Hankook Tire is introducing its new Optimo sub-brand in Europe. With a more varied brand portfolio, Hankook will be able to better serve consumer demands and grow its market share in Europe.

One of Hankook's incredibly popular heritage all-season tyres served as the inspiration for the Optimo brand name. It stands for Optimo's dependability and capacity to satisfy strong demand with a condensed product line that accommodates a variety of client needs in all seasons. Hankook's current premium and related passenger vehicle tyre brands are enhanced by Optimo. In a market category where demand is rising, the lineup is made to provide enough market coverage with key items.

By giving customers a dependable and trustworthy choice, the portfolio addition seeks to promote Hankook's expansion. As competition heats up, Optimo will help protect market share by providing fresh chances in unexplored markets and channels. With an emphasis on performance and dependability, the brand will provide a distinct and targeted product line that includes summer, all-season and winter tyres. In order to increase brand recognition and loyalty, Hankook will support Optimo with sales support resources that will be accessible both online and offline.

Hankook Tire will support Optimo, guaranteeing that consumers will identify it as a brand made by a reliable and respectable company. All marketing and sales collateral will clearly display this endorsement, highlighting Optimo's dependability and integrity. In the second quarter of 2025, the brand will be expanded to further areas outside of Europe.

Jongho Park, COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “In recent years, Hankook has seen tremendous growth in the European market. With the introduction of Optimo, we are now setting course to continue this success story in the future.”

Black Bear Carbon, a pioneering cleantech company specialising in the recovery of carbon black from end-of-life tyres, has filed for bankruptcy, marking a significant setback for the circular economy sector. The company, once celebrated for its innovative approach to reducing CO2 emissions, faced insurmountable challenges, including a devastating factory fire, delayed permits and unfulfilled investment commitments.

Black Bear Carbon’s technology enabled the recycling of old tyres into high-quality carbon black, a critical raw material used in tyres, plastics and paints. Unlike traditional carbon black production, which is highly polluting, Black Bear’s process was entirely carbon-neutral. Since its inception, Black Bear Carbon achieved notable milestones. The company rapidly established a factory in Nederweert, Netherlands, and secured a partnership with a major tyre processor. In 2017, it was named to the Global Cleantech 100 list, underscoring its potential to transform the carbon black market with a sustainable alternative.

However, a series of setbacks derailed its progress. A fire destroyed the Nederweert factory, halting production and incurring significant financial losses. Regulatory delays in obtaining permits further strained operations, delaying expansion plans and revenue generation. Compounding these issues, promised investments failed to materialise, leaving the company unable to cover mounting debts in a challenging economic climate marked by high interest rates and cautious venture capital.

Goodyear has earned the prestigious ‘Master’ supplier rating by DAF for the fourth consecutive year.

Goodyear's excellence in crucial areas including product development, operational support and alignment with DAF's business objectives is highlighted by this recognition, which is a component of DAF's Supplier excellence Management (SPM) programme. Three performance categories – Achiever, Leader and Master – are used by the programme to assess vendors. The highest honour, the ‘Master’ rating, is given to suppliers that continuously exhibit exceptional performance and cultivate a close working relationship with DAF. By retaining the ‘Master’ rating for the fourth year, Goodyear underlines its position as a reliable industry partner committed to enhancing customer performance and efficiency.

Xavier Fraipont, Vice President Commercial PBU EMEA at Goodyear, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Master’ rating from DAF for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams in delivering high-performing products and reliable support to DAF. It also underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership, built on a foundation of premium quality, innovations and collaboration.”

Apollo Tyres NL BV plans to close its Enschede manufacturing facility in the Netherlands by mid-2026, citing unsustainable production costs and declining demand for its speciality tyres.

The Dutch tyre manufacturer, a subsidiary of India-based Apollo Tyres Ltd, has formally submitted a Request for Advice to the Works Council regarding the intended closure, the company said in a statement Friday. The decision follows "thorough investigation and careful consideration" after cost-cutting initiatives failed to offset rising inflation.

"Submitting the Request for Advice to the Work's Council on the intended decision to discontinue production has been enormously difficult," said Benoit Rivallant, President of Apollo Tyres NL. "In the last few years, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce costs at Enschede. These initiatives resulted in some savings, but most were completely negated due to the ever-increasing inflation."

According to the statement, the Enschede plant, which produces pneumatic tyres for cars and agricultural vehicles, has struggled with "macro-economic disruptions, steep increases in energy and labour costs, and a decline in demand for Spacemaster and Agri tyres. " Pressure from low-cost competitors has further squeezed margins.

The company said it would continue normal operations while consulting with the Works Council and that the final decision remains subject to supervisory board approval. Management has committed to maintaining communication with employees, customers and suppliers throughout the process.

Apollo Tyres Ltd, headquartered in Gurugram, India, ranks among the leading tyre manufacturers. The company did not specify how many jobs would be affected by the closure.
    
 

The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), a research organisation working as part of Rubber Board, has announced its proposal to appoint a ‘Research Associate (statistician)’ to work in the Botany Division on temporary basis. The selection will be based on a written test cum walk-in interview.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Statistics or equivalent qualification to be eligible for the position. As per the criteria, the age of candidates applying for the position should not exceed 35 years as of 31 January 2025.  Interested candidates are advised to meet the Director of Research, Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board, Kottayam–9 on 6 May 2025 at 9.30 am along with the original documents their age, educational qualifications, experience etc. Those interested can contact on 0481-2353311 or visit www.rubberboard.gov.in for further details.