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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Pirelli will deploy its full range of tyre compounds across the upcoming Austrian and British Grand Prix races. For the Red Bull Ring event in Spielberg, teams gain access to the three softest mixtures in the range, designated C3, C4 and C5. The Silverstone race, however, sees a return to the hardest trio of C1, C2 and C3 compounds.

The Austrian circuit features the fewest corners and shortest lap time on the Formula One calendar, with heavy braking and acceleration zones. These characteristics generate predominantly thermal degradation in the tyres, while lateral loads on the axles remain low. Despite the track’s old and highly abrasive surface, pure tyre wear is not considered a decisive factor.

Silverstone adopts the Sprint weekend format this year and ranks among the longest circuits, dominated by high-speed corners that produce extreme lateral forces comparable to Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, the front axle endures the highest stress, with the left-front tyre wearing more quickly due to the abundance of right-hand turns.

Pirelli serves as the title sponsor for the British Grand Prix weekend, a distinction it also holds for the Italian Grand Prix. This association links the manufacturer’s name with two of the most frequently held historic events in the Formula One World Championship.

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ZC Rubber made a strategic statement at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, held from 9 to 11 June, using the event to reaffirm its enduring dedication to the European automotive sector. The manufacturer placed its advanced WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE tyre families at the forefront of its exhibition.

A clear strategic pivot for the region was evident, as the company mapped out a wider European direction. Visitors were shown a full pipeline of new passenger car and light truck tyres destined for a second-half 2026 release, presented alongside the proven commercial truck portfolio and a handful of carefully selected previews set for 2027.

Considerable interest gathered around the passenger car and light truck offerings, specifically the upcoming summer and all-season ranges. Performance enthusiasts examined the WESTLAKE ZuperFlex Z-137 and GOODRIDE RideMax G-147 for ultra-high-performance vehicles, while off-road specialists focused on the WESTLAKE TERRA LEGEND SL399 and GOODRIDE MUD LEGEND SL388.

The WESTLAKE Zuper4S Z-411 emerged as a central solution for Europe’s unpredictable seasons. Engineered to manage wet roads, snow and dry tarmac in one package, the tyre uses V-shaped grooves to rapidly clear water and slush. Its high-density 3D siping provides braking stability on icy surfaces, while a specialised compound ensures consistent grip and long life across wide temperature ranges.

Within the commercial truck arena, ZC Rubber highlighted its established WESTLAKE Gen II series, already valued by European fleets for mileage. The WSL2 steer tyre was presented as a tool for stable handling and fuel savings, featuring optimised pressure distribution and a low-heat compound. The WDL2+ drive tyre was shown to deliver strong traction and even wear thanks to its rigid blocks and belt-wrap technology. Motorsport attendees saw the upgraded WESTLAKE Sport RS2 displayed alongside the Red Bull Driftbrothers’ drift car, a product of close racing collaboration now under consideration for future public sale.

The company also offered glimpses of 2027 innovations, including the WESTLAKE Z-301 van tyre, the GOODRIDE All Season G-721 and new truck solutions like the WTL2 and GOODRIDE M2. The latest passenger car and light truck tyres are expected across Europe in the latter half of 2026, while the premium WSL2 and WDL2+ truck tyres are already available. ZC Rubber confirmed it will continue advancing product development and regional support tailored to Europe’s varied climate and transport needs.

Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, commented, “The Tire Cologne gave us an important opportunity to show not only a broader product portfolio but a clearer direction for Europe. We are focusing on products that respond to the way European customers actually drive, operate and make purchasing decisions – from year-round mobility to long-haul efficiency and durability. These products reflect how we are listening to European customers and partners, and how we are building a portfolio that is more closely aligned with local market needs.”

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Nokian Tyres has launched its Road Trip Guide consumer campaign, running from Monday through 19 June at NokianTyresdotcom/Guide. The initiative, themed around real drivers, real destinations and real roads, invites motorists to submit lesser-known travel spots including roadside diners, remote trails, scenic views and unique landmarks.

The campaign website includes a tyre quiz to assist drivers in selecting the appropriate tyres for their journeys, along with safety tips designed to keep attention on the scenery rather than roadside issues. On its social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads under the handle @NokianTyresNA, the global tyre maker is sharing road trip safety advice, aspirational travel ideas and destination recommendations from tire dealers.

Several all-season, all-terrain and all-weather tyres from Nokian Tyres’ North American factory in Dayton, Tennessee, supply shops across United States and Canada. Popular models include the Nokian Tyres One, the Outpost all-terrain family, the all-weather Remedy WRG5 and the Surpass AS01, an ultra-high-performance tyre with puncture-resistant Aramid fibres introduced last year. The company, which invented the winter tyre, also unveiled the studded Hakkapeliitta 01, the first studded winter tyre with on-demand grip, available at tyre shops this fall.

Beyond the guide, Nokian Tyres is engaging travellers through a partnership with Alterra Mountain Company and appearances at Overland Expo events across United States. Globally, the company served as an Official Sponsor of the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, which concluded at the end of May.

Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing, Nokian Tyres North America, said, “Safety is the foundation of every journey, from daily errands to cross-country road trips. Our Road Trip Guide is a great place for drivers to turn for inspiration and information that will help them make the most of their summer travels.”

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Michelin has redirected industry focus towards its speciality tyre division, a lesser-known but strategically essential part of the group’s operations. During its latest Media Day, held on 9 and 10 June 2026, the company welcomed visitors to its Almería Test Center in Spain, known as CEMA – a facility deliberately chosen for its exposure to Europe’s most punishing weather conditions. At this site, the group rigorously pushes its products to their breaking points, underscoring how critical this lesser-known division is to overall corporate strategy.

Specialty tyres are presented as vital components for industries where operational failures carry severe economic and human risks. They ensure safe aircraft landings, maintain continuous mining output and boost agricultural machinery performance under strict technical and regulatory demands. Rather than simple rubber parts, these products function as high-technology assets that keep the global economy running smoothly, performing reliably in some of the harshest environments on earth.

Financially, this segment has become Michelin’s most lucrative tyre activity, generating 17 percent of group revenue with a 13.1 percent operating margin in 2025. First-quarter 2026 data showed volume growth of 2.5 percent, with further expansion expected in structurally growing markets like air transport, logistics and defence, where annual growth rates range from three to eight percent. Research and development investments, 90 percent of which remain in France, support this trajectory alongside a manufacturing scale-up at Bourges and new industrial processes in Le Puy, Troyes and Montceau-les-Mines.

Michelin enhances client performance through specialised teams, digital services and enduring partnerships backed by 6,000 researchers and deep materials science expertise. Motorsport activities accelerate innovation by pushing tyres to their limits, while the CEMA facility itself serves as a unique living laboratory. With 113 kilometres of tracks, vast terrain and custom-built measurement tools from Clermont-Ferrand engineers, the centre is far more than a test track, standing as a central pillar of Michelin’s innovation strategy.

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