Maxion Wheels, a leading global wheel manufacturer, in partnership with Iochpe Foundation from Brazil and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), celebrated the inauguration of the company's first Formare programme in Asia today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the brand-new Formare Learning Centre in Pune, India.  

Formare is a well-established academic scholarship programme for underprivileged youth in Brazil and Mexico. It recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, which is a benchmark in Brazil for providing professional training to economically and socially vulnerable young people. With this inauguration, Formare started its first class in India by selecting 26 EWS students for the two-year academic and industry programme that began with SPPU university classes in July and professional training at Kalyani Maxion Wheels’ manufacturing operation in Pune.

In addition to 100 percent tuition fees being reimbursed, they will receive a uniform, transportation, meals and a monthly stipend. After successfully completing the two-year programme, students will receive a Manufacturing Technology academic diploma.

Marcos Oliveira, President and CEO of Iochpe-Maxion and Chairman of the Board, Iochpe Foundation, commented, “The launch of Formare in India is a special moment for our company – a true testament to Iochpe-Maxion’s dedication to transforming lives through education and opportunity. For more than 35 years, we have successfully connected classroom learning with real-world workplace experiences for thousands of students in Brazil and Mexico and excited now to bring this successful programme and social benefits to India.”

“People and culture are at the centre of everything we do, from the wellbeing and inclusion of our employees to the social and environmental needs of those who live in our communities. The primary objective of Formare is to enhance the employability of underprivileged youth, and in this case, for the Pune region. I’m proud of the company and many Formare volunteers who work tirelessly to create a better shared future for us all,” said Pieter Klinkers, CEO of Maxion Wheels.

Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels’ Asia business unit, said, “Unlike other educational scholarship programs in the region, Formare is not focused on moulding students into future employees; instead, we want to give participants an opportunity to succeed in the overall job market. Formare provides job readiness and industry acumen, therefore opening doors to a wide range of employment opportunities upon graduation.” 

Highlighting the leadership and pioneering spirit of Maxion Wheels, Claudio Anjos, President of Iochpe Foundation, said, "Our foundation has worked closely with Maxion Wheels for almost 25 years in Brazil and Mexico. By offering opportunities for education and professional training to young people who really need it, Formare has the power to transform lives.”

“We are honoured to partner with Maxion Wheels in realising this programme and to provide the academic education for the Formare students here at Savitribai Phule Pune University,” said Prof Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor, SPPU. “The programme is unique as the comprehensive benefits alleviate any financial concerns and therefore allow the students to focus wholeheartedly on their education and professional development.”

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.

Trelleborg Tires will showcase its latest tyre solutions for the logistics and material handling industry at the upcoming Intermodal South America 2025, Latin America’s largest and most comprehensive event for logistics, intralogistics, cargo transportation, technology and foreign trade, from 22 to 24 April on booth L100.

Trelleborg's XP1000 tyre is engineered to deliver exceptional performance in terms of comfort, stability, fuel efficiency, durability and mileage. To tackle the demands of today's interlogistics work, this tyre is ideal. By using its unique integrated Pit Stop Line technology, fleet managers can better ensure operator safety and save waste and downtime by knowing when to change their tyres. Locally made, the XP1000 has a cutting-edge tread that is intended to operate sustainably. The tyre's revolutionary fibre composition, which is manufactured from recycled materials, reduces CO2 emissions by up to 110 tonnes annually while saving 866 tonnes of new materials. The new CX940 has an extra-strong casing, an enhanced tread design and a wear-resistant compound that lowers the chance of cuts and punctures. These qualities guarantee great stability, outstanding grip and superior load distribution.

Alessandro Sacco, Sales Director of Trelleborg Tires in South America, said, “Being able to respond quickly and effectively to the specific needs of the South American market is essential. Thanks to our local production, we’re bringing top-quality, high-performance tyres exactly where and when they’re needed. We’re not just supplying products; we’re delivering advanced tyre technology built to match the pace and pressure of today’s logistics. Whether our customers operate in high-intensity ports or dynamic warehouse environments, they can count on Trelleborg Tyres to deliver long-lasting performance while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness every step of the way.”

The recently launched fifth-generation Pirelli P Zero UHP tyre has claimed the top spot in an independent comparative test conducted by Tyre Reviews for its standout grip, braking and driving comfort.

The new P Zero performed exceptionally well in a variety of categories when tested with a number of top UHP rivals. The tyre led the industry in wet grip and dry braking, and it performed exceptionally well in both wet and dry handling. Tyre reviews highlighted Pirelli's combination of safety, control and ride comfort, praising its excellent performance in real-world scenarios. The new P Zero received the highest ratings for braking, balance and stability in dry weather. Out of all the tyres that were tested, it had the best stopping power. Wet performance was almost as impressive, with the P Zero winning braking tests and demonstrating good resistance to aquaplaning, especially while turning. Tyre Reviews also praised its quiet and cozy ride, calling it one of the smoothest in its class.

The new P Zero is developed using Pirelli’s most sophisticated design procedures to date. During development, engineers employed proprietary algorithms and artificial intelligence technologies, which led to a revised tread shape and structure. The goal of these modifications is to shorten stopping distances and enhance tyre wear over time. Versions featuring Pirelli's Elect technology, a package designed specifically for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, are also available in the range. The company claims that Elect can contribute to a 10 percent increase in driving range.