Sri Trang Group, led by Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world's largest fully integrated producer and distributor of natural rubber, and Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), a global leader in sustainable rubber glove production and distribution, executed its second annual ‘Sri Trang Go Green: Restoring Blue Carbon for Sustainability’ project on 6–7 June in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province. The initiative convened executives, employee volunteers and residents from Baan Don Harn and Kao Charoen communities to restore coastal ecosystems and promote environmental awareness.

Marine and coastal ecosystems, which sequester carbon at rates quadruple those of terrestrial forests, anchored this year's blue carbon focus. The project pursued three core activities, including seagrass bed restoration to support carbon storage and marine larvae nurseries, the release of aquatic species to revive ecological balance and continuous monitoring of seagrass growth to guide data-driven conservation management.

The selection of Baan Don Harn and Kao Charoen leveraged their abundant mangrove forests and robust community conservation involvement. Over seventy participants joined, including Sri Trang employees from Bangkok and the southern provinces of Songkhla, Trang, Surat Thani and Chumphon, alongside the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 4, the Pak Prak Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital, local conservation groups, agricultural networks, Wat Singkhon School students and community volunteers. Their efforts produced 400 planted mangroves, 600 released Asian seabass, 200,000 released black tiger shrimp and 68 kg of waste collected from Nang Kam Beach, with debris sorted according to carbon credit standards for future marine debris solutions.

The initiative reinforced the vision of a green rubber company while emphasising environmental education. Asst. Prof. Pontep Wirachwong from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya and Patipan Bupatae, Director of the Mangrove Resource Conservation Division at Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 4, shared expertise on mangrove ecosystems and marine resource management to deepen participant understanding of blue carbon significance.

Community support included donations of 10,000 Satori rubber gloves to the Pak Prak Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital and sports equipment worth THB 5,000 to Wat Singkhon School. Employee engagement flourished through the ‘GoGreen – Vlog Challenge 2026’, with selected videos to be published on the ONE SRI TRANG Facebook page to broaden conservation messaging.

Building upon the 2025 project in Trang Province, the second year commenced with an April phase on Koh Libong, with monthly seagrass monitoring underway. Sri Trang Group aims to expand marine green spaces, enhance biodiversity and strengthen collaboration between private sector, government agencies and local communities to preserve natural resources for generations to come.

Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Group CEO, Sri Trang Group, said, “Participating in the restoring blue carbon ecosystems reflects our commitment to sustainable business practices and ESG principles, encompassing both environmental restoration and contributing to society and enhancing quality of life for communities. Beyond mitigating the impacts of climate change, the project also contributes to strengthening coastal ecosystems, which are vital to the livelihoods and local economies of coastal communities. We believe that the collaborative power of employees and the communities today will inspire further conservation efforts, laying the foundation for future sustainability.”

Veerin Auengteerasuwan, Human Resources Division Manager of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), and Chalermchai Norsakul, General Manager of Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), representing the management and employees of both companies, shared their vision: “Environmental stewardship begins with collective action. The Blue Carbon project is another important step in encouraging Sri Trang employees to participate in restoring and conserving beach areas, which are natural carbon dioxide sinks. The initiative also fosters awareness, understanding and inspiration for collaborative and sustainable conservation of natural resources.”

Asst.Prof.Pontep Wirachwong, Head of Marine and Environmental Science, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science and Fisheries Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus, said, “This project plays a vital role in the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, particularly in restoring seagrass beds to a healthy and abundant state. This will help increase the abundance of aquatic life and fisheries resources, which are essential to the value chain of surrounding communities. It also supports the local economy, both as a seafood production area and as a location with strong potential for sustainable tourism.”

Kerk Nuinoi, Chairman of the Ban Don Han Marine Conservation Volunteer Group and Village Headman of Moo 2, Ban Don Han, Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, said, “On behalf of the Ban Don Han Marine Conservation Volunteer Group, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Sri Trang Group for its continued commitment to supporting mangrove forest restoration in our area. The ‘Sri Trang Go Green’ project has contributed to restoring the richness of coastal and marine ecosystems, while encouraging the community to recognise the value of natural resources and work together to conserve mangrove forests in a sustainable manner.”

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Pyrum Innovations AG has officially entered into a binding plant purchase agreement with its Czech-based joint venture, SUAS reTire s.r.o., marking a watershed moment for the German technology firm. The agreement, covering a thermolysis system for the planned Sokolov recycling hub, constitutes Pyrum’s inaugural external equipment sale, a transaction that significantly propels its commercial footprint beyond domestic operations.

Financial groundwork for the Czech project has been firmly secured, as the joint venture concurrently closed loan arrangements with a local banking institution. This development rendered the venture fully capitalised, prompting SUAS reTire to place an irrevocable order for Pyrum’s core technology, which encompasses three reactor units and auxiliary process systems. As the primary technology partner, Pyrum will assume responsibility for harmonising all ancillary site equipment with the master control architecture.

The corporate structure underpinning the initiative sees Pyrum owning 49 percent of SUAS reTire, while the remaining 51 percent is held by SUAS Ecology s.r.o., a partnership forged in the preceding year. The JV is exclusively mandated to oversee the design, construction and subsequent operation of the advanced tyre recycling facility in the western Czech city.

Ground preparation at the industrial zone has already commenced, and the impending down payments will unlock procurement of long-lead components to uphold the project timeline. Once operational, the three-reactor train is designed to process upwards of 22,000 tonnes of scrap tyres per annum. The location’s inherent logistical edge derives from the adjacent SUAS power plant, which will permit direct conversion of pyrolytic off-gas into electricity, circumventing heavy auxiliary capital outlays. The plant is slated to begin production by the spring of 2028.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “By signing our first external plant purchase agreement, we have reached a significant milestone in Pyrum’s development. This achievement is the result of a long and intensive journey during which, together with our partners, we established key technical, financial and organisational foundations. We are therefore all the more pleased to have now signed our first plant purchase agreement for an external facility, which we will build together with our partner SUAS. The secured financing underlines our partners’ confidence in our technology and provides an excellent foundation for the successful implementation of the project in the Czech Republic.”

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Kraton Corporation, a global producer of speciality polymers and bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping byproducts, has secured its sixth consecutive EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainability management. The firm achieved a record score of 90 out of 100, surpassing its own previous high of 88 from 2024 and improving markedly from the 86 posted in 2025.

This latest recognition carries added weight given that EcoVadis benchmarks performance relative to sector peers. The organisation evaluates over 150,000 companies globally, offering sustainability intelligence and improvement frameworks designed to foster responsible operations and ethical supply chains. Kraton’s sustained top-tier placement underscores its ongoing commitment to environmental and social governance standards within the speciality chemicals industry.

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer and General Counsel, Kraton, said, “While Platinum recognition has become familiar to many of our stakeholders, it should never be taken for granted. EcoVadis continuously raises expectations, and our peers continue to strengthen their sustainability programmes. Maintaining Platinum status for six consecutive years reflects the dedication of employees across our global organisation and the rigorous processes we have established to continuously advance our sustainability management practices.”

Sangwoo Ryu, Chief Executive Officer, Kraton, said, “EcoVadis serves as an important benchmark that helps us keep our sustainability management practices current, effective and aligned with evolving stakeholder expectations. This recognition reflects our commitment to building a more sustainable business and delivering long-term value for our customers, employees, investors and communities.”

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Hankook Tire emerged as a standout performer at the Red Dot Award 2026, securing six accolades in the Design Concept category. The South Korean manufacturer captured two Best of the Best honours alongside four Winner titles, underscoring its prowess in forward-thinking mobility design. This competition, recognised among the three premier design awards globally, evaluates concepts based on innovative potential at the prototype stage.

Among the top honours, the i-Flex Gen 2 received a Best of the Best award for its evolution as a next-generation airless tyre tailored for electric and autonomous vehicles. Building upon research initiated in 2015, this concept introduces a groundbreaking circumferential spoke structure that elevates visual design while reducing noise and enhancing stability. The second Best of the Best winner, Medi Buddy, emerged from collaboration with the Korea Institute of Design Promotion, integrating autonomous driving and AI into a smart intravenous system to alleviate anxiety for young patients.

The four Winner awards recognised the Bladder Upcycling Series, Concept S targeting 100 percent sustainable materials by 2050, the omnidirectional WheelBot2 and Bloom, an intelligent urban canopy. The full collection is slated for display at a special exhibition in Singapore. Hankook Tire, which in 2015 became the first Korean company to receive the Red Dot Luminary honour, later secured the iF Gold Award and an IDEA Bronze, completing a sweep of the top three design accolades.

Through continuous innovation and focus on sustainable mobility, the company continues solidifying its reputation as an industry leader committed to redefining transportation's future. The achievement reaffirms the company's global competitiveness, driven by commitment to sustainability and future-ready technologies.

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Pirelli prepares to take centre stage at its home race, the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2026, which marks the 77th edition of the historic event. The upcoming weekend at the Monza circuit is highly anticipated, driven by the fervent passion of the Italian tifosi and the venue’s deep-rooted legacy within motorsport. As the title sponsor, the Italian tyre manufacturer is set to celebrate its longstanding relationship with the Temple of Speed through a series of artistic and ceremonial initiatives.

The company’s bond with Monza transcends mere geographical proximity between its headquarters and the autodrome, being historically cemented by numerous victories on Pirelli rubber. A landmark triumph occurred on the circuit’s opening day in September 1922, when Pietro Bordino won the Grand Prix driving a Fiat 804. This year’s race will be commemorated with a unique trophy designed by the Italian artistic duo vedovamazzei, which will be presented to the top three finishers on Sunday, alongside special edition podium caps.

The trophy, named FRAGILE, is conceived as a layered composition of everyday household objects such as cups and bowls, stacked into a visually unsteady vertical form. The artists, Stella Scala and Simeone Crispino, drew inspiration from the ancient tradition of passing a communal drinking vessel to foster a sense of shared festivity. Their creation symbolises a victory that is held by an individual yet reflects the spirit of the broader community, including the team and fans, while also acknowledging the ephemeral nature of success.

The artistic process involved a blend of traditional sketching and advanced three-dimensional printing using nylon powder, which was subsequently painted and polished to a reflective finish. This commission is part of an ongoing annual project by Pirelli in collaboration with the Pirelli HangarBicocca Museum, now in its sixth edition. Previous artists who have contributed to this project include Alice Ronchi, Patrick Tuttofuoco, Ruth Beraha, Andrea Sala and Nico Vascellari.

Complementing the trophy, Pirelli Design has produced a special podium cap for the Monza weekend, featuring the iconic Azzurro blue of Italian sport. The cap, designed by Denis Dekovic, is adorned with gold embroidery and laurel wreaths, with the word Monza on the visor and an Italia 2026 emblem on the side. This exclusive merchandise is available for purchase online, adding a commemorative element for fans.

From a sporting perspective, the three softest tyre compounds will be available, with strategic simulations suggesting that a one-stop race is probable despite the availability of overtaking opportunities. The 5.793-kilometre circuit, characterised by long straights and low-downforce set-ups, will challenge drivers with energy management and rear axle traction, especially at the First Chicane and Ascari. While braking stability is crucial, the recently resurfaced track and new kerb modifications at specific turns will influence performance. Historical records highlight that Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the most victories, Ferrari leads the constructors' tally and Pierre Gasly secured a memorable maiden win here in 2020.

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