A colossal fire engulfed a significant portion of Kumho Tire's Gwangju manufacturing plant on 17 May 2025, forcing a complete halt in production and prompting authorities to issue a nationwide firefighting mobilisation order reported Korea Times. The company is South Korea’s second-largest tyre manufacturer.

The blaze, which began around 7:11 am local time, rapidly consumed factory buildings, with flames reportedly reaching heights of up to 100 metres.

The report further stated that by 5 pm on Saturday, approximately 70 percent of the plant's western section – an area roughly equivalent to five football fields – had been devastated by the fire. Firefighters concentrated their efforts on preventing the flames from spreading to the southern section of the facility, which is separated from the severely impacted western area. The National Fire Agency's had to deploy crucial personnel and equipment from neighbouring regions to help control the disaster.

What’s important to know is that about 400 on-duty workers were safely evacuated. However, one male employee in his 20s sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Additionally, two firefighters were injured during the ongoing efforts to control the blaze.

The local authorities suspect the fire originated from equipment used for heating raw rubber. Then there was the challenge about the estimated 20 tonnes of raw rubber stored at the factory, which is significantly hindering firefighting efforts.

This incident will not only have financial impact for Kumho Tire but also supply constraint for its major customers such as Hyundai Motor Corporation and Kia Corporation.

Last year, Kumho Tire reported sales of USD 3.21 billion and an operating profit of USD 431 million.

"With the fire now under control, we will soon be able to announce our estimated losses and outline plans for relocating our production lines," the report quoted a company official.

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The German rubber industry is calling for the European Commission's planned postponement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to be used to make the rules more practical. This perspective comes from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), which believes the delay presents a critical opportunity to streamline the regulation for all parties involved.

The association's President, Michael Klein, has specifically proposed that the German federal government advocate for the introduction of a ‘first-touch principle’. This concept would require only the initial company placing an EUDR-regulated product on the European market to submit a due diligence declaration. Klein argues that the current requirement for each subsequent actor in the value chain to repeat the declaration for the same material generates high bureaucratic costs and inefficiencies.

According to Klein, limiting the obligation to a single declaration at the start of the value chain would be an elegant solution. He states that it would not only drastically reduce the administrative burden on businesses but also significantly lower the control burden and IT infrastructure requirements for EU authorities. The wdk president positions this as a win-win scenario and a tangible test of the commitment by both the German government and the EU to meaningfully reduce bureaucracy.

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ZC Rubber reinforced its European growth ambitions by convening key partners at the 2025 Westlake TBR Dealer Conference in Madrid. The event assembled strategic wholesalers, service providers and major fleet operators like DSV to outline a collaborative future focused on the fleet segment as a primary growth engine.

Marking a decade since the Westlake brand's European introduction in 2014, the conference highlighted a trajectory of steady expansion. This progress is evidenced by the delivery of over 300,000 Westlake truck and bus radial tyres to the region in 2024, securing an estimated 2.5 percent market share. In response to increasing market competition, ZC Rubber unveiled a comprehensive fleet service strategy aimed at delivering enhanced value. This plan prioritises deep technical collaboration, including on-site support and joint testing initiatives, alongside promotional programmes designed to help partners fortify client relationships. A critical objective is the establishment of a continent-wide service network to guarantee consistent support.

The agenda featured perspectives from Ákos Barcsik, Deputy General Manager of ZC Rubber Europe, on product innovation, while contributions from Interpneu, a German service provider, and logistics leader DSV offered practical insights into fleet needs and customer service. These discussions provided concrete directions for future cooperation. Under the unifying theme ‘Stronger As One, Together To Win’, the conference successfully fostered a spirit of partnership, reaffirming a shared commitment to expanding the Westlake brand’s presence across Europe’s dynamic commercial tyre market.

Leo Liao, Sales Director, ZC Rubber Europe, said, “Over the past decade, Westlake has established a strong foundation in Europe. Now, our mission is to work hand in hand with our partners and fleets, delivering technical expertise, stronger service capabilities and real business value. By focusing on fleet solutions, we are confident Westlake can achieve sustainable growth and become an even stronger player in the European market.”

Barcsik said, “In Europe, our priority is to provide fleets with the right tyre products backed by technical expertise. With reliable products, on-site engineering support and tyre testing programmes, we help partners deliver measurable performance and cost efficiency to their customers.”

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CEAT Limited has significantly expanded its retail footprint with the inauguration of five new exclusive CEAT Shoppes in key urban and upcountry locations across Karnataka. The new outlets are strategically situated in high-traffic areas of Bengaluru such as J C Road, Sarjapur Road and Nagarbhavi, alongside new locations in Puttur and Sira. This expansion is designed to make premium tyres and associated services more accessible to a broader customer base, from metropolitan residents to those in surrounding towns and suburbs.

The newly launched Shoppes will feature the brand’s comprehensive portfolio of tyres for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. This includes specialised product lines such as CrossDrive for rugged terrain, SportDrive for luxury vehicle performance, SecuraDrive for highway safety and comfort and Milaze for consumers seeking long-lasting durability. Beyond product sales, each outlet will provide essential value-added services including professional wheel balancing, precise wheel alignment and nitrogen filling. To enhance customer convenience, all new locations are digitally integrated, making them easily discoverable through Google search and maps.

This expansion also generates a positive socio-economic impact by creating new employment opportunities within these communities. CEAT is further committed to investing in its workforce through specialised training programmes aimed at developing the technical expertise and customer service skills necessary to deliver a superior experience. The move aligns with the growing demand for premium automotive products in Karnataka's evolving market. By targeting consumers who value adventure, innovation and a premium lifestyle, CEAT reinforces its brand positioning. The modern, interactive environment of the Shoppes is intended to provide a customer-friendly journey, ensuring that every interaction from product selection to final fitment is both engaging and efficient.

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Atturo Tires is accelerating its market growth with a substantial release of 25 new sizes, strategically expanding three core product families. This launch introduces two new sizes for the mud-terrain Trail Blade MTS, eight for the rugged Trail Blade ATS and a significant 15 additional sizes for the high-performance AZ850. This move is designed to place Atturo’s technology within reach of a broader range of drivers, from off-road enthusiasts to owners of modern sports cars and electric vehicles.

The Trail Blade MTS, engineered for larger trucks, incorporates a unique tread pattern inspired by a karambit knife blade to provide extreme traction in muddy conditions. With its new sizes, it now caters to a wider array of wheel configurations. Meanwhile, the Trail Blade ATS reinforces its position as a versatile all-terrain option, boasting a 50,000-mile (approximately 80,467 km) warranty and a winter weather rating. Its eight new sizes extend its application to heavier-duty pickup trucks.

The most notable expansion occurs within the AZ850 line, a tyre focused on delivering ultra-high-performance at an accessible level. It features an advanced asymmetrical tread for maximum grip and stability, yet is engineered for a comfortable daily driving experience. A critical update is its reinforced construction, specifically designed to support the heavier weight of electric vehicles and modern SUVs. The 15 new sizes, including staggered fitments for sports cars and performance SUVs, allow more drivers to experience sharper handling and shorter braking distances, fully unlocking their vehicle's potential.

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