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)
Michelin To Showcase New Trailer Tyre And Remix 2 Process At RTX Scotland
- By TT News
- October 26, 2026
Michelin will present its newest trailer tyre, the 385/65 R22.5 X Multi T2, at stand D60 during RTX Scotland, scheduled for 18–19 November at Glasgow’s SEC. The Glasgow event marks the UK show debut for the tyre, which Michelin says offers 15 percent more mileage and six percent lower rolling resistance than the model it replaces.
Alongside the tyre, Michelin will highlight its Remix 2 process, an extension of its multi-life policy that permits a second retread and further regrooving. The company claims this can extend a tyre’s service life by as much as 375 percent. Remix 2 is presently undergoing trials with selected Michelin customers and builds on established retreading at the firm’s Stoke remanufacturing site.
Designed for regional and mixed transport, the X Multi T2 handles heavy loads and lateral forces during manoeuvring while remaining robust across varied conditions. It carries EU label ratings of B for rolling resistance, C for wet grip and A for external rolling noise, plus 3PMSF and M+S markings for winter suitability.
The combination of a second premium retread with up to three regroovings during service is central to Michelin’s multi-life proposition. Fleets gain greater value and mileage from each fitment, with the maximum safe distance potentially reaching 375 percent of a single-life Michelin tyre’s baseline.
Andrew French, B2B Sales Director at Michelin UK & Ireland, said, “We’re excited to be giving the X Multi T2 its UK debut at RTX Scotland. Enhancing our popular X Multi range, it’s another asset that can help hauliers go further for less as part of a well-managed tyre policy. The opportunity to showcase our Remix 2 offer, which can significantly boost the longevity of each tyre and reduce the total cost of ownership, underlines our commitment to maximising value.”
Dunlop Geomax EN92 Impresses At 100th FIM 6DAYS Enduro of Nations
- By TT News
- October 26, 2026
Dunlop has announced that its new Geomax EN92 tyre delivered convincing performance in dry, dusty and sandy conditions at the 100th edition of the FIM 6DAYS Enduro of Nations, held last week around Grandola, Portugal. Teams competing in both the World Trophy and Club Team classifications selected Dunlop’s latest enduro tyres and mousses to provide the traction required across six tough days of off-road racing at the world’s most prestigious enduro event.
Because of the dust and sand, many teams favoured the new scoop tyre, which offered excellent traction and braking on softer surfaces through Dunlop’s Reinforced Scoop Technology, designed to dig in and enhance terrain penetration. This mirrors the ongoing success of the Dunlop Geomax MX14 scoop tyre in international motocross, which has been raced by recent World Champions including MX2 champion Guillem Farres. The new and improved Geomax EN92 and EN92 SOFT tyres are engineered for off-road capability across a wide variety of terrain, from Portugal’s dry conditions to grass, mud and wet ground.
Dunlop also continued supporting club riders through the Dunlop Geomax Challenge, won this year by Italian EnduroGP Youth standout Simone Cagnoni ahead of Australia’s Dylan McDonald and the USA’s Jaden Dahners. The initiative backs Club Team Award riders racing on Geomax EN92 tyres with an official Dunlop rider kit and prizes for top performers, plus prize-giving during the official podium ceremony. More than 30 entrants representing nine nations took part this year. Dunlop further celebrated success in the FIM Women’s World Trophy, where Dunlop rider Korie Steede contributed to the winning Team USA effort and Danielle McDonald raced for second-placed Team Australia.
Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “The conditions at this year's 6DAYS provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the performance of our new Geomax EN92. With so much dust and sand throughout the week, riders needed confidence in their tyres, particularly under acceleration and braking. The new scoop tread pattern proved particularly effective in these conditions, while the combination of our tyres and mousses performed convincingly throughout the event. We are also pleased with the continuing popularity of the Dunlop Geomax Challenge, which brought together riders from around the world. Supporting riders at every level of racing is hugely important to us, and events like 6DAYS allow us to demonstrate that commitment.”
Fabio Muner, Marketing and Digital Director, FIM, said, “Dunlop has been a valued partner of the FIM for many years, sharing our passion for enduro and our commitment to the sport. Its presence at the FIM 6DAYS Enduro of Nations, together with the activities organised through the Dunlop Geomax Challenge, demonstrates its dedication to riders, teams and the entire enduro community. This partnership goes far beyond competition: it is about creating opportunities, engaging riders and strengthening the spirit that makes enduro so special. We are proud to continue this journey together and look forward to building on our longstanding relationship in the years to come.”
TyreSafe And GRSP Team Up To Make Gloucestershire's Roads Safer
- By TT News
- October 26, 2026
TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has entered a new partnership with the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), uniting two organisations dedicated to cutting road casualties and improving safety across the county. The collaboration will focus on raising awareness of tyre safety among road users in Gloucestershire through shared expertise, resources and opportunities that support broader road safety campaigns and initiatives.
The announcement comes as around 1,000 personal injury road traffic collisions are recorded on Gloucestershire's roads annually. The GRSP aims to halve the number of people killed and seriously injured on county roads between 2022 and 2032. Its recent Road Safety Needs Assessment identified speeding, distraction and impaired driving as key preventable factors in serious collisions, stressing the need for targeted action on high-risk routes and among vulnerable road users.
Gloucestershire's network includes many rural and semi-rural routes alongside busy residential and urban areas. Targeted measures are already underway at collision hotspots, including average speed cameras and lower speed limits on higher-risk routes. Tyre safety is a vital component of this wider approach, as tyres are the only part of a vehicle in direct contact with the road and are critical to braking, steering and control. Correct inflation, sufficient tread and freedom from damage help road users maintain control and reduce avoidable risks.
The partnership will create opportunities for joint campaigns, communications, community engagement and educational activity, ensuring drivers across the county receive clear, practical tyre safety information. It will complement existing education, awareness and enforcement work involving communities, schools, young drivers and other at-risk road users. TyreSafe continues to expand its UK network of road safety partnerships, recognising that reducing deaths and serious injuries requires collaboration across education, enforcement, engineering and safer vehicle use.
Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “Gloucestershire has a clear ambition to significantly reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on its roads, and the work of the Road Safety Partnership demonstrates the importance of bringing organisations together to achieve that. We’re delighted to be partnering with the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership and to bring tyre safety into that wider road safety conversation. Tyres are fundamental to vehicle safety, but they can sometimes be overlooked when road users are thinking about the factors that contribute to collisions.
“Making sure tyres are legal, correctly inflated and in good condition is one of the simple things every driver can do to reduce risk. By working alongside established road safety partnerships, we can help make that advice more visible and give drivers practical information they can act on. This partnership is another important step in TyreSafe’s work with road safety organisations across the UK. By sharing expertise, audiences and resources, we can reach more people and make a greater contribution to preventing avoidable deaths and serious injuries.”
Nick Evans, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Road Safety Partnership for Gloucestershire, said, “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and our ambition to halve the number of people killed and seriously injured on Gloucestershire’s roads requires strong collaboration across our partner organisations. Our recent Road Safety Needs Assessment has given us a clearer understanding of where the risks are and the behaviours that contribute to serious collisions. While speed, distraction and impairment remain important areas of focus, vehicle condition is also an essential part of keeping people safe.
“We are pleased to welcome TyreSafe as a partner and look forward to working together to raise awareness of tyre safety and provide practical information that road users can use. By combining our local knowledge and reach with TyreSafe’s specialist expertise, we have an opportunity to engage more people and support our shared ambition for safer roads across Gloucestershire.”
Sailun Group Earns Dual Honours At 2026 Forbes China Best Employers Rankings
- By TT News
- October 26, 2026
Sailun Group secured dual honours at the 2026 Forbes China Best Employers rankings, announced on 20 October, earning recognition as both China Best Employer of the Year and China Best Employer of the Year for Best ESG Practices. The accolades, selected from hundreds of participating enterprises, highlight the tyre maker’s achievements in talent strategy, organisational culture and social responsibility.
The Forbes China Best Employers selection, now in its sixth consecutive year, serves as a key gauge of workplace and employment trends in China. This year’s four-month evaluation assessed organisational effectiveness, digital intelligence and innovation, employee development and corporate social responsibility, reinforcing the ranking’s authority and professionalism.
Sailun has long treated talent as the foundation of sustained innovation and long-term growth, investing systematically in organisational effectiveness and employee development. The company draws talent through its mission to make great tyres, unites staff around trust and respect and enables growth via dual management and professional career pathways, mentoring and hands-on projects. A people-centric governance belief that employees are its greatest concern underpins a comprehensive, multi-tiered support system spanning the entire employee lifecycle, strengthening belonging and fulfilment.
Sustainability sits at the top of Sailun’s governance framework. Guided by its ‘eco+’ strategy and aligned with 14 sustainability goals, the Group is accelerating environmental, social and governance transformation – embedding green and low-carbon principles from research and development through manufacturing and supply chain management, integrating fair employment and talent development across human resources and extending social responsibility to industry partners and local communities. The 2026 selection added an AI practices dimension; Sailun’s ‘AI+’ strategy has moved the tyre industry from isolated pilots to organisation-wide AI enablement, with an intelligent system covering product development, manufacturing, quality control, marketing and customer service.
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