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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CTJ Janssen GmbH, a freight forwarding company based in Grevenbroich, Germany, has integrated retreaded truck tyres as a core element of its operational and sustainability strategy. The family-owned business relies on Continental’s ContiRe hot-retreaded tyres alongside the ContiLifeCycle tyre return programme. Olaf Meyers, Managing Director of CTJ Janssen, reports that this approach delivers high mileage and significant cost savings compared to new tyres while also reducing carbon emissions.

Founded in 1985 and now led by the second generation since 2008, CTJ Janssen specialises in national and international transport of general cargo, hazardous materials and chemical products. The company also offers warehouse logistics and value-added services. With a fleet of over 500 tractor-trailers, it ranks as one of the larger regional providers and is pursuing a holistic sustainability plan that includes alternative fuels. This year, the entire fleet switched to HVO 100 synthetic diesel made from residual and waste materials, saving more than 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually compared to fossil diesel. Combined with tyre retreading, the firm calculates potential savings of over 90 percent relative to conventional diesel operation.

The ContiLifeCycle system focuses on tyre reuse and extended service life, helping fleet operators optimise total cost of ownership. Based on circular economy principles, the concept includes new tyres, casing management and retreading. Used tyres are inspected, stripped of worn treads and fitted with new patterns, allowing up to approximately 70 percent of materials to be reused. Continental offers both cold-retreaded ContiTread and hot-retreaded ContiRe tyres.

For CTJ Janssen, retreaded tyres serve as a cost-effective alternative to new tyres without compromising safety, reliability or performance. Meyers views tyres as a critical factor in decarbonising the fleet, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.

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Yokohama Tire Corporation, the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has introduced the GEOLANDAR H/T4 as the newest member of its GEOLANDAR line. This durable all-season highway tyre, engineered for light trucks, SUVs and commercial vans, is now available in 62 sizes covering wheel diameters from 15 to 22 inches.

Optimised all-season capability comes from dual lug grooves and wide circumferential grooves featuring sharp block edges that boost snow traction without sacrificing wet performance. These grooves effectively remove water to prevent hydroplaning, while large centre blocks are strategically shaped to improve traction and grip across varying driving conditions.

A smooth and quiet ride is ensured through a multi-pitch tread variation that disperses frequency peaks efficiently. High-rigidity shoulder blocks further reduce tread noise over the tyre’s lifespan, and on-road durability is supported by Yokohama’s advanced compound technology, which provides the strength needed for hauling and towing stresses. A dual sidewall design offers a rugged upper sidewall on one side for protection against road hazards and a traditional upper sidewall on the reverse.

Long tread life results from triple 3D sipes that increase wear resistance by controlling tread block stability while also improving dry performance. The advanced compound technology, through an optimised blend of silica and carbon, enhances tread life, fuel efficiency and wet traction.

Kevin Nguyen, Manager – Product Planning, Yokohama Tire, said, "The H/T4 is our latest generation highway tyre, following a long line of successful predecessors in this segment. It's built to provide excellent on-road durability with a smooth, quiet ride, perfect for truck and SUV drivers seeking a balance of long mileage, comfort and all-season traction. Plus, it carries a 70,000-mile (approximately 112,654 km) limited treadwear warranty for Euro-metric sizes and a 55,000-mile (approximately 88,513 km) limited treadwear warranty for LT-metric sizes."

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Hankook Tyre UK has confirmed its return as headline sponsor of Supercar Fest for a seventh consecutive year in 2026. The longstanding partnership continues with one of United Kingdom’s most anticipated gatherings of high-performance automobiles. As a flagship event on the national automotive calendar, Supercar Fest is known for combining immersive displays of speed, technical innovation and engineering excellence.

The 2026 season begins with The Runway at Sywell Aerodrome on 16 and 17 May, where attendees can witness top-speed runs along a one-kilometre straight section. Visitors will also see an extraordinary lineup of hypercars and performance models. Among the featured tyres on display will be the ultra‑ultra‑high‑performance Ventus S1 evo Z, the ultra‑high‑performance Ventus evo and the all‑season Kinergy 4S 2. A Hankook stand will include a Formula E car, reflecting the brand’s role as exclusive technical partner and tyre supplier to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The action moves to Shelsley Walsh on 13 June for The Hill Climb, returning to the world’s oldest motorsport venue where Supercar Fest was born in 2019. This historic setting hosts an adrenaline‑filled day of supercar spectacle. As exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship, Hankook will display a WRC car demonstrating its on‑track performance, aligning the venue’s heritage with the brand’s deep motorsport involvement.

At both events, the Hankook stand will showcase advanced tyre technologies, including the iON electric vehicle family. This range comprises the summer tyre iON evo, the all‑weather iON FlexClimate and the iON GT for compact EVs and SUVs. Engineered for electric mobility, the iON tyres offer reduced rolling resistance, low noise, enhanced load capacity and specific management of instant torque to help extend range and deliver a smoother drive. Interactive experiences, branded merchandise and conversations with the Hankook team will also be available.

Mark Webb, Event Director, said, “Hankook Tyre UK have been with Supercar Fest since the very beginning in 2019, and their continued support has been incredible. As our longest-standing partner, they are truly part of the Supercar Fest family. It feels especially fitting that this year we return to Shelsley Walsh, where it all started. From showcasing a Formula E car at our flagship Runway event in May, to bringing a WRC car for live demonstrations at the Hill Climb, they continue to raise the bar. Shelsley Walsh, as the oldest motorsport venue in the world, provides the perfect backdrop for this. The venue’s rich history combined with Hankook’s cutting-edge motorsport presence will create something genuinely special for our visitors. We’re proud to have them alongside us on this journey and look forward to another fantastic year together.”

Ben Francis, Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Supercar Fest, one of the UKs leading automotive events. Visitors can experience Hankook’s world-class tyre technology up close, showcased alongside a Formula E car at Sywell Aerodrome and a live action WRC car at Shelsy Walsh – a true spectacle on a historic track.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has entered into a new collaboration with Bradford Council aimed at raising tyre safety awareness among road users across the district. Given that Bradford’s roads see over 1.5 billion vehicle miles travelled annually, combined with a dense urban traffic environment and a significant number of learner and newly qualified drivers, maintaining legally compliant and well-maintained tyres has become essential for road safety. Both TyreSafe and the Council are existing partners of West Yorkshire Vision Zero, a 2024 initiative designed to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries in the region.

Under this partnership, TyreSafe will work directly with Bradford Council’s Road Safety Team to encourage simple, preventative tyre checks. The goal is to help drivers understand how tyre condition influences braking performance, wet weather grip and overall vehicle control, especially on crowded urban roads where shorter stopping distances are critical. Bradford Council continues to invest in education, engagement and enforcement to lower road casualties, with a strong emphasis on helping road users develop safer habits and keep their vehicles roadworthy.

Through joint campaigns and engagement activities, TyreSafe and Bradford Council aim to improve tyre safety knowledge, support safer travel and contribute to the Council’s broader casualty-reduction objectives.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Tyres are fundamental to a vehicle’s safety, yet they’re often overlooked. In a district like Bradford, where traffic levels are high and journeys are frequent, worn or under-inflated tyres can significantly increase risk. By partnering with Bradford Council, we can reinforce the importance of regular tyre checks and help road users understand how maintaining their tyres plays a key role in keeping themselves and others safe.”

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder – Regeneration, Planning & Transport at Bradford Council, said, “Vehicle condition is an important part of road safety, and tyres play a crucial role in how a vehicle performs – particularly when braking or driving in wet conditions. Working with TyreSafe allows us to strengthen our road safety messaging and encourage drivers across the district to take simple steps that can make a real difference on Bradford’s roads.”

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