Some airlines may pay for their tyres by the retreads. There is an initial payment for the virgin tyre, and then a subsequent payment for the initial retread and further payments until the tyre account is settled. If the tyre fails prior to the final payment being made, then the tyre manufacturer wears the cost.

The secret (not so secret really!) to a successful retread programme is the pressure maintenance regime. If the appropriate pressures are applied to the tyre during its initial life, then we are able to deliver a sound virgin casing/carcass to the retreading plant.

In speaking with so many retreading facilities, they all detail a high rejection rate of casings submitted for retreading. The primary reason for rejection is the breakdown of the tyre’s structure as a result of under inflation.

So how does this affect the use of resources and subsequent emissions?

I have sighted figures purported to have been produced by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young (now EY), which detail a 70 percent reduction in natural resource extraction, 19 percent reduction in water consumption (potable water is one of the next global issues to deal with) and 21 percent reduction in air pollution. A truck tyre casing (say 11R22.5) that is retreaded will reduce oil consumption by about 50 litres – obviously more for a larger tyre.

Many tyre OEMs do promote the retreadability of their casings; it is just plain economic sense when you stop to think about it. Acquiring a product where you use 30 percent (by weight) only to then throw the rest onto the scrap pile is economic stupidity, but that is what seems to happen in most road transport organisations.

Maintaining tyre inflation pressures is too difficult, they say. Well, yes, if you are stuck in the 1950s where the only way to check inflation pressure was to use a manual gauge. In the 2000s, we started using tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to gain real time information about tyres in operation. Now we can stream data and identify issues such as binding brakes, wheel ends in failure mode as well as inappropriately inflated tyres. We’ve tuned operating tyres so that tyres operate in unison or as a team across an axle and so over the entire vehicle. Not being able to view tyre pressures in real time is so last century.

By tuning the inflation pressure of a tyre, the structural integrity can be assured so that when the tread worn tyre is presented at the retreading facility, it is accepted rather than rejected.  Thus, a serious saving in resource use is generated; there is a substantial reduction in emissions as well as reduction in land use both from the initial growing of the natural rubber to the reduction of land fill.

A simple act can generate substantial savings. Why do so many educated people ignore this aspect? Why do bean counters not consider tyres in a holistic manner?

Purchasing a ’cheap’ tyre may appear to ‘save money’, but more often than not, the cost of operations actually rises. HOW? I hear the abacus jockeys cry!  A low-cost tyre more often than not has a higher rolling resistance than a quality casing. Research and development costs, low cost operators that have copied or cloned don’t bear these costs.   Consider the fuel burn over the life of a tyre, say 150,000 km. A two percent saving on the fuel burn equates to how much? When we consider the actual life of the low-cost tyre, more than likely it requires more maintenance, so there is more downtime, added rotations to gain the maximum wear from the tread package and then there is the disposal fee on the spent casing as it cannot be retreaded.

Considering tyres in a holistic manner is not something bean counters consider or actually even know about. Tyres directly influence the fuel burn of a vehicle, the wheel end life and the suspension life, even affecting the driver’s fatigue levels – not to consider the environmental aspects such as emissions and disposal.

So if an aircraft can take off and land safely on retreaded tyres, then why can’t on-road transport trucks use retreaded casings? It comes back to the neglect shown to the tyre during the initial life. It seems that people just don’t care; they don’t understand the criticality of appropriate tyre inflation pressures.

Within the Performance Based Standards for high performance trucks operating on Australian roads (think triple trailers running quad axles), there is a statement that succinctly details what a tyre contributes, to wit  ;

“All the forces needed to both support and guide a vehicle ultimately arise in the area of contact between the tyre and the roadway. These forces are generated at the road surface in response to the deformation of the tyre structure.”

As tyre deformation is the product of inflation levels, there is a direct relationship between tyre inflation levels and vehicle safety. Why do people choose to ignore tyre inflation when it is so easy to monitor and comes with so many positive benefits?

So installing a simple regime of monitoring tyres in real time tyre casings to evidence   that the tyres have not experienced a low pressure event (so destroying the casing’s integrity) means they can be selected for retreading. This eliminates the main excuse for not retreading, i.e. the rejection rate is too high. It is that simple!

A cheap tyre is not necessarily an economic positive. A well-maintained quality tyre will generate savings upon savings and then will also be able to do it all over again after retreading.

Many governments mandate the use of retreaded tyres on utility vehicles as it is well understood there is not only an economic benefit but an environmental benefit too!

If we, the global community, continue to consume resources without considering a reduction in the rate of consumption, then we’re doomed to exhaustion. Using a resource (read tyre) at only 30 percent and then disposing it of does not make any sense (nor cents!). Retreading of tyres is a sound practice based upon sound science. Why are so many businesses throwing their hard earned cash away because the abacus jockeys don’t know and don’t care about tyres?

Success does not reward a lack of effort. How much effort are your bean counters making in respect of tyres ?

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Bridgestone has earned significant acclaim from the German automotive publication Auto Bild, being jointly awarded the 2025 winter tyre 'Manufacturer of the Year' title. This prestigious honour was largely driven by the outstanding performance of the company's premium winter tyre, the Blizzak 6, in the publication's rigorous annual evaluations.

The manufacturer’s success extended beyond winter tyres, with the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 also achieving a top podium finish. It secured second place in the all-season category for 'Manufacturer of the Year' and was declared a joint test winner in Auto Bild’s specific SUV All-Season 2025 Tyre Test. The tyre earned an exemplary overall rating after proving to be a strong and balanced all-rounder across a wide range of performance criteria.

Further validating these results, independent testing by TÜV SÜD confirmed the Turanza All Season 6's best-in-class wet braking capabilities, alongside excellent braking in both dry and snowy conditions. The tests also highlighted its exceptional snow traction, cornering and handling. An additional benefit is a 20 percent improvement in mileage over its predecessor, contributing to greater cost efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint.

Similarly, the winter-focused Blizzak 6, launched in 2024 as the successor to a multiple-award-winning model, has demonstrated top-tier performance in TÜV SÜD assessments. It is a top-rated tyre for snow braking and traction and is reported to offer the shortest stopping distances on wet roads. It also boasts a substantial 32 percent improvement in mileage.

A key technological foundation for both of these award-winning tyres is Bridgestone's ENLITEN Technology. This next-generation engineering approach is designed to deliver customised and uncompromised performance while simultaneously advancing sustainability and enhancing electric vehicle readiness across the company's product portfolio.

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The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is poised for its 12th season, with critical pre-season testing scheduled for 27 to 31 October in Valencia, Spain. This event serves as the final proving ground for all teams and the official technology partner, Hankook Tire. During this intensive period, drivers and engineers will work with the GEN3 Evo race car and Hankook's dedicated iON Race tyres to fine-tune vehicle setups and gather essential performance data ahead of the first official race.

This season is particularly significant as it marks Hankook's fourth and final year as the championship's exclusive tyre supplier. The GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre has established a remarkable record of reliability and consistent performance, having supported every race since its introduction without a single failure. This partnership has been pivotal in advancing the series' demanding standards for efficiency and safety.

Alongside the technical preparations, the Valencia test will host important inclusivity initiatives. An expanded Women's Test will provide 20 female drivers from all 10 teams with valuable track time in the current race car. Running concurrently, the Hankook-presented FIA Girls on Track programme will inspire approximately 100 young women through workshops and team interactions, aiming to cultivate the next generation of motorsport talent.

This pre-season activity sets the stage for a dynamic 17-round global championship covering 11 iconic cities, which will kick off in São Paulo on 6 December and conclude in London the following August, showcasing electric racing in eleven iconic cities worldwide.

Maximilian Günther (DS PENSKE) highlighted the tyre's exceptional capabilities, saying, “Following my victory at the Season 10 Tokyo E-Prix, I was able to secure another triumph at the Season 11 Jeddah E-Prix. The GEN3 Evo iON Race tyre consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, delivering remarkable grip and precise handling, even under the most demanding driving conditions. This high level of performance enabled us to maintain stability and competitiveness throughout the entire race. As we will be using the same tyre this season, I am eager to build on this momentum and strive for yet another victory.”

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The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has announced a significant expansion of its consumer product line with the introduction of three new all-terrain tyres – the Wrangler Outbound AT, Wrangler Workhorse AT 2 and Wrangler ElectricDrive AT – to meet the robust and varied demands of modern drivers. This strategic expansion into key growth segments addresses the needs of a diverse range of vehicles, from adventure-ready SUVs and light trucks to commercial work vans and the latest electric pickup trucks.

Each model is engineered for a specific purpose. The Wrangler Outbound AT targets off-road enthusiasts who also require refined on-road comfort, offering aggressive traction on dirt and gravel alongside durable Kevlar reinforcement and a long-term warranty. Built for durability in commercial and heavy-use settings, the Wrangler Workhorse AT 2 provides enhanced wet-weather grip and a snow-rating for all-season reliability across tough job sites and rural routes. Finally, acknowledging the automotive industry's shift, the Wrangler ElectricDrive AT is specifically crafted for electric vehicles, combining rugged all-terrain capability with winter certification and integrated noise-reduction technology to suit the silent nature of EVs.

This comprehensive lineup strengthens Goodyear's portfolio by delivering targeted solutions that promise reliability and adaptability for every journey. All three tyres are now available through Goodyear's retail network and authorised dealers across the United States and Canada, supported by the company's standard satisfaction guarantee.

Jonathan Thomas, Director – Category and Strategy, Goodyear, said, "Goodyear continues to lead the way in tyre innovation by listening to our customers and anticipating their needs. This new all-terrain premium lineup reflects our drive to deliver cutting-edge solutions for every kind of journey – from job sites to backcountry trails to the growing fleet of electric vehicles. We're proud to offer these tyres across the US and Canada, helping drivers go further with confidence."

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced a dominant performance for its flagship ADVAN racing tyres at the seventh round of the 2025 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series. During the demanding three-hour race at the AUTOPOLIS circuit, the podium for the GT300 class was exclusively claimed by teams equipped with ADVAN tyres, marking the brand's fourth class victory of the season.

The winning car was the No. 666 seven × seven PORSCHE GT3R, which achieved a dramatic come-from-behind victory. In a tumultuous race featuring multiple safety car periods and penalties, the Porsche steadily advanced through the field after other ADVAN-shod cars, specifically the No. 7 CARGUY FERRARI and the No. 0 VENTENY Lamborghini, battled for the early lead. The Porsche ultimately seized the top position, securing a historic first SUPER GT win for the seven × seven Racing team. This result powerfully demonstrated how critical tyre performance and management are to success in such a long-distance race.

The superiority of the ADVAN tyres was further underscored by the complete lockout of the top five finishing positions in the GT300 class. Following the podium finishers, the fourth and fifth place cars from KONDO RACING and VELOREX were also fitted with Yokohama’s high-performance rubber. This overwhelming result at Autopolis provides significant momentum for Yokohama Rubber as the series approaches its final round. The company has confirmed it will continue its technical support for multiple teams, with the clear objective of clinching a second consecutive GT300 class championship title in November.

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