Goodyear is set to field its most ambitious endurance racing effort to date at this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. A total of 44 cars spread across the LMGT3 and LMP2 classes will take on the famous French circuit, all riding on Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres. The event marks a significant milestone for the tyre manufacturer as it supplies nearly three-quarters of the entire starting grid.

In the LMGT3 category, all 25 entrants will rely on the familiar Goodyear Racing Eagle medium compound in dry conditions, switching to a specially developed wet tyre when rain arrives. For the 19 LMP2 machines, competitors from series such as the European Le Mans Series and their counterparts in North America and Asia will have access to an updated Eagle medium slick. That tyre first appeared at Le Castellet last season before making a strong impression at La Sarthe a month later.

Tyre management is expected to shape race strategy across both highly competitive classes. Goodyear engineers point to the possibility of some drivers completing up to four consecutive stints on a single set of slicks, a distance roughly equal to two Formula 1 Grands Prix. With regulations capping any single driver’s continuous running at four hours, equivalent to around 44 laps or 600 kilometres, last year’s dry conditions saw teams in both categories exceed that distance on one set of tyres.

More than 7,000 tyres and a team of over 100 specialists, including fitters, engineers and support staff, have been deployed to manage Goodyear’s largest endurance racing operation. Each entry receives a dedicated track support engineer. Above the circuit, the Goodyear Blimp will offer aerial experiences for guests and media, while a fan zone on the ground showcases the link between racing and the brand’s Eagle tyre range. Goodyear Racing Eagles are also competing this weekend at Pocono Raceway in NASCAR and at Bristol Dragway for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “Le Mans presents challenges unlike anything else in endurance racing because conditions constantly change across the 24 hours. Teams often face huge swings in track and ambient temperatures between day and night, while safety cars and slow zones can cool tyres before drivers are thrown straight back into racing speeds.

“Our Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compounds have been developed to have a very wide operating window, giving drivers of varying ability levels confidence throughout the race and across changing conditions. This year we could see teams running up to four consecutive stints on a single set of tyres, meaning our tyres will be able to last longer than the regulations allow drivers to stay in the car.

“Goodyear is proud to be an intrinsic part of one of motorsport’s true jewels in the crown. We always aim to put on a show for fans both on and off-track, and the extreme challenges of Le Mans provide a true opportunity for Goodyear to demonstrate its technology and expertise to a global audience.”

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Kuraray America, Inc. marked National STEM Day on 8 November by spotlighting a community educational event that brought together 15 of its volunteers and students from the Houston Japanese Supplementary School at San Jacinto College for a day of hands-on exploration and discovery.

Participants engaged in activities illustrating how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) converge in chemical manufacturing. Experiments with superabsorbent polymer beads explored chemistry and material properties, while a tour of the college’s facilities introduced industrial equipment. Students also learned about water filtration and distillation processes and how mathematical concepts underpin scientific and engineering applications.

One student showed particular interest in the distillation tower, linking the experience to the Kuraray Group’s contributions to everyday life and its mission of achieving for people and the planet what no one else can. The event also benefited KAI volunteers, who shared technical knowledge, exchanged perspectives and learned alongside potential future scientists and engineers.

Kuraray America thanked Reiko Fuwa and Tomohiro Tani for coordinating the visit, Hans Vandommele for sharing his expertise and all 15 KAI volunteers. The company also expressed appreciation to San Jacinto College for facility access and to the Houston Japanese Supplementary School students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.

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Liberty Tire Recycling attended the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, held from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The automotive aftermarket event, one of the industry's largest, drew over 160,000 attendees from the automotive, tyre and transportation sectors to review new products, technologies and business opportunities.

The Lakin Tire brand, a consistent SEMA exhibitor, once again used the show to reinforce industry relationships and present Liberty's tyre collection, recycling and sustainable resource management capabilities. Personnel from Grade/Used Tires, Commercial Truck Tires, Metals, Recycling and Collection, together with corporate and regional leadership, met customers, suppliers and industry professionals from around the world.

The booth received existing and prospective customers from numerous tyre and automotive segments during the week. Costco Wholesale Corporate Office, United Tires and UTU Wholesale were among the organisations that stopped by to examine Liberty Tire's products, services and nationwide reach. The company viewed the event as an effective forum for monitoring emerging market trends and demonstrating its position in recycling and sustainability, alongside its focus on innovation, workforce development and circular economy principles.

A memorable moment came when a high school shop teacher and students, attending through a special educator programme, toured the booth to learn about tyre recycling and industry operations. Liberty team members provided industry insights, outlined career pathways and acknowledged educators' contribution to developing future skilled trades professionals, supplying tyre inflation gauges for classroom use.

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Laufenn, Hankook's associate brand, earned a ‘Good’ ratingwith an overall score of 2.2 for its G Fit 4S in the Auto Bild Allrad all-season SUV tyre test published on 8 October 2026 (issue 41). The tyre competed credibly against 11 rivals from established premium marques, finishing competitively in a 12-strong field.

Wet handling proved a particular strength, with the G Fit 4S collecting the second-highest rating shared with other models. Aquaplaning resistance also impressed, as the tyre held its line until stability began to fade at roughly 100 kmph (62 mph). In snow, it recorded the third-shortest braking distance, matching two other contenders.

Testing spanned snow, wet and dry disciplines, each weighted equally in the final ranking, with a third-generation MINI Countryman serving as the test vehicle. Snow assessments were carried out in New Zealand, while European venues hosted the wet and dry evaluations. The jury's conclusion underscored Laufenn's value-focused positioning, finding the G Fit 4S a solid option for cost-conscious buyers.

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Tyres Europe has underscored that tyres qualify as fully recyclable under ISO 22628:2002 and UN Regulation No. 133, describing the established methodology as a robust foundation for assessing tyre recyclability. The organisation recently set out its position on the matter.

The distinction between recyclability and actual recycling rates is central to the group's argument. Recyclability refers to the technical potential of a product and its materials to be recycled, while the real rate hinges on treatment capacity and demand for secondary raw materials. Regulatory frameworks should therefore separate the two concepts clearly and align with an internationally recognised standard.

Tyres consist of rubber compounds, chemical additives and reinforcing textile and steel cords, and at end of life they are separated into rubber, textile and steel fractions, all of which existing mechanical or chemical routes can recycle. Mechanical processing yields rubber granules and powders usable as secondary raw materials across many applications, recovered textiles can be further processed and valorised, and cleaned recovered steel can re-enter metal recycling and steelmaking.

Tyres Europe pledged continued cooperation with policymakers and value-chain partners to strengthen circularity and maximise recovery of valuable tyre materials in Europe, with the full paper available on its website.

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