Sustainability must be a holistic approach

Creating sustainability throughout the entire manufacturing process is the current challenge. To meet this challenge, it is necessary to implement the most modern techniques in the buildings, factories, in the production, in the machines and new technologies. The new technologies accurately monitor the manufacturing process, analyse it to operate effective maintenance that saves costs, conserves materials and ensures that production never stops and moreover delivers high performance. HF has spent a lot of budgets in recent years to upgrade its factories to save CO2, generate its own energy and to produce CO2 neutral in a few years. In addition, HF’s heating presses are specially insulated to minimise energy loss during heating. Furthermore, in the foreseeable future, we will be able to digitally monitor and analyse the complete heating process to have exact indications for an increase in performance.

CO2-saving during the tyre curing process by optimised heating systems

With CO2 emissions and costs linked to it, energy-saving initiatives become of higher relevance day by day, and this is why HF’s customers are getting more eager to reduce the overall energy demand per tyre cured. To support its customers with the necessary expertise, HF researched the field of process optimisation and product benchmarking to identify the most promising solutions when it comes to equipping your curing press. Using state-of-the-art technology such as CAE-tools laboratory testbeds to compare single part performance and on-site trials to prove the overall potential of different solutions, HF is constantly expanding its market and technology overview. Based on this knowledge and experience, the company can find the best solution together with its customers.

HF’s digital monitoring of the tyre curing process

HF has just started a fascinating development of a digital solution approach for condition monitoring of tyre curing presses. With this solution approach, HF primarily wants to keep the cycle times of curing presses stably low to increase the curing output. Additionally, HF also wants to avoid unplanned downtimes through targeted early warnings, support repair and maintenance measures and intends to reduce the need for spare parts.

Bringing these developments together is giving its customers the edge over the competition.

All these efforts are undertaken to answer the most frequently asked questions by the tyre producers:

- Do I run my equipment on optimal energy consumption?

- How can I minimise my operational cost?

- I want to increase production output. How can we speed up the cycle time and gain an advantage over the competition? 

- How can I reduce: 

• my CO2 footprint

• unplanned downtimes due to early warning of incidents such as leakages, wear and tear

• repair times by indicating root causes for errors and thus support focused countermeasures

• planned maintenance times by directing the focus of action to issues that need to be taken care of 

HF is ready to provide more information on digital monitoring of the tyre curing process if these questions sound familiar.

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”