“Sustainability” is the word of the 10’s that will surely last well into the 20’s. But how far is the tyre industry on the path to contributing to a sustainable future? I touched upon the matter a little bit in the last issue, where I compared game-changing product development efforts in the tyre industry to British Tobacco starting to advertise against smoking. While the point there was that it’s not likely we’ll see major tyre manufacturers entering the passenger drone manufacturing industry or similar engagements, while at the same time advertising against tyre usage, a similar point can be made from a sustainability perspective.

Because the fact is that tyre production consumes a massive amount of energy, and the products are a source of massive pollution all over the world. The microparticles shed by tyres on the road enter the ecological systems everywhere and impact nature in a way we might not be able to undo. So, sustainability efforts in the tyre industry must therefore focus on product development as much as on energy sources.

Emission management

The latest trend in emissions management is including third party emissions in the calculation, meaning the emissions from the entire supply chain involved in the production must be connected to the products put out. That makes a lot of sense but does pose challenges for controlling the facts when engaged in global supply chains. It surely requires that a supplier is able to measure its emissions in a reliable and proven way. Naturally, it’s a measure to prevent “emission shopping,” where countries will buy emission quotas from each other, so they can pollute more while the selling countries can pollute less – it blows the mind that it was at all possible in the first place, so the actions taken now make a lot of sense, even if it is a challenge to manage. Because it doesn’t matter much that a manufacturer only uses green energy to power its production units in Europe, where local emission requirements are very strict, if it sources materials produced using fossil energy sources from other countries.

On top of that, globalisation has provided another unsustainable factor to the mix: transportation. Earlier, manufacturers would source as many materials as possible locally, while only crossing borders to source products that were available inside its own. These days, the market is global. If a material or component is slightly cheaper on the other side of the planet, it will be sourced from there to ensure the lowest possible cost structure. But the irony in terms of environmental impact is that this often results in materials being shipping across the globe and finished products being shipped back to where the materials came from. It’s a complex analysis to get the full picture of the cradle-to-grave environmental impact of manufacturing these days, but it’s very likely that transportation emissions weigh heavier on the negative scale than they ever did before. That’s why local sourcing is as important to large manufacturers as basing production on renewable energy consumption.

Impact during life-cycle

The other element in the equation is at least as important as the sustainability of how the product was put into the world: the environmental impact of the product itself during its life cycle, and especially of the disposal at end-of-life. 10 years ago, the first big step in reducing the environmental impact of tyre usage was made introducing the REACH regulation in the EU. It stipulates restricted chemicals and very low limit values for “substances of very high concern,” which is an ever growing list of chemicals that manufacturers must actively stay updated on. Naturally, the regulation didn’t aim at tyres specifically, but it did mean that in order to supply tyres to the EU markets, all tyre manufacturers had to change the softening oils used in their rubber compounds, and to date it still poses a strategical challenge to many manufacturers to split production into conforming and non-conforming lines, as the cost of managing two systems can weigh heavier than the added material cost of the clean oils. Some still separate the lines, as product performance requirements in some non-EU markets are still easier met using the softening oils not permitted in the EU. It’s a difficult balance for manufacturers when environmental regulations not only make the product more costly to produce, but also increases the difficulty of staying competitive in the market in terms of performance parameters.

‘Green’ in name

Naturally, many manufacturers have been quick to take on the challenge and coin it in their marketing communication as if they are now suddenly “green” tyre manufacturers, and countless tyre brands pop up that have the word “green” in the name. But in reality, in terms of environmental impact, the changes implemented in the industry so far are only baby steps. Tyres can easily be made more durable while still offering the same levels of comfort and safety as they do now, in fact they can be improved on all parameters by using more innovative pattern designs and rubber compounds. Why isn’t it done, then?

The obvious explanation is that product pricing would increase drastically, and consumers in most parts of the world are not willing or able to pay more for their tyres, even knowing that they would last a lot longer than the ones they have bought before. Producing longer lasting tyres would also drastically increase the effectiveness of global production lines, reducing the quantity of energy consuming factories in a way that will have a real global impact for the environment. But, as consumers are not likely to support this with their wallets, the only way to get there is through regulation and legislation. And then maybe tyre manufacturers will start developing products they can call green without being accused of marketing ruses.

Intelligent tyres

Though we probably won’t see them all moving into the aforementioned passenger drone segment, we might see them moving towards developing products that will display no or almost no wear during the life cycle, potentially outlasting the vehicle they are fitted on from birth. I have seen innovative designs for intelligent tyres that can adjust the pattern and hardness to adapt to any surface and weather condition guided by AI, and maybe we will get there some day. Until then, tyres need to live longer than they do today. Not just to reduce particle pollution during use, but also to reduce the burden of disposing of worn out tyres, which is a massive challenge all over the world. Here’s hoping we’ll see some of the large manufacturers bring a truly sustainable agenda to the table soon, including both full supply chain emissions and product environmental impact from cradle to grave.

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”