European replacement tyre demand was broadly stable in the third quarter of 2025, although overall volumes remain weaker than last year as economic softness and rising imports continue to weigh on the market, according to new figures from Tyres Europe.

The industry association said sales across the consumer segment — which includes passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles — were flat in the quarter and down slightly in the first nine months of the year. Adam McCarthy, Secretary-General of Tyres Europe, said: “Tyre markets were generally stable in the third quarter of 2025, although demand in the Truck & Bus tyre segment remained weak. Data for the first three quarters shows tyre volumes generally lower than the same period in 2024.”

The data point to an ongoing shift in consumer purchasing patterns. Sales of summer car tyres declined, while demand for all-season and winter products continued to rise. McCarthy added that “demand for car tyres is clearly shifting from summer tyres toward all-season and winter products”.

Truck and bus tyres recorded a sharper downturn. Third-quarter declines followed similar weakness earlier in the year, reflecting subdued freight activity and stronger competition from imports. Year-to-date sales fell about 1 percent. McCarthy noted that the segment’s performance “reflect[s] subdued economic activity across the region and an increase in imported tyres”.

Agricultural tyre volumes remained well below pre-pandemic levels, though quarterly figures were broadly stable. Moto and scooter tyres showed modest growth.

The update highlights significant changes in the region’s import landscape. Imports of passenger car and light truck tyres into the EU27 and UK rose 10 percent in the first eight months of 2025, although growth slowed sharply after a strong end to 2024 and early 2025. China retained a dominant market share of more than 70 percent, but Vietnam’s exports expanded rapidly from a low base, exceeding volumes from India. Truck and bus tyre imports increased nearly 14 percent, with Thailand and Vietnam accounting for more than half of extra-European shipments. China lost share and fell to third place.

Underlying mobility trends also point to a mixed recovery in tyre usage. Miles travelled by light vehicles across Europe are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025, but car mileage in Western Europe will not fully recover until 2026 or later, according to the analysis. Truck mileage remains closely tied to GDP growth but has lagged behind owing to efficiency gains, larger vehicles and structural shifts in the European economy.

The report also emphasised regulatory barriers that continue to affect the recycling sector. Tyres Europe and Recycling Europe repeated their call for harmonised EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria for rubber derived from end-of-life tyres. “Standardised End-of-Waste criteria will boost demand for high-quality secondary raw materials and reduce dependence on virgin resources,” said McCarthy.

Tyres Europe represents 13 manufacturers whose global sales account for 70 per cent of the worldwide tyre market and collectively operate more than 70 production sites and over 20 research centres in Europe. The sector supports almost 500,000 jobs across the EU.

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Eurogrip Tyres, a prominent two- and three-wheeler tyre brand under TVS Srichakra Ltd., recently orchestrated a strategic trade engagement initiative in Mumbai. The event served as a platform to underscore the brand’s distinct European engineering heritage and to showcase its newly introduced, Europe-inspired product lineup, reinforcing its commitment to advanced mobility solutions.

Silvio Montanari, the Head of Design and R&D based in Milan, steered the session, offering a comprehensive overview of the company's foundational product development strategies. He elaborated on emerging tyre technologies and the robust engineering frameworks that underpin Eurogrip’s international portfolio while also updating trade partners on the pivotal innovations poised to define future tyre generations and address shifting rider demographics.

Concurrently, Eurogrip is executing an aggressive expansion of its distribution and retail footprint nationwide. This growth strategy ensures that its diverse range, encompassing radial, adventure, touring and commuter tyres, is now readily accessible to consumers across every region of India, thereby solidifying its market presence.

T K Ravi, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Eurogrip Tyres, said, "Today, Eurogrip is recognised globally as a specialist in 2‑wheeler tyres, and our premium range has found strong acceptance among biking communities in India and abroad. It is a privilege to bring our Milan team to India to demonstrate the engineering and technology behind our products. This engagement gives our trade partners the technical insights and market updates they need to better serve customers and riders, and they pave the way for a wider roll‑out of our Europe‑benchmarked products in India.”

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Cabot Corporation has officially released its 2026 Sustainability Report, which details the company’s environmental, social and governance performance throughout the 2025 calendar year. The document serves as a comprehensive account of the organisation’s measurable outcomes, culminating in the final assessment of its previous five-year sustainability strategy.

By the conclusion of 2025, the speciality chemicals firm had successfully achieved 14 of its 15 original sustainability targets established in 2020. Eleven of these objectives were completed ahead of the projected timeline, effectively fulfilling the company’s ambition to embed sustainable practices more deeply into its operational framework and corporate systems.

Looking forward, Cabot has transitioned to its newly established 2030 Sustainability Goals, which concentrate on six priority areas deemed most significant to its business model. Early progress includes a collaborative effort with the International Carbon Black Association to create a standardised lifecycle assessment methodology for furnace carbon black. The company intends to develop a certified internal tool for tracking product carbon footprints across its entire portfolio. Additionally, an initiative at the Franklin, Louisiana, facility has converted synthetic gypsum into a cement ingredient, slashing site landfill waste by 87 percent and contributing to a 70 percent global reduction in non-hazardous waste disposal.

The 2026 report has been prepared in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and supports Cabot’s ongoing participation in the United Nations Global Compact. These disclosures mark a significant step in the company's continuing journey toward greater transparency and industrial responsibility.

Sean Keohane, President and CEO, said, “Sustainability is embedded in how we operate and underpins our purpose of creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. I am immensely proud of the unwavering commitment of our teams across the globe as we close out our 2025 Sustainability Goals while making headway on our next key priorities, delivering meaningful impact today and for future generations. As we advance in our efforts, we remain focused on strengthening the integration between our sustainability agenda and our Creating for Tomorrow strategy, ensuring sustainability remains a catalyst for value creation and differentiation.”

Jennifer Chittick, Senior Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) and Government Affairs, and Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “As we conclude our 2025 Sustainability Goals, we are entering the next chapter of our sustainability journey with momentum and clear direction. Building on our strong foundation of safety, innovation and operational excellence, we are making measurable progress towards our targeted 2030 Sustainability Goals through initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint and strengthen our overall impact across our value chain. Through collaboration, process optimisation and strategic investments in technology, I am confident that we will continue to advance our commitments and deliver long-term results for our stakeholders worldwide.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, spearheaded an environmental education initiative at Lampari School-Lyceum on 8 May 2026. The programme targeted seventh through ninth-grade students, focusing on the interconnected themes of sustainable development, transportation and energy consumption under the theme ‘A Sustainable Future: Environment, Transportation and Energy’.

The session moved beyond traditional lectures, employing interactive presentations and hands-on activities to engage the young audience. Core topics covered included resource efficiency, waste management strategies and the significance of renewable energy sources, alongside an exploration of individual environmental responsibility. A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the Extended Producer Responsibility system, clarifying its mechanisms and vital function in safeguarding the environment.

The event’s interactive nature was underscored by a series of educational games and team challenges that saw enthusiastic participation from the students. To mark their involvement and completion of the programme, each participant received certificates and symbolic gifts, recognising their engagement with the material.

Established in 2022, Tegeta Green Planet stands as a pioneering authorised organisation in Georgia, operating under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s EPR framework. The entity manages the complete lifecycle of used tyres, oils and batteries, adhering to circular economy principles. This school visit forms part of an ongoing series of educational meetings designed to cultivate an environmentally conscious generation and instil a culture of stewardship, which both organisations consider essential for long-term ecological sustainability.

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Continental’s presence at the 2026 Tour de France will be notably pronounced, with the German manufacturer supplying road bike tyres to six competing teams. From 4th to 26th July, more than a quarter of the peloton will rely on tyres produced at Continental’s Korbach plant in Hesse. Over the three-week event, the company will provide over 1,000 tyres, all manufactured and tested at the German facility.

The six teams utilising Continental rubber are Groupama-FDJ United, UAE Team Emirates – XRG, Movistar Team, Bahrain-Victorious, Decathlon CMA CGM and Uno-X Mobility. Teams have access to four tyre models for different stage conditions. The Grand Prix 5000 S TR serves as the primary option, offering balanced rolling resistance, puncture defence and weight.

For wet weather, the all-season Grand Prix 5000 AS TR provides superior grip. Time trial specialists favour the lightweight Grand Prix 5000 TT TR, while the Aero 111 tyre handles windy stages with its aerodynamic tread pattern. All models are tubeless-ready, allowing sealant to seal small punctures automatically.

Continental’s involvement extends beyond bicycles, as over 70 support vehicles and 30 motorbikes will use Continental tyres. As an official main partner, Continental will present stage winners with their trophies. The tyres are commercially available, allowing recreational cyclists to purchase the same products used by professionals.

The company develops tyres using both laboratory data and racing feedback. Test rigs measure rolling resistance and durability, while professional riders provide handling data under extreme conditions. Hannah Ferle, Continental’s product expert, has noted that racing exposes tyres to conditions impossible to replicate in the lab, and these insights directly inform product development.

Balancing low weight, high grip, low rolling resistance and puncture protection remains a central challenge. Continental addresses this through rubber compounding and reinforcing layers beneath the tread. Since the first Tour in 1903, average speeds have risen from 25 to over 40 kilometres per hour, reflecting ongoing technological evolution.

Ferle said, “The trust placed in us by the six teams is both an honour and an incentive. The Tour is decided by the smallest details: on every stage, in every kind of weather and on every surface. That is why we put so much time and effort into developing our tyres in close collaboration with the professional racing teams. And ultimately, recreational riders benefit as well.”

Pelayo Sánchez, a rider on the Movistar team, said, “Sometimes a race is decided by a fraction of a second. To focus on our legs, we need to be able to rely on tyres that deliver top performance at all times.”

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