Pirelli has introduced the Cinturato Winter 3, a winter tyre engineered for sedans and crossovers to deliver safety and control in cold conditions. The tyre’s development prioritised balanced performance across snow, wet roads and dry pavement, achieved through advanced virtual engineering techniques that reduced the need for physical prototypes and accelerated the design process.

Independent testing by Dekra and TÜV confirmed the tyre’s leading capabilities. It ranked first on snow for braking, traction and handling, earning the TÜV Premium Quality Mark. On wet surfaces, it demonstrated top-tier aquaplaning resistance and handling, with a European wet grip rating of A-B across its entire range. The tyre also provides acoustic comfort, with low rolling noise emissions as indicated on its European label.

Key technical updates contribute to this performance. The tread pattern features a central zig-zag channel for improved water evacuation, while optimised sipes and Snow Keeper Teeth on the tread blocks trap snow to enhance snow-on-snow grip without sacrificing wet performance. The compound technology benefits from Pirelli's experience with the high-performance P Zero Winter 2. It uses a Dual-Core Polymer with a structure that provides high grip at low temperatures for snow adhesion while maintaining grip on wet and dry surfaces, coupled with excellent wear resistance for higher mileage.

Material development was streamlined using a generative AI tool called the Virtual Compounder, which identified optimal material combinations for the new compound with greater precision and efficiency. The tyre was validated at Pirelli’s proving grounds, including the Sottozero Centre in Swedish Lapland, a 125-hectare facility with 19 tracks for testing on snow, ice and asphalt. A recent indoor facility at this centre allowed for year-round winter condition testing. The Cinturato Winter 3 was tested on over 10 car models to ensure compatibility.

Available now on the replacement market in over 35 sizes from 16 to 20 inches, the range includes specific technologies. The Elect marking denotes versions that can increase the range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by up to 10 percent through solutions tailored to their powertrains. An optional Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) uses a sound-absorbing material to reduce cabin noise.

The Cinturato Winter 3 joins other recent Pirelli winter products, including the P Zero Winter 2 for high-performance cars and the Scorpion Winter 2 for SUVs. This expanding portfolio addresses the growing market demand for specialised winter tyres, particularly in larger sizes for premium vehicle segments.

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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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