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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Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd., a global manufacturer of carbon black and speciality carbon products, has published its sixth Sustainability Report for FY 2025–26, titled ‘Anchored in Carbon. Embedded in Circularity’. The document outlines the company’s advancements in emissions reduction, energy efficiency, workplace safety, inclusion and community development while detailing its strategy for a more responsible and resilient carbon value chain.

The company’s sustainability efforts are deeply integrated into its manufacturing operations and its support for customers in the tyre, rubber, manufacturing and industrial sectors. Epsilon Carbon aims to supply dependable carbon materials while enhancing resource efficiency and lowering the environmental footprint of production. In FY 2025–26, it recorded a 98 percent drop in Scope 2 emissions intensity against its FY 2022–23 baseline, alongside a 6 percent reduction in energy consumption intensity driven by operational improvements.

A 17 MW captive power plant using waste hot gases from production remained central to decarbonisation, achieving 77 percent waste heat recovery utilisation and remaining on target. This helped avoid over 89,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by reducing coal-based power reliance. The company also cut Scope 3 emissions intensity by 8.13 percent compared with FY 2024–25, supporting more sustainable manufacturing across its value chain. Its Vijayanagar plant holds an annual capacity of 215,000 tonnes of carbon black and 500,000 tonnes of speciality carbon.

The report further highlights workplace safety and inclusion, with zero fatalities, 10 percent women representation on the Board and 9.41 percent of the overall workforce. CSR programmes positively impacted approximately 140,000 lives, fostering community development near its operations. Epsilon Carbon’s sixth Sustainability Report gives stakeholders a clear view of its ESG performance and reinforces its focus on responsible growth, operational excellence and its expanding role in the global carbon materials industry.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Sustainability is central to how we are building Epsilon Carbon for the future. Our progress in reducing emissions intensity, increasing the use of waste heat recovery and improving energy efficiency shows what is possible when sustainability is built into everyday operations. Our customers in tyres, rubber and other manufacturing sectors are also working towards more responsible and efficient value chains. We are committed to supporting them through dependable products, strong manufacturing capabilities and continued innovation. Alongside our environmental priorities, we remain focused on safety, inclusion and creating a positive impact in the communities where we operate.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp (Toyo Tires) celebrated a milestone achievement in short-course off-road racing as driver Ryan Beat captured the 2026 Championship Off-Road Pro-2 title. The decisive rounds unfolded at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, where Beat piloted his #51 Bilstein / Toyo Tires / Rockstar Energy / Chevrolet truck to the first Pro-2 crown of his racing career.

Beat arrived at the season finale holding a 17-point advantage but faced punishing Southern California heat and a determined group of rivals. A mid-race restart intensified the competition, yet Beat powered through the field and crossed the finish line first on Saturday night, sealing the championship.

His truck ran on standard 35x12.50R17 Open Country C/T tyres throughout the campaign. Beat concluded the year at the top of the Pro-2 standings with 722 points. The result marked the sixth occasion he has placed among the top three in the class, having previously earned four runner-up finishes and one third-place result.

The championship extends Team Toyo’s strong presence in short-course competition, complementing Pro-4 titles claimed by CJ Greaves across 2023 through 2025 and Kyle LeDuc between 2012 and 2020. Toyo-backed drivers have also found success in desert racing, with six SCORE Baja 1000 victories, six Baja 500 wins, five Baja 400 triumphs and four San Felipe 250 titles.

Beat said, “The championship came down to the final race and to not only win the title, but to do it by winning the final race was a dream come true. Surrounded by my family, friends and partners, this one is going to be hard to top.”

Adrian Puente, Events, Motorsports and Technical Manager, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp, said, “Congratulations to Ryan and his motorsports team on securing the first Pro-2 championship of his career! A hard-fought season ending in triumph is a great result for Team Toyo and showcases the versatility and performance of our tyres on and off the track.”

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The DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 tyre has earned a ‘very good’ rating in the 2026 all-season tyre test conducted by the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD). Evaluated against 11 rival all-season tyres spanning premium, mid-range and budget brands, it performed strongly across every category, including wet and dry driving performance. The tyre stood out particularly for its snow performance, efficiency, wear and other environmental considerations. As the lightest tyre in the AvD test, it also achieved the best result for rolling resistance, which directly influences fuel efficiency.

Its overall performance places it among the very best all-weather tyres tested by the AvD this year. With a score of 4.37 stars out of 5, it secured a ‘very good’ rating alongside four other tyres, all of which were more expensive at the time of testing. The AvD examined 12 different 225/50 R17 tyres, one of Europe’s most popular tyre sizes, to assess safety-related handling characteristics across a broad range of driving conditions. All tyres were fitted to a BMW 3-Series and purchased via the open market to ensure independence, with testing carried out between the AvD and TEMPOTIRE, an independent testing organisation.

A strong rating in the annual AvD all-weather tyre test is an important marker of trust in Germany and many other European markets. The test is notably thorough, with tyres rated on a five-star system for braking, traction and handling performance in all conditions, subjective handling performance, aquaplaning in the wet and noise levels and rolling comfort in the dry. It also covers environmental factors such as tyre weight, wear, fuel efficiency, emissions levels and rolling resistance.

The DUNLOP ALL SEASON 2 is engineered to deliver confident driving throughout the year and suits owners of cars and SUVs who prefer not to change their vehicles’ tyres with the seasons. It is available in 74 sizes, ranging from 14 to 20 inches in diameter. Its advanced compound and distinctive V-shaped tread design with three-dimensional interlocking sipes improve braking stability on wet and dry surfaces while creating numerous ‘biting’ edges that can aid traction and grip in snow. A reinforced structure enhances tyre stability, contributing to confident handling on wet and dry roads. Crucially, every variant adheres to Europe’s official Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) legal standards, meeting the official legal requirements for use throughout winter in European countries and regions where winter tyres are legally mandated, such as Germany and Sweden.

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Goodyear is all geared up for the European Le Mans Series season finale, the 4 Hours of Portimão, supplying its Racing Eagle tyres across LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am and LMGT3. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve hosts the decisive round, with its dramatic elevation shifts and technical layout through the Algarve hills expected to produce moderate tyre wear over four hours.

In LMGT3, the Medium specification could enable single-stint strategies, letting competitors maximise pace throughout. For LMP2 and LMP2 Pro/Am, the same Medium compound is built to deliver the consistency needed for double-stint running.

With championships undecided in all three categories, tyre strategy will prove pivotal. LMGT3 leaders Iron Lynx hold just three points over TF Sport, while United Autosports lead Forestier Racing by Panis by 13 in LMP2. The LMP2 Pro/Am top four sit within six points, AF Corse setting the pace.

Portimão also closes the second season of Goodyear Racing's newest Eagle Medium LMP2 specification, now well understood after extensive European Le Mans Series use and two Le Mans outings. It marks the final LMGT3 run for the current Eagle before a more sustainable generation arrives in 2027. Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres additionally feature this weekend at Charlotte in NASCAR and Brands Hatch's British Touring Car Championship finale.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager, said, “Portimão is a fitting place to bring the European Le Mans Series season to a close. The undulating circuit combines dramatic elevation changes with high-speed corners and more twisty, technical sections, so we expect moderate levels of tyre wear and degradation. It looks like a hot and sunny race awaits us on Sunday, but should wet weather arrive, teams do have Goodyear Racing Eagle wet tyres available.

“It is significant that the LMGT3 field will use our current Goodyear Racing Eagle slick specification for the final time in the series this weekend. Next season, we will introduce a new generation of tyres with 66 percent sustainable-material content, continuing our focus on performance at the highest level of endurance racing.”

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