Until the start of vaccination, so many deaths and blockages shut down the industry, as well as businesses and individuals. The lack of labour and consumers only brought uncertainty to people's lives. No one, including governments, was able to overcome all the unknowns.

Later, people began to learn to live with this virus and to learn facilities for practicing social distancing and other preventive measures to reduce the spread of germs. Then the daily life went to normal by half. Consumer markets have started offering services with social distancing.

Then, large companies launched initiatives for the vaccination of employees and some promoted the payment of about USD$ 25 as a bonus for the first volunteers. Employees began to work in stores under pandemic conditions. So, it is the same in tyre shops, for example, to help and maintain the tyres of customers' cars in good condition, which of course ensured mobility in cities so that vehicles let vehicles circulate on the road . People could get the food, medicine, supplies and medical care they need.

Manufacturers should sometimes be able to collaborate with competitors to survive together in tough days.

Sustainability has never been more worth talking about in recent decades to be a legitimate topic on pandemic dates.  One thing is for sure, at the same time, we can never know which companies have really benefited from being willing to invest in the past with a desire to make the business sustainable in the future. We will reach and appreciate these businesses later, as accurate tax and market data as a primary result of a successful business emerges after three consecutive years.

Anyone who has taken seriously the alerts of a post-2015 virus that could one day be a reality and a threat to humanity and go unchecked in nearly three years is supposed to be ready for pandemic dates. Is it really possible to take such a viral effect into account in the risk analysis? But if so, this company is already at least six years ahead of its competition.

We never forget that keeping reliable and loyal consumers is our future.

Today, many industries must survive with material suppliers, customers and its service providers. We can add its competitors as a fourth pole at the corner its competitors,. sSo that companies in the same category should move together and collaborate in difficult days. Suppose Suppose they accept each other's stronger side in a part of the main processes, it might help better in that specific part, s. So that sustainability is ensured for the sake of sociality and economy.

As a sustainable business continuity in raw materials, services, market consistency, health and safety of white and blue colours, loyalty and morals of employees, reliability of energy sources and capacity manufacturing operations. Any production company that never lacks the above can be successful and be considered ‘“sustainable”’ in the medium term. In the long term, the requirements of the environmental authorities must be respected;, social projects must be distributed among the employees.

A real investment in the company's brand must be made. It is sure that the ‘“No Waste’” and ‘“Green Company’” image reinforces the company's brand. May all of these lead the company to establishing production lines that consume less energy and are more efficient. Roof or wall solar collectors, rainwater harvesting pipes, efficient coolers, pumps and electric motors are expected to follow so far to be more durable.

Any tyre manufacturer responding to dealer demand and capable of producing with a minimum number of references will have a head start and make the difference in terms of efficiency.

A cumbersome problem for tyre manufacturers is carrying the heavy size list as production gum . Any tyre manufacturer responding to dealer demand and capable of producing with a minimum number of references will have a head start and make the difference in terms of efficiency.

What about reliable and loyal consumers? We have to bear in mind that consumers are our future. Any excessive savings, if it means reluctance in services or compromises on quality, will result in days of unemployment after a while. Thus, a well-adapted balance between costs and savings is always to be favoured in terms of sustainability.

A cumbersome problem for tyre manufacturers is carrying the heavy size list as production gum  even though they still cannot meet the needs of retailers. Retail stores can only cover 10 percent% to 45 percent% of the demand for walk-in customers. On the other hand, tyre manufacturers can meet dealer needs around 50 percent or 75 percent of orders, while supplying that amount with overproduction and heavy SKUs.

Another headache is the production of winter tyres in the summer, although sales are highly dependent on the severity of winter and upcoming snowfall. Tyre manufacturers often have to overproduce and have a large inventory. In recent years, the climate has changed the practices and the ability to estimate winter tyre sales mainly in Europe.

Therefore, any tyre manufacturer that meets dealer demand and is able to produce a minimum number of SKUs will have a head start and make a difference in terms of efficiency.

Anti-climax after stopping production for some reason of uncertainty is more costly.

After the long days of pandemic, which still affects the daily life of human beings, sustainability has become a matter of vitality for most companies. Lost markets can be won over time, but a climax after production ceases for some reason of uncertainty would be more costly.

The truths of having greener products, grasping the digitiszation movement and mobility trends, efficiency improvements, well-organiszed material sourcing, skills development in manufacturing operations, systematic management of product development and R&D activities, the search for alternatives for automation and artificial intelligence are still vital but not much more valuable than being sufficiently sustainable.

We must keep in mind that we are primarily victims of our own behaviours, decisions and actions. It is important to be progressive in the correct initiatives. So tyre manufacturers who manage a well-developed framework for change and agile strategies will win.

We must keep in mind that we are primarily victims of our own behaviours, decisions and actions.  To be progressive in the correct initiatives is inevitable to support. (TT)

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Maxion Wheels will showcase a low‑carbon commercial vehicle steel wheel at IFAT Munich as part of the Daimler Truck–led reECONIC concept vehicle. The component demonstrates how circular material strategies and advanced engineering can significantly cut carbon footprints at the individual part level.

For the reECONIC project, Maxion Wheels developed a 22.5-inch x 9.00-inch steel wheel that achieves a CO2 footprint reduction of more than 50 percent compared with conventionally manufactured counterparts. The wheel weighs 32.5 kilogrammes and was produced using electric arc furnace steel with a high proportion of post‑consumer recycled scrap.

The wheel’s cradle‑to‑gate CO2 footprint fell from 132.7 kilogrammes to 61.4 kilogrammes per wheel through a combination of CO2‑reduced steel, optimised design and responsible material selection, all without compromising functionality, performance or safety. Given that steel wheels are safety‑critical and among the heaviest parts of a commercial vehicle, their mass and material composition make them a key lever for emissions reduction and overall vehicle efficiency.

Maxion applied its proprietary Lightweighting Process, which integrates performance, safety and production parameters into advanced structural design and simulation tools. This enabled a 2-kg weight saving compared with previous designs, lowering material demand and further reducing the carbon footprint. However, the majority of the emissions reduction came from material circularity, since raw materials account for roughly 75 to 85 percent of a steel wheel’s CO2 footprint.

Using high‑share post‑consumer recycled scrap via the electric arc furnace route lowers primary raw material demand, reduces iron ore mining and cuts energy‑intensive processing steps. The wheel was engineered at Maxion’s Global Engineering Center and plant in Königswinter, Germany, using industrially proven processes suitable for future scale‑up. Daimler Truck intends the reECONIC project as a pathway to series production, with real‑world testing starting in the second half of 2026.

The reECONIC vehicle will be unveiled at IFAT Munich from 4–7 May 2026, where it will be displayed and demonstrated as part of Daimler Truck’s circular‑economy initiative. The project confirms that circular design and recycled materials can be applied to high‑volume, heavily loaded parts, offering tangible CO2 savings within existing manufacturing frameworks.

Karl Rode, Director of Engineering at Maxion Wheels, said, “The reECONIC project allowed us to apply our engineering and material expertise to a clearly defined circular‑economy objective. By combining recycled‑material‑rich steel with targeted design optimisation, we were able to more than halve the CO2 footprint of a safety‑critical steel wheel using industrially feasible processes.”

Stan Mommers, Vice President Sales EMEA at Maxion Wheels, said, “Working with Daimler Truck on reECONIC shows how suppliers and OEMs can jointly translate circular‑economy principles into measurable results. Component‑level innovations like this steel wheel are essential for enabling lower‑carbon commercial vehicles in the future.”

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Linglong Tire unveiled a Sustainable Concept Tyre made from 85 percent sustainable materials during the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) gathering held from 27 to 30 April 2026 in Montreux, Switzerland. The WBCSD, a board-led organisation dedicated exclusively to business and sustainable development, shares a sustainability vision closely aligned with Linglong’s internal strategy. The Chinese tyre manufacturer has committed to significantly reducing CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement timetable for Chinese companies and matching the ambitions of both the WBCSD and the European Union.

Linglong is already cutting carbon emissions through efficient energy use, sustainable tyre development and intelligent supply chain management. The company targets a reduction of more than 50 percent by 2035, with climate neutrality no later than 2050. Five core elements drive this effort: new materials, advanced technologies, modern processes, smart machinery, and sustainable energy. A 35‑megawatt solar system is being installed at a new tyre factory under construction in Brazil as part of this transition.

By 2040, all Linglong tires are to be made entirely from sustainable materials. The concept tyre presented by Chief Executive Officer Lingkun ‘Andy’ Zhou relies on bio‑based feedstocks such as biotechnical itaconate rubber, rice husk ash and corn‑based silica to replace traditional petroleum‑based raw materials, reducing carbon emissions by up to 35 percent. Linglong became the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to join the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) and supports FSC‑certified natural rubber projects to protect forests, support rubber farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the rights of workers, indigenous peoples and local communities. In resource recycling, the company promotes liquid waste rubber and pyrolysis carbon black to close the loop on waste tyres.

Zhou emphasised that the dual‑carbon roadmap revolutionises the entire production process, not merely representing an environmental pledge. Linglong will do everything possible to meet its climate goals while providing consumers worldwide with environmentally friendly, sustainable and high‑quality mobility solutions, aiming to leave a clean and liveable planet for generations to come.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has entered into a new collaboration with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) to embed tyre safety education into the latter’s existing road safety programmes across the region. This partnership aims to provide motorists and motorcyclists with practical guidance on tyre maintenance as part of broader efforts to reduce road casualties.

NWFRS already runs several impactful initiatives with local partners, including Operation Atal, a roadside engagement campaign with North Wales Police that educates drivers on the Fatal 5, the most common causes of fatal collisions. The Service also delivers a targeted intervention for young drivers called Olivia’s Story, a true local tragedy in which a young woman lost her life when a friend raced another friend in a newly acquired car. Additionally, NWFRS offers BikerDown training for motorcyclists and engages with riders through BikerBrews at popular stops.

Recent data from Road Safety Wales shows total reported casualties in 2024 fell by 31 percent compared to 2019, with 84 fatalities and 1,007 serious injuries across Wales, a 7.9 percent decrease from the previous year. However, rural roads, which make up about 60 percent of all road fatalities in Wales, remain a concern. Authorities continue to highlight the Fatal 5 – excessive speed, drink or drug driving, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts – as leading causes of serious collisions.

Through this new partnership, tyre safety messages will be incorporated into roadside engagement, community events and educational programmes across North Wales. By ensuring drivers understand the critical role tyres play in vehicle control, especially on rural roads and in challenging conditions, TyreSafe and NWFRS aim to build on recent safety improvements and further reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “By working alongside North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and integrating tyre safety into their excellent road safety initiatives, we can reach more drivers and riders with simple, practical advice that helps prevent incidents before they happen. Partnerships like this are vital in continuing the positive progress we are seeing in reducing road casualties.”

Jane Honey, Deputy Head of Prevention at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Our teams are committed to supporting safer communities across North Wales, and road safety education is a key part of that work. Tyre condition is a crucial element of vehicle safety, particularly on the rural roads that make up much of our region. By working with TyreSafe, we can strengthen the messages we deliver through our campaigns and community engagement, helping motorists make small checks that can have a big impact on road safety.”

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Titan International has introduced two new product lines under the Goodyear Farm Tire brand, named Goodyear Softrac Pro and Goodyear Softrac Smooth. Designed as complementary front and rear fitments, the tyre lines aim to enhance performance across a range of landscaping equipment, including both commercial and residential zero-turn mowers. The launch follows Titan’s recent expansion of its Goodyear licensing rights into additional product segments, which was announced last year.

The Softrac Pro line features a forward-thinking tread profile and refined contour intended to work harmoniously with the terrain, offering a smoother ride, better slope stability and improved turf protection. Engineered for both professionals and homeowners, the tyre provides long-lasting durability and dependable traction without compromising ground quality. Key technical attributes include a proprietary ozone-resistant tread compound for extended tyre life, a meticulously engineered tread pattern that reduces turf damage and a multi-angle lug design for excellent hillside traction.

Current Softrac Pro sizes range from 20x10.00-8NHS to 26x12.00-12NHS, covering the most popular rear fitments for commercial and residential zero-turn mowers, with additional sizes planned for front engine riders and compact tractors. Meanwhile, the Softrac Smooth line is built as a front fitment for high-precision commercial mowers, engineered to deliver precise handling and clean cutting lines under heavy workloads. Available sizes include 11x4.00-5, 13x5.00-6 and 13x6.50-6, covering key front wheel mower fitments.

Both Softrac Pro and Softrac Smooth lines have undergone rigorous testing by multiple original equipment manufacturers, reinforcing Titan’s focus on application-specific solutions. Working together as front and rear systems, the tyres support a full range of commercial mower configurations, including zero-turn, stand-on and low-profile models, helping manufacturers and dealers equip fleets with a top-tier brand while boosting overall performance.

Peter Kortes, Outdoor Power Equipment Product Manager – Titan Specialty Division, said, “For years, turf tyres have looked largely the same, and recent aggressive designs have swung too far without considering everyday functionality. We set out to create a tread that strikes the perfect balance, modern and bold, yet still turf‑friendly and practical for any user. The result delivers standout style with the optimal performance customers expect from their equipment.”

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