The year 2021 was special for many industries, and the tyre industry was no exception. Even though the pandemic was raging as the year started and ended, only a few months in the middle gave us all hope of returning to normal soon all over the planet. All sorts of vehicles were still on the road from A to B, and tyres were consumed and spent. For some tyre companies, 2021 was actually a better year than ever before, especially those that had secured good stock levels before the sea freight costs skyrocketed.  

 I always say that you must never lose focus on improvements and development. In times of crisis, it’s what will secure your growth and sustenance when things improve again, and in times of excess, it’s where you need to invest those extra earnings in getting more robust for when the meagre times come back.  

The year has offered many innovations to prove my point, though most of them have been centred around the same segment, namely electric vehicles (EV). As the brand leaders in the tyre industry have discovered that this segment is where the industry is heading in most parts of the world, they have brought one innovation after the other to the table. First of all, EV tyres need more

substantial casings to endure the added stress of the rapid acceleration capabilities most EVs feature and the high vehicle weight caused by the large battery packs. Also, they need to be more durable to reduce additional wear caused not just by the same acceleration but also deceleration, which can be rapid. Naturally, they also need better grip to ensure shorter braking distances and handling when turning at speed, again due to the high weight. Still, they also need to offer lower rolling resistance so that the vehicle can travel as far as possible on a single charge. Lastly, they need silent tyres, as they are the only noise source when driving. Knowing how many of these factors contradict each other, it seems like an impossible mission. A more robust casing usually means increased stiffness and weight, and those factors typically result in increased noise and reduced grip. Softening the tread compound to increase grip could result in rapid wear from accelerating and surely increase noise levels. It’s not just a question of how to decrease rolling resistance while improving wet grip and braking distance, as it was the case to obtain good European tyre label values – it’s much more than that. And yet, basically, all the premium brands have cracked it in 2021. 

Continental, for example, has secured OE supply for six of the ten largest volume EV manufacturers since 2020 and onwards. 

For its latest product, the EcoContact 6, the German tyre company has developed a compound that reduces rolling

resistance by an impressive 15 percent compared to the previous model. Since tyres account for roughly 20 percent of a vehicle's total resistance, it effectively reduces energy consumption by three percent. 

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”