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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Bekaert has marked a significant sustainability milestone with the commissioning of its first solar energy project in Latin America. The installation at the Proalco Malambo facility in Barranquilla, Colombia, features 1,986 rooftop panels now generating renewable electricity on site, translating the company's sustainability strategy into concrete local action.

The Malambo plant produces a diverse range of steel wire products for agriculture, construction, upholstery, energy, utilities and general industrial applications and employs nearly 200 people. With an installed capacity of 1,291 kWp, the solar array is projected to generate roughly 1.87 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, meeting a quarter of the facility's power needs. The company estimates this will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 117 tonnes annually, supporting its broader goal of reducing its environmental footprint and advancing the low-carbon transition.

Beyond environmental gains, the project tackles practical energy concerns. The site previously relied entirely on external electricity amid rising costs and mounting grid pressure. On-site generation now enhances cost efficiency and operational resilience by limiting exposure to price volatility and potential supply interruptions. The initiative also aligns with Colombia's national sustainability objectives by promoting non-conventional renewable sources, while the use of local suppliers and contractors bolsters the regional economy and community.

The Colombian project extends Bekaert's wider track record of renewable investments, following solar deployments in Europe and Asia and ongoing expansion through on-site generation and long-term energy agreements. Expansion in the region is already planned, with a second phase envisioned at the Muña plant in Bogotá.

Fernando Montes, General Manager Proalco, said, “This project represents a major step forward in our commitment to sustainability. As the largest investment project at our site, it reflects a high level of ambition and was delivered safely over one year. It will make a meaningful difference by reducing emissions, lowering energy costs and strengthening the reliability of our operations.”

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Trelleborg Tires will present its newest agricultural tyre solutions at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy, scheduled for 10–14 November at Hall 14, Stand B2. The lineup includes the TM800 PowerFlex for mid- to high-powered tractors, the TM3000 VF 1250/50R32 for spreaders and sprayers and the TM1000 ProgressiveTraction for high-horsepower tractors. Two new tyre solutions will be unveiled at a press conference on 10 November at 5:00 p.m. at the company's stand.

The TM800 PowerFlex combines VF-PFO technology with a patented ProgressiveTraction lug design. A newly developed central rib derived from road tyre geometry supports stability, steering precision and transport comfort. Field tests recorded up to 17 percent more traction than premium competitors, a 5 percent wider footprint for reduced soil compaction, improved self-cleaning from redesigned interlug terraces, 6 percent lower rolling resistance and up to 20 percent longer tyre life.

The TM3000 VF 1250/50R32 employs VF technology to allow up to 40 percent more load at the same pressure or up to 40 percent lower pressure at the same load. Its low-compaction footprint and rounded shoulders protect soil health, while ProgressiveTraction technology delivers grip, self-cleaning and even wear. Field evaluations showed a 19 percent larger footprint than premium competitors, and optimised tread patterns support larger machines with greater comfort.

The TM1000 ProgressiveTraction pairs VF-PFO technology with ProgressiveTraction lugs for higher load capacity at lower pressures. It offers up to 10 percent more traction and up to 12 percent more hectares per hour than premium competitors, with an extended footprint protecting soil structure. Independent testing showed up to 30 percent higher durability, and selected rear tyres carry up to 5,000 hours of certified tread wear performance.

Coverage under the Premium Care programme extends to the TM1060, TM1000, TM900 and TM800 ranges, all featuring ProgressiveTraction technology. If tread depth drops below 20 percent before 5,000 hours, customers receive a credit based on unused hours towards a new tyre of the same model and size. The programme aims to lower total cost of ownership and reduce downtime in demanding conditions.

Luca Sabelli, Brand Director, Trelleborg Tires, said, “Stunning tyre innovation means turning advanced engineering into tangible benefits for agricultural professionals. Our focus is on developing high-performance tyre solutions that help farmers and contractors get the most out of their machinery, delivering superior traction, extended tyre life and unmatched productivity. At EIMA 2026, we look forward to showcasing our latest innovations and demonstrating how Trelleborg tyres are driving the future of agricultural productivity.”

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Pirelli has selected Phillip Island, host of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix and the final edition there before the event moves to Adelaide's new street circuit in 2027, to debut the F0604, a new hard-compound development rear specification for Moto2 designed to offer greater resistance to wear at the most severe circuits.

The alternative rear option will be the medium D0922, which every rider used at the 2025 event when Diogo Moreira set a new all-time lap record on it, and which also appeared at the past two German Grands Prix. Compared with the standard SC1, the D0922 has a different structure and compound, slightly softer and sitting between the soft and medium options to improve stability and performance consistency.

To help teams and riders evaluate the new F0604 specification, the rear slick allocation for the weekend will increase from 9 to 10 tyres per rider, adding one extra rear tyre. Riders will also have the standard soft SC1 and medium SC2 front options, with every rider choosing the SC1 for last year's race to excellent effect.

In Moto3, riders can choose between the standard medium SC2 and the development hard C1096, both already included in the 2025 Australian Grand Prix allocation. Almost every rider selected the rear SC2 for last year's race, usually pairing it with a medium front, and the same front specifications in different sizes will be available in the entry class.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “Some circuits present a tyre manufacturer with a particularly severe challenge, whether because of their layout, the asphalt or the temperatures that can arise. From this perspective, Phillip Island has been an absolute benchmark for many years: an extremely demanding circuit, capable of putting tyres to the test and driving us to keep improving the performance of our products. In a sense, it has been an adversary, one that commands respect and, precisely because of the scale of the challenge, pushes you beyond your limits. Added to all this is the unique appeal of a circuit that has retained its distinctive identity over the years. That is why we will be sorry not to race here anymore: Phillip Island is an ideal proving ground for tyre development, and its characteristics are precisely why we chose the circuit for the debut of the new F0604 rear tyre for Moto2. This solution has been developed to provide greater resistance to wear, going beyond the level already achieved by the D0922 and further broadening the range of options available to us for tackling the circuits that place the greatest demands on tyres.”

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Linglong Tire convened 120 European dealers in Milan from 10 to 13 October for its European Partner Conference, where CEO Lingkun ‘Andy’ Zhou and Vice President Yongchao ‘Aaron’ Xu outlined the company's latest developments, fiscal performance and future strategy. Zhou noted that despite a difficult and volatile market, Linglong achieved sales growth in the first half of 2026, crediting close cooperation with its European distribution partners.

Global Marketing head Kai You introduced the upcoming ‘Linglong Hub’ dealer programme, which offers quantity-based unit bonuses and tailored marketing packages such as POS materials to support in-shop sales. Andreas Krause, Head of Research and Development in Europe, presented forthcoming products from the Linglong, Crosswind and Leao brands, available from spring 2027, including the all-season Dura Master Van 4S and Leao Nova Force Van 4S for vans and campers, alongside the flagship UHP Linglong Sport Master 2.

Guests then travelled to Villongo, northeast of Milan, for the official opening of Western Europe's first Linglong Tire Center, inaugurated by Zhou together with Sebino Pneus owner Gigi Pezzotta and Fintyre Sales Director Renato Paghera. The fully branded facility is seen as a benchmark for further centres planned across Italy and Europe. The day continued at the Alfa Romeo Museum, a Stellantis brand and key original equipment customer, ending with a gala dinner featuring live Italian music.

The following day, dealers tested the Sport Master 2 at the Balocco test site near Milan, a 550-hectare facility with over 80 km of track, using various Mercedes-Benz and AMG models before a race taxi ride with a professional driver. The event closed with dinner and a dance and music show at El Porteno, setting the stage for the 2027 conference in London.

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