Now with extensive data being collected, the company is developing machine learning algorithms which will help customers with more in-depth analytics on their tyre’s life and maintenance cycles and vehicle-specific issues.

Tyrata recently joined hands with Marubeni Corporation for distribution and service the company DOS platform in Japan. “In addition, Tyrata is in close collaboration with the world’s top tyre manufacturers and fleets to qualify and deploy the IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS) and data analytics platform,” added he. It has also opened an office in Germany to manage sales, distribution and service for its IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS) in Europe.

Q: How did the idea of IntelliTread tyre sensor technology pop up and the product development work start?

The original internal tread sensor, or ITS, was developed in Dr Aaron Franklin’s laboratory at Duke University in 2016. Dr Franklin’s team demonstrated that a very small change in tyre tread depth can be detected using novel sensor designs in conjunction with specialized electronics and software. In 2018, the ITS technology was exclusively licensed to Tyrata for further development, product extensions, e.g. the IntelliTread Drive-Over System, and commercialisation.

Q: How does it work? How is it different from other tyre management technology/ processes?

The exact operation of the sensors is proprietary; however, broadly, the solid-state sensors detect minute changes in a sensing field that is directed into the tyre. As the thickness of the tread changes, the sensing field changes. This information is wirelessly sent to Tyrata’s cloud where the change in the field is translated to a change in tread depth. These tread depth changes, among other information, are then reported back to the fleet operator on a daily basis, or even in real time if needed.

Q: How can it predict the tyre tread life?

In addition to measurement of the absolute thickness of tyre tread, frequent tyre measurements over its lifetime are used to power an analytical engine that provides monitoring and prediction of tyre health; enabling proactive and planned tyre maintenance and optimizing cost and safety. The Tyrata cloud has been developed to manage the stream of incoming measurements from across a fleet of vehicles and present actionable information about tyre health over a customer-friendly platform, or through an API. Using the large volume of measured tyre tread data, Tyrata is developing machine learning algorithms that will provide customers with deeper analytics on their tyre and fleet, such as projected remaining tyre life, recommended maintenance cycles, or vehicle-specific issues with historically high tyre wear.

Q: Could you highlight the impact of tyre wear on vehicle safety and fuel economy?

By the time a tyre reaches or falls below its rated end-of-life tread thickness (~1.5 mm on a passenger tyre and ~4 mm on a truck or bus tyre) stopping distance has been compromised, which has a significant impact on safety. The correlation between tread depth and tyre safety is well documented. A previous study by AAA in the USA reported over 19,000 injuries were attributed to tyre-related crashes and 722 fatalities in a single year.

To address this safety concern, one solution could be to simply change tyre early, well in advance of hitting the tread threshold where the tyre becomes unsafe. However, there is a financial and environmental trade-off for this strategy as it uses more tyre and more fuel. Production of a single truck tyre consumes over 23 kg of natural and synthetic rubber, 240 litres of water, 38 kWh of power and produces over half a kg of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, Goodyear has shown that an increase in fuel efficiency of nearly 16% is realized when driving on the final ~30% of tread. Therefore, operators who change tyres early are wasting scarce resources, contributing more to greenhouse gas emission, and increasing costs in the purchase of tyres and fuel.

The Tyrata DOS enables frequent monitoring of tyres, allowing a fleet operator to safely manage tyre that are close to end of life. Even very modest improvements—5-10%—in the use of tyres can save a small fleet operator tens of thousands of dollars in tyres purchases; thousands of dollars in fuel consumption; and produce very significant reductions in the use of scarce resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Q: The company recently raised funds. How will you utilise it?

The funds will be used to complete customer qualification of the IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS) with industry leaders in the USA, Europe, and Asia, and establish high-volume manufacturing to service these markets.

Q: What about production? Who will do it and how will the company expand the business?

Tyrata’s current manufacturing capabilities meet the existing demand. Tyrata is evaluating several manufacturing partners to be in a position to begin manufacturing IntelliTread products in high volume to meet the growing demand in 2021.

Q: Any collaboration with tyre companies?

We recently announced an alliance with Marubeni Corporation. Marubeni will distribute and service Tyrata’s DOS platform in Japan. In addition, Tyrata is in close collaboration with the world’s top tyre manufacturers and fleets to qualify and deploy the IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS) and data analytics platform. Details will be announced in the future.

Q: What is the response from fleet companies?

Fleet companies’ response has been overwhelmingly positive. The majority of fleets today rely on manual tread measurement that is unreliable, inefficient, expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale. Automated, low-cost tread monitoring not only enables fleet operators to automate their process but also to scale and optimize their tyre management, thereby improving safety, supporting sustainability goals, and saving money. Tyrata deployed its first DOS in a 50-bus fleet in the USA over eight months ago and is nearing completion of the long-term field test with great success. This test was monitored by a number of industry leaders (including Marubeni) and we are beginning to ship systems to these customers now.

Q: Any scope for degradation in IntelliTread tyre sensor technology?

The DOS contains solid-state sensors arrays that are not sensitive to the environmental conditions or tyre debris and require no maintenance. Furthermore, the shell of the system is made from durable materials that are currently not showing any degradation in the field. We are very confident in system durability and guarantee up-time in the field.

Q: What are the limitations? What is the composition of the compound changes?

The DOS technology is not sensitive to normal variations in tyre compound. DOS learning algorithms have the ability to adapt to any significant alterations but generally are not affected by tyre material changes or modifications.

The IntelliTread Drive-Over System (DOS) collects tyre wear data when a vehicle drives over a speed-bump-like unit and provides the user with actionable, cloud-based tyre data analytics in real time. The system is fully automated and optimizes the tyre management process by determining the optimal time to maintain tyres in a fleet. The DOS system reduces risk for the operator and significantly improves efficiency, which leads to higher customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention, and increased profits for both the fleet operator and the manufacturer.

Bridgestone Americas announced the launch of Firestone Direct mobile vehicle service for car owners and fleet operators. Firestone Direct brings Bridgestone’s automotive services directly to vehicle owners’ homes or workplaces to offer maximum convenience with safe, contact-free service.

This service uses specially equipped vans operated by certified technicians to perform a wide range of maintenance services, including fluid and filter changes, tire repair and replacement, battery check and replacement, and more. 

Through 2021, Firestone Direct will continue to grow into additional markets across the southeastern U.S., with plans to expand nationwide by 2023. The new service launched first in Nashville and Atlanta and expanded into Orlando and Tampa in March.

Angie Oleson, director of Firestone Direct, said, “Customers are increasingly turning to online shopping and at-home services for convenience and safety, and Firestone Direct is at the forefront of this movement for at-home car care. By bringing trusted vehicle care featuring the latest automotive technologies directly to the customer, Firestone Direct can leverage the expertise of our trained technicians with the ease of online booking and at-home service for maximum convenience.” (TT)

The global electric vehicle (EV) market has taken a tremendous leap forward, with new registrations reaching record market shares in nearly all countries. For the tyre development landscape, the accelerating growth of the EV market means a pervasive transformation.

Boosting circular economy

At Black Donuts, the impact of the EV trend can be seen everywhere, from the tyre designers’ desks to the new practices of tyre testing. Beyond meeting new demands of the EV sector, the procedures and practices are tuned to serve the company’s strategic goal: to spearhead the industry’s shift towards a circular economy.

Black Donuts launched the first EV tyre development projects with its tyre manufacturer customers in 2018. The internal research on EV tyres was initiated even before, at the time of the first EVs entering the market. “The first research project addressed the primary technological challenges: rolling resistance and noise,” says lkka Lehtoranta, Head of Tire and Material Development at Black Donuts.

In tyre design, it is essential to focus on specific aspects to ensure optimal performance for electric cars. Compared to combustion cars, tyres for Evs must carry a heavier load withstand high instant torque – and be efficient and quiet. 

Lately, the focus on tyre technology has shifted towards more comprehensive sustainability. Bio-based materials and compounds are opening new possibilities, and the rapid growth of the EV market accelerates the pace of development. ”The EV trend has highlighted the sustainability of tyres. The demand for bio-based materials and tyre recyclability has significantly increased,” says Jarkko Mällinen, Technology Development Manager of Black Donuts.

In cooperation with its partners, Black Donuts is investigating new possibilities to replace fossil-fuel-based raw materials with bio-based or renewable materials in all products, including studded tyres. The company is currently testing the use of bio-based plastics in stud bodies.

Also, end-of-life tyres are a hot topic in the industry, and Black Donuts is researching how the waste tyres can be recirculated and recycled back into the process. Even the tyre development process is undergoing a renaissance. New design tools for faster tyre development are being introduced, emphasising the key features of sustainable, future proof tyres.

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European PCLT (passenger car and light truck) tyre manufacturing capacity has risen over the past decade to meet increased demand, but there has been a major shift from plants in Western Europe, towards Central Europe and Russia. The move eastwards reflects substantial differences in operating costs between the two regions, specifically in terms of labour costs. Hourly labour rates in Central and Eastern Europe can typically be half to one quarter of those in the highest cost Western European countries. In particular this significant differential has resulted in the transfer of production of lower priced non-premium tyres to larger plants in Central and Eastern Europe. Numerous PCLT plant closures and downsizings in Western Europe have either been announced or enacted during the past 18 months.

In 2019 Cooper Tires ended PCLT tyre production at its small plant in the UK, and Michelin recently closed the PCLT tyre plant in Dundee that manufactured tier-1 brand tyres in lower rim-diameters (≤16”), a shrinking segment of the European market. These closures leave just the two PCLT tyre facilities operating in the country: the Pirelli plants that focus on low volume but high-margin premium tyres.

In Germany, Michelin has announced plans to close its Bamburg plant that also focused on lower-rim -diameter tyres, whilst Goodyear is restructuring operations at its PCLT tyre facilities located in Fulda and Hanau. Total capacity there will fall, but there will be an increase in production of premium tyres.

Pirelli has recently ceased production of car tyres at its Bollate plant in Italy, its only facility in Western or Central Europe that was manufacturing non-premium car tyres. Apollo Tyres plans to downsize PCLT capacity at its plant in the high-cost Netherlands, focusing the facility on high value tyres with short production runs. Management had stated that the company lost money on 70% of the PCLT tyres that it sold from the facility.

Despite these closures in Western Europe, expansion to the east is expected to result in the net addition of 30 million units of PCLT tyre capacity across Europe* by 2026. New plants that have been recently opened, or are currently under construction, are located in either central and eastern Europe or Russia. In 2017, Apollo Tyres opened a greenfield plant in Hungary, with first-phase capacity increasing to 5.5 million PCLT tyres and almost 0.7 million TBR tyres. Supply from the facility has substituted imports from India and now permits the planned downsizing and specialisation of production in the Netherlands.

In 2018, Hankook announced plans to add production of TBR tyres at its plant in Hungary, however this expansion was put on hold in late 2019. In phases, the company has already expanded PCLT tyre capacity until it is now one of the largest such facilities in the world. Meanwhile, Nexen has begun the ramp-up of capacity at its new plant in the Czech Republic; this will have added substantially to the country’s capacity by 2023.

In addition to further investments across Central and Eastern Europe by Continental Tire, Bridgestone and Pirelli, an expansion of premium tyre capacity in Slovenia has also been announced by Goodyear.

In mid-2019 Toyo Tire announced its intention to build a new tyre plant in Serbia, consolidating the country’s position as the leading location for new PCLT tyre manufacturing capacity in Europe. This follows Linglong’s decision to build its new European plant in the country and Cooper Tire’s plan to double the size of its facility. Based on analysis by Astutus Research of all announced capacity actions (plant opening and expansion net of closures and downsizing), Serbia will account for over 40% of planned capacity additions between 2019 and 2026.

Toyo expects to invest €390 million in its new facility that will have a capacity of 5 million units. It intends to start production in early 2022 and reach full capacity the following summer. Linglong’s facility will have a capacity of 12 million PCLT tyres, alongside truck and radial agricultural tyres, built in three phases and representing a total investment of over €800 million.

Serbia as new hub

Although there is demand for both replacement and original equipment PCLT tyres in Serbia, the domestic market is amongst the smallest in Europe and production will be export focused. The country has already emerged as a key source of budget tyres to the European Union and to Russia, predominantly from Tigar Tyre, Michelin’s low-cost tyre subsidiary, that has significantly increased capacity and production in the past decade.

Geographically, Serbia is well located to supply the major markets of the EU and Russia, and benefits from free trade agreements with both. Labour costs in the country are significantly lower than in the Czech Republic or Hungary, and labour availability is good, with a higher rate of unemployment.

At present Toyo imports tyres to Europe from its facilities in Japan and Malaysia; Linglong utilises its PCLT tyre plants in China and Thailand. Both companies aim to develop their presence in Europe, and local production should help them in this quest, particularly in the original equipment segment where the significantly shorter lead times will improve the competitiveness of their offer. Similarly, the opportunity to increase their share of the OE business was one of the motivations for Nexen and Apollo to replace imports to open a plant in the region.

Whilst the influence of the Covid-19 virus may slow the pace of some planned investment in central and eastern Europe, it has already accelerated the pace of closures in the west. Furthermore, we expect that it will result in further plant closures there, as the decline in European tyre demand dramatically reduces plant utilisation rates.

*Europe refers to Western, Central and Eastern Europe, including Russia and CIS, but excludes Turkey which we include in the Middle East & Africa region.

For capacity data: ‘Western Europe’ includes plants in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Portugal, the Netherlands, Finland and Luxembourg. ‘Central Europe’ refers to Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. ‘Russia and CIS’ refers to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Uzbekistan.

• Simon Hodson is Research Director at Astutus Research shodson@astutusresearch.com

The WHO has said that the outbreak is now officially a Pandemic. People/ companies/ organisations are still coming to grips on how to address the situation. Government heads of various countries are trying to curb the situation by restricting entries of people who are affected by countries that are affected the most. Thus, airlines would have only diplomats and other certain levels of people allowed to fly.  Many airlines have suspended a good number of their flights.  Many companies will be looking to take a hair cut on what they take back with them, just to see that business can be sustained during the trying situations. 

The virus has led various markets to crash, courier services have been curtailed in certain countries. All types of cancellations, be it sport, expositions or business, have affected the business world over. The transaction value in the losses may be difficult to gauge currently, however, it could be in the millions. Contracts would have to be reworked, and companies may have to come with new strategies. 

However, in every situation, there would be also a business opportunity, if you work your strategy right. The sale of masks, gloves, hand sanitisers, medical devices would be able to generate good business. Though it is seen that the outbreak is from China, you also got to give to them as to how they are trying to contain the situation by building hospital/s within 10 days. In other countries, this would easily have taken a much longer time period. 

It is a given that the business scenario is not going to be the best for most of the companies; Therefore, companies may have to think and reevaluate the way they are currently running their company. Companies will look to get leaner in every possible way. Cut down on unwanted expenses. Many companies have started asking their employees to work from home. Some may look to have lesser number of people and look to automate some of the work, especially in the factories.  Commercial properties being an expensive asset to maintain, some companies may look to perhaps go on rented co working spaces. Use less of one time use items like plastic and use more renewable/ reusable substitutes. Use of more environment friendly methods going forward will be the mantra. 

This hit on our social system in a way will make us pause, think and have better suggestions as to how to look after ourselves and our environment at large.