Pirelli has confirmed its tyre allocations for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes at the Indonesian Grand Prix, held from 3 to 5 October 2025 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok. This event marks the championship's second consecutive Asian round, moving from Japan to the Indonesian island.

Pirelli’s focus for the Moto2 category is on soft compound rear tyres, a choice driven by the circuit's characteristics and historical data. Riders will have two options: the standard SC0 compound and a development tyre, the E0125. This development tyre uses the same soft compound as the SC0 but features an innovative carcass designed for 2025. Having already been used in eight previous Grands Prix, the E0125 has received positive feedback and is familiar to the competitors. For the front axle, riders can pair these rears with either the SC1 or SC2 compound.

The Moto3 class allocation remains unchanged, with riders having access to both the SC1 and SC2 compounds for the front and rear of their machines. Furthermore, anticipating the region's high risk of sudden, heavy rainfall, Pirelli has proactively increased the wet-tyre allocation for both classes. An additional SCR1 wet tyre has been added for each, bringing the total to five front and six rear wets per rider. This adjustment is a direct response to the challenging local conditions, where a hot and humid climate can see track temperatures soar to 60°C, yet be quickly interrupted by intense downpours.

Giorgio Barbier, Motorcycle Racing Director, Pirelli, said, "Lombok is not a particularly demanding track in terms of abrasiveness, but it presents critical issues related to high temperatures and variable weather conditions. At this time of year, the climate is hot and humid, with the asphalt reaching up to 60 °C, while episodes of intense and sudden rain are not uncommon. To cope with the latter scenario, we have increased the allocation of SCR1 wet tyres by one unit, so as to ensure the necessary coverage in the event of persistent rainfall. As for slicks, the history of this championship and WorldSBK confirms a clear preference for soft compound rear solutions.

"For this reason, in Moto2 we have planned the standard SC0 and its development E0125 evolution, already widely appreciated in previous rounds. We expect that the riders will also be able to quickly find the positive feeling already experienced elsewhere at Mandalika. It's still a track that puts more stress on the front axle than the rear, but both the SC1 and SC2 have already shown great versatility over a wide range of conditions, which is why we're confident they'll offer excellent support in this context too. In Moto3, as usual, the SC1 is the softest option available and will probably be the most chosen in the event of dry asphalt."

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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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