In August, Sumitomo Rubber opened a new research hub, the Sumitomo Rubber Innovation Base Sapporo, within Hokkaido University’s Data-driven Research and Development Center for Emergent Systems (D-RED). At this hub, the company will promote research and practical applications of advanced technologies such as Physical AI, which makes autonomous decisions and actions in the real world. The initiative takes on the...
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Sumitomo Rubber to Fully Expand Dunlop Brand Overseas
Sumitomo Rubber will accelerate the rollout of its Dunlop brand tire products in Europe, North America, and Australia. Since dissolving its global alliance with Goodyear in 2015, the company had been unable to use the Dunlop brand in those regions and instead focused on expanding the Falken brand. However, in May 2025, Sumitomo Rubber acquired the Dunlop trademark rights for...
Sumitomo Rubber and Hokkaido University Establish Joint Research Hub
Sumitomo Rubber has announced the opening of a new research hub, the Sumitomo Rubber Innovation Base Sapporo, within the Data-Driven Research and Development Organization for Future Creation (D-RED) of Hokkaido University’s Institute for the Promotion of Business-Regional Collaboration. At this new hub, Sumitomo Rubber, with expertise in rubber and advanced material R&D, will collaborate with Hokkaido University, known for its...
Sumitomo Rubber Posts Lower Sales and Profit in First Half
Sumitomo Rubber posted a decline in both sales and profit for the first half of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, but said its shift toward a more premium product mix continued to make progress. For the January–June period, revenue under IFRS came to 572.19 billion yen ($3.88 billion), down 2.5% from a year earlier. Business profit dropped 33.1%...
Sumitomo Rubber Introduces Circular Carbon Black in Racing Tires
Sumitomo Rubber has announced the adoption of circular carbon black in some of its racing tires, marking a significant step in the company’s circular economy initiative known as Towanowa. This marks the company’s first application of resource-circulated carbon black in tire production. The new racing tires were used in the GT300 class of the 2025 Autobacs Super GT Round 4...
Sumitomo Rubber and NEC Form Strategic Partnership
Sumitomo Rubber Industries and NEC Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership aimed at building a globally competitive research and development framework and exploring new business opportunities. The collaboration seeks to transform traditional R&D approaches in manufacturing, address societal challenges, and create new core businesses. The two companies have previously collaborated, notably in 2022, when they...