Speciality materials provider Trinseo reported a first-quarter net loss of USD 79 million on Monday, despite restructuring efforts that boosted adjusted EBITDA by 44 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Pennsylvania-based company, which manufactures plastics, latex and rubber, saw its net loss widen slightly from USD 76 million a year earlier, weighed down by USD 25 million in refinancing costs from debt transactions completed in January.

Trinseo's quarterly revenue fell 13 percent to USD 785 million, as the company grapples with weak demand across all business segments and its strategic reduction of low-margin sales.

“Core business results in the first quarter were in line with expectations and sequentially higher due to prior quarter customer destocking and seasonality," said Frank Bozich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo. “Despite persistent market weakness, the first quarter was Trinseo’s 7th consecutive quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA improvement driven by the various management actions we took early in this industry downturn."

Adjusted EBITDA rose to USD 65 million from USD 45 million a year ago, bolstered by USD 26 million in polycarbonate technology licensing income and cost-cutting measures, though partially offset by lower volumes and reduced income from its Americas Styrenics joint venture.

Cash used in operations totalled USD 110 million, whilst capital expenditures reached USD 9 million, resulting in a negative free cash flow of USD 119 million. The company ended the quarter with USD 128 million in cash, of which USD 2 million was restricted, and total liquidity of USD 421 million.

Among its business segments, Engineered Materials recorded a 2 percent drop in sales to USD 278 million, yet saw adjusted EBITDA jump by USD 16 million to USD 26 million. Latex Binders sales declined 13 percent to USD 209 million, with adjusted EBITDA slipping USD 2 million to USD 24 million.

Polymer Solutions, despite a 22 percent sales decrease to USD 298 million, posted a USD 15 million increase in adjusted EBITDA to USD 44 million, benefiting from fixed cost reductions and licensing income. Americas Styrenics fell to a negative USD 2 million in adjusted EBITDA, down USD 8 million from the previous year.

Looking ahead, Trinseo forecasts a second-quarter net loss between USD 61 million and USD 46 million, with adjusted EBITDA ranging from USD 55 million to USD 70 million. The company expects approximately break-even free cash flow, which includes USD 21 million from polycarbonate technology license income.

The company has withdrawn its full-year guidance previously provided during its debt refinancing, citing high macroeconomic uncertainty limiting its ability to assess future end-market demand.

Bozich expressed confidence in the company's outlook, stating: "We anticipate Adjusted EBITDA of USD 55 million to USD 70 million in Q2 with seasonally higher volumes, lower costs in Engineered Materials, and improved AmSty performance offsetting the first quarter polycarbonate technology license income."

Trinseo expects limited direct impact from current tariffs, as it generally manufactures products and procures raw materials in the regions where they are sold.

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Dunlop Tyres South Africa has appointed Marcia Noxolo Veronica Mayaba as its new commercial director, effective November 2025, as the company moves to sharpen its strategic execution in sales, retail, marketing and technical services.

Mayaba, one of South Africa’s most prominent automotive executives, brings decades of leadership experience and a resume marked by industry firsts including becoming the country’s first Black female CEO in automotive retail. Her previous roles span senior positions at Eqstra Fleet Management, Isuzu Motors South Africa, Lindsay Saker VW and Audi and Barloworld’s multi-brand operations.

The move forms part of Dunlop’s medium to long-term growth agenda as it competes for market share in a tightening industry landscape.

Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Dunlop Tyres South Africa said: “Marcia brings a distinctive  blend of empathy, strategic insight, and commercial acumen. Her passion for developing people, her deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem, and her commitment to ethical leadership align perfectly with Dunlop’s purpose-driven culture. We’re so excited to welcome her to the leadership team and look forward to the impact she will make in driving our business and dealer partnerships forward.”

Mayaba framed the appointment as both professional and personal, citing the automotive sector as a platform for economic mobility. “Dunlop embodies heritage, integrity and resilience, values that deeply resonate with me. My first meeting with Lubin and the Exco immediately felt like a fit a culture anchored in people, continuous improvement and long-term sustainability. Joining Dunlop is not just a career move; it’s a continuation of my purpose to build stronger, values-based ecosystems within the automotive landscape,” Mayaba said.

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Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

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Nokian Tyres gathered nearly 100 workshop representatives from five partner companies at the Hakka Ring, its year-round testing facility in Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain, to highlight its latest advances in all-season tyre technology and exchange views on market trends and industry challenges. The company said the test center, designed for all-weather performance evaluation, reflects its focus on safety, performance and sustainability throughout the year.

During the event, Iberia Country Manager Luis Miguel Cabanas presented brand updates, new product developments and future strategic direction. Partners were given the opportunity to drive the Seasonproof 2, the company’s newest all-season flagship tyre. Manufactured at Nokian Tyres’ zero carbon emissions factory in Romania, the Seasonproof 2 has been independently tested and verified by TUV SUD, Tyre Reviews and WhatTyre, and utilises up to 38 percent renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS–certified materials.

The tyre features the company’s latest innovations aimed at improving traction, precision and efficiency in varying conditions including technology designed to balance summer handling with winter grip, adaptive tread design for better performance in changing weather and a new compound optimised for durability, wet grip and fuel economy.

The event culminated with high-speed test runs on the 7-kilometre oval circuit with 40-degree banked corners, providing what the company described as an impressive demonstration of speed, control and overall driving performance. Nokian Tyres said the showcase strengthened relationships with key partners and reinforced its commitment to leading sustainable innovation in the all-season segment.

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Hankook Tire and Technology reported consolidated revenue of KRW 5.4127 trillion and operating profit of KRW 585.9 billion for the third quarter of 2025, the company said in a statement.

Tyre business sales rose 11.2 percent year-over-year to KRW 2.7070 trillion, while operating profit climbed 10.4 percent to KRW 519.2 billion, marking the company’s highest-ever quarterly performance.

Hankook attributed growth to stronger demand across global replacement and OE markets and a rising mix of high-inch tyres. Lower raw material and logistics costs helped cushion the impact of US automotive parts tariffs.

Hanon Systems, which has been fully consolidated into Hankook Tire’s results since the first quarter, generated KRW 2.7057 trillion in revenue, up 8.2 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit reached KRW 95.3 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent year-over-year and 48.2 percent quarter-over-quarter.

High-inch (18 inches and above) passenger car and light truck tyres accounted for 47.4 percent of segment sales in the quarter, up 2.6 percentage points from a year earlier. EV tyre sales represented 27 percent of the total, a 7-point increase year-over-year.

Hankook continued expanding OE fitments for premium EVs, citing supply agreements for the Porsche Macan, Xiaomi YU7, BMW iX, New i4 and New X3. The company now equips about 50 global automotive brands across more than 290 models.

Hankook’s EV-focused iON line-up and Ventus performance range won EV Tire of the Year and Performance Tire of the Year at the UK-based WhatTyre Awards, reinforcing its technology leadership.

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