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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Dow will invest approximately USD 100 million by the end of 2027 to expand its specialty silicones manufacturing and research capabilities in the US, China and Japan, as the chemicals group seeks to meet rising demand from the mobility, electronics and healthcare sectors.

The investments will increase production capacity for liquid silicone rubber and engineered silicone materials, while also expanding research facilities focused on thermal management technologies.

The company said the projects would strengthen regional supply chains and support customers through local manufacturing and technical capabilities.

“These investments underscore Dow’s focus on scaling specialty silicones materials and bringing innovation closer and faster to our customers,” said Brendy Lange, president of Performance Materials & Coatings. “By expanding manufacturing and innovation capabilities in these strategic regions, we are investing to meet increasing consumer demand, strengthening our global supply chain capabilities, and enabling customers to move faster from innovation to commercialisation.”

Dow plans to expand liquid silicone rubber manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Kentucky, and Zhangjiagang, China. The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2027 and will support applications in mobility, electronics and healthcare.

The company is also increasing capacity for engineered silicone materials used in electronics applications, including power electronics, semiconductor packaging, thermal management and electrical protection.

New capacity in Songjiang, China, and Fukui, Japan, is scheduled to come on stream this year. Additional expansions in Auburn, Michigan, and Zhangjiagang are expected to be completed in 2027.

Dow expanded its Cooling Science Labs in Shanghai earlier this year and opened additional facilities in Midland, Michigan, in June. The facilities are intended to support the development and scale-up of thermal management technologies.

The investments complete the series of silicones projects outlined during Dow’s 2024 investor day. The company said project timelines had been updated to reflect market conditions and affordability considerations.

Dow said demand for specialty silicones continues to grow in mobility, electronics and medical applications, where supply reliability, technical support and product performance remain important considerations.

In mobility and electronics markets, the expanded capabilities are intended to support applications including mobility intelligence modules, data centres, microelectronics, energy electronics, consumer electronics components and advanced safety systems.

In medical applications, the company said regional manufacturing capabilities support local supply requirements for regulated products.

Dow said local manufacturing and technical support would help customers improve supply reliability, accelerate commercialisation and meet evolving qualification requirements.

The company said its integrated silicones manufacturing network across the Americas, Europe and Asia positions it to serve growing demand in specialty materials markets.

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CEAT Kelani Holdings has been recognised as the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the Component Manufacturer category at Sri Lanka’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards, a distinction that underscores its dominant role within the nation’s expanding vehicle assembly sector. The awards, organised by the newly established Automobile Industry Council, were presented during a formal ceremony at Temple Trees, drawing a distinguished audience of government ministers, senior bureaucrats and key industry stakeholders.

The company’s commanding presence is particularly evident in the original equipment segment, where it supplies tyres for over 90 percent of all vehicles assembled domestically. Since initiating its original equipment supply chain in 2012, CEAT Kelani has grown to become the preferred partner for assemblers, delivering more than 150,000 tyres annually for a broad spectrum of vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial trucks. Its products are now fitted as standard equipment on more than 30 locally assembled models across 11 international brands.

This position of strength is further validated by the company’s attainment of the IATF 16949:2016 certification, marking it as the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to achieve this globally respected automotive quality standard. The tyres supplied to vehicle makers undergo exhaustive validation processes, demonstrating superior outcomes in critical areas such as safety, braking performance and durability while also exhibiting low rolling resistance to improve driving efficiency.

Beyond its industrial achievements, CEAT Kelani contributes substantially to the national economy by conserving foreign exchange through import substitution and sustaining the livelihoods of over 10,000 rubber cultivator families through domestic natural rubber sourcing. The Automobile Industry Council, which hosted the awards, functions as a private-sector-led entity established with government support to foster sustainable growth and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

The inaugural awards ceremony forms part of the Council's broader mission to promote global best practices and governance standards within the local industry. As Sri Lanka's leading tyre brand, the company sells over 1.2 million tyres annually and maintains a presence in more than 110 countries, including US and Europe.

Ranked as the country's most valuable tyre brand by Brand Finance, CEAT Kelani has invested over INR 8.5 billion in Sri Lanka over the past decade, with a further INR 4.5 billion recently committed. The manufacturer supplies approximately half of Sri Lanka's automotive tyre demand while exporting around 20 percent of its output to 16 nations, reinforcing its status as a vital contributor to the national economy.

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Vittoria has expanded its Gravel Endurance Range by introducing new 700×50c and 700×55c tyre sizes across the Terreno T10, T30, T50 and T70 models. The gravel cycling discipline has transformed from a niche mixed-terrain activity into a multifaceted sport encompassing competitive racing, multi-day journeys, bikepacking and increasingly technical routes.

Although 40 mm and 45 mm options remain effective benchmarks in certain conditions, adoption of 50 mm and 55 mm widths is accelerating across racing and adventure circles. A wider footprint delivers improved traction on loose terrain, greater stability on descents, lower pressure capabilities and enhanced comfort during prolonged rides.

Within the racing segment, the trend towards larger tyres is unmistakable, with some competitors turning to mountain bike rubber for rugged courses. Tyre pressure management emerges as critical, as reduced pressure absorbs vibrations and maintains control on unpredictable surfaces. The average weight increase of approximately 70 grammes represents a modest compromise relative to performance gains.

For bikepacking and touring, wider tyres prove invaluable for managing heavier loads, delivering superior stability and cushioning over extended distances. The flexibility to adjust pressure enables navigation of both paved roads and isolated gravel routes. This preference aligns with frame design developments, as manufacturers produce bicycles with ample tire clearance to accommodate diverse styles.

The Terreno tread patterns are purpose-built for gravel surfaces and outperform traditional mountain bike designs. With the new sizes, the Vittoria Gravel Endurance Range now addresses the full spectrum from competitive racing to wilderness adventures, empowering cyclists to select optimal configurations for their ambitions across any terrain.

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Titan International has introduced the ITP CrossTrax tyre, a new product developed to enhance utility task vehicle performance in demanding agricultural settings. The company translated direct feedback from dealers and farmers into engineering specifications, addressing the specific operational challenges faced on modern farms. This initiative underscores a strategic move to tailor equipment for the evolving role of UTVs as essential workhorses beyond simple transportation.

The genesis of the CrossTrax tyre stemmed from field observations rather than laboratory work. During the Titan University Summit in early 2025, dealers highlighted persistent issues with tyre durability and machine downtime. Concurrently, farmers at agricultural shows reinforced these concerns, emphasising the need for a tyre built exclusively for farm work, distinct from recreational models, given that UTVs are now routinely used for hauling heavy supplies across fields, gravel and hard-packed roads.

The engineering response targeted the most frequent user complaints, namely flats from crop stubble and accelerated wear from mixed-terrain use. To combat these issues, the CrossTrax features an aramid-reinforced ply layer for enhanced puncture resistance against debris. It also incorporates a low void-to-tread ratio to improve stability across varying surfaces and utilises large tread blocks to promote even wear, thereby extending service life and reducing operational disruptions.

Reinforcing Titan’s commitment to customer-driven development, the new tyre line is now available in nine sizes, covering popular models like the Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Mule and John Deere Gator, with three additional sizes forthcoming. Early field evaluations have reportedly affirmed the design priorities, with positive feedback on improved ride stability and durability. The CrossTrax ultimately aims to increase operator confidence while minimising downtime and replacement frequency.

Todd Hinson, Powersports Product Manager, Titan Specialty Division, said, “Hearing this input directly from dealers and farmers was really eye opening. CrossTrax is the result of taking those conversations seriously and acting on them. We built a tyre around what is actually needed for farm work today. CrossTrax reflects who Titan is, a tyre manufacturer with boots on the ground, staying close to our dealers and customers. We spend a lot of time understanding how equipment is actually being used on farms and building solutions around those needs. That approach has always shaped how we innovate, and it will continue guiding us moving forward.”

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