The Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products, together with the assistance of the Export Development Board, conducted a two- day virtual workshop on Advanced Technology/Smart Manufacturing For The Rubber Product Industry In Sri Lanka, in December 2020. Despite the fact that the country was just raising its head from the deleterious aftermath of the first and second waves of Covid -19, the participation was beyond all expectations, thus indicating the weightage placed in keeping abreast of modern trends and moving with times by the industry community and the professionals and I presume that this is the current trend throughout the world.

As a member of the organising committee of the event and more as a hands-on person of the technologists of the not so modern generation, I realised that I was a curious and a rather passive observer of the currently fast unfolding industry scenario. The array of topics presented by local as well as overseas experts on their respective specialties was impressive. They covered Smart Energy Monitoring, IOT Built Industry Automation, Big Data Processing and applications, Conditioned based Monitoring for Maintenance, 3D/4D Printing, Virtual Product Design and Testing, Finite Element Analysis, and Product Failure Analysis.

It made me guessing with fascination, how much the information utilisation scenario in the manufacturing industry has metamorphosed during the past few decades since the times of two great discoveries/inventions, of Charles Babbage and Arthur. C. Clarke, that paved way for the evolution of the Information and Communications revolution. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an extraordinarily talented scientist, mathematician, economist and engineer. He is best known today - as he was in his lifetime - for inventing two types of cogwheel calculating machines, the forerunners of the modern computers. It was Arthur C. Clarke. after the crest of World War II, from his base in Stratford-On-Avon, England, as a young officer in the Royal Air Force, who dabbled in science fiction writing, floated the idea of global communications satellites in a 1945 letter to the publication Wireless World. It will be of interest to learn that the latter made Sri Lanka his second home and contributed in no small way to the development of ICT and astronomy in our country during the sixties and seventies.

As I gathered, with my rather limited knowledge of ICT, that the common features, of the modern-day innovations are generating a vast amount of real time data on all key aspects of the value chain, and interfacing between the value adding activities. Automation and reducing the dependability on the human factor has been another significant trend. Another key driver has been the necessity for reliability, agility and robustness in delivering products and services to the customer in the ever-changing customer preferences, which are again fueled willfully through product promotion and creation of new needs through massive adverting campaigns and mass communications. Companies are increasingly embracing the innovative technologies, to enable business growth, wealth accumulation, contribution to the national economies, which has helped in achieving improved quality of life, particularly in the traditionally termed developed countries.

Right through his anthropogenic evolution, Homo Sapiens or the “thinking man” has been characterised by the use of his brain to find easier and faster ways of doing things, which was an absolutely vital advantage for his survival in the primitive hostile environment. Commencing with use of stone tools, discovery of fire, and iron, this trend has continued throughout the history of mankind. During the more recent period of the last three centuries, which culminated in the Industry 4.0, some key landmarks, which reflect the quest of the mankind to better lives, through increased and efficient resource utilisation can be identified.

Revolutions

This process began in Britain in the 18th century and from there spread to other parts of the world. Although used earlier by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularised by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain's economic development from 1760 to 1840. The first industrial revolution came with the advent of mechanisation, steam power and water power. This was followed by second industrial revolution which revolved around mass production and assembly lines using electricity. Henry Ford’s conveyor belt system was put into motion in December 1^st of 1913 in his Detroit manufacturing plant. Fully mechanised, or partially mechanised, assembly lines allowed Ford to offer a vehicle for a working family. One of his goals was to have a car that every family could own.

The car that every family would soon come to own was the Model T. His manufacturing plants would go on to produce over 15 million Model Ts and this is due almost entirely to his assembly line. In order to achieve a production of the Model T at such a high rate, he needed to break down the process of assembling the car to make it as efficient as possible to produce, while still being financially accessible.

The third industrial revolution came with electronics, IT systems and automation, which led to the fourth industrial revolution that is associated with cyber- physical systems. Some of the principles of which were the topics of the December Workshop. Generally speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including:

•  The internet of things (IoT)
• The industrial internet of things (IIoT)
• Cyber-physical systems (CPS)
• Smart manufacture
•  Smart factories
• Cloud computing
• Cognitive computing
• Artificial intelligence

This automation creates a manufacturing system whereby machines in factories are augmented with wireless connectivity and sensors to monitor and visualise an entire production process and make autonomous decisions. Wireless connectivity and the augmentation of machines will be greatly advanced with the full roll out of 5G

The fourth industrial revolution also relates to digital technologies that can create virtual versions of real-world installations, processes and applications. These can then be robustly tested to make cost-effective decentralised decisions. In short, this should allow for digital transformation and  for automated and autonomous manufacturing with joined-up systems that can cooperate with each other.

Black spots

It can thus be unanimously agreed that the emerging technologies have already resulted in tremendous benefits for mankind and that they have vast future potential in changing the entire human civilisation. While appreciating and accepting the usefulness of the technologies, I cannot refrain from contemplating on the black spots in the white cloth. The disadvantages of the digital technologies have been well documented throughout the world and some of these, include, data security, digital media manipulation, job insecurity, over reliance on gadgets, addiction, depersonalization, and social alienation, and stress related physical and mental illnesses and the list is not exhaustive. Diminishing of the human touch is considered by many, as a matter of grave concern, and its effect on the personal, ethical, family and social has already begun to reveal its dark side.

As an adaptive measure of the new normal mentality that followed the Covid-19 pandemic, “Social Distancing” intruded our day to day activates over the past one and half years. However, on thinking reflectively, it will be evident that Social Distancing actually had its beginnings in the first three industrial revolutions, while it got aggravated in the recent years. Dilemmas and debatable questions as to whether  dehumanisation is still progressing and what will be the outcome, if the current rate of rapid technology trend continues? These will become key challenges for the sociologists and sociopsychologists and the modern HR specialists. Prioritising automation and sub optimisation of the human resource, in the disguise of improving operational efficiency, as a business strategy of maintaining sustainability, could turn out to be short lived.

Over dependence on technology at the expense of losing the much-required human touch and interpersonal relationships, can be witnessed in many of the day-to-day activities, such as internet or online banking, bill payments, buying at super markets, home deliveries, and on-line webinars. I have personal experience of the short comings of on-line lecturing for students and on virtual workshops, which can only be utilised as a stop gap measure. As a person of the “old generation,” I find it an exhilarating experience to walk to the local bank, greet good morning to the staff, and having a friendly chat with the familiar cashier, while getting my transaction done. Some may equate such practices to lack of time management and productivity. Human interaction of this kind holds a special position in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which has rich religious and cultural heritages, and adopting the new technologies as a panacea for improving all the aspects of efficiency and productivity in an effort be stay competitive can only be a short-term strategy.

It was Robert Frost, the American poet (1874-1963), who once philosophically remarked, “don’t ever take fence down, until you know why it was put up”

Obsolescence due to ineffective use or total non -use which we witness with machinery and equipment, may be applicable to the humans as well. It is said that the human body has about one hundred, vestigial organs, including the appendix, which have become nonfunctional, during the evolutionary process as a result on non-use and obsolescence. (TT)

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Kumho Tire USA has introduced the all-new Road Venture HT, an advanced all-season highway-terrain tyre designed for light trucks and SUVs. Engineered with innovative technology, this latest offering caters to drivers seeking dependable everyday performance. The tyre provides enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life, a smooth and quiet ride and is also compatible with electric vehicles.

Developed as a next-generation all-season product, the Road Venture HT features an optimised structural design and a new polymer compound with High Dispersible Micro Silica to boost wear resistance. This results in a 10 percent improvement in tread life over its predecessor. Additional technologies including 3D chamfers, integrated tie-bar noise reduction and reinforced polyester body plies help ensure a quiet ride, improved sidewall stiffness and better cornering stability.

For wet-road confidence, the tyre incorporates a high-grip resin and four wide circumferential grooves to evacuate water efficiently. Wider lateral shoulder grooves, multi-angle sipes and independent tread blocks with enhanced biting edges deliver superior traction and stability. A zigzag tread design and waved 3D interlocking sipes provide strong snow traction, earning the tyre Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. This sets a new benchmark as most all-season tyres lack true winter rating, making the Road Venture HT a uniquely versatile all-weather solution.

Kumho Tire USA conducted independent third-party testing against leading competitors, with results showing the Road Venture HT outperformed rivals in ride comfort, wet handling and dry and wet braking. Available starting in June in over 40 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, the tyre comes with a 75,000-mile (approximately 120,700 km) limited treadwear warranty for P-metric sizes and 50,000 miles (approximately 80,467 km) for LT-metric sizes. A road hazard warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee are also included.

Shawn Denlein, President – Sales and Marketing, Kumho Tire U.S.A., said, "With significant enhancements in structure, design and materials, the Road Venture HT delivers exceptional performance, durability and comfort so light truck and SUV vehicle owners can drive with confidence year-round. The HT is another example of KUMHO's commitment to performance without compromise, delivering premium-level products at a price point that offers outstanding value."

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The AZUR network has declared 10 May 2026 a pivotal date for Germany’s ecological balance, marking the country’s Overshoot Day, which is calculated by the Global Footprint Network. From this point forward, the nation’s resource consumption for the remainder of the year will be living beyond environmental means. If the global population mirrored German habits, three planets would be required to meet resource demands. For AZUR, this calculation serves as an urgent directive for the tyre industry to adopt a circular economy without delay.

The tyre sector stands at the centre of this challenge, with roughly 600,000 tonnes of used tyres generated annually in Germany. According to AZUR, this waste stream represents either a severe environmental liability or a valuable secondary raw material source, depending on handling. The early Overshoot Day underscores that the linear production model has reached its limit, compelling a consistent ecological transformation.

Within its network, AZUR promotes three strategic approaches to tyre recycling. Retreading old tyres conserves up to 70 percent of the energy and virgin materials like natural rubber and steel compared to new production. Mechanical recycling recovers rubber meal and granules, keeping resources circulating rather than sending them to incinerators. Chemical recycling via pyrolysis breaks down tyres under heat without oxygen to produce pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black and gas.

The 10^th of May thus stands as a reminder that resource inefficiency is no longer acceptable. By uniting industry specialists, AZUR aims to shrink mobility’s ecological footprint and progressively push Germany’s Overshoot Day later into the winter months in the years ahead.

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The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) has unveiled the recipients of its inaugural Circle of Change Awards, recognising initiatives that convert end-of-life tyres into sustainable materials with tangible community and environmental benefits. The honours, announced during a luncheon at the recently concluded 10th Tire Recycling Conference in Denver, Colorado, highlight growing momentum in end-use markets for recycled tire products.

North Carolina earned the Circular Economy Trailblazer Award for modernising its scrap tyre programme, including a revised funding framework that stabilises county recycling efforts, curbs illegal dumping and establishes a platform to incorporate tyre-derived materials into public works. The Innovation in End-Use Technology Award went to LHB Engineering and the St. Paul Port Authority for redeveloping a brownfield site in Minnesota, where roughly 30,000 yards of tyre-derived aggregate now support an underground stormwater system protecting the Mississippi River from runoff.

Michigan EGLE and its public, private and academic partners received the Market Development Excellence Award for a multi-sector effort using demonstrations and field data to advance tyre-derived aggregate, rubber-modified asphalt and porous pavements. The Value Chain Collaboration Award was presented to Bolder Industries and Pirelli Tire LLC for a closed-loop system that transforms manufacturing scrap tyres into recovered carbon black for new commercial tyre production, reducing emissions and resource use at scale.

The 2026 winning projects demonstrate that tyre recycling and tyre-derived products are established pillars of sustainability and economic growth, reinforcing the value of active state end-of-life tyre programmes focused on innovative market creation. The TRF Circle of Change Awards programme spans four national categories designed to spotlight leadership in advancing tyre recycling and the circular economy.

Stephanie Mull, Executive Director, Tire Recycling Foundation, said, “Every end-of-life tyre represents an opportunity to transform what would have been considered waste into something that strengthens our communities. This year’s winners are proof that when the industry works together, tyre recycling can simultaneously strengthen infrastructure, drive meaningful environmental progress and support local economies.”

Dick Gust, President, Tire Recycling Foundation, said, “What stands out about the 2026 winners is how embedded tyre recycling has become in real-world decision making. The success of these projects sends a clear signal that when recyclers, engineers, transportation agencies, state and local governments, manufacturers and private industry work together, end-use markets grow. That’s the integrated approach we need to continue building on.”

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Prinx Chengshan showcased its latest off-the-road tyre innovations at the 16th China (Guangrao) International Rubber Tire & Auto Parts Expo (Guangrao Tire Expo), which opened on 15 May. The event has established itself as one of China’s largest and most influential professional exhibitions in the rubber and tyre industry, focusing on uniting global tyre resources and fostering collaborative innovation and high-quality development.

The manufacturer’s exhibition focused on the Chengshan brand’s lineup of all-steel OTR and agricultural radial tyres. For heavy mining applications, the ET05/ET05A/ET16/ET17 wide-body dump truck tyres with deep transverse grooves offer strong traction on soft, uneven surfaces while preventing slippage. An all-terrain crane tyre, EC01, featured a non-directional tread and sidewall heat dissipation holes, balancing grip with temperature control for smooth travel between paved and unpaved roads. The ELD11/ELD12 loader tyres emphasised wear resistance and load stability under extreme conditions, and the ESM01 underground scraper tyre featured an ultra-cut-resistant compound to protect against sharp rocks in tunnel and mine settings.

Agricultural needs were addressed with the TX600 radial tyre, built for tractors operating on expanding modern farms. Large central tread blocks and flexible sidewalls support stable high-speed transit, while reinforced base structures and puncture-resistant materials allow for continuous work in fields containing crop straw and gravel.

Responding to growing OTR demand, Prinx Chengshan has accelerated its high-end product development to support domestic substitution in large machinery. A new green intelligent factory, representing an investment exceeding RMB 1.1 billion (approximately USD 161.75 million) across over 100,000 square metres, began operations in 2025 with the rollout of its first tyre. The facility is designed to produce 84,000 all-steel OTR tyres and 10,000 giant tyres annually for mines, construction sites, ports, airports, agriculture and industrial use.

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