Each time you go to a tyre shop or a gas station to top up the tyre pressure in your vehicle’s tyres, what the attendant fills into the tyre is normal compressed air. But what exactly does compressed air contain? Compressed air is made up of 78% nitrogen, about 20-21% oxygen, and the balance one percent consists of CO2, and tiny concentrations of gases such as neon, argon and water vapour.

 When you specifically fill nitrogen gas into the vehicle's tyres, then you should have 100% dry nitrogen in your tyre. Dry nitrogen denotes that no        moisture content or any other gases are present in the tyre.

 Jay Chakraborty, who recently bought a second hand car, says, “After I bought my car, I changed the tyres and I’ve heard so many people talk about  how good nitrogen has been for them that I decided to get my new tyres filled with nitrogen air. The car feels a lot better on bumpy roads, and I don’t  have to worry about checking tyre pressure every week.”

Benefits of nitrogen Vs compressed air

Nitrogen as a gas is made up of big molecules, whereas oxygen molecules are much smaller in size compared to nitrogen molecules. When compressed air is put into a vehicle’s tyres, the moisture in the tyre seeps through the rubber over time and evaporates quicker as its molecules are smaller in size. But as nitrogen molecules are bigger in size, they do not permeate the tyres rubber so easily and hence will stay in the tyre for a longer duration. This means that your vehicle’s tyres will lose less pressure over time compared to regular compressed air filled tyres.

For example: An inactive vehicle, whose tyres are filled with normal compressed air will lose tyre pressure every week. But a 100% nitrogen-filled tyre will lose tyre pressure a lot slower and won’t need to be topped up as frequently. 

Titus Remedios, “I filled nitrogen in the new tyres that  I purchased for my Maruti Ecco in June 2019. That time the tyre pressure filled with nitrogen was 35Psi. I use the car once a week and after the lockdown, the car hadn’t been used in months. I recently went back in October 2020 to the place where I had filled the nitrogen in the car tyres and the tyre pressure after 14 months had only dropped to 22Psi. .

Another point to note, nitrogen filled tyres get a green or blue colour valve cap. This is a universal symbol that your vehicle's tyres are filled with nitrogen and not compressed air.

Is Nitrogen right for you?

Over-inflation and under inflation of tyres make a major difference on the race track. But on your normal city road does it make a huge difference? Under-inflated tyres normally lead to less mileage, uneven wear on the tyre treads and more tyre wear and tear overall. Over inflated tyres run the risk of burning out the contact patch on the tyre too quickly, while adding more bounce vs grip to a vehicle's stability. In hot climate conditions, your vehicle's tyre pressure can jump up tremendously. Highway running speeds coupled with a harsh sun beating down, can lead to a  tear in the tyre or in extreme conditions, a tyre bursting. This is where nitrogen-filled tyres shine the most. Due to their molecular build, nitrogen molecules stay at a constant temperature in a tyre. So even if the temperature outside decreases or increases, the nirotgen in the tyre will remain the same. That is why race cars and racing motorcycles only use 100% nitrogen in their tyres all the time.

Now we are all not professional racers, but we do commute on a daily basis and even go for the occasional weekend drive out of the city for some sightseeing and relaxation. Will filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyre help you? There are many who swear by nitrogen-filled tyres and an equal amount who feel that regular compressed air works just fine.

Personal tyre maintenance

If you are someone who keeps a check on the vehicles tyre pressure weekly and tops up the air when needed, you won’t need nitrogen filled into your vehicles tyre. However, if you are someone who tops air pressure once a month or once in two months, then filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres will help you reap the benefits of it. If you constantly make long highway trips and most of your time is spent behind the wheel, then filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres will be a boon.

Yash Ramrakhyani from Palghar runs a big tyre shop which sells Apollo, Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and Yokohama tyres for every vehicle from a scooter to a heavy duty tempo. He says, “I get an average of 300 customers a year who want nitrogen filled in their vehicle’s tyres. There was a big local demand in the area for nitrogen-filled tyres, hence my father and me invested in the nitrogen unit. Tyres don't get hot, and nitrogen level doesn't go down so fast is what I have heard from customers as feedback, but the fact that people think nitrogen levels in the tyre doesn't go down is false. Even nitrogen-filled tyres have to be checked for tyre pressure once a month.

Nitrogen myths busted

Myth 1: Your vehicle's mileage will increase.

Truth: Your vehicle’s mileage depends on a lot of factors, tyres being just one small part of that equation. Having nitrogen filled tyres only gives you the benefit of having a most constant tyre pressure. However compressed air and nitrogen filled tyres both will loose pressure after a certain amount of time.

Myth 2: Your vehicle's comfort will be better, it will be soft on bumps.

Truth: Compressed air or nitrogen filled tyres will react the same way when on bumpy roads. It is the rubber compound and the type of tyres that you have that will make a difference in the ride or drive quality. As long as you maintain the right air pressure in your vehicle's tyres, you’ll be good.

Myth 3: You won’t have to fill up the tyre pressure as frequently.

Truth: Well this is true. Nitrogen-filled tyres will retain the pressure in your vehicle's tyre for a longer time duration compared to tyres filled with compressed air. However, even nitrogen-filled tyres loose pressure over time and you have to get the pressure checked and topped up from time to time.

Myth 4: Your vehicle's tyre will last longer

Truth: The tyre on your vehicle rely on you to make sure you maintain the recommended air pressure inorder for it to do its job properly. Under inflated and over inflated tyres will wear out faster when compared to tyres that have been properly maintained.

Myth 5: The rims on your vehicle won't rust

Truth: There is some amount of truth in this. As nitrogen-filled tyres contain less or no water vapour, the moisture content in the tyre is less. Less moisture equals to less rust on the inside of the wheel. But that doesn’t stop the rest of the wheel from rusting due to everyday washing and climate conditions.

Myth 6: There are few tyre shops / fuel pumps that offer nitrogen.

Truth: Compressed air is mostly nitrogen gas. So even if you have nitrogen-filled tyres, but you’re running low on tyre pressure and there’s no nitrogen filling station around, you can still fill normal compressed air. It will not have any major impact on your vehicle's tyres. Maintaining the right tyre pressure is key.

The catch

The nitrogen that you get filled in your vehicle's tyres is not a 100% or even 99% pure nitrogen. A brand new or even an old tyre once deflated has some amount of air inside it. It is the atmospheric air that's already there all around us. So unless you drain all the air in the tyre out and refill it nitrogen and drain the tyre again 2-3 times, you’ll still be running your vehicle's tyres with 90% nitrogen and not 100% nitrogen. But even then you’re not guaranteed that your vehicle's tyres will be filled with 100% pure nitrogen. There is no way to measure how much nitrogen is there in your vehicle’s tyre. Nitrogen will cost you, whereas compressed air is free at most petrol pumps or Rs.1-2 at a tyre shop. Nitrogen costs on the other hand vary from place to place and the kind of machine they have. The machines that are at the tyre shops or petrol pumps that offer nitrogen, do not deliver pure 100% nitrogen! Some machines will have a percentage rating of how much nitrogen it provides to the tyre and some have no percentage levels at all. Filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres can cost you anywhere from Rs.150 for four tyres to Rs.50 per tyre and can go all the way up to Rs.1,500 for a set of four tyres.

Conclusion

Have you ever noticed that vehicle manufactureres never recommend nitrogen in their manuals or at their service centers. The reason behind this is your vehicle's tyres are manufactured to run on normal compressed air. As long as you maintain the right tyre pressure in your vehicle’s tyre, you’ll be fine.

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Tyres Europe and the Association of Synthetic Amorphous Silica Producers (ASASP) have released a joint position paper on synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) in tyre manufacturing. The document highlights SAS as a critical component that improves wet grip, reduces rolling resistance and supports durability, thereby enhancing vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, electric vehicle range and lowering use-phase emissions.

A proposed harmonised classification for SAS is under consideration. Though not an outright ban, the industry warns it would likely compel manufacturers to phase out SAS during design rather than manage exposure, effectively bypassing practical risk controls.

Tyres Europe and ASASP urge regulators to base any action on robust evaluation of SAS properties, exposure conditions, established industrial uses and broader socio-economic impacts on European value chains. Policy measures must reflect these factors to avoid unintended disruptions.

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Tegeta Green Planet participated in the recent Social Design Days conference, a three-day event hosted by the Design Institute that centred on circular design and sustainable innovation. The gathering brought together diverse professionals to explore the intersection of creative disciplines and environmental responsibility.

During the proceedings, Tegeta Green Planet Director Shalva Akhvlediani engaged in a panel discussion that examined Georgia’s trajectory in building a circular economy. The conversation addressed the nation’s current obstacles and prospective avenues for growth, with a particular focus on systemic shifts in resource management and regulatory frameworks.

Akhvlediani pointed to measurable advancements in Georgia’s waste management infrastructure, the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility standards and a growing national recycling ethos. These developments, he observed, are creating a robust base for more judicious resource utilisation and fostering habits of conscientious consumption. The panel further acknowledged that resourcefulness is deeply rooted in Georgian heritage, where mending, reusing and bequeathing goods were traditional practices, though modern consumerism has eroded these customs, necessitating a blend of age-old wisdom with contemporary circular strategies.

A critical takeaway from the discussion was the assertion that technological fixes and legislation alone are insufficient. Genuine progress, Akhvlediani argued, hinges on synergistic cooperation between designers, architects, researchers and creatives to engineer products and systems that prioritise longevity and recyclability from inception. Social Design Days proved instrumental in facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue, promoting circular principles and inspiring actionable solutions for national sustainability. Tegeta Green Planet reaffirmed its dedication to advancing these environmental objectives and supporting collaborative platforms that drive meaningful change.

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Continental is set to construct its first company-owned wind farm adjacent to its tyre production facility in Korbach, within the municipality of Twistetal, Hesse. The initiative will supply electricity directly to the plant, situated roughly eight kilometres away, thereby diversifying the manufacturer's energy portfolio. This strategic move aims to accelerate renewable power adoption, enhance cost competitiveness and diminish reliance on volatile energy markets.

The project features three turbines that, alongside existing solar systems, are projected to satisfy approximately two-thirds of the Korbach plant's electricity requirements. With an annual generating capacity of around 55 gigawatt-hours, the turbines could supply roughly 15,000 average households. Continental has allocated a mid-double-digit million-euro investment, having secured all necessary permits. Groundbreaking is anticipated in 2026, with commissioning expected about 18 months later.

Tyre production consumes significant power for operations like mixing raw rubber and extruding components. The Twistetal wind farm will enable the Korbach plant to meet a larger proportion of demand with locally sourced renewable energy fed directly into manufacturing. This addition complements existing infrastructure while maintaining reliable operations during fluctuating wind or solar conditions. The Korbach facility, employing approximately 2,400 people, produces tyres for passenger cars, motorcycles, bicycles and industrial uses.

Photovoltaic systems at Continental’s Korbach tyre plant.

The selected Nordex N175/6.X turbines have a hub height of 179 metres and a rotor diameter of 175 metres, reaching a total height of 267 metres, making them among the most powerful onshore turbines available.

The Korbach project represents a key step in Continental's broader strategy to expand proprietary energy generation, with similar initiatives considered globally. The goal is a flexible, economically viable energy supply while increasing renewable power proportion, ideally produced near each manufacturing site.

Continental is evaluating feasibility at worldwide plants, considering local conditions, regulations, storage, integration with existing sources and financial viability. Since 2020, the firm has covered global purchased electricity demand with renewables and reduced tyre production greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 180,000 metric tonnes over four years. By early 2026, coal and heavy fuel oil were eliminated at all production sites, replaced by electricity from renewables, biomass, biogas, LPG and natural gas for steam and heating.

Dr Bernhard Trilken, Head of Manufacturing & Logistics in Continental’s Tires group sector, said, “Having our own wind turbines near the plant will give us more predictable energy costs and reduce our exposure to volatile energy markets – key factors for competitive tyre production in Germany. This is fully aligned with our global strategy to expand our own renewable energy generation and will serve as a blueprint for other sites worldwide.”

Klaus Ohlwein, head of the Continental tyre plant in Korbach, said, “The wind farm will bring major benefits to our location. It will help us cover a significant share of our electricity needs in Korbach with our own renewable sources at competitive and more predictable costs. The electricity generated will be used directly in tyre production, including in mixers and extruders. The project is an important step in our sustainability activities at the site and demonstrates how industrial competitiveness and sustainable energy use can be effectively combined in Germany.”

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Pirelli is set to play a central role as the FIM Superbike World Championship concludes the first half of its season this weekend at Donington Park for the UK Round. Marking the final event before the summer break, the Italian tyre manufacturer has equipped competitors with the softest rear compounds from its 2026 standard range. This selection represents a clear advancement in development from the previous year, when riders were limited exclusively to older specification tyres.

For the premier WorldSBK class, the rear tyre allocation is headlined by the SCQ extrasoft compound, intended primarily for qualifying and the Superpole Race. This option, the softest in Pirelli’s portfolio, has already garnered positive feedback from riders during the Emilia-Romagna Round for its exceptional single-lap pace and consistent performance over a sprint distance. Complementing the SCQ are the SCX supersoft and SC0 soft compounds, while front tyre duties are covered by the standard SC1 soft and SC2 medium solutions, with the softer front being the overwhelming preference of last year’s grid, including triple race winner Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

The notoriously unpredictable British weather remains a critical variable, with cool morning temperatures and frequent rain showers posing significant challenges for teams. Pirelli’s range has historically demonstrated considerable adaptability across fluctuating track and air temperatures, maintaining reliable grip in both cooler and warmer conditions. To address potential precipitation, the allocation is supplemented by DIABLO Wet intermediate and full DIABLO Rain tyres for both front and rear positions, ensuring competitors have viable options regardless of the elements.

In the supporting categories, WorldSSP riders will retain the SCX and SC0 rear compounds alongside the SC1 and SC2 front options. Meanwhile, the WorldWCR field and the emerging talents of the Yamaha R3 World Cup will also be in action, with both series utilising the Pirelli DIABLO Superbike SC1 tyre on both axles throughout the weekend’s racing programme.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “Donington Park is a very distinctive circuit and, in many respects, a unique venue on the FIM Superbike World Championship calendar. The opening part of the lap features a series of fast, flowing corners taken at high speed and rapid changes of direction that require riders to manage significant power while the bike is still heavily leaned over. This demands tyres capable of delivering outstanding grip, precision and stability while maintaining consistent performance over race distance.

"Compared with last year, when only standard range solutions were available and no development specifications were included, this season, while confirming the same compounds introduced in 2025, we will provide riders with the complete 2026 standard range. The SCQ extrasoft compound will be the softest option in the allocation and can be used not only in free practice and qualifying but also, potentially, in the Superpole Race. For the longer races, riders will be able to rely on the SCX supersoft and, should temperatures be lower, the SC0 soft compound – solutions that have already demonstrated throughout the season an excellent balance between outright performance and consistency, as reflected by the many new records that have been set.

"Finally, the weather, which has historically been unpredictable in the UK, will once again be a key factor. Rain and low temperatures, even in the middle of summer, can have a major influence on tyre management and race strategies. Having a complete and versatile range available will therefore be essential to provide the best possible support in any weather conditions.”

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