CarbonX has appointed Rohan Patel to its Advisory Board, gaining a distinguished strategist at a crucial phase of the company’s growth in sustainable battery materials. His profound understanding of regulatory frameworks and supply-chain strategy will directly support CarbonX’s collaborations with major cell manufacturers and its expansion of local, scalable production.

Patel’s career spans top-tier leadership in industry and government. He previously served as Vice President of global public policy and business development at Tesla, where he was part of the executive leadership team. Prior to his work in the private sector, he was a special assistant to the President and a senior advisor for climate and energy during the Obama Administration, shaping pivotal transportation and power sector policies while coordinating with state and local officials. His earlier contributions include roles at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and staff positions for political campaigns and elected officials.

Currently residing in Kensington, Maryland, Patel consults for global companies and nonprofits dedicated to decarbonisation. His appointment equips CarbonX with essential guidance for navigating complex policy landscapes and strengthening value chains in both the United States and European markets.

Rutger van Raalten, CEO, CarbonX, said, “With Patel’s extensive experience in global policy and deep understanding of Electric Vehicle and US regulatory landscapes, his guidance will be invaluable as we establish ourselves as a supplier of quality materials into US Giga factories and navigate US policy, battery-manufacturing regulations and emerging tariff frameworks.”

Patel said, “The team is strong, the technology is proven, US capacity is established and Tier-1 cell manufacturers in the US are taking notice. CarbonX’s disruptive supply-chain solution arrives at exactly the right time. Strengthening domestic supply chains for critical battery materials is essential, and I am pleased to support CarbonX’s mission to deliver local, scalable and sustainable solutions.”

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Grismer Tire & Auto Service, a tyre and automotive service centre operator backed by CenterOak Partners LLC, has named Chris Blanchette as Chief Executive Officer and Mark Hedstrom as Chief Financial Officer. The announcement marks a significant leadership transition for the portfolio company.

Blanchette arrives with over two decades of senior leadership experience in multi-site consumer services, specialising in operations, strategy and business development. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Service Minds, a residential electrical, plumbing and HVAC services provider. His background also includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of QAS, which operates Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations, along with senior operational positions at Advance Auto Parts, Bridgestone Retail Operations and Best Buy.

Hedstrom brings more than three decades of finance expertise to his new role. He previously held the Chief Financial Officer position at W.S. Connelly & Co., a multi-regional specialty distributor, and has also served as Chief Financial Officer for several private equity-backed consumer and distribution companies.

Eric Holter, Managing Director, CenterOak, said, “Chris Blanchette brings highly relevant leadership experience in the automotive aftermarket. He has led complex, multi-location organisations and understands how to translate operational discipline into sustainable growth. Together, Chris and Mark add important depth to Grismer’s leadership team as the Company pursues expansion in existing and new markets.”

Blanchette said, “Grismer’s 90-year history and the trust it has earned with customers set the Company apart. I am excited to join a business with such a strong legacy and see significant

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The International Rubber Conference (IRC) will return to Japan in November for the first time in a decade, with more than 271 technical presentations and over 117 exhibitors expected to take part.

The event, known as IRC 2026 Aichi, will be hosted by the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan, alongside the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition in Aichi. It is scheduled to run from 2^nd to 6^th  November, with the exhibition opening a day later and continuing until 6^th  November .

Held at the Aichi International Exhibition Center, also known as Aichi Sky Expo, the venue is located near Chubu Centrair International Airport and can be reached from Nagoya Station in about 28 minutes by train.

The conference programme will feature more than 271 presentations spanning rubber science, technology and industrial applications. Participants include James Busfield of Queen Mary University of London and Nobuyuki Tamura of Bridgestone Corporation, who also chairs the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association. More than 400 delegates have already registered.

Running alongside the conference, the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition will host more than 117 exhibitors, ranging from raw material suppliers and machinery manufacturers to tyre makers and testing-equipment providers. The exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge.

The International Rubber Conference, first held in 1966, rotates annually across global host cities. The last event in Japan took place in Kitakyushu in 2016, with subsequent editions held in Haikou, Istanbul and Bangkok.

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Italian tyre major Pirelli has announced a multi-year investment plan worth approximately EUR 1 billion (USD 1.2 billion) to expand its manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia in the United States. The motion passed by majority vote, with board members Zhang Haitao, Xi Xiaohong and Wang Kun voting against the proposal.

The capital expenditure program, scheduled to begin in 2027 and will go through 2033, aims to expand annual production capacity at the Georgia site to six million tyres and create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The United States represents the largest market for high-value tyres globally, accounting for roughly 40 percent of global volumes. The project will be carried out in two phases without altering Pirelli's financial targets for 2026.

Phase one of the expansion will introduce modular robotised production systems based on Pirelli's Modular Integrated Robotised System technology, scaling annual output to three million tyres starting in 2028.

In phase two, the company will begin construction of an automated production facility to add three million units of annual capacity. The expanded plant will produce connected tyre systems, including Cyber Tyre technology, following market authorisation granted by the US Bureau of Industry and Security under Italy’s 2026 Golden Power Decree.

Alongside the investment decision, the board approved an organisational restructuring resulting in the immediate elimination of the Corporate General Management function. As part of the changes, Corporate General Manager Francesco Tanzi will step down from his executive role, maintaining an employment relationship through 31 December 2026 to facilitate the leadership transition.

Under the terms approved by the board and the Remuneration Committee, Tanzi will receive a severance payment equivalent to 13 months’ remuneration, payable by February 2027, alongside accrued rights under existing short-term and long-term incentive plans. He has agreed to a two-year non-compete covenant covering Pirelli's primary operating regions in exchange for 130 percent of his gross annual salary, paid in eight quarterly instalments. Following the end of his employment, Tanzi will provide advisory services under a two-year consultancy contract with an annual fee of EUR 350,000, plus non-monetary benefits valued at EUR 45,000.

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Bridgestone has announced a European leadership appointment aimed at sharpening customer focus, streamlining engagement across product groups and supporting its ongoing growth plans. Stefano Sanchini will become President, Europe Sales, effective 1 October 2026, leading the company’s European sales organisation across both Consumer and Commercial segments.

The expanded role unites sales activities spanning passenger car, truck and bus, agriculture, off-the-road, motorcycle and original equipment. Sanchini brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in the automotive and tyre sectors, with a career covering Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Since joining Bridgestone in 2017, he has held several senior positions, including Managing Director of Bridgestone India.

Most recently, as Vice President for Consumer Replacement in Europe, he helped strengthen customer engagement, commercial performance, profitability and regional market growth. Bridgestone said the appointment underscores its commitment to customer relationships, commercial execution and simpler cross-market operations. Sanchini will pursue sustainable growth while developing capabilities and partnerships supporting the company’s long-term European strategy.

Mete Ekin, Group President EMEA, said, "Our customers increasingly operate across multiple product categories and expect a consistent experience wherever they engage with Bridgestone. By bringing our sales activities together under one European structure, we are creating a simpler, more connected organisation that will help us respond faster, collaborate more effectively and continue building strong partnerships with our customers."

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