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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Linglong Tire hosted legendary Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos at its headquarters in Zhaoyuan from 14 to 16 August 2026. The Real Madrid official ambassador’s visit included high-level meetings with the tyre manufacturer’s senior management, alongside engagements with key clients and commercial partners. His itinerary featured a comprehensive tour of the company’s primary production facility and an in-depth briefing on its smart manufacturing systems.

The former Real Madrid star explored the firm’s research and development centre and evaluated the Sino-Asia test track, recognised as China’s largest and most advanced proving ground. Carlos expressed considerable admiration for the facility’s professionalism and scale, particularly noting the colossal 63-inch off-the-road tyre displayed at the headquarters. His schedule also included a panel discussion with Linglong Chairman Wang Feng and CEO Lingkun ‘Andy’ Zhou.

Linglong Tire has served as Real Madrid’s Global Tire Partner since 2024, a commitment that extends into the 2026/2027 season. The partnership is activated as the nine-time European champions prepare for their La Liga opener against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 August. As part of the agreement, the Linglong brand secures prominent visibility on the stadium’s digital perimeter boards for all domestic league and cup fixtures.

Additional sponsorship benefits include logo placement on partner boards and the official club website, along with VIP hospitality packages. The collaboration also features advertisements in Real Madrid’s digital and print publications, television spots on the club’s official channel and extensive integration into the club’s media activities, solidifying Linglong’s presence within the Spanish giants’ commercial framework.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced the presentation of findings from an international joint research project for developing technologies to prevent and control rubber tree leaf fall diseases. Lead researcher Minami Matsui delivered a public lecture on 1 August, addressing the global history of rubber trees and collaborative measures against Leaf Fall Disease, which has significantly reduced production in affected regions.

Yokohama Rubber participates as a cooperating corporation in this initiative, which aims to achieve sustainable natural rubber production through disease management. The project has been selected under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development programme, jointly implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This international effort unites Japanese and Indonesian institutions, focusing on Indonesia as the world's second-largest natural rubber producer, where Leaf Fall Disease has severely curtailed output. The research targets smallholder farmers, who account for over 90 percent of the nation's production, by utilising pesticides to combat the disease.

Minami Matsui (left) and co-researcher Emiko Kurihara, Assistant Professor at Keio University

Since the project launched in 2020, research has progressed from pesticide screening to field evaluations at institutional test farms and corporate plantations, and then to smallholder farm assessments beginning in September 2025. Throughout each phase, Yokohama Rubber has investigated pesticide residues in natural rubber latex and evaluated their effects on rubber properties, confirming that proper application does not compromise quality. All field evaluations have demonstrated the selected pesticides' effectiveness, and the project is now advancing towards the practical phase, including securing pesticide registration for Indonesian use.

This research aligns with Yokohama Rubber's Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber, which includes supporting small-scale farmers. The company also participates as an official partner in another SATREPS project focused on utilising rubber seeds for green products to address global warming and plastic pollution.

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NEXEN TIRE is intensifying its transition to renewable energy across its domestic manufacturing facilities, marking a significant step in its long-term sustainability strategy. The company is advancing this effort through a combination of external power purchase agreements and the expansion of on-site solar generation at its Yangsan and Changnyeong plants.

A key component of this initiative involves a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) inked with SK Innovation E&S, which allows the tyre manufacturer to secure renewable electricity directly from producers via a long-term contract. Beginning in November, the Yangsan plant will receive approximately four megawatts of onshore wind and solar power, with an anticipated yearly output of six gigawatt-hours. This supply is expected to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 2,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Parallel to the DPPA, NEXEN TIRE is bolstering its self-generation capabilities. Rooftop solar systems at the Changnyeong facility, currently under lease, will be transitioned to company-owned generation as leases expire, targeting a total capacity exceeding 10 megawatts by 2028. This shift will convert roughly 9 percent of the plant’s electricity use to renewable sources, while the Yangsan plant is also evaluating similar proprietary solar installations.

Given its substantial presence in Europe and its role as an original equipment supplier to premium automakers, NEXEN TIRE faces increasing pressure from clients to lower production-related emissions. The company has already secured Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for its goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 58.8 percent from a 2023 baseline by 2034, reinforcing that environmental performance is now a critical competitive factor in its key markets.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "The shift to renewable energy is not merely a response to regulations but a strategic investment to secure sustainable competitiveness in the global market. We will continue to expand the adoption of renewable energy across our production sites both in Korea and abroad in a phased manner."

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Nokian Tyres has achieved a significant milestone in the 2026 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), securing a total score of 80 points. This evaluation examines sustainability factors that are critical to long-term corporate performance, with a strong emphasis on risk management, organisational adaptability and overall resilience. The company views this result as a clear validation of its strategic approach.

The assessment awarded the tyre manufacturer perfect scores in several key categories, including Climate Risk Management, Raw Materials Programs, Information Security Policy and Human Rights Mitigation and Remediation. Company leadership has acknowledged that this accomplishment is rooted in the deep integration of sustainable practices across daily operations, product innovation and long-term value generation.

Nokian Tyres also stressed that responsible expansion relies heavily on collaborative efforts with employees and partners, reinforcing that sustainable decisions are fundamental to building resilience in a rapidly evolving global environment.

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