other organisations including India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator and Confederation of Indian Industry in India. We have been exploring the Indian market for many multiple axles, and during the last two years, we are meeting with all the major tyre producers, both local and international. We are meeting with oil companies downstream who are potential customers for oil. We are meeting with waste treatment and tyre treatment companies locally and also making presentations to most local governments. However, we feel it is a bit too early for us to enter India on a more massive basis.

We have decided strategically that we will start with Europe followed by probably the US in the next phase. I think that will help India to monitor what is happening with the technology and how it can be a part of the system in those markets. We can then use that as a showcase for creating a sustainable and long-term system for the Indian market. We hope that this display of the system will be appreciated by the players in India to implement and also be some kind of inspiration to make that happen. In regards to pyrolysis being banned, I think it's probably a very correct decision because the pyrolysis technologies that we have seen being used in India are mainly Chinese versions where the environmental 360-degree impact has not really been considered. I think it was a very necessary decision.

The system for import and collecting for the pyrolysis industry was not really in place at that moment. But I think we can showcase together with a few of our peers in the European market that batch pyrolysis process and pyrolysis in general can be made with a very sustainable and safe technology with the highest possible emission control systems. We are hoping that by setting an example in Europe and showing both the technology and the system, maybe we will enter India in the next five years.

What are some of the constraints that you see in entering the Indian market?

I think one constraint that we are struggling with – mainly in Europe, but also in other markets – is that end-of-life tyres are viewed purely as waste materials. To really get our authorities and government regulators to understand that we are making a transition of waste materials into something that can sustainably replace fossil resources is a challenge. We are in the right direction. ISCC certification is one step.

Reach of the materials is another step. I think that transition to get aligned with the current legislation in many countries is still a hurdle. Even if it's improving, making this kind of large transition of an industry that is not really present at the moment requires financial support. Financial investors need to be willing to take a little bit of a risk to make the industry change as rapidly as it needs to. It's not enough for the tyre industry if there is one company able to provide the small volume to the market; they need multiple suppliers and large volumes to replace larger volumes of virgin material. The volume is a constraint itself. We hope, together with Michelin and other parties that we're working with, to provide larger volumes in the coming 10 years. Our ambition is to establish at least 30 plants globally in the coming decade. We also hope that our competitors are also successful in India.

What potential do you see in the Indian market, being one of the biggest automotive markets in the world, in terms of government support or the infrastructure for the products Enviro produces?

One of the opportunities is the growing automotive market. There is also a foundation of industry there in India for a long time. There is a tradition to produce tyres with a lot of knowledge, research and development around tyres and rubber materials, which I think is a very interesting potential itself. The competence around the materials in India is significant. I think the size of the market itself is an opportunity. If you choose to see the immaturity of the collection system as an opportunity, which I do, I think there is a lot of potential to establish from ground-up, a workable system with different stakeholders where I think local and national government needs to play a role, but it needs to be still on market conditions. I think the model that we will be showcasing in Europe will be attractive for both the government and local private stakeholders like the tyre industry and rubber industry.

In a broader sense, what is the future for the company and what are your goals? What are you excited about?

There are very clear targets from the tyre industry since they are consuming more than 70 to 80 percent of the carbon black material in the world. We have very clear targets for replacing fossil-originated materials with recovered or sustainable materials. We are very excited about the volume potential we see there. We have started to take steps in that direction with multiple tyre producers. The regulation in Europe and other countries to reduce the fossil content in oil products and chemical products is very positive for us. ISCC is a very important tool for the market to implement recovered and bio-based materials which have tax incentives. These enable us to launch our expansion plan, which, as I mentioned, is for the next 10 years to open 30 plants globally. We are excited that we are now in the position to work in establishing one plant with Michelin in Chile and in parallel a plant in Sweden with more or less the same time scheduled to start production. In the pipeline, we have several very interesting projects building up.

Are there other manufacturers or automotive players that are satisfied with the level of quality in your recovered carbon black? Are there any projects in the pipeline?

We have seen the interest significantly increasing in suppliers to the automotive industries and to other core manufacturers since we got the ISCC certificate for our products. But I think that we could better market what we have achieved together with Volvo in order to really get the other car brands into using more of our material. I think we have some homework to do there, because what we do is too little known to them at the moment. So there is work to be done there. We know we can achieve it. We should focus on letting them know what we can do. We are working with some other automotive manufacturers not only for the recovered carbon black but also to help them achieve their zero-emission objectives. So that could be related to oil, carbon black, steel and potentially other materials such as carbon fibre, for instance. (MT)

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Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres emerged as the central strategic battleground in the LMGT3 class during the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The Italian circuit’s notably smooth asphalt led to unexpectedly low tyre degradation across the six-hour race, which allowed teams to experiment with varied tactical plans rather than following a single, predictable approach. Under this season’s increased tyre allocation rules, teams enjoyed greater flexibility, although not every squad chose to use its full supply.

The performance and consistency of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound proved decisive, with most teams minimising pit lane time by double- or triple-stinting their tyres. However, a minority of competitors opted for a contrasting strategy, fitting fresher Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres more frequently. Crucially, the durability of the Medium compound ensured that both approaches remained competitive, resulting in a wide array of live strategies unfolding simultaneously across the LMGT3 field.

The FIA World Endurance Championship resumes with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from 7 to 9 May 2026. Over the same weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres have also been in action at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as at Donington Park for the British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “In the first half of the race, we saw several teams double stinting the unloaded left-hand side, but changing their right-hand side tyres at every stop. But as the race progressed, some teams began to double-stint both sides. This meant that teams that had only changed the right-hand side at the previous stop were onto their third stint with the left-hand tyres. Across the field, we saw some teams stop as little as five times during the race, and some as many as eight, emphasising the range of different strategies teams employed.”

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Bridgestone has reaffirmed its partnership with the Sporting Bears Motor Club by sponsoring the Golden Dream Rides competition for another year, with proceeds benefiting multiple children’s charities. The initiative builds on a collaboration first established in 2023 and underscores the company’s dedication to community-focused causes. Through this sponsorship, Bridgestone covers competition costs while also contributing directly to charitable funds.

The Sporting Bears Dream Rides offer passengers an exceptional opportunity to ride in classic or supercars in exchange for a donation, with every penny going to chosen children’s charities. Club members generously donate their vehicles, volunteer their time and cover personal expenses, ensuring that 100 percent of each donation supports those in need. To date, the club has provided more than 85,000 Dream Rides and raised over GBP 4 million, benefiting more than 400 children’s charities across the UK since its formation in 1989.

The Golden Dream Ride competition invites anyone who has engaged with Sporting Bears to share a photograph of their favourite moment with the club via official social media channels. Each month, one winner receives a Golden Dream Ride voucher redeemable for any available dream ride car at any Sporting Bears event nationwide. Beyond the contest, Bridgestone and Sporting Bears are promoting road safety as part of Bridgestone’s ‘Be a Road Safety Hero’ campaign, with volunteers conducting public tyre‑safety checks.

Sporting Bears recently announced its historic fundraising milestone at the Practical Classics Restoration Show in Birmingham. While the club is known for its presence at major events such as the two NEC classic car shows, Carfest and the British Motor Show, it also participates in more than 60 other events throughout the season. Bridgestone’s ongoing support helps sustain these activities and the broader mission of safer roads for all.

Clare Stephens, PR and Social Media Lead for Sporting Bears, said, “Our Dream Rides are all about creating unforgettable experiences while raising vital funds for children’s charities. Bridgestone’s support covers the cost of the competition, which ensures that even more money goes directly to the charities we support.”

Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager from Bridgestone, said, “We’re incredibly proud to support Sporting Bears and their Golden Dream Rides concept. It’s a fantastic initiative that brings together a passion for cars with a genuine opportunity to make a difference in local communities, whilst sharing vital tyre safety advice.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd and Italdesign are set to mark over 25 years of collaborative tyre design at Milan Design Week, running from 20 to 26 April 2026. The partnership will display key co-creations, including the Vredestein Ultrac Sessenta and the latest Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 all season tyre, which is scheduled for a summer release.

The collaboration between the Italian design house and the Vredestein brand has now reached 27 years, beginning with the 1999 debut of the Vredestein Sportrac. Designed by renowned automobile stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Sportrac introduced an asymmetric pattern that boosted its sporty appearance, setting the stage for future projects blending aesthetics with high-performance engineering.

Launched in 2006, the Ultrac Sessenta was created by Italdesign to celebrate six decades of the Vredestein brand in Enschede, the Netherlands. The tyre’s name is Italian for the number 60, a tribute to its designers. It features a distinctive tread pattern that enhances performance and handling as an ultra-high-performance summer tyre.

The latest joint effort, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, goes on sale in June. This ultra-high-performance all-season tyre incorporates a sidewall design that portrays the seasons through a seamless mix of solid and void elements, with flowing graphics hinting at leaves, snow and rain. Its overarching Passage theme reflects seasonal cycles and travel through varied conditions, while visual references to water ripples, wind and motion underscore the tyre’s advanced all-season capability.

Udyan Ghai, Head of Marking, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The partnership with Italdesign has endured because we share the same ethos regarding the union of performance and aesthetics in modern product design. Both the Ultrac Sessenta and Quatrac Pro 2 demonstrate how tyre design can enhance not only function, but also visual identity.”

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has achieved a major milestone as its BLUE RESPONSE TG tyre secured first place in the overall ranking of a tyre test conducted by Auto Motor und Sport, a premier German automotive publication. This marks the first major test victory for the summer tyre since its market introduction.

The BLUE RESPONSE TG represents the inaugural Dunlop brand summer tyre developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries specifically for the European market following the company’s acquisition of the Dunlop brand trademark in Europe, United States and Australia. Auto Motor und Sport is widely recognised for its rigorous evaluation standards regarding vehicle performance and safety, making it a highly influential medium in European tyre assessments. The publication’s circulation and technical expertise command deep trust from both automotive experts and enthusiasts.

Securing the top overall ranking in this test demonstrates the advanced technology and high level of refinement embedded in the BLUE RESPONSE TG. For safety-conscious consumers and those prioritising driving performance in the European market, the assessment results are expected to serve as a crucial reference for purchase decisions.

During the test, the BLUE RESPONSE TG in size 195/55R16 was fitted to vehicles including the Hyundai i20 and INSTER. The tyre earned high marks for delivering balanced wet and dry road performance. On wet surfaces, it stood out for grip and braking distance, while on dry roads, it excelled in handling and braking. These combined strengths led to the tyre’s overall victory. The BLUE RESPONSE TG is engineered to achieve both high-level safety and dynamic traveling performance.

Markus Bögner, President of DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “I am really delighted that the first DUNLOP tyre we designed for the European market received the highest rating in the assessment by a trusted magazine with a long history. The assessment results we obtained this time will provide a tailwind for the DUNLOP tyre business in Europe, which started on a full scale in January. We will continue to provide ‘Experiences that exceed expectations’, which is one of the brand value propositions of DUNLOP, for more customers.”

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