The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has announced the appointment of 15 board members to further drive tyre circularity and sustainability efforts within the US tyre recycling supply chain. The foundation also named Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO of USTMA, as Board President.

Consisting of 15 global industry leaders with expertise in the manufacturing, recycling and transportation industries, the Board will primarily focus on the acceleration and adoption of emerging end-of-life tyre market technologies like rubber-modified asphalt (RMA). Apart from this, the new Board aims to raise USD 300,000 in 2025, taking the figure to USD 2-3 million in 2026, to accelerate research, education and demonstration projects focused on innovative tyre recycling solutions. 

Anne Forristall Luke, incoming TRF Board President and President and CEO of USTMA, said, “Our newly appointed Board of Directors brings a wealth of experience and leadership in the tyre recycling and manufacturing sectors, uniquely positioning the Foundation to achieve critical milestones in the tyre recycling and reclamation markets. Although we have made significant progress, with almost 80 percent of end-of-life tyres currently consumed by end-use markets, we are committed to achieving 100 percent circularity. The Board’s collective expertise and leadership experience will play a vital role in developing industry-wide solutions to expand the market for tyre recycling and enhance sustainable end-of-life tyre management.”

The newly appointed Board of Directors includes Dr John Baldwin, Chief Product and Technical Strategist, Discount Tire; Greg Bell, President, Tire Pros/American Tire Distributors; Thomas Boehme, CEO/President, Genan, Inc.; Olivier Brauen, VP Circularity Business Transformation, Michelin; Amy Lestition Burke, Executive Director/CEO, SWANA; Art Dodge, CEO/President, ECORE International; Anne Forristall Luke, President & CEO, USTMA; Terry Galvin, Vice President, Recycling Services Mining Tire Group, Kal Tire; Dick Gust, CEO, TIA; Allie Kelly, Executive Director, The Ray; Maureen Kline, Vice President, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Pirelli Tire LLC; Nicolas Nicolaou, Vice President, End-of-Life Tire Solutions and Sustainability, US Auto Force; Darcy Robison, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Goodyear; Andy Thompson, Global Director of Sustainability Policy, Bridgestone and Thomas Womble, CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling.

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Hankook Tire has launched the Smart Work AM11+, a premium commercial tyre designed for the UK’s demanding regional distribution and waste management sectors. Engineered for vehicles with frequent stop-start cycles, it features a reinforced sidewall with proprietary abrasion-resistant compounds to withstand repeated kerb impacts. The innovative triple-wear indicator system simplifies maintenance by providing clear, at-a-glance tread depth checks, helping fleets optimise replacement schedules and reduce operational costs.

Available in size 315/80 R22.5 from September, the AM11+ utilises Hankook’s advanced casing technology to deliver extended mileage and puncture resistance. Its optimised tread pattern enhances wet grip and braking performance, critical for urban safety compliance. Developed after extensive fleet trials, this tyre addresses the specific needs of refuse trucks, delivery vehicles and municipal operators facing harsh daily conditions.

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Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong Tire Co Ltd has defended the quality of its products after facing criticism over Volkswagen's decision to equip the new Tiguan model with its tyres as standard equipment.

The Shandong-based company, which operates Europe's first Chinese-owned tyre factory in Serbia, issued a statement emphasising its commitment to meeting automotive industry standards and highlighting its partnerships with leading car manufacturers.

"Linglong is fully committed to the quality, reliability and safety of its tyre products. Our highest priority is to guarantee drivers and manufacturers the highest standards in tyre technology," the company said in a statement from its German subsidiary.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan comes equipped from the factory with a Linglong Original Equipment tyre in size 255/45 R19 100V, marking a significant win for the Chinese manufacturer in the premium European market. The Ultra High-Performance tyre was specifically developed according to Volkswagen's requirements and carries a "+" marking on the sidewall, which "stands for a noticeable plus in quality, comfort, performance, and efficiency."

Linglong emphasised that development work took place "in close coordination with Volkswagen, with a focus on criteria such as driving dynamics, safety, comfort, mileage, and emission reduction." The company said it adheres to the same specifications as all other premium original equipment tyres regardless of their origin.

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Building on their successful 2024 collaboration, Goodyear and streetwear brand Anti Social Social Club (ASSC) have reunited through IMG Licensing to launch a bold new capsule collection celebrating racing culture. The limited-edition line blends ASSC's rebellious aesthetic with Goodyear's rich motorsport heritage, paying tribute to the iconic Goodyear Blimp and the brand's century of track innovation.

The collection features adrenaline-charged designs across apparel and accessories. Standout pieces include racing-inspired ‘Catch the Feeling’ tops with driver's seat graphics and international race flags, ‘High Performance’ hoodies showcasing the Goodyear Blimp, and ‘Wet Tyre’ tees with tread-pattern branding. Motorsport enthusiasts can also find spark-generating race car graphics on ‘Sparks’ collection pieces, while the ‘Eagle’ line incorporates blimp imagery across button-ups and swim trunks.

Complementing the apparel are podium-worthy accessories like a dual-branded Zippo lighter, flag-adorned keychain and racing gloves. The crown jewel is the Podium Cap, featuring wreath detailing that channels vintage motorsport victory celebrations. Each piece fuses ASSC's signature irreverence with Goodyear's legacy of high-performance racing technology.

This marks the second collaboration between the tire giant and streetwear disruptor, following their October 2024 drop that similarly celebrated automotive culture through fashion. The new collection continues to bridge the worlds of competitive racing and contemporary street style.

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Maxxis continues its successful partnership with the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT) for the 2025 racing season, supplying high-performance tyres including the Victra VR-1, Victra VR2, RAZR AT (for Altima) and Bravo HP-M3 (for Versa) models. These tyres will equip NAT's diverse fleet featuring Sentra, Z, Z NISMO and CS23 vehicles across 39 AutoX and RallyX events.

The volunteer-driven team of Nissan engineers and technicians, Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA), founded in 2019, has grown to include Arizona Testing Center (ATC) members while maintaining its winning tradition. NAT enters the season with strong momentum following a dominant 1-2 finish at Detroit's Milan March Madness rallycross event. The team will also showcase its capabilities at September's ZCON convention in Nashville, the premier gathering for Z car enthusiasts.

Mark Lin, OE Account Manager, Maxxis – Canada, said, “We’re proud to partner with Nissan and help this team live their passion for motorsports. Everyone at Maxxis is cheering them on, and we’re delighted that our tyres help them to roar across the finish line in first place.”

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