BLIC, founded in 1959, was a trade association representing rubber manufacturers in member states to European Union institutions.
The new ETRMA presented itself as “an international non-profit organization designed to promote and defend the interests of the tyre and general rubber goods manufacturers with the European Union Institutions and a variety of other organizations on a pan-European and international level.”
The association – made up representatives from Bridgestone Europe, Continental AG, Cooper, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe, Marangoni, Groupe Michelin, Nokian Tyres, Pirelli SpA, Amtel-Vredestein N.V. – held its first board meeting yesterday in Brussels. National associations representing general rubber goods manufacturers in Belgium (Febelplast), Finland (RMAF), France (SNCP), Germany (WDK), Italy (Federazione Gomma Plastica), Netherlands (NVR), Portugal (APIB), Spain (Consorcio), and Sweden (SGI) are also represented by the group.
Francesco Gori of Pirelli was elected as president, and Groupe Michelin’s Eric de CromiÈres Michelin was named vice president. Fazilet Cinaralp was appointed secretary general.
“ETRMA intends to participate in all the initiatives in favor of industry competitiveness, environment protection and road safety in coordination with the European public authorities,” said the association in a release.
Initially, ETRMA will focus on participating in environmental, health and safety legislation impacting the tire and rubber industry and promoting actions to improve application and enforcement of existing legislation.
