Falken has announced that its Azenis FK520 has been assessed in the 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test, achieving the Highly Recommended rating. Scoring 135 out of 170 points, the Falken Azenis FK520 ranked among the top four tires in the test field.

Tested in the 225/40 R18 XL size, the Falken Azenis FK520 achieved a top score, sharing first place with two competitors – underlining its stability and safety in challenging, wet road conditions.

In dry handling, it ranked among the leaders, with testers praising its precise steering, strong lateral grip and high stability.

The tire also performed well on wet roads, offering a balanced, reliable performance in damp weather.

Continue reading Falken Azenis FK520 ranks among top four in 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test at Tire Technology International.

Hankook has announced its third ISCC PLUS achievement. The company previously received certification for its Geumsan plant in 2021 and its Rácalmás plant in Hungary in 2023.

At the Daejeon plant, Hankook replaced fossil-based synthetic rubber with bio-circular polymers, reducing the environmental footprint throughout the entire lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to product manufacturing, compared with conventional fossil-based materials. This achievement means the plant has met the stringent certification criteria of ISCC PLUS.

With the certification of the Daejeon plant, Hankook now has a sustainable product manufacturing system spanning original equipment and replacement tires as well as motorsports.

Continue reading Hankook’s Daejeon plant receives ISCC PLUS certification at Tire Technology International.

Continental has won the retro bike category in tire tests conducted by German trade magazine Motorrad, with a combination of its ContiRoadAttack 3 CR (front) and ContiRoadAttack 4 (rear) triumphing in the competition.

The ContiRoadAttack 3 CR, built with a radial carcass, is designed for classic sports bikes and superbikes, emphasizing stable handling even on narrow wheels. The ContiRoadAttack 4 blends the characteristics of a touring tire with the responsiveness of a sport tire and has been introduced as original equipment for modern models such as the BMW R 12 nineT, while also serving as an upgrade option for older motorcycles, where it can enhance both agility and stability.

Continue reading Continental wins retro bike tire test at Tire Technology International.

Apollo Tyres’ facility in Hungary has been awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) certification.

The ISCC+ certification recognizes that Apollo Tyres monitors and verifies sustainability throughout its processes and supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of finished products.

Rajeev Kumar Sinha, chief manufacturing officer, Apollo Tyres, said, “This certification is an important step forward as we continue to integrate sustainability deeply into our operations. It aligns perfectly with our ambitious goal of incorporating 40% sustainable raw materials – including renewable and recycled input materials – into our products by 2030.”

The ISCC certification program is a globally recognised, voluntary standard that focuses on ensuring sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in bio-based, renewable and circular raw materials.

Continue reading Apollo Tyres earns ISCC+ sustainability certification for Hungary facility at Tire Technology International.

Smithers has earned ISO 17025 accreditation for its proving ground at Treadwell Research Park in Pearsall, Texas. The company operates the proving ground on behalf of Discount Tire.

The scope of accreditation for the site includes wet grip testing and tire buffing. Preparations to add other test methods, such as rolling resistance and pass-by-noise, to the accreditation are in progress.

“The tire industry is currently focused on a variety of sustainability initiatives, such as reducing the rate of tread wear to extend the life of the tire,” said Sean Connolly, director of test track operations at Smithers Winter Test Center/Pearsall Test Track.

Continue reading Smithers earns ISO 17025 accreditation at Texas proving ground at Tire Technology International.

Nokian Tyres’ factory in Oradea, Romania, has obtained the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus. This means it can use sustainable, ISCC Plus certified raw materials to produce new tires.

Nokian will introduce the certified raw materials when it launches new flagship products. The certified materials will help the company reach one of its sustainability goals: to increase the share of recycled or renewable raw materials in its tires to 50% by 2030.

Replacing fossil-based raw materials with recycled and renewable ones supports the circular economy and decreases the carbon footprint of tires, making them more environmentally sustainable.

Continue reading Nokian Tyres’ Romanian factory earns ISCC Plus certification at Tire Technology International.

Continental’s tire plant in Korbach, Germany has become the company’s fourth plant to receive International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS sustainability certification. This standard certifies that Continental meets specific sustainability requirements in addition to transparent traceability of the raw materials used in the production process.

Certification of the raw materials enables Continental to ensure the end-to-end traceability of materials from renewable and recycled sources. Continental’s plants in Lousado (Portugal), Hefei (China) and Puchov (Slovakia) are already ISCC PLUS-certified.

The certification is based on compliance and documentation of certain processes for the mass balance of raw materials.

Continue reading Continental’s Korbach plant receives ISCC PLUS certification at Tire Technology International.

The board of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has approved Linglong’s application to become a full corporate member of the association with immediate effect.

“Welcoming Linglong Tire to ETRMA is a great step toward enhancing the collective strength of our industry in Europe,” said ETRMA president Chris Delaney. “Their participation will undoubtedly contribute to ETRMA’s efforts to foster a competitive and resilient tire industry in the EU.”

Linglong Tire was established in China in 1975. It offers a wide range of tires for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks and specialty applications. Last September, it began mass production at its factory in Serbia.

Continue reading Linglong Tire joins ETRMA at Tire Technology International.

Birla Carbon, a manufacturer and supplier of carbon-based solutions, has obtained obtained ISCC Plus certifications for its manufacturing units in North Bend, USA; Hamilton, Canada; and Santander, Spain.

John Loudermilk, president and CEO of Birla Carbon, commented on this achievement, “We are pleased to announce that our plants in the USA, Canada and Spain have achieved ISCC Plus certification. This milestone underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and circularity through the provision of advanced products. As we continue to secure certifications globally, we are reinforcing our dedication to sustainable and traceable practices, setting industry benchmarks and progressing toward a more sustainable future.”

Earlier this year, Birla Carbon also secured ISCC Plus certifications for its facilities in Brazil, Hungary, South Korea, Egypt, Italy and three units in India.

Continue reading Birla Carbon secures three more ISCC Plus certifications at Tire Technology International.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with global tire manufacturer Pirelli to introduce FSC-certified natural rubber tires across its range of luxury vehicles. This initiative will see the adoption of more than 250,000 FSC-certified tires annually, starting with the new Range Rover Electric.

The companies say the collaboration underscores a move toward sustainable tire production, aiming to support forest preservation and promote sustainable development.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification process guarantees that FSC-certified material is segregated from non-certified material throughout the supply chain. This certification confirms that the rubber is sustainably farmed, preserving biological diversity and benefiting local workers and communities economically.

Continue reading Pirelli to supply JLR with FSC-certified tires at Tire Technology International.