Bekaert Agrees to Acquire Bridgestone Tire Reinforcement Businesses in China and Thailand, Strengthening Global Market Leadership

Bekaert Agrees to Acquire Bridgestone Tire Reinforcement Businesses in China and Thailand, Strengthening Global Market Leadership

(IN BRIEF) Bekaert has agreed to acquire Bridgestone’s tire reinforcement businesses in China and Thailand, including two captive steel cord manufacturing facilities, alongside a long-term supply agreement with Bridgestone. Expected to close in the first half of 2026, the transaction strengthens Bekaert’s Rubber Reinforcement division, expands its global manufacturing footprint and reinforces its strategic partnership with Bridgestone. The acquisition is projected to add around €80 million in annual sales and will be funded from available cash, supporting Bekaert’s continued leadership in the global tire reinforcement market.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZWEVEGEM, Belgium, 28-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Bekaert has reached an agreement with Bridgestone to acquire the tire reinforcement businesses in China and Thailand, marking a significant expansion of Bekaert’s global Rubber Reinforcement activities. The transaction includes the transfer of two captive tire cord manufacturing facilities and is accompanied by a long-term supply agreement under which Bekaert will continue to provide high-quality tire reinforcement products to Bridgestone. Completion of the transaction is expected in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

The acquisition strengthens Bekaert’s Rubber Reinforcement division, the largest business unit within the Bekaert Group and a global leader in tire reinforcement for more than seven decades. By integrating the two Bridgestone production sites into its network, Bekaert further consolidates its position in the tire cord market, expands its global manufacturing footprint and reinforces its role as a trusted partner to major tire manufacturers worldwide.

The transaction covers Bridgestone’s steel cord production facilities in Shenyang, China, and in Thailand, both of which manufacture high-quality tire cord products used across a range of Bridgestone tires. These assets will enhance Bekaert’s ability to serve customers with a reliable, globally balanced supply base while maintaining consistent product quality and operational excellence.

For Bridgestone, the divestment aligns with its strategy to enhance competitiveness over the medium to long term by leveraging collaboration with global partners. By transferring its captive tire reinforcement production to Bekaert and entering into a long-term supply agreement, Bridgestone secures continuity of supply while increasing flexibility to respond to evolving market and business conditions.

The acquisition is expected to contribute approximately €80 million in additional annual sales to Bekaert’s consolidated results. The agreed cash consideration of €60 million will be financed from existing cash balances, reflecting Bekaert’s disciplined capital allocation and strong financial position.

Once completed, the transaction will further deepen the long-standing strategic partnership between Bekaert and Bridgestone, supporting joint growth, innovation and long-term value creation in the global tire reinforcement industry.

Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events,
and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Bekaert is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in light of new information, future events or otherwise. Bekaert disclaims any liability for statements made or published by third parties and does not undertake any obligation to correct inaccurate data, information, conclusions or opinions published by third parties in relation to this or any other press release issued by Bekaert.

About Bekaert
Bekaert’s ambition is to be the leading partner for shaping the way we live and move, and to always do this in a way that is safe, smart, and sustainable. As a global market and technology leader in material science of steel wire transformation and coating technologies, Bekaert (bekaert.com) also applies its expertise beyond steel to create new solutions with innovative materials and services for markets including new mobility, sustainable construction, and energy transition. Founded in 1880, with its headquarters in Belgium, Bekaert (Euronext Brussels, BEKB) is a global technology company whose 21 000 employees worldwide together generated € 4.0 billion in consolidated sales in 2024.

Rubber Reinforcement is the largest division of Bekaert and a global market leader in advanced steel reinforcement solutions for tires, with a portfolio of tire cord and bead wire. Powered by a unique global manufacturing network, it delivers solutions that contribute to creating lighter, stronger, and more efficient tires, without compromising on quality or safety. Its flagship Elyta® range sets the benchmark for next-generation tire reinforcement, driving higher tensile strength in combination with superior performance.

About Bridgestone Corporation
Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 121,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

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SOURCE: Bekaert