News

Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) has received official APR Design® Recognition from the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) for its EVAL™ ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) high-barrier resin. The recognition confirms that EVAL™ resin meets APR’s criteria for compatibility within polyethylene (PE) film recycling streams, marking a significant step toward more circular flexible packaging solutions. The APR recognizes that EVAL™ resin satisfies the criteria set forth by the FPE-CG-011 protocol when used in unprinted, unlaminated films up to 15 wt% EVOH (≥27 mol% ethylene content EVOH) with a 1:1 ratio of MAH-g-PE2 tie.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Van RY55 tires as original equipment (OE) to Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. for use on the automaker’s new commercial-use mini-BEV (battery electric vehicle), e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai, which were launched in Japan in February 2026. The e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai are being equipped with 145/80R12 86/84N LT size tires.

Seoul, South Korea – NEXEN TIRE has announced that its premium sport performance tire, the N’FERA Sport, has been selected

Continental expects higher earnings in 2026 despite a continued volatile environment, driven by strong growth in the business for 18-inch-plus premium tires, an anticipated decline in the prices of raw materials and a projected recovery in industrial markets in the second half of the year. The company also expects positive effects from the measures taken to improve earnings, particularly in ContiTech. At the same time, the economic environment remains challenging due to ongoing trade barriers, among other factors. Overall, Continental expects consolidated sales of around €17.3 billion to €18.9 billion and an adjusted EBIT margin of around 11.0 to 12.5 percent. Adjusted free cash flow is expected to be around €0.8 billion to €1.2 billion.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. announced that it has begun supplying its BluEarth-XT AE61 tires as original equipment (OE) for GAC Trumpchi’s new M8 plug-in hybrid minivan model that was launched in China in November 2025. The tire size is 225/60R18 104V.

As of 1 January 2026, HB-Therm has appointed Arburg as a second distributor for its entire product range in Spain. With the headquarters of the Spanish subsidiary in Arganda del Rey, south-east of Madrid, and a further location in Montcada i Reixach (Barcelona), Arburg will further strengthen HB-Therm’s market presence in Spain.

BASF has expanded production capacity for dispersions at its site in Durban, South Africa, strengthening the company’s ability to supply customers with high-quality dispersions used in architectural coatings, construction materials and the paper industry. The significant capacity increase ensures supply reliability, enabling BASF to support customer growth plans more effectively.

Comerio Ercole S.p.A. has been awarded the Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year Award at the 2026 Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, held during the Tire Technology Expo in Hannover.

The prestigious honor recognizes significant technological advancements in calendering and mixing processes within the tire manufacturing industry. Comerio earned the award for its ZEUS® calendering line, a next-generation system engineered to enhance process stability, precision, productivity, and long-term industrial performance for tire producers worldwide.