Hankook Tire is preparing to play a central role as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship travels to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast for the first time for the 2026 E-Prix. Rounds 4 and 5 of Season 12 will take place as a night-time double-header at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 13 and 14 February 2026, marking the venue’s debut on the all-electric calendar. The floodlit setting will frame two consecutive evenings of racing, offering a fresh atmosphere and technical challenge for teams and drivers.

The circuit itself has been reworked from its Formula 1 iteration to align with Formula E’s regenerative braking characteristics and energy management requirements. At 3.001 kilometres, the layout intersperses rapid straight sections with heavy braking zones, technical chicanes and tight hairpins where traction and cornering precision are paramount. Night racing adds another variable. Without daytime solar heating, tarmac temperatures evolve steadily through each session, prompting gradual shifts in surface grip that demand adaptability from both drivers and machinery.

Hankook’s iON Race tyre has been developed to function as a consistent, responsive element under these fluctuating conditions. Its construction balances high-load grip with thermal regulation and optimised rolling resistance, a synthesis that directly influences energy conservation and race strategy across the Formula E field. In Jeddah, where high-speed running and repeated braking elevate thermal stress, the tyre’s capacity to maintain a stable operating window while reacting instantly to changing track states becomes a competitive asset from first practice to chequered flag.

Off the circuit, fan engagement initiatives and the return of Formula E EVO Sessions will amplify the event’s atmosphere. Yet it is the on-track contest that defines this early-season moment. With an unfamiliar venue, nocturnal conditions and a layout that rewards both outright speed and intelligent energy deployment, the Jeddah E-Prix presents a significant opening test of the campaign. At the centre of this equation is Hankook’s iON Race, engineered not merely to perform but to enable the delicate interplay between pace, preservation and tactical execution.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “The electrifying atmosphere of Jeddah under the lights adds another dimension to this already demanding circuit. With high speeds, repeated braking zones and shifting track conditions across the evening, tyre stability and consistency become decisive factors. The iON Race is designed to give teams a reliable and predictable platform to perform at their best in both qualifying and race situations.”

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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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