Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) recently showcased its latest lineup of Westlake and Goodride tyres engineered specifically for European roads at Autopromotec 2025, Bologna.

The company shared that it has designed the tyres to meet Europe’s rigorous performance and safety standards. The products targeted for passenger vehicle, all-season, winter and commercial vehicle segments feature several A- and B-rated wet-grip models.

The passenger and all-season tyre range includes –

• Westlake ZuperFlex Z-137 (A-rated wet grip) ideal for Europe’s rainy summer conditions.
• Goodride RideMax G-147 (A-rated wet grip) for enhanced control and safety in wet driving conditions.
• Westlake Zuper 4S Z-411 (B-rated wet grip) all-season tyre built for year-round versatility and dependable traction.
• Goodride All Season Elite G-402 (B-rated wet grip) offers stable performance across changing seasons.
• Goodride ZuperSnow Z-508 is specifically engineered for harsh Central European and Northern German winters, offering superior grip and control on snow and ice.

For the commercial vehicle segment, the company introduced –

• Westlake Gen II Series (WSL2, WDL2, WSA2, WAM2 on display) commercial truck tyres built with PSCT (Pre-strain Contour Theory), BWT (Belt-Wrap Technology) and Ultra Hybrid Formula compound that provides durability, fuel efficiency, extended service life and safety for fleet operators.
• Goodride Flagship Commercial Range, which includes the premium new range for European commercial transport demands, focused on durability, performance and operational efficiency.

The Westlake Gen II Series is already sold in the European market, with other models scheduled for phased release across Europe in 2025 and early 2026.

Leo Liao, European Sales Director, ZC Rubber, said, “Every tyre we showcased at Autopromotec demonstrated our dedication to Europe’s regulatory standards and real-world driving needs. We’ve shown how Westlake and Goodride not only meet but anticipate the evolving demands of European consumers and professionals.”

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The European Commission has decisively abandoned its initial proposal to delay the implementation of its cornerstone anti-deforestation legislation. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will now proceed according to its original timeline, a move that underscores the bloc's commitment to combating global forest loss. This decision was confirmed by Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall during the recent Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg, where she outlined a revised application plan designed to balance regulatory ambition with practical feasibility for businesses.

The core implementation date for the regulation remains firmly set for 30 December 2025. In a concession aimed at supporting smaller market players, micro- and small enterprises have been granted an extension, providing them until December 2026 to achieve full compliance. A central feature of the revised approach is a strategic simplification of administrative duties. To alleviate bureaucratic burdens and prevent overloading the new digital traceability infrastructure, the obligation to submit a due diligence declaration will now fall exclusively on companies that are the first to place a covered product on the EU market. This targeted requirement is expected to significantly reduce redundant paperwork across supply chains.

Established in 2023, the EUDR’s fundamental objective is to guarantee that key commodities – including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy and wood – sold within the European Union are not associated with deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020. To achieve this, obligated companies must provide verifiable proof of traceability back to the plot of land where the commodities were produced, confirming that their goods did not originate from recently cleared forest areas.

Commissioner Roswall’s earlier suggestion for a blanket one-year postponement encountered substantial internal resistance. Prominent figures, such as Vice-President Teresa Ribera, voiced strong opposition, cautioning that such a delay would critically undermine the Union's credibility and leadership on the global environmental stage. The newly adopted compromise includes a further measure to ease the transition: a six-month grace period, lasting until 30 June 2026, during which companies demonstrating genuine efforts to comply will be shielded from penalties. This final proposal, however, is still subject to formal approval from both the European Parliament and the member states, where legislators may yet seek additional clarifications or adjustments before the plan is formally enacted.

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The recently held 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou served as a critical gateway to international trade, attracting over 200,000 attendees from 217 countries and regions. Doublestar Tire seized this opportunity to present its comprehensive product series, demonstrating significant technological advancement and innovative capacity. The company’s modern booth highlighted high-differentiation and cost-effective tyre solutions, featuring models like the durable TBR-series DMS100 and the efficient PCR-series DH03, which is recognised for its safety and lower fuel consumption.

Through direct and detailed engagement, Doublestar's overseas team effectively communicated product value and developed customised solutions for visitors. This strategic approach successfully captured the attention of international clients, strengthened existing partnerships and generated concrete cooperation proposals. The event has effectively laid a robust foundation for Doublestar’s continued global market expansion. Moving forward, the company reaffirms its commitment to an innovation-driven strategy, aiming to collaborate with international partners to deliver progressively safer, more energy-efficient and intelligent mobility solutions for users worldwide.

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In a significant step for their global partnership, ZC Rubber recently hosted a management delegation from Arsenal Football Club at its headquarters. The visit provided the Arsenal team with a comprehensive look at ZC Rubber's operations, including a tour of the corporate showroom to understand the company's history, product range and innovative vision. The delegation also witnessed the advanced production processes at the state-of-the-art Future Factory, observing firsthand the smart manufacturing and automation that define industry standards for quality.

Following the tours, both parties convened to assess the progress of their collaboration and strategise for its future development. Since the partnership began, ZC Rubber has successfully elevated its international brand by leveraging Arsenal’s global platform. This has included stadium advertising and a variety of exclusive events for distributors and customers, such as VIP matchday experiences and digital campaigns designed to foster deeper fan engagement. This high-level meeting has not only strengthened the relationship between the two organisations but has also paved the way for new cooperative initiatives. Together, ZC Rubber and Arsenal are focused on creating unique value for a global audience and building a partnership dedicated to achieving mutual, sustainable growth.

Shen Haoyu, Deputy General Manager, Zhongce Rubber Group, said, “Our partnership with Arsenal is a key step in ZC Rubber’s globalization strategy. We move forward together with an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Through this partnership, our brand shines on the pitch while more consumers worldwide come to know ZC Rubber for quality and innovation. Working with Arsenal has broadened our reach and created tangible value for our customers and distributors. Looking ahead, we will continue to advance with ambition and deliver even greater results together.”

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For over a decade, a strong partnership has existed between Danish bus operator AarBus and tyre manufacturer Continental, a collaboration now central to a significant green transition in public transport. Serving the city of Aarhus and its environs, AarBus equips its entire fleet of city buses with Continental's premium tyres, a choice driven by the critical need for operational reliability and outstanding durability. This commitment has recently expanded to include Continental's digital tyre monitoring system, ContiConnect, aligning with the company's deep-seated philosophy of reducing its CO2 emissions and overall ecological footprint. A testament to this ambition is the fact that every second bus in their modern fleet is already electric, with a clear goal for 168 of their vehicles to be clean, zero-emission models by 2027, according to Managing Director Hans Jørgen Østergaard.

This strategic direction places AarBus firmly on course with broader European objectives, including a European Commission target for 90 percent of new city buses to be emission-free by 2030. The environmental benefits of this shift are already substantial. Since introducing its first four electric buses in 2019, AarBus has prevented approximately 14,095 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, a saving equivalent to the annual emissions of over 9,000 cars. Hans Jørgen Østergaard notes that in 2024 alone, the company saved 4,681 tonnes of CO2, representing a 35 percent reduction compared to its 2018 levels when it relied entirely on diesel. In this context, selecting the right tyres becomes a crucial factor in maximising efficiency and minimising environmental impact, proving essential for the economical operation of a modern fleet.

The specific demands of electric buses have directly influenced tyre design. Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development EMEA at Continental, explains that tyres like the Conti Urban HA 5 were developed precisely for the unique requirements of electric drives, which feature higher torque and increased weight. These energy-saving tyres with low rolling resistance are engineered to withstand the additional stresses of frequent stops and tight curbs common in urban settings. Their robust construction, including reinforced sidewalls and a durable rubber compound, is intended to maximise longevity. This design philosophy supports a circular economy concept that extends the tyre's life cycle through retreading, thereby reducing its overall environmental footprint.

The integration of the ContiConnect live digital tyre pressure monitoring system brings another layer of efficiency and safety to AarBus operations. By ensuring buses consistently operate with correct tyre pressure, the system prevents gradual pressure loss and the vehicle breakdowns that can result from flat tyres. This enhances operational reliability for the company's approximately 80,000 weekly trips, making the daily work of its 578 drivers easier and more predictable. This reliability is especially critical for electric buses, where maintaining optimal range is a key operational concern. The transition to an electric fleet at AarBus, initiated by a political decision from the Aarhus city administration, underscores the company's commitment to its environmental certification and corporate philosophy. Through this comprehensive partnership, Continental's tyre solutions are helping to ensure that the AarBus fleet is not only environmentally friendly but also reliably and safely on the road, driving the future of sustainable public transport.

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