TRS Tyre and Wheel (Yokohama TWS NZ Ltd) has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Alliance Tyre across New Zealand. This strategic partnership strengthens TRS/Yokohama TWS NZ’s position as a leading provider of premium off-highway tyre solutions for the agricultural, construction, industrial and forestry sectors.

As a globally respected brand under Yokohama Off-Highway Tyres, Alliance is renowned for its innovation, durability and superior performance in the most demanding environments. By bringing Alliance under the TRS/Yokohama TWS NZ umbrella, customers nationwide will benefit from improved product availability, direct factory support and enhanced technical expertise.

This partnership ensures New Zealand businesses have streamlined access to Alliance’s full range of high-performance tyres, including specialised solutions for agriculture, forestry and earthmoving applications. With TRS/Yokohama TWS NZ’s established distribution network and local market knowledge, dealers and end-users can expect faster delivery, reliable stock levels and unparalleled customer service.

Nigel Sherborne, Managing Director, TRS/Yokohama TWS NZ Ltd, said, “We’re excited to represent this brand as trusted as Alliance with a long history in the New Zealand market. This enhances our ability (alongside Yokohama, Trelleborg, Mitas) to deliver world-class off-highway Tyre solutions to Kiwi customers who work in some of the toughest conditions.”

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New research findings from a doctoral dissertation by Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Bogdahn examine how end-of-life tyres can yield high-quality recovered carbon black (rCB) through pyrolysis while delivering substantial environmental benefits. The work, titled ‘Production and Environmental Assessment of High-Quality Carbonaceous Materials from End-of-Life Tyre Pyrolysis’, was presented in condensed form at an AZuR Chemical Recycling Project Group meeting in Dillingen/Saar on 1 October 2026.

The dissertation tackles how end-of-life tyres can be recovered and recycled to maximise their value. Pyrolysis is identified as a complementary technology that helps close recycling gaps in the circular economy and offers an alternative to fossil-based carbon black, a material that plays a crucial role in determining tyre properties.

In the pyrolysis process, rubber granules from processed tyres undergo thermal decomposition without oxygen, producing three main streams: solid rCB, tyre pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas. Previous evaluations of such technologies often separated technical and environmental perspectives, relied on secondary data and lacked standardised methodologies, making findings difficult to compare.

Image credit: Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Bogdahn

Bogdahn overcomes these limitations by integrating a technology-specific process model with a detailed life cycle assessment model. This combination enables a scientifically robust environmental evaluation of pyrolysis and its secondary raw materials using reliable primary data. A central component is a process model that mathematically describes material conversion by combining reaction kinetics, reactor behaviour and mass and energy balances.

Starting with laboratory-scale experiments, the model was scaled up and validated using a pilot-scale rotary kiln at the Institute of TH Köln. Comprehensive laboratory analyses of feedstocks and products supported development and validation. Optimal conditions for the investigated system were found at 650 degrees Celsius with a residence time of about one hour, achieving complete material conversion and high-quality recovered carbon black. Product distribution was roughly 40 percent rCB, 37 percent TPO and 23 percent pyrolysis gas by weight.

Image credit: Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Bogdahn

Using validated primary data, Bogdahn conducted a comprehensive environmental assessment and developed a methodological matrix covering relevant standards and guidelines to address inconsistent approaches. In the rotary kiln baseline scenario, one metric tonne of recovered carbon black results in a global warming potential over 100 years of about 918 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalents, compared with the International Carbon Black Association’s global industry average of 3,910 kilogrammes for conventional fossil-based carbon black, a reduction of approximately 77 percent. Even after a quality adjustment for lower carbon content, the reduction remains about 70 percent. The study followed ISO 14067 and underwent independent external critical review under ISO 14071, also covering TPO and sustainable carbon black.

Further improvements remain possible. Emissions mainly stem from electricity consumption and gas combustion, with rCB processing accounting for about 44 percent, pyrolysis gas cleaning and combustion about 36 percent and tyre shredding about 19 percent. Sensitivity analysis confirms that renewable electricity offers substantial additional greenhouse gas reductions, reinforcing that a circular economy achieves genuine sustainability only when powered by renewable energy. Enhancing material quality through demineralisation and activation could enable higher substitution rates for fossil-based carbon black.

Image credit: Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Bogdahn

A central conclusion extends beyond pyrolysis itself. Raw materials, tyre manufacturing, the use phase and recovery pathways form an interconnected system spanning the entire tyre life cycle, closely linked to the carbon black, chemical, steel and energy sectors. Achieving circularity requires collaboration across systems and industries, along with greater methodological harmonisation and stronger integration of industrial value chains. The AZuR network’s work reflects this need, recognising that extended tyre use, repair, regrooving, retreading, mechanical recycling and appropriate chemical recycling must all function as interconnected elements of the value chain.

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Tyres Europe, as part of a coalition of 10 European associations representing consumers and automotive and mobility service providers, has issued a joint press release welcoming the latest CARUSO Connected Vehicle Field Test assessing the EU Data Act’s implementation across 29 major vehicle manufacturer groups. The findings confirm the legislation established important principles for accessing vehicle-generated data and encouraged some manufacturers to engage for the first time. One year on, however, the framework remains insufficient alone to enable a competitive, innovative connected mobility market.

Covering 15 automotive use cases across 28 vehicle manufacturer groups, the study concludes that while data access has improved, conditions for competitive, scalable, multi-brand services are still lacking. Access remains fragmented, inconsistent and often commercially or technically impractical across the car parc. Limited third-party access, differences in data scope, quality and coverage, and restrictive commercial terms continue to undermine the business case for innovative services. Genuine multi-brand development remains unattainable, preventing consumers and businesses from fully benefiting from connected mobility.

For many manufacturers, implementation has become a compliance exercise rather than a genuine effort to enable market access. Independent providers face limited datasets, restrictive terms, manual approvals, manufacturer-specific consent mechanisms and inconsistent technical solutions. Such approaches may satisfy the Data Act’s broadly defined obligations but are incompatible with the real-time, automated access modern digital services require.

Strong enforcement matters. Manufacturers respond faster where national authorities investigate complaints and apply enforcement mechanisms. Without consistent, harmonised, proactive enforcement across the European Union, Data Act rights risk remaining largely theoretical for a significant share of Europe’s vehicle fleet.

The coalition urges European Union institutions and Member States to enforce the Data Act consistently, issue clear guidance on fair, reasonable and cost-based compensation and use forthcoming reviews to reinforce rather than weaken it. Dedicated automotive legislation should establish common access conditions, interoperability requirements, initial technical and data delivery standards and safeguards against discrimination. Effective access must cover vehicle-generated data and the in-vehicle functions and resources needed to develop, scale and deliver digital mobility services, enabling fair competition, growth and investment.

According to the coalition, the Data Act was an important first step, but horizontal legislation alone cannot create a workable multi-brand market. Implementation varies widely: of 28 manufacturers, nine (32 percent) have barely implemented the Act; 18 (64 percent) lack adequate third-party pricing; 18 (64 percent) lack adequate data provision; and 19 (68 percent) lack an adequate API solution. Sixteen manufacturers (57 percent) enable none of the use cases, while only nine support the most feasible ones. Without stronger enforcement and dedicated automotive legislation, Europe will fall short of its innovation, consumer choice and fair competition ambitions.

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CEAT reported a 26 percent year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to INR 47.62 billion in the second quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, while net profit stood at INR 1.12 billion as higher raw material costs continued to weigh on the tyre maker.

The company’s consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin was 9.5 percent, according to its unaudited results for the quarter ended 30 September.

Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director and Chief Executive, said revenue growth was supported by premium segments across business units. He added that the conflict in West Asia had kept raw material costs high, prompting the company to tighten cost controls.

CEAT expects to deliver double-digit revenue growth in the second half of the financial year, alongside further price increases, Banerjee said.

On a standalone basis, revenue rose 23 percent year on year to INR 45.48 billion. EBITDA margin was 10.14 percent, while net profit reached INR 1.64 billion.

Kumar Subbiah, Chief Financial Officer, said commodity costs were expected to remain elevated in the third quarter. The company would continue to pursue measured price increases and improve its product mix to manage cost pressures.

Subbiah said debt increased during the quarter, largely because of capital expenditure of close to INR 4.9 billion to expand capacity in areas with high utilisation, as well as dividend payments.

He added that CEAT would maintain financial discipline while investing to meet demand and support profitable growth.

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Michelin has strengthened its retail presence in India by launching two Michelin Tyres & Services outlets in Delhi, located in Dwarka and Karol Bagh. The openings make Michelin's premium tyre range, including the Made-in-India Primacy 5, accessible to customers in west and central Delhi, alongside professional fitment and tyre care. The Dwarka facility was inaugurated by Benjamin Coesnon, Marketing Director India.

The Dwarka outlet, operated with Excellent Tyres, covers 1,500 sft and caters to one of Delhi's largest planned residential sub-cities and its expanding south-west corridor. Excellent Tyres, established in 1994, brings over 30 years of experience in the capital's tyre trade. Meanwhile, the Karol Bagh store, run with Rana Tyres, spans 1,000 sft in a prominent automotive trade hub. Founded in 1977 and now led by its third generation, Rana Tyres contributes nearly five decades of technical knowledge and a loyal clientele.

The expansion reflects Michelin's sustained commitment to India. Its distribution network now exceeds 800 points of sale, while over INR 28 billion has been invested in the Chennai manufacturing plant. A further INR 6.86 billion went into a passenger car tyre line that now produces the Primacy 5 for Indian buyers. The new stores aim to deliver safer, more durable and higher-performing mobility.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, " Delhi is one of the largest premium car markets in the country. Expanding our presence in Delhi will provide accessibility to today's customers and serve the next wave of premium car owners. With the Made-in-India Primacy 5 now available at these stores, customers in the capital can get Michelin's globally benchmarked safety and longevity, backed by expert service from trusted partners. India remains a key growth market for Michelin, and Delhi is central to how we continue to build our presence."

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