ENSO inks manufacturing deal with Algerian tire maker

Sétif, Algeria – Algerian tire maker IRIS is to manufacture electrical vehicle tires for UK-based start-up ENSO under a “long-term partnership” between the companies.

With the deal signed 27 Feb, ENSO tires will be produced at the IRIS production facility in Sétif, said a statement supplied to ERJ by the London-headquartered company.

These products, it explained, will complement the existing range of IRIS tires, sold under the brand names Aures, Sefar, Ecoris and Stormy.

The manufacturing arrangement will enable ENSO to “strengthen its position as an environmentally friendly brand [supplying] energy-efficient and low-emission tires dedicated to EVs.”

Designed in partnership with IRIS engineers, ENSO claims its tires will increase “autonomy in electric vehicles, while reducing pollution emitted by tires.”

The agreement follows months of cooperation, including the production of prototypes by IRIS engineers in early 2020, for recent testing on London taxi vehicles.

ENSO, CEO Gunnlaugur Erlendsson described the partnership with IRIS as “an essential step" i9n delivering advanced and high-quality tire technology specifically for EVs.

"Together, we are navigating our way to the forefront of the innovation race, optimising the tire technology for electric vehicles, working towards a more sustainable future,” said Erlendsson.

“We are pleased to see our strategic development plan coming to fruition as and as; because after the success of our experience in the local market,” added IRIS CEO Yacine Guidoum.

“Our ambition is moving up a gear to become a key player in the manufacture of low-emission tires dedicated to electric vehicles,” stated Guidoum.

ERJ is requesting further information from ENSO about the scale of production and future roadmap for its project.