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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Prinx Chengshan has introduced its latest ultra-high-performance tyre, the Austone Meijie, through a charity test-drive event held in Kunming on 26 and 27 April. Centred on the theme ‘Cherish Every Moment with Love’, the initiative brought together dealers and store representatives to blend cutting-edge tyre technology with social responsibility. The new tyre was highlighted throughout as the group embarked on a mountainous journey focused on rural education support.

The charity effort targeted left-behind children, addressing both educational and daily needs as part of Prinx Chengshan’s broader corporate social responsibility commitments. Volunteers travelled to Jibi Primary School in Zhongshu Town, Luxi County, where 80 percent of students are boarders and nearly half of all families come from poverty-registered or low-income households. The convoy delivered stationery kits, sports equipment and backpacks to fill resource gaps at the campus.

Beyond material aid, the event fostered personal connections and emotional warmth, with the Austone brand philosophy of cherishing every moment put into practice. The new tyre played a key role in safeguarding the journey across city streets, highways and winding mountain roads. Participants gained direct experience of the Austone Meijie’s handling, durability and comfort throughout the convoy’s travels.

Professional test-drive sessions at Kunming Yujia Auto & Motor Sports Park further demonstrated the new tyre’s capabilities. In dry braking tests, the Austone Meijie delivered confident control and immediate response. The tyre’s high-grip tread compound and wide longitudinal grooves tackled wet surfaces by ensuring stable lane changes even through standing water. The new tyre provided unwavering lateral support and precise steering throughout the journey.

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The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF) has officially announced the finalists for its first-ever Circle of Change Awards, a national programme designed to honour individuals, organisations and teams advancing tyre recycling and circular economy leadership. The winners are scheduled to be revealed on 14 May 2026, during the Tire Recycling Conference Awards Luncheon in Denver, Colorado. This year’s conference carries the theme ‘Tread Boldly: Advancing Tire Recycling Through Collective Innovation’.

The pool of finalists spans state-led programmes that have developed scalable and self-sustaining markets for recycled tyres, as well as engineering breakthroughs integrating tyre-derived materials into roads, stormwater systems and urban redevelopment projects. Collectively, these nine initiatives illustrate the expanding innovation and rising demand for tire-derived products across United States.

The awards are structured into four distinct categories, each addressing a critical component of tyre circularity. These include tyre recycling processes, the design and manufacturing of recycled materials, market development for those materials and the complete end-of-life tyre value chain. Together, the finalist projects underscore the creativity and positive momentum shaping the domestic recycled tyre industry.

In the Circular Economy Trailblazer Award category, Colorado and North Carolina were recognised. Colorado has utilised a waste tyre rebate programme and market-development grants to reduce stockpiles and illegal dumping while boosting demand for tyre-derived fuel and moulded products. North Carolina implemented a legislative model that stabilises upstream recycling reimbursements for counties and expands incentives for rubber-modified asphalt applications.

The Innovation in End-Use Technology Award features three honourees. Bolten & Menk constructed a stormwater best management practice system using 210,000 recycled tyres for the city of Woodbury, Minnesota. LHB Engineering and the St. Paul Port Authority applied 30,000 cubic yards of tyre-derived aggregate in underground stormwater retention to redevelop the former Midway Stadium brownfield site. Liberty Tire Recycling, partnering with Atlanta DOT, the University of Georgia, and The Ray, launched an asphalt heat-island pilot to improve pavement durability and study climate and equity benefits in an urban corridor.

For Market Development Excellence, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources leveraged rubber-modified asphalt to resurface park roads and parking areas, creating consistent material demand. A Michigan multi-partner effort led by EGLE has scaled recycled tyre applications from pilot projects to hundreds of lane-miles through advanced specifications and coordinated research.

The Value Chain Collaboration Award recognised Bolder Industries and Pirelli Tire LLC for a traceable closed-loop system converting scrap tyres into certified recovered carbon black for new tyre production, alongside Phibro rCB for restarting an idle pyrolysis facility and qualifying recycled materials for tyre manufacturing. An independent panel of industry experts scores all entries based on innovation, measurable impact, scalability and category alignment, with honouree mentions possible at the judges’ discretion.

Stephanie Mull, Executive Director, Tire Recycling Foundation, said, “At the heart of tyre recycling is a simple but powerful challenge: reframe waste from an endpoint into a catalyst for societal value. This year’s nominees show how far we’ve come in turning end‑of‑life tyres into valuable materials that strengthen infrastructure, support communities and protect the environment and remind us that important work still lies ahead.”

Dick Gust, President, Tire Recycling Foundation Board, said, "The Circle of Change Awards recognise bold action and innovation. We honour the innovators, state leaders and collaborators demonstrating that tyre recycling unlocks real solutions and transformation. Each finalist exemplifies what’s possible when visionary action aligns with smart policy and sustained commitment.”

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company reported a net loss of USD 249 million for the first quarter of 2026, as weaker consumer demand and higher raw material costs weighed on performance across key markets.

The US tyre manufacturer posted net sales of USD 3.9 billion for the quarter, down from USD 4.3 billion a year earlier, while tyre unit volumes fell to 34 million from 38.5 million.

Goodyear reported a loss of USD 0.86 per share, compared with net income of USD 115 million, or USD 0.40 per share, in the same period last year. Adjusted net loss widened to USD 112 million from USD 11 million a year earlier.

“The first quarter reflected a challenging environment, marked by weak consumer industry demand in both OE and replacement across the majority of our key geographies,” said Mark Stewart, Chief Executive and President of Goodyear.

“Despite a weak environment, our first quarter results were in line with our expectations and reflect our commitment to drive value for our brands in the marketplace, where we offer world-class differentiated products and services.”

Stewart said rising raw material costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East and continued pressure on industry demand would require further action to strengthen the company’s cost structure.

Segment operating income fell to USD 95 million from USD 195 million a year earlier. The decline reflected lower volumes and inflationary pressures, partly offset by benefits from the company’s Goodyear Forward restructuring programme, favourable price and raw material mix, and a tariff-related adjustment.

The Americas business reported first-quarter sales of USD 2.1 billion, down 17.5 percent from the previous year. Replacement tyre volumes declined 23.2 percent amid weak market conditions in North America, increased promotional activity and the planned rationalisation of lower-tier products.

Segment operating income in the Americas fell to USD 37 million from USD 155 million a year earlier.

In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, net sales rose 6.7 percent to USD 1.4 billion, supported by currency movements and price mix, despite lower tyre volumes and the sale of the Dunlop brand. Segment operating income improved to USD 1 million from a loss of USD 5 million in the prior year.

Asia Pacific reported sales of USD 455 million, down 4 percent from a year earlier due to weaker original equipment demand in China. However, segment operating income rose to USD 57 million from USD 45 million, supported by pricing and restructuring benefits.

Goodyear said its Goodyear Forward transformation programme delivered USD 107 million in benefits during the quarter.

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Continental has released a new White Paper titled ‘Enhancing Fleet Reliability Through Digital Tire Management – Safety by Continental’, which addresses how logistics companies across the European Union can reduce operational risks amid persistently high fuel costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. For fleets operating cross-border and long-haul routes, volatile energy prices and tight delivery schedules leave little room for unexpected disruptions, prompting a closer look at tyre safety as a critical but often overlooked factor.

Under growing cost pressure, many logistics operators are reassessing areas where risks can still be actively managed. Vehicle safety, particularly the condition of tyres, is no longer seen solely as a compliance issue but as a direct influence on efficiency, uptime and cost control. Tyres affect stability, braking and fuel consumption, yet issues like pressure deviations and heat buildup can go unnoticed between manual inspections. When tyre problems arise on the road, they often result in breakdowns, delivery delays and expensive roadside repairs, which are especially damaging to EU-wide logistics operations.

The White Paper notes a significant shift among European fleets towards continuous, data-driven tyre safety strategies instead of reactive fixes. Digital monitoring systems are being adopted to detect risks early and integrate tyre condition into planned maintenance. Continental’s ContiConnect system is highlighted as a practical example, using in-tyre sensors to continuously track pressure and temperature. The system provides fleet-wide visibility and automated alerts when values exceed set thresholds, enabling timely intervention before tyre issues cause route incidents.

Real-world fleet experience cited in the White Paper shows that continuous tyre monitoring delivers measurable gains, including fewer tyre-related breakdowns, better fuel efficiency from optimised pressure and longer tyre life. For logistics operators working across multiple EU countries, these improvements lead to more predictable routes, fewer unplanned stops and greater delivery reliability. While fleets cannot control fuel prices or geopolitical events, the paper emphasises that safety-critical asset management remains within their control, making tyre safety a core part of operational risk management in a challenging environment.

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