Last year, Oxford Dictionaries declared that “Unprecedented” is the word of year that chosen by the famous English language experts to sum up the preceding 12 months. It’s been more than a year since the pandemic changed the way we live and work, and nothing feels more important than staying connected to our communities. Tyre industry is no exception.

As we all know, the automotive society is changing at rapid pace world-wide due to various factors such as new customer trends, growth of middle class and new mobility concepts. The performance requirements of tyres continue to rise ever higher, meaning that even further advancement in tyre technology as well as fighting with complex issues are now our new normal. The requirements of tyre performance parameters are much greater than past therefore now we work with “octagon,” instead of historically used “triangle.”

Today, we are talking about “Desired performance” instead of “Prioritised performance” which covers all required factors as well as sustainable green product concept. As we all know, many tyre manufacturers have announced their aggressive plans to have “carbon-neutral” products and aimed to adopt renewable materials and sustainable solutions.

As noted earlier, there are also additional challenges facing mobility and there are many new topics. In this article as TIC, we focused some of the hot topics to be involved by tyre companies. The below topics will force fundamental changes and our industry is going to be more complex. We need to understand those which would affect market dynamics, breakthrough developments and mobility revolutions.

We believe that a holistic approach is needed to see the future as well as new opportunities and treats. TIC-Tire Industry Consulting’s recommendations are given for some of the important areas, which should be involved by tyre manufacturers in order to continue their business.

Air-Free tyres

The airless concept tyre is one of the initiatives aimed towards many tyre manufacture’s long-term vision of the use of sustainable materials. Many of tyre manufacturers revealed their second or third generation air free technologies by featuring improved load-bearing capabilities, driving performance and environmental design. However, there are a lot of works to be made before air free tyres available for customers. Anyone looking for the future of tyre industry needs to involve Air Free tyre technology. Although it is very hard to estimate, we believe CAGR would be reached 3-4% within ten years globally.

Sustainable solutions

This is one of the most popular topics for automotive industry since many years by aiming CO₂ emission reduction. The motivations are: increasing pressure from legislation to move to zero CO_2, EV sales booming in many countries and consumers are increasingly seeking to buy from environmentally responsible companies. Main players have announced very challenging targets to use all-sustainable materials by 2030 and 2050. Tyre industry has to follow this path and needs to do fundamental changes regarding all processes such as R&D, supply chain and others. We believe that tyre industry should implement multiple technological innovations for sustainable solutions by working with their suppliers. In order to keep the competition, tyre manufacturers should: have a Science Based Target (SBT) for sustainability, engage with suppliers for joint activities and improve R&D activities regarding new materials, new designs and higher the usage of recycled materials.

EV tyres

Global automotive sector is responsible for 15% of global GHG emission and Paris agreement targeted to have “zero” GHG emission by 2050 to limit global warming. This is a very challenging target ever seen that committed by all countries. Private sector is co-responsible for implementation and rapid fleet electrification is one of the on-going solution items. OEMs have set the pace for CO₂ reduction and tyre manufacturers should have the EV tyre that meets “desired performance” as a sustainable green product.

The best example would be Germany , that aims to have 14M electric cars in 2030 by having almost 30% share of total car and electric passenger car new sales would reach to 75-80%  of total cars sale in 2030. Those figures show how big opportunity is exist for EV tyre manufacturers for OE and replacement markets. In that respect, we should continue to improve New Product Development (NPD) process even harder by expanding R&D efforts.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the important breakthrough innovations is AI and now widely use in all industries. We have seen many new applications by using AI in tyre industry too. Some of the areas would be sensor adoptions, prediction of compound physical properties, data mining in production processes and performance predictions during service time such a wear life and others. As TIC, we see AI as a “white space” for tyre manufactures that needs special skills as well as knowledge to adapt AI to existing systems.

Dynamic Testing

This has been performed by many tyre manufacturers using different test methodologies  such as component level, Hil (Hardware-in-the-Loop), ViL (Vehicle-in-the-Loop) test during the development and test & verification states of the product. In addition to those currently available test technologies, there are new developments in testing, such as dynamic driving simulators, in other words DiL (Driver-in-the-Loop). This technology enables tyre manufacturer to test and verify their next-generation tyre designs in virtual environment using the vehicle digital twin, which replicates the actual vehicle including vehicle driving dynamics, with real driver interaction. The DiL will improve the development process and create new opportunities for tyre manufacturers as preferred one. TIC believes in “Speed to market with right solutions and innovation,” and ready to support you. Design & development process duration is getting more and more crucial and all manufacturers are trying to reduce it by using modern simulation and testing technics. We recommend adopting Virtual technology in order to provide the best service to your customers.

As a conclusion, tyre industry is facing a lot of challenges and having very dynamic competition, in that respect the tyre technology and tyre knowledge will be extremely important to compete in the future, more than at any time in the past.

TIC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) have vast hands-on experiences for above topics and ready to support your activities. We provide specialised technical solutions for challenges and TIC guarantees a high standard of professional-ethical principles that we have kept and developed for years. (TT)

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is broadening its international footprint with a new European project group focused on tyre retreading. An inaugural online meeting for this initiative is scheduled for 22 July 2026, marking the first step in creating a pan-European network uniting companies, research bodies and sector specialists.

Retreading extends the lifespan of premium tyre casings, conserving raw materials and reducing CO₂ emissions while supporting Europe's circular economy. The sector faces regulatory shifts, including the ESPR Regulation, the Digital Product Passport and heightened traceability mandates.

The AZuR project group will serve as a permanent forum for retreaders, tyre makers, equipment suppliers, research institutes and associations. The agenda prioritises innovation, digitalisation, legislation, best practices and joint ventures, with the kick-off session defining the group's mission, thematic focus and structure.

The online meeting via Microsoft Teams on 22 July from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CEST invites existing AZuR partners and new European stakeholders. Retreaders, manufacturers, academic institutions and associations are encouraged to participate and shape the platform from its inception.

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Triangle Tyre has secured a position on the 2026 list of China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands, with a recorded valuation of RMB 65.156 billion (approximately USD 9.62 billion). The announcement came during the 23rd World Brand Conference, hosted by World Brand Lab in Beijing on 24 June. The company’s inclusion underscores a consistent upward trajectory in brand equity, driven by comprehensive operational capabilities and sustained industrial focus.

The annual ranking assesses brands through financial metrics, brand strength and consumer behaviour analysis. The entry threshold rose to RMB 5.089 billion (approximately USD 751.62 million), while the collective brand value of the top 500 reached RMB 45.29 trillion (approximately USD 6.69 trillion), a year-on-year increase of RMB 3.26 trillion (approximately USD 481.48 billion). These figures highlight the accelerating expansion and rising influence of indigenous Chinese brands.

Central to Triangle Tyre’s brand prominence is its commitment to proprietary research. The company holds over 1,000 active patents and has achieved breakthroughs in giant engineering radial tyres, direct-pressure vulcanisation and aircraft radial tyres, establishing a fully independent intellectual property system. In May 2026, its self-developed civil aviation tyre received technical authorisation from the Civil Aviation Administration, followed by AS9100D aerospace quality certification in June.

Triangle Tyre has also integrated green design and low-carbon manufacturing across operations, utilising smart factories to enhance digital lean production. These efforts have yielded quality and efficiency gains, while the company’s environmental strategy earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal and strengthened its ESG framework. The brand’s national recognition affirms its innovative capacity and market performance, and the company aims to consolidate its competitive position through continued technological and operational excellence.

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Liberty Tire Recycling, North America’s foremost tyre recycler, has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Womble, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for 2026 in the East Central region. The honour, presented by Ernst & Young LLP, distinguishes visionary business leaders who demonstrate exceptional innovation, sustained growth and a commitment to creating lasting value within their industries.

An independent panel of judges recognised Womble for his transformative leadership at the helm of the nation’s largest tyre recycling enterprise. Under his guidance, the organisation has evolved from a regional operator concentrated along the East Coast and Midwest into the only fully integrated, coast-to-coast recycler of its kind in North America. His efforts have been pivotal in pioneering advanced, sustainable applications for scrap tyre materials.

Beyond operational expansion, Womble has spearheaded several industry-first initiatives that underscore his commitment to environmental stewardship. He co-founded the Tire Recycling Foundation and serves on its board while also overseeing the publication of the company’s inaugural Sustainability Report. Additionally, he has forged strategic partnerships to address the collection and recycling of specialised tyres, such as those from bicycles and mining equipment, across both United States and Canada.

Established in 1986, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme subjects nominees to a rigorous evaluation process that weighs financial performance, strategic growth and personal dedication to community impact. Regional winners like Womble are celebrated for their role in reshaping industries and fostering long-term economic and social progress.

Womble said, “Being recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the highlights of my entire career. I think entrepreneurship is what the American dream is built on. It's certainly what my DNA is built on, and to be honoured with such people that are making such a difference in the world is quite an achievement.”

Shannon Crone, Entrepreneur Of The Year East Central Program Co-Director and EY Executive Director, said, "Through their vision, focus and commitment to growth, they are building companies that move markets forward, create opportunities for their teams and strengthen the communities around them.”

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Prometeon Tyre Group has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, reinforcing the company’s commitment to environmental, social, governance and economic priorities. The document illustrates how sustainability considerations are now embedded within operational frameworks and strategic planning across the global tyre manufacturer’s industrial, agricultural and off-the-road segments.

The report highlights notable energy achievements, with renewable and high-efficiency sources accounting for 51.5 percent of total consumption. Certified green electricity and biomass represented 31.3 percent, while combined heat and power systems contributed 20.2 percent. For electricity specifically, the renewable share reached 47.5 percent, with the Milan headquarters and Cinisello Balsamo R&D centre fully powered by certified green energy and a new 116 kWp photovoltaic installation.

The Gravataí plant in Brazil maintained carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions through renewable certificates and a biomass boiler for process steam. Overall energy intensity per finished tonne dropped 14.7 percent since 2016, supporting the company’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative’s 1.5°C pathway, despite a challenging international policy environment.

Material circularity also advanced, with recycled content reaching approximately seven percent, driven by increased recycled steel, rice husk ash-derived silica and pyrolysis oil-based carbon black. From January 2025, Turkish-produced Coach C02 tyres incorporate 23 percent ISCC+ certified materials via mass balance. The Group also earned a B score for Climate Change and B- for Water Security from CDP, placing it at the Management level for structured environmental governance.

Supply chain oversight intensified with 21 supplier audits covering 18 percent of annual raw material expenditure, assessing labour standards, safety and association rights, while cumulative coverage since 2021 reached 99 percent. Prepared under Global Reporting Initiative standards, the report underscores Prometeon’s systematic approach to measuring and communicating its economic, environmental and social impacts.

Nicolas Marchi, Chief of Internal Audit, Compliance, Sustainability & Institutional Relations Officer, Prometeon, said, “The 2025 Sustainability Report confirms Prometeon’s ability to translate its ESG objectives into tangible and measurable results. The increase in the share of energy from renewable and high-efficiency sources, the growth in the use of recycled materials and the recognition achieved through the CDP assessment demonstrate the soundness of the strategy we are implementing. In a rapidly evolving global scenario, we continue to view sustainability as a key driver of competitiveness, innovation and attractiveness. For this reason, we remain firmly committed to our journey towards net zero by 2040, engaging the entire value chain and further strengthening our commitment to people, customers, partners and the communities in which we operate.”

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