A global tyre manufacturer NEXEN TIRE is revolutionising tyre development by integrating advanced technologies such as eXplainable AI (XAI) and 3D printing.
NEXEN TIRE has traditionally followed a multi-step process for tyre development, involving designing structures and patterns, creating molds, manufacturing prototypes, and testing them on vehicles. The company has streamlined this process by incorporating XAI and 3D printing and enhanced product precision.
XAI, an artificial intelligence technology, helps analyse and understand the causes and processes behind machine learning algorithms. NEXEN TIRE uses XAI to analyse various information related to tyre design, such as basic designs, key design variables, performance contributions, and design directions. This maximises design efficiency and helps propose optimal structures and designs that meet tyre developers’ requirements.
NEXEN TIRE leverages XAI-driven designs to create Virtual Tire Models, assessing product performance in virtual environments. This increases accuracy and speed in tyre development. The company’s recent decision to adopt a driving simulator will elevate virtual development further.
Once a model passes the virtual development stage, a physical prototype is produced for final evaluation, which requires mould production. NEXEN TIRE utilises 3D printing technology to make molds, enabling the simultaneous creation of prototypes in various designs and specifications. As these prototypes have already undergone verification in the virtual development process, the chances of final product approval are significantly increased.
Traditionally, mould production alone took two to three months, but with 3D printing, this period can be cut by at least 70%. Additionally, production costs can be reduced by at least 50%, ensuring cost efficiency from the early stages of development.
The 3D printing-based mould manufacturing technology allows for innovative tyre designs that include diverse and complex patterns and sipes. This is crucial for supporting high-performance vehicles and providing consumers with enhanced performance and safety. NEXEN TIRE has applied for an international patent for its 3D printing technology.
By innovating its development process, NEXEN TIRE enhances product competitiveness while reducing time and costs. The company also contributes to sustainable management by reducing waste and costs associated with discarded prototypes.
“The ultimate goal of our technological innovations is to enhance customer satisfaction.” A NEXEN TIRE representative stated, “Transforming the tyre development process not only secures market competitiveness but also contributes to environmental protection during the development process, shaping the future of tyre manufacturing and driving revolutionary change.”
Tyres Europe Quarterly Update Highlights China-To-ASEAN Shift
- By TT News
- May 13, 2026
Tyres Europe has released its latest quarterly market update, prepared by the independent intelligence firm Astutus Research, which tracks tyre industry trends, mobility patterns and recovery and recycling efforts. The report provides fresh data on import shifts and used tyre generation across the EU27 plus United Kingdom.
Passenger car and light truck tyre imports into the region dropped by nearly 22 percent in January and February of 2026, a sharp reversal from the 26 percent increase seen in the first quarter of 2025. The total volume fell by 5.6 million units, driven largely by an 8.7-million-unit decline in Chinese shipments, which cut China’s market share from 74 to 52 percent. An ongoing European Union anti‑dumping investigation, with the potential for backdated duties, had encouraged heavy pre‑buying of Chinese tyres in 2025, peaking that September before accelerating into 2026. In response, ASEAN‑origin tyres, many from Chinese‑owned factories, tripled their share to 21 percent, led by Thailand and Vietnam, while Cambodia added nearly half a million units from a near‑zero base.
Truck and bus tyre imports from non‑European markets rose 24 percent over the same period. Thailand and Vietnam together increased shipments by 39 percent, lifting their combined share above 63 percent. Meanwhile, China’s position weakened as its volumes stagnated, and India emerged as the fourth largest source with a share exceeding five percent, pushing Egypt to fifth place ahead of Korea.
On sustainability, preliminary estimates from Astutus Research indicate that Europe generated approximately 4.4 million tonnes of used tyres in 2025, a figure essentially unchanged from the previous year. This overall stability hides divergent regional trends, with faster growth in Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, while larger Northern markets including the United Kingdom, Germany and France showed little or no increase. Replacement tyres account for more than 90 percent of used tyre tonnage, with the remainder coming from end‑of‑life vehicles.
Of the 4.4 million tonnes generated, around 0.6 million tonnes were reused as part‑worn tyres or retreaded. The term used tyres refers to all tyres removed from vehicles, while end‑of‑life tyres exclude those reused or retreaded. A decline in retreading has increased the share classified as end‑of‑life tyres, adding to volumes that require recovery or recycling.
Maxxis Wins Honda Excellence In Quality And Delivery Award For 2025
- By TT News
- May 13, 2026
Maxxis’ automotive division has earned the Excellence in Quality and Delivery Award from Honda for 2025. This recognition was presented during a ceremony held on 22 April in Columbus, Ohio, where Honda honoured 37 suppliers out of a total pool of more than 700 mass production parts providers across North America.
Maxxis supplies spare tyres for several Honda and Acura models, including the Honda Accord and Acura Integra assembled at Honda’s Maryville plant, as well as the Honda Civic Si produced at the Honda of Canada facility in Alliston, Ontario. The award highlights Maxxis’ consistent performance in meeting stringent quality standards and delivery schedules, reinforcing the division’s role as a trusted partner within Honda’s North American production network.
Andy Lee, Maxxis International – USA President, said, “On behalf of everyone at Maxxis, I want to thank Honda for this tremendous honour. We’re very pleased to have met their high standards for excellence. All of us at Maxxis are very grateful for this recognition and are equally grateful for our partnership with Honda. I also want to thank our automotive OE division for their hard work and dedication, which made this award possible.”
Paul Dentinger, Senior Vice President of the Purchasing & Supply Chain Center at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC, said, “As we focus our automobile business on maximising hybrid and gas-powered models, Honda continues to invest in our North American supplier network, collaborating with our supplier partners to turn innovative technology into value for our customers. In this rapidly changing business environment, we must work closely with our suppliers to find new ways to improve cost competitiveness, speed up development time and enhance product appeal that ensures Honda is the brand of choice for customers. Congratulations to all of our award-winning service parts and mass production suppliers who earned this distinguished honour.”
Wacker Finalises Social Plan For 1,600 German Job Cuts Under PACE Programme
- By TT News
- May 13, 2026
German chemical group Wacker is moving forward aggressively with its PACE programme, a global initiative to cut costs and improve efficiency that was launched in October 2025. The overarching goal is to permanently secure the company’s competitive standing by slashing annual expenses by more than EUR 300 million, a target that has already been announced alongside plans for worldwide workforce reductions.
A key development in Germany involves a new agreement between management and employee representatives to handle the planned loss of roughly 1,600 jobs through socially responsible means. Instead of forced dismissals, the company will rely on voluntary measures such as attractive phased early retirement and severance packages. To create the financial breathing room for this approach, all German employees will accept a temporary solidarity contribution until 2028, taking the form of a four percent cut to both their hours and pay. All structural changes under the PACE umbrella are expected to be finalised by the end of 2027.
The distribution of job reductions will see the heaviest impact at the Burghausen site, Wacker’s largest globally, where 1,300 positions will be eliminated. The Nünchritz facility will lose 200 jobs, the Munich headquarters will reduce its headcount by 60 and a collective 50 positions will be cut from other Wacker locations across Germany. The implementation plan, which includes consolidating production facilities, adjusting shift system flexibility and shifting roles to international service hubs, has been fully agreed upon by both employer and employee representatives.
Christian Hartel, CEO, WACKER, said, "With the agreement we have now concluded, we have reached an important milestone in driving forward the necessary transformation in Germany and strengthening our competitiveness. We have already implemented numerous measures at our international sites that make us more flexible, more efficient and faster. Now, the implementation phase will start in Germany as well.”
Angela Wörl, Personnel Director, WACKER, said, "Together with the employee representatives, we have come up with good solutions to implement the necessary structural measures in Germany not only quickly, but, above all, in a socially responsible manner. This will strengthen the position of our German sites in the face of international competition and lay the foundation for future profitable growth."
Bridgestone Ceases Manufacturing Operations At Hsinchu Plant
- By TT News
- May 13, 2026
Bridgestone Taiwan Co., Ltd. (Bridgestone) has completed a major business transformation, having ceased manufacturing operations at its Hsinchu plant on 11 May 2026 and concluded all related production activities. The decision was based on adjustments to its global operational strategy and long-term market development considerations. Under this plan, Bridgestone continues to deepen its presence in the Taiwan market, having transitioned into a sales and service-focused business model.
The company, which has operated in Taiwan since 1982, stated that the Hsinchu facility has played a key role in supporting the Bridgestone Group’s operations and product supply over the years, building a solid foundation for the brand locally. Bridgestone pledged to follow local regulations in providing affected employees with comprehensive support, including career transition services and other assistance measures.
Going forward, Bridgestone will strengthen its sales and service capabilities by enhancing channel development, refining sales systems and deepening collaboration with local distributors. The company also plans to broaden its product portfolio to meet diverse market demands and improve overall service levels. Guided by its mission of serving society with superior quality, Bridgestone aims to leverage its global manufacturing network to ensure stable supply and greater product competitiveness in Taiwan.
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