ZC Rubber displayed its latest tyres at the recently concluded SEMA Show 2024 that was held in Las Vegas from 5-8 November, highlighting its commitment to providing tyre solutions tailored for the North American market. The company took the opportunity to unveil its WESTLAKE Gen II truck tyres for the North American market along with new additions to its ARISUN PCR tyres lineup.

The company unveiled the full lineup of WESTLAKE Gen II truck tyres with four key patterns and 13 tread designs crafted to meet diverse commercial needs. Incorporating advanced technologies like PSCT (Pre Strain Contour Theory) Ultra Hybrid Formula and Belt-Wrap Technology (BWT), these tyres provide reduced deformation and lower rolling resistance, resulting in enhanced tyre life, stability and fuel efficiency.

The SmartWay-verified W-Elite SL11steer/all position tyre is designed for long hauls and features a solid shoulder and advanced tread compounds, ensuring durability as well as optimal wear, fuel efficiency and cost-per-mile effectiveness. The W-Elite DA25, on the other hand, is engineered for all-weather and winter conditions with 3PMSF certification and a tread depth of 26/32nd. Also unveiled at the show were the SmartWay-verified all-position tyre Ideal for regional routes and the W-Elite ZM41 mixed service application tyre that is designed for both on-road and off-road environments and capable of carrying heavy loads at lower speeds on a variety of road conditions.

Apart from displaying the WESTLAKE Gen II series, ZC Rubber also showcased two exciting additions to its ARISUN passenger tyre lineup that covers a wide range of applications, including UHP (Ultra-High Performance), HP (High Performance), 4X4, H/T (Highway Terrain), A/T (All-Terrain), R/T (Rugged Terrain), M/T (Mud Terrain) and ST (Speciality Tyre). The ARISUN AGGRESSOR ZP11 tyre is aimed at high-performance drivers and offers responsive steering and stability at high speeds. Featuring four main grooves and high-density sipes, the tyre provides improved wet traction and reduced hydroplaning, as well as enhanced braking on both wet and dry roads. The ARISUN ARESTA A/T ZG16 targets off-road enthusiasts and provides solid grip on mud and loose surfaces owing to its Side-Biter lugs. The tyre features an aggressive shoulder design that resists cuts and abrasions.

Henry Shen, Vice President, ZC Rubber, said, “The WESTLAKE Gen II series has already built a strong reputation in Europe, and we’re excited to bring this enhanced lineup – specifically adapted for North American roads – to local fleets. With a focus on durability, fuel efficiency and sustainability, we are confident the WESTLAKE Gen II series will meet and exceed North American market demands. We’ve tailored the lineup to meet the unique challenges North American fleet operators encounter daily. Our goal is to provide tyres that not only extend lifespan and reduce fuel costs but also reliably perform across North America’s varied landscapes.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced the presentation of findings from an international joint research project for developing technologies to prevent and control rubber tree leaf fall diseases. Lead researcher Minami Matsui delivered a public lecture on 1 August, addressing the global history of rubber trees and collaborative measures against Leaf Fall Disease, which has significantly reduced production in affected regions.

Yokohama Rubber participates as a cooperating corporation in this initiative, which aims to achieve sustainable natural rubber production through disease management. The project has been selected under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development programme, jointly implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This international effort unites Japanese and Indonesian institutions, focusing on Indonesia as the world's second-largest natural rubber producer, where Leaf Fall Disease has severely curtailed output. The research targets smallholder farmers, who account for over 90 percent of the nation's production, by utilising pesticides to combat the disease.

Minami Matsui (left) and co-researcher Emiko Kurihara, Assistant Professor at Keio University

Since the project launched in 2020, research has progressed from pesticide screening to field evaluations at institutional test farms and corporate plantations, and then to smallholder farm assessments beginning in September 2025. Throughout each phase, Yokohama Rubber has investigated pesticide residues in natural rubber latex and evaluated their effects on rubber properties, confirming that proper application does not compromise quality. All field evaluations have demonstrated the selected pesticides' effectiveness, and the project is now advancing towards the practical phase, including securing pesticide registration for Indonesian use.

This research aligns with Yokohama Rubber's Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber, which includes supporting small-scale farmers. The company also participates as an official partner in another SATREPS project focused on utilising rubber seeds for green products to address global warming and plastic pollution.

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NEXEN TIRE is intensifying its transition to renewable energy across its domestic manufacturing facilities, marking a significant step in its long-term sustainability strategy. The company is advancing this effort through a combination of external power purchase agreements and the expansion of on-site solar generation at its Yangsan and Changnyeong plants.

A key component of this initiative involves a Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) inked with SK Innovation E&S, which allows the tyre manufacturer to secure renewable electricity directly from producers via a long-term contract. Beginning in November, the Yangsan plant will receive approximately four megawatts of onshore wind and solar power, with an anticipated yearly output of six gigawatt-hours. This supply is expected to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 2,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Parallel to the DPPA, NEXEN TIRE is bolstering its self-generation capabilities. Rooftop solar systems at the Changnyeong facility, currently under lease, will be transitioned to company-owned generation as leases expire, targeting a total capacity exceeding 10 megawatts by 2028. This shift will convert roughly 9 percent of the plant’s electricity use to renewable sources, while the Yangsan plant is also evaluating similar proprietary solar installations.

Given its substantial presence in Europe and its role as an original equipment supplier to premium automakers, NEXEN TIRE faces increasing pressure from clients to lower production-related emissions. The company has already secured Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for its goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 58.8 percent from a 2023 baseline by 2034, reinforcing that environmental performance is now a critical competitive factor in its key markets.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "The shift to renewable energy is not merely a response to regulations but a strategic investment to secure sustainable competitiveness in the global market. We will continue to expand the adoption of renewable energy across our production sites both in Korea and abroad in a phased manner."

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Nokian Tyres has achieved a significant milestone in the 2026 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), securing a total score of 80 points. This evaluation examines sustainability factors that are critical to long-term corporate performance, with a strong emphasis on risk management, organisational adaptability and overall resilience. The company views this result as a clear validation of its strategic approach.

The assessment awarded the tyre manufacturer perfect scores in several key categories, including Climate Risk Management, Raw Materials Programs, Information Security Policy and Human Rights Mitigation and Remediation. Company leadership has acknowledged that this accomplishment is rooted in the deep integration of sustainable practices across daily operations, product innovation and long-term value generation.

Nokian Tyres also stressed that responsible expansion relies heavily on collaborative efforts with employees and partners, reinforcing that sustainable decisions are fundamental to building resilience in a rapidly evolving global environment.

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Bartell Machinery Systems has announced an expansion of its production facility in Rome, New York, aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity and reducing lead times for customers.

The company is adding 22,400 square feet of high-bay manufacturing space to its existing 152,000 sq ft site. The expansion will include 30-tonne crane capacity, designed to improve material handling, workflow efficiency and flexibility in managing work in progress.

“This expansion of our Rome, New York production facility represents an exciting and important milestone for Bartell Machinery Systems,” said Ben Lunduski, Vice President of Operations of Bartell.

The increased ceiling height will enable the company to manufacture larger and more complex equipment more efficiently. The additional vertical clearance and heavy-lift infrastructure are expected to support improved assembly processes and sequencing of large-scale projects.

Bartell said the investment is intended to increase throughput across multiple product lines, enhance scheduling flexibility and reduce bottlenecks in assembly and testing. The company also expects to expand its capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

“As demand for our large industrial machinery systems continues to grow, this investment reinforces our long-term commitment to our manufacturing operations in Central New York, our customers and our employees,” said Pat Morocco, President of Bartell. “By expanding our production capabilities, we are positioning Bartell for continued success while building a strong foundation for future growth.”

The expansion is also expected to lead to an increase in the company’s workforce to support higher production volumes, contributing to employment in the local area.

Bartell, which produces equipment for the rubber and tyre, wire and cable, and oil and gas industries, said the expansion reflects sustained demand across its product lines and continued growth in recent years. Construction of the facility is at an early stage.

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