Hankook Tire’s manufacturing plant in Chongqing, China, has received the National Green Factory recognition from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. Hankook Chongqing plant is leading the green transformation of industries with the commitment to sustainability at its core, the company said in a release. 

This award is given to leaders of green manufacturing in line with the industrial green development plan of China after a series of strict assessments including self-assessment, independent third-party audits and evaluations from experts and government departments. This year’s list includes 662 green factories, 989 green design products, 52 green industrial parks and 107 green supply chain management demonstration enterprises. 

The company said that being a responsible company with goals to minimise environmental impact and foster a healthy community, it has long been advocating green growth. By achieving the National Green Factory recognition with its Chongqing plant, Hankook demonstrated once again its pioneering role in the field of sustainability, the release said. 

Taking an environmentally-friendly design approach since the early construction stages, the Hankook Chongqing plant facilities were made with non-toxic, environmentally-friendly building materials, and orchestrated in a way to optimise the use of natural sunlight. Promoting low carbon footprint, all the equipment are of high-energy efficiency exceeding the national standards.  

Hankook Chongqing plant also established a committee dedicated to eco-friendly operation and management, and set its own green development plan. It includes the implementation of an energy conservation target responsibility system (ECTRS), which works by allocating a mandatory target to each workshop and job and effectively involving all employees to take part. These efforts were well received, with Hankook Chongqing plant having acquired the ISO 14001, a global certification that recognises excellent environmental management systems. 

Energy efficiency maximization is aided by the implementation of an energy management centre. It schedules the optimal usage and operational conditions of energy sources through timely and science-based decision-making processes. For the past three years, a total of 21 energy-saving technologies have been adopted. As a result, approximately 2,296 tce of energy, measured by the amount of energy released by burning one tonne of goal, is being saved every year. 

Throughout its entire manufacturing process, Hankook Tire strives to minimise energy wastes by utilising harmless materials, using renewable energy and recycling resources. This affects end-products as well. In compliance with the company's product design guideline "Hankook Tire Green Design Requirements", technologies for improving fuel economy were employed to tire structure design which led to reduced rolling resistance. 

Seunghyeon Kang, Vice President and Plant Managing Director of Chongqing Plant, said, “We are glad to receive the National Green Factory recognition from Chinese government. As we have been taking proactive environmental initiatives and take the topic of sustainability very seriously, green manufacturing is the ultimate choice for us. Continuing our journey to net-zero, Hankook Tire Chongqing will take on Energy Innovation Project and further accelerate the green transition.” (TT)

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.