Global player in tyre, construction reinforcement and composite technologies, Kordsa marks its 50th year since its inception in 1973. With a presence in 7 countries, 13 manufacturing units, and over 4,000 employees across four continents, the company continues to expand in construction and composites while upholding its tyre reinforcement leadership.

The 50th-anniversary event, held at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, saw the participation of Güler Sabancı, Chair of Sabancı Holding, along with esteemed executives. Employees and partners worldwide joined, celebrating Kordsa’s remarkable 50-year journey.

Speaking at the event, Güler Sabancı, Chair of Sabancı Holding, emphasized that Kordsa has always stood by its customers, regardless of time or place, throughout its 50-year journey. “Today, if Kordsa has become one of the world’s leading companies in advanced material technologies, the primary factor is the presence of our customers. What defines Kordsa are our incredibly strong, meticulous, excellence-driven, and technology-focused customers. It is this passion for excellence that has propelled Kordsa to its current success. As a result, Kordsa has transformed into a company that reinforces two out of every three aircraft tyres and one out of every three car tyres globally,” said Sabancı. 

Highlighting the rapid pace of change in the world, Güler added, “One thing, however, remains consistent for Kordsa: Our purpose of existence that keeps us together, the importance we place on teamwork and collective wisdom, our unwavering commitment to high quality and our customer-centric approach. This mindset unites hundreds of employees from Indonesia, Thailand, the United States, Brazil, and Italy into one team. Just as globalization cannot be explained solely through commercial relationships, being ‘global’ is not just about exporting. It’s about keeping a team together through all the time zone differences and cultural diversities, walking towards the same goal despite all the challenges. Kordsa is a global company because it has succeeded in doing just that.”

Güler Sabancı concluded her speech: “Kordsa’s vision is to become a ‘global advanced materials technology company.’ To set a technology-focused vision is, in fact, a commitment to continuous development. It’s about keeping pace with the spirit of the times and even going beyond it. It’s about involving your customers and stakeholders in this journey. The materials of the future will be a revolution, and Kordsa will surely be at the forefront of this revolution. The company will extend its 50 years of experience and knowledge in tyre reinforcement to composite technologies, construction reinforcement and new business areas. Kordsa will continue to reinforce life in different geographies and even in space. Just as stated in Sabancı Group Purpose; ‘We will unite Türkiye and the world’.”

Kordsa CEO İbrahim Özgür Yıldırım stated: “The materials of the future signify new horizons. As an industry leader, we are aware of our responsibility. At Kordsa, the ‘innovation engine’ will continue to operate at higher speeds. A corporation is as strong as its values. With our global footprint, innovation, and sustainability leadership, we will continue to create value for our customers.”

Emphasizing Kordsa’s role in advancing technology for the entire world through its tyre, construction reinforcement and composite technologies, İbrahim Özgür Yıldırım continued: “As of the end of 2022, we hold over 900 patents. We will continue our technology leadership guided by the light of knowledge and science. From the tyres of cars on the ground to the wings of planes in the sky and parachutes of spacecraft, just as we are present everywhere, we will also create the future by strengthening and reinforcing it with the materials of the future. 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Kordsa and the 100th anniversary of our Republic... To ensure this journey continues with determination and strength, we will move forward with new visionary perspectives, new strategies, and new paths, but with the same determination to grow. To make life safer, more efficient, and easier, we will continue to reinforce.”

At the anniversary event’s outset, Professor Ben. M. Bensaou from INSEAD, an eminent figure in innovation, delivered invaluable insights on instilling innovation throughout organizations. His expertise shed light on crucial approaches for widespread innovation adoption.

Following Prof. Bensaou’s address, a riveting panel discussion, “Materials of the Future,” unfolded. Esteemed panellists, including Rainer Egner from Goodyear, Dr Mükerrem Çakmak from Purdue University, Dr Taylor Sparks from the University of Utah, and Adrian Williams from Future Materials Group, engaged in a dynamic conversation. The discussion delved into the emerging trends and trajectories in material technologies, heralded as a transformative force in the global economy.

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.