Nokian Tyres has named Rhea County High School graduates Jesus Hernandez-Santiago and Josiah Shibley as the recipients of its 2026 college scholarship. The two students were selected based on their strong academic records, interest in STEM fields and commitment to excelling in extracurricular activities.

Now in its seventh year, the scholarship programme supports the company’s broader goal of preparing skilled professionals for the Southeast Tennessee workforce. Complementary initiatives include a robust apprenticeship programme, a work‑based learning scheme and a summer internship partnership.

Hernandez‑Santiago plans to study mechanical engineering at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, having already taken college‑level math courses since his junior year through a dual enrolment programme. Shibley will attend Tennessee Tech to pursue civil engineering with an environmental concentration, aiming to combine his passion for the outdoors with his interest in construction.

Nokian Tyres also runs an apprenticeship with Cleveland State Community College, where six apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training and 42 classroom credits. A work‑based learning partnership with Rhea County High School places two to four students annually at its high‑tech factory, while a separate internship with Bryan College offers mentorship and project experience.

Since opening its Dayton Factory in 2019 to serve North American markets, the tyremaker has earned multiple awards and became the world’s first tyre production facility to achieve LEED v4 Silver certification.

Nokian Tyres North America Human Resources Director Blake Markham, who serves as chairman of the Southeast Tennessee Workforce Development Board, said, “We are passionate about fuelling the employment pipeline in Rhea County and beyond. Our region benefits from strong partnerships between businesses, educational institutions and local governments that strengthen companies and change lives.”

Hernandez-Santiago said, “I feel so blessed to receive this scholarship because I have always loved the STEM field. Nokian Tyres has always been involved with the community, so I will do what I can to succeed and impact the community with the opportunity I have been given."

Shibley said, “I’ve lived in Dayton my whole life, and this opportunity has shown me what it looks like when a company invests in its community. This scholarship will help me worry less about money and focus more on school, and it means a lot that it’s coming from a company in my hometown.”

Maintenance Apprentice Emily Goodwin said, “Seeing the things in the classroom that I’ve already worked on has helped a lot. It feels like a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. This has changed my life.”

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Kuraray America, Inc. marked National STEM Day on 8 November by spotlighting a community educational event that brought together 15 of its volunteers and students from the Houston Japanese Supplementary School at San Jacinto College for a day of hands-on exploration and discovery.

Participants engaged in activities illustrating how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) converge in chemical manufacturing. Experiments with superabsorbent polymer beads explored chemistry and material properties, while a tour of the college’s facilities introduced industrial equipment. Students also learned about water filtration and distillation processes and how mathematical concepts underpin scientific and engineering applications.

One student showed particular interest in the distillation tower, linking the experience to the Kuraray Group’s contributions to everyday life and its mission of achieving for people and the planet what no one else can. The event also benefited KAI volunteers, who shared technical knowledge, exchanged perspectives and learned alongside potential future scientists and engineers.

Kuraray America thanked Reiko Fuwa and Tomohiro Tani for coordinating the visit, Hans Vandommele for sharing his expertise and all 15 KAI volunteers. The company also expressed appreciation to San Jacinto College for facility access and to the Houston Japanese Supplementary School students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.

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Liberty Tire Recycling attended the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, held from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The automotive aftermarket event, one of the industry's largest, drew over 160,000 attendees from the automotive, tyre and transportation sectors to review new products, technologies and business opportunities.

The Lakin Tire brand, a consistent SEMA exhibitor, once again used the show to reinforce industry relationships and present Liberty's tyre collection, recycling and sustainable resource management capabilities. Personnel from Grade/Used Tires, Commercial Truck Tires, Metals, Recycling and Collection, together with corporate and regional leadership, met customers, suppliers and industry professionals from around the world.

The booth received existing and prospective customers from numerous tyre and automotive segments during the week. Costco Wholesale Corporate Office, United Tires and UTU Wholesale were among the organisations that stopped by to examine Liberty Tire's products, services and nationwide reach. The company viewed the event as an effective forum for monitoring emerging market trends and demonstrating its position in recycling and sustainability, alongside its focus on innovation, workforce development and circular economy principles.

A memorable moment came when a high school shop teacher and students, attending through a special educator programme, toured the booth to learn about tyre recycling and industry operations. Liberty team members provided industry insights, outlined career pathways and acknowledged educators' contribution to developing future skilled trades professionals, supplying tyre inflation gauges for classroom use.

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Laufenn, Hankook's associate brand, earned a ‘Good’ ratingwith an overall score of 2.2 for its G Fit 4S in the Auto Bild Allrad all-season SUV tyre test published on 8 October 2026 (issue 41). The tyre competed credibly against 11 rivals from established premium marques, finishing competitively in a 12-strong field.

Wet handling proved a particular strength, with the G Fit 4S collecting the second-highest rating shared with other models. Aquaplaning resistance also impressed, as the tyre held its line until stability began to fade at roughly 100 kmph (62 mph). In snow, it recorded the third-shortest braking distance, matching two other contenders.

Testing spanned snow, wet and dry disciplines, each weighted equally in the final ranking, with a third-generation MINI Countryman serving as the test vehicle. Snow assessments were carried out in New Zealand, while European venues hosted the wet and dry evaluations. The jury's conclusion underscored Laufenn's value-focused positioning, finding the G Fit 4S a solid option for cost-conscious buyers.

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Tyres Europe has underscored that tyres qualify as fully recyclable under ISO 22628:2002 and UN Regulation No. 133, describing the established methodology as a robust foundation for assessing tyre recyclability. The organisation recently set out its position on the matter.

The distinction between recyclability and actual recycling rates is central to the group's argument. Recyclability refers to the technical potential of a product and its materials to be recycled, while the real rate hinges on treatment capacity and demand for secondary raw materials. Regulatory frameworks should therefore separate the two concepts clearly and align with an internationally recognised standard.

Tyres consist of rubber compounds, chemical additives and reinforcing textile and steel cords, and at end of life they are separated into rubber, textile and steel fractions, all of which existing mechanical or chemical routes can recycle. Mechanical processing yields rubber granules and powders usable as secondary raw materials across many applications, recovered textiles can be further processed and valorised, and cleaned recovered steel can re-enter metal recycling and steelmaking.

Tyres Europe pledged continued cooperation with policymakers and value-chain partners to strengthen circularity and maximise recovery of valuable tyre materials in Europe, with the full paper available on its website.

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