Banner image caption: Europäische Fachpressekonferenz, v.l.n.r.: Dr. Ralf Deckers (Bereichsleiter Research Experts, IFH Köln GmbH), Ingo Riedeberger (Director THE TIRE COLOGNE), Maximiliane Sarwas (Moderatorin), Gerald Böse (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung Koelnmesse GmbH), Stephan Helm (Vorsitzender BRV), Motorworld Köln

The German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV) and Koelnmesse has announced that the Tire Cologne 2021 will be a hybrid trade fair. It will be held in the classic trade format as well as in the digital format called the ‘TTC@home’. According to Koelnmesse, a global leader for Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility segments, the two parallel formats would ensure that the industry participants from around the world, whether exhibitors or trade visitors, can exchange ideas live in Cologne or digitally via a platform developed specifically for this purpose.

Desperate conditions demand discerning measures
The event organisers have revealed that the trade fairs will be carried out safely and successfully while keeping all the safety measures in place. The stand
areas are limited to a maximum of 150 sq.m. Additional capacities are offered by the ‘Lead Café’ – consultation rooms that can be used flexibly. Koelnmesse has developed a host of measures under the ‘#BSAFE4BUSINESS’ in accordance with the provisions of the corona protection ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne. These measures work together seamlessly and regulate interaction at the trade fair.

The digital platform developed by Koelnmesse, on which the TTC@home digital trade fair components are realised, is already currently being used successfully at DMEXCO, the largest trade fair for digital marketing & advertising in Europe that concluded today. ‘Digital’ exhibitors can present their products as photo and text information within the exhibitor showrooms and increase the attention their company attracts by embedding video content. Content on products and companies can be presented in digital panels or conferences to a circle of interested parties and in greater depth via special networking functions in chats or digital meetings. In addition to a large number of additional tools, TTC@home also supports new visitor target groups and is at the same time the basis for a sustainable community platform that will continue to exist beyond The Tire Cologne 2021. All the exhibitors will receive a digital basic package at no charge. TTC@home thus also makes an important contribution to the digitalisation of the tyre industry.

Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, (pictured above) said, "One thing is certain; trade fairs will remain indispensable. Only here can direct personal encounters for the maintenance of existing contacts and the initiation of new business opportunities be assured with precision and certainty. We are more than prepared to carry out trade fairs safely and successfully for all participants, and to thus provide the so urgently needed impulses for the further development of the industries.”

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DUNLOP has entered the Italian Rally Championship this season with former Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen at the wheel. Backed by parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Kovalainen competes alongside his longstanding co-driver Patric Öhman for Gino Scuderia in a Citroën C3 Rally2 fitted with DUNLOP DIREZZA 201R and 301R racing tyres.

DUNLOP’s involvement in the championship forms a key part of its global motorsport strategy, offering ideal conditions for tyre development under real-world competitive pressure. The variety of asphalt surfaces encountered provides valuable data on performance, durability and vehicle dynamics, helping transfer insights into future road tyre advancements. Kovalainen, drawing on extensive experience from Formula 1 and international rallying, has been closely involved in high-performance tyre development and will use his technical feedback to support DUNLOP’s rally tyre evolution.

As Italy’s premier rally series and one of Europe’s most demanding asphalt championships, the CIAR features seven closed-road rounds known for high speeds, technically challenging stages and extreme demands on drivers, cars and tyres. The series regularly attracts competitors from the World Rally Championship and European Rally Championship, reinforcing its reputation as a tough and respected battleground.

With two rounds completed, the season began in Tuscany in March with a 12th-place finish. A mechanical issue ended their challenge in Sicily on 14–16 May, but the duo returns to contest the championship on 4–6 June in Verona, followed by events in Rome, Alba and Cassino before the finale in Sanremo. The programme strengthens DUNLOP’s European motorsport presence and boosts brand visibility, underscoring its ambition to combine technological progress with top-level sporting performance.

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Triangle Tyre released its 2025 Sustainability Report on 29 April 2026, marking the company’s second full public accounting of its environmental, social and governance performance. The document outlines progress across all three ESG pillars since the previous disclosure.

Over the past year, the Chinese tyre manufacturer achieved several international firsts following its stock market listing. Triangle Tyre earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal, becoming the first domestic tyre company to receive that recognition, and also joined the United Nations Global Compact along with the China Environmental Protection Foundation. These moves signalled deeper global engagement on ESG issues.

The company’s sustainability leadership gained further validation through multiple external honours. Triangle Tyre appeared in the 2025 China Corporate ESG Blue Book Case Studies and the 2025 China Corporate ESG 100 Index. The China Listed Companies Association additionally named it a best practice case for corporate sustainable development, underscoring its rising influence at home and abroad.

In line with national carbon peaking and neutrality goals, Triangle Tyre pushed forward with green manufacturing by adopting energy efficient technologies and clean production processes. Its 2025 energy performance earned a place on a national list of leading enterprises in key industry energy efficiency, published by three central ministries. The company achieved a two percent year on year reduction in comprehensive energy use while building a low carbon energy management system.

Sustainability efforts extend across the product lifecycle, including tyres for the new energy vehicle market that combine ultra-low rolling resistance with high load capacity to extend driving range. The company is also pursuing a circular economy target of recycling and reusing 100 percent of end-of-life tyres by 2050. Recognised as a 2025 Shandong Social Responsibility Enterprise and a longtime best employer, Triangle Tyre maintains a people centred workplace while supporting rural revitalisation, education and disaster relief.

The company further integrates ESG standards into its supply chain with a zero-deforestation commitment and sustainability criteria for supplier assessments. As China enters the first year of its 15th five-year plan, Triangle Tyre continues to rely on technological innovation to become a globally leading tyre manufacturer, aiming to deliver greener and safer mobility solutions worldwide.

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CarbonX has extended its strategic partnership with European LFP battery manufacturer ElevenEs into 2026. The new phase transitions from initial material validation to advanced industrial-scale testing, aiming to strengthen the local supply chain for LFP batteries across Europe.

As the only LFP Edge cell producer in Europe, ElevenEs supports the regional ecosystem by offering its EdgeLabs R&D infrastructure. This platform integrates CarbonX’s carbon-based anode material into full-scale prismatic LFP blade-type cells, where rigorous benchmarking against global standards validates performance, lifespan and safety.

By providing specialised services, ElevenEs acts as an industrial catalyst for CarbonX, helping the Dutch material innovator move from laboratory to market-ready applications. The cooperation is designed to result in a conditional offtake arrangement upon the successful achievement of technical milestones.

Nemanja Mikać, CEO, ElevenEs, said, “Our continued partnership with CarbonX demonstrates how ElevenEs acts as an industrial engine for the European battery ecosystem. We don’t just validate materials; we provide the manufacturing excellence and R&D infrastructure necessary to scale promising European technologies. ElevenEs experts team actively supports suppliers to build a resilient, energy-independent supply chain for the future.”

Rutger van Raalten, CEO, CarbonX, said, “Signing this agreement with ElevenEs marks a significant step forward for CarbonX and reinforces our shared commitment to building a resilient, sustainable battery materials ecosystem. Beyond strengthening our supply chain, this partnership contributes directly to Europe’s strategic ambition for energy independence, accelerating the transition to locally sourced, low carbon critical materials.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling has unveiled two major corporate documents detailing its 2025 environmental and risk management strategies. For the first time, a Climate Risk & Resilience Report aligned with international financial disclosure standards accompanies its annual sustainability findings. These publications collectively highlight how the firm’s green initiatives support both circular economy goals and lasting financial health.

Operational data from the past year shows significant efficiency gains. By tightening energy and fuel oversight, the company cut location-based Scope 2 pollution by six percent and market-based emissions by 10 percent, while energy intensity improved eight percent. Across 219 million scrap tyres, an 81 percent reuse rate was maintained. Outside auditors awarded an EcoVadis Bronze rating, placing Liberty among the top third of assessed firms, and a Recircle Award celebrated its circular innovation.

Workplace safety and community investment also saw notable progress. Employee turnover fell nine percent relative to previous figures, and lost‑time injury rates dropped 11 percent. Charitable contributions exceeded USD 216,000. The new climate resilience document explains how environmental risks are factored into daily operations and long‑range planning, reinforcing the connection between responsible practices and corporate durability.

Thomas Womble, CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling, said, "At Liberty, sustainability is core to our operations and how we show up for our partners and communities. We’re proud of the progress reflected in this report and grateful to our employees whose dedication makes it possible. We remain focused on continuing to drive progress through continued collaborative efforts with the manufacturers and retailers."

Amy Brackin, Senior Vice President – Sustainability, Liberty Tire Recycling, said, "We have said from day one – putting sustainability at the core of our operations would produce better results for the environment and our business. This year’s report continues to demonstrate that Liberty is a leader in both the tyre recycling industry and the sustainability sector more broadly."

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