Like every technology sector requires testing, so do the tyres that come with any vehicle. It is important that the tyres of a vehicle function smoothly on different roads and under all weather conditions. This results in tyre manufacturers conducting a number of vital tests to ensure that their tyres perform when the end user sits behind the wheel. Dr Dieter Barz, Director – Sales and Service, and Executive Board Member at Altracon, a company that provides tyre and material property testing solutions and configurations, throws light on tyre testing standards, how the Indian market is one of the major markets of the future for tyre testing and how the future is about sustainability.

What is the role of testing in tyre development as a whole?
When a customer buys a tyre, they, of course, have to be sure that the tyre is safe, comfortable to ride and not noisy. Therefore, tyre testing is essential.

The tyre is a very complex, built-up element. As for tyre testing in general, it is split up into several areas. For one, there’s subjective testing, like the feeling of driving a car, for instance. This would be the tyre performance.

Then there’s tyre measurement. When it comes to tyre measurement, it’s very important that during the development process, one proves that the tyre is fulfilling various standards. These standards are different for different countries – there are European, American, Japanese or Asian standards and so on. But on the whole, the tyre has to show that it is capable of fulfilling those standards. And that is the role of tyre testing.

What kind of regulation, according to you, will fuel more demand for testing businesses?
The future is about sustainability. Energy consumption is one of the most important factors and is influenced by a lot of things. If we look at compound development, we have to find compounds that have low rolling resistance and low damping in order to be energy efficient. So the focus on tyre testing will be in terms of sustainability and energy consumption, looking into the compounds and the complete tyre as well. These are two very important elements to look into.

Does the Asian market require different testing machines?
In general, no. You have different standards to prove, although the test machines are more or less the same. The software program that you run for the test is what stands.

Which is the most exciting market for Altracon right now?
As sustainability is a global project, there are no priority markets. However, we also see that India is developing very fast. Therefore, the demand for tyre testing, now and in the future, will be very high in India. Hence, India will definitely be a focus market in the future.

Can you elaborate more on this? What is Altracon’s scope in the Indian market?
Altracon is already very well known in the Indian market. In fact, we offer machines that directly suit the country’s requirements. Plus, along with our machines, we also provide tools that are sustainable. For example, we offer special energy management to operate the machine. Besides, we also offer machine programmes that help shorten development processes, thus enhancing sustainability by reducing manufacturing and testing efforts. This saves fuel and reduces emissions and pollution.

Can you tell us a bit about the services provided by Altracon? How do you make sure that your customers receive timely and the most effective service possible?
In the past, we have experienced that the online service we provide fulfils more than 90 percent of customer requirements. If there is any issue with the machine, we start a remote service via the internet in order to look into the machine and solve the problem along with the customer. We have a very fast response time and low costs as there is no travelling involved. We go out to the customer in person and fix the machine only if it is really needed.

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The International Rubber Conference (IRC) will return to Japan in November for the first time in a decade, with more than 271 technical presentations and over 117 exhibitors expected to take part.

The event, known as IRC 2026 Aichi, will be hosted by the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan, alongside the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition in Aichi. It is scheduled to run from 2^nd to 6^th  November, with the exhibition opening a day later and continuing until 6^th  November .

Held at the Aichi International Exhibition Center, also known as Aichi Sky Expo, the venue is located near Chubu Centrair International Airport and can be reached from Nagoya Station in about 28 minutes by train.

The conference programme will feature more than 271 presentations spanning rubber science, technology and industrial applications. Participants include James Busfield of Queen Mary University of London and Nobuyuki Tamura of Bridgestone Corporation, who also chairs the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association. More than 400 delegates have already registered.

Running alongside the conference, the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition will host more than 117 exhibitors, ranging from raw material suppliers and machinery manufacturers to tyre makers and testing-equipment providers. The exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge.

The International Rubber Conference, first held in 1966, rotates annually across global host cities. The last event in Japan took place in Kitakyushu in 2016, with subsequent editions held in Haikou, Istanbul and Bangkok.

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Italian tyre major Pirelli has announced a multi-year investment plan worth approximately EUR 1 billion (USD 1.2 billion) to expand its manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia in the United States. The motion passed by majority vote, with board members Zhang Haitao, Xi Xiaohong and Wang Kun voting against the proposal.

The capital expenditure program, scheduled to begin in 2027 and will go through 2033, aims to expand annual production capacity at the Georgia site to six million tyres and create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The United States represents the largest market for high-value tyres globally, accounting for roughly 40 percent of global volumes. The project will be carried out in two phases without altering Pirelli's financial targets for 2026.

Phase one of the expansion will introduce modular robotised production systems based on Pirelli's Modular Integrated Robotised System technology, scaling annual output to three million tyres starting in 2028.

In phase two, the company will begin construction of an automated production facility to add three million units of annual capacity. The expanded plant will produce connected tyre systems, including Cyber Tyre technology, following market authorisation granted by the US Bureau of Industry and Security under Italy’s 2026 Golden Power Decree.

Alongside the investment decision, the board approved an organisational restructuring resulting in the immediate elimination of the Corporate General Management function. As part of the changes, Corporate General Manager Francesco Tanzi will step down from his executive role, maintaining an employment relationship through 31 December 2026 to facilitate the leadership transition.

Under the terms approved by the board and the Remuneration Committee, Tanzi will receive a severance payment equivalent to 13 months’ remuneration, payable by February 2027, alongside accrued rights under existing short-term and long-term incentive plans. He has agreed to a two-year non-compete covenant covering Pirelli's primary operating regions in exchange for 130 percent of his gross annual salary, paid in eight quarterly instalments. Following the end of his employment, Tanzi will provide advisory services under a two-year consultancy contract with an annual fee of EUR 350,000, plus non-monetary benefits valued at EUR 45,000.

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Bridgestone has announced a European leadership appointment aimed at sharpening customer focus, streamlining engagement across product groups and supporting its ongoing growth plans. Stefano Sanchini will become President, Europe Sales, effective 1 October 2026, leading the company’s European sales organisation across both Consumer and Commercial segments.

The expanded role unites sales activities spanning passenger car, truck and bus, agriculture, off-the-road, motorcycle and original equipment. Sanchini brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in the automotive and tyre sectors, with a career covering Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Since joining Bridgestone in 2017, he has held several senior positions, including Managing Director of Bridgestone India.

Most recently, as Vice President for Consumer Replacement in Europe, he helped strengthen customer engagement, commercial performance, profitability and regional market growth. Bridgestone said the appointment underscores its commitment to customer relationships, commercial execution and simpler cross-market operations. Sanchini will pursue sustainable growth while developing capabilities and partnerships supporting the company’s long-term European strategy.

Mete Ekin, Group President EMEA, said, "Our customers increasingly operate across multiple product categories and expect a consistent experience wherever they engage with Bridgestone. By bringing our sales activities together under one European structure, we are creating a simpler, more connected organisation that will help us respond faster, collaborate more effectively and continue building strong partnerships with our customers."

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Yokohama Europe has appointed Giuseppe La Iacona to a series of senior leadership roles as the company seeks to strengthen its position across the region.

La Iacona joined the business on September 15 and will assume responsibility for supporting growth and organisational consolidation in the European market.

He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the tyre industry, spanning sales, marketing, business development, country management and international customer relations. He has held senior roles across several European markets, developing experience in managing local dynamics while driving cross-border business expansion.

Reporting to Takashi Maki, La Iacona has been appointed General Manager for southern Europe, where he will lead a newly created regional cluster covering Italy and France. The role is intended to improve coordination and operational synergies between the two markets.

He will also serve as Chief Executive of Yokohama Italia, with overall responsibility for the Italian subsidiary, alongside taking on the role of head of international customers. In that capacity, he will oversee the management and development of clients operating across multiple European markets, with the aim of creating a more consistent commercial approach and strengthening collaboration between subsidiaries.

His remit includes improving organisational alignment and fostering closer cooperation between markets and customers as the company expands its European operations.

“I am very pleased to welcome Giuseppe to YOKOHAMA Europe at an important stage in our development,” said Maki. “His extensive international experience, deep knowledge of the tyre industry and ability to work across different markets will be valuable assets as we continue to strengthen our European organisation and pursue sustainable growth.”

La Iacona said: “I am excited to join YOKOHAMA Europe and to contribute to the company’s next phase of growth in Europe. YOKOHAMA has a strong heritage, a distinctive brand and significant opportunities across the European market. I look forward to working closely with our teams, customers and partners across countries to further develop the business and strengthen our presence in the region.”

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