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 CO2, 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)
Kuraray America Observes Customer Service Appreciation Week 2026
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) celebrated the critical role its customer service teams play in shaping the customer experience with the Customer Service Appreciation Week 2026, recognising them as the vital connection between customers and the many internal teams working together to deliver on company commitments.
This year’s theme, ‘The Extra Mile’, honours the dedication behind that work, including coordinating complex logistics, anticipating customer needs, connecting customers with appropriate expertise and navigating unexpected challenges. Teams bring together people, information and solutions to keep customers moving forward, often making a difference through extra follow-up, proactive updates or determination to find a solution.
Levi Neufeld noted that the EVAL customer service team keeps the customer at the centre of every decision, a commitment shared across all service teams. For Dental, Dinesh Weerasinghe said going the extra mile means understanding each customer’s needs, providing accurate guidance and ensuring nothing is left unresolved. Tim Davis pointed to the PVOH team’s strength in supporting one another through heavy workloads, weather disruptions and unexpected challenges to provide seamless service.
Christian Amad emphasised AIS’s role as the first point of contact, ensuring customers receive needed information and products on time. David Steinberg highlighted Elastomers’ can-do attitude, which helps the team stay flexible and work effectively across three business units and product lines. Across all teams, that extra effort builds customer trust. KAI thanked each member for their responsiveness, knowledge, teamwork and care.
Hankook Tire Earns Spot On TIME's 'World's Best Companies 2026' List
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Hankook Tire, a leading global tyre company under Hankook & Company Group, has earned a place on the ‘World’s Best Companies 2026’ list compiled by the US weekly news magazine TIME. Since 2023, TIME has collaborated with global market research firm Statista to identify the world’s top 1,000 companies annually, evaluating factors such as employee satisfaction, three-year company growth and Statista’s key ESG indicators.
The selection was driven in part by sustained performance growth over the past three years. Hankook Tire’s tyre division reported revenue of KRW 10.3186 trillion in 2025, exceeding KRW 10 trillion for the first time since the company’s founding. This achievement was supported by an expanded premium-focused portfolio and stable sales in major global markets.
Sustainability management has also yielded notable results. The company has broadened its renewable energy procurement, including a long-term power purchase agreement for its Hungary plant signed in February, and now holds international ISCC PLUS certification at four production sites: Geumsan, Hungary, Daejeon and Jiaxing in China. Its recently published ‘2025/26 ESG Report’ introduced a group-wide ESG management framework and an integrated materiality assessment system, with transparent disclosure of key outcomes in sustainable materials, supply chain management and human rights.
Beyond these efforts, Hankook Tire continues creating social value through its group’s integrated ESG brand. It is advancing a ‘Mobility-Tech’ strategy incorporating artificial intelligence and data while adding eco-friendly vehicle models to its flagship ‘Vehicle Sharing’ social contribution programme and expanding it into a demand-tailored support model. The company has set a ‘2050 Net-Zero’ goal, became the first Korean tyre company to receive SBTi approval for 2030 reduction targets in 2023 and earned FIA 3-Star Environmental Accreditation in 2024. It was also named to TIME and Statista’s ‘World’s Most Sustainable Companies’ list and the Financial Times and Statista’s ‘Asia-Pacific Climate Leaders’ list in 2024.
Tegeta Green Planet Presents Circular Economy Expertise at IRF Congress
- By TT News
- October 07, 2026
Tegeta Green Planet was represented by its director, Shalva Akhvlediani, at the 4th IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress & Exhibition, convened by the International Road Federation (IRF Global). The three-day gathering assembled specialists possessing international and regional expertise, alongside public and private sector delegates and researchers, to deliberate on pressing matters concerning road infrastructure development.
Sustainable, Smart and Safe Roads for Sustainable Economic Growth served as the congress's central theme. Akhvlediani took part in a session titled ‘Sustainable Road Infrastructure: Climate Risks, Emissions and Long-Term Efficiency’, which examined methods for reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of road infrastructure across its complete lifecycle, spanning planning, design, construction, maintenance and renewal.
Climate change adaptation, low-carbon materials, circular economy approaches and environmental efficiency featured among the session's principal subjects, together with solutions guaranteeing road infrastructure's durable, long-term performance. Akhvlediani shared Tegeta Green Planet's expertise and outlook, noting that the company's operations accord directly with circular economy principles by converting waste into resources and advancing responsible waste management.
Operating within Extended Producer Responsibility, Tegeta Green Planet occupies a significant role in Georgia's collection and management of specific waste streams, including used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries. This practical experience illustrates how circular economy principles can be embedded in real business and infrastructure solutions. Congress discussions additionally addressed international experience exchange and practical approaches for strengthening infrastructure resilience, environmental efficiency and long-term durability.
NEXEN TIRE Builds Australian Momentum With Perth Expansion And Brand Push
- By TT News
- October 07, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has strengthened its Australian logistics footprint by opening a new distribution centre in Perth, Western Australia’s largest hub city. The move extends the company’s supply network beyond its existing east-coast bases in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, creating a more comprehensive nationwide distribution system.
The Perth facility is expected to improve product availability for dealers and consumers across Australia. By enhancing local inventory management, NEXEN TIRE aims to shorten logistics lead times and respond more quickly to shifts in market demand, thereby boosting its competitiveness in the fast-growing Australian market.
Beyond logistics, the tyre maker has introduced its Shop Branding programme to Australia, applying a unified visual identity to partner stores through signage, interiors and displays centred on its signature purple. NEXEN TIRE has also continued sports marketing efforts as an official sponsor of A-League club Sydney FC since the 2024/25 season, with the partnership running through the 2026/27 campaign beginning October 16.
Australia remains a strategic market for NEXEN TIRE, with its local subsidiary posting revenue growth of more than 50 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year, more than double the same period in 2024. Combining distribution expansion with locally tailored marketing, the company plans to deepen engagement with Australian consumers, drawing on expertise gained from supplying original equipment tyres to global premium automakers.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "With the opening of this distribution centre, we have secured a foundation to supply our products more reliably beyond the east coast. We will strengthen both our distribution network and brand marketing to continue expanding our presence in the Australian market."
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