In 2026, Cabot Corporation reported improved environmental performance in its latest disclosure to CDP, reinforcing a multi-year trend of progress across climate and water stewardship.

The company received an A- rating for Water Security and a B rating for Climate Change in CDP’s 2025 assessment. The Water Security score marks an improvement from a B in 2024, exceeding both global and industry averages, while the Climate Change rating was maintained year on year, alongside improvements in subcategories such as climate risk disclosure, value chain engagement and industry collaboration.

CDP evaluated more than 24,800 companies globally in 2025, covering roughly two-thirds of global market capitalisation, using a scoring scale ranging from D (Disclosure) to A (Leadership).

Cabot positions the results as validation of a long-term sustainability strategy anchored in transparency, operational discipline and continuous improvement. As Jaimee Farrin, Senior Director, Global Sustainability at Cabot Corporation, explains: “Through our commitment to operate responsibly, conserve resources and develop innovative performance materials, we will be relentless in our pursuit of solving sustainability challenges and achieving our net zero ambition.”

Transparent reporting remains a central pillar of this approach. Farrin notes that CDP is one of the environmental and governance disclosure platforms Cabot prioritises, both for reporting and for evaluating performance. She adds, “As part of our ongoing efforts, we are dedicated to transparent reporting, including our climate actions, opportunities and progress.”

CLIMATE CHANGE

On climate change, Cabot has set a 2030 goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15 percent through process innovation. To progress towards this target, the company is pursuing a comprehensive strategy encompassing renewable energy transition over time, efficiency improvements, investment in breakthrough decarbonisation technologies and the use of alternative feedstocks and advanced energy recovery solutions.

One of the company’s most prominent climate-related innovations is its regenerated carbon technology, developed under the EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform. Farrin highlights the role this technology plays in advancing circularity in the tyre industry. She says, “Cabot’s regenerated carbon technology is one of the innovative strategies the company is leveraging to reduce its environmental impact.”

Reclaimed carbon, produced through the pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres, has historically been limited to very low loadings (<10%) in rubber applications due to poor reinforcing properties. Farrin explains that Cabot’s patented regeneration technology addresses this limitation by improving surface characteristics, enabling tyre manufacturers to use higher levels of reclaimed carbon with performance comparable to virgin carbon black.

“Today, we have demonstrated that the technology enables the use of reclaimed carbon content up to 30 percent; however, as we look forward, we are continuously evaluating ways to increase sustainable content while delivering in-rubber performance,” explains Farrin.

Energy efficiency and recovery also form a critical part of Cabot’s climate strategy. The company has implemented energy recovery systems at many facilities worldwide, including 13 reinforcing carbon plants, capturing and reusing heat generated during production to offset electricity and steam typically supplied by the grid and natural gas combustion.

Farrin underlines the strategic significance of these systems, noting, “This opportunity has influenced Cabot’s strategy as we have recently unveiled a new 2030 energy goal – to export 250 percent of the energy Cabot imports, reconfirming the importance of driving even further improvements in the years ahead.”

Beyond direct operations, Cabot continues to strengthen collaboration across its value chain. The company uses Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to substantiate

sustainability benefit claims and is actively working with the International Carbon Black Association to support the standardisation of PCFs across the industry. In parallel, Cabot is engaging with tyre customers to explore joint approaches to improving product life-cycle impacts.

WATER SECURITY

Water stewardship has emerged as a defining area of progress. All Cabot sites globally are expected to identify and pursue water conservation opportunities aligned with local risk conditions. These measures include reducing water consumption in production processes, reusing and recycling water, harvesting rainwater and sourcing grey water from external providers where feasible.

The company-wide focus on annual water balance and risk assessments, enhanced data collection and targeted investment has delivered measurable results. As Farrin notes, these efforts contributed directly to the improvement in Cabot’s CDP Water Security score from B in 2024 to A- in 2025.

At the operational level, Cabot’s reinforcing carbons facility in Altamira, Mexico, has implemented improvements to the recovery and reuse of treated water and identified opportunities to optimise scrubber water discharge, reducing future water consumption in production.

Looking ahead, Cabot has set a 2030 water goal to reduce freshwater withdrawal intensity by 10 percent at sites located in water-stressed areas. Farrin emphasises the broader implications of this focus. She says, “Focusing on freshwater withdrawal in water-stressed areas is crucial to sustaining ecosystems, minimising business risks from operational disruptions and allowing sustainable development for communities.”

Further water conservation and wastewater recycling projects are currently under evaluation across Cabot’s global network to support this target.

Summarising the company’s progress, Farrin concludes: “We are proud of the progress we have made in advancing our sustainability strategy and remain steadfast to our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, transparency and continuous improvement.”

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Gaurav Kumar has resigned as a whole-time director of Apollo Tyres, the Indian tyre manufacturer, after more than two decades with the company, though he will remain chief financial officer during a transition period.

The Gurugram-based company's board approved the resignation at a meeting on Thursday. Kumar steps down as a director, and consequently as a member of the risk management committee, with effect from the close of business the same day. The company said he had confirmed there was no material reason for his departure beyond that stated in his resignation letter.

Kumar will continue as chief financial officer for such period as is necessary to ensure a smooth transition, after which he will cease to be part of the company's senior management.

In his resignation letter, Kumar said: "It has been terrific to be part of the incredible journey at Apollo Tyres thus far. I have learned, and hopefully contributed in equal measure, and now seek to explore alternative and new challenges. I wish Apollo Tyres the very best for the journey ahead and will always be part of the Apollo Tyres Family." He added that he was grateful to Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj Kanwar for their support during his tenure of more than 22 years at the company.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, said: "Gaurav deserves kudos for the critical role he has played in the growth of Apollo Tyres, both in India and overseas, in the last twenty years. While we do regret losing him, we are conscious of his personal aspirations and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

The company said it was in the process of appointing a new chief financial officer.

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Shrader Tire & Oil (STO) has announced the appointment of Bob Feldbauer to the role of President, effective 1 August 2026. He will concurrently serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Joe Shrader maintains his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Feldbauer’s ascent follows his arrival at STO in early 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, a role built upon a robust industry resume. His prior engagements include a lengthy stint at the helm of Jack’s Tire & Oil in Utah and a substantial period with Michelin North America, where he handled sales and managerial assignments.

Under the new structure, Feldbauer’s purview widens to encompass both internal fleet management across 14 sites and outward-facing commercial development, including alliances and market expansion. With the founding family’s fourth generation now active within the firm, the succession plan reinforces the enduring principles established when the company opened in 1948.

Shrader said, “Bob has proven exactly what we hoped he would when we brought him on board – sharp operational instincts and a real drive to help this company grow. Putting him in the President seat lets us move faster on the growth plans we’ve been building towards.”

Feldbauer said, “It has been a fast year and a half at Shrader Tire & Oil. I have gained tremendous insight and valuable knowledge about our organisation’s structure, company culture and an understanding of our overall goals and commitments. One thing is clearly obvious – the commitment Shrader employees have to deliver the best customer experience each and every time. I appreciate this and look forward to supporting them as their President and COO.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has unveiled a brand installation at the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) T2 Elevated Road Underpass as the tyre manufacturer seeks to broaden its positioning beyond its traditional Off-Highway business and strengthen awareness of its expanding on-highway portfolio in India.

The 2,000 sq. ft. installation, inspired by the company's "Elevate Your Drive" philosophy, highlights BKT's portfolio across agriculture, construction, mining, earthmoving, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. The activation comes as the company expands its presence in India's two-wheeler and commercial vehicle tyre segments.

Designed to move beyond conventional outdoor advertising, the installation features nine illuminated tyre-shaped displays, each 8 feet in diameter, using the tyre itself as the central storytelling element. It opens with a large-format visual featuring BKT brand ambassador Ranveer Singh, followed by a sequence of displays illustrating the company's expanding mobility portfolio. The installation will remain at the airport for 24 months.

Mumbai International Airport handled a record 55.5 million passengers in 2025, providing the company with sustained visibility among business travellers and consumers.

"For BKT, innovation goes beyond product engineering; it extends to how we tell our story. This installation reflects a simple yet powerful idea: our tyre itself becomes the medium through which travellers experience the breadth of BKT's world. As we expand our presence across India's mobility landscape, it is important that consumers see BKT not through a single product category, but as a brand that supports movement across diverse terrains, applications and journeys. Mumbai Airport provides an ideal stage for us to express that transformation in a memorable and distinctive way," said Satish Sharma, Senior President & Director – Business Development and Strategy, BKT.

The installation was conceptualised by Infectious Advertising and uses immersive design, sequential storytelling and its airport location to showcase the company's wider mobility portfolio. According to BKT, the activation is intended to connect its established Off-Highway business with its growing presence in India's on-highway mobility market.

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Mumbai-headquartered leading carbon black manufacturer Epsilon Carbon has reported a 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions across its upstream transportation operations during FY2025–26. The reduction was achieved through the deployment of an electric and liquefied natural gas freight fleet.

An independent third party certified the emissions data. The reductions achieved in transport logistics equate to carbon absorption figures associated with approximately 29,000 trees. The verified figures allow supply chain partners to include these reductions within Scope 3 emissions reporting frameworks and environmental disclosures.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Decarbonising logistics is central to our climate strategy. What makes this milestone meaningful is that the results are independently verified with a 10 percent reduction in CO2e emissions within the upstream transportation category over a single financial year, driven by the adoption of electric and LNG fleets. These carbon reductions strengthen our own sustainability disclosures and those of our customers, and we intend to scale this model across our supply chain.”

Following Phase 1 operations, Epsilon Carbon intends to expand the number of electric and LNG vehicles in its transport fleet during FY 2026–27 to scale low-carbon freight transport across its supply chain network.

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