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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Ainscough Crane Hire, UK’s largest crane hire business, has significantly deepened its collaboration with Michelin by placing its entire tyre management operation in the hands of Michelin’s Connected Solutions (CXS) division. What began in 2023 as an arrangement focused on the company’s truck tyres has now evolved into a comprehensive, long-term partnership covering the full spectrum of the operator’s fleet.

Operating from 30 sites nationwide, the agreement encompasses more than 350 Liebherr cranes, a substantial number of which are 16-wheelers, alongside 135 trucks and trailers and 199 support vans. Included within this are 40 Scania heavy goods vehicles dedicated to heavy haulage. CXS now coordinates the supply of roughly 1,000 tyres annually through a national network while also providing detailed sustainability reporting to support Ainscough’s environmental goals.

The extension of the partnership was reinforced by a successful benchmarking trial, which demonstrated that Michelin’s X Multi truck tyres delivered three times the lifespan of a leading competitor. These fitments now equip the majority of the haulage fleet. Michelin is also introducing its advanced X Crane 2 tyres across the heavy crane fleet as existing rubber is replaced. These tyres offer a new tread pattern for enhanced grip and braking, alongside a higher load capacity that permits an additional 800 kilogrammes per tyre at highway speeds. Certified testing also shows they are more than 13 percent more fuel-efficient than their main premium rival due to reduced rolling resistance.

Sustainability remains central to the arrangement. Ainsworth makes full use of Michelin’s multi-life tyre policy for its trucks and ballast trailers. Casings are regrooved once tread depth diminishes, then later retreaded at Michelin’s Remix facility in Stoke, with the option for further regrooving. The company’s Mercedes-Benz service vans are fitted with the adaptable Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tyre.

Supporting this comprehensive operation is Fraser Greer, Key Account Manager at CXS. Ainscough Crane Hire continues to serve a wide array of sectors including infrastructure, defence, energy and telecommunications, cementing its role as a key contributor to the UK’s built environment.

Chris Britton, Head of Operations Support, Ainscough Crane Hire, said, “Michelin has become our latest highly valued strategic supplier relationship. Being the number one operator in our field, we only go with trusted and number one brands as our suppliers. The fuel savings of GBP 130 per 10,000 km will save us GBP 100,000s across the lifetime of the machines and reduce their environmental impact. Likewise, the increased load factor of the fitments and the 20 percent improvement in braking distances really impressed us. It means safety margins will increase, and safety is at the heart of everything we do.

“As a business we aren’t looking for the cheapest deal, but the best value. We are receiving a world class service from Michelin. It has streamlined procurement and helped us forecast tyre costs better; it has delivered the right products in the right place ensuring maximum uptime for our cranes; we have a ‘best way of working’ when it comes to protocols and tyres being fitted at our sites; and we have full traceability of each tyre and an insight into its environmental impact.”

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The Australian Grand Prix delivered a thrilling season opener, with Pirelli’s tyre compounds playing a central role in the strategic narratives that unfolded. George Russell claimed victory for Mercedes, leading home rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli in a one-two finish. Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, completing a podium that showcased a mix of experienced talent and fresh faces.

The race began with immediate drama as the latest generation of Formula 1 machinery hit the track. Early interruptions prompted by several brief Virtual Safety Car periods led Mercedes to bring its drivers into the pits sooner than perhaps anticipated. Both Russell and Antonelli switched from the medium to the hard compound, committing to a successful one-stop strategy that ultimately paid dividends. Overtaking was plentiful throughout the field, contributing to a highly entertaining spectacle. However, the home crowd was left disappointed as local hero Oscar Piastri failed to even start the race. His McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, managed a fifth-place finish after adopting a two-stop approach, while four-time champion Max Verstappen, who started from the very back of the grid, fought through to sixth place using the same two-stop tactic.

Despite the varied strategies, the top four finishers all committed to a solitary pit stop. While the Mercedes pair and Leclerc celebrated on the podium, Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in fourth for Ferrari, just missing out on a top-three finish. His result, combined with Leclerc’s podium, places the Scuderia second in the early Constructors' Championship standings. The event was blessed with warm and sunny conditions, with temperatures remaining stable around 26 degrees. The paddock now quickly shifts focus to the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.

In the Formula 2 curtain-raiser, Nikola Tsolov made history by becoming the first Bulgarian winner in the category's history. Driving for Campos Racing, he led home Rafael Câmara and Laurens van Hoepen. The race was marred for Rodin Motorsport as teammates Martinius Stenshorne and Alex Dunne collided, ending their afternoon. All three podium finishers employed an identical pit strategy, pitting on lap nine to exchange their starting Supersoft tyres for the Soft compound, a move that propelled Tsolov to the top of the drivers' standings.

Campos Racing extended its winning ways into Formula 3, where Ugo Ugochukwu took the chequered flag. Freddie Slater finished second, placing him second in the championship behind Ugochukwu, while Taito Kato completed the podium in Melbourne after benefiting from post-race time penalties applied to two rivals.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “As we expected yesterday, the first Grand Prix of the season was won with a one-stop strategy. The Mercedes drivers crossed the finish line in the same positions in which they started on the grid, adopting an identical strategy. The final stint on the hard tyres could be extended compared to Saturday's forecasts thanks to limited degradation, which allowed the drivers to complete the race with the same set they had during the VSC. Those who opted for two stops took advantage of the neutralisations to change fresh tyres without risking losing too many positions, in some cases even using the Softs for a final sprint.

“All three compounds therefore proved useful during the race, with the C3 capable of supporting stints of up to 46 laps thanks to its consistency. The left front was the tyre most affected by graining, though without causing excessive wear or degradation issues. We are, however, at the beginning of a new technical cycle and on a track that is not particularly demanding on tyres. With the development of the cars and the arrival of more challenging circuits, we expect inevitable changes in tyre management. Tyres remain one of the many variables teams will have to consider among the numerous innovations of this season.”

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Comerio Ercole has concluded a successful participation in the Tire Technology Expo 2026, a premier international event for the tyre sector held in Hannover, Germany. Over the three-day exhibition, the company’s stand drew considerable attention from a global audience of customers, partners and industry professionals. The event served as a vital hub for fostering technical dialogue and commercial relationships, leading to the acquisition of new orders and forward-looking discussions that resonated deeply within the international tyre manufacturing community.

A defining moment for the company at this year’s expo was its recognition at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2026. Comerio Ercole was honoured with the ‘Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year’ award, an accolade that underscores its enduring commitment to technological advancement. This achievement was complemented by the company’s status as a finalist in three additional award categories, highlighting its pervasive leadership and innovative edge in calendering technology.

These accolades reinforce Comerio Ercole’s standing as a pivotal technology partner for the global tyre industry. The recognition affirms the company’s strategic focus on engineering increasingly sophisticated solutions to meet the evolving demands of the market and shape its future trajectory.

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Mumbai-headquartered tyre major CEAT has been working in the area of inclusivity and employee welfare. The company had in the past introduced a comprehensive set of policies aimed at supporting the specific needs of its women employees and fostering their professional advancement. The organisation has been emphasising work-life balance as a means to enhance both personal well-being and workplace productivity, offering flexible remote work options in coordination with managers. A Wellness Leave policy allows women two days of monthly work-from-home or leave during menstruation without requiring justification, while shopfloor employees can access on-site Occupational Health Centres for shift changes or rest as necessary.

To cultivate leadership and career growth, CEAT has implemented targeted programmes such as Womentoring, the Women Accelerator Program and STARS, which focus on building digital, functional and leadership competencies. The EmpowHer Employee Resource Group further promotes inclusion and facilitates open dialogue within the organisation.

The company also provides extensive support for mothers, including 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, hospitalisation coverage and facilities such as crèches and lactation rooms across offices and plants. Returning mothers can benefit from flexible hours and a reduced four-hour workday until their child turns one, while shopfloor workers are assigned morning shifts during the first year after childbirth. A gender-neutral Child Caregiver Travel and Stay Policy ensures that caregiving responsibilities do not hinder career progression.

In manufacturing, CEAT has enhanced accessibility by introducing automated machinery, ergonomic fixtures and lift-assist devices. These changes have contributed to a 20 percent women workforce at the Chennai facility and 28 percent representation on the Nagpur shopfloor, which was the first in Maharashtra to introduce night shifts for women. Safe transport, women security personnel and ergonomic workplace design further support this inclusion. Collectively, these efforts reflect CEAT’s commitment to enabling women to lead and succeed in diverse roles.

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