What may change and what may not

It is impossible to predict in advance which changes will stick, and how much and to what extent our lives will change, but it is safe to say that the changes that will persist are those that make our lives safer, healthier, and more efficient.

Mask wearing may be the most visible change that persists, and not just cheap surgical masks or bandanas. In many big, design-conscious cities the mask is already becoming more a fashion statement, a new feature of the personal decoration of city life that permeates these places. Masks may become walking billboards for commercial ads or political statements. Masks, visors and facial protection will be integrated into the uniforms of public workers, delivery people, police, firefighters, and security guards.

All public places – schools, theaters, shopping malls offices and mass transit will be reconfigured for physical distancing. Restaurants, cafes and gymnasiums, those that survive the pandemic, will have fewer patrons, as their tables and equipment will have been designed for physical distancing. Attendees of at large venues, such as sports venues, may continue to be subjected to have their temperatures checked.

The way we worked by going to the “office” has changed and many will continue working from home. This means reduced need for large office buildings. Still, growing urbanisation will continue. In the past, urbanisation has overcome the devastating Black Plagues, cholera and even the recent Spanish Flu which killed as many as 50 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920. Each and every time, the economic power of cities — their ability to foster innovation and productivity by pulling together the talent of workers — has been more than enough to offset the destructive power of infectious disease. However, the current digital era may achieve similar outcomes without people clustered together in an urban setting.

On an individual consumer level, more shopping will move to online transactions with courier services delivering goods – so, brick-and-mortar shopping venues will see reduced business.

The pandemic has had a swift and severe impact on the globally integrated automotive industry and has placed intense pressure on an industry already coping with a downshift in global demand as well as the cost of shifting towards electrification. So, look for a changed industry with increased merger & acquisition activity.  

So, change is here to stay, and businesses need to pay special attention to signals being sent by consumers’ changing behavior. 

Anyway, when the pandemic and all its related crises finally ebb and we are on the road to recovery in a few months or a couple of years from now, we will have the opportunity to look back and see what has changed!

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The Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) has released a revised Green Paper examining tyre circularity across Europe. This document explores the benefits of extending tyre life through retreading, repair and reprofiling, alongside mechanical and chemical recycling. It illustrates how circular economy principles can advance climate goals, preserve resources and strengthen industrial competitiveness.

The paper presents targeted appeals to political leaders, stressing the urgency of adapting legal structures to unlock current potential. It echoes the European Court of Auditors regarding robust recycling markets, which depend on consistent enforcement and dependable funding. Christina Guth, coordinator of the AZuR network, frames the tyre circular economy as a demonstration of sustainable practice, where environmental protection and economic activity reinforce one another.

The paper acknowledges the Clean Industrial Deal as constructive, yet argues circularity must occupy a more central position. Products must be conceived from the beginning with reuse and recycling in mind if materials are to remain in circulation. This gains urgency as the mobility sector expands, bringing increased tyre waste. A functioning circular system for tyres presents an avenue for reconciling ecological pressures with economic development.

The initiative coordinated by AZuR unites more than 80 organisations spanning industry, small business and research. In Germany, over half of the more than half a million tonnes of annual tyre waste is cycled back into use, with collected materials evaluated by certified operators.

Despite existing capabilities, the paper asserts political engagement remains insufficient. It enumerates requests for governing bodies, including support for repair enterprises, binding sustainability benchmarks and inclusion of retreaded options in public procurement. Another element involves cultivating a European market for premium recycled substances.

The paper also advocates for clear regulations regarding novel recycling methods and for recycled content to be granted equivalent status to virgin materials. Such measures are presented as essential for protecting investment in sustainable innovation.

Broader European trends indicate circular systems are increasingly viewed as integral to a resilient industrial approach. Advanced recovery infrastructure aids climate objectives and underpins material security. The European Court of Auditors has called for reinforced policy conditions that enable recycling economies to thrive, highlighting consistent rule application and stable financing for recovered materials.

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Hankook Tire, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), concluded its participation in the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya, which took place in Naivasha, Kenya, with the event wrapping up on 15 March 2026. The challenging terrain of the Kenyan savanna provided a rigorous test for Hankook’s specialised equipment. Throughout the rally, the company provided its Dynapro R213 tyre, engineered specifically for severe off-road conditions. This extreme all-terrain tyre was available in Hard and Soft compounds and featured a robust casing structure alongside an optimised tread design. These characteristics ensured reliable grip and accurate steering response despite the demands of high-speed rallying.

A key development was the introduction of an upgraded soft gravel tyre at this event. It delivered superior traction on wet and slippery sections while retaining its structural integrity amidst the unpredictable conditions. The rally unfolded across the rugged landscapes of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley, where competitors faced sharp rocks, deep sand and treacherous fesh-fesh dust. Fluctuating weather further compounded the difficulty, making consistent tyre performance critical for drivers to reach the finish line. Ultimately, Toyota Gazoo Racing's Takamoto Katsuta emerged victorious after four gruelling days, reinforcing the event's reputation as one of the season's most demanding.

Looking ahead, the championship moves to Europe for its fourth round, the WRC Croatia Rally 2026, scheduled from 9 to 12 April 2026 along the Adriatic coast. Returning to the WRC calendar after being part of the European Championship in 2025, the rally has generated significant interest with its redesigned route that navigates both coastal and mountainous terrain. For this event, Hankook will supply its Ventus Z215 and Z210 tyres, high-performance tarmac compounds designed to meet the rigorous demands of the course. These tyres have previously proven their effectiveness in similar environments, such as during the 2025 Rally Islas Canarias, where coastal and mountainous stages demanded exceptional vehicle control and tyre resilience.

Since taking over as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes in 2025, Hankook has leveraged data from its involvement in over 70 global motorsport championships. The company applies these race-proven insights to advance its ultra-high-performance tyre technology, continually reinforcing its leadership in the field.

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Flexsys, a global speciality chemicals and materials technology company, has announced an increase in regional prices for Insoluble Sulphur products with effect from 23 March 2026.

The price increase schedule is as follows:

• Asia: USD 0.60 per kg
• Europe: EUR 0.45 per kg
• North America: USD 0.40 per kg
• Latin America: USD 0.40 per kg

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Yokohama Rubber has announced that it will supply ADVAN racing tyres for a newly developed BMW M Motorsport entry set to compete in this year’s Nürburgring 24-Hour Race and the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). As an official partner of BMW M Motorsport, the company is supporting the BMW M3 Touring 24H, a vehicle designed specifically for the Nürburgring circuit and built with fans in mind.

This special model shares its technical foundation with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO but is constructed using the body shell of the BMW M3 Touring. It measures 200 millimetres longer and stands 32 millimetres taller than its GT3 counterpart, including the rear wing. Despite these dimensional differences, the mechanical specifications of both vehicles remain identical. The car will compete in the SPX class, a category dedicated to high-performance experimental vehicles and concept cars with unique modifications that do not conform to other classifications. This class plays a key role in testing and refining new automotive technologies.

Yokohama’s renewed involvement with BMW M Motorsport at the Nürburgring marks a significant return, as the two last collaborated at this event between 1980 and 1990, a period during which they secured two overall victories. This season represents their first partnership at the track in nearly four decades. In addition to supplying tyres for the BMW M3 Touring 24H, Yokohama will also equip the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which is entered in the SP9 class for GT3-spec production vehicles.

Beyond its work with BMW, Yokohama Rubber will provide tyres to several leading teams participating in both the Nürburgring endurance series and the iconic 24-hour race, further extending its presence in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.

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