The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 has firmly established itself as the benchmark in the all-season tyre category, securing decisive victories in two major independent tests. Auto Bild magazine, in an extensive 30-tyre comparison (purchased directly from the market in the 225/40 R18 size), awarded it first place overall with an ‘Exemplary’ rating, praising its perfectly balanced performance. The publication highlighted its exceptional safety on wet roads, with top-tier aquaplaning resistance, coupled with superb dry road capabilities thanks to excellent handling and braking. Its strong results extended to snow traction and durability, leading Auto Bild to also crown it the 2024 ‘Best Product of the Year’ in its category.

This dominance was echoed by Tyre Reviews, which named it ‘The Best All-Season Tyre’ for the second year running. Their rigorous testing regime, which pitted nine tyres in size 205/45 R17 against dedicated summer and winter references across 15 different evaluations, found the Cinturato All Season SF3 to be an exceptionally capable all-rounder. The tyre topped the charts in critical dry performance metrics like braking and lap times while also excelling in wet conditions with class-leading aquaplaning resistance and handling. It further demonstrated impressive snow traction and braking, ultimately ranking number one in snow handling, all while maintaining refined, low noise levels.

Developed for medium and compact cars, this tyre is the product of sophisticated virtual modelling at Pirelli's R&D centre. This approach allowed engineers to holistically optimise all elements of the tyre's design. The advanced compound incorporates new polymers and is moulded for enhanced uniformity, which reduces rolling resistance and noise. A key innovation is the directional tread pattern, which uses wider grooves and adaptive 3D sipes. These sipes intelligently transform from linear to zigzag as the tyre wears, proactively preserving snow grip even as the tread depth diminishes. This technical excellence is validated by an A-rated wet braking performance on the European label and the TÜV SÜD Performance Mark certification.

Capitalising on the success of the Cinturato, Pirelli has expanded this winning formula to the SUV market with the new Scorpion All Season SF3. This model translates the acclaimed technologies and balanced performance to meet the specific demands of larger, heavier vehicles. Available in a range of sizes from 17 to 21 inches, the Scorpion All Season SF3 also incorporates Pirelli's Elect technology, featuring solutions specifically tailored to enhance the performance of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, cementing Pirelli's position at the forefront of all-season tyre development.

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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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