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Overall satisfaction with original equipment tires among battery electric vehicles (BEVs), internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) continues to converge, with the gap among the three segments narrowing to 14 points on a 1,000-point scale, down from 47 points in 2025, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study. This marks the smallest satisfaction gap among the segments since 2023. Overall satisfaction scores are 789 for ICE vehicles, 775 for BEVs and 772 for PHEVs, with PHEVs posting the largest year-over-year gain, improving 29 points from 2025.

Eylon draws on more than 21 years of experience at Tosaf, supported by a strong foundation in industrial engineering and business management. Most recently, he served as CEO of Tosaf’s Additives & White Division for eight years, where he led a collaborative, cross functional team that delivered record performance. Under his leadership, the division sharpened its market focus, expanded its high value product portfolio and increased production capacity, including the launch of a state-of-the-art flame-retardant production site.

Lion Elastomers will be expanding the emulsion-based facility in Port Neches to manufacture NBR Rubber. This new undertaking will position the company to support the domestic demand and export markets for nitrile rubber while leveraging the large integrated emulsion rubber platform at Port Neches, Texas.

David Dennison joined LYB in 2007, and in total brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to the role. He has held leadership roles across the company’s planning, commercial and strategic functions, including leading several Intermediates and Derivatives businesses. Most recently, he served as a vice president in the Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business. Before LYB, Dennison worked for Eli Lilly and Co. and Albemarle Corp. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from The Wharton School.

APV Engineered Coatings (APV was recognized as one of the honorees at the 2026 Evolution of Manufacturing Conference, presented by Smart Business.
The event took place on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, celebrating manufacturers throughout Northeast Ohio that demonstrate innovation, operational excellence and strategic growth.

Orion S.A., earned a Platinum rating for its 2025 performance from EcoVadis, one of the world’s largest independent providers of business sustainability ratings, the company announced today.

The Platinum designation places Orion in the top 1% of companies worldwide evaluated by EcoVadis. The assessment measures performance across four areas: environment, ethics, sustainable procurement, and labor and human rights.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released a study finding that recycled tires used as crumb rubber in synthetic turf are not likely to harm users or spectators. There is no evidence of significant risk for cancer or other health problems from this recycled rubber to players, coaches, referees and spectators based on the available data, even for young athletes.

The first event, “Tire Simulation Workflows with Endurica,” will be held April 21–23, 2026. The online course focuses on simulation methods used to evaluate tire durability and fatigue performance using Endurica’s software tools and engineering procedures.
A second training program, “Characterizing Elastomer Fatigue Behavior for Analysis and Engineering,” will take place June 1–5, 2026, also in a live online format.

Continental was once again named “Tire Manufacturer of the Year” at this year’s Tire Technology Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The independent jury cited the company’s introduction of new tire technologies, innovative measuring methods and continuous improvements to its production processes as setting new industry benchmarks. Continental also received the “Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing” award for the work it has done to reduce water withdrawal per metric ton of product in its tire production. The awards were presented by an independent panel of experts during the Tire Technology Expo on March 3 in Hanover. Launched in 2008, the awards are considered among the most important independent honors in the international tire industry. Continental has now been voted “Manufacturer of the Year” five times, including last year.

Eldo Verhaagen brings extensive experience in the tire and automotive industry, with a strong track record in strategic leadership, commercial growth, and operational optimization across regional markets. His in-depth expertise in truck, agricultural, earthmover, and industrial tires, combined with his hands-on and customer-focused approach, positions him well to lead the next phase of development in the region.