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.

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The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

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MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

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Continental Tires Americas has introduced Sensor Ready commercial tyres, designed to streamline digital monitoring for fleets of all sizes. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and more than 121,000 connected wheel positions in the Americas, the company continues expanding its data-driven portfolio. The initial rollout features the Conti Coach HA3 product line, underscoring the manufacturer's commitment to digital-first solutions.

A defining characteristic is the integration of a dedicated sensor pocket directly into the tyre during curing, eliminating aftermarket gluing that previously took up to 14 minutes per installation. The pocket securely holds Continental's proprietary sensor, a key ContiConnect ecosystem component that transmits critical metrics like pressure, temperature and mileage. A clear Sensor Ready logo on the sidewall provides immediate visual confirmation of compatibility for fleets, dealers and retreaders.

The new system significantly reduces installation time and labour requirements at maintenance facilities and retread shops while ensuring consistent, reliable sensor placement. Fleets can choose tyres with sensors pre-installed from the factory or opt for quick, tool-free installation later. The Sensor Ready logo facilitates swift decision-making across the tyre's lifecycle, and the integrated pocket remains intact during retreading, allowing efficient sensor reinstallation without compromising casing performance.

Digital monitoring delivers measurable business impact, including reduced fuel consumption, extended tyre life and fewer roadside incidents. For smaller operations, Continental offers ContiConnect Lite, a mobile application providing a plug-and-play monitoring solution. This advancement reinforces Continental's vision of a connected, intelligent tyre ecosystem that enhances safety, sustainability and cost management.

Renato Sarzano, Head of Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “Digital tyre monitoring is becoming essential for improving fleet safety, efficiency and sustainability. With Sensor Ready tyres, we are offering one of the most advanced and user-friendly solutions on the market – reducing installation time, improving reliability and making it easier than ever for fleets to adopt connected tyre technologies.”

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has secured a three-month extension of its ongoing company reorganisation, as approved by the Gothenburg District Court on 30 June 2026. The revised deadline now extends to 27 August 2026, with Johan Sölveland of Ackordscentralen continuing as the appointed reorganisation administrator. The initial reorganisation proceedings commenced on 27 February 2026.

The extension is strategically designed to facilitate the finalisation of critical long-term financing negotiations and the completion of a formal reorganisation plan. Enviro’s internal timeline projects that the plan will be ready for presentation in August 2026, concurrently with a comprehensive financing package to support its implementation. A key component of the proposal will involve a debt write-down, with non-priority creditors preliminarily offered a minimum 25 percent settlement, payable three months post-plan ratification, though this figure remains subject to revision.

The company maintains that the progress achieved during the initial phase has laid a solid foundation for a successful restructuring. Enviro’s preliminary assessment indicates that the current trajectory supports the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable, long-term capital framework, with the reorganisation plan proceeding according to schedule.

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