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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has revealed the outcome of its 2026 Board of Directors election, with four industry figures selected to serve three-year terms. Kelsey Jarman, Director of Sales for off-the-road tyres at ESTI, and Jason Rook, President and CEO of ITDG, are joining the board for the first time. Craig Stevens, General Manager of Big Horn Tire, and Adam Moffatt, Executive Director of the Tire Dealers Association of Canada, who also serves the Ontario Tire Dealers Association, have both been re-elected as returning members.

The association expressed enthusiasm for the leadership, perspectives and experience these individuals will contribute as they help steer TIA and advance the tyre industry. The newly elected and re-elected board members are scheduled to be formally inducted on 2 November 2026 during TIA’s Annual Membership Meeting, which will take place at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The association extended its congratulations to all four individuals.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH (DUNLOP) has unveiled a comprehensive winter and all-season tyre portfolio for the 2026 season, targeting European drivers who face unpredictable cold-weather conditions. The range covers high-performance passenger car and SUV applications, blending dependable winter traction with year-round versatility. The lineup includes the DUNLOP WINTER, WINTER SPORT 5, SP WINTER SPORT 4D and SP WINTER SPORT 3D winter tyres, alongside the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 for those seeking a single year-round solution.

The DUNLOP WINTER addresses drivers prioritising balanced low-temperature performance. Its directional tread and multidirectional sipes evacuate water and slush efficiently, supporting grip and stability, while lightweight materials reduce rolling resistance and aid fuel efficiency. It earned an ‘Exemplary’ rating in last year's Auto Bild tyre test, also praised for strong value. The WINTER SPORT 5, fitted as original equipment on selected Mercedes-Benz models, uses wide, deep grooves for efficient water evacuation and predictable cold-weather handling.

For enthusiasts, the SP WINTER SPORT 4D offers direct steering response through a lightweight construction, interlocking sipes, V-shaped snow grooves and an adaptive winter compound that promotes even contact-patch pressure. It is trusted as original equipment by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The SP WINTER SPORT 3D, original equipment on selected Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models, combines three-dimensional interlocking sipes for snow traction and braking with a Shape Lock System that maintains tread stability at higher speeds.

Completing the portfolio, the DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 delivers a balance of summer and winter tyre benefits across varied conditions. Its 3D interlocking sipes aid winter traction, while a reinforced carcass supports stability and handling on both wet and dry surfaces, providing year-round confidence for European motorists.

Marcus Schulz, Assistant Manager – Product Planning, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, "Winter no longer necessarily means facing months of snow and ice, with often milder temperatures adding to the unpredictability of the weather. This makes it even more important to have tyres that can cope with a wide range of weather conditions. With our winter portfolio, DUNLOP offers tyres designed to meet the increasingly diverse conditions and ensuring drivers can rely on consistent performance.

"In DUNLOP's first full year with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, we are entering a new chapter in Europe. By continuously strengthening and expanding our product portfolio, we are enhancing the brand's competitiveness and laying the ideal foundation for a successful and safer 2026 winter season.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin has broadened its agricultural trailer tyre lineup with the launch of the MICHELIN WORKXBIB. Designed primarily for tipping trailers, slurry tankers, manure spreaders and similar farm equipment, the new addition complements the existing MICHELIN TRAILXBIB, which features the company’s patented Ultraflex technology for reduced soil compaction.

Engineered to handle the demands of trailer platforms, the WORKXBIB combines endurance, high load capacity and reliability for intensive road use. It supports loads of up to 6,500 kg at speeds of 65 kmph and is offered in a size range tailored to current vehicles, drawing on Michelin’s innovation to deliver dependable performance.

The tyre’s flat crown and reinforced, serrated shoulders provide a larger footprint, promoting stability even under heavy loads and at high speed. A steel-belted crown, robust carcass and bead area, and a high-performance rubber compound enhance puncture resistance. Serrated shoulders improve stability on sloping ground, while large tread blocks self-clean to reduce maintenance. This design delivers up to 80 percent longer life than the previous generation of Michelin trailer products.

For contractors and farm owners, the result is fewer tyre replacement and maintenance stops, greater equipment availability and better-controlled operating costs. The replacement market rollout begins with size 600/55 R26.5 in October 2026, followed by three additional sizes in the second quarter of 2027: 650/55 R26.5, 600/60 R30.5 and 560/60 R22.5.

Tom Saunders, Agricultural Beyond Road Customer Engineering Support Manager at Michelin, said, “In a sector marked by increasingly intensive road use and demanding field performance, we’ve developed the MICHELIN WORKXBIB for contractors and farmers. Our latest fitment has a wide range of applications from public works and civil engineering through to haulage and livestock farming.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tegeta Green Planet participated in a Circular Economy Action Platform meeting hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia on 6 October. The session examined packaging waste management and the need for technical regulation from a business standpoint, with participants exploring existing practices and the challenges tied to the issue.

Attendees stressed that an effective waste management system would serve environmental goals while giving businesses a clear and predictable operating environment. Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, presented the company’s vision and hands-on experience. Discussion topics included the Extended Producer Responsibility system, the role of businesses in waste management and practical obstacles to advancing a circular economy in Georgia.

As an EPR organisation, Tegeta Green Planet helps producers and importers meet their environmental obligations and supports an effective waste chain spanning collection, proper treatment and conversion into a resource. Akhvlediani detailed the company’s work with used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries, noting that a sustainable system demands coordinated cooperation among businesses, government and other stakeholders alongside practical experience.

The meeting underscored the value of technical regulation, with clear requirements and strong enforcement seen as ways to develop waste management, reinforce responsible business practices and encourage more efficient resource use. Developing a circular economy remains a key focus for Tegeta Green Planet, which continues working with the business, public and educational sectors so that waste management moves beyond regulatory compliance toward reuse and recycling opportunities.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!