“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.

The Rubber Board has announced the commencement date for a three-month Certificate Course in molecular biology and biotechnology techniques through the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT). The course begins on 7 May 2025 and the number of seats is limited to 15.

Graduates, postgraduates, research scholars and practitioners interested in academic and industrial employment based on molecular biology and biotechnology in any field of biological science are encouraged to apply by 1 May 2025, according to the organisation's press release. In addition to updating knowledge, the course focuses on developing practical skills in some of the fundamental molecular procedures, such as gene cloning, sequencing, gene expression, transgenic development and the extraction of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). According to the statement, individuals who successfully complete the course will be qualified to participate in cutting-edge research in molecular biology and related fields as a potential career opportunity.

Interested candidates may contact on 9495928077 (WhatsApp 0481 2351313) or send a mail to training@rubberboard.org.in for more details.

Nexen Tire’s N’FERA Sport R and N’Blue 4 Season 2 tyres have emerged winners at the 2025 Green Good Design Awards, the eco-focused division of the Good Design Awards, organised by The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. Both the tyres were recognised in the Green Transportation category for their eco-friendly design.

The N’FERA Sport R, a high-performance summer tyre, was praised for its function-driven design that enhances driving performance and user convenience. The tyre features ‘Step Groove’ tread pattern, wherein the groove gradually expands the contact area as the tyre wears, which helps in maintaining the grip even in worn conditions. The circular wear indication in the middle of the tread diminishes over time, signalling that the tyre needs to be changed. To increase grip, the tyre also makes use of a broad contact patch and a high-carbon black compound. To improve stability and responsiveness at high speeds, the inside is constructed with a two-ply polyester framework and a twin steel belt. By avoiding wheel slide, these design elements contribute to steady performance even in high-torque electric vehicles.

Already a recipient of the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards (2022) and the ‘Green Tire’ seal from AutoBild (2023), the N’Blue 4Season 2 was also recognised in the same category for its eco-friendly design, which decreases tread wear, extends replacement cycles and lowers environmental impact. The tyre lasts longer and produces less waste thanks to a new compound that increases wear resistance by almost 30 percent over the previous model, supporting sustainability. Fine sipes are positioned in the middle of the tread blocks to guarantee uniform contact with the road. The outer tread's serrated edges enhance braking on snow, while the centre’s slanted support structure lessens block movement on uneven terrain for a more stable ride during the winter.

Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire, said, “This award highlights our commitment to shaping a sustainable mobility environment through design-driven innovation. This accolade confirms our commitment to sustainability and quality. We will continue to strengthen our brand through innovation and responsible management.”

Bekaert has flagged off its first fleet of LNG-powered trucks in India in collaboration with GreenLine, the country’s leading provider of sustainable heavy trucking solutions. The joint initiative is aimed at supporting India’s vision for a gas-based economy and reducing the carbon footprint of road logistics.

The foundation of the collaboration with GreenLine is a mutual dedication to operational innovation and ESG standards. Bekaert has the infrastructure required to trial this effort in Chennai and Halol, with plans to expand following a six-month learning period, thanks to GreenLine's LNG ecosystem, which is supported by real-time telemetry and a smooth refuelling network. It is anticipated that each LNG truck will save up to 24 tonnes of CO₂ a year, making a significant contribution to Bekaert's targets of 65 percent of sales coming from sustainable sources and carbon net zero by 2050.

Dinesh Mukhedkar, Procurement Operations Lead – South Asia and Procurement Global Shared Service Centre Lead, said, “As part of our purpose, ‘Establishing the new possible’, and our ambition to lead in safe, smart and sustainable solutions, decarbonising logistics is an essential step. Heavy-duty transport contributes nearly 90 percent of emissions in Indian logistics. Switching to LNG helps reduce CO₂ by up to 30 percent and particulate matter by up to 91 percent compared to diesel. GreenLine’s mission and integrated support made them the ideal partner. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for logistics in India.”

Trelleborg Tires is all prepped up to debut the ART1000, its first agricultural rubber track for high-powered machinery, at the upcoming Agrishow 2025, the largest agribusiness trade show in Latin America. The company will also display its TM150 CFO tyre, which is developed for a new generation of sprayers, along with a wide selection of products designed for modern farming. The event is scheduled to be held from 28 April to 2 May in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.

Trelleborg Tires enters the agricultural rubber track market with the ART1000, a tyre designed for high-horsepower machines. In addition to optimizing vehicle economy and offering additional strength and long-lasting durability, the ART1000 is engineered for remarkable adaptability and mobility of agricultural machinery in all operating circumstances. Its track design incorporates cutting-edge tread bars that reduce soil compaction, encouraging nutrient absorption and robust root development. In demanding high-pull applications, the high self-cleaning capability maximizes overall performance and lowers operating costs by improving ride quality and increasing traction. Even in the most demanding agricultural settings, ART1000's exceptional wear and cut resistance is ensured by its cutting-edge engineering and sophisticated rubber compounds.

The TM150 CFO series, which comes in sizes VF380/90R46 and has both VF (Very High Flexion) and CFO (Cyclic Field Operations) technology, is also making its debut in Brazil. CFO allows for greater load capacity during cyclic operations at up to 30 kmph when installed on contemporary, powerful sprayers. Because of its unique internal construction, the TM150 can operate at lower pressures, increasing its ground footprint, reducing soil compaction, and improving traction.

At Booth #E8b, Trelleborg will also display a range of high-performance tyre solutions including PneuTrac, a hybrid between a radial agricultural tyre and a track designed for smooth navigation in vineyards and orchards, the multi-award-winning TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyre and the company’s patented agricultural TW rim profile for contemporary tractors, combines and harvesters.

Marcelo Natalini, President at Yokohama TWS South America, said, “Trelleborg Tires brings innovation from the soil up, delivering high-performing tyre solutions to boost productivity and protect their land. At Agrishow 2025, agri professionals will have the chance to connect with our tyre experts on site and see these technologies live, from the new ART1000 rubber track to our most advanced tyre ranges, designed to handle the challenges of next-generation machinery and modern field operations.”