Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world's largest fully integrated natural rubber enterprise and a leading Thai rubber glove manufacturer, has announced a significant strategic diversification through its subsidiary, Sri Trang Rubber and Plantation Company Limited. The new initiative, named the ‘Sri Trang Palm Growing a Sustainable Future’ project, represents a major step in bolstering the group's long-term business resilience and expanding its operational portfolio.

The project entails a substantial investment exceeding THB 60 million (approximately USD 1.80 million) to pilot oil palm cultivation across a total of 1,461 rai of land, which will accommodate approximately 28,072 trees. These planting areas are strategically located across five key provinces, including Chonburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Surat Thani and Songkhla. The group is implementing its Asset Optimisation strategy, integrating modern agricultural technologies and adhering to its core ESG principles to guide the project's development, with the first harvest anticipated to commence by 2029.

This foray into the palm oil sector is designed to strengthen the Sri Trang Group’s overall business capabilities and enhance portfolio resilience, laying a robust foundation for sustainable long-term expansion. The initiative seeks to maximise the use of existing resources and operational networks while capitalising on new business opportunities, all while maintaining a strong commitment to community, social and environmental responsibility.

A formal kick-off event was held on 19 June 2026, in Sadao District, Songkhla Province, to mark the project's official commencement. The ceremony saw the active participation of company executives and employees, who together planted the first palm tree, symbolising the group's dedication to building a sustainable new venture and generating lasting value for both society and the environment.

Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Chief Executive Officer, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited, said, “The ‘Sri Trang Palm Growing a Sustainable Future’ project reflects the Group’s commitment to leveraging organisational potential and optimising the use of the Group’s resources, based on the Asset Optimisation concept. This involves developing the Group’s land to create long-term added value while growing responsibly alongside our communities and creating lasting value for society and the environment. For Sri Trang, this project is not just about expanding into a new cash crop but a significant step in creating shared value for all sectors. It promotes employment, creates jobs, supports the local economy and lays the foundation for stable and sustainable growth in the future. The palm trees planted through this initiative symbolise the Group’s intention to grow alongside the community and pass on a sustainable future to society in the long term.”

Udom Pruksanusak, Chief Executive Officer (Plantation), Sri Trang Rubber & Plantation Company Limited, said, “Sri Trang prioritises a systematic approach to developing its palm oil business, from site selection and the use of quality seedlings to plantation planning and modern agricultural management. In the first phase of planting, the largest proportion of the initial investment has been allocated to Songkhla Province, accounting for 43 percent of the total planting area, as it is suitable in terms of climate conditions, rainfall patterns, infrastructure readiness and connection to the Group's operational and logistics network, which will help maximise the efficiency of plantation management.

“In addition, the project operates under the ESG principles, focusing on sustainable land management, soil and water conservation and the application of technology and innovation, such as geographic information system (GIS), drone technology for agricultural operations, digital field monitoring systems and data-driven decision-making, to maximise operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support the sustainable development of surrounding communities. The Group expects to begin commercial harvesting within approximately three years, or around 2029, and will closely monitor the growth trends of the palm trees, the productivity of the selected palm varieties and the overall performance in order to consider development guidelines and opportunities for further expansion of planting areas.”

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Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH (DUNLOP) has unveiled a comprehensive winter and all-season tyre portfolio for the 2026 season, targeting European drivers who face unpredictable cold-weather conditions. The range covers high-performance passenger car and SUV applications, blending dependable winter traction with year-round versatility. The lineup includes the DUNLOP WINTER, WINTER SPORT 5, SP WINTER SPORT 4D and SP WINTER SPORT 3D winter tyres, alongside the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 for those seeking a single year-round solution.

The DUNLOP WINTER addresses drivers prioritising balanced low-temperature performance. Its directional tread and multidirectional sipes evacuate water and slush efficiently, supporting grip and stability, while lightweight materials reduce rolling resistance and aid fuel efficiency. It earned an ‘Exemplary’ rating in last year's Auto Bild tyre test, also praised for strong value. The WINTER SPORT 5, fitted as original equipment on selected Mercedes-Benz models, uses wide, deep grooves for efficient water evacuation and predictable cold-weather handling.

For enthusiasts, the SP WINTER SPORT 4D offers direct steering response through a lightweight construction, interlocking sipes, V-shaped snow grooves and an adaptive winter compound that promotes even contact-patch pressure. It is trusted as original equipment by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The SP WINTER SPORT 3D, original equipment on selected Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models, combines three-dimensional interlocking sipes for snow traction and braking with a Shape Lock System that maintains tread stability at higher speeds.

Completing the portfolio, the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 delivers a balance of summer and winter tyre benefits across varied conditions. Its 3D interlocking sipes aid winter traction, while a reinforced carcass supports stability and handling on both wet and dry surfaces, providing year-round confidence for European motorists.

Marcus Schulz, Assistant Manager – Product Planning, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, "Winter no longer necessarily means facing months of snow and ice, with often milder temperatures adding to the unpredictability of the weather. This makes it even more important to have tyres that can cope with a wide range of weather conditions. With our winter portfolio, DUNLOP offers tyres designed to meet the increasingly diverse conditions and ensuring drivers can rely on consistent performance.

"In DUNLOP's first full year with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, we are entering a new chapter in Europe. By continuously strengthening and expanding our product portfolio, we are enhancing the brand's competitiveness and laying the ideal foundation for a successful and safer 2026 winter season.”

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Michelin has broadened its agricultural trailer tyre lineup with the launch of the MICHELIN WORKXBIB. Designed primarily for tipping trailers, slurry tankers, manure spreaders and similar farm equipment, the new addition complements the existing MICHELIN TRAILXBIB, which features the company’s patented Ultraflex technology for reduced soil compaction.

Engineered to handle the demands of trailer platforms, the WORKXBIB combines endurance, high load capacity and reliability for intensive road use. It supports loads of up to 6,500 kg at speeds of 65 kmph and is offered in a size range tailored to current vehicles, drawing on Michelin’s innovation to deliver dependable performance.

The tyre’s flat crown and reinforced, serrated shoulders provide a larger footprint, promoting stability even under heavy loads and at high speed. A steel-belted crown, robust carcass and bead area, and a high-performance rubber compound enhance puncture resistance. Serrated shoulders improve stability on sloping ground, while large tread blocks self-clean to reduce maintenance. This design delivers up to 80 percent longer life than the previous generation of Michelin trailer products.

For contractors and farm owners, the result is fewer tyre replacement and maintenance stops, greater equipment availability and better-controlled operating costs. The replacement market rollout begins with size 600/55 R26.5 in October 2026, followed by three additional sizes in the second quarter of 2027: 650/55 R26.5, 600/60 R30.5 and 560/60 R22.5.

Tom Saunders, Agricultural Beyond Road Customer Engineering Support Manager at Michelin, said, “In a sector marked by increasingly intensive road use and demanding field performance, we’ve developed the MICHELIN WORKXBIB for contractors and farmers. Our latest fitment has a wide range of applications from public works and civil engineering through to haulage and livestock farming.”

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Tegeta Green Planet participated in a Circular Economy Action Platform meeting hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia on 6 October. The session examined packaging waste management and the need for technical regulation from a business standpoint, with participants exploring existing practices and the challenges tied to the issue.

Attendees stressed that an effective waste management system would serve environmental goals while giving businesses a clear and predictable operating environment. Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, presented the company’s vision and hands-on experience. Discussion topics included the Extended Producer Responsibility system, the role of businesses in waste management and practical obstacles to advancing a circular economy in Georgia.

As an EPR organisation, Tegeta Green Planet helps producers and importers meet their environmental obligations and supports an effective waste chain spanning collection, proper treatment and conversion into a resource. Akhvlediani detailed the company’s work with used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries, noting that a sustainable system demands coordinated cooperation among businesses, government and other stakeholders alongside practical experience.

The meeting underscored the value of technical regulation, with clear requirements and strong enforcement seen as ways to develop waste management, reinforce responsible business practices and encourage more efficient resource use. Developing a circular economy remains a key focus for Tegeta Green Planet, which continues working with the business, public and educational sectors so that waste management moves beyond regulatory compliance toward reuse and recycling opportunities.

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has raised concerns that overconfidence among UK motorists could be concealing a serious road safety problem. Fresh research indicates a notable gap between how drivers rate their own abilities and their actual vehicle maintenance habits. While 42 percent of drivers consider themselves above average at handling emergencies, that figure rises to 51 percent among men. Yet 1 in 10 has never examined tyre pressure or tread depth, and merely a quarter have done so within the previous month.

Regional patterns remain broadly similar, though behavioural differences point to inconsistent awareness and upkeep across the country. The organisation stresses that tyres represent the sole contact between a vehicle and the road, meaning even minor defects can materially affect braking, grip and control. TyreSafe is therefore urging drivers to incorporate regular tyre checks into their routines and to act before they react.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “Confidence is not a substitute for preparation. No matter how skilled a driver believes they are, tyres ultimately determine how a vehicle performs in an emergency. You cannot outdrive poor tyre condition. Regular checks are essential to ensure your vehicle responds as expected when it matters most.”

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