China’s Prinx Chengshan celebrated the groundbreaking of its new manufacturing facility in Kedah Rubber City, Malaysia, on 18 November 2025. This event, attended by senior company executives including Group Chairman Che Hongzhi and Malaysian dignitaries, marks a critical advancement in the company's international strategy. The Malaysia Factory is conceived not as a simple expansion but as a next-generation benchmark project, integrating intelligence, sustainability and full-chain integration from the ground up.

Strategically, this facility forms a ‘twin stars’ configuration with the company's existing base in Thailand. This dual-hub model is designed to substantially increase global production capacity, enhance the resilience of the international supply chain and provide more responsive, high-quality service to customers worldwide. It represents a pivotal step for Prinx Chengshan's sustainable, high-quality growth and exemplifies a deepening of industrial cooperation under the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, positioning itself as a future model for Chinese enterprises expanding abroad.

Occupying over 102 acres, the plant's first phase will focus on an annual output of six million premium passenger vehicle tyres and 600,000 commercial vehicle tyres. Its design leverages the mature intelligent manufacturing experience from the company's operations in China and Thailand. The facility will be structured into distinct production, research and development and residential zones. A core feature is a fully automated intelligent stereoscopic warehouse that will establish an unmanned logistics link, managing everything from raw materials to finished goods. Supported by 5G digital collaboration and intelligent inspection systems, the factory aims to achieve a high-efficiency, precision-driven Industry 4.0 production environment with minimal human intervention.

The project is deeply guided by a commitment to green development, seeking harmony between manufacturing and nature throughout its entire lifecycle. Its impact is intended to extend beyond tire production by stimulating the local industrial ecosystem. Through deepened cooperation with regional rubber suppliers and equipment manufacturers, Prinx Chengshan will strengthen the area's industrial infrastructure. Furthermore, a focus on technology transfer and comprehensive skills training for the local workforce signifies a strategic evolution from mere product export to a more integrated model of technology export and ecosystem co-development.

This new facility solidifies Prinx Chengshan's ‘China + Thailand + Malaysia’ overseas production network. By harnessing Southeast Asia's geographic and industrial advantages, the company aims to bolster global supply chain robustness, meet regional demand with greater precision and enhance its international brand competitiveness.

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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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