TyreSafe has entered into a new collaborative agreement with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), marking a unified effort to mitigate occupational road risks and enhance vehicle safety standards within United Kingdom's rail sector. This strategic alliance will see TyreSafe integrating its expertise with the RSSB’s Road Risk Group (RRG) to bolster safety protocols for rail employees, contractors and all personnel traveling on industry business.

The core objective of this partnership is to embed tyre safety education, awareness and best practices into the rail industry's operational framework. By doing so, the collaboration directly targets the hazards associated with work-related driving. This initiative comes as data reveals that road traffic collisions were responsible for 3 out of 10 workforce fatalities in the rail industry over the five-year period leading up to 2024, underscoring the critical need for enhanced risk management.

In response, the Road Risk Group is spearheading sector-wide improvements by fostering collaboration, sharing safety methodologies and refining safety reporting and analysis. The group is also championing behavioural and cultural shifts within organisations while actively promoting the Occupational Road Risk Management Charter. This partnership recognises that effective risk management encompasses not only driver conduct but also vehicle maintenance and overarching safety culture.

Through joint educational campaigns and resources, TyreSafe and RSSB will encourage rail organisations to prioritise tyre condition as a fundamental component of their road safety strategies. This initiative directly supports the broader objectives of the Rail Health and Safety Strategy, which has identified occupational road risk management as a key priority for safeguarding the industry's workforce.

Lucy Powell, Strategy Manager at RSSB, who approved the partnership, said, “Road risk continues to be one of the most significant safety challenges facing the rail industry beyond the railway boundary. Partnering with TyreSafe enables us to strengthen awareness of one of the most critical elements of vehicle safety. Through education, collaboration and the sharing of best practice, we can help organisations better manage occupational road risk and support our industry’s commitment to protecting everyone who drives for work.”

Caitriona O’Brien, Workforce Health and Safety Manager at Network Rail and Chair of the RSSB Road Risk Group, said, “The Road Risk Group is committed to championing a stronger focus on managing occupational road risk across the rail industry. Working with TyreSafe brings valuable expertise that complements our strategic objectives, helping organisations place greater emphasis on vehicle safety as part of a wider culture of safe driving. By working together, we can continue to reduce preventable incidents and improve outcomes for everyone travelling on work-related journeys.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to become an official partner of RSSB and to support the important work of the Road Risk Group. Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, yet they are often overlooked in fleet safety programmes. By working with RSSB, we can help embed tyre safety into occupational road risk management across the rail sector, ensuring that employees and contractors understand the vital role that properly maintained tyres play in preventing incidents and saving lives.”

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Kuraray America, Inc. marked National STEM Day on 8 November by spotlighting a community educational event that brought together 15 of its volunteers and students from the Houston Japanese Supplementary School at San Jacinto College for a day of hands-on exploration and discovery.

Participants engaged in activities illustrating how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) converge in chemical manufacturing. Experiments with superabsorbent polymer beads explored chemistry and material properties, while a tour of the college’s facilities introduced industrial equipment. Students also learned about water filtration and distillation processes and how mathematical concepts underpin scientific and engineering applications.

One student showed particular interest in the distillation tower, linking the experience to the Kuraray Group’s contributions to everyday life and its mission of achieving for people and the planet what no one else can. The event also benefited KAI volunteers, who shared technical knowledge, exchanged perspectives and learned alongside potential future scientists and engineers.

Kuraray America thanked Reiko Fuwa and Tomohiro Tani for coordinating the visit, Hans Vandommele for sharing his expertise and all 15 KAI volunteers. The company also expressed appreciation to San Jacinto College for facility access and to the Houston Japanese Supplementary School students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.

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Liberty Tire Recycling attended the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, held from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The automotive aftermarket event, one of the industry's largest, drew over 160,000 attendees from the automotive, tyre and transportation sectors to review new products, technologies and business opportunities.

The Lakin Tire brand, a consistent SEMA exhibitor, once again used the show to reinforce industry relationships and present Liberty's tyre collection, recycling and sustainable resource management capabilities. Personnel from Grade/Used Tires, Commercial Truck Tires, Metals, Recycling and Collection, together with corporate and regional leadership, met customers, suppliers and industry professionals from around the world.

The booth received existing and prospective customers from numerous tyre and automotive segments during the week. Costco Wholesale Corporate Office, United Tires and UTU Wholesale were among the organisations that stopped by to examine Liberty Tire's products, services and nationwide reach. The company viewed the event as an effective forum for monitoring emerging market trends and demonstrating its position in recycling and sustainability, alongside its focus on innovation, workforce development and circular economy principles.

A memorable moment came when a high school shop teacher and students, attending through a special educator programme, toured the booth to learn about tyre recycling and industry operations. Liberty team members provided industry insights, outlined career pathways and acknowledged educators' contribution to developing future skilled trades professionals, supplying tyre inflation gauges for classroom use.

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Laufenn, Hankook's associate brand, earned a ‘Good’ ratingwith an overall score of 2.2 for its G Fit 4S in the Auto Bild Allrad all-season SUV tyre test published on 8 October 2026 (issue 41). The tyre competed credibly against 11 rivals from established premium marques, finishing competitively in a 12-strong field.

Wet handling proved a particular strength, with the G Fit 4S collecting the second-highest rating shared with other models. Aquaplaning resistance also impressed, as the tyre held its line until stability began to fade at roughly 100 kmph (62 mph). In snow, it recorded the third-shortest braking distance, matching two other contenders.

Testing spanned snow, wet and dry disciplines, each weighted equally in the final ranking, with a third-generation MINI Countryman serving as the test vehicle. Snow assessments were carried out in New Zealand, while European venues hosted the wet and dry evaluations. The jury's conclusion underscored Laufenn's value-focused positioning, finding the G Fit 4S a solid option for cost-conscious buyers.

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Tyres Europe has underscored that tyres qualify as fully recyclable under ISO 22628:2002 and UN Regulation No. 133, describing the established methodology as a robust foundation for assessing tyre recyclability. The organisation recently set out its position on the matter.

The distinction between recyclability and actual recycling rates is central to the group's argument. Recyclability refers to the technical potential of a product and its materials to be recycled, while the real rate hinges on treatment capacity and demand for secondary raw materials. Regulatory frameworks should therefore separate the two concepts clearly and align with an internationally recognised standard.

Tyres consist of rubber compounds, chemical additives and reinforcing textile and steel cords, and at end of life they are separated into rubber, textile and steel fractions, all of which existing mechanical or chemical routes can recycle. Mechanical processing yields rubber granules and powders usable as secondary raw materials across many applications, recovered textiles can be further processed and valorised, and cleaned recovered steel can re-enter metal recycling and steelmaking.

Tyres Europe pledged continued cooperation with policymakers and value-chain partners to strengthen circularity and maximise recovery of valuable tyre materials in Europe, with the full paper available on its website.

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