For its ID. Buzz, Volkswagen has equipped it with Hankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 ev. While for the transporter ID. Buzz Cargo, the 18-inch entry-level tyres are available exclusively, the electric bus ID. Buzz can also be ordered with the 21-inch version. In this combination, the first Hankook premium passenger car tyre with the ‘HL’ load index designation is also making its debut. One of the special challenges during the approximately 2.5-year development phase was the tyre tuning with regard to the very high permissible total weight of the VW ID. Buzz and the distinct driving dynamics at the level of a passenger car.

Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe, said, “Hankook and Volkswagen have been working together successfully for many years. Developing the tyres for the VW ID. Buzz represents another highlight of this cooperation. It makes us proud that this car, reminiscent of the globally popular original 'Bulli', will be delivered with Hankook tyres straight from the factory."

Rolling resistance, load-bearing capacity and comfort
With the 18-inch version of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev, Hankook supplies the ID. Buzz family with all-round qualities. The tyre, which is specially designed for electric vehicles, brings the above-average drive torque onto the road with confidence, indispensable for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which combines the driving dynamics of a passenger car with the curb weight of a van.

In addition, the tyre is characterised by excellent stability. The basis for the robust tyre body of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is the double-ply carcass made of a specially developed high-performance fibre, which combines stability and low weight. Thus, the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev has a low tare weight relative to its size. Added to this are the benefits of the tread design, which ensures outstanding acoustic comfort. As a result, the noise emissions, which are low in electric vehicles per se, are significantly reduced once again.

Another characteristic of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is its high abrasion resistance – the result of the tread compound specially designed for high drive torques. In terms of rolling resistance, the tyre also fulfils the specifications in an exemplary manner. Compared to a comparable B-rated tyre, the Label A tyre can contribute to an increase in range of up to 30 kilometres per battery charge.

In the 21-inch dimension for the ID. Buzz – due to the reduced sidewall height – an additional steel-based reinforcement is used in the bead area. This contributes to an even higher sidewall stiffness. This ensures a particularly dynamic, direct steering feedback. Finally, an independent feature of the 21-inch version is the aerodynamically optimised contour of the rim protection strip, which also contributes to more reach.

First Hankook passenger car tyre with HL signature
With the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev in HL 235/45 R21 104T XL and HL 265/40 R21 108T XL for the ID. Buzz, Hankook presents passenger car tyres with the ‘HL’ load index designation for the first time in its portfolio. The latest generation of powerful passenger cars and SUVs with battery drive is characterised by a significantly higher vehicle weight. This requires tyres that have a significantly higher load capacity at the same inflation pressure. Hankook claims that the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev masters this challenge with aplomb, so that the VW ID. BUZZ can bring its driving dynamics, which are favoured by the low centre of gravity, onto the road without any restrictions.

Klaus Krause, Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center in Hanover, explained, “With the development of the high load capacity tyre, Hankook is further expanding its original equipment portfolio. The tyre, which is adapted to the higher vehicle weight that is of great relevance for e-transporters, supports the driving characteristics of the VW ID. Buzz.”

SEALGUARD technology
The 21-inch dimension of the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev is equipped with the Hankook SEALGUARD, sealing material as a further comfort and safety feature. This automatically seals punctures of up to five millimetres in diameter in the area of the tyre tread. This technology allows the driver to continue driving even in the event of a nail puncture, for example. A spare wheel or puncture kit therefore no longer needs to be carried in SEALGUARD-equipped vehicles. It provides additional space in the boot, saving weight and eliminating the need for a potentially dangerous roadside wheel change. In addition to their safety benefits, tyres equipped with this technology continue to offer the same level of comfort, as their basic construction is no different from tyres without SEALGUARD.

Pyrum Innovations AG has announced that its Supervisory Board has extended the contract with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kai Winkelmann until 31 March 2030 to ensure continuity in the management of the company.

Winkelmann joined the firm in February 2021, and on 1 April 2022, he was initially named to the Executive Board as CFO. He has so far played a major role in obtaining the company's funding during his tenure at Pyrum, including last year's successful capital raise. Winkelmann is in charge of Finance, Compliance and IT in his role on the Executive Board.

Alf Schmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said, “We are pleased about the contract extension of Kai Winkelmann, who has proven his skills and in-depth expertise in the financial sector and at the management level in recent years. Over the last four years, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the necessary administrative structures and to the success of the company, and has promoted its rapid further development. We have confidence in his foresight and are convinced that Winkelmann will continue to play a central role in the successful implementation of the company’s goals in the years to come.”

Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has been selected once again to continue as a constituent of three internationally renowned environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes: the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series and the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).

Bridgestone has been a part of the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for two years in a row since 2023, the DJSI World for three years in a row since 2022 and the FTSE4Good Index Series for seven years in a row from 2018. Bridgestone's specific Mid Term Business Plan (2024-2026) has been steadily implemented, putting sustainability at the centre of its operations. The company's 2020 vision and Mid-Long Term Business Strategy served as the foundation for the plan.

According to the company statement, “Setting forth the vision of ‘Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company’, Bridgestone links its business to the realisation of carbon neutrality, a circular economy and nature positivity across the entire value chain. From the ‘produce and sell’ phase and the ‘use’ of its products through to their ‘renewal’ to raw materials, Bridgestone aims to build a foundation for creating sustainability value.”

The following initiatives have contributed to Bridgestone's inclusion in these indexes:

• Contributing to a circular economy and attaining carbon neutrality by using ENLITEN technology to make tyres from recycled and renewable resources, using BCMA and switching to ‘Green & Smart’ manufacturing at Bridgestone locations to increase resource productivity and energy efficiency.
• Encouragement of nature positivity through initiatives for the sustainable use of water resources and natural rubber that are closely related to the commercial operations of the firm, including strengthening assistance for natural rubber smallholders.
• Strengthening of a thorough structure and procedure for human rights due diligence that aims to identify, mitigate, avoid and disclose human rights concerns.
• Visualisation and disclosure of the impact of social contribution actions that are in line with the global goals.

German automotive company and tyre major Continental has been added another feather to its cap with bagging the ‘Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence at this year’s Tire Technology Expo.

With this, Continental becomes the only tyre maker to have won two concurrent awards – Tire Manufacturer of the Year and Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing. The company’s Lousado facility in Portugal was also recognised for manufacturing tyres CO2-neutrally since last year.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research & Development, Continental Tires, said, "We are especially proud to be the only manufacturer to be honoured twice at the Tire Technology Awards in an extremely competitive field. Both awards highlight our strong commitment to sustainable tire development and manufacturing. In such a highly competitive market, this success demonstrates our innovative prowess and our ability to actively shape the future of the industry."

Interestingly, this also marks it the fourth time that the German company has bagged the Tire Manufacturer of the Year award. The awards took into consideration tyre makers globally and were evaluated by a jury of 27 independent industry experts.

Going forward, Continental has outlined its ambition to switch all of its tyre plants to fully carbon-neutral production processes by 2040 at the latest.

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has appointed Jongseon Ahn and Sanghoon Lee as Executive Directors and new Co-CEOs, following a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors meeting held on 26 March.

Ahn will be in charge of Hankook Tire's global innovation, R&D, procurement, production and quality, while Lee will be in charge of global sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen the premium positioning of the company's unified global brand, Hankook, as well as the supply of original equipment (OE) tyres for new vehicles. In addition to the leadership nominations, shareholders approved all eight agenda items at the Annual General Meeting, including the approval of the consolidated financial accounts, partial revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and director appointments.

Ahn has extensive leadership expertise and a proven track record of advancing technology innovation in the operational holding firm, Hankook & Company. He oversaw general management and spearheaded innovative initiatives in 2021 while serving as COO of Hankook & Company and Head of ES (Energy Solution) Business Headquarters. He became the CEO in 2022 and oversaw the company's expansion of premium Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery sales into important international markets, which greatly increased profitability and strengthened the company's platform for long-term success.

Lee's vast worldwide leadership experience serves as the foundation for his profound understanding of marketing and global sales strategy. He has held important regional leadership positions in China and Europe since 2018, during which time he has played a crucial role in bolstering the company's premium brand positioning internationally and continuously promoting creative business performance, both of which have greatly increased revenue. At the conclusion of last year, he was nominated as Hankook Tire's Co-CEO due to his success and leadership.