Therefore, transitioning to a green economy has sound economic and social justification. For governments, this transition would involve levelling the playing field for greener products by replacing harmful subsidies, reforming policies and redirecting public investment among others. In the private sector, this transition would involve responding to these policy reforms and incentives through increased financing and investment, skill building and innovation capacities to realise the opportunities arising from a green economy.

Automobile industry is one of the key sectors for economic growth, where sustainability is critical to ensure access to clean and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Particularly for the rubber industry, which is largely perceived as non-environmentally friendly, it is imperative to work towards adapting the green economy; largely through development of green technology and introduction of green manufacturing practices including resource decoupling - using less land, water, energy and materials to maintain economic growth and to reduce environmental impact.

Technology innovation remains a key priority. Some of the trends for automotive and tyre industries include, sustainable tyre through introduction of green material technology with further improvement in fuel efficiency (Rolling Resistance) Safety (Dry and Wet Traction), Durability (mileage) and Comfort (Noise, Vibration, Ride & Handling). Besides above, obtaining rubber material from biomass and recyclable avenues, greater use of modelling in performance prediction and tyre design, change in tyre design to tall and thin tires, especially to suit electric vehicles are of paramount importance towards the making of a green economy. In addition, technologies that include real time simulation, virtual proving ground, self-inflation technology, electrified rubber, sensor-based tyres for health assessment and fleet management can help save fuel, reduce operating cost including increased tyre life.

Use of simulation and predictive technology - Finite Element Analysis (FEA), service life prediction, etc. – are expected to contribute towards determining the reliability aspect of tyres. With the advent of high-end software, FEA tools are now extensively used for prediction of structural durability, aquaplaning, heat generation, process simulation and Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH). Advanced research is underway to understand the microscopic behaviour of polymer-filler interaction using new generation simulation techniques. This in turn would help to develop ultra-high-performance tyres with reduced hysteresis, improved safety and durability.

In line with the automobile industry, tyre Industry is also looking into possibilities of implementing smart manufacturing practices, which include Big Data-driven quality control, robot assisted production, self-driving logistics vehicles, production line simulation, smart supply network, predictive maintenance, machine as a service, self-organising production, additive manufacturing of complex parts and augmented work among others.

As vehicles directly impact the environment (air quality, noise levels etc.,) and tyres are integral to its functioning, a collaborative effort is required to bring about a change of thinking and a change of culture on pursuing green economy in the rubber industry.

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Yokohama Rubber has announced that it will supply ADVAN racing tyres for a newly developed BMW M Motorsport entry set to compete in this year’s Nürburgring 24-Hour Race and the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). As an official partner of BMW M Motorsport, the company is supporting the BMW M3 Touring 24H, a vehicle designed specifically for the Nürburgring circuit and built with fans in mind.

This special model shares its technical foundation with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO but is constructed using the body shell of the BMW M3 Touring. It measures 200 millimetres longer and stands 32 millimetres taller than its GT3 counterpart, including the rear wing. Despite these dimensional differences, the mechanical specifications of both vehicles remain identical. The car will compete in the SPX class, a category dedicated to high-performance experimental vehicles and concept cars with unique modifications that do not conform to other classifications. This class plays a key role in testing and refining new automotive technologies.

Yokohama’s renewed involvement with BMW M Motorsport at the Nürburgring marks a significant return, as the two last collaborated at this event between 1980 and 1990, a period during which they secured two overall victories. This season represents their first partnership at the track in nearly four decades. In addition to supplying tyres for the BMW M3 Touring 24H, Yokohama will also equip the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which is entered in the SP9 class for GT3-spec production vehicles.

Beyond its work with BMW, Yokohama Rubber will provide tyres to several leading teams participating in both the Nürburgring endurance series and the iconic 24-hour race, further extending its presence in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.

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Hankook Tire is all prepped up to spotlight its technological leadership on an international platform as a key sponsor during the TGL 2026 playoffs. The doubleheader Semifinals are set for 17 March 2026 at Florida’s SoFi Center. As the league’s first Official Tyre Partner and a Founding Partner, Hankook has elevated its brand visibility across 150 global markets. Through its association with high-tech sports entertainment and TGL’s six teams – featuring PGA Tour stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – the company has created an immersive brand experience that merges innovation with elite competition.

The semifinal round brings together the top four regular-season finishers. The opening match pits the second-seeded Los Angeles Golf Club against the third-seeded Atlanta Drive GC. These two teams have built a competitive history, each claiming one victory against the other over the last two seasons. Atlanta has excelled in Singles sessions, driven by strong outings from Billy Horschel and Chris Gotterup. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has gained an edge in Triples play thanks to the consistency of Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose. How each side adapts to the alternating formats will likely shape the outcome.

The second semifinal features a compelling clash between the top-seeded Boston Common Golf and the fourth-seeded Jupiter Links GC. Boston, powered by standout performances from Keegan Bradley and Rory McIlroy, secured the most regular-season wins and earned the top seed after missing the playoffs last year. Jupiter Links, making its first semifinal appearance, has leveraged ‘The Hammer’ scoring system effectively in Season 2. Max Homa and Kevin Kisner lead the league in Singles Holes Won, highlighting the team’s balanced strength. With TGL co-founders Woods and McIlroy at the helm of opposing teams, this matchup has captured the attention of the golf world.

The winners will move on to the Finals on 23 and 24 March 2026. The championship round will follow a best-of-three structure, with the victor claiming the SoFi Cup and the 2026 title.

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Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the first Italian driver to win a race since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. The Mercedes driver, who had already made history as the youngest-ever pole sitter, successfully converted his qualifying success into a race win. A key element of his triumph was the management of the Pirelli tyre compounds as he and the team opted for a one-stop strategy that proved highly effective.

The race began with an intense battle between the Ferraris and Mercedes, reminiscent of the season opener. However, Antonelli maintained his composure and used the restart following an early Safety Car to build a decisive advantage. While his rivals, including teammate George Russell and both Ferrari drivers, fought amongst themselves and lost precious time, Antonelli steadily extended his lead. Even after Russell managed to clear the Ferraris, Antonelli controlled the gap to secure victory, despite a minor error in the closing laps.

The Mercedes drivers executed their one-stop strategy flawlessly, starting on the medium Pirelli compound before switching to the hards under the Safety Car on lap 10. This approach was also adopted by the Ferrari duo and Oliver Bearman, who finished an impressive fifth. In contrast, Isack Hadjar employed a different tyre strategy. After a spin on the opening lap, he pitted for hards, then took advantage of the Safety Car to take another set of hards, which carried him to eighth place and valuable points for his team.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium in third, finishing just ahead of his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. The championship now heads to Japan for the next round at the renowned Suzuka circuit in two weeks. In support race action, Emma Felbermayr claimed victory in the second F1 Academy race in China, moving to the top of the standings ahead of Alisha Palmowski, who finished second ahead of Payton Westcott.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Kimi Antonelli on his first Formula 1 victory. It has been exactly 20 years since an Italian driver last triumphed in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and this historic moment occurred today in a race filled with overtakes and plot twists. As expected, the one-stop strategy proved to be the most effective in Shanghai, and the teams did not change their approach even when a Safety Car neutralised the race on lap nine. Instead, the pit window for those who had started on Medium was brought forward.

“The final stint on Hards for 10 drivers exceeded 45 laps, with tyres that were clearly in the final stages of their wear yet still capable of maintaining decent consistency. In fact, the winner himself set the fastest lap of the race on lap 52. Those who had chosen the white-banded compound at the start, on the other hand, had the opportunity to stay out during the neutralisation, gaining a few positions. However, it didn’t take long for rivals with fresh tyres to reclaim the top spots.”

Alpine, Haas and Racing Bulls, for example, are teams that exploited these two strategies to create different opportunities for their drivers. Soft were also used at the start, with the Red Bull drivers taking advantage of the extra grip to attempt an early getaway as the lights went out. We can conclude that all three tyre compounds proved to be valid options for devising effective race strategies.”

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NEXEN TIRE is strengthening its presence in the global replacement tyre market by introducing the N’BLUE S, a high-performance summer tyre, to emerging markets across Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Following a successful rollout in Europe, this expansion targets Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia. These regions are ideal for summer tyres due to their consistently warm climates and minimal seasonal variation, aligning perfectly with the product’s design.

The N’BLUE S features an optimised contact patch structure that lowers rolling resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and handling. Its multifunctional compound includes evenly dispersed materials that improve wet grip, ensuring stable and safe driving on rain-soaked roads. Each tyre also bears NEXEN TIRE’s EV ROOT mark, indicating it is engineered for exceptional performance across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. As electrification accelerates globally, this versatility allows the company to serve a broader customer base with a single product line.

The tyre’s capabilities are already proven through both European replacement sales and original equipment partnerships. It has been supplied for models including the Hyundai Casper EV, Kia Niro and PV5. Building on this established credibility with automakers, NEXEN TIRE aims to deepen consumer engagement by expanding availability in the replacement market, supporting long-term growth and revenue diversification.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “The N’BLUE S represents a key strategic model for the company, upgrading its existing summer lineup while extending OE-proven technology into the replacement market. To reinforce our global revenue base, we plan to gradually expand our presence in regions with stable year-round demand for summer tyres.”

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