The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has unveiled ‘Tread Boldly: Advancing Tire Recycling Through Collective Innovation’ as the official theme for its 10th Tire Recycling Conference. Scheduled for 12–14 May 2026 in Denver, Colorado, the event will focus on the urgent need for a unified effort to transform end-of-life tyre management into a truly circular and sustainable model. This vision depends on shared commitment, bold action and the latest technological advancements.

The 2026 conference is designed to engage all stakeholders across the value chain. The agenda will feature keynote addresses from industry pioneers, strategic discussions on accelerating market growth and panels examining emerging recycling technologies and regulatory policies. Specialised sessions will explore specific markets like rubber-modified asphalt, with updates from state agencies. Ample networking opportunities will allow participants to connect with leaders from every sector of the industry, fostering the collaboration essential for progress.

While USTMA notes that tyres are among the nation's most recycled products, a significant challenge remains as the volume of end-of-life tyres continues to exceed the consumption of recycled materials. Achieving full circularity requires a strengthened focus on developing and sustaining end-use markets. A prime example is rubber-modified asphalt, which not only helps reduce tyre stockpiles but also delivers long-term environmental and economic advantages, including more durable infrastructure and job creation.

Anne Forristall Luke, Board President, TRF, said, “For over 20 years, the biennial Tire Recycling Conference has been a gathering for industry leaders and stakeholders to learn and foster innovative programs to address ELT management and grow tyre recycling markets. The 2026 conference will build on this legacy and galvanise an entire system of national and local businesses, governments and state officials towards effective market-based programmes.”

Stephanie Mull, Executive Director, TRF, said, “Expanding end-use markets for recycled tyres demands bold action rooted in research, education, effective state programmes and collaboration. The conference’s theme, ‘tread boldly’, is a call to action for every stakeholder in the tyre recycling ecosystem and the critical role they play in shaping a future where every end-of-life tyre enters a sustainable and circular programme.”

John Sheerin, Senior Director – End-of-Life Tires, USTMA, said, “This milestone event will showcase the strengths of end-use markets and power of collective innovation. Whether you are a manufacturer, processor or recycler, policymaker, researcher, retailor or distributor, there is a place for you to work alongside industry partners and amplify efforts in advancing tyre recycling.”

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Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. said it signed a partnership agreement late last year with UK-based driving simulator specialist Ansible Motion to develop next-generation digital tyres.

The agreement was confirmed on 5 January. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Young-jin, executive vice-president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, and Dan Clark, chief executive of Ansible Motion, along with other representatives from both companies.

The partnership is being pursued under the slogan “Kumho Tire with Ansible Motion: Driving the Future with Digital Tires”. The two companies agreed to collaborate on enhancing tyre performance validation systems using advanced digital simulation technology, with a focus on improving competitiveness in tyres for electric vehicles and high-performance cars.

Ansible Motion provides driving simulator technology designed to replicate real-world road conditions with high precision. Its systems allow vehicle dynamics, driving safety and ride comfort to be assessed in a virtual environment.

Kumho Tire said it expects the introduction of Ansible Motion’s latest driving simulator into its research and development processes to reduce the time and cost associated with vehicle testing and prototype production. The company also aims to enable more accurate and efficient performance verification from the early stages of development and to strengthen its digital-based R&D capabilities in response to changes in the mobility sector.

Kim said: “Cooperation with Ansible Motion will serve as an opportunity for Kumho Tire to take a significant step forward in transforming its research and development paradigm towards a digital focus. By actively utilising advanced simulation technology, we will introduce high-performance, high value-added products optimised for the future mobility environment and continue to strengthen our competitiveness in global markets.”

Clark said: “Our collaboration with Kumho Tire will be an important example of how driving simulation technology can accelerate innovation in the tyre industry. We look forward to contributing to the advancement of the global mobility industry through the technical synergy between our two companies.”

The partnership forms part of Kumho Tire’s wider digital transformation and sustainable technology strategy. The company plans to apply advanced driving simulation tools across its R&D processes to improve development efficiency and precision, with the aim of accelerating digital tyre development for electric and high-performance vehicles.

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Bridgestone Aircraft Tire Europe, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, has received a Gold rating from EcoVadis, the sustainability assessment platform, placing the company among the top five per cent of the 130,000 companies evaluated worldwide across 220 industry sectors.

The result marks a sharp improvement from recent years. The company achieved a Bronze rating two years ago and ranked in the top 15 per cent last year.

“After receiving Bronze just two years ago, this EcoVadis Gold Medal recognises the rapid progress we’ve made on our sustainability journey,” said Jean-Philippe Minet, managing director of Bridgestone Aircraft Tire Europe. “Last year, we were in the top 15 per cent and advancing to the top five per cent this year reflects the collective effort and commitment of the BAE team. This achievement showcases our progress in building a more sustainable commercial aviation sector.”

The 2025 Gold rating follows a year in which the company completed a full carbon footprint assessment covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3, carried out an energy audit and developed a decarbonisation roadmap.

It also reported zero lost-time accidents for a fourth consecutive year and implemented projects aligned with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, including partnerships supporting sports, charitable activities, cancer-focused organisations and initiatives for underprivileged children.

EcoVadis assesses how organisations integrate sustainability into business and management systems across four pillars: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

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Nokian Tyres has earned a leadership-tier A- score from CDP for its climate change mitigation efforts for the sixth consecutive year. CDP, a global environmental disclosure non-profit, assesses thousands of companies on their transparency, risk management and tangible actions towards decarbonisation.

An A- rating places Nokian Tyres among the highest performers, reflecting robust ambition, target-setting and operational execution. A prime example of this commitment is the company’s pioneering tyre factory in Romania, which operates as the world’s first full-scale zero-CO₂-emissions production facility. It runs entirely on renewable energy, including wind, hydro, biomass and solar power, and even generates manufacturing steam without fossil fuels.

Supporting these operational milestones, Nokian Tyres has set a long-term goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Furthermore, the company’s near-term emission reduction targets have received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative for aligning with the 1.5°C warming limit, underscoring a strategy grounded in contemporary climate science.

Teppo Huovila, Vice President – Quality and Sustainability, Nokian Tyres, said, “Achieving a leadership-level score for the sixth year in a row shows that climate action is deeply embedded in how Nokian Tyres develops its operations and products. We want to deliver solutions that make a real difference, both for the environment and for the drivers who choose our tyres. Our actions for reducing emissions and improving sustainability translate into safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible mobility.”

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Hoosier Racing Tire has appointed a new authorised distributor, Hoosier Tire Western Pennsylvania, to support competitors throughout Western Pennsylvania and Northeastern Ohio. It will cover diverse racing disciplines from asphalt ovals to rally.

The operation is owned and managed by Ryan Hall, whose family business, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, brings over twenty years of racing parts expertise to the role. Meanwhile, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic continues to provide service to customers across Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Paul Menting, Vice President – Sales, Hoosier Racing Tire, said, “We’re pleased to welcome Ryan Hall and the Hoosier Tire Western Pennsylvania team as the newest members of our distributor network. Ryan’s long history in the sport, his commitment to local racers, and the reputation Big Daddy’s Speed Center has earned over many years makes this a natural fit for Hoosier.”

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