Trelleborg Tires announced a 20 percent capacity increase at its Spartanburg, US factory, citing strong demand in the North American agricultural tyre market.

The expansion reflects Trelleborg’s commitment to local production and highlights the growing importance of the US market, valued at over USD 930 million in 2023 and projected to reach USD 1.3 billion by 2030.

“We posed the question to ourselves: what does the market expect from us today compared to a decade ago? This inquiry led us to further improve our range of flotation tyres, innovate production processes, and enhance final customer benefits, tailoring them to specific market demands. Currently, the plant boasts a remarkable 20 percent increase in production capacity compared to its initial state. We are now more confident than ever in serving our North American customers, who can easily stock up on Trelleborg tyres knowing they are locally manufactured in the United States,” said Marco D’Angelo, Vice President of Manufacturing at Yokohama TWS, Trelleborg’s parent company.

The expansion strengthens Trelleborg’s ability to serve North American customers with locally manufactured tyres, reducing transportation costs and logistical complexities. It also supports the local economy and minimises environmental impact.

Technology, Customer Focus Drive Expansion

The Spartanburg facility is one of the most automated plants in the agricultural tyre industry, leveraging advanced production and quality control technology. Notably, the latest curing technologies ensure high tyre performance and minimise environmental impact.

Local R&D Tailored to Market Needs

Trelleborg emphasises its deep understanding of the US market. While research and development is centralised, Spartanburg employs dedicated R&D managers who oversee process implementation and product development specific to North American needs.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA) has released an official statement saying that it regrets the adoption of the amendments to the Proposal of the European Commission on the EU Deforestation Regulation by the Plenary of the European Parliament.

This brings a new phase of uncertainty when the industry actually needs predictability and action from the European Commission to bring further clarity and solve the remaining issues standing in the way of a full and fair implementation of the Regulation, says the association.

The association had already explained in its earlier statement that the whole natural rubber ecosystem needs certainty on the important issue, adding that the European tyre and rubber industry strongly favours the EUDR's objectives and is already working in the direction of ensuring sustainable sourcing of EUDR-compliant natural rubber.

The association had also emphasised that a fair and effective regulatory environment is the need of the hour reasserted that the tyre industry remains a key partner in the EU's broader environmental and deforestation mitigation efforts.

Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has announced strategic investments to the tune of approximately JPY 27 billion to expand capacity of its three passenger car tyre plants in Japan, namely the Hikone Plant, the Tosu Plant and the Tochigi Plant.

With this strategic investment, the overall production capacity across the Japanese plants is anticipated to rise by around 3,000 tyres per day, mostly for tyres that are 20 inches or bigger. These facilities serve as the primary production sites for premium passenger car high rim diameter (HRD) tyres. The expansion is scheduled to start from the beginning of 2025 and projected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Bridgestone is intensifying its efforts to strengthen its premium passenger car tyre business with Dan-Totsu products. It is intended to outfit ENLITEN, the company's foundational technology for product design, which it markets as ‘The New Premium in the EV Era’. This initiative also intends to increase and fortify its manufacturing of ultra HRD passenger car tyres worldwide.

This expansion is part of its strategic investment outlined in Mid Term Business Plan (2024-2026) and falls in line with the company’s corporate commitments of ‘Extension: Committed to nonstop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead’, and ‘Ease: Committed to bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life’ described in the ‘Bridgestone E8 Commitment’.

Japanese tyre major The Yokohama Rubber Co is supplying 507U rib-lug tyres for low-floor buses to Isuzu Motors for use as OE fitment in the Erga EV, a BEV (battery electric vehicle) flat-floor route bus, which was launched in May 2024.

The 507U tyre sports Yokohama Rubber’s proprietary ‘E+’ mark to indicate that it has special qualities suitable for electrified vehicles. The Erga EV is being equipped with 275/70R22.5 148/145J size tyres.

The tyre maker claims that the 507U provides enhanced durability and wear resistance when used on low-floor buses and increased ability to be retread will enhance its appeal for use on e-buses. In addition, it is said to provide high fuel efficiency and has quiet performance, along with superior wet braking performance at high levels.

Designed specifically for electric vehicles the tyres provide strength to withstand higher loads usually associated with heavy electric batteries and the electric motor’s high torque output. It also has to support the quietness that complements the lack of noise from the vehicle’s engine, all the while being energy efficient.

The Erga EV is the first BEV flat-floor route bus developed by Isuzu, which comes with a layout flexibility that allows for the elimination of steps at the rear of the bus, creating a fully flat-floor interior.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”