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.”
wdk Initiative Champions Conveyor Belts As Economic, Environmental Backbone
- By TT News
- November 22, 2025
A new industry initiative is highlighting the indispensable role of advanced conveyor belts, positioning them as a critical yet often overlooked technology underpinning the global economy. The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), through its campaign ‘Rubber – We save the world!’, is emphasising the sophisticated engineering of these systems.
According to Volker Krings, Chief Chemist of the association in Frankfurt am Main, these belts function as a combined pathway and container, a duality made possible only through the complex integration of rubber, thermoplastics and plastics, reinforced with steel cables or textile fabrics. This core structure is supported by a system of rubber-coated rollers, drums and scrapers.
While the public most commonly encounters these systems at airport luggage carousels or supermarket checkouts, their most significant applications operate largely out of sight, pointed out Krings. They are the backbone of logistics in parcel sorting centres and are deployed on a massive scale in the mining and raw materials sectors. In these industries, extensive conveyor networks transport immense volumes of ore, coal and gravel over vast distances, both underground and on the surface. Their utility further extends to agriculture, food processing and automotive manufacturing.
The environmental and economic argument for these systems is compelling. Conveyor belts represent the most cost-effective method for moving large quantities of bulk goods. By assuming this burden, they significantly reduce the volume of heavy truck and rail traffic, leading to direct benefits for road infrastructure and the environment. The German production of these belts is a high-tech field, where ongoing optimisation of rubber compounds and belt architecture continues to drive down the energy consumption of the entire conveyor system.
Apollo Tyres' Chennai Plant Wins First Prize In National Water Awards
- By TT News
- November 22, 2025
In recognition of its industry-leading water conservation efforts, Apollo Tyres’ Chennai facility has been honoured with the first prize in the National Water Awards (for 2024) within the Best Industry category. The President of India presented the award to the plant’s Head of Engineering, Mushtaq Mohammad Khan, at a formal ceremony.
The company attributes this success to its comprehensive 7R Strategy – encompassing Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace, Rethink, Refuse and Regenerate – and the 3M Principles of Measure, Monitor and Manage. This framework facilitated a notable 38 percent decrease in Specific Fresh Water Consumption from the 2022 to 2026 financial years. The national award is viewed as a direct affirmation of the company's strategic commitment to sustainable water stewardship and its long-term vision for responsible manufacturing.
This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the company's environmental processes and the dedication of its teams. Apollo Tyres has expressed its intention to continue pursuing advanced sustainability initiatives to ensure future water security.
Point S Launches First Own-Branded Truck Tyre Range At Solutrans
- By TT News
- November 21, 2025
In a significant strategic expansion, Point S, one of the world’s largest independent tyre and automotive service networks, has introduced its first proprietary line of truck tyres. The official launch occurred at the Solutrans exhibition in Lyon, representing a major advancement in the company's deep involvement with the commercial vehicle industry. Already a well-established force in the truck tyre markets of Europe and North America, Point S is leveraging its expertise to introduce the Point S Tyres Truck range. This initiative is seen as a disruptive move in the international sector, extending the group's reputation for quality and its independent ethos to a wider base of transport professionals.
The comprehensive range consists of eight key sizes, all certified with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, guaranteeing reliable winter performance and year-round usability. Two notable products within the line are the Mixed Service tyre, designed for extreme conditions with optimised durability and stone penetration resistance, and the Regional Haul tyre, noted for its versatility, robustness and full 3PMSF certification across all sizes. Production for these tyres will be handled by a premium truck and bus radial manufacturer based in Poland and Turkey. A key logistical benefit for Point S members is the ability to combine orders from both production facilities into a single shipment, enhancing ordering flexibility and overall supply chain efficiency.
This new private label range is engineered to provide long-lasting value for independent retailers, featuring high-performance solutions that are both regroovable and retreadable. By moving into the truck tyre segment, Point S now offers its global network of members a complete portfolio that previously included only passenger and premium tyres. This empowers members to more effectively and competitively serve fleet operators and other clients with a compelling price-to-performance ratio.
Fabien Bouquet, CEO, Point S International, said, “This launch represents a key step in our journey to support our members and their customers with complete mobility solutions. Transport professionals need tyres that deliver performance, durability and value, which is exactly what this range delivers. It also marks an important milestone in our long-term strategy to strengthen our position in the commercial vehicle sector and to bring more innovation, choice and independence to the truck tyre market.”
Emilie Faure, International Private Labels Product Manager, said, “From the outset, our goal has always been to replicate the strategy and success of our Point S Tyres passenger car range by extending it to the commercial vehicle market with the launch of Point S Tyres Truck. To support this development, we involved selected Point S members and some of our small and medium-sized fleet clients from various countries to test the product. Initial feedback has been extremely positive, with testers particularly impressed with the range’s performing, as well as its quality and competitiveness in real-world operations.”
Tyres Europe Reports Year-on-Year Decline In European Replacement Tyre Sales
- By TT News
- November 21, 2025
According to Tyres Europe's sales data for the Q3 and the first three quarters of 2025, the overall tyre market has demonstrated general stability. Adam McCarthy, the organisation's Secretary General, reported that despite this, demand for Truck and Bus tyres has remained persistently weak. Cumulative figures for the year so far indicate that total tyre volumes are lower than those recorded during the same period in 2024.
Within the Consumer segment, third-quarter sales were stable, yet they reflect a slight decrease for the year to date. A notable trend is the shifting consumer preference away from summer tyres and towards all-season and winter products. The Truck and Bus segment experienced a continued decline, with the year's sales also down slightly, a situation attributed to regional economic softness and a rise in tyre imports. Meanwhile, the Agricultural tyre market saw stable volumes in the quarter, though they remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
The full Quarterly Update, prepared by Astutus Research, is available for download on the Tyres Europe website.
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