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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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has issued a stark warning, throwing its full support behind a recent open letter from the metal and electrical sectors that urges the Federal Government to implement immediate industrial reforms. Association President Michael Klein stressed that the current situation poses a fundamental threat to the nation’s industrial foundation, prosperity and the very fabric of its democratic society. He insisted that the time for half-measures has passed and that decisive action can no longer be postponed.

The association’s concerns are particularly acute for Germany’s rubber sector, a systemically important industry whose products are vital to strategic fields like healthcare, mobility, defence and infrastructure. According to Klein, mid-sized member companies are buckling under the weight of exorbitant energy costs, excessive bureaucratic red tape and aggressive competition from non-European rivals. He described the industry as being in a state of free fall, which jeopardises national self-sufficiency in several critical areas. To reverse this trend, the wdk is calling for the suspension of reporting duties, the abolition of the national emissions trading system to lower energy prices and robust measures to secure domestic markets.

These urgent appeals are underscored by the latest economic data for the first half of 2026, which paints a grim picture of the industry's trajectory. wdk chief economist Michael Berthel reported significant declines across all major indicators, with production dropping by 5.4 percent to 530,000 tonnes and the workforce shrinking by five percent to 57,200 employees. Revenue also took a substantial hit, falling by 4.1 percent to EUR 5.2 billion compared to the same period in 2025.

Berthel further cautioned that without a rapid improvement in the general operating conditions, the situation will only deteriorate further, leading to the permanent closure of more production facilities. The association’s leadership maintains that creating a level playing field in international competition is not merely an option but an absolute necessity for the survival of the rubber industry in Germany.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has unveiled a comprehensive rebranding initiative, introducing a new logo, an updated corporate design and a fully redesigned website. This strategic overhaul publicly reflects the company’s significant evolution in recent years across technological, entrepreneurial and international dimensions.

Central to the new identity is the guiding principle ‘Rethink Resources’, which encapsulates Pyrum’s shift in perspective towards viewing waste as a valuable raw material source. No longer positioning itself solely as a tyre recycler, the technology firm employs its proprietary thermolysis process to recover and reintegrate valuable resources into the production cycle. The refreshed brand imagery is designed to articulate this vision clearly while fostering a cohesive identity to support ongoing global expansion and technological scaling.

Visually, the transformation features a modern aesthetic with a clear design language intended to boost brand recognition internationally. The new website serves as a central hub, making the company’s technology and vision more accessible. This corporate identity will be phased into operations gradually, with existing materials replaced only during regular updates to align with sustainable resource management principles.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “Pyrum has evolved significantly in recent years. With our new brand identity, we want to make this evolution visible to the outside world as well. Our new brand identity is not a break from our previous identity, but rather the next logical step. ‘Rethink Resources’ perfectly captures what drives us: rethinking resources, tapping into new sources of raw materials with our technology and thereby making an important contribution to greater resource independence. Pyrum aims to be one of the first brands that comes to mind when it comes to resource resilience.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires) has introduced the Proxes G-Tour, a new grand touring all-season tyre engineered for premium CUVs, SUVs and passenger cars. Positioned as an ideal original equipment replacement, the tyre features a contemporary design that prioritises fuel and range efficiency across gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles. Compared to ultra-high performance or standard touring alternatives, it delivers superior driving comfort through reduced road noise and low rolling resistance.

The tyre’s asymmetrical tread design and five-variable pitch pattern work in concert to minimise pattern noise while ensuring dependable traction on wet, dry and light-snow surfaces throughout its lifespan. Bevelled tread blocks enhance water evacuation to maximise road contact, while high-stiffness centre ribs and outside blocks, paired with an advanced compound and multi-wave sipes, balance ride comfort with robust wet and dry handling. These elements also provide firm grip and cornering stability, with the compound further promoting even wear and extended tread life.

Optimised for long-distance travel, the Proxes G-Tour offers a quiet, comfortable ride and is tailored for maximum fuel and range economy. The multi-wave sipes not only reduce irregular wear for increased durability but also contribute to a smooth, silent performance in diverse weather conditions. The tyre will be manufactured in more than 70 sizes and load/speed combinations, accommodating 16- to 22-inch wheel diameters with speed ratings of T, H, V and W.

Initial sizes are slated for September availability, with additional fitments rolling out through the end of the year. Key applications include vehicles from Audi, BMW, Lexus, Tesla, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Volkswagen. The Proxes G-Tour carries a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for T/H-rated versions and a 55,000-mile warranty for V/W-rated models, alongside the Toyo Tires No Regrets 45-Day or 500-Mile Trial Offer.

Cameron Parsons, Technical Field Manager and Business Development, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, "The Proxes G-Tour is an exciting addition to the Toyo Tires lineup and a new benchmark in our grand touring all-season category. Through our latest innovations in tyre construction and compound technology, the Proxes G-Tour delivers long tread life with confident wet and dry performance for everyday driving."

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Yokohama Tire has reinforced its commitment to adaptive motorsports by extending its partnership with the High Fives Foundation for a fourth straight year. Through this collaboration, the company supplies its GEOLANDAR truck and CUV/SUV tyres to the Return to Dirt programme, which empowers individuals with mobility impairments to navigate off-road environments using specialised vehicles and instruction.

The Return to Dirt initiative organises driving excursions across diverse landscapes, ranging from icy lakes to wooded trails. Participants manoeuvre modified Polaris RZRs equipped with hand controls and outfitted with Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 SxS tyres, ensuring reliable traction in challenging conditions.

Professional off-road racer and Team Yokohama member Kristen Matlock attended a recent Return to Dirt gathering and described a profound personal impact. She arrived intending to motivate the adaptive athletes but left feeling transformed by their resilience and unwavering positivity. Matlock observed that the participants confronted obstacles with determination and authentic happiness, reshaping her understanding of strength and personal limitations.

Beyond outfitting the programme’s vehicle fleet, Yokohama supplies tyres for the foundation’s towing trucks and actively contributes to fundraising initiatives. The company involves its sales teams and customers in local High Fives events nationwide, broadening its support for the nonprofit’s mission.

Melissa Aguirre, Manager – Brand Marketing, Yokohama, said, “Yokohama fully supports and aligns with High Fives Foundation’s vision of creating a universal shift in adventure sports that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing injuries. We’re pleased to be a part of High Five’s athletes’ on- and off-road experiences through their Return to Dirt programme.”

Roy Tuscany, CEO and Founder, High Fives, said, “We value partnerships with like-minded brands and Yokohama is a brand that totally aligns with our core values. Yokohama supports the entire mission of the organisation and helps us achieve the vision of being the safety net of the outdoor sports community.”

Tim Burr, Program Manager, Return to Dirt, said, “Having Yokohama on-board lets us deliver experiences to our adaptive drivers that are unprecedented. We drive on ice with studs, access high mountain terrain in dirt and share desert experiences on rocks all thanks to Yokohama.”

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