Quality Bike Parts (QPB) will be a new distributor of the Pirelli cycling tyre range for the North American market.

QPB is the largest distributor of bicycle parts and accessories in the cycling industry with its extraordinary history of partnering with world-class vendors and providing a high inventory of the best cycling products in the world to more than 5,000 bike shops.

The Italian tyre company offers a comprehensive line of bicycle tyres, made of the highest quality rubber compounds and technologies, to the wide range from the mountain bike, road, gravel, urban and e-Bike.

QBP will be in charge of distributing Pirelli’s full cycling tire range: the Scorpion MTB tyre line with the new Scorpion E-MTB, the P ZERO Race tyre family with the new P ZERO Race TLR and the P ZERO Race and P ZERO Road clincher tyres, Cinturato Velo road tire, the Cinturato Gravel range, and the Cycl-e urban range with the recently launched Cycl-e WT.

QBP’s values of partnering strategically and contributing to the community align with Pirelli, as QBP offers comprehensive training and educational tools to retailers and bike shop employees to help enable retailers to differentiate industry products and brands and to advance the overall prosperity of the bike industry.

“Pirelli has always been synonymous with racing heritage and innovation,” said QBP Distribution Product Manager, Aaron Martin. “With Pirelli cycling tyres, consumers are able to experience innovative technology that benefits from Pirelli’s heritage of excellence. Pirelli has grand plans for North America with the means to achieve these goals and we are proud to add them as a partner of QBP.”

“We are confident that QBP will elevate the longstanding reputation and legacy of Pirelli, and expand our already loyal retailer and consumer relationships with enhanced sales and broader reach capabilities throughout North America,” said Pirelli CEO of North America, Pietro Berardi. “QBP is just as ambitious as Pirelli, and we know that they will help us reach and exceed our objectives with distinction, integrity and merit.”

The Rubber Board has announced the commencement date for a three-month Certificate Course in molecular biology and biotechnology techniques through the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT). The course begins on 7 May 2025 and the number of seats is limited to 15.

Graduates, postgraduates, research scholars and practitioners interested in academic and industrial employment based on molecular biology and biotechnology in any field of biological science are encouraged to apply by 1 May 2025, according to the organisation's press release. In addition to updating knowledge, the course focuses on developing practical skills in some of the fundamental molecular procedures, such as gene cloning, sequencing, gene expression, transgenic development and the extraction of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). According to the statement, individuals who successfully complete the course will be qualified to participate in cutting-edge research in molecular biology and related fields as a potential career opportunity.

Interested candidates may contact on 9495928077 (WhatsApp 0481 2351313) or send a mail to training@rubberboard.org.in for more details.

Nexen Tire’s N’FERA Sport R and N’Blue 4 Season 2 tyres have emerged winners at the 2025 Green Good Design Awards, the eco-focused division of the Good Design Awards, organised by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. Both the tyres were recognised in the Green Transportation category for their eco-friendly design.

The N’FERA Sport R, a high-performance summer tyre, was praised for its function-driven design that enhances driving performance and user convenience. The tyre features ‘Step Groove’ tread pattern, wherein the groove gradually expands the contact area as the tyre wears, which helps in maintaining the grip even in worn conditions. The circular wear indication in the middle of the tread diminishes over time, signalling that the tyre needs to be changed. To increase grip, the tyre also makes use of a broad contact patch and a high-carbon black compound. To improve stability and responsiveness at high speeds, the inside is constructed with a two-ply polyester framework and a twin steel belt. By avoiding wheel slide, these design elements contribute to steady performance even in high-torque electric vehicles.

Already a recipient of the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards (2022) and the ‘Green Tire’ seal from AutoBild (2023), the N’Blue 4Season 2 was also recognised in the same category for its eco-friendly design, which decreases tread wear, extends replacement cycles and lowers environmental impact. The tyre lasts longer and produces less waste thanks to a new compound that increases wear resistance by almost 30 percent over the previous model, supporting sustainability. Fine sipes are positioned in the middle of the tread blocks to guarantee uniform contact with the road. The outer tread's serrated edges enhance braking on snow, while the centre’s slanted support structure lessens block movement on uneven terrain for a more stable ride during the winter.

Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire, said, “This award highlights our commitment to shaping a sustainable mobility environment through design-driven innovation. This accolade confirms our commitment to sustainability and quality. We will continue to strengthen our brand through innovation and responsible management.”

Bekaert has flagged off its first fleet of LNG-powered trucks in India in collaboration with GreenLine, the country’s leading provider of sustainable heavy trucking solutions. The joint initiative is aimed at supporting India’s vision for a gas-based economy and reducing the carbon footprint of road logistics.

The foundation of the collaboration with GreenLine is a mutual dedication to operational innovation and ESG standards. Bekaert has the infrastructure required to trial this effort in Chennai and Halol, with plans to expand following a six-month learning period, thanks to GreenLine's LNG ecosystem, which is supported by real-time telemetry and a smooth refuelling network. It is anticipated that each LNG truck will save up to 24 tonnes of CO₂ a year, making a significant contribution to Bekaert's targets of 65 percent of sales coming from sustainable sources and carbon net zero by 2050.

Dinesh Mukhedkar, Procurement Operations Lead – South Asia and Procurement Global Shared Service Centre Lead, said, “As part of our purpose, ‘Establishing the new possible’, and our ambition to lead in safe, smart and sustainable solutions, decarbonising logistics is an essential step. Heavy-duty transport contributes nearly 90 percent of emissions in Indian logistics. Switching to LNG helps reduce CO₂ by up to 30 percent and particulate matter by up to 91 percent compared to diesel. GreenLine’s mission and integrated support made them the ideal partner. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for logistics in India.”

Trelleborg Tires is all prepped up to debut the ART1000, its first agricultural rubber track for high-powered machinery, at the upcoming Agrishow 2025, the largest agribusiness trade show in Latin America. The company will also display its TM150 CFO tyre, which is developed for a new generation of sprayers, along with a wide selection of products designed for modern farming. The event is scheduled to be held from 28 April to 2 May in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.

Trelleborg Tires enters the agricultural rubber track market with the ART1000, a tyre designed for high-horsepower machines. In addition to optimizing vehicle economy and offering additional strength and long-lasting durability, the ART1000 is engineered for remarkable adaptability and mobility of agricultural machinery in all operating circumstances. Its track design incorporates cutting-edge tread bars that reduce soil compaction, encouraging nutrient absorption and robust root development. In demanding high-pull applications, the high self-cleaning capability maximizes overall performance and lowers operating costs by improving ride quality and increasing traction. Even in the most demanding agricultural settings, ART1000's exceptional wear and cut resistance is ensured by its cutting-edge engineering and sophisticated rubber compounds.

The TM150 CFO series, which comes in sizes VF380/90R46 and has both VF (Very High Flexion) and CFO (Cyclic Field Operations) technology, is also making its debut in Brazil. CFO allows for greater load capacity during cyclic operations at up to 30 kmph when installed on contemporary, powerful sprayers. Because of its unique internal construction, the TM150 can operate at lower pressures, increasing its ground footprint, reducing soil compaction, and improving traction.

At Booth #E8b, Trelleborg will also display a range of high-performance tyre solutions including PneuTrac, a hybrid between a radial agricultural tyre and a track designed for smooth navigation in vineyards and orchards, the multi-award-winning TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyre and the company’s patented agricultural TW rim profile for contemporary tractors, combines and harvesters.

Marcelo Natalini, President at Yokohama TWS South America, said, “Trelleborg Tires brings innovation from the soil up, delivering high-performing tyre solutions to boost productivity and protect their land. At Agrishow 2025, agri professionals will have the chance to connect with our tyre experts on site and see these technologies live, from the new ART1000 rubber track to our most advanced tyre ranges, designed to handle the challenges of next-generation machinery and modern field operations.”