Being a global supplier of tyre oil, Nynas supplies its products to major tyre companies worldwide. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges in transporting goods through all three modes of transportations, and Nynas is no exception! In an interview with Sharad Matade of Tyre Trends, Rogier van Hoof, Head of Secondary Distribution Naphthenics at Nynas, says enhanced communication and exchange of information digitally will help the company handle the new challenges. He also added that the container availability is expected to be normalised in 2022 but road transportation will remain a challenge.

Ever since Covid-19 engulfed the world, the job of Rogier van Hoof, Head of Secondary Distribution Naphthenics at Nynas, has become more challenging. Though tyre production is coming back on track speedily, the challenges at the logistic front are still demanding. Recollecting the initial impact of Covid, van Hoof says, "For Nynas, it all started in early 2020, when the lockdowns in China forced factories to close down manufacturing activities. However, the initial shock was largely seen in truck movements. As part of the measures, drivers had to go into quarantine after a long haul drive. They could pick up a container, but they had to go into quarantine when they were back at the delivery point. So we saw an immediate effect on the truck availability. The cascading impact, I don't think anybody could have predicted. We are on a steep learning curve since the beginning of 2020."

van Hoof and his team swung into action and immediately enhanced the communication with its customers, forwarders and logistic partners to evaluate options to tackle the unprecedented challenges. "I don't think anyone was prepared for what had happened afterwards. Before Covid, people used to take logistics for granted that you order something and it's there when you want it. But with the Covid situation, people have realised to approach things differently, not only on the factory levels but also on the logistics sides on a day to day basis. There are still many limitations we have to deal with," says van Hoof.

According to van Hoof, in the last one and a half years, the just-in-time concept is out of the window and long-term planning has become the priority. "In the past, we knew there was a vessel going every week, and we had substantial free times in getting the containers in, getting them loaded and bringing them to the quay. Even if we would miss a vessel, we always could ship it next week, so the delay was manageable – but that has gone completely out of the window today. It is clear that if you miss a vessel, the next vessel with space will be there maybe in a month. This means everyone needs to plan much further ahead," says van Hoof.

Most countries are now recovering from the Covid impact; however, many major export destinations are still grappling with severe restrictions. Many main ports are congested and containers are either stacking up at cargo ports or in inland depots. This imbalance results in waiting time for space on vessels, according to reports, between three to eight weeks. The logistics supply chain is struggling to get back in balance resulting in extreme price spikes and unpredictable delays. "This is a situation which is unprecedented; we have never seen it before," adds van Hoof.

van Hoof says loyalty and predictability are helping the company sail through the rough time. "We have been working with our logistic partners for a long time and, therefore, they know that what we promise them, we deliver. Predictability towards the stakeholders like transporters, shipping lines, forwarders has become key. In desperation, many companies are making overbooking of containers but failing to utilise the booking fully. In our relationship with our forwarders and the shipping lines, we have been able to show loyalty and keep our promise. If we tell the shipping line that we will ship 50 containers this week, we will make sure that these 50 containers are there. Our loyalty is rewarded by the fact that they will treat us as a preferential client. Price is no longer the highest priority, and this is something people need to realise. There's always somebody who is prepared to pay more,” explains van Hoof.

van Hoof feels the container availability situation will be normalised by 2022, but the driver availability issue will remain a more significant issue.

Currently, the company has 23 depots worldwide, of which Antwerp, Houston and Singapore are central storage facilities and blending stations. Last year, the company transported around 700,000 tonnes of oil by sea. There were also 30,000 deliveries by road tanker, 10.000 container transports and 250,000 drums delivered to customers worldwide.

However, opening more depots to tackle the logistic challenges is not viable, thinks van Hoof. Around 2018-19, shipping costs for containers were at the lowest level ever; companies always preferred shipping over setting up depots. "Now our shipping costs have not only increased substantially, but the reliability of the shipping has gone down to the lowest ever. I think that less than 60 percent of the vessels arrive at the bars on time. So we are continuously looking at what is now the best solution. But you also have to consider that opening a depot in a country is not a temporary thing. It is something you do for the long run," explains van Hoof.

van Hoof also sees a possibility of working with its clients to manage container utilisation. "There are customers who are logistically shipping more than we do. So can we use the strength of both companies to find a solution? For instance, let's say we ship 100 containers to India and our customer ships 200 containers from India, so we are seeing if we can help each other, can we use their containers? We see more and more openness among the stakeholders in tackling logistic challenges," says van Hoof.

Nynas is currently implementing a transport management system within the company, which will allow it to digitalise the information. The transport management system allows exchanging data between stakeholders, including Nynas' depots, transporters, forwarders, inspectors and customs agents. "Today, everybody's under stress, and people need real information in real time," adds van Hoof.

The company plans to go into the second phase to integrate all that information with other stakeholders.

The Nynas executive advises the youngsters in the transporting job to be agile and eager to learn to tackle unusual situations. "You need to deal with much information and make sense of that information and use it correctly. So if you are somebody who gets up in the morning and goes to work, and has no idea what will happen during the day, then you're a suitable candidate for the job. For me, I make a little list of two or three things to do every day, and at the end of the day, I'm always happy that I've done two or three jobs, because, during the day, there are so many other things that need attention or immediate attention," concludes van Hoof. (TT)

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Sri Trang Group has reiterated its dedication to developing the natural rubber sector while protecting the environment and assisting nearby communities. The company recently held the second edition of its 2026 ‘One Sri Trang, One Environment’ initiative at Rubberland Products Company Limited's Mukdahan Branch. Worayan Bunnarat, Governor of Mukdahan, headed a delegation of senior provincial officials from the Provincial Industry, Labour and Public Health Offices. Community leaders and partner networks also participated to learn about the factory's responsible management approach.

Welcoming the delegation were Chalermpop Khanjan, Executive Director of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited, and Mustopa Longsaman, Factory Manager of the Mukdahan branch. A symbolic tree-watering ceremony opened proceedings, underscoring a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. Attendees then explored an exhibition displaying natural rubber innovations spanning the supply chain, from traceability systems to programmes enhancing local quality of life. A standout initiative converts discarded plastic bottles into eco-friendly brooms, creating income for residents. The exhibition also recognised collaborative efforts, backed by provincial authorities, that enabled the branch's TO BE NUMBER ONE Club to attain national distinction as a ‘Silver-Level Model Workplace, Year 1’.

Visitors witnessed production processes directly, with particular attention to odour prevention and control at the source. Measures include a fully enclosed raw material storage building, ozone-based air treatment and a biofilter system for reducing odours. The Mukdahan facility has further refined its environmental monitoring through E-Nose intelligent electronic nose technology, which identifies odours and evaluates their dispersion in real time while allowing continuous data sharing with local communities. Alongside this, the V-Pass Smart Receive digital system screens raw material transport vehicles from the outset, helping avert rubber serum leakage along transportation routes.

Sri Trang Group is confident the event will reinforce trust between the factory and neighbouring communities through transparent disclosure of its operational practices. The Group continues to pursue the facility's progression towards ‘green factory’ status and remains committed to stable, sustainable growth in partnership with rubber farmers, local communities and the environment.

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Hankook Tire has secured the title sponsorship of Rally US, Round 11 of the 2027 FIA World Rally Championship, the company announced during a signing ceremony at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on 3 November. Representatives from Hankook, the WRC Promoter and the Rally US Organizing Committee attended the event.

The agreement grants Hankook naming rights to the rally, which will be staged as Hankook Rally US under the company’s unified global brand. It represents Hankook’s first title sponsorship of a WRC round.

Hankook Rally US will mark the WRC’s return to the United States after 39 years, since the Olympus Rally in Washington State in 1988. Set for 25–29 August 2027, the event will run on gravel stages across Tennessee and Kentucky, with Knoxville serving as rally headquarters and a ceremonial start in Nashville, which also hosts Hankook’s US headquarters.

Through the sponsorship, Hankook seeks to boost brand awareness in North America, especially in the US, one of the world’s largest automotive markets. The company plans to use exposure across rally stages, the WRC Arena, fan zones and podium backdrops to engage local motorsport fans and strengthen ties with customers and partners. Hankook has supplied tyres exclusively to all WRC classes since the 2025 season and supports more than 70 motorsport competitions worldwide, feeding event data into high-performance tyre research and development.

Rob Williams, Senior Vice President of Hankook Tire North America Headquarters, said, “The WRC’s historic return to the US marks a milestone for Hankook as our first title sponsorship of a WRC round. This partnership will showcase our tyre technology, elevate our premium brand presence and strengthen ties with customers and partners across North America.”

Matt Crews, President and CEO, Rally US, said, “We’re proud to represent America’s return to the World Rally Championship, and especially proud to do it alongside Hankook. Tennessee is my home state, and Hankook is a leader in our automotive industry, with its US headquarters in Nashville and its plant in Clarksville. Hankook Rally US gives them a great platform to showcase their brand to fans here at home and to the WRC’s audience around the world.”

Senator Bill Hagerty said, “Hankook has been a great employer and partner for the Tennessee economy since they decided to move operations to our state more than a decade ago. Seeing them serve as title partner for the FIA World Rally Championship’s return to America, right here in Tennessee, will put our state in front of a global audience, and I couldn’t be more pleased of how far that relationship has come.”

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Firestone, a Bridgestone Americas subsidiary, has introduced the Firestone Pathway AS, an all-season touring tyre built for everyday drivers. It comes in 73 sizes, giving it the widest vehicle coverage of any Firestone tyre, and pairs dependable performance and long tread life with value, all backed by a 65,000-mile limited mileage warranty.

Development was shaped heavily by consumer feedback, which pushed improvements in wet traction, tread life and ride comfort over the predecessor. The original plan called for 48 sizes, but 25 more were added mid-development to broaden market reach, helping Firestone cover nearly 77 percent of registered vehicles.

A tread compound engineered for longevity, additional sipes and an optimised see-through void promote even wear and sustained traction. Deep interlocking 3D sipes deliver grip from light snow to dry and wet pavement. Internal testing recorded wet braking gains of 18 percent against the Uniroyal Laredo HT, 11.7 percent against the Firestone All Season and 7.4 percent against the Toyo Extensa AS2, along with shorter dry braking than six leading rivals. Low rolling resistance also supports fuel efficiency in combustion-engine vehicles.

Nationwide availability is underway, with fitments covering popular models such as the Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Equinox.

Leslie Sawyer, Senior Product Design Engineer, Bridgestone Americas, said, "Most drivers want a tyre they can depend on. The Firestone Pathway AS is designed to deliver reliable performance and long-lasting value, giving drivers the confidence they need in everyday driving situations."

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has entered into a conditional service agreement with an international operator that provides transport services to the energy sector. The agreement follows a letter of intent signed by the two parties on 17 March 2026 and marks a further step towards establishing a tyre pyrolysis plant in North America. Using Enviro’s technology, the facility is intended to recycle up to 50,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually.

Under the terms of the agreement, Enviro will produce the technical documentation needed for the plant’s permit applications and prepare an initial design for the entire facility. For these services, the company will receive a fixed fee of USD 2,000,000, corresponding to approximately SEK 19.5 million. The fee is divided between USD 500,000 for permit application work and USD 1,500,000 for plant design, with USD 450,000 payable once the customer decides to proceed and the remainder paid in instalments as various parts of the services are delivered. Additional work and technical support beyond the fixed-fee scope will be invoiced on an ongoing basis.

The start of Enviro’s work depends on the customer making a final decision to proceed with the project. That decision, in turn, requires the customer to have secured a site for the plant and to have entered into binding agreements with buyers of the plant’s two main products, oil and carbon black, covering at least 75 percent of expected production for each product. Should the customer neither decide to proceed by 31 December 2027 nor elect to continue, the agreement will terminate.

The assignment covers two principal deliverables: technical documentation required for environmental, planning and fire safety permit applications and an initial design of the whole plant, including drawings, equipment lists, calculations and technical specifications. The design will serve as the basis for more detailed engineering work before an investment decision. Enviro will also provide technical support during the permit application process for 12 months after delivering the permit documentation. The agreement does not grant any right to use Enviro’s technology to construct or operate the plant, which would require a separate licence agreement.

According to the timetable, the assignment is expected to be completed about seven months after the customer’s decision to proceed, with permit application documentation ready after roughly five months. The customer may terminate the assignment with 30 days’ notice, in which case Enviro is entitled to compensation for work performed and costs already incurred. Enviro remains entitled to compensation regardless of whether permits are granted or the plant is ultimately built. The agreement is described as an important step in Enviro’s strategy to establish technology-based plants internationally, with the design potentially forming the technical basis for a future licence agreement.

Fredrik Aaben, CEO, Enviro, said, “This is an important step towards establishing Enviro’s technology in North America. Together with the Customer, we are now moving from a letter of intent to a binding conditional agreement, and we look forward to designing the plant as soon as the project is ready to proceed.”

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