Magna Tyres Singapore (MTS) mainly specialises in the port handling and mining market segments while also offering tyres to the construction, industrial and truck sectors across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, incorporating 40 countries. These countries also include Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

As for Singapore, it has been only over five years since the Netherlands-based Magna Tyres Group opened a sales and administration office in Singapore to better serve the APAC region, it claims.

The port handling sector is a relatively new market for the OTR and industrial tyres company in the APAC region. According to them, the company is now benefiting from ongoing opportunities in the growing industry, and has already established itself as a popular brand by working with many leading important ports throughout Asia. Whilst in the industrial sector, it is primarily active in the sales of solid and super solid tyres, continually increasing market share in this niche sector.

“Initially, we started within the mining sector, where Magna Tyres already operated a distributor network in Indonesia and Australia," said Olga Matveitshyk, Singapore General Manager, Magna Tyres and went on, “Over time, we have successfully increased our customer sales into the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, New Zealand and Mongolia. At the same time, we have progressively widened our product range and ensured an impressive brand image in this highly competitive market segment.”

However, the port handling market is equally important to Magna Tyres, as per the OTR and industrial tyre company. Asia encompasses around 60 percent of the world’s current population, resulting in demand for products being continually high. Also, Magna Tyres states that mining equipment is a flourishing exporting commodity that adds to the growing port development industry. At the same time, APAC consists mostly of islands, making the port network and its services key to the region’s further development and sustainability. In truth, in the port handling segment, Magna Tyres’ new further improved 16.00-25 M801 and 310/80R22.5 M-Terminal tyres, with antistatic capabilities, will be launched at the Tyrexpo Asia 2023 show in Singapore in March 2023, claims the OTR and industrial tyre company.

Matveitshyk added, “There is no doubt that our strongest OTR markets are mining and port handling in the APAC sector, which are being driven by the fact that Indonesia and Australia are two of the largest and most successful coal-producing and gold mining countries in the world. We are well placed to provide technologically-advanced products and solutions advice to customers to satisfy individual tyre requirements.”

Looking towards the short term future, Magna Tyres Singapore aims for further growth of its trading network and customer base, and fully intends to widen its supplied product range. Matveitshyk said, “At the same time we are eager to “challenge ourselves” by looking to eventually enter the OEM market in this region.”

In fact, according to Magna Tyres, the company was confirmed as one of the fastest growing companies in the world in 2021. As per them, they have achieved this position by studying and following market demands closely, and adjusting to new trends as they develop.

Matveitshyk added, “Initially, it was a challenge to introduce tyres into an established market with a deep knowledge of the tyre industry. However, Magna Tyres is now a recognised and growing brand in the mining, port handling, construction and industrial segments throughout Asia. Our partners/customers fully appreciate that we can provide solutions through being totally flexible and forward-thinking. In effect, Magna Tyres makes a difference when it comes to customer satisfaction on OTR tyres.”

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has named Sangwoo Ryu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ryu possesses over 25 years of leadership in finance and operations within international markets. He is currently the CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd, a former Kraton spin-off now under DL Chemical, where he initially served as Chief Financial Officer starting in February 2020. He assumed the Cariflex CEO role in April 2025 following the promotion of its former CEO, Prakash Kolluri, to President of Kraton's Polymer business.

Ryu’s deep expertise in financial strategy, investment controls and operational planning is expected to strengthen Kraton’s standing as a reliable leader in global Pine Chemical and Polymers markets. In his new position, he will collaborate with Kraton’s Executive Leadership, Board of Directors and Cariflex Leadership to guide strategic decisions and operational excellence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustained growth and organisational stability.

Ryu said, “I want to express my gratitude towards the members of the Board of Directors and the Kraton Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication to Kraton’s success. I’m looking forward to leading Kraton into the next era of excellence, building upon the strong foundations and principles set forth in our vision and values.”

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As part of its strategic growth into Central Europe, FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, a global leader in recycling equipment manufacturing, has established a new sales partnership in Germany. The company has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its representative for the region to drive the promotion and implementation of its recycling systems. Jerschl’s extensive expertise, built over two decades with prominent firms like BHS, Eldan and Vecoplan, encompasses a deep understanding of diverse waste streams such as tyre, cable, municipal solid waste and e-waste.

This collaboration, initially targeting Germany, Austria and adjacent countries, is designed to be flexible and scalable. Its primary aim is to cultivate a strong project pipeline and solidify FORNNAX’s regional footprint. The partnership extends beyond sales to include comprehensive technical support, with Jerschl’s team providing vital value-added services like installation, maintenance and spare parts assistance. This local service framework is intended to ensure efficient project execution, minimise operational downtime and elevate customer satisfaction.

By leveraging Jerschl’s profound market insight and established networks, FORNNAX seeks to accelerate the adoption of its high-performance shredding and pre-processing technologies. The move underscores the company’s global strategy of embedding local expertise within key markets, which it deems crucial for developing technically sound solutions tailored to specific regional waste challenges. This initiative reinforces FORNNAX’s dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship, advancing its mission to deliver sustainable recycling solutions worldwide.

Jerschl said, “I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art technology; it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey. We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to 10 years.”

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, FORNNAX, said, “We see tremendous potential in the Central European market. Partnering with someone as experienced and well established as Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally.”

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Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Fernley H. Banbury Award, one of the rubber industry’s highest international honours, presented by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). This award annually recognises outstanding scientific and technological contributions to the field.

The award commemorates the inventor of the internal mixer and highlights sustainable innovations in production technology, instrumentation, process control and the development of processing methods for rubber and similar materials. Dr Nijman’s career exemplifies such innovation, having significantly advanced rubber rheology, pioneered new mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies and modernised the production of silica compounds for the tyre industry.

His work has effectively bridged the gap between scientific research and industrial application. Notably, in the 1990s at Vredestein, he introduced novel mixing technologies and multiplex extrusion to tyre manufacturing. He also contributed to pioneering processes for silica compound processing, foundational to technologies like Michelin’s ‘Green Tyre’. Furthermore, his rheology-based designs for extruder screws and flow channels have helped shape enduring industrial standards.

Dr Nijman, who joined KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2017, brings decades of expertise from previous roles at Apollo Tyres Ltd and Vredestein Banden BV. His ongoing collaborations with the German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK) and the University of Twente have also profoundly influenced his approach. KraussMaffei Extrusion itself is globally recognised for its tyre technology, building on longstanding Berstorff expertise to deliver advanced extrusion solutions for treads, sidewalls, innerliners and other components, as well as high-performance multiplex and calender systems.

The award acknowledges not only his specific technical achievements but also his distinguished career and lasting impact on rubber processing. The official presentation will be held in September 2026 during the Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, US.

Dr Nijman said, “It is a great honour for me to receive the Fernley H. Banbury Award. This recognition confirms the importance of the close connection between research and industrial practice in rubber processing and motivates me to continue to drive forward innovative solutions for our industry.”

Ralf Benack, Managing Director, KraussMaffei Extrusion, said, "We warmly congratulate Dr Nijman on this outstanding award. With his in-depth knowledge, many years of experience and tireless dedication, he has had a decisive influence on the rubber and tyre industry and has further developed our technologies in a targeted manner. This recognition is more than deserved. We are very proud to have Dr Nijman in our team!"

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Michelin has appointed James Dimmock as its new Commercial Communications Manager for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Based at the company's Stoke-on-Trent headquarters, he will report to the Northern European Communications team. In this capacity, Dimmock will oversee all commercial communications, including public relations, social media and influencer partnerships.

His mandate involves crafting the brand's commercial narrative, fostering stronger connections with media and content creators and producing innovative digital content to support the brand's growth. He brings more than two decades of extensive experience with Michelin to the role, having held various senior marketing and communications positions both internationally and domestically. His most recent role was as Social Media and Influencer Manager. He will now lead these efforts locally while integrating with the broader communications team.

John Howe, Managing Director, Michelin UK, said, “James has already made a significant contribution to Michelin communications activity in the UK & ROI. His deep understanding of our business and products, combined with his strategic and creative approach, makes him ideally placed to lead our commercial communications as we continue to evolve our brand.”

Dimmock said, “I am excited to be taking on this new role at Michelin. It is a privilege to continue building on the work we have already achieved and to help drive the next phase of our commercial communications strategy across the UK & ROI.”

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