Sumitomo Rubber Industries, a global tyre and rubber company based in Japan, announced on their website last week that they have succeeded in synthesising new biopolymers that will accelerate the development of the ultimate fuel-efficient tyres. This is as a result of joint research undertaken with Associate Professor, Seiji Takahashi of Tohoku University, Associate Professor, Satoshi Yamashita of Kanazawa University, and Professor Yuzuru Tozawa of Saitama University, states Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

The company claims that its research team recently discovered that the use of modified tomato enzymes (developed as part of their prior research) as a polymerisation catalyst, makes it possible to select polymer initial monomers at will. Based on this discovery, they have succeeded in synthesising biopolymers incorporating initial monomers that are more conducive in improving tyre performance. According to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, through its ongoing research, the company aims to contribute to the realisation of sustainable societies by developing tyres that take fuel efficiency to all new heights for the 2040s and beyond.

The rubber and tyre company further states that its research team had previously succeeded in synthesising a biopolymer not found in nature, by first identifying the segment of natural rubber synthase that plays a key role in determining polymer chain lengths, and then replacing this segment with a similar segment of a specially modified enzyme derived from tomatoes.

Having since furthered its research on modified tomato enzymes, the company recently discovered that the use of modified tomato enzymes weakens initial monomer selectivity. Sumitomo Rubber Industries claims that this in turn allows for synthesis, starting from monomers other than the initial monomers typically involved in the initiation of polymerisation. In addition, by taking advantage of this newfound characteristic, the company has also synthesised entirely new biopolymers, incorporating initial monomers that they have selected at will.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries recently announced the results of its research at the 33^rd Annual Association for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Meeting held in Bozeman, Montana (USA) from 9-12 October, 2022. Moving forward, as per Sumitomo Rubber Group, the company will continue working to contribute to the realisation of sustainable societies. It plans on doing this through its ongoing efforts to ensure a stable supply of natural rubber while providing tyres that combine safety and peace of mind, with a reduced environmental impact, the company claims.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced at the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opening that it will donate the last remaining GZ20-era blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum, where it will be featured in a new children’s exhibit. This iconic gondola, once part of the Europe-based Europa and Florida’s Stars and Stripes blimps, represents nearly 40 years of aviation history before Goodyear transitioned to its modern NT airships in 2011.

The donation highlights Goodyear’s 100th-anniversary celebration of its blimp programme, honouring its legacy while inspiring future generations. Alongside this gift, Goodyear unveiled a limited-edition keepsake: a framed fragment of the Spirit of Goodyear blimp’s envelope, which flew from 2000 to 2014 and set a Guinness World Record for continuous operation. Proceeds from sales will support the EAA Museum’s children’s exhibit.

Goodyear Aviation will showcase its latest tyre technology at Booth #489. In a first for Oshkosh, two blimps – Wingfoot One (with a vintage Pilgrim livery) and Wingfoot Two (featuring an LED sign)—will perform in daily and nighttime airshows, commemorating a century of Goodyear’s airborne innovation.

Michael Dougherty, Goodyear's Chief Pilot, said, "As we celebrate our blimp programme's 100th anniversary, there's no better way to honour its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future."

Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager, said, "Goodyear's Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum's mission to tell the story of flight. Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams."

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The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continued with Round 8, Delfi Rally Estonia, which concluded successfully on 20 July in Tartu and southern Estonia. Hankook Tyre & Technology, the event’s exclusive tyre supplier, provided its high-performance 'Dynapro R213' rally tyres, engineered for durability and stability across challenging terrain. The tyres delivered exceptional shock absorption on gravel, along with strong grip and precise handling at high speeds.

Known for its rapid pace, Rally Estonia featured 20 high-speed special stages covering 308 kilometres, combining flat-out straights through forest roads with tight, technical corners. With average speeds exceeding 120 kmph on gravel, drivers faced demanding conditions, including loose surfaces, consecutive jumps and rough terrain – making tyre reliability a critical factor in performance.

In the WRC1 class, Toyota’s Oliver Solberg claimed his first career victory, while Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville finished second and third, respectively. Tänak’s podium moved him to the top of the Driver’s Championship standings, just one point ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.

The championship now heads to Secto Rally Finland (31 July–3 August), where Hankook Tire will again supply its rally tyres for the ultra-fast stages, featuring blind crests and dramatic jumps. Prior to the 2025 season, Hankook conducted over 2,000 km of real-world testing across eight countries, working with the FIA and manufacturers to develop FIA-certified rally tyres.

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VMI has secured a Gold Medal in the 2025 EcoVadis Sustainability Rating. This recognition places it among the top five percent of over 150,000 companies evaluated globally, strengthening the company’s commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices and social responsibility.

VMI has risen from bronze to silver and now to gold in just three years, marking a turning point in its journey towards a more sustainable future. This acknowledgement reaffirms and highlights VMI’s continued dedication to sustainability, openness, quality and social responsibility for business, employees, technology and role across the chain.

Four main themes – environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement – are evaluated by the EcoVadis evaluation, which looks at 21 sustainability criteria. Globally, EcoVadis has assessed over 150,000 businesses.

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NEXEN TIRE has broadened its original equipment (OE) supply for KIA’s strategic models, reinforcing its collaboration with the automaker. The company now provides its premium N’FERA Supreme S tyres for the KIA EV6 produced in Georgia, US, extending its existing supply beyond Korean and export markets. Designed for EVs, this tyre delivers a quiet, stable ride with low rolling resistance and is already featured on KIA’s EV3, EV4 and other flagship models, showcasing NEXEN’s advanced EV tyre technology.

Additionally, NEXEN TIRE has expanded OE supply of its ROADIAN HTX2 – previously for KIA’s Tasman in Latin America – to domestic Korean, Middle Eastern and European markets. Built for SUVs and light trucks, this tyre combines durability, off-road capability and smooth on-road performance.

With OE tyres now supplied across KIA’s full EV range – from EV3 to EV9 – NEXEN TIRE solidifies its position as a key partner in the global shift towards electrification.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “This expanded OE supply reflects the deepening of our strategic partnership with KIA and reinforces our position in key global markets, including North America. By providing advanced tyre solutions for a wide range of vehicles – from electric cars to pickup trucks – we are demonstrating the breadth of our technological capabilities. NEXEN TIRE will continue to strengthen its collaborations with global automakers as we lead innovation in next-generation mobility.”

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