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.”

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”