The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd has entered into a share purchase agreement with the Swedish-based Trelleborg AB to acquire all outstanding shares of Trelleborg Wheel Systems Holding AB (TWS), a company engaged in the manufacture and sale of off-highway tyres (OHT) for agricultural and industrial machinery. TWS’s enterprise value is EUR 2,040 million. 

Yokohama Rubber said in a statement that the acquisition is scheduled to be completed in the latter half of 2022. The acquisition’s impact on Yokohama Rubber’s consolidated financial results is currently under examination, it said. 

Yokohama Rubber is currently implementing its Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023) medium-term management plan for fiscal years 2021–2023.  

The TWS acquisition will contribute to the expansion of Yokohama Rubber’s OHT business, which YX2023 has positioned as a future growth driver for the company’s commercial tyre business. The ratio of consumer tyres to commercial tyres in today’s global tyre market is 1:1, but Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business sales are more heavily weighted toward consumer tyres, with a 2:1 ratio versus commercial tyres, the release pointed out. To bring the sales composition of its tyre business more in line with the overall market and secure the business’ stability and earnings growth, one of the key challenges facing Yokohama Rubber’s commercial tyre business is the growth of an OHT business capable of securing stably high earnings. The TWS acquisition will not only help Yokohama Rubber’s tyre business achieve a more optimal sales composition, but it will also strengthen the company’s commercial tyre business in each of the four thematic areas set forth in YX2023—product lineup, cost, service, and DX, the company said. 

TWS sales in fiscal 2021 totalled about YEN 129.0 billion, accounting for about 30 per cent of Trelleborg AB’s consolidated sales. Over the past 10 years, TWS has expanded its sales by 2.6 times and more than tripled EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes). While expanding sales it has sustained stably high profitability, with its EBIT ratio continuously above 10 per cent, the release said. 

Of tyres manufactured and sold by TWS, agricultural tyres account for about 60 per cent and industrial tyres about 20 per cent, with the remainder being tyres for construction machinery and motorcycles. TWS has 14 manufacturing plants in nine countries — seven in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, Slovenia, and three in the Czech Republic), two in the United States, one in Brazil, and four in Asia (two in China and two in Sri Lanka). About 70 per cent of its sales are in Europe. (TT)

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Tegeta Green Planet organised an informational and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Zugdidi to foster environmental responsibility and encourage proper management of specific waste streams. The initiative sought to educate local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives while boosting their participation in responsible disposal practices.

A dedicated collection point was established on 15 September in Zugdidi, where community members could dispose of end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils. Throughout the event, attendees learned about the safe and proper handling of used automotive waste and the various options available for submitting such materials.

A central component of the campaign involved raising awareness about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles. Participants gained insight into what EPR entails, the function of an EPR organisation in managing specific waste, how collected materials are subsequently processed and why importers must meet their legal obligations by joining an authorised EPR organisation. Symbolic gifts were distributed to encourage public involvement in the collection process.

The event enhanced Tegeta Green Planet’s regional visibility and created opportunities to recruit new importer members. Operating since 2022, the organisation is among the first in Georgia to receive authorisation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the EPR framework. It continues implementing regional campaigns and educational projects across Georgia to promote responsible waste management, strengthen infrastructure and advance circular economy principles.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has extended its partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) for another five years, carrying the collaboration through 31 December 2030. The renewed agreement confirms Vittoria as the UEC Official Supplier, building on a relationship that has deepened through a shared dedication to European cycling development, from backing athletes and National Federations to elevating the sport at its highest competitive levels.

The multi-discipline partnership spans Road, Gravel, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Track and BMX Racing, mirroring modern cycling’s diversity. It connects Vittoria with riders pursuing European titles across various categories and generations while both organisations pursue a common vision of cycling as a unifying force that brings together people, countries and generations.

Beyond competition, the two organisations are committed to developing cycling, promoting sporting excellence and inclusivity and growing the sport across disciplines and throughout Europe. The UEC works closely with Europe’s National Cycling Federations to strengthen continental cooperation, while Vittoria supports athletes and the cycling community from grassroots through the elite level.

Under the renewed agreement, Vittoria Servizio Corse, the company’s neutral technical assistance service, will continue supporting athletes at the UEC Road European Championships. Experienced technicians and dedicated race-support vehicles will assist riders in Road Races, Individual Time Trials and Team Time Trials (Mixed Relay) across Elite, Under 23 and Junior categories, regardless of team or equipment, helping them rejoin the race swiftly after technical issues – reflecting the partnership’s core principle of standing close to athletes with concrete support.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, “We are extremely proud to extend our partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme for another five years. Our relationship has grown stronger over time because it goes beyond visibility at major events: it is built on a shared commitment to the development of cycling and to supporting the people who make this sport possible. Being alongside UEC across all these disciplines, and providing direct support to athletes, gives us the opportunity to make a concrete contribution to the sport and its future.”

Enrico Della Casa, President, Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said, “Vittoria represents excellence in the international cycling landscape, and we are delighted to renew a partnership that has grown stronger over the years. Having such a prestigious and widely recognised brand alongside the Union Européenne de Cyclisme brings tangible added value to our activities, across all disciplines and throughout our events. Vittoria is also a valuable partner in the solidarity initiatives promoted by the UEC in support of National Federations, making a concrete contribution to projects that go beyond the purely sporting dimension and fully reflect the values of cooperation and mutual support on which European cycling is built. This renewal therefore confirms a shared vision based on quality, innovation and a common commitment to supporting the growth of our sport at every level. I would like to sincerely thank Vittoria CEO Stijn Vriends and his entire team for the continued trust they place in the UEC and for their ongoing support of European cycling. We are proud to continue this journey together.”

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Pirelli has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Headquarters of the Arma dei Carabinieri to trial its Cyber Tyre technology on selected vehicles from the Rome Radiomobile Unit. The collaboration aims to monitor the capital's road infrastructure, identify potential risks and improve road safety.

The trial begins with the Pirelli system installed on five Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles used for territorial control and emergency response. Sensors embedded in the tyres, proprietary algorithms and computer vision and artificial intelligence tools will gather and analyse road network data, enabling prompt identification of hazards.

Tyre-derived data will be combined with information from on-board cameras and processed using artificial intelligence algorithms developed by technology partner Univrses. The integrated approach will detect road surface or signage anomalies, helping build a continuously updated map of road conditions. The system operates automatically, requiring no action from operators. Cyber Tyre has previously been deployed with Movyon, part of the Autostrade per l'Italia group, and with the Region of Apulia.

At the signing, Arma dei Carabinieri Commander General Lt. Gen. Salvatore Luongo emphasised the organisation's commitment to innovation, calling the agreement a technological step consistent with its vision of cultural renewal. Pirelli's Cyber Tyre transforms the tyre into an intelligent device. An internal sensor collects information, processed by Pirelli software and transmitted in real time. It supports ABS, ESP and traction control while enabling road network health maps for maintenance planning.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli, said, "We are very pleased with this collaboration with the Arma dei Carabinieri. The Cyber Tyre system is capable of operating seamlessly even on tyres subjected to continuous strain and heavy stress, such as those used by the Radiomobile Unit's vehicles. This partnership, alongside those already established with public entities and automakers, demonstrates the robustness of our technology and its strategic importance in the development of connected and intelligent mobility.”

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ZC Rubber showcased an extensive range of mining tyre solutions at the recently concluded Mining Indonesia 2026, highlighting key sizes such as 27.00R49, 24.00R35, 29.5R25 and 12.00R24 across its brand portfolio. The display featured over 10 specialised products designed for rigid dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, wide-body mining dump trucks and haulage trucks used in surface mines, underground operations and transportation.

The company’s decades of mining sector experience, product quality reputation and deep understanding of diverse equipment and harsh operating conditions drew significant attention from industry professionals throughout the exhibition. A standout exhibit was a field-proven 29.5R25 TUL400 tyre, its tread nearly worn smooth after extensive service on an articulated dump truck at an Indonesian nickel mine. It had accumulated over 3,000 operating hours without any quality-related issues, with the mine operator reporting field performance comparable to leading international brands.

The booth also presented 14.00R25, 16.00R25 and 23.5-25 TBR and loader tyres produced by MTI, ZC Rubber’s Indonesian subsidiary. This growing range of locally manufactured products underscores the company’s ongoing localization efforts and its capacity to serve regional markets more efficiently.

As ZC Rubber continues expanding global production capabilities, it will further reinforce its speciality tyre portfolio and uphold rigorous quality standards to better serve customers worldwide. Through sustained innovation and international collaboration, the company remains dedicated to providing reliable, one-stop specialty tyre solutions for demanding applications.

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