REICHSHOF, Germany - Schwalbe owner Ralf Bohle GmbH and Pyrum Innovations AG have concluded a framework agreement for the long-term purchase of Pyrum's recovered carbon black (rcb). The agreement covers the purchase of rcb at a fixed price for the next 10 years.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - For the second year in a row the Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability (BAS) held a forum during the Taipei Cycle show to update the industry on the progress of the initiatives of its members. This year a focal point was the introduction of human rights code of conduct signed by all 82 members of the BAS to protect workers rights within the bicycle industry in Taiwan. The occasion was somewhat marred later in the day when a protest contradicted the progress being made.
SKI, Norway - Just south of Oslo, the first highly automated tyre factory of reTyre has been completed after a construction period of 10 months. "We are the world's first tyre company that can injection-mold tyres instead of manual vulcanization," said eTyre COO Alexander Gjendem Gjørven, who has raised more than 200 million Norwegian kroner (€17.2 million) for reTyre.
BERLIN, Germany - Germany as a manufacturing base might not be the most logical choice for the bicycle industry when looking at the rising cost of labour. The strategic location in central Europe and the long heritage of production and engineering has always given the country a strong position in the industry. A group of industry leaders spoke out whether Germany is losing its appeal as a business location for bicycle companies or 'Made in Germany' is a concept for the future.
OTTOBRUNN, Germany - This time, car manufacturer Porsche AG seems to be taking the e-bike subject really seriously: Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, which was founded in 2022, has just announced its intention to set up its own e-bike battery production facility in Croatia. This is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026 - "at the same time as the market launch of the first Porsche e-bike drive system."
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan bicycle manufacturer BSH Ventures Pvt Ltd reports that it is only partially operational due to the current market conditions. The export-oriented site which was set-up to cater for the high-end bike market of Europe is presently being forced to serve the domestic market in order to remain operational.
