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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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been honoured as a Community Contribution Certified Company for the seventh consecutive year. The recognition was conferred at the 2025 Community Contribution Recognition Day event in Seoul, where the company also received a Minister of Health and Welfare’s Commendation and the highest possible ‘S’ grade. This dual accolade underscores the sustained public value and consistent performance of its social responsibility programmes.

The certification itself is a rigorous evaluation administered by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare. It involves a comprehensive review based on ESG Principles, spanning multiple evaluation areas and numerous detailed indicators. In the latest assessment, the company excelled particularly in environmental management, earning recognition for its robust sustainability and carbon-neutral practices. Its diverse community initiatives, which are developed through long-term regional partnerships and extensive employee volunteerism, were also highly commended for building a stable and effective collaborative framework with local communities.

This ongoing commitment has been strategically reinforced following the establishment of the HS Hyosung Group in 2024. Under the new slogan ‘Value, Together’, the company has redefined its approach to social contribution. Its efforts are now organised around three core pillars: providing support for vulnerable groups, fostering the advancement of local communities and culture and promoting eco-friendly initiatives.

H S CHO, Vice Chairman, HS HYOSUNG, said, “Receiving the Minister of Health and Welfare’s Commendation and the highest ‘S’ grade is the result of our longstanding commitment to putting ‘Value, Together’ into action within our communities. We will continue to carry out diverse social contribution initiatives as a responsible company that grows together with local communities.”

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Toyo Tires has become a member of the Global Data Service Organisation for Tyres and Automotive Components (GDSO). This international non-profit is dedicated to creating universal data standards for tyres and auto components. Through this collaboration, Toyo Tires will intensify its efforts to establish industry-wide systems for tyre identification and traceability, which are crucial for modern supply chains.

A core component of this initiative involves the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. This wireless system allows for non-contact identification of individual tyres, which significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of quality assurance and inventory management processes. By building a comprehensive database of its products, Toyo Tires will enhance information reliability across the entire industry.

The data accumulated through RFID will be instrumental in developing high-value-added services, particularly within the company’s solution business such as retreading and maintenance programmes. This strengthens information management throughout a tyre's entire life cycle. Furthermore, this technological adoption supports Toyo Tires' broader commitment to sustainability. By proactively leveraging digital tools like RFID, the company aims to reduce its environmental impact while simultaneously enhancing its corporate value and advancing the development of more sustainable tyres.

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive rally-tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, is all set to provide tyres for all competitors in the championship's dramatic 2025 season finale, Rally Saudi Arabia. Taking place from 25 to 29 November in the Jeddah region, this decisive event marks the WRC's inaugural visit to the country. The rally’s route, centred around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, comprises approximately 319 kilometres of competitive action across 17 special stages, presenting a completely new challenge for teams and drivers.

This new Middle Eastern challenge demands a tyre capable of mastering a vast spectrum of conditions. The stages combine long, fast desert sections with technically demanding rocky terrain, all subject to sharp temperature swings, blowing sand and unpredictable micro-climates. Hankook will equip the crews with its Dynapro R213, an extreme all-terrain rally tyre engineered specifically for such rough and unpaved surfaces. Available in Hard and Soft compounds, it features a robust casing and a specialised tread pattern to deliver stable grip, crisp steering response and reliable impact absorption at high speeds, all while managing heat buildup for consistent long-stage performance.

The rally also serves as the setting for the championship's climax. The Drivers' Championship will be settled in Jeddah, with Toyota GAZOO Racing's Sébastien Ogier having narrowed the gap to leader Elfyn Evans to just three points after his recent victory in Japan. This sets the stage for a final, high-stakes showdown where tyre strategy and durability will be as critical as outright speed, focusing the global motorsport world on the Saudi desert.

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Giti Tire has intensified its AdvanZtech EV Ready initiative with the introduction of the GitiWinterW2, a winter tyre engineered to perform on battery-electric vehicles, hybrids and traditional internal combustion engines. This new product, available for the 2025/26 winter season, is the first winter-specific offering within this specialised tyre line. The range is comprehensive, encompassing 17 different sizes to fit rims from 15 to 20 inches, making it suitable for a wide array of vehicles from the compact Fiat 500e to the Tesla Model 3 and popular SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60 PHEV. Each tyre is marked with a distinct sidewall logo to guide consumers towards the correct application for their vehicle type.

The development of the GitiWinterW2 focused on achieving a balance of critical performance attributes. Engineers prioritised managing the high torque output of electric vehicles for superior control while simultaneously minimising rolling resistance to help extend driving range. This technical development was accomplished without sacrificing the essential safety and handling characteristics required for winter driving in snow and wet conditions. The manufacturer emphasises that the final product delivers a quiet, comfortable and secure driving experience.

This winter tyre joins the existing summer patterns, the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2, which were originally launched in August 2024 under the same AdvanZtech EV Ready strategy. All three tyre lines are the result of research and development conducted through Giti's global AdvanZtech system, with significant work carried out at their European Research & Development Centre located in Hannover, Germany.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager – Product Planning PCR and LTR, Giti Tire R&D Centre (Europe), said, “The Giti brand was among the first in the mid-market to introduce an EV ready concept, ensuring maximum flexibility and product clarity for dealers and peace of mind for drivers. As is proven, winter can have an impact on the performance of part-electric and electric vehicles with lower temperatures reducing battery range and immediate torque levels being tricky on slippery roads; the Giti AdvanZtech EV ready GitiWinterW2 goes a long way to addressing these issues.”

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