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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Michelin has secured a significant expansion of its partnership with the DHL Group, taking over complete tyre management for 11,000 new all-electric delivery vehicles from the DHL’s Post & Paket Deutschland division. This brings the total number of DHL vehicles under Michelin’s care to 45,000 across more than 2,000 locations, covering a substantial portion of the German last-mile fleet operated by the world’s largest logistics company. The newly signed contract, valued in the mid-double-digit million range, extends for up to 12 years and deepens a collaboration that has lasted 14 years.

Under the arrangement, Michelin oversees the entire tyre lifecycle for the 45,000-vehicle Post & Parcel fleet in Germany, which consists mainly of vans and passenger cars alongside some trucks supplying parcel centres. Services encompass tyre assembly, seasonal switching between year-round and winter tyres, mobile breakdown assistance and comprehensive wear management. Michelin expects roughly 70,000 tyres to be changed annually, about 20,000 service operations and some 6,000 roadside assistance calls, each with a reliable two-hour response commitment.

To handle this volume, every vehicle is clearly identifiable, allowing Michelin to immediately determine the required tyre type when a breakdown or wear limit is reported and resolve the issue on site swiftly. The company deploys its MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate all-season tyre and the MICHELIN Agilis Alpin for winter road conditions. A nationwide network delivers the service promise, with Euromaster managing DHL locations alongside more than 220 additional partners, while Michelin staff across Germany monitor quality from urban parcel centres to rural delivery bases.

The outsourced tyre management keeps Deutsche Post and DHL’s German fleet reliably operational, letting the logistics group focus on its core business. Michelin impressed DHL with a competitive tender offer and an innovative overall concept, including a more transparent cost structure and simplified processes for tyre management and roadside assistance. This major order for networked fleet solutions strengthens Michelin’s standing as a high-performance partner for large delivery and parcel services, particularly in the growing electric delivery fleet segment.

Eva Tschan, Director Connected Solutions DACH and Nordics at Michelin, said, “DHL Group assigns us complete responsibility for tyre management on the last mile in Germany and thus for the most critical part of the daily letter and parcel delivery. We completely take the work of our customer around the topic of tyres and ensure that the feed fleet stays on the road – reliably, predictable and efficient. Our aspiration is to make the complex topic of tyre management for the postal and parcel Germany division as simple and transparent as possible.”

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Tyrecycle has been honoured with the Closing the Loop Award at the 2026 WasteSorted WA Awards, recognising its groundbreaking InfinitySeries partnership with Fenner Conveyors. The accolade highlights a significant shift in how end-of-life mining conveyor belts are managed, moving away from traditional landfill or stockpiling methods that had long posed challenges for the industry.

Through collaboration with Fenner Conveyors, a genuine belt-to-belt circular solution has been established, recovering valuable materials from used conveyor belts and reintroducing them into the manufacture of new ones. So far, the initiative has diverted over 4,000 tonnes of end-of-life belts from landfill, with recovered materials incorporated into Fenner's InfinitySeries products, each containing a minimum of 10 percent recycled content sourced from locally recovered belts.

The award reflects the potential of coordinated efforts among recyclers, manufacturers and industry stakeholders to keep resources in circulation and transform complex industrial waste streams into new products. Tyrecycle extended appreciation to Fenner Conveyors, its customers and its team for bringing this circular economy innovation to fruition.

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Hankook Tyre UK has secured exclusive sponsorship of the Transport Association Traffic Managers’ & Engineers’ Conference 2026, an event that draws fleet and logistics professionals together to exchange knowledge and examine the issues influencing commercial transport’s future.

The Transport Association, established in 1955, represents a UK-wide network of roughly 65 independent, family-owned logistics firms. Its members operate some 5,700 vehicles from 175 locations, delivering transport, storage and distribution services domestically and across Europe, while the organisation promotes collaboration and best practice.

Scheduled for 25–27 September 2026 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, the annual gathering will convene senior figures from the Association’s national network. As exclusive sponsor, Hankook will address tyre efficiency, safety, sustainability and total cost of ownership – topics of growing importance amid decarbonisation, cost pressures and electrification. The partnership reinforces Hankook’s dedication to collaborating with fleet operators and industry bodies on practical solutions for commercial mobility’s future.

Jon Cottrell, Network & Operations Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “We’re delighted to support The Transport Association and its members at this year’s conference. The transport sector is evolving rapidly, and close collaboration across the industry will be essential. We look forward to sharing our experience, hearing different perspectives and contributing to the practical discussions taking place throughout the event.”

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Pirelli has introduced its new SCORPION Gravity range, a mountain bike tyre lineup created for gravity riding and covering trail, enduro, freeride and downhill disciplines. The Italian manufacturer has completely redesigned the platform while introducing a new naming system intended to simplify how riders identify the best tyre configuration. Compared with the previous line, the range substantially increases the number of available combinations, as each model can be paired with different casing and compound choices.

The selection process follows three stages. Riders first choose a tread pattern, with three distinct scorpion species each representing a different terrain and riding style. They then select a casing based on the level of support and protection required. Finally, they choose a compound from Medium, Soft or Supersoft to achieve the desired balance of grip, rolling efficiency and durability.

Three tread names form the foundation of the new architecture: Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw. Each draws inspiration from a different scorpion species, with the name reflecting the creature's characteristics and natural habitat to create a direct link with the conditions and riding style the tyre is engineered for.

Black Sting takes its name from scorpions living in deserts and arid environments. Developed for riders prioritising speed, precision and responsiveness, the fast-rolling tread combines low rolling resistance with controlled braking, suiting hardpack and firm, compact terrain where stability under high loads and at speed is critical. Emperor is the range's most versatile option, building on the previous RACE M tread but fully re-engineered. Like the scorpion it represents, it performs across mixed terrain and changing conditions, balancing traction, control and rolling efficiency. Red Claw, inspired by tropical scorpions in wet, humid environments, targets maximum traction and control. Based on the earlier RACE T design, it is optimised for loose-over-hard, dusty and off-camber terrain.

Pirelli has also evolved its four casing constructions, all now fully eMTB-ready for conventional and electric mountain bikes, including Light and Full Power models. ProWALL is the lightest with sidewall protection, weighing 700 to 900 grammes, and favours responsiveness and climbing efficiency. HardWALL, at 900 to 1,100 grammes, adds structural support and reinforcement against pinch flats. DualWALL, weighing 1,100 to 1,300 grammes, uses a dual-ply build for enduro racing, bike parks and freeride. DH+ WALL, from 1,300 to over 1,500 grammes, is the most protective option, employing tougher base fabrics and extra reinforcement for elite downhill racing.

Three compounds complete the range. Medium, marked yellow, balances grip, comfort and durability. Soft, marked red, provides intuitive handling and consistent grip in dry and wet conditions without sacrificing durability. Supersoft, marked purple, is engineered for the most demanding conditions, offering maximum grip, vibration damping and impact absorption. The range was developed by Pirelli technicians with three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel and world-class athletes including Brendan Fairclough, Jack Moir, Thomas Genon, Juan Diego Salido, Fabio Wibmer and Lachlan Blair.

Fabien Barel said, “Having worked closely with Pirelli, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply their expertise runs, from Formula 1 to the Motorcycle World Championship, from motocross to high-performance cars. That same racing DNA is now driving innovation in mountain biking – across compound technology, casing construction and tread design. What’s particularly interesting is seeing how the company is bringing into cycling that wealth of cross-discipline knowledge built up over years of success at the highest levels of motorsport. What stands out most when riding these new tyres is how consistent the grip feels across the entire tread, no matter the terrain, and how stable the casing stays even when conditions get rough – it’s the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns.”

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