Sailun signs five-year tire supply deal with Rio Tinto for Simandou project

Qingdao, China – Sailun Group has signed a five-year supply and global framework agreement with mining major Rio Tinto for the Guinea-based Simandou iron ore project.

The agreement, which runs from 2025 to 2030, covers off-road tires and was signed in Perth, Australia, company executives confirmed during an earnings call 21 May.

Sailun said the deal marks a major step forward in its off-road segment development, where it is already supplying companies such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Case New Holland, JCB (UK) and First Tractor Co.

“The company’s off-road tire products have been widely recognised after long-term market validation,” Sailun stated.

The tire maker added that its current off-road tire capacity utilisation remains at “a high level”, with production and operations proceeding normally.

Sailun also addressed growing investor interest in its “liquid gold” tire range, which it said had “solves the devil’s triangle” of rolling resistance, wet grip, and wear.

The group said that it had applied the liquid gold technology across various product lines, including passenger, commercial, and speciality tires, but did not provide further specific details.