Shalva Akhvlediani, the Executive Director of Tegeta Green Planet, appeared on Radio Ucnobi on 15 April 2026, alongside Giorgi Guliashvili, Chairman of Wasteless. The broadcast focused on transforming waste into a resource, a key principle of the modern circular economy.

The discussion highlighted the necessity of properly managing automotive waste, especially end-of-life tyres, while addressing environmental and economic challenges in Georgia and worldwide. The guests argued that tyres should no longer be viewed as purely hazardous waste, as modern technologies and circular economy models can turn them into valuable materials for various industries.

A significant point of interest was rubber-modified asphalt. The speakers reviewed international practices and the potential for adopting this technology in Georgia, noting its proven durability, noise reduction benefits and ability to enhance road infrastructure while minimising environmental harm. The conversation also acknowledged local progress in sustainable road development.

As a follow-up, the guests referenced the GRAS 2026 conference, held in Tbilisi on 16 March 2026 and organised by Tegeta Green Planet and Wasteless. The event united local and international experts, private sector leaders and policymakers to discuss innovative technologies and circular economy applications. The conference served as a key platform for environmental awareness, demonstrating that the circular economy represents both an ecological duty and a basis for new economic opportunities and sustainable growth.

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Comerio Ercole has concluded its participation at INDEX, the premier international nonwovens exhibition in Geneva. The event served as a vital platform to connect with global customers and industry professionals, reinforcing the company’s strong market foothold. Throughout the exhibition, the company showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, drawing excellent feedback. The fair facilitated valuable idea exchanges, strengthened longstanding relationships and fostered new international ties, proving an inspiring experience for the entire team.

Parallel to industry engagements, Comerio Ercole is bolstering employee wellbeing through the WHP Lombardia programme. Since 2019, the company has joined this regional initiative following the World Health Organization model. Increasingly investing in environmental, social and governance initiatives, the company has introduced measures to improve health and safety. These efforts have earned renewed recognition as a health-promoting workplace, with programmes including healthy nutrition, physical activity groups, anti-smoking campaigns and sustainable mobility.

Separately, Comerio Ercole recently hosted Istituto Fermi students for an educational visit. The group toured production workshops, observing machinery construction firsthand. A particularly appreciated segment introduced virtual reality systems for training and machine support, where immersive simulations using Oculus headsets demonstrated how new technologies enhance learning and remote maintenance.

The meeting also covered the company’s history and sustainability efforts. For Comerio Ercole, such initiatives build connections with younger generations and inspire future professionals by sharing a passion for engineering excellence. The company extended thanks to the students and teachers for their enthusiasm.

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The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has recognised Michelin North America for a USD 5,000 donation made to the Tire Industry Scholarship programme. The scholarship initiative is administered in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and aims to support students pursuing higher education while strengthening the future workforce of the tire and automotive service industries.

Michelin’s contribution places it alongside a growing roster of industry donors, including Bridgestone Americas, Hankook Tire, Kumho Tire, Nitto Tire, Toyo Tire, VIP Tire, Yokohama Tire Corporation and the Tire Industry Association itself. Established with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, the Tire Industry Scholarship programme provides financial assistance to students and directly addresses workforce development needs within the tyre sector.

TIA continues to encourage companies throughout the tyre industry to support the scholarship fund, helping to expand educational opportunities for future students and secure a skilled talent pipeline for years to come.

Dick Gust, CEO, TIA, said, "We are grateful to Michelin for supporting the Tire Industry Scholarship programme and investing in the future of our industry. Scholarships like these help create opportunities for students while demonstrating our industry's commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, technicians and professionals. The success of this programme depends on industry participation. Every contribution helps us invest in the future of our workforce and create opportunities for students who may one day become the leaders of our industry."

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Pirelli is all set for the Monaco Grand Prix, a street circuit steeped in glamour and racing history since 1929. For this 3.337-kilometre layout with 19 tight corners, the Italian tyre manufacturer has selected the softest compounds in its range – C3, C4 and C5 – to provide maximum mechanical grip on the Principality’s unusually smooth asphalt surface.

The narrow carriageway follows regular urban traffic lanes, leaving virtually no run-off areas and placing safety barriers just centimetres from the racing line. Drivers frequently brush against these walls while pursuing the ideal trajectory, with average speeds the lowest of the Formula 1 season. In some sections, cars decelerate to roughly 50 kilometres per hour, making qualifying the most critical session of the weekend since overtaking is exceptionally rare.

Several sections of the track have been resurfaced for this edition, including between Turns 19 and 1, from Turn 7 to the tunnel entrance and at pit lane entry and exit. Although graining could appear, tyre behaviour is unlikely to be significantly affected because the Monaco circuit primarily subjects rubber to traction-related loads. Low degradation traditionally encourages a one-stop race strategy, though an experimental rule in 2024 forced two pit stops by requiring three different tyre sets. That regulation has since been abandoned.

Red flags and safety car periods frequently disrupt the race due to the high probability of barrier contact and the difficulty of recovering stricken cars. In 2024, an opening-lap red flag allowed all drivers to immediately fulfil the two-compound requirement, enabling a split strategy between Medium and Hard tyres for the remainder of the Grand Prix. The 2025 edition reintroduced a three-set rule, prompting most drivers to choose Medium-Hard combinations while six teams used all three compounds including the C6 Soft.

Now in its 72nd running in Monaco, the event has seen Ayrton Senna claim six victories, one more than Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher. McLaren remains the most successful constructor with 16 wins, followed by Ferrari on 10. Reflecting the Principality’s elegance, Pirelli has unveiled a special Podium Cap in deep red and champagne colours, designed by Denis Dekovic and available on the Pirelli e-commerce platform.

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Tyres Europe has joined a broad coalition of European industry associations urging the European Commission to fix persistent flaws, gaps and technical limitations in the EU Deforestation Regulation’s Information System before the rules take effect on 30 December 2026. The system serves as the central pillar of the EUDR, designed to ensure traceability and compliance within highly complex supply chains.

Industry feedback highlights major shortcomings, particularly restrictions on aggregating Due Diligence Statements and a lack of essential functions for business users. These issues threaten to impose heavy administrative burdens and create operational uncertainty for companies trying to meet the regulation’s requirements.

The coalition is demanding that the Commission make the system not only legally compliant but also operationally practical, thoroughly stress-tested and adapted to real-world business practices. A reliable and user-friendly platform is deemed critical for supporting compliance while protecting the uninterrupted supply of key commodities and products into the European market.

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