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VM RUBBER JOINS AIRP To start the New Year, VM Rubber has an- nounced its membership in the Association of Italian Tyre Retreaders (AIRP). Founded in 1963, AIRP’s primary mission has been to unite Italian retreaders and heighten awareness of the Retreading Industry’s criti- cal role in sustainable mobility solutions. VM Rubber’s recent induction into AIRP under- scores its commitment to this mission, reflect- ing a shared vision for the industry’s future. In 2023, VM Rubber undertook a signifi- cant initiative to bolster the tyre retreading process’s visibility through a targeted social media campaign. This campaign, consisting of posts and informative slides, sought to demystify retreading by highlighting its pro- cesses, benefits, and products. Such proactive engagement exemplifies VM Rubber’s dedi- cation to advancing the retreading industry and educating the broader public on its envi- ronmental and economic advantages. The campaign’s ongoing dialogue has played a pivotal role in addressing prevalent miscon- ceptions and knowledge gaps regarding tyre retreading. VM Rubber’s efforts to foster a deeper understanding of the industry’s im- portance have been instrumental in its deci- sion to join AIRP, driven by a shared commit- ment to these educational and promotional objectives. Pablo Versini, Managing Director of VM Rubber, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s new membership with AIRP, highlighting a forward-looking ambition to contribute meaningfully to the association and Italy’s broader retreading landscape. VM Rubber’s active participation in AIRP and collaborative endeavours with industry peers signifies a robust commitment to the growth and sustainability of the tyre retread- ing sector in Italy. LATEST NEWS PROUD MEMBER OF U.S. BEGINS PRELIMINARY ANTIDUMPING DUTY INVESTIGATION ON TRUCK AND BUS TYRES FROM THAILAND The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has initiated a preliminary antidumping duty investigation into truck and bus tyres imported from Thailand. This move, announced on December 1, 2023, follows a petition filed by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 731-TA-1658 investigation seeks to determine whether these imports are being dumped in the U.S. market at less than fair value, potentially harming the domestic industry. The USITC vote took place on November 30, 2023, setting the stage for this significant inquiry. In 2022, the U.S. truck and bus tyre industry comprised seven producers across Illinois, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, employing 8,820 production and related workers. U.S. producers reported shipments valued at $4.2 billion against an apparent U.S. consumption of $9.0 billion. Imports from Thailand and other countries accounted for a significant portion of the market, with subject imports from Thailand totalling $1.8 billion, representing 19.8 per cent of the apparent U.S. consumption. This investigation highlights the ongoing challenges facing the U.S. tyre industry amidst global competition. With Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, Canada, and South Korea identified as leading sources of imports, the outcome of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for producers and consumers alike. P. 5384