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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Continental has deepened its longstanding alliance with BRABUS by engineering a bespoke ultra‑ultra‑high‑performance (UUHP) summer tyre for the new BODO supercar. The SportContact 7 Force joins the award-winning family as an exclusive derivative, marked by a special BB sidewall identification. This launch extends a technical partnership rooted in performance and precision for more than 25 years.

Developed from the tread concept of its predecessor, the new tyre focuses on maintaining maximum control at high speeds on both roads and racetracks. It provides quick responses to shifting loads, ensuring predictable lane changes and stable motorway running. The compound also delivers repeatable grip during successive braking and acceleration on a circuit.

This model-specific fitment, sized at 275/35 ZR 21 for the front and 325/30 ZR 21 for the rear, aligns tyre construction with the supercar’s axle-load realities. The collaboration ensures that the BODO’s engine power is transmitted effectively to the asphalt without sacrificing steering precision. Continental and BRABUS have consistently aligned aerodynamics and compound for very powerful vehicles.

The SportContact 7 Force serves as the enabling interface between driver intent and the road, turning bold ideas into confident handling. By pairing a sentimental heritage with a modern performance brief, the tyre translates raw power into high-speed stability. This launch marks another chapter in a decades-long technical story focused on delivering everyday performance.

Dr Marian Graßmann, Senior Tyre Developer, Continental Germany, said, "With the SportContact 7 Force, we are taking the performance of our most successful UUHP tyre to an even sportier level. The combination of adaptive tread pattern, advanced Harmonised BlackChili compound and vehicle-specific design enables handling that remains precise, stable and controllable under extreme conditions. Balancing everyday use with racetrack competence was our development target. Our tyres are the first with specification marking for BRABUS, showing that not only is the vehicle tailored made but the tyres are special too.”

Dipl.-Ing. Jörn Gander, Chief Technology Officer, BRABUS, said, “The BRABUS BODO embodies modern coachbuilding at the highest level – down to the very last detail. Together with Continental, we created a bespoke tyre technology that perfectly combines performance, control and character. The BB signature on the sidewall makes visible what sets this project apart: genuine individual development rather than compromise.”

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TyreSafe has issued an urgent appeal to UK’s equine and equestrian community following new national data that reveals a sharp rise in preventable tyre-related breakdowns involving horseboxes and trailers. The warning is based on a four-year analysis of Strategic Road Network data from 2022 to 2025, which exposes a growing maintenance gap across the towing sector. According to the findings, this neglect endangers not only road users but also the welfare of horses during transit.

The analysis shows that towing-related breakdowns have reached 4,830 incidents per year, with tyre failures accounting for 25 to 28 percent of all cases, meaning roughly one in four such breakdowns is avoidable. Since 2022, tyre failures in horseboxes have increased by 21.5 percent, while trailers now represent nearly half of all tyre-related incidents nationally. Alarmingly, there are almost as many trailer tyre failures as caravan and horsebox incidents combined, a trend linked to vehicles standing idle for long periods, which accelerates tyre degradation even when tread depth appears legal.

TyreSafe stresses that horses are often transported infrequently but carry heavy, live loads, making tyre age, condition and pressure critical. Tyres naturally deteriorate due to sunlight, weathering and prolonged static loads, leading to cracking and structural weakening. UK law already bans tyres over 10 years old on front steering axles of goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes, including many horseboxes. TyreSafe urges road users to embrace the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth. Owners must also ensure correct load and speed ratings, avoid mixing tyre types on the same axle, check cold pressures before every journey and distribute weight evenly.

Failure to meet legal standards can result in fines and penalty points, but the greater risk is tyre failure during transit, causing dangerous roadside stops and increased stress or injury for horses. TyreSafe continues to offer free guidance and dedicated resources for the equine community, reinforcing that proper tyre maintenance directly improves animal welfare, vehicle stability and overall journey safety.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “When transporting horses, a tyre failure is not just an inconvenience – it’s a serious animal welfare issue. Horses are particularly vulnerable during breakdown situations, especially on high-speed roads. The fact that one in four incidents is tyre-related shows how much of this risk is preventable. We want tyre checks to become as routine as checking tack or loading equipment. It’s a simple step that protects not just the vehicle but the horse inside it. Safer tyres mean safer journeys – for everyone.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has closed the application phase for its startup competition, LOOP THE TYRE 2026, as of 15th May. Innovative project teams and startups from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands submitted a range of forward-looking concepts focused on advancing the sustainable tyre circular economy. The entries collectively highlight a strong innovation potential within the industry.

The submitted projects cover a wide technical spectrum, including advanced devulcanisation and recycling processes, functionalised recyclates for new tyre production and artificial intelligence solutions for quality control and tyre sorting. Other notable concepts feature chemical-free rubber waste recycling methods and novel applications for used tyres in flood control, infrastructure management and disaster relief. This diversity underlines the growing role of new technologies and business models in fostering a climate-friendly circular economy.

An independent expert jury, comprising Dr Danka Katrakova-Krüger from TH Cologne, AZuR network coordinator Anna-Maria Guth, Dr Ulrich Giese of the German Institute for Rubber Technology and Stephan Rau from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), is reviewing all submissions. The winners are scheduled to be determined by 1 June 2026.

Regardless of the outcome, AZuR has invited all participants to the awards ceremony at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 on 11 June at 2 pm. The winning startups will receive a total prize money of EUR 6,000 and a free two-year AZuR partnership, granting access to the Europe-wide network and increased industry visibility. Through LOOP THE TYRE, AZuR continues to promote business ideas and technologies that extend tyre material life cycles, conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions.

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Tegeta Holding and Tegeta Green Planet have joined a large-scale greening campaign to restore the Rustavi riparian forest along the Mtkvari River. The initiative, implemented in partnership with Rustavi City Hall and Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, aims to rehabilitate one of the city’s most vital ecological zones.

During the latest phase of the project, employees of Tegeta Holding took part in tree planting alongside volunteers, while representatives of Tegeta Green Planet engaged participants in discussions on circular economy principles and environmental responsibility. The first stage of the restoration plan includes planting 10,000 endemic trees and plants, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund.

The Rustavi riparian forest, stretching approximately 300 hectares between the old and new bridges, serves as a natural air filtration zone for the city’s industrial area and hosts around 140 bird species. Beyond restoring native flora, the project also envisions developing picnic and tourist infrastructure, with active involvement from local youth, athletes, actor, and private sector members as part of corporate social responsibility efforts.

Parallel to the greening campaign, Tegeta Holding launched an internal Green Challenge for its employees, organising a paper collection point at its headquarters and across its branches. Nearly one tonne of waste paper was collected and sent to a recycling partner, saving an estimated 15 trees. The holding also recognised the most eco-friendly branch and department as part of the initiative.

Dedicated to Earth Day and its 2025 slogan ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, Tegeta has now participated in the riparian forest restoration for three consecutive years. Volunteers previously planted 3,000 saplings, and this year’s efforts have expanded significantly. The Green Challenge has also become an annual tradition, with over three tonnes of waste paper collected to date. In exchange, the company receives books donated to rural libraries for children.

Environmental protection remains a strategic pillar of Tegeta Holding’s corporate social responsibility. Together with Tegeta Green Planet, the company collects thousands of tonnes of automotive waste annually, including tyres, batteries and oils, for compliant recycling. It is also expanding its electric vehicle charging network, using hybrid and electric vehicles in its fleet, installing solar panels and running customer engagement campaigns such as ‘Don’t Throw It Away – Recycle It’, alongside cleaning, greening and youth education initiatives.

Mariam Japaridze, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, Tegeta Holding, said, “Environmental protection and raising public awareness are among the strategic pillars of Tegeta’s corporate sustainability efforts. We are pleased that tree planting has become part of a project that aims to bring new life to the Rustavi riparian forest. Tegeta has extensive experience supporting similar initiatives. It is especially important for us that Tegeta employees themselves participated in the project. We are proud to contribute both to the greening of Rustavi and the improvement of its ecosystem, as well as to strengthening an internal organisational culture focused on collecting and recycling paper waste.”

Shalva Akhvlediani, Director, Tegeta Green Planet, said, “The activities of ‘Tegeta Green Planet’ are directly connected to environmental protection. The company’s mission is the management of specific waste streams, including recycling, recovery and processing. Alongside recycling environmentally harmful waste, we actively support initiatives focused on greening, forest restoration and ecosystem improvement. The Rustavi riparian forest once played a vital role in the life of the city, but the situation changed in the 1990s: the forest was cut down, biodiversity deteriorated and the ecosystem was damaged. At ‘Tegeta Green Planet,’ we fully understand our responsibility in helping restore this area to its original condition. We hope that such an important and large-scale project will continue in the future.”

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