Pyrum Innovations AG (Pyrum) has published its consolidated financial report for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2024.

Both the company's financial situation and its half-year results were primarily defined by investments made at the Dillingen/Saar headquarters, orders for plant components that required a lengthy lead time for the new Perl-Besch site, personnel expansion and organisational structure development. Furthermore, the rCB pelletising plant's throughput volumes remained below goal.

Revenue in the first six months totalled EUR 708 thousand and was therefore EUR 41.3 1TP3 thousand higher than in the first half of 2023 (EUR 501 thousand). Own work capitalised amounted to EUR 3,614 thousand (H1 2023: EUR 7,613 thousand) as the expansion and optimisation of the plant in Dillingen progressed as planned. The decrease corresponds to the lower cost of materials required to produce own work capitalised as the degree of completion of the plant expansion in Dillingen increases. As expected, total operating performance fell by around EUR 44,000 thousand to EUR 4,536 thousand (H1 2023: EUR 8,155 thousand) compared to the same period of the previous year due to lower own work capitalised. At EUR 800 thousand, other operating income more than doubled compared to the same period of the previous year (H1 2023: EUR 356 thousand). This was due to investment grants totalling EUR 531 thousand (EUR 151 thousand) for the creation of jobs in Dillingen resulting from the plant expansion. The consolidated net loss for the period amounted to EUR ‑4,787 thousand (H1 2023: EUR ‑4,408 thousand). Available liquidity increased to EUR 9,502 thousand as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: EUR 4,483 thousand) due to the payment of two further loan tranches from BASF for the construction of the plant in Perl-Besch.

As a result of lower costs, the company expects earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR ‑10.0 million to EUR ‑12.0 million for 2024 to be slightly above the previously expected range of EUR ‑11.0 million to EUR ‑13.0 million.

As a result of the lower-than-planned throughput of the pelletising plant to date, the company assumes that sales will probably not meet the original forecast until the fourth quarter. As a result, sales of between EUR 1.9 million and EUR 2.4 million are now expected for the year as a whole (originally EUR 3.0 million to EUR 4.0 million). In addition, total operating performance is also expected to be lower than planned at around EUR 10 million (originally EUR 25 million to EUR 30 million). Contrary to planning, no plant purchase agreement has yet been concluded, as the approval process required for a final investment decision has not yet been completed despite the progress made on the projects. The company is dependent on the processing times of the approval authorities.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “We can look back on an exciting and successful first half of the year at Pyrum. Our industrial series plant is finally up and running and the start-up phase of the new TAD 2 and TAD 3 production lines has been successful. This has laid the foundations for our future development. We are currently doing everything we can to ensure that TAD 2 and 3 can soon go into continuous operation, which will also be reflected in the figures in the future. We are also focussing on financing further expansion.”

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”