Sinochem subsidiary Guilin Lanyu Aviation Tyre Co., Ltd. has obtained China Civil Aviation Technical Standards Approval (CTSOA) for its domestically produced large aircraft radial tyres, marking a significant breakthrough for China’s aviation industry.

The approval, issued recently by the Central and Southern Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, covers both main and front tyres designed specifically for China’s C919 aircraft programme.

This development represents the first time domestic civil aviation radial tyres will be equipped on Chinese-manufactured large passenger aircraft, signalling China’s growing self-reliance in critical aviation components.

The tyres feature advanced specifications, including a rated speed of 235 miles per hour and an overspeed landing capability of 250 miles per hour. They also incorporate a corrugated anti-puncture structure to enhance safety during flight operations.

Industry analysts note the remarkably swift certification process, with Guilin Lanyu securing the airworthiness certification just six months after project initiation. This demonstrates the rapid advancement of China’s civil aviation manufacturing capabilities.

Italian tyre maker Pirelli announced that Chinese state chemical giant Sinochem’s control over the company has ended.

The board majority approved the end of Sinochem's control, with 9 out of 15 directors voting in favour, citing international accounting standards. Chairman Jiao Jian and four other Chinese directors cast the five dissenting votes, while another director abstained.

“The decision regarding the absence of control of the shareholder Sinochem represents a first, but not decisive, step on the path to the necessary adjustment of company governance to regulatory constraints in the USA," the company said in a statement.

Pirelli, a key player in the high-value tyre segment, noted that the USA is crucial for developing and distributing its Cyber Tyre technology.

The company also declared its financial results for 2024. Pirelli's 2024 consolidated net profit rose 1% to €501.1 million, compared with €495.9 million in 2023. Revenue increased by 1.9% to €6,773.3 million.

The company's adjusted EBIT margin improved to 15.7 percent of sales from 15.1 percent in 2023, while the EBITDA adjusted margin rose to 22.4 percent from 21.7 percent.

Pirelli confirmed its 2025 targets despite a "high level of uncertainty surrounding US tariffs" and said it has defined a mitigation plan should the announced measures come into effect.

The company's net financial debt position decreased to €1,925.8 million at the end of 2024, down from €2,261.7 million a year earlier

Chinese tyre maker Jinyu Tire Group has completed the passenger car tyre project in Vietnam as part of its strategy to return to the passenger vehicle tyre market. The group fully commissioned the plant, which can manufacture 10 million high-performance semi-steel radial tyres annually, in a ceremony on 15 April.

Launched in January last year, the project is an expansion of Jinyu’s existing truck & bus tyre production facility in Tay Ninh province, which currently produces two million TBR tyres annually. By the second half of 2026, the factory should be scaled up to full capacity. The company expects to produce 10 million TBR and 10 million PCR tyres annually across all of its production facilities once the initiative goes into full-scale production.

After a five-year hiatus to concentrate on the development of TBR tyres, Jinyu is making a triumphant comeback to the passenger vehicle tyre market with this landmark project. The facility has a testing unit, a technical R&D centre and automated manufacturing equipment. In order to guarantee that operations are traceable and controlled, the factory additionally uses intelligent management systems like MES, RDM and LIMS for real-time data collecting and analysis.

Chang Xianxu, Chairman, Jinyu Tire, said, "The successful completion of the PCR project in Vietnam is another breakthrough for Jinyu Tire in multiple dimensions such as high-end tyre manufacturing, technology research and development, production management and international operation capabilities. This also serves as a strong testament to Jinyu Tire’s unwavering commitment to the development and application of rubber tyre technologies and services, with the mission of delivering optimal value and experience to its customers. Upon full-scale production, the project is expected to reach an annual capacity of 10 million high-performance passenger and light truck (PLT) tyres by the second half of 2026. By then, Jinyu Tire will possess a dual production capacity of 10 million units each for TBR (Truck and Bus Radial) and PLT tyres, enabling the company to better serve and meet the needs of its global customers, while helping its global partners achieve greater business scale. This reflects a deep embodiment of the company’s core value – ‘Common Interests Above All Else’.”

Leading global tyre manufacturer Nexen Tire has successfully concluded its global partnership event, 'Purple Summit 2025,' which was held in Munich, Germany, from 25 to 27 April. Following the company's recent partnership with FC Bayern München, this year's event was held in Germany for the first time. Its goal was to increase the company's presence in important global markets, including Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America.

Nexen Tire's strategic vision of increasing brand trust and providing more original equipment (OE) to international automakers is embodied by the Purple Summit. The company utilises its sponsorship of FC Bayern München as a crucial marketing tactic in addition to raising brand awareness. About 50 business partners from 24 countries attended the 2025 event to learn more about Nexen Tire's worldwide expansion strategy and market objectives. In order to have a firsthand understanding of FC Bayern München's brand values and Nexen Tire's high-end sports marketing strategy, partners also took a tour of Allianz Arena and attended a live game.

Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire, said, “The Purple Summit is an important forum for sharing Nexen Tire’s strategic vision in close collaboration with our worldwide partners. We will continue to improve brand credibility in major markets global markets and achieve long-term growth with our valued partners.”

China's Shandong Linglong Tire announced plans to invest USD 1.19 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Brazil, marking one of the largest Chinese investments in South America's automotive sector this year.

The project, located in Ponta Grossa in Brazil's southern Paraná state, will be developed through a joint venture with local distributor SUNSET S.A., with Linglong holding a 70 percent stake and the Brazilian partner taking the remaining 30 percent.

Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with full completion expected by the end of 2032 after three construction phases spanning seven years.

The new plant aims to produce 14.7 million tyres annually, including 12 million passenger car radial tyres, 2.4 million truck and bus radial tyres, and smaller volumes of engineering and retreaded tyres. The facility will also manufacture 6,000 tonnes of liquid reclaimed rubber yearly.

Linglong plans to finance the project with USD 600 million in self-funded capital and USD 593 million in bank loans. The facility will include a 35-megawatt solar power plant to support sustainable manufacturing practices.

The investment comes as Brazil's government has been actively courting foreign direct investment through various incentive programmes.

Linglong's venture partner, SUNSET S.A., reported revenue of USD 650 million in 2024 with net assets of USD 200 million, according to the announcement.

The project still requires regulatory approvals from Chinese government bodies, including the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce.