Valebridge Media Services (VMS) has announced the shortlist of nominees for the 2023 edition of the Recircle Awards, the event organised to promote and recognise sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services in the tyre retreading and recycling sector.

The shortlist, chosen from a preliminary list of candidates nominated by the public, has once again been compiled by the Recircle Awards Nominations Committee, made up of 14 experts, including respected tyre industry journalists, industry association heads and independent consultants from around the world.

The shortlisted nominees for the 15 award categories open to public vote are as follows:

Best Tread Rubber Supplier

- Dobermann

- Marangoni

- Pre-Q Galgo

- Silvercap

- Vipal Rubber

Best Retreading Equipment Supplier

- Central Marketing

- Italmatic

- Matteuzzi

- TRM

- Vipal Machinery

Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier

- Eco Green Equipment

- Eldan Recycling

- Fornnax

- Rubberjet Valley

- Tallants Navarro

Best Tyre Derived Recycled Product

- Ceyes: City Green Panels

- Michelin: Tyres containing rCB

- Rubtec SpA: Rubtec Rubber Bumpers

- Shredded Tire: Miami Echo Construction Blocks

- XTyre Global: Evaporation Inhibitor Floating Panel

Employee of the Year

- Ankita Saikia (Tyromer)

- Bernardita Diaz (SustrendLab)

- Camilla Raffaelli (VM Rubber)

- Fabricio Nedeff (Vipal)

- Ron Elliott (Pre-Q Galgo)

Best Passenger Retreader

- Black Star

- Fedima

- Insa Turbo

- Malatesta Pneumatici

- Radburg

Best OTR Retreader

- Community Tire

- FM Pneus

- Marangoni SpA

- Reifen Wagner

- Renova Peru

Best Truck & Bus Retreader

- Continental

- Insa Turbo

- Marangoni SpA

- Unigoma

- Vaculug

Mechanical Tyre Recycling Award

- Duramos SAS

- E-Cova

- Genan

- Murfitts

- Rembre Tyres

Tyre Devulcanization Award

- DRI Rubber

- EFG Polymers

- GRP Ltd

- Rubber Matters

- Tyromer Inc.

Tyre Pyrolysis Award

- Contec SA

- Ecolomondo Corp

- Kal Tire Chile

- Pyrum Innovations

- Scandinavian Enviro Systems

Best Retreading Accessory and Consumables Supplier

- Italmatic

- Marangoni

- Tech Europe

- Vipal Rubber

- VM Rubber

Best EPR Scheme     

- Circol ELT

- SDAB

- Seginus

- Signus Ecovalor

- Valorpneu

Best Tyre Recycling Research Project

- Blackcycle: The Blackcycle Project

- GEC Compounds: Research into the creation of Genesis Evolution Compounds

- María Esther Fernandez: The Application of Textile Waste from End-of-Use Tyres in the Production of Fibre Cement

- Patricio Muñoz / SustrendLab: The Recovery and Re-use of tyre sawdust in the manufacture of solid tyres for forklifts

- SustrendLab: Research into the extraction of T-Phite from tyres

Best Company Director

- Alexey Gryshchenko (Yashina)

- Hernan Diez Vargas (ANRE)

- Jorge Crespo (Vaculug)

- Matthias Leppert (Marangoni)

- Thomas Sorensson (Scandinavian Enviro Systems)

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In line with previous editions of the Recircle Awards, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector will be decided by the Recircle Awards Nominations Committee and announced during the ceremony in Bologna in November. 

David Wilson, the Chairman of the Recircle Awards Nominations Committee and Publisher of Retreading Business y Tyre & Rubber Recycling, wanted to highlight the notable increase in nominations with the 2022 edition, “Since we launch the Recircle Awards, we have delighted with the reception it has received year after year. But this edition has once again, exceeded our expectations. We have received more than 1,100 individual nominations, which is 250 more than last year,” commented Wilson. “It is very satisfying to see the Recircle Awards continuing to establish itself further at an international level in each edition. We will continue to be committed to recognising the efforts of people, institutions and companies who promote the values of the circular economy in our sector. We wish good luck to all the nominees in the final vote,” concluded the Chairman of the Recircle Awards Nominations Committee.

Valebridge Media Services also announced that the voting window is now open for the 2023 edition of the Recircle Awards. The public can now vote for their candidates after registering themselves on the website of the 2023 Recircle Awards: https://recircleawards.com/categories-2023/. The voting system allows for only one vote per person per category. Registered voters from the 2022 edition are encouraged to use their credentials from the previous year to log in and vote. 

Voting in the 2023 Recircle Awards is open until 23:59 GMT on Friday, September the 8th, 2023, with the 2023 Recircle Awards being announced on Thursday the 16th of November 2023 in an awards ceremony which is due to take part within the framework of Futurmotive – Expo and Talks organised by the trade fair Autopromotec in Bologna, Italy.

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Hankook has confirmed its partnership for the 2026 Devon Truck Show, which is scheduled to take place from the 22nd to the 25th of May at Smeatharpe Airfield in Honiton. As a prominent fixture in the UK’s regional transport calendar, this event draws fleet operators, independent drivers and industry professionals from the Southwest and across the country. Beyond serving as a vital hub for networking and product exploration, the show offers a rich lineup of entertainment and activities suited for all ages.

At the Hankook exhibition space, attendees will encounter a diverse array of commercial vehicle tyres. The lineup includes the SmartFlex AH51 for steer axles and the SmartFlex DH51 for drive axles, both recognised for delivering strong grip and consistent mileage performance throughout their lifespan. Also on display will be the SmartFlex TH31 trailer tyre, alongside the Vantra Transit, a summer tyre engineered specifically for contemporary vans and transporters.

The brand’s Laufenn range will also be featured, offering specialised options such as the LZ22 all-weather drive tyre built for regional use, the LF21 all-position tyre valued for its wear resistance and the LF95 trailer tyre designed to withstand demanding conditions. Visitors can additionally explore the Dynapro HP2, a premium summer tyre for SUVs, as well as the iON evo SUV, an electric vehicle tyre developed to provide reliable wet grip and steady performance.

Beyond showcasing its products, Hankook will serve as a main event sponsor and will present the awards for Best Truck and Best Van. These honours are intended for drivers and businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment to vehicle presentation, regular maintenance, proper tyre care and overall road safety, celebrating excellence among those exhibiting at the show.

Jon Cottrell, TBR Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Devon Truck Show. These events provide a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with truck owners, drivers and enthusiasts who live and breathe the industry. We’re proud to showcase our popular range of truck tyres and engage in meaningful conversations about real-world performance with those who know it best. If you’re as passionate about trucks and tyres as we are, we look forward to welcoming you to our stand and hope you enjoy the show as much as we do.”

Mike Quartley, Event Director, said, "Hankook’s ongoing support has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Devon Truck Show over the years, and we are thrilled to welcome them back as a main sponsor for 2026. Attendees can once again look forward to an unforgettable weekend, packed with cutting-edge trucks, high-energy monster truck displays, live entertainment and much more. Hankook’s partnership not only helps make the event a standout showcase for the transport industry but also allows us to support vital local community projects.”

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Hankook Tire has once again demonstrated its standing as a global quality leader, having been presented with the 2025 QR ZERO AWARD by the American automotive brand Ford. The formal recognition took place on 25 March 2026 at Technoplex, the company’s headquarters in Pangyo, South Korea, underscoring the strength of its manufacturing and quality management systems on an international stage.

This accolade represents the highest form of quality recognition from Ford, reserved exclusively for supply partners that achieve exceptional performance over the course of a year. The criteria are deliberately stringent, requiring zero quality rejections in parts supply alongside a complete absence of warranty claims. Winning the award signals Ford’s full endorsement of Hankook Tire’s advanced quality control processes and its proven ability to deliver products with unwavering reliability.

A central contributor to this achievement was the Geumsan Plant, which supplies original equipment tyres for the Ford F-150, a top-selling pickup truck. This facility distinguished itself as the first among Hankook Tire’s eight global manufacturing sites to earn the QR ZERO AWARD, driven by a company-wide ‘Quality No.1’ strategy that leverages artificial intelligence and big data analytics. The honour further validates Hankook’s expertise in product development and its capacity to meet the demanding standards of a major automotive partner.

The relationship between the two companies extends back to 1999, when Hankook became the first Asian tyre maker to form a strategic partnership with Ford, followed by original equipment supply for the F-150 beginning in 2003. Over the years, this collaboration has expanded to include key models such as the Mustang, Explorer and Ranger, as well as the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, showcasing Hankook’s advanced capabilities in electric vehicle tire technology. Reinforcing this legacy of excellence, all eight of Hankook’s global manufacturing facilities have now attained Ford’s Q1 Award, a designation reserved for partners meeting the automaker’s most exacting standards in quality, production systems and innovation.

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Bridgestone has entered a new market segment with the introduction of its inaugural tyre designed specifically for motorhomes, the Duravis Camper All Season. This product marks the company’s first foray into catering to recreational vehicles, offering a solution that balances year-round versatility with the structural demands of motorhome travel. Engineered for safety, durability and long-term peace of mind, the tyre is built to handle heavy loads while remaining compatible with electric vehicles.

Performance across changing weather conditions is a central feature. The tyre achieves the highest possible EU label A-grade rating for wet grip while also delivering excellent dry braking performance. Its winter capability is certified through the 3PMSF and M+S markings, ensuring reliable traction in snow. These characteristics are supported by technical elements such as a silica-enriched compound for wet conditions, shoulder slots that efficiently channel water away and a directional V-shaped tread pattern that aids mobility on snow-covered roads. Dry braking performance is similarly enhanced through refined pattern stiffness.

Constructed to manage significant weight, the tyre incorporates a reinforced carcass to promote longevity, alongside an optimised tread design suited for extended stationary periods common to motorhome use. Its sidewall bears the CP marking, confirming it is specifically engineered for the unique demands of camping vehicles. Wear is evenly distributed thanks to balanced contact pressure and high pattern stiffness, contributing to cost savings over time. A sidewall protector rib offers additional defence against curb impacts.

Rolling resistance is rated B on the EU label for impressive energy efficiency, while cabin comfort benefits from a best-in-class A-grade rating for exterior noise. The tyre’s integrated capabilities, including its EV-readiness, are enabled by Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technology platform. Developed at the company’s Italian research and development centre, the Duravis Camper All Season is scheduled for release in June 2026 across four sizes in 15- and 16-inch rim diameters, tailored to meet growing demand across the European market.

Stefano Sanchini, Vice President – Consumer Replacement, Bridgestone EMEA, said, “From solo travellers to families, camper users seek safety and unhindered mobility on the road above all else – whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. The Duravis Camper All Season is built around these needs enabling drivers to live memorable adventures across the seasons. By combining durability and mileage capabilities, the Duravis range is known for innovations tailored to motorhomes. It gives camper users the confidence to journey further, whenever and wherever they choose.”

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Hankook Tire has seen its summer tyre range validated this spring by three independent testing authorities. In the Auto Bild summer tyre test from the 10/2026 issue, the Ventus evo claimed overall victory in the 245/45 R19 size with a score of 1.1 and an ‘Exemplary’ rating, while the same model also won the Auto Bild allrad summer tyre test in the 255/45 R19 size from the 12/2026 issue, achieving a 1.2 score. Meanwhile, the Ventus Prime 4 earned strong praise in the AvD summer tyre test.

The Ventus evo’s success in the Auto Bild test began in qualification, where it secured a spot among 20 finalists from a field of 50, thanks in part to the second-best braking distances recorded. In the final dry handling assessments, it delivered the shortest braking distance and the highest average handling speed, while on wet surfaces it posted the fastest lap time on the aquaplaning circuit and the quickest speed in wet handling. The tyre also offered the best price-to-mileage ratio among all finalists.

In the separate Auto Bild allrad test, conducted in a size common for modern SUVs, the Ventus evo demonstrated strength both on and off the road. It led the field in wet braking and wet handling, achieved the highest traction on gravel and wet grass, and remained competitive on dry surfaces with low noise levels and short stopping distances. The test jury concluded it was the most convincing all-rounder for all-wheel-drive SUVs.

In the AvD summer tyre test, conducted with test specialist Tempotire in the 215/55 R17 size, the Ventus Prime 4 delivered a ‘Very good’ overall result. Its performance was particularly notable in wet conditions, where it recorded fast lap times, balanced handling and short braking distances while providing clear steering feedback and safe aquaplaning reserves. On dry roads, it offered reliable handling and strong rolling comfort. The tyre also earned high marks for sustainability, with production in Europe ensuring short transport routes and its EU label ratings reflecting modern construction. The jury highlighted its durability and cost efficiency, reinforcing Hankook’s reputation for delivering premium quality at a competitive price.

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