ETRMA: Europe’s tire industry needs recovery-support

Brussels – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association has called for support measures to mitigate the increasingly severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Europe’s tire industry.

Health concerns, supply shortages, low demand and government restrictions have led many ETRMA member companies to announce temporary closures of their European manufacturing facilities. 

R&D facilities, other operational areas and retail networks have also been affected, the tire & rubber industry association said in a 25 March statement.

This is one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced, according to Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary-general of Brussels-based ETRMA.

“The suspension of the main operational activities will undoubtedly have severe, long-lasting reverberations for our industry,” warned Cinaralp. 

“Yet it is unclear when the European tire industry will be able to resume its production activities and the international supply-chain will be up and running again,” she added.

ETRMA, therefore, called for “constructive dialogue” between industry, EU institutions and governments on policies to remediate the impact of this crisis on European tire makers.

Discussions, it said, should cover the development of schemes that ensure the well-being of the workforce, and support a smooth restart of activities once the immediate health crisis is over.

The goal, said Cinaralp, should be “to stimulate the recovery of our sector to avoid a permanent loss of capacity, research capability and innovation, with the engagement of all European stakeholders.” 

In its statement, the ETRMA also expressed its support for measures already taken by EU and national governments and gratitude for those working at the frontline of the global health crisis.