Xingda, a prominent producer of rubber reinforcement materials, has joined forces with tyre manufacturer Pirelli and low-carbon steel specialist Nanjing Iron & Steel (NISCO) to obtain ISCC PLUS certification across the entire scrap steel recycling chain. The jointly awarded certification spans every stage from raw material sourcing and steel cord production to finished tyre manufacturing.

The pilot project, championed by Pirelli and taken up by both Xingda and NISCO, seeks to add recycled steel to the ISCC PLUS approved materials list. This achievement represents continued progress in certifying the complete tyre supply chain under the ISCC PLUS framework for recycled steel usage.

Through this certification, a fully traceable circular model has been validated. Scrap steel carrying ISCC PLUS certification is turned into high-grade wire rod at NISCO, then converted into steel cord by Xingda and finally incorporated into tyres produced by Pirelli. The three value chain leaders are demonstrating collective action under a single certification system to speed up the circular economy transition. The partnership has helped define technical standards and sustainability protocols, enabling transparent communication about raw material origins.

Xingda has confirmed that recycled steel can be used in steel cord and bead wire applications at proportions between 40 and 100 percent. The company has established targets of reaching 40 percent recycled content by 2030 and full 100 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, Pirelli, as an early adopter of ISCC PLUS certified recycled steel in tyre production, aims to launch a tyre composed of over 80 percent bio based and recycled materials by 2030 while achieving 40 percent in total raw material use. NISCO supplies green special steel to the automotive sector using advanced electric arc furnace technology, with plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The ISCC PLUS certification awarded to this three-party collaboration ensures that the recycled steel meets strict sustainability and traceability standards. As a globally recognised system for tracking recycled and renewable materials across complex supply chains, ISCC PLUS now supports a replicable model for the worldwide tyre industry, allowing the full journey from scrap steel to finished tyres to be verified in response to rising market demand for transparent, circular supply chains.

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BKT Tyres, the tyre mobility brand of Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), has introduced a 24x7 journey assistance programme called BKT YOU FORWARD for two-wheeler riders. The initiative marks the company’s shift from a pure tyre manufacturer to a comprehensive mobility partner, offering support that extends well beyond the point of sale and aligns with its Elevate Your Drive philosophy.

Available across India, the programme provides round-the-clock assistance through a dedicated helpline for unexpected incidents like punctures, breakdowns or accidents. Services include towing, repairs, ambulance access, cab arrangements and legal aid, all aimed at reducing rider anxiety and ensuring uninterrupted mobility.

A digital-first campaign film starring veteran actor Rakesh Bedi brings the initiative to life through everyday riding scenarios, showing how reliable support turns stressful roadside moments into reassuring experiences.

BKT YOU FORWARD offers three structured plans with two-year validity: the Basic Plan at INR 99, the Signature Plan at INR 149 and the Elite Plan at INR 199. Partner agencies Crossroads and Bi WW support the programme, which relies on a robust service infrastructure, real-time monitoring and defined processes to maintain consistent customer experiences and long-term engagement.

Mahesh Koppad, Chief Marketing Officer, BKT Tyres, said, “Indian riders face diverse challenges every day, and access to timely, reliable support can redefine their journey experience. At BKT Tyres, our philosophy of Elevate Your Drive is not limited to selling tyres; it’s a long-term commitment to rider confidence and mobility. BKT YOU FORWARD, as the name suggests, is designed with consumer-first principle and embodies this promise by offering a structured, 24x7 assistance programme that covers nearly every scenario a rider may encounter. This initiative is not just about solving problems, it’s about building trust, continuity and assurance into every journey. By combining strong service infrastructure, real-time monitoring and defined escalation processes, we are setting a new benchmark in customer engagement. Our vision is to ensure that riders don’t just move forward but move forward with confidence.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires) has launched the 10th annual Toyo Tires Shutter Space Automotive Photo Gallery Contest, calling on automotive photographers to submit their best original work. The competition is open to all, with entries required to capture car culture through artistic composition and technical excellence without using artificial intelligence. Submission details and entry forms are available online.

The grand prize winner will have their photograph displayed at the Shutter Space Collaborative Car Meet & Automotive Photo Gallery in Southern California later this summer. Additional rewards include social media features from Toyo Tires, a USD 1,000 gift card from BHPHOTOVIDEOdotcom, and an all‑expenses‑paid trip for two to the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where the winner will serve as a guest photographer for the brand.

Nineteen finalists will also be selected, with their work showcased at the Shutter Space event and on Toyo Tires’ social media channels. Each finalist will receive a USD 200 BHPHOTOVIDEOdotcom gift card. Judging criteria include originality, artistic composition, technical quality, authentic non‑AI imagery and embodiment of the Toyo Tires lifestyle. Submissions must be received by 28 June 2026 at 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time.

Stan Chen, Deputy Director – Consumer Marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, “It’s incredibly exciting to reach the 10th annual Toyo Tires Shutter Space Automotive Photo Contest. Over the years, this event has created a platform for photographers to express their passion, showcase their incredible work and capture the spirit of the automotive world. At Toyo Tires, we are honoured to continue supporting the creative voices that share our passion for car culture.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling recently hosted 20 visitors from the Recycling Association of Minnesota for an industry tour of its state operations. Company representatives guided the group through the entire scrap tyre processing cycle, demonstrating how inbound tyres are collected, processed and transformed into finished materials.

Beyond collecting tyres from retailers, auto body shops and transfer stations, Liberty Tire Recycling assists local governments with amnesty drop-off events and illegal dump cleanup initiatives. These efforts protect roadsides, neighbourhoods and natural areas by redirecting discarded tyres into responsible recycling channels. Minnesota generates more than four and a half million end-of-life tyres annually, making robust collection infrastructure essential. Liberty accepts tyres from landfills, transfer centres, and generators such as tyres retailers and auto dealerships.

Despite a strong state framework, illegal dumping persists. Community amnesty events and targeted cleanups provide residents with convenient disposal options and give local governments a proven partner for addressing abandoned tyres piles. Liberty operates two key facilities serving Minnesota: a tyre collection and processing site in Savage and another in St. Martin. Both locations are part of Liberty’s North American network, which processes over 200 million tyres each year into rubber mulch, moulded rubber goods and rubberised asphalt components.

During the Recycling Association of Minnesota tour, visitors observed how end-of-life tyres become crumb rubber, tyre-derived aggregate, rubber mulch and tyre-derived fuel for commercial and residential applications. Through education, direct collection services, local processing, amnesty support and cleanup partnerships, Liberty helps prevent tyres from ending up in ditches or landfills and returns them to productive use.

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The Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, a new ultra-high-performance all-season tyre, has achieved a category first by securing ‘A’ ratings for both wet grip and exterior noise across its entire size range. Developed in Europe by Apollo Tyres Ltd and set for production at the company’s Hungarian facility, this performance-focused product utilises a distinctive tread pattern that merges longitudinal and directional grooves.

Unlike competing ultra-high-performance all-season tyres, the Quatrac Pro 2 incorporates four longitudinal grooves in every size to maximise aquaplaning resistance and deliver superior wet-weather braking and traction. Directional lateral grooves further enhance water evacuation. While conventional all-season designs often omit such grooves to prioritise snow traction – resulting in higher noise levels – Apollo Tyres’ research team has engineered the Quatrac Pro 2 as a segment-leading wet performer without sacrificing acoustic comfort. The tyre still carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake marking for certified winter capability.

Advanced engineering is evident in the shoulder’s three-dimensional interlocking sipes, which feature zig-zagged inner faces on horizontal and vertical planes. Unlike straight-cut conventional sipes, this design limits tread block movement, maintaining structural stability during high-speed cornering while retaining flexibility for snow grip. This unique tread construction ensures a consistent contact patch and predictable handling even under aggressive cornering. A continuous centre rib, rare in all-season tyres, further boosts dry handling, steering precision and braking distances on wet and dry roads.

Building on its predecessor’s acoustic performance, the Quatrac Pro 2 employs an optimised multi-pitch tread block sequence to reduce resonance and noise. The irregular block arrangement, with pitch counts and sequences tailored to each tyre diameter, produces a refined acoustic signature. This balance of characteristics secures the top ‘A’ noise rating for all sizes, confirming that certified winter performance does not compromise comfort or wet-weather capability.

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The tread design of the Quatrac Pro 2 reflects a new approach to all-season tyre development. By combining features typically associated with ultra-high-performance summer tyres with carefully engineered elements for traction in wet and winter conditions, we have created a tyre that delivers strong braking response and confident handling year-round.”

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