The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) appointed Dr Adam McCarthy joining as Secretary General, effective 1st January 2023.

Dr McCarthy replaces Fazilet Cinaralp, who has been with the association for 17 years. To ensure a smooth transition, Cinaralp will remain as Senior Advisor to the Board for the first quarter of 2023.

Dr Adam McCarthy has over 20 years of experience working in public policy and governmental affairs holding positions in both private and public sectors, and joins ETRMA from the Cobalt Institute, where he served as president.

Franco Annunziato, President of the Board of Directors of ETRMA, said, “After 17 pioneering and successful years at the helm of our Association, Fazilet Cinaralp will hand over her leadership responsibilities to Dr Adam McCarthy. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to wholeheartedly thank Fazilet for her commitment, dedication, and direction from the very start of ETRMA in 2006. She steered the association’s inception and, since then, has built it up to become the voice of the European Tyre and Rubber Industry.”

Throughout her tenure as Secretary General of ETRMA, Cinaralp has driven the association’s increased engagement with European and global decision-makers. She contributed significantly to the discourse and ensured that policies and regulations are science-based and effectively enforced. ETRMA’s contributions to furthering the sustainability, safety and efficiency of the European mobility sector have helped to deliver on the ambitious global sustainability targets.

“I have been extremely privileged to serve the tyre and rubber Industry for over three decades. In that time, I have worked closely with European Institutions, steadily creating the necessary trust and confidence between institutional and industry stakeholders to successfully face many challenges. It is now time for me and ETRMA to make a change. Although I deeply love and cherish this job, I would like to devote myself more to private matters and my family. I have no doubt I am leaving the association in safe hands and that Adam will successfully lead ETRMA members and the Industry through the emerging challenges and opportunities.”

Dr McCarthy said, “I am very excited about the opportunity given to me by ETRMA. Helping to preserve ETRMA’s culture and leading such a successful Association is a great honour and a privilege. I look forward to working with the association’s members and the Board of Directors to advance progress and increase visibility and influence for the entire Industry.”

Franco Annunziato added, “With complex challenges lying ahead, in particular the European focus on sustainable growth and digital transformation in the context of the EU Green Deal, ETRMA needs a leader with experience in engaging in the Brussels ecosystem, who will continue to make a difference in advocating on behalf of our members. I’m very pleased that Fazilet has agreed to stay with us as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors during the first quarter of 2023. With that approach, we are able secure progression in continuity for the benefit of ETRMA and its members.”

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.