As I speak with industry members, regulators and legislators I continue to be stunned by the lack of appreciation of the very critical role that tyres play in our societies.

Governments bleat about fuel security “investing” precious currency to prop up petroleum fuel storage and production in the face of the ever-expanding development of electric vehicles and more recently the advent of hydrogen as a viable fuel with thanks to the PV (solar) industry advancements. Tyres? What do you mean tyres? Without tyres our societies would grind to a halt in the near term. How are they not a strategic consideration?

Our industries (tyre, road freight transport, mining, public transport and leisure) are facing sufficient difficulties with COVID as well as international shipping challenges to be faced with continued ignorance and negligence by our legislators and regulators.

Please review your countries legislative requirements in regards tyre inflation for light vehicles (say <4,500 kgs) and then the same requirement for heavy vehicles (>4,500 kgs). What do you find?

Mostly I think you will find that tyre inflation pressures are regulated for light vehicles via the vehicle manufacturers tyre placard. For heavy vehicles there is little, if any, such requirement. To illustrate the yawning gap between reality and regulation one peak heavy transport regulatory body published a procedure for roller brake testing for heavy vehicles. The procedure details in minute detail the requirements of the pneumatic system on the truck under test yet merely stated “tyres should be inflated.” As everyone in the tyre industry understands a tyre can be inflated at low pressures totally unrelated to actual operating pressures. What connects the brakes to the pavement? Tyres!

I’ve spoken at length about the absolute requirement for a tyre to be appropriately inflated. This is basic physics, the air molecules captured within the tyre’s air chamber actually support the applied loads. If there are insufficient molecules of air the tyre will be overworked so overheat and so enter a failure phase. There are other requirements for the inflation being the actual shaping of the tyre to interface with the pavement at the optimum level, read traction. A wide based tyre requires special construction to maintain the tread platform shape. If the inflation pressure is not at the manufacturer’s specified level will this critical shape be maintained? Then it is not only the performance of the tyre in question but also the safety of the vehicle and that of the general public in the areas this vehicle operates in.

The extensive report produced by the TNO Organisation (TNO 2013 R10986) detailed not only the exhaust emissions as a result of inappropriately inflated tyres but also the road safety outcomes. This paper is now just over eight years old but the situation with real time pressure monitoring for heavy vehicles remains as it was, 50 years or more ago. WHY? Are our regulators asleep at the wheel (or tyre some may say) through entrenched inaction and ignorance? Or is it that there are just “no votes” in tyres and everyone just ASSuMes their tyres are “ok”?

EV tyres

With the advent of electric vehicles, the ramifications for tyres are huge. In the past internal combustion engines (ICE) built up torque over a rev range, drivelines multiplied the torque developed and for heavy vehicles there is a sweet spot for torque. The multi speed gearboxes assisted the driver to maintain forward motion within this torque sweet spot. Electric motors apply maximum torque over most of their operating range. From the instant the power is applied by the driver (be that human or robotic) the tyres are under peak stress. Any deficiency within the tyre will be magnified with detrimental results. Such a deficiency may be of a manufacturing nature but this is largely controllable by the manufacturer. What is not currently controllable is the human maintenance factor, the applied inflation pressure.

Tyre manufacturers have for as long as they have been manufacturing tyres been informative about the criticality of appropriate tyre inflation. There are untold charts and pictorials showing how a tyre is influenced by under or over inflation yet our regulators and legislators continue to keep their heads buried deep out of the light. WHY when tyres are such a critical component of our modern-day motor vehicle? I would charge ignorance and negligence on one hand but then on the other suggest that because tyres work as well as they do, are as forgiving (by nature of their fundamental flexible design) our “guiding powers” can focus on other trendy and glamorous aspects such as stability control or autonomous braking. An important question for these people to consider and respond to; “what item on the vehicle transfers the power (and so directly influence these vehicle control systems) from the vehicle to the pavement (be that power tractive or retardation)? Yes of course, the humble tyre.

So, when a government sponsored or publicly funded body involved in road safety ignores tyres (for whatever reason, ignorance or negligence) are they really serving the interests of our communities and societies or are they just -- I should stop there but you know where I’m going!

The technology to monitor tyre pressures in real time is and has now been available for decades. The TREAD Act (USA) mandated tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) for light vehicles in the USA in the year 2000. This year TPMS gets a key for its birthday, yes well and truly a mature product (some may say adult) and industry yet, our regulators and legislators continue to ignore the humble tyre.

The upsides of maintaining tyres at an appropriate pressure I’ve discussed previously, all positive. The same detail has been published in many papers (such as the TNO paper!) but we as an industry continue to live in the past whilst adopting hi-tech solutions for other aspects of our industries, e.g., GPS tracking, fatigue monitoring, reefer monitoring and control, real time video surveillance of the drivers and the surrounding traffic conditions. Why? To me there is little respect paid to the critical role the tyre provides for us. So many users do not consider how the tyre works for them and why the simplest of tasks will enhance the performance, yes, I speak of inflation maintenance. Without respect the tyre will never be recognised for the contribution it has made and continues to make.

I publicly and openly challenge our tyre manufacturers as a collective to mount an education campaign to enhance the level of respect the general public has about tyres. The TIA (US) and USTMA have local campaigns on behalf of their members but I consider that until the tyre manufacturers as a collective industry actual improve the level of respect for the humble tyre we will be chasing our tails on a race to the bottom. Our tyres deserve better!

What about Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental, BKT, Dunlop, ZC Rubber, Hankook, Pirelli, Toyo, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Kumho, MRF, Apollo, Nokian, JKTyres, Cooper, Titan, Linglong, Triangle et al?

Remember success does not reward a lack of action. (TT)

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Michelin has introduced two new high-efficiency tyres – the MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} and MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy}. These two new product families have been developed in direct response to the shifting requirements of contemporary vehicle design. With the automotive industry’s rapid transition toward electrification, manufacturers are increasingly demanding tyres that deliver an exacting balance of low rolling resistance, tenacious grip, extended durability and precise handling dynamics. Both new ranges have been engineered to fulfil these criteria, offering tangible benefits such as extended range for electric vehicles and reduced fuel consumption for internal combustion models, all while upholding uncompromising standards of safety and longevity.

The MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} is distinguished by its triple A-rating for wet braking, rolling resistance and external rolling noise. Compared to its predecessor, it achieves wet braking distances that are up to eight percent shorter, both when the tyre is new and when worn down to two millimetres of tread depth. Its best-in-class longevity is enabled by Energy Passive 2.0 Technology, which employs functionalised elastomers, advanced resins and a refined architecture to deliver the highest mileage in its European segment, including on electric vehicles. Independent tests have shown it can outlast leading competitors by as much as 40 percent in comparable conditions. The efficiency gains are substantial, offering up to six percent lower fuel consumption, which translates to roughly 0.3 litres saved per 100 kilometres, along with a 10 percent increase in electric vehicle range. These figures mean substantial fuel savings and a 327 kg reduction in CO₂ emissions over the tyre’s lifespan.

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy} merges motorsport-derived engineering with energy-conscious design. Leveraging Dynamic Response Technology and a new Adaptive Grip Compound, it delivers the precise steering feedback and superior wet and dry grip expected from a high-performance tyre. MaxTouch Technology addresses the historically rapid wear associated with performance vehicles by optimising the contact patch for even wear distribution, while an Energy Passive compound in the shoulder areas achieves an unprecedented level of rolling resistance for this category. The result is a sport tyre that not only significantly outperforms key rivals in longevity tests but also secures an A rating for rolling resistance. Its endurance credentials were validated during the MERCEDES AMG GT CONCEPT XX world record, where it sustained a constant speed of 300 kmph for nearly eight days, demonstrating exceptional durability and energy efficiency under extreme conditions.

Both ranges are now being rolled out with a clear focus on meeting the specific demands of modern mobility. The Primacy ^{5 energy} is initially available in 33 sizes spanning 16 to 19 inches, while the Pilot Sport ^{5 energy} launches with 19 sizes across 19 to 21 inches. By addressing the dual imperatives of enhanced performance and reduced environmental impact, Michelin aims to reinforce its position in a segment that continues to dominate global tyre sales, offering solutions that cater equally to the needs of electric vehicles, hybrids and traditional internal combustion engine cars.

Jean-Claude Pats, Automobile and Two-Wheel Business Line Director and member of Michelin’s Executive Committee, said, “These innovations reflect a profound transformation in mobility. Today’s tyres must combine performance, longevity and energy efficiency while supporting the transition to electrified vehicles. With MICHELIN Primacy ^{5 energy} and MICHELIN Pilot Sport ^{5 energy}, drivers and manufacturers no longer need to compromise between performance, safety, durability and efficiency. These new ranges demonstrate Michelin’s continued investment in innovation and our ambition to deliver technologies that support the mobility needs of today and tomorrow.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has formed a new alliance with TMS Consultancy, a specialist in road safety audits and training. This partnership unites two organisations dedicated to reducing casualties through the ‘Safe System’ framework, merging TMS Consultancy’s expertise in engineering with TyreSafe’s focus on vehicle safety advocacy.

With a 35-year track record that includes delivering over 19,000 Road Safety Audits and more than 2,500 training courses for clients across UK, Ireland and beyond, TMS Consultancy brings practical, tailored solutions to the collaboration. This complements TyreSafe’s longstanding mission to advance road safety through education, research and awareness, particularly regarding tyre condition and vehicle maintenance. Together, they aim to close the gap between road design and vehicle safety by embedding TyreSafe’s specialised knowledge into TMS Consultancy’s established training programmes. This equips road safety practitioners with a deeper understanding of how tyre health, braking distances and road surface interaction are critically linked.

This alliance also strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network of more than 250 supporters, which includes local authorities, transport bodies and police forces, helping to spread consistent, evidence-led tyre safety messages widely. Building on existing partnerships with the Institute of Highways Engineers and the Road Surface Treatment Association, TyreSafe continues to advance awareness of the connection between tyres and road infrastructure. By joining forces with organisations involved in road development and maintenance, TyreSafe further embeds the Safe System approach, working to mitigate human error through safer roads, vehicles, speeds and road users, alongside effective post-crash response.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Road safety depends on every element of a vehicle being fit for purpose, and tyres are a critical part of that. Working with TMS Consultancy allows us to bring clear, practical tyre safety guidance to more organisations and road professionals, helping them understand how simple checks and maintenance can prevent incidents and save lives.”

Jess Waldron, Director, TMS Consultancy, said, “Partnering with TyreSafe aligns perfectly with our mission to make roads safer for everyone; increasing knowledge and sharing best practice across the sector is a responsibility we take seriously. By sharing TyreSafe’s ACT message through our training and professional networks, we can ensure that vehicle safety becomes a core consideration for road safety practitioners across the board.”

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The ZARE initiative held its 2026 partner meeting on 18 March 2026 in Schwenningen, hosted by the Bavarian used tyre disposal company Reifen Draws, which was simultaneously celebrating its 50th anniversary. Guests were given a firsthand look at the company’s modern recycling operations. For five decades, Reifen Draws has served tyre retailers, car dealerships and repair shops across a 200-kilometre radius, earning a reputation for reliable service and expert advice as a certified disposal firm.

During the meeting, partners described a strained market environment marked by declining business volumes, mounting price pressure and a growing shift towards lower-value scrap. Rising fuel costs add further strain, as these expenses can only be partially passed on. The situation underscores that maintaining stable, high-quality tyre recycling remains a persistent challenge requiring coordinated effort across the entire value chain.

On the political front, partners welcomed developments at the state level, notably the integration of used tyres into North Rhine-Westphalia’s circular economy strategy following an industry roundtable. However, ongoing discussions highlight the need to strengthen recycling markets and improve regulatory frameworks. In this context, a recent call by the European Court of Auditors to reinforce recycling markets – emphasising functioning markets, consistent implementation and reliable EU financing – was noted. The rise in export inquiries from non-OECD countries further reinforces the importance of transparent material flows and clear rules for a sustainable circular economy.

A notable highlight was a presentation by detection-X GmbH on automated tyre damage detection and sorting. A pilot project on damage analysis is already underway with one ZARE partner, aimed at enhancing process efficiency and recycling quality – a significant step towards a more effective circular economy.

For the coming year, the partners have prioritised a joint presence at THE TIRE COLOGNE trade fair, along with refining tendering standards, addressing declining online inquiries and strengthening public outreach. These efforts seek to raise the visibility of certified used tyre disposal and underscore the value of high-quality recycling.

Looking ahead, the new Waste Shipment Regulation, taking effect in May 2026 and becoming mandatory in 2027, will introduce significant organisational and documentation demands affecting international material flows. ZARE partners intend to actively incorporate this topic into relevant industry events.

Overall, the 2026 partner meeting reaffirmed that while the industry faces considerable challenges, it benefits from strong networks, innovative capacity and a clear sense of purpose. In a demanding market environment, close collaboration remains essential as the ZARE partners continue advancing sustainable, high-quality solutions for end-of-life tyres across the entire value chain.

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Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., the parent organisation of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. and Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., has officially inaugurated a new tyre warehouse in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This facility is scheduled to commence its initial outbound shipping operations on 1 April 2026, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The strategic development of this warehouse directly supports the corporation’s midterm expansion objectives while aiming to reduce service times for key dealers and customers throughout that part of the country.

Spanning 409,500 square feet, this distribution hub offers storage capacity for as many as 368,000 tyres. Its primary purpose is to elevate service and distribution capabilities across 14 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, creating a ripple effect that allows the company’s existing tyre warehouses to operate with greater efficiency and maintain more consistent stock levels. By alleviating pressure on other locations, the new facility helps streamline the broader supply chain network, ensuring that inventory is positioned to meet regional demand more responsively.

In addition to its regional distribution role, the Shippensburg location is set to receive product directly from Toyo’s manufacturing facility in Serbia via the Port of New York and New Jersey. Plans are already in place to convert the site into a Foreign Trade Zone during the latter half of the year, a move intended to facilitate winter delivery operations for Toyo Canada. Equipped with advanced technology tailored specifically for tyre storage, this new warehouse represents the fifth tyre production warehouse and distribution centre established by the company across the continental United States, further solidifying its logistical infrastructure.

Curtis Maggard, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Logistics, said, “This warehouse represents a significant investment by Toyo, providing improved supply and faster service levels to our valued customers in the region. The warehouse is designed specifically for high volume tyre storage and will support Toyo’s sales forecast.”

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