Michelin’s start-up, AirCaptif, in partnership with Dassault, unveiled its latest brain-child, the FALCON 6X aircraft range. AirCaptif is a specialist in ultralight, inflatable structures.

According to Michelin, as part of its growth plan, AirCaptif announced Michelin’s facility in Bourges Saint-Doulchard – in the heart of one of France’s aeronautical and defense ecosystems – as the centre for the industrial production of this technology. In addition, the company states that it plans to double its activity on the site, starting in 2023, and invest in the recruitment of new talent. In fact, as part of its expansion, AirCaptif is budgeting to double its turnover, starting in 2023, and hire some thirty skilled professionals in France’s Yvelines department, to the west of Paris. The company is currently hiring for its existing facility in Trappes and its future extension in Elancourt, planned to be operational in January 2023, as per Michelin. AirCaptif’s solutions are soon to be in industrial-scale production in Michelin’s facility in Bourges, the tyre company claims.

Michelin also states that prior to being commissioned, such aircrafts are required to perform extremely demanding certification trials. One of the tests checks the reliability of the aircraft cabin’s lightning resistance. This test, High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF), is mandatory for the plane to be compliant with the electromagnetic standards from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In these certification trials for such aircrafts, Dassault verifies the resistance of critical systems (flight commands and calculations) to electromagnetic interference. Whereas the classic trial method requires two weeks of tests for the FALCON 6X, AirCaptif reduces this time to just three days, at a much reduced cost, according to Michelin.

Michelin states that the innovation comprises three elements – 

1. A huge eight-metre-high inflatable Faraday cage, with a 900-sq mt footprint.
2. An inflatable mechanical mixer placed alongside the aircraft to mix the electromagnetic waves.
3. A system of inflatable coaxial insulation to provide an earth connection for the lightning strike.

Furthermore, as per the multinational tyre manufacturing company, the AirCaptif technology has several advantages. With its super light structure being easily transportable and capable of being installed directly in the aircraft’s assembly hangar, investment costs and trial time are significantly reduced. Moreover, the speed of installation is a real plus, states Michelin. Whereas it takes two years to build a conventional Faraday cage, this solution is operational in a single day.

Besides, future developments for the Trappes-based company involve enlarging the Bourges facility and starting industrial production early in 2024. According to Michelin, the choice of Michelin’s aeronautic site, celebrating 70 years of pioneering activity in the sector, will enable AirCaptif to take full advantage of the region’s aeronautic and defense ecosystem, and continue the group’s industrial experience. In addition, the geographic location of Bourges, situated midway between the technical teams in Trappes and Michelin’s R&D facility in Clermont-Ferrand, will further strengthen the existing synergies.

Sharing her views, Maude Portigliatti, Business Director – High Technology Materials, Michelin, and member of the Group’s executive committee, says, “The growth in AirCaptif’s activities is the result of the company’s extraordinary ability to innovate, and the partnership with Dassault is a shining example. AirCaptif, with the relevance of its technical solutions, is yet another example of Michelin’s savoir-faire in the use of leading-edge technological innovation and the strategic ambitions of the Group beyond the world of tyres.”

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.