Vipal Rubber, one of the world’s largest rubber manufacturers and a benchmark in tyre retreading, is participating in The Tire Cologne 2026, one of the leading international tyre industry fairs, which takes place from June 9 to 11 in Cologne (Köln), Germany. The event is recognised as one of the most important global gatherings in the sector, bringing together manufacturers, retreaders, distributors and experts from across the chain. In this edition, the company will highlight the Vipal DV-UMe, VL170A and VT570 treads.
Focusing on consolidating Vipal on the continent, participation in the fair reinforces the trajectory built by the company over two decades of operation in Europe, a period in which it structured its presence in the region with service, local stock and specialised technical support for customers in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). “The Tire Cologne is an important opportunity for us to stay close to the market and further strengthen our relationships with customers and partners. We approach this edition with very positive expectations, reflecting the work built over 20 years in Europe, with a solid presence and a focus on new growth opportunities. Over these two decades, we have established a robust operation in the region, supported by close customer service, local stock, and solutions that meet the demands of a highly competitive market. This milestone reinforces the consistency of our internationalisation strategy and highlights the importance of Europe to Vipal’s global growth” says Felipe Henzel, Commercial Director – International Markets and Two-Wheels Division at Vipal Rubber.
Vipal will be represented by Henzel; Gilson Dugno, International Sales Manager; and the Vipal EMEA team.
Strategic Portfolio for Different Applications
Among the highlights of the booth will be three retreaded tyres with Vipal treads — DV-UMe, VL170A and VT570 — products that already have strong acceptance in the European market, especially in Germany, demonstrating the company’s solutions’ adherence to the region’s operational demands.
The DV-UMe, Vipal’s first tread developed for electric vehicles, shall also be on display. The product is currently undergoing final testing in various European countries, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, with very positive results, reinforcing the solution’s potential to support the increasing electrification of fleets on the continent.
In addition to tyre treads, Vipal shall also introduce products from its light vehicle line, highlighting patches and repair patches, demonstrating the breadth of its portfolio and its ability to meet the diverse demands of the tyre retreading market.
Global Structure with Local Presence
With its headquarters in Brazil and operations in over 90 countries, Vipal keeps a solid internationalisation strategy. Its European subsidiary is based in Valencia, Spain, and in over two decades has expanded its operations to more than 50 countries. Currently, the operation has three distribution centres located in Spain, Slovenia, and England in addition to its office in Valencia, and a team comprised of professionals in the technical, commercial, administrative, and customer service areas, a structure prepared to serve a demanding and highly specialised market.
