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Tire traction and handling satisfaction declines seven points to 803 (on a 1,000-point scale) from 2024, the biggest year-over-year decline of any factor, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study. Vehicle owners who say they had one problem with tire traction and handling have a loyalty rate that is 19 percentage points lower (39%) than the loyalty rate of those who didn’t have a traction or handling problem (58%). After the first two years of ownership, overall satisfaction for tires declines to 790 from 796.

The United Nations World Water Day on March 22 has been reminding us of this since 1992. Water consumption is constantly increasing worldwide – especially in the production of consumer goods. For decades, Continental Tires has been committed to sustainable water management along the entire value chain. After all, in tire manufacturing, water is used in various states for heating, cooling and cleaning, as well as for the daily needs of employees. Since 2020, Continental has reduced its water withdrawal per ton of product at all locations by more than ten percent, which corresponds to a saving of around 197 million liters of water – enough to fill 79 Olympic-size swimming pools. This has been achieved through systematic and controlled measures to use water more efficiently and to treat and reuse wastewater. Thanks to innovative filtration and membrane technologies, the tire manufacturer already reuses about 90 percent of its wastewater after treatment.

The Rubber Division ACS announces the following Learning Opportunities for April.

April 1 – Course: Sponge Rubber 101
April 2 – Webinar: How to Create & Deliver Scientific Presentations
April 8 – Course: Mixing & Testing for Compound Consistency
April 9 – Course: Setting Up a Rubber Molding Process
April 15 – Webinar: Communicate & Captivate – Your Guide to Engaging Connections
April 17 – Webinar: The Function & Selection of Ester Plasticizers
April 24 – Course: Processing & Testing of Rubber
April 30 – Webinar: U.S. Regulatory Compliance in the Rubber Industry

TechnoBiz announces the 3rd edition of the Middle East Rubber & Tyre Expo (MRTE 2025), scheduled to take place from June 17-19, 2025, at the Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. This event aims to provide a significant platform for professionals and businesses in the rubber and tire industry to meet and network within the Middle Eastern region.

Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of rubber and plastics elastomers and chemicals, announced that Scott Loyd will be joining their team as the Technical Sales Representative for the Southeast/Southwest region. Scott brings 24 years of experience in the Rubber and Plastics industry, including roles at Nexans-Amercable, Gates Corporation, and ExxonMobil.

Continental has announced the retirement of Dr. Jochen Etzel, Chief Executive Officer of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, effective May 1, 2025. Tansu Işık will succeed him in this role and will be the new Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires the Americas. He will report directly to Christian Koetz, Executive Board Member of Continental and Head of Continental Tires.

alzgitter AG, the sole shareholder of Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH, has appointed Mr. Georgios Dermentzakis as Managing Director of Sales & Service. He will be responsible for sales, export shipping, customer service, marketing, IT and data protection, as well as quality management.

The next WOMEN OF OUR INDUSTRY conversation this March 26, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET with featured guest Kylie Knipp. This WORD Conversation begins with open networking for approximately 10 minutes followed by a conversation between our featured guest, Kylie Knipp, Senior Technical Account Manager at ACE Laboratories, and Heather Maimone, Training & Membership Director with Rubber Division, ACS.