Banner image caption: Europäische Fachpressekonferenz, v.l.n.r.: Dr. Ralf Deckers (Bereichsleiter Research Experts, IFH Köln GmbH), Ingo Riedeberger (Director THE TIRE COLOGNE), Maximiliane Sarwas (Moderatorin), Gerald Böse (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung Koelnmesse GmbH), Stephan Helm (Vorsitzender BRV), Motorworld Köln

The German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV) and Koelnmesse has announced that the Tire Cologne 2021 will be a hybrid trade fair. It will be held in the classic trade format as well as in the digital format called the ‘TTC@home’. According to Koelnmesse, a global leader for Digital Media, Entertainment and Mobility segments, the two parallel formats would ensure that the industry participants from around the world, whether exhibitors or trade visitors, can exchange ideas live in Cologne or digitally via a platform developed specifically for this purpose.

Desperate conditions demand discerning measures
The event organisers have revealed that the trade fairs will be carried out safely and successfully while keeping all the safety measures in place. The stand
areas are limited to a maximum of 150 sq.m. Additional capacities are offered by the ‘Lead Café’ – consultation rooms that can be used flexibly. Koelnmesse has developed a host of measures under the ‘#BSAFE4BUSINESS’ in accordance with the provisions of the corona protection ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne. These measures work together seamlessly and regulate interaction at the trade fair.

The digital platform developed by Koelnmesse, on which the TTC@home digital trade fair components are realised, is already currently being used successfully at DMEXCO, the largest trade fair for digital marketing & advertising in Europe that concluded today. ‘Digital’ exhibitors can present their products as photo and text information within the exhibitor showrooms and increase the attention their company attracts by embedding video content. Content on products and companies can be presented in digital panels or conferences to a circle of interested parties and in greater depth via special networking functions in chats or digital meetings. In addition to a large number of additional tools, TTC@home also supports new visitor target groups and is at the same time the basis for a sustainable community platform that will continue to exist beyond The Tire Cologne 2021. All the exhibitors will receive a digital basic package at no charge. TTC@home thus also makes an important contribution to the digitalisation of the tyre industry.

Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, (pictured above) said, "One thing is certain; trade fairs will remain indispensable. Only here can direct personal encounters for the maintenance of existing contacts and the initiation of new business opportunities be assured with precision and certainty. We are more than prepared to carry out trade fairs safely and successfully for all participants, and to thus provide the so urgently needed impulses for the further development of the industries.”

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Bridgestone has unveiled the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A42, an adventure motorcycle tyre slated for sequential release across global markets beginning 1 January 2027. Conceptualised as the answer to road-going adventurers, the tyre targets riders who predominantly stay on pavement, aiming to blend peace of mind, economy and comfort. Whether navigating city streets, expressways or winding roads, it seeks to harmonise wet performance and wear life while curbing ride noise to support comfortable long-distance touring.

Adventure motorcycles are prized for their versatility, spanning urban commuting to extended travel. In Europe, demand for tyres in this segment has climbed 45 percent over the past decade. Bridgestone originally addressed this growing category with the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41 in December 2017, responding to rider priorities such as wet-weather grip during sudden downpours, wear resistance and long-haul comfort.

The new A42 builds on that foundation with measurable gains in three areas. Under straight-line acceleration, tyre slip ratio drops 14 percent versus the prior model, aiding stability in rain. Wear life extends by 18 percent at the front and 25 percent at the rear. A larger contact patch enhances stability and comfort, and internal testing showed a 15 percent reduction in tyre noise.

These improvements stem from new tread compounds, an adventure-inspired tread pattern and optimised construction that carries forward core BATTLAX lineage details with materials tailored to road-oriented adventure bikes. The front compound employs a flexible polymer for road grip, while the rear uses a polymer boosting wear resistance and mileage – both feature tuned silica and carbon content. The aggressive yet refined pattern, inheriting the latest BATTLAX design language, incorporates Pulse Groove water drainage technology and a revised groove layout that raises pattern stiffness, balancing wet performance, wear life and quietness.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd's premium Vredestein brand has reinforced its all-season reputation after the Quatrac Pro 2 and Quatrac delivered strong results across three German group tests by Auto Bild, Auto Bild Allrad and Auto Motor und Sport, with the Quatrac Pro 2 earning Exemplary ratings in both Auto Bild evaluations and the Quatrac securing a Very good rating and a Price Performance recommendation from Auto Motor und Sport.

Auto Bild placed the Quatrac Pro 2 joint second in size 225/45 R 17. Thirty tyres entered wet and dry braking qualification, with 15 advancing to full testing in a Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI. The tyre produced the best snow performance, with the shortest snow braking distance at 25 metres from 50 kmph, the fastest snow handling at 55.6 kmph and the highest snow slalom lateral acceleration at 2.51 m/s². It recorded the second shortest wet braking distance at 42.8 metres from 100 kmph and the lowest pass-by noise at 69.6 dB(A).

In Auto Bild Allrad's SUV test, the Quatrac Pro 2 finished joint second among 12 products in size 225/55 R 18 on a MINI Countryman, recording the shortest wet braking distance at 51.8 metres from 100 kmph and strong aquaplaning results, sharing second in the snow slalom at 4.70 m/s², recording joint third snow braking at 25.9 metres from 50 kmph, ranking fourth in dry braking at 39.4 metres from 100 kmph and achieving the lowest pass-by noise at 68.2 dB. Launched this year, the Quatrac Pro 2 covers 17- to 24-inch rims, with widths up to 355mm, speed ratings up to 300 kmph and high-load options, while its longitudinal and directional groove tread supports an A wet grip rating.

Auto Motor und Sport tested the Quatrac in size 195/55 R 16 on a Hyundai i20, where it stopped in 30.4 metres from 80 kmph on wet roads, recorded the second fastest wet handling at 88.5 kmph and ranked third in the wet circle at 7.71 m/s². On dry roads the Quatrac recorded the second fastest handling at 115.9 kmph, with testers noting agile steering and stability in avoidance manoeuvres, while it showed balanced snow handling at 88 kmph. Vredestein has been recognised for all-season tyres since the 1990s and now offers one of the market's most comprehensive portfolios.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President, Commercial EMEA at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Drivers choosing all-season tyres want confidence that they can cope with changing conditions throughout the year. These independent test results demonstrate the strength of our all-season range, from the Quatrac for mid-sized family cars and SUVs, to the Quatrac Pro 2 optimised for high-performance vehicles of all types. These products are the result of enduring commitment to the all-season category, as well as our focus on designing and developing tyres in Europe to meet the needs of European drivers.”

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TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has expanded its Multi-Mile Tires lineup with the Multi-Mile Matrix 4S, an all-weather tyre designed to deliver dependable, durable traction across diverse terrains and weather conditions. The addition broadens a portfolio that now covers nearly 90 percent of the vehicle market, positioning dealers to address virtually any customer requirement.

The Matrix 4S incorporates an advanced all-weather tread compound paired with a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern for strong grip and stable handling. It holds 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow certification, while turned tread blocks help minimise road noise for a quieter, smoother ride. The tyre comes in 24 sizes spanning 15 to 20 inches, accommodating a broad range of passenger cars and CUVs.

Multi-Mile, a prominent name in the replacement tyre market, offers touring, high-performance and broad-line products for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Every Multi-Mile tyre is supported by the Mile After Mile Protection Plan, encompassing three-year roadside assistance, three-year road hazard protection and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

Rachel Tibor, Chief Marketing Officer for TBC Wholesale, said, “The Matrix 4S adds to a Multi-Mile Tires portfolio that has produced durable, reliable and cost-effective tyres for more than 70 years. Multi-Mile Tires deliver the safety and performance drivers have come to expect and the product options dealers demand. We continue to expand our portfolio to provide the right tyres at the right time for any type of vehicle or application.”

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Tegeta Green Planet recently took part in a two-day Circular Economy Hackathon at Senaki Tech Park, an initiative funded by the Georgia Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA). The gathering sought to connect the circular economy and waste management fields with technological innovation, with organisers working to pinpoint urgent industry challenges and craft workable technological solutions, prototypes and business models in response.

For Tegeta Green Planet, an Extended Producer Responsibility organisation, pursuing such technological routes matters greatly, since effective waste handling, resource reuse and the real-world application of circular economy principles call for up-to-date, intelligent technological methods and flexible systems. Team members contributed by joining a panel discussion, guiding participants through the project development stage, and finally choosing their preferred team.

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