Assuming nothing will be the same with COVID-19, all associated economic growth figures will be revised in the near future. The European tyre market was severely affected in the first quarter of 2020 and declined by around 20% in all segments, which is exactly the opposite of the previous forecast of achieving a total CAGR of 20% for the 2018-2022 period. It will not return to normal short-term trends and will certainly be revised.

With the global economic slowdown, the Chinese tyre market, with earlier growth of more than 6%, will no longer be mentioned in the coming years. The global pandemic has overshadowed the global economy, and the most important tyre manufacturers are only showing moderate optimism for 2020. The downward trends in demand in many international markets are therefore irreversible. When the entire industry is back on track and at the same time safe?

Tyre Industry will not return to normal short-term trends and all economic figures will certainly be revised.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the margins for industrial products were good. Many companies in industrialised countries have been looking for alternatives to invest in different parts of the world, and export rates have continuously helped them make enough money. So far, globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital for the countries of the Far East. China and Singapore, then Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia were the subject of foreign direct investment. Indonesia seems to lag behind the Philippines and Taiwan for foreign investors. Exceptionally, Japan and partially South Korea won in the early 1950s and 1960s and were more aware of the importance of technological culture. They managed to develop their own capital to invest in technological products. The tyre and rubber industry were two of the main companies.

Globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital in Far East.   

Western automakers had also sparked interest in countries in the eastern world. This has helped investors to focus more on this part of the world. When investors were looking for new horizons to make more money, all supporting technologies came to these countries.

When we entered the 1990s, Glasnost began to influence Europe's socio-economic structure. The main European brands initially focused on Eastern Europe to invest in the main products. Foreign direct investment went to the Central and Eastern European countries. Major European brands in the tyre industry have acquired certain tyre factories. Some factories were opened late.

It is a difficult task to attract foreign direct investment. Many parameters need to be combined, including incentives, laws, rules, agencies and procedures to attract foreign investment. The Central and Eastern European countries spent a lot of time and effort and finally made it. Not only legislative issues, but also macroeconomic measures such as combating inflation, the goal of joining the euro area, setting competitive but sustainable tax rates and laying the foundation stone for companies that acquire applications for property permits, liberalisation of the labor market, privatisation of all areas of the economy finance, public services and telecommunications, as well as road and airport construction are different pieces of equipment than investors. Usually you look for them first.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres

The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are the first four countries to follow. Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia tend to attract foreign direct investment over time. In any case, they have all learned that low labour costs are not enough to attract foreign investment if the main attractive features are not realised.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres in the East and Far East regions. Instead of banning imports, the safety problems of tyres in this part of the world are highlighted and certain measures are taken to prevent the huge import channels of these branded tyres. ETRMA, the association of the largest tyre and rubber manufacturers, mainly followed the REACH restrictions of these companies. The media also supported user conscience. The tyre labeling is also the result of safety concerns. The European Commission and the White House have introduced additional anti-damping and additional countervailing duties on tyres made in the Far East. The cheaper tyres no longer had the opportunity to be rated well. Note, however, that companies in the Far East are now able to manufacture high-quality high-tech tyres and organise deliveries in the market.

At the other end of the world, many industries which invest mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent in 2015.

When the time came, the former Eastern Bloc countries began to join the EU. After 2010, Chinese and Far Eastern tyre manufacturers accelerated or invested in new factories in Eastern Europe. South Korea and China have started to have tyre factories in this region. Tyres manufactured in Europe or Eastern Europe indicate the Western European and US markets and are exempt from high customs taxes. They have set up a production line that is adapted to the requirements of European and American consumers.

When we reached the other side of the world in 2015, many industries with investments mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent. Export tariff barriers and rising labor costs, state requirements for environmental legislation and industrial reforms do not keep foreign investors and local companies alive. The international climate and the atmosphere of the trade struggle between East and West also play a role in this latter trend. Today, investments in Eastern Europe in the countries of Asia and Western Europe continue. However, this is not a guarantee for the next few years.

Whatever the truth is or it is assumed that yesterday's reality will be opposite or different. Therefore, nothing will be similar or as expected. Companies that covered risks today and had tools today are luckier and will be successful tomorrow.

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Tyre Stewardship Australia has appointed David Fraser as its new chair, succeeding David Spear after nine years in the role during a period of regulatory and industry change in the country’s tyre-recycling sector.

Spear’s departure closes what the organisation described as a challenging yet incredibly important chapter for its efforts to advance circular outcomes for Australia’s end-of-life tyres. TSA, an industry body backed by government and sector participants, oversees the national stewardship scheme and promotes recycling and re-use pathways for waste tyres, an area facing increasing scrutiny under Australia’s environmental and product-stewardship policies.

In a statement, TSA said it “thank[s] him for his unwavering support and dedication to driving circular outcomes for Australia’s end-of-life tyres”.

Fraser, a TSA director since 2023, brings experience in governance and compliance. He joins at a time when Australian states are tightening environmental standards and seeking to reduce landfill through higher recycling targets. TSA said Fraser has “deep understanding of our strategy, our challenges and the opportunities ahead”.

The organisation added: “We look forward to his leadership as TSA enters its next chapter.”

TSA also expressed appreciation to Spear “for your contribution and support of our mission”, and welcomed Fraser, saying it is “excited and ready for what lies ahead”.

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Infiniteria, the tyre recycling joint venture backed by Scandinavian Enviro Systems, Antin Infrastructure Partners and Michelin, has named Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as its new chief executive as the company moves into a phase of industrial expansion.

Ryttberg-Wallgren, who has taken up the role on 1 December, succeeds Stefano Madeddu. She most recently served as chief growth officer at Stegra, a Swedish green steel venture. Her earlier career includes senior positions at PIAB, Yara International, Sandvik and Sapa, giving her broad experience in scaling industrial operations internationally.

The appointment signals a shift in leadership priorities at Infiniteria, with an emphasis on what the company describes as “industrial logic and value creation”. Announcing the move, Anand Jagannathan, senior partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners’ NextGen strategy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as CEO of Infiniteria. She offers a strong combination of Swedish industrial experience, a track-record in international expansion and strong sustainability credentials, all of which are highly relevant for Infiniteria and the journey ahead of us.”

Enviro is developing a full-scale tyre recycling plant near Uddevalla on Sweden’s west coast, expected to be Infiniteria’s inaugural site. The venture aims to build additional facilities across Europe to process end-of-life tyres using Enviro’s patented pyrolysis technology, which breaks down materials for reuse in industrial applications. The partners say the process will support circular production models and reduce carbon emissions in sectors heavily reliant on fossil-derived inputs.

The expansion plans place Infiniteria among several European initiatives seeking to commercialise advanced recycling technologies as regulators push for higher material recovery rates and lower industrial emissions.

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The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers will recognise two long-serving leaders at its annual meeting next year. Dr Elizabeth Delzell will receive the IISRP General Award, while Dr Irina Yurovska will be presented with the organisation’s Technical Award. Both honours will be given on 15 April 2026 at the group’s 66th Annual General Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Dr Delzell is an epidemiologist whose research has shaped global understanding of chemical exposure in industrial settings. She earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University before holding academic posts at Duke University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over three decades, she published more than 200 papers and led work funded by IISRP and several major companies and agencies.

Her landmark study in the North American synthetic rubber industry identified 1,3-butadiene as a cause of human leukaemia. The finding influenced national and international rules on chemical safety. Her research also linked synthetic rubber work to bladder cancer and helped assess cancer risks from styrene exposure.

Dr Yurovska, the recipient of the Technical Award, has held leadership roles across the tyre, rubber and chemicals sectors. She trained as a chemist and engineer in the former Soviet Union and later completed a PhD in polymer physics and mechanics. After moving to the United States in 1991, she worked at Teknor Apex, Precix, Cabot Corporation, SI Group and Himadri, rising to Global Vice President of Technical Service.

She holds more than 80 patents and has published widely on polymer compounding, rubber additives and testing methods. Her work has informed advances in rubber technology used across the global industry. She now runs YIGlobal, a consulting company based in Texas, and remains active in the ACS Rubber Division.

The IISRP said both award recipients have made long-lasting contributions to science and the synthetic rubber industry. The organisation highlighted their influence on regulation, product development and talent mentoring across several decades.

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Nokian Tyres has named Formula 1 legend Kimi Räikkönen as its newest brand ambassador. This strategic partnership unites two Finnish powerhouses celebrated for excelling under extreme pressure. The company, a world expert in tyres for harsh conditions, aligns perfectly with Räikkönen, the famously cool and accomplished champion known as ‘The Iceman’.

For Nokian, this collaboration is a move to significantly amplify its international recognition. The brand gains a universally respected figure whose persona embodies the resilience and high performance intrinsic to its products. Räikkönen, whose celebrated career includes 21 Grand Prix victories and a World Championship, brings immense credibility and a global following.

Räikkönen notes a personal connection to the iconic Finnish brand, remembering it from his earliest days in motorsport. In his role, he will actively promote Nokian Tyres' capabilities to a worldwide audience, helping to convey their expertise in mastering the most demanding driving conditions on the planet.

Räikkönen said, “Perfect match, great to start working with Nokian Tyres, a brand I remember from the days when my parents drove me to karting tracks, before I even had a driver's license. In my opinion Nokian Tyres is an iconic Finnish brand, I'm excited to start spreading the good news about the great tyres to the world.”

Tiina Frazer, VP for Brand, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres, said, “Some collaborations just make sense, and this is one of them. Kimi Räikkönen and Nokian Tyres share the same DNA: Finnish roots, uncompromising performance and the ability to thrive under pressure. Both are built for extremes – whether it’s conquering the racetrack or navigating roads in changing conditions and harsh weather.”

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