This year’s edition provided opportunities to more than 300 professionals working in the tyre technology domain directly or indirectly, to come together on common platform to discuss the latest developments in the field of automotive tyre technology. Experts from automotive industry, test facilities, test equipment manufactures and research institutes from various countries apart from India shared their experience about the development of future tyre and aspects of tyre safety and performance. The seminar also focused on the latest advancements in the Indian and worldwide automotive tyre regulations.

Jayanta Roy Chowdhary, DDG (Standardization – P&M), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) spoke about the need for tyres to enhance the fuel efficiency and safety of upcoming advanced vehicles. Saurabh Diddi, Director Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) briefed about STAR rating programme for energy-efficient tyres, which will help reduce CO2 emission levels and fuel costs and benefit end-users to select the right replacement tyres. Dinesh Tyagi, Director-ICAT, shared his thought about road safety, upcoming regulations on TPMS and future technologies like airless tyres. He also informed about the availability of ICAT’s test facilities for tyres as per AIS:142.

During the event, a key area of discussion was the development of airless tyres as a viable future technology in tyres. The tyre has demonstrated some key advantages such as eco-friendly, easy production compared to conventional tyres, no required groove pattern, additional space for brake, reduced rolling noise, rolling resistance, no puncture risk, limit irregular tyre wear and easy change of tread in case of tyre wear. On the 2nd day of the event, “New Policies of Tyre Trade under the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” were discussed along with other technical lectures.

SK Kalia, CBO-Centre2, ICAT said that ICAT’s tyre test facilities are designed and developed in India adhering to technical accreditations from NABL (ISO:17025) and BIS approval. He also praised ICAT’s advanced test facilities like rolling resistance and wet grip which are mandatory for STAR rating testing of tyres under the requirement of BEE. ICAT also provides additional facilities such as rolling sound emission, indoor NVH testing for tyres, and ISO tracks to tyre manufacturers to meet their testing requirements.

Dr R. Mukhopadhyay, Director & Chief Executive of HASETRI and Director of R&D, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. opened the technical session about R & D’s future roadmap R&D in the tyre industry to meet the demands of the automotive industry. Guests and speakers from various related areas such as Transport Department, Tyre Industry, OEMs, ATMA/ITTAC, DPIIT, Research Institutes, Academic Institutions, & Bureau of Energy Efficiency graced the event. Experts from India, Sweden and Oman deliberated over technical aspects, global regulations and trending tyre technology.

Other important members at the Symposium included Dr Arun Jaura, Managing Director, Michelin India Technical Centre and T. K. Thomas, Executive Director, CEAT Ltd. with the vote of thanks being given by Amit Karwal, AGM-ICAT & Convener-iSATT’21.

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.”