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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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been named a Sustainability Yearbook Member in the Auto Components category for the first time. The recognition took place on 11 May 2026 at the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Distinction Ceremony hosted by S&P Global at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, where Thai companies featured in the Sustainability Yearbook 2026 were celebrated. From over 9,200 firms assessed in the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), only 848 earned Yearbook membership.

STA’s inclusion highlights its strengths in the Social Dimension, particularly human rights, occupational health and safety and employee development. Environmentally, the company has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a short-term target of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions per product unit by 10 percent by 2026, compared to the 2021 baseline.

The S&P Global assessment reaffirms STA’s leadership in the integrated rubber industry under its Sri Trang Green Rubber vision. The company drives product quality while managing environmental, social, governance and emerging risks, thereby creating stakeholder value and strengthening trust among partners and consumers.

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American tyre brand General Tire has released a new all-season tyre aimed at drivers who refuse to compromise between on-road precision and off-road toughness. The Grabber Cross A/S achieves this balance by marrying an unusually stiff tread pattern with a rubber mix explicitly formulated to resist cutting and chunking on harsh terrain.

For drivers who spend time on rocky or uneven terrain, the tyre’s hexagonal tread blocks deliver grip through sharp biting edges, while chamfered groove edges further boost off-road traction. A highly resistant crossover compound protects against tread damage on rough ground. Meanwhile, transverse and longitudinal sipes carved into the blocks provide wet and snowy road grip, and an open shoulder design rapidly channels water away to prevent aquaplaning. On dry roads, internal support elements between the blocks create an extra-stiff tread that distributes pressure evenly, allowing precise steering and sustained high-speed running without sacrificing mileage. Importantly, that stiffness does not come at the cost of comfort, as the tyre also delivers low rolling noise and a smooth ride.

Certified for winter use, the Grabber Cross A/S carries both the M+S marking and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, the latter being mandatory in Germany and France since 2024. General Tire offers the model in 44 sizes spanning 16 to 22 inches in diameter, with top speed approvals reaching 240 kmph depending on the size. The tyre fits a broad range of two- and four-wheel-drive vehicles, including popular SUVs such as the VW Tiguan, KIA Sorento, Ford Kuga, Mazda CX 90 and Volvo XC90. An ‘EV Compatible’ sidewall logo also confirms its readiness for electric vehicles.

The Grabber Cross A/S is now reaching dealer shelves and service centres. According to the EU tyre label, this all-season 4x4 tyre earns a rolling resistance rating of C or D, a wet grip score of C and a B classification for rolling noise – positioning it as a versatile option for SUV and EV owners who want one tyre for all seasons.

Matthias Bartz, Business Development Manager for General Tire in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said, "The Grabber Cross A/S is General Tire's entry into a new product segment. The tyre is designed for high speeds on fast roads but also offers excellent off-road performance in challenging terrain. With our extensive size portfolio, we can offer tyres for about 85 percent of the most popular crossover SUVs.”

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Portronics has launched a compact portable tyre inflator named the Vayu Nano, designed specifically to address the space constraints faced by bicycle and motorcycle commuters. Weighing just 185 grammes, the device easily fits into a jacket pocket, small bag or scooter storage compartment. Its matte-black finish and short 7.5-centimetre air hose make it suitable for two-wheelers and minor pressure top-ups rather than inflating car tyres from scratch.

The Vayu Nano delivers up to 120 PSI, sufficient for motorcycles requiring around 45 PSI, bicycles needing approximately 35 PSI and standard sports balls. It can fill a tyre from zero to 35 PSI in under five minutes. A digital display shows pressure in PSI or BAR alongside a battery indicator, while preset modes for various inflatables and a manual custom setting are included. An auto shut-off function stops the device once the target pressure is reached to prevent over-inflation.

Power comes from a dual 600 mAh battery setup with USB-C charging, allowing use with existing phone chargers or power banks. A built-in LED light features an SOS mode for low-light conditions. Priced at INR 4,999, the Vayu Nano is available at a launch price of INR 2,999. It comes with a 12-month warranty and can be purchased through the company’s website or at ecommerce websites and standard offline stores.

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Hankook Tire has secured the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for its Jiaxing Plant in Zhejiang Province, China. This globally recognised voluntary certification verifies the sustainability of bio-based and recycled materials while ensuring full supply chain transparency. The certification imposes strict verification standards across every stage, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to the final product output.

The Jiaxing facility’s achievement marks the company’s fourth ISCC PLUS certification. Hankook first earned the distinction for its Geumsan Plant in 2021, becoming the first in the tyre industry to do so. The Rácalmás Plant in Hungary followed in 2023, and the Daejeon Plant received certification in 2025. With this latest addition in China, Hankook has significantly expanded its sustainable manufacturing network across both Asia and Europe.

The Jiaxing Plant has enhanced its production capabilities by increasing the use of sustainable materials and optimising processes. It has established a stable system for products incorporating bio-based and recycled inputs, operating a quality management system based on the mass balance approach. Under its circular economy strategy named E.Circle, Hankook continues to raise the share of sustainable materials. For example, the iON evo tyre, supplied as original equipment for the Porsche Taycan, contains around 45 percent sustainable materials, while the iON GT for the European replacement market has raised that share to up to approximately 77 percent.

Hankook is also applying sustainable materials to tyres used in the FIA World Rally Championship and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, reinforcing its technology leadership in global motorsports. Through open innovation with global partners, the company is advancing low-carbon raw materials. Its sustainability efforts have earned it inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and the highest EcoVadis rating. Looking ahead, Hankook plans to transform the Jiaxing Plant into a key sustainable manufacturing hub in China while continuously upgrading production systems across its global facilities to strengthen supply chain sustainability and ESG competitiveness.

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