Tyres do not typically carry the weight of our vehicles but it is only the air inside them does. There are three basic elements which determine the load capacity of a tyre namely, the size of the air chamber formed between the tyre and wheel, the strength provided by the engineering construction of tyre to hold air pressure, and the amount of air pressure actually in the tyre.

Most flat tyres or zero pressure air  are the result of slow leaks that go unnoticed and allow the tyre's air pressure to escape over time (Fig.1). Therefore, monitoring tyre air pressure in real-time is extremely important. Fortunately, in these days we practically have such devices inbuilt in tyre, called, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS, Fig.2. Run Flat Tyres (RFT) are typically designed passenger car tyre or light truck tyres or SUVs to run even when they are flat  or when there is zero inflation pressure. It is more of a safety issue - it's design allows you to continue driving in deflated condition to a point were you can safely get the tyre changed or repaired. To all RFT, therefore, it is was required to fit in TPMS system (Fig.2) to indicate driver that the tyre is running with low pressure or tyre is failed and is under zero pressure now.

Tyre pressure sensor (pressure transmitter) converts the physical quantity 'tyre pressure' into an industry-standard signal , that enables the driver if the tyre pressure is becoming low or the tyre has already failed during driving (Fig.2). Mandates for TPMS technology in new cars have been continued to proliferate in the 21st century in Russia, the EU, Japan, South Korea and many other Asian countries. As of November 2014, the above fitment rate stands had been to ~ 54% of passenger cars.

Tyre pressure has profound influence on vehicle safety and efficiency. Tyre-pressure monitoring (TPM) was first adopted by the European market as an optional feature for luxury passenger vehicles in the 1980s. The first passenger vehicle to adopt TPM was the Porsche 959 in 1986, using a hollow spoke wheel system. In 1996 Renault used the Michelin PAX system. In the United States, TPM was introduced by General Motors for the 1991 model year for the Corvette in conjunction with Goodyear run-flat tyres. The system uses sensors in the wheels and a driver display which can show tyre pressure at any wheel, plus warnings for both high and low pressure (Fig.2). It has been standard on Corvettes ever since.

The dynamic behavior of a pneumatic tyre is closely connected to its inflation pressure. Key factors like braking distance and lateral stability require the inflation pressures to be adjusted and kept as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Extreme under-inflation can even lead to thermal and mechanical overload caused by overheating and subsequent, sudden destruction of the tyre itself. Additionally, fuel efficiency and tyre wear are severely affected by under-inflation. Tyres do not only leak air if punctured, they also leak air naturally (air permeability), and over a year, even a typical new, properly mounted tyre can lose from 3 to 9 psi, roughly 10% or even more of its initial pressure.

Maintaining proper tyre inflation is essential to vehicle handling, overall tyre performance, and load carrying capability. A properly inflated tyre will reduce tread movement, reduce rolling resistance, and increase water dispersion. Reduced tread movement gives the tyre a longer tread life. Reduced rolling resistance, the force required to roll a loaded tyre, results in increased fuel efficiency. Increased water dispersion decreases the possibility of hydroplaning. Both over-inflation and under-inflation can cause premature tread wear and possible tyre failure. Over-inflation can result in decreased traction and the inability to absorb road impact. Overinflated tyres will show premature wear in the centre of the tread. On the other hand, under inflation will cause sluggish tyre response, decrease fuel economy, excessive heat buildup, and tyre overload. An under inflated  tyre will show premature wear on both outside shoulders (Fig.3).

The European Union reports that an average under-inflation of ~ 6psi ,  produces an increase of fuel consumption of 2% and a decrease of tyre life of 25%. The European Union concludes that tyre under-inflation today is responsible for over 20 million liters of unnecessarily-burned fuel, dumping over 2 million tones of CO₂ into the atmosphere, and for 200 million tyres being prematurely wasted worldwide. In 2018, a field study on TPMS shows that TPMS fitment reliably prevents severe and dangerous under-inflation and hence yields the desired effects for traffic safety, fuel consumption and emissions. The above study also showed that there is no difference in effectiveness between dTPMS and iTPMS and that the TPMS reset function does not present a safety risk.

The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TMPS) is an electronic system in the vehicle that monitors tyre air pressure and alerts the driver when it falls dangerously low. This system involves a pressure sensor (Fig.4) fitted in tyre air filling valve. However, a given TPMS system can only work with compatible sensors in the tyres.  

TPMS notifies on vehicle dash board when vehicle’s tyre pressure is low or is going flat and this help to maintain proper tyre pressure (Fig.2). TPMS can directly or indirectly, increase vehicle safety on the road by improving your vehicle’s handling, decreasing tyre wear, reducing braking distance and bettering fuel economy. The significant advantages of TPMS are summarized as follows:

• Fuel savings: For every 10% of under-inflation on each tyre on a vehicle, a 1% reduction in fuel economy will occur. In the United States alone, the Department of Transportation estimates that under inflated tyres waste 2 billion US gallons (7,600,000 m³) of fuel each year.

• Extended tyre life: Under inflated tyres are the major cause of tyre failure and contribute to tyre disintegration, heat buildup, ply separation and sidewall/casing break downs. Further, a difference of 10 psi in pressure on a set of duals literally drags the lower pressured tyre 2.5 metres per kilometre (13 feet per mile). Moreover, running a tyre even briefly on inadequate pressure breaks down the casing and prevents the ability to retread. It is important to note that not all sudden tyre failures are caused by under-inflation. Structural damages caused, for example, by hitting sharp curbs or potholes, can also lead to sudden tyre failures, even a certain time after the damaging incident. These cannot be proactively detected by any TPMS.

• Improved safety: Under-inflated tyres lead to tread separation and tyre failure, resulting in 40,000 accidents, 33,000 injuries and over 650 deaths per year only in USA. Further, tyres properly inflated add greater stability, handling and braking efficiencies and provide greater safety for the driver, the vehicle, the loads and others on the road.

• Environmental efficiency: Under-inflated tyres, as estimated by the Department of Transportation, release over 26 billion kilograms (57.5 billion pounds) of unnecessary carbon-monoxide (CO) pollutants into the atmosphere each year in the United States alone.

A TPMS reports real-time tyre-pressure information to the driver of the vehicle, either via a gauge, a pictogram display, or a simple low-pressure warning light (Fig.2).  

TPMS can be divided into two different types – direct (dTPMS) and indirect (iTPMS). TPMS are provided both at an OEM (factory) level as well as an aftermarket solution (replacement market). TPMS is increasing consumer demand for avoiding traffic accidents, poor fuel economy, and increased tyre wear due to under-inflated tyres through early recognition of a hazardous state of the tyres.

A sensor based TPMS has a pressure monitoring sensor fixed inside the wheel and tyre  assembly(Fig.5). This is usually clamped to the wheel and constantly monitors the internal pressure of the tyre . This information is relayed to a receiving unit on the vehicle body which is connected to a processing unit in the electronics system of the vehicle. This alerts the driver to a loss in tyre pressure.

There are two different types of systems being used today: Direct TPMS and Indirect TPMS. Direct (dTPMS) uses a sensor mounted in the wheel to measure air pressure in each tyre. When air pressure drops 25% below the manufacturer’s recommended level, the sensor transmits that information to the computer system of car and triggers your dashboard indicator light (Fig.2).

Indirect (iTPMS) works with Antilock Braking System’s (ABS) wheel speed sensors. If a tyre’s pressure is low, it will roll at a different wheel speed than the other tyres. This information is detected by the computer system of car , which triggers the dashboard indicator light (Fig.2). The purpose of the TPMS is to alert you when tyre pressure is too low and could to create unsafe driving conditions. If the light is illuminated, it means your tyres could be underinflated, which can lead to undue tyre wear and possible tyre failure.

Direct TPMS

Direct TPMS (dTPMS), is a directly measuring hardware-based systems. They could be fitted in each wheel, most often on the inside of the valve (Fig.6), there is a battery-driven pressure sensor which transfers pressure information to a central control unit which reports it to the vehicle's instrument cluster or a corresponding monitor. Some units also measure and alert temperatures of the tyre as well.

These systems can identify under-inflation in any combination, be it one tyre or all, simultaneously. Although the systems vary in transmitting options, many TPMS products (both OEM and aftermarket) can display real time tyre pressures at each location monitored whether the vehicle is moving or parked. There are many different solutions, but all of them have to face the problems of exposure to hostile environments. The majority are powered by batteries which limit their useful life.  A direct TPMS sensor consists of the following main functions requiring only a few external components, that is mounted to the valve stem inside the tyre:

• Pressure sensor
• Analog-digital converter
• Microcontroller
• System controller
• Oscillator
• Radio frequency transmitter
• Low frequency receiver
• Voltage regulator (battery management)

InDirect TPMS

Indirect TPMS (iTPMS)  uses to detect the differing speed of revolution of a wheel with a reduced circumference, caused by a reduction in tyre pressure . There may be  dashboard icons for low pressure warning icon  or system failure icon (Fig.2). This system uses the ABS  or the Antilock Braking System of the vehicle to monitor the rotation speed of the individual wheels. If a deflation of a tyre occurs the resulting increase in wheel speed triggers the TPMS and advises the driver accordingly (Fig.7).

Advantages of the ABS based system include the fact that the system uses technology and equipment that is already fitted to the vehicle. Also there are no sensors fitted inside the wheel/tyre assembly which makes the tyre fitting process easier than the sensor based systems.

Dr Samir Majumdar, Rubber Consultant (India & Asia pacific), has served in leading tyre companies like JK Tyre, Kyoto Japan Tire, among others. He was technical and R&D head (Asia Pacific) in ExxonMobil. He has authored several research papers and technical books. smajumdar501234@yahoo.co.in

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has completed and commenced operation of a 17.5-MWp rooftop solar power installation at its facility in Vietnam’s Nhon Trach Industrial Park, located within Dong Nai Province. This marks a significant step in the company’s broader effort to reshape its Vietnam operations – its largest global manufacturing base for tyre cords and technical yarns – into what it terms a ‘Smart Green Factory’. By merging renewable energy infrastructure with digital energy management systems, developed in partnership with the energy IT specialist Nuriflex, the firm is positioning this site at the forefront of its transition towards becoming a global eco-friendly manufacturing hub.

A key element of this transformation is the deployment of an Internet of Things based energy management system, which allows for real-time oversight of electricity generation and equipment performance. This digital layer not only streamlines operational efficiency but also contributes to greater equipment reliability and overall productivity gains, ensuring that the integration of renewable energy delivers tangible improvements beyond simple power generation.

With further solar installations set to be completed by August, total rooftop capacity at the Nhon Trach site will reach 37.5 MWp. Once fully operational in the latter half of the year, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS anticipates annual electricity cost savings exceeding KRW 6 billion (approximately USD 3.94 million), bolstering its cost competitiveness. The expansion is also expected to deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable management practices.

Through advanced energy IoT solutions, the Vietnam subsidiary now systematically manages carbon reduction data generated from its solar power operations. This capability enables a more structured response to rising demands from major global customers – including Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental and Pirelli – for verified renewable energy usage and carbon emissions information. By strengthening its ESG performance across the supply chain, the company is leveraging its solar infrastructure and smart energy management not merely as facility investments but as strategic tools to enhance environmental responsibility and competitiveness in a market where sustainable value chains are increasingly essential.

“Starting with our Vietnam production base, we are simultaneously promoting renewable energy transition and energy efficiency improvements across our operations. By expanding solar power facilities, we will strengthen both cost competitiveness and ESG capabilities while proactively responding to the evolving requirements of our global customers,” said an official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for February 2026, detailing a period of significant market activity influenced by geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic changes and shifting supply-demand dynamics within the global natural rubber sector.

As per the report, global natural rubber production for 2026 is forecast to reach 15.324 million tonnes, a 2.2 percent increase from the 14.996 million tonnes recorded in 2025. February output alone is projected at 994,000 tonnes, marking a 3.4 percent year-on-year rise due to favourable weather and higher rubber prices. Despite this overall growth, production trends vary among member nations. While Thailand is expected to remain the top producer, Indonesia and Vietnam face short-term constraints from structural and agronomic issues. Meanwhile, Malaysia is advancing efforts to restore abandoned plantations, with the Rubber Production Incentive activated in Sarawak and Sabah and the Malaysian Rubber Board targeting the rehabilitation of 4,137 hectares of idle land in 2026.

Physical and futures markets saw notable price increases across major grades in February. In Kuala Lumpur, SMR-20 averaged USD 2.01 per kilogramme, a 5.13 percent monthly gain, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 5.12 percent to USD 2.11 per kilogramme. Sheet rubber grades also strengthened, with RSS-3 increasing 7.84 percent to USD 2.35 per kilogramme and RSS-4 in Kottayam surging 10.38 percent to USD 2.34 per kilogramme. Centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur closed the month at USD 1.61 per kilogramme. Futures mirrored this firming trend, as the Shanghai Futures Exchange May 2026 contract averaged roughly 16,508 CNY (approximately USD 2,388) per tonne and the SGX contract averaged USD 1.92 per kilogramme, supported by strong demand and tightening supply expectations ahead of the seasonal low-yield period from February to May.

Crude oil volatility added further complexity, with Brent averaging USD 70.89 per barrel in February – up 6.43 percent from January – before spiking to approximately USD 104 per barrel in early March following military actions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for nearly 20 percent of global oil supply. This has introduced a risk premium with implications for synthetic rubber competitiveness and natural rubber demand. Currency shifts also play a role, as the Malaysian Ringgit appreciated modestly to 3.89 MYR per USD and the Thai Baht strengthened to around 31.08 THB per USD by late February, affecting trade competitiveness. Looking ahead, rising automotive production, especially of new energy vehicles in China, India and Southeast Asia, is expected to sustain demand and support prices. However, risks persist from US-China trade tensions, Middle East geopolitical instability, weather uncertainties during the low-yield season and currency fluctuations tied to US monetary policy, all of which could disrupt supply chains and export revenues.

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Tokyo Zairyo Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation, marked a significant milestone in November 2025 by establishing a new branch office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Following the completion of all necessary preparations, this location has now commenced full-scale operations. The move represents a deliberate effort to broaden the company’s commercial reach across the Indian market while simultaneously constructing an organizational structure capable of responding with greater agility to the evolving and increasingly diverse requirements of its customers.

This southern expansion comes approximately 15 years after the company first established its Indian subsidiary, Tokyo Zairyo (India) Pvt. Ltd., with an office in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2011. By positioning a second office in Chennai, the firm now operates a coordinated network spanning the northern and southern regions of the country. Close collaboration between the two locations is intended to strengthen information services and enhance user support, leveraging both internal capabilities and external partnerships to better serve Japanese automotive parts manufacturers and processors operating throughout India.

Through this dual-office structure, Tokyo Zairyo is poised to advance its core business of purchasing and selling a broad spectrum of materials, including rubber, resins and elastomers. The synchronised operations in Gurugram and Chennai enable the company to deliver more responsive support, ensuring that clients across the Indian automotive supply chain benefit from efficient service and a reliable supply of essential materials.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of Liquid Rubber products and ISOBAM alkaline water-soluble polymer. These changes, which are set to take effect on 16 April 2026, will see prices rise by at least USD 2 per kg.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue the supply of Liquid Rubber and ISOBAM amidst the volatile market conditions.

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