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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Tana is poised to deliver a compelling presence at IFAT 2026, scheduled for 4–7 May, where the central invitation for attendees is to Feel the Energy through live displays of high-performance machinery, recent innovations and advanced digital tools. This year’s exhibition focuses on how intelligent technology and powerful waste processing equipment can work together to achieve both efficiency and operational excellence.

Visitors can experience the TANA Hammerhead, a mobile shredder engineered for demanding waste environments with a focus on maximising uptime and productivity. On the first day of the show, Tana will also unveil an exciting new product, representing a major leap in waste management technology through innovative engineering and practical operational benefits. Live demonstrations of the TANA Shark shredder will take place daily at 10:30, 12:00, 14:30, and 16:00 at the stand of German distributor VENETO Schwenter GmbH (FS.911/1).

Another highlight is the Tana Wingman, a live digital operator assistant that improves visibility, safety and efficiency. It provides real-time machine data and a live hopper camera view on a tablet interface without needing cloud services or internet, keeping all data secure on site. This system enhances situational awareness during loading and feeding, helping operators react quickly to blockages or irregular material flow while reducing the need to leave the operating area.

Tana is also piloting an AI-driven proof of concept called the TanaConnect Smart Assistant, developed with spogen.ai, which enables hands-free, voice-activated interaction for operators and service teams. This assistant offers intuitive, context-aware access to machine information, reducing time spent searching manuals. At Stand 227 in Hall B5, Tana welcomes IFAT attendees to an interactive space where experts are available to discuss how these solutions can improve productivity and workflows, offering a firsthand look at the future of waste management technology.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is preparing a major presence at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, the world’s leading tyre industry trade fair running from 9 to 11 June 2026. Building on its successful collaborative model, AZuR will return with an even larger network of partners representing all facets of the sustainable tyre circular economy. At the joint exhibition stand located in Hall 7.1, nineteen AZuR members from across the tyre and recycling sectors will showcase their work while the alliance takes on an intensive role within the fair’s event programme.

By bringing together industry, small businesses, trade and recycling specialists once again, AZuR demonstrates the full circular value chain under one roof. Visitors to the stand can explore sustainable new tyre production alongside repair, retreading, and both mechanical and chemical recycling processes.

The 2026 fair will place a special emphasis on promoting tyre retreading as a proven method to save resources, slash CO₂ emissions and reduce costs through multiple reuse of quality casings. To help retreading gain wider traction, AZuR is inviting European retreaders to attend and is integrating the topic into dedicated events and new dialogue formats spanning the entire value chain.

Among the fresh initiatives is a municipal dialogue connecting city decision-makers with experts to showcase retreaded tyres for public fleets, waste management and transit systems, highlighting CO₂ savings and up to 30 percent lower operating costs. An educational project called Retreading Goes to School will train tyre dealers, auto shops and their staff on the safety, quality and economic benefits of this technology.

THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 thus offers AZuR and its partners an unmatched platform for presenting innovations, best practices and concrete solutions. The joint stand will also serve as a meeting hub for policymakers, scientists and business leaders to discuss advancing retreading, new uses for recycled materials, chemical recycling progress like pyrolysis and better political frameworks.

AZuR network coordinator Anna-Maria Guth said, “Our joint stand demonstrates the strength of the industry when it works together on solutions. The increasing number of partners participating confirms our approach and the relevance of the tyre circular economy.”

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS marked the 46th Disability Day by organising a sports day and donation event on 16 April 2026 at Yeongnak Aenea’s House, a residential care facility for children with severe disabilities in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Employees paired one on one with the children, who have limited chances for outdoor activities, and together they took part in various sports and recreational programmes, creating meaningful experiences.

The donation will be used to replace wheelchair inner seats, purchase specialised rehabilitation equipment and upgrade the facility’s environment. This partnership began in 2012, and this year marks its 15th anniversary. Through regular in person volunteering such as assisting with walks and supporting sports events, the company has consistently worked to improve quality of life and promote independence for people with severe disabilities.

This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to the social contribution slogan Value Together, emphasised by Vice Chairman H.S. CHO, who states that providing practical support to marginalised neighbours is a corporate responsibility. In recognition of its efforts, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been selected for seven consecutive years under the Community Contribution Recognition Program, received a Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation and achieved the highest S Grade rating.

Since its establishment, the HS HYOSUNG Group has carried out various social contribution activities, including cultural programmes for people with disabilities and initiatives for national veterans. Moving forward, the group plans to further expand its efforts to create social value based on its management philosophy of mutual growth with local communities.

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Tyrecycle, led by CEO Jim Fairweather, has responded to a recent federal inquiry into end-of-life tyres, conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science, by stressing that the industry’s successes should not hide its failures. While the inquiry focused on commercial and economic aspects of tyre recycling, Fairweather argued that any regulatory changes must target specific market gaps rather than burdening parts of the sector that already work well. Tyrecycle supports mandatory market-based regulation and increased government procurement, and Fairweather described illegal tyre dumping as completely unacceptable.

The recovery rate for passenger and truck tyres in Australia stands at 96 percent, yet off the road tyres, or OTRs, tell a different story. Only two percent of OTRs are recovered, despite these large tyres from mining and agriculture accounting for about 29 percent of Australia’s tyre market. Fairweather highlighted regional disparities, noting Western Australia produces 60,000 of OTRs out of a national total of 155,000 tonnes, while Queensland and New South Wales together contribute another 75,000 tonnes. He warned that a complete system overhaul could raise consumer prices with little benefit.

Fairweather explained that passenger and truck tyres benefit from established state-based regulations and infrastructure, but OTRs require targeted intervention. Policy must differentiate between working markets and those needing genuine help. Fairweather reiterated that Tyrecycle is prepared to process every tyre in Australia, provided the correct supporting system is in place.

A critical shortage of domestic end markets for recycled tyre materials is a central problem. Tyrecycle collects around ninety thousand tyres daily, yet viable markets remain limited. Fairweather cautioned against over reliance on extended producer responsibility schemes, arguing they do not inherently create market demand. Australia needs market-based solutions that enable recyclers to find commercially viable applications. Tyre derived fuel provides an outlet, but more recycled products should be used domestically rather than exported. Other applications face limited demand, and collection alone does not close the waste loop.

On illegal dumping, Fairweather argued that schemes funnelling money through a central authority risk inflation and reduced competition. Better alternatives include rigorous enforcement of accreditation and monitoring systems that maintain direct customer relationships. He supported a mandatory scheme requiring manufacturers to contribute to waste management costs, though he prefers a market-based approach over a strict extended producer responsibility framework.

Fairweather stated that existing state-based regulations are sufficient; no new laws are needed, only proper enforcement. Where enforcement is weak, non-compliant operators undercut legitimate recyclers, reducing investment confidence. High quality enforcement supports market integrity, competition, lower prices and greater consumer choice. He placed tyre issues in the context of end-of-life vehicles, noting Australia processes 850,000 vehicles annually, generating 1.36 million tonnes of waste.

Fairweather concluded that only a combination of effective regulation, infrastructure investment and genuine end market development can achieve a circular economy for tyres. Without these measures, even well-intentioned schemes cannot deliver sustainable outcomes. Tyrecycle supports stronger compliance, expanded domestic consumption of recycled products and targeted fixes for off the road tyres, with Fairweather simply wanting the right regulation properly enforced.

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