Michelin is relocating its UK headquarters to Keele University’s award-winning Science and Innovation Park. The relocation plan is in line with Michelin’s ‘People, Profit and Planet’ strategy and is aimed at making significant gains in sustainability and creating an enhanced workplace for its staff.

Members of the group services and UK commerce teams will work out of the new office at Innovation Centre 2 (IC2), which is situated on the campus of Keele University. Under the new arrangement, the personnel will be relocating from the Riverside complex on Campbell Road in Stoke to offices in the park's IC2 building. Staff supporting Michelin’s retreading tyre factory in Stoke and its logistics and training centre will continue to work at Michelin's Campbell Road production facility.

John Howe, Managing Director of Michelin in the UK and Ireland, said, “This is a great opportunity to provide collaborative and dynamic workspace experiences that are fit for today’s and future talents. With the lease of our current premises coming to an end, this provided a natural opportunity for us to look at what was available in the market and aligned with our requirements, with Keele coming out on top. Sustainability was one of the most important factors in reaching our decision. With 49 EV chargers, cycle stores and shower facilities for staff who commute by bike, as well as wind and solar energy generation on site, IC2 enables us to benefit from Keele University’s innovative approach in this important area. A variety of work options including meeting rooms, collaborative spaces and areas for quiet, focused work have all been created in the new facility. Staff can also access a range of opportunities on-site, including leisure, fitness, retail and dining options, and there’s a Marriott hotel for Michelin’s visitors and our field-based teams. The location is served by regular public transport and Michelin is purchasing permits to ensure staff have access to free parking too. We look forward to creating this workspace for our UK team.”

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor, Keele University, said, "We're delighted that Michelin has chosen to relocate its head office to our award-winning Science and Innovation Park. We look forward to welcoming Michelin into Keele's diverse business community and our discussions have already uncovered common interests, particularly around sustainability and social inclusion, which we hope to build on."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 independent European summer tyre tests, securing 13 outright wins and 19 podium finishes across 24 evaluations conducted by leading automotive publications and mobility organisations. The results span a diverse range of tyre segments and test conditions, reinforcing the German manufacturer’s reputation for consistent top-tier performance.

The company’s tyres excelled particularly in braking, wet grip and overall balance, showing reliability across vehicle classes from sustainable products to ultra-high-performance applications. Independent testers repeatedly highlighted Continental’s strong braking performance, high levels of wet adhesion and well-rounded driving behaviour, confirming its premium ambitions.

Among the standout achievements, the PremiumContact 7 was named overall winner in the Auto Zeitung UHP summer tyre test, praised for its balanced wet and dry handling. The SportContact 7 claimed first place in the Auto Bild sportscars UHP test, recognised for precise handling and shortest braking distances. Meanwhile, the UltraContact NXT achieved a leading position in the AvD summer tyre test, proving that sustainability-focused designs can deliver strong core safety performance.

Continuous development in tread design, compound technologies and tyre construction underpins these results, allowing a blend of safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. The 2026 test season ultimately demonstrates Continental’s ability to deliver reliable top-level results across a broad portfolio and a wide range of independent evaluations.

Andreas Schlenke, Tire Expert at Continental, said, “These results confirm the consistency of our product performance across different segments and test conditions. They show that our focus on braking, wet grip and overall balance translates directly into strong results in independent testing.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire is supplying its Ventus F200 racing tyre to the HWA EVO.R sedan, competing in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, taking place from 14 to 17 May in Germany. Serving as the Official Technology Partner of HWA AG, Hankook is providing technical assistance throughout the race weekend with the Ventus F200 fitted to the HWA EVO.R in the open SP-X class for high-performance tuned vehicles. The racing slick is engineered for dry conditions and aims to deliver stable performance under extreme endurance racing demands.

Recognised globally in motorsport, the Ventus F200 incorporates advanced compound technologies that enhance driving performance and achieve roughly a 10 percent weight reduction over its predecessor. The tyre offers strong grip, high-speed stability and precise handling under demanding race conditions. HWA AG, founded by former Mercedes-AMG Co‑Founder Hans Werner Aufrecht, is a noted global motorsport engineering company specialising in high‑performance vehicle development.

This collaboration expands an existing strategic partnership, following Hankook’s original equipment tyre supply for the limited‑production HWA EVO last year. Hankook currently provides several ultra‑high‑performance OE products for that model, including the Ventus evo Z, Ventus evo and Winter i*cept evo3. Moving forward, Hankook plans to strengthen its premium brand competitiveness by deepening cooperation with HWA AG in both OE and motorsport sectors.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has secured a place on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class (DJ BIC) Korea Index for three years running, marking consistent recognition from the S&P Global benchmark for corporate sustainability. This index, released by a major global financial information provider, is known as a highly trusted gauge of ESG performance. Membership is limited to the top 30 percent of companies per industry, drawn from the two hundred largest listed firms in South Korea by market value.

In a related achievement, the company also appeared in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2026 for the second straight year. The latest assessment reviewed over 9,200 businesses across 59 industries worldwide, and HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS earned a Yearbook Member designation by placing within the top fifteen percent of its global industry.

To drive these results, the firm has built an ESG framework on four pillars: Zero Fatality for safety, Zero Emission for carbon reduction, Zero Waste for circular resource use and Zero Impact for stakeholder accountability. Senior management directly oversees a Sustainability Management Committee and specialised subcommittees, ensuring that ESG strategies are implemented across the entire organisation to boost corporate value.

Jim Jindal Lim, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “Our inclusion in DJ BIC Korea for three consecutive years and our second consecutive listing in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook demonstrate that HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has consistently implemented meaningful changes for sustainable management. We will continue strengthening our response to climate change and enhancing our corporate social responsibility.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), attended the TRA & TLA Dinner 2026 on 8 May 2026. The high-profile gathering was jointly organised by the Thai Rubber Association (TRA) and the Thai Latex Association (TLA) at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders from across the rubber and latex sectors to foster professional relationships and examine the shifting dynamics of the global natural rubber market.

The event served as a critical platform for Dr Angthong to engage in high-level discussions on market sustainability, trade relations and technological advancement. Particular attention was given to the long-term viability of rubber production, improving synergy between producers and exporters and the growing role of latex processing in the modern economy. His presence highlighted the ANRPC’s dedication to supporting member countries through close cooperation with national associations.

Thailand continues to hold a foundational position in the global natural rubber industry. The partnership between the TRA and TLA acts as a key driver of both innovation and regional stability, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts to navigate the evolving market landscape.

Dr Angthong said, "Events like the TRA & TLA Dinner are essential for maintaining the pulse of the industry. It is through these partnerships that we ensure the natural rubber sector remains resilient and forward-looking."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!