Tyre testing is not a new concept. In fact, is there any industry that can do without tests? However, what tyre testing does bring into consideration is an umpteen number of factors – everything from the road wear to the certification, the testing spots and, of course, the different types of testing and the very tyres themselves. Discussing these very aspects with Tyre Trends, Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, spoke about Black Donuts, the subjective and objective views of tyre testing, the convenience of BD Testing having its own indoor testing facility and more. Read on…

The name Black Donut is self-explanatory, making it rather individualistic. A tyre resembles a donut and is black in colour – simplicity at its best. Black Donuts offers a range of solutions for tyre product development and testing, tyre factory construction, plant process design and process development. Therefore, Black Donuts has many business areas, and one of them is service in product development. When it comes to testing, Black Donuts owns 90 percent of another company, BD Testing Inc, which is into tyre testing and high-end customer service. Plus, Black Donuts also happens to be one of BD Testing’s customers.

BD Testing’s customers
When we caught up with Ismo Halén, Vice President at BD Testing Inc, he told us, “Black Donuts designs new tyres and new tyre models or improves existing tyres. That’s why they need testing in order to support the product development. Black Donuts Engineering was founded in 2011, and we were a test team within the company in the beginning. However, we separated in 2012 into an individual company, and now we have separate management and everything else that’s individually ours. We don’t have anyone from Black Donuts working at BD Testing. They are only one of our customers.”

And as customers, they can always decide who tests their tyres. “For instance, Black Donuts can use BD Testing for product development testing because we understand each other. However, the customer can  reach out to other companies to test their tyres as well. For example, when a product is finished, customers usually make homlogation tests somewhere else,” Halén explained.

When it comes to customers/clients, Halén mentioned that it’s not exactly easy to acquire new clients. However, he added, “I’m happy because we already have so many customers that even if somebody doesn’t order anything that others do, we are still in a very good situation.” When turning to his plans on approaching any Asian manufacturers, he responded that while they don’t have any plans for Asia, they would consider going there if there are proving grounds that can be used or rented.

BD Testing’s various focus areas
BD Testing goes beyond this and also issues certification. It has a quality system and is accredited for some R117 tests. “This includes rolling resistance, wet grip, noise measurement and snow performance,” Halén mentioned and continued, “Earlier, we would do wet grips, noise measurements etc. But just one year ago, we started focusing more on winter testing. We now conduct snow and ice tests for the label, which comes under the R117 tests. Additionally, we provide technical service to The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). RDW will issue many types of approvals for many tyre manufacturers, and we can conduct snow tests for them.”

“Furthermore, in Nordic countries, we use studs in the tyre, which has to be approved. Besides, we make road wear testing for studded tyres, which needs mandatory approval from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, TRAFI,” Halén further explained.

Making it work
As far as testing and tyres go, BD Testing does both indoor and outdoor testing and is currently focusing on winter testing, winter tyres and studded tyres (conducting only product development tests for summer tyres). However, because the business is open all year, the winter tests are held in ice halls during the summer, Halén shared. As for snow testing, the indoor tests are conducted in Ivalo and Sweden.

However, most big tyre manufacturers conduct the majority of their tests themselves. Yet, that doesn’t stop a company like BD Testing. There are certain factors in testing that tyre manufacturers can’t carry out themselves and thus have to turn to the likes of BD Testing.

“For example, with road wear testing, it isn’t something they can do by themselves,” Halén asserted and added, “There are only five laboratories that can do that, and we are one of them. Similarly, indoor testing and snow testing is something they may not want to do – it’s a long way to travel and they don’t have the capacity to do so, which is where we come in.”

Indoor testing and outdoor testing
Speaking of indoor testing, it is the easier one to conduct over outdoor testing, Halén claimed. But since handling driveway in itself involves the car being built outdoors, there’s no choice over there, he informed.

What’s more, Halén asserted that usually they don’t test the same things indoors and outdoors – the two aren’t competing and are individual. “Their requirements too are different. But as for product development, some indoor testing is needed, like footprint or contact presser, which gives the designers a lot of information,” he enlightened.

BD Testing would, however, like to have its own indoor testing facility where tests can be conducted whenever needed. “Although, as of now, we have to rent for indoor testing, which can sometimes be fully booked,” Halén cited and added, “In fact, we want our own indoor testing facility that we can rent to other customers as well. However, it’s a huge investment and is too big for us at the moment.”

Objective and subjective testing
Another challenge that Halén spoke to us about, besides having an indoor testing facility, was in terms of manpower, where getting testing drivers is a challenge right now. When asked about the thought process behind selecting a testing driver (since the testing can be very subjective, from driver to driver), Halén highlighted that it’s the experience that plays a role. “And then, the drivers drive together and decide what works and what doesn’t. While these drivers do subjective tests, they, of course, also conduct objective tests. However, objective testing is easier, because you only have to know how to make the test,” he added.

Halén further said that with robots and automation, it’s possible that subjective testing will eventually get reduced in the future. “But in my opinion, with subjective driving, if a driver drives with a set of tyres, then we have a huge amount of information,” he pointed out. “Therefore, it’s a very fast way to have lots of information. If you try to have the same information with the help of machines, you’ll need several machines and it takes a long time. And if you need to analyse data, it takes a long time to develop a new methodology.”

A happy customer equals a successful company
While Halén gave us his clear visions in terms of BD Testing and the tyre testing industry as a whole, he also threw light on the company’s preparation for new regulations. “Additionally, we are focusing on what we are currently doing, targeting for higher quality and making our customers happy,” he expounded and added,
“Our strategy for that is based on the quality system we have. We have very close contact with our customers, so we try to understand what they need. Hence, I’m not trying to sell something to somebody if they don’t need it. Thus, I think our customers come to us themselves when they need something. So, ultimately, customer happiness has been our key to success.”

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Bekaert has secured a place on TIME magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2026. Developed in collaboration with data firm Statista, the ranking recognizes 750 enterprises from an initial global pool of 5,800, highlighting those with outstanding environmental and social performance.

The assessment employs a rigorous, multi-dimensional methodology examining over 20 indicators. These include the sustainability of core operations, external evaluations from organisations like CDP and the Science Based Targets initiative, ESG reporting transparency and social factors such as workplace safety, leadership diversity and employee engagement. This comprehensive data-driven approach determines the final standings.

This accolade underscores Bekaert’s ongoing dedication to responsible practices and its strategy of embedding sustainability into its solutions to foster efficient, circular and low-impact industrial processes. The company’s strong social metrics reflect a safe and inclusive culture, which supports the delivery of high-quality solutions and the cultivation of enduring partnerships with customers and stakeholders.

Ann-Françoise Versele, Vice President – Sustainability and Governmental Affairs, Bekaert, said, “We are honoured to be included in TIME’s ranking of the world’s most sustainable companies for 2026. This recognition confirms the progress we are making and the commitment of our teams worldwide. Sustainability is a core part of how we operate and how we innovate. I would like to thank all our colleagues who contribute to this journey every day. Together, we remain focused on advancing our ambitions and creating lasting positive impact.”

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Tyres Europe has issued a formal response to the European Commission’s recent Omnibus proposal on Energy Labelling, urging a more cohesive strategy for regulatory simplification within the tyre labelling framework. While the industry association acknowledges the intent behind certain proposed amendments, it has identified several areas where the package could inadvertently introduce new complexities.

The proposed measures include promising steps towards digitalisation, such as the introduction of digital labels, the creation of a technical link between the EPREL database and the Digital Product Passport registry and the automation of label image generation within EPREL. These initiatives are seen as positive moves that could modernise the system and reduce certain administrative burdens for manufacturers.

However, Tyres Europe has expressed concern that other aspects of the proposal risk undermining these benefits. The potential empowerment of delegated acts to facilitate a label rescaling could generate fresh regulatory uncertainty and technical hurdles. Furthermore, the expansion of the Product Information Sheet, alongside the introduction of nested labels and additional EPREL requirements, threatens to increase administrative complexity without clear evidence that these changes would meaningfully aid consumer decision-making.

Citing recent data, Tyres Europe notes that consumer engagement with existing tools remains low, with only 39 percent of shoppers recalling the tyre label in 2024, a decline from 50 percent in 2017, and a mere 5 percent Tyres Europe Urges Cohesive Simplification in Omnibus Labelling Proposal having consulted the EPREL database. Given that the 2021 revision already rejected similar data requirements due to technical challenges, the association advocates for a targeted approach focused on improving consumer awareness and market incentives rather than adding new layers. Tyres Europe has affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Commission to ensure the final framework delivers genuine simplification and supports a competitive European business environment.

Adam McCarthy, Secretary General, Tyres Europe, said, “The priority should be to make the existing tyre label better understood and used by consumers, not to add new layers of complexity that risk creating costs without changing purchasing behaviour. A simplification package should simplify.”

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Michelin North America, Inc. has announced a major reorganisation of its US manufacturing operations for the BFGoodrich Tires brand, a move that will consolidate production and impact approximately 1,200 workers in Alabama. The restructuring, set to begin later this year, will centralise nearly all BFGoodrich production at the company’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, facility. Consequently, operations at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, site will undergo a phased wind-down starting in early 2027, with a projected completion date by the end of 2028.

In alignment with its corporate values, Michelin is emphasising a supportive transition for affected staff. The company temporarily paused Tuscaloosa operations to commence direct discussions with employees, with normal production scheduled to resume on 29 June 2026. No job separations are expected for several months as transition plans are finalised, and the company will engage union leaders to determine separation benefits for wage employees in accordance with the existing collective bargaining agreement and federal regulations.

The decision stems from structural inefficiencies at both plants, which are operating well below designed capacity. Simultaneously, the BFGoodrich brand faces increasing competitive pressures in the recreational and off-road tyre segment despite maintaining a robust market share and a strong performance reputation. Company leadership determined that consolidating production at Fort Wayne is essential to establishing a more efficient industrial framework to secure the brand’s long-term viability.

As tyre production and rubber-mixing activities gradually decrease over the next two years, Michelin North America intends to partner with public and private entities to identify new purposes for the Tuscaloosa site. This collaborative effort reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the community’s future prosperity, ensuring that stewardship of the facility remains a priority even as its current manufacturing role concludes.

Terry Redmile, Michelin’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing Operations in the Americas, said, “Because of the dedication of our teams in Tuscaloosa, BFGoodrich Tires is celebrated as a pioneering American brand, and an enduring symbol of car and truck culture. Due to the size, footprint and infrastructure of the Fort Wayne factory, that site is better positioned to consolidate the capacity and meet future demands for the success of BFGoodrich Tires. Unfortunately, we could not identify any feasible structure that would enable us to continue operating in Tuscaloosa while also supporting long-term value creation across our factories in North America.” 

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Dow will invest approximately USD 100 million by the end of 2027 to expand its specialty silicones manufacturing and research capabilities in the US, China and Japan, as the chemicals group seeks to meet rising demand from the mobility, electronics and healthcare sectors.

The investments will increase production capacity for liquid silicone rubber and engineered silicone materials, while also expanding research facilities focused on thermal management technologies.

The company said the projects would strengthen regional supply chains and support customers through local manufacturing and technical capabilities.

“These investments underscore Dow’s focus on scaling specialty silicones materials and bringing innovation closer and faster to our customers,” said Brendy Lange, president of Performance Materials & Coatings. “By expanding manufacturing and innovation capabilities in these strategic regions, we are investing to meet increasing consumer demand, strengthening our global supply chain capabilities, and enabling customers to move faster from innovation to commercialisation.”

Dow plans to expand liquid silicone rubber manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Kentucky, and Zhangjiagang, China. The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2027 and will support applications in mobility, electronics and healthcare.

The company is also increasing capacity for engineered silicone materials used in electronics applications, including power electronics, semiconductor packaging, thermal management and electrical protection.

New capacity in Songjiang, China, and Fukui, Japan, is scheduled to come on stream this year. Additional expansions in Auburn, Michigan, and Zhangjiagang are expected to be completed in 2027.

Dow expanded its Cooling Science Labs in Shanghai earlier this year and opened additional facilities in Midland, Michigan, in June. The facilities are intended to support the development and scale-up of thermal management technologies.

The investments complete the series of silicones projects outlined during Dow’s 2024 investor day. The company said project timelines had been updated to reflect market conditions and affordability considerations.

Dow said demand for specialty silicones continues to grow in mobility, electronics and medical applications, where supply reliability, technical support and product performance remain important considerations.

In mobility and electronics markets, the expanded capabilities are intended to support applications including mobility intelligence modules, data centres, microelectronics, energy electronics, consumer electronics components and advanced safety systems.

In medical applications, the company said regional manufacturing capabilities support local supply requirements for regulated products.

Dow said local manufacturing and technical support would help customers improve supply reliability, accelerate commercialisation and meet evolving qualification requirements.

The company said its integrated silicones manufacturing network across the Americas, Europe and Asia positions it to serve growing demand in specialty materials markets.

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