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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Pirelli has reported a dominant all-Ducati podium in Race 1 of the Dutch Round at Assen, the third fixture of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Nicolò Bulega extended his perfect start to the season with a seventh consecutive victory after a close contest with team-mate Iker Lecuona, who settled for second. Sam Lowes finished third, completing the manufacturer’s sweep. All three riders selected SC1 soft compound tyres for the front axle and SC0 soft rubber at the rear.

The weekend also highlighted the speed of Pirelli’s softest tyre options despite relatively cool conditions. During qualifying, Bulega established a new Assen lap record using the SCX supersoft rear, clocking 1 minute 32.144 seconds. That time shaved nearly half a second off the previous benchmark of 1’32.596, set by Lowes the prior year with the SCQ extrasoft compound. The other two Ducati riders on the front row, Lowes and Lecuona, also eclipsed the old record.

Elsewhere at the Dutch circuit, Jaume Masia won WorldSSP Race 1 on a Ducati, followed by Albert Arenas on a Yamaha and Tom Booth-Amos on a Triumph. Most of the Supersport field, including the top two, ran the SCX supersoft rear, while the third-place rider and nine others used the soft SC0; the SC1 was the universal front choice. In World Sportbike action, local rider Jeffrey Buis triumphed on a Suzuki, and the WorldWCR race went to Spain’s Maria Herrera on a Yamaha for her second win of the season. Both support classes employed DIABLO Superbike tyres with SC1 compound front and rear. Over the first two days, track temperatures varied from 16 degrees Celsius during early Superbike practice to 24 degrees for Supersport Race 1.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “Despite the low temperatures, typical of Assen at this time of year, soft tyres were used in both WorldSBK and WorldSSP. The development work Pirelli has carried out over the years has enabled us to improve versatility and widen the operating temperature window of our tyres. As a result, the soft compounds were used with track temperatures slightly over 20 °C, delivering excellent performance. The new SCX supersoft tyre range, already used last year as development specification E0126, allowed Bulega in qualifying to improve the 2025 lap record by almost half a second, which was set with an even softer compound, the SCQ extrasoft. The SC0, on the other hand, starred in Race1: given the rather low temperatures, the riders preferred an already well-established solution to the development alternative F0298.

“In WorldSSP, both rear options – SCX and SC0 – proved equally competitive, as confirmed by the choices made by the riders on the podium.

“At the front, in both classes, the choice was unanimous: SC1, which ensures good grip and stability. For tomorrow’s Superpole Race, in dry conditions, we expect the SCX supersoft to be used at the rear, as it is more competitive over the 10-lap distance thanks to the extra grip compared to the SC0.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has launched a new seasonal campaign warning British drivers that spring rainfall poses a hidden danger often overlooked after the harsh winter months. The initiative, named ‘Drip Drip Drop – ‘Little’ April Showers’, focuses on the rising threat of aquaplaning as more vehicles return to roads that remain treacherously slick from sudden downpours.

National data shows that poor tyre maintenance is a leading cause of fatal incidents, with three quarters of car tyre defects linked to neglect. Research further reveals that at 70 miles per hour (approximately 112 kmph), worn tyres add 27 metres to the standard wet stopping distance, an increase of nearly 30 percent compared to the Highway Code baseline.

Incorrect tyre pressure compounds the problem significantly. Underinflated tyres struggle to channel water away, overheat more quickly and extend braking distances, while overinflated tyres reduce the tyre’s contact patch and compromise grip. Spring’s fluctuating morning and evening temperatures make pressure changes especially common during April.

Even tyres above the legal minimum tread depth can fail in heavy rain. Continental Tyres’ research found that at 50 miles per hour, tyres with 1.6 mm of tread required 6.9 metres longer to stop than new tyres with 8 mm tread, whereas those with 3 mm added 2.7 metres. Light rain after dry spells mixes with oil and debris, creating conditions where worn or incorrectly inflated tyres lose all steering and braking control.

With bank holidays, leisure travel and outdoor activities increasing during longer daylight hours, TyreSafe urges motorists not to assume the worst weather has passed. April showers arrive without warning, and the combination of winter road grime and sudden rainfall can turn a routine journey into a dangerous aquaplaning event within seconds. TyreSafe urges road users to embrace the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “April showers might sound harmless, but when they hit busy roads and combine with worn or incorrectly inflated tyres, the consequences can be devastating. Aquaplaning can happen in seconds and without warning. The research is clear – poor tyre maintenance dramatically increases stopping distances in wet conditions. That’s why we’re urging road users to ACT: check your Air pressure, inspect the Condition and monitor your Tread. A few minutes of checks could prevent a lifetime of consequences.”

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Mitas has officially entered a three-year agreement with the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), marking a significant commitment to one of North America’s most extreme motorsports. The partnership, set to run from 2026 through 2028, designates Mitas as the Official Agriculture Tire sponsor of the championship and Title Sponsor of the Mitas National Finals Pull-Off.

Tractor pulling represents a severe test of both raw power and engineering precision. Competitors pilot highly modified machines to drag a heavy sled down a dirt track, with resistance increasing incrementally until only the strongest and best-prepared vehicles remain. Success depends entirely on transferring massive horsepower to the ground under extreme conditions, where tire grip and consistency frequently determine the winner. The NTPA season includes over 60 events across United States, running from spring through early fall, with deep roots in the Midwest. As an official partner, Mitas will gain prominent visibility on and off the track while actively supporting the growth of the sport.

Central to this collaboration is the Mitas PowerPull tyre, a product specifically engineered for tractor pulling to convert raw engine output into winning performance. Designed to manage extreme torque and deliver maximum grip, the PowerPull functions as a slick tyre that permits teams to cut custom tread patterns based on track conditions and individual race strategy, providing a measurable competitive advantage.

The season will conclude with the Mitas National Finals Pull-Off, the championship’s premier event where the year’s top competitors vie for national titles. Scheduled for 18 and 19 September 2026, in Urbana, Ohio, the finals serve as the ultimate showcase of performance, innovation and passion. As title sponsor, Mitas deepens its connection to the pulling community by attaching its name to this marquee competition.

Roberta D’Agnano, Global Marketing Director Mitas at Yokohama TWS, said, “The collaboration with NTPA connects Mitas to two worlds where performance truly matters: tough daily work in the field and the most extreme competitive environments. Tractor pulling is the ultimate expression of what farmers face every day – delivering power to the ground, staying consistent under pressure and performing when limits are pushed.

“Performance isn’t just about winning on the track – it’s about delivering results when it counts most, whether in competition or on the farm. In tractor pulling, every component is tested to the extreme, just as it is in real agricultural operations. That’s why we feel a strong connection with this community. The NTPA community embodies passion, resilience and a nonstop drive to push boundaries; values that are core to the Mitas brand. We’re excited to be part of this world, learning from these extreme conditions and turning that knowledge into tyres that perform where it matters most for farmers and pullers alike.”

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Maxxis has officially unveiled the next generation of its widely used MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to deliver marked improvements in both durability and traction for performance mountain bike tyres. Responding to rider concerns about rising costs and the desire for longer-lasting equipment, the brand has focused on extending tyre lifespan without compromising the rolling efficiency that its products are known for.

Following extensive laboratory development, Maxxis engineers have achieved a reported 30 percent gain in tread wear and durability compared to the original MaxxTerra, alongside a 15 percent increase in traction. Crucially, these enhancements come without any sacrifice in rolling resistance, ensuring consistent performance from the first ride through many subsequent outings, thereby reducing the frequency of tyre changes and maximising trail time.

The updated compound is being introduced across the full range of Maxxis trail tyres in phases, with the first phase available immediately. The new generation is identifiable by packaging marked with a New MaxxTerra graphic, while the tyre’s tech badge now simply reads MaxxTerra, replacing the previous designation of 3C MaxxTerra.

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