Continental’s new truck tyre line, The Conti EcoRegional family, is said to enable fleet operators to significantly increase the efficiency of their vehicles in regional transport. The Conti EcoRegional HS3 and HD3 are built to reduce CO2 emissions thanks to a new manufacturing process in combination of an innovative tread design for the steering axle and a rubber compound that is optimized for rolling resistance for the drive axle. Continental claims that during this process, no sacrifices have been made in terms of the other significant tire properties such as mileage, robustness and traction.

Stretching the limits of tyre technology
The Conti EcoRegional HS3, which was produced using the new ‘Conti Diamond’ technique production process, features an optimised tread surface pattern in the ground contact area with a modified tread groove geometry, reduced sipe width, and W-tread groove technology for particularly even abrasion. A highly stable configuration of the circumferential longitudinal tread grooves enables greater mileage while also reducing fuel consumption. The use of sipes in the newly designed tread ribs provides additional grip edges that are important for the traction characteristics. The Conti EcoRegional HD3 runs with the tried-and-tested tread concept of the Conti Hybrid Gen 3 line, but uses a new, innovative tread compound in the form of Conti InterLock Technology. It enables a level of low rolling resistance with the same mileage, especially in regional and highway applications.

The design of the tread with ‘cap’ (responsible for adhesion, abrasion resistance, and directional stability) and ‘base’ (rolling resistance and damping) allows the individual zones to be optimized for specific tasks, thereby helping to resolve the trade-off. In both products, Conti EcoRegional HS3 and HD3, base compounds optimised for rolling resistance are used. In addition, rubber compounds optimised for rolling resistance are used in the casing.

Meeting the toughest CO2 regulations
The vehicle energy consumption calculation tool (VECTO), which was introduced by the European Commission, is intended to ensure that the ambitious European targets for CO2 reduction are met. In order to meet the objectives of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the European Commission adopted the first carbon dioxide emissions regulation for newly registered heavy commercial vehicles (EU Regulation 2019/1242) in 2019. This calls for a reduction in the average CO2 emissions for new heavy commercial vehicles by 15 percent by 2025 or 30 percent by 2030, compared in each case to the reference year July 2019 to June 2020. This regulation currently applies to 4x2 and 6x2 trucks with a permissible gross vehicle weight of more than 16 metric tons, with a future expansion currently being discussed by the European Commission.

Continental has also launched a microsite containing useful information about the latest CO2 emissions regulation for heavy goods vehicles and the simulation tool for trucks called VECTO. Continental aims to provide fleet managers with comprehensive information about the new regulation and its implications for them, given that tires significantly influence fuel consumption and by that the CO₂ emissions generated by a vehicle.

The microsite contains-
-Videos explaining how the VECTO simulation tool works and what exactly is calculated for the HDVs (also available on YouTube) as well as a video about why industry and society need to act now.
-Information about business effects for fleet operators, focusing on fuel efficiency and greater transparency with regard to the purchase of a truck.
-Comprehensive infographic about the new regulation, with facts and figures on how the VECTO tool performs its calculations, which vehicles are affected, the potential of tires to reduce fuel consumption and fleet operating costs, plus other parameters to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Constantin Batsch, Head of Truck Tires Replacement at Continental’s business region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) said, “From our talks with customers we see that there is a lot of interest from fleet managers all over Europe. We know that fuel consumption and thereby CO₂ emissions will not only become more important when buying a new truck, but also when replacing tires. So, we want to provide fleet operators with important information on how the new CO₂ regulation and the resulting changes for tires affect their business and how they can make best use of it. We see ourselves as service consultants, especially with regard to finding the right tire, tire management and how this helps reduce overall operating costs and CO₂ emissions.”

The European Parliament states that 25 percent of the European Union’s CO2 emissions from transport are generated by heavy-duty vehicles. If truck manufacturers fail to comply with the new regulations, they will incur penalty payments for each vehicle. Further regulations that could affect fleets directly are currently under discussion. Tires impact on up to 40 percent of fleet operating costs because they have a significant influence on fuel consumption (30 percent) as well as on repairs and maintenance (5 percent) and actual tire costs (5 percent).

Continental manufactures the Conti EcoRegional product line in the following dimensions, whereby dimensions 295/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5 and 385/65 R 22.5 are now offered with the highest-permissible load index as standard:

Hana Technologies, Inc. (Hana RFID), a global leader in the design and manufacturing of embeddable RFID tyre tags, has become the first RFID company to join the Circular Rubber Platform. This development aligns with Hana RFID’s mission to drive innovation in tyre traceability and reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and circularity in the tyre and rubber industry.

Hana RFID has been at the forefront of RFID-enabled tyre traceability since 2005, facilitating smooth tracking from cradle to grave and promoting circularity. Hana's RFID tyre tags, which are embedded during manufacturing, provide each tyre a distinct digital identity, facilitating complete lifetime tracking from manufacture and use to recycling and reuse. Hana hopes to promote RFID usage in sustainable tyre lifecycle management by working with leading companies in the sector, which will eventually save waste and increase resource efficiency.

Using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an RFID tyre tag is a tiny, embedded device that tracks, monitors and controls tyres. In addition to providing smooth connection with inventory monitoring, fleet management systems and other digital applications, such as the European Digital Product Passport (DPP), these tags produce digital twins of tyres. Hana's RFID solutions empower the whole tyre ecosystem to expedite fleet management, improve inventory control, optimize maintenance, and create creative business models that increase sustainability and efficiency.

Val Peters, VP – Marketing, Hana RFID, said, “We are excited to join the Circular Rubber Platform as the first RFID company in this initiative. RFID technology is essential for advancing a circular economy in tyre manufacturing, and we look forward to collaborating with partners across the rubber sector to drive sustainability on a broader scale.”

Enrico Koggel, Co-Founder, Circular Rubber Platform, said, “RFID technology is key to enabling a circular rubber economy. RFID enables seamless tracking from production to end-of-life recycling by connecting material and production data into each rubber product. It provides traceability and easy identification and allows for smart sorting of materials and efficient recycling to ensure responsible reuse, remanufacturing, recycling and waste reduction. We are therefore very happy to announce Hana as a new member of the Circular Rubber Platform, with the technology and experience they can provide to the platform. We look forward to sharing knowledge on RFID and working out opportunities for this technology in rubber industries that require Digital Product Passports in the near future, such as footwear.”

TÜV SÜD has expanded its test laboratory in Frankfurt am Main and unveiled new testing facilities at an Open Lab Day at the site, giving customers and employees an exclusive insight into the new state-of-the-art testing environments. The expansion strengthens TÜV SÜD’s position as a leading provider of independent testing and certification services.

Car charging plugs can now be tested in the lab to assess features like weather resistance, mechanical strength and electrical safety. To guarantee the endurance and durability of charging plugs and other parts, the new lab can also conduct crash testing on them. The inclusion of performance testing for tiny batteries is another significant development. Basic functional analysis will be the main emphasis of these tests at first, but in the second part of the year, comprehensive safety and performance evaluations will be included. Similar to this, power tool testing capabilities have been greatly increased to give manufacturers an even more thorough evaluation of the calibre, robustness and safety of their goods.

The capability to ascertain the biogenic carbon content of materials is an additional highlight of the expansion. These assessments support the implementation of sustainable manufacturing methods by giving businesses evidence of the utilisation of renewable raw resources. In order to make sure that packaging and other materials fulfil the strictest safety regulations and don't leak dangerous compounds into food, the testing infrastructure for materials that come into contact with food has been increased at the same time. It's also important to note the recently added ability to evaluate welding fume filtration systems, which may undergo a thorough performance assessment and will soon be certified.

TÜV SÜD is now able to provide an even greater variety of chemical testing services to make sure that products satisfy the most recent regulatory standards thanks to the expansion of its Frankfurt laboratory. With standardised testing for compounds including PFOS, PFOA, C9-C14 PFCAs, and PFHxS, there is a special emphasis on PFAS analysis. Due to the laboratory's expansion, even more businesses may now make use of its extensive testing knowledge, which includes services related to durability testing, risk assessment and certification for a range of product categories.

Walter Reithmaier, CEO, TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH, said, “By expanding our laboratory in Frankfurt, we are responding to growing demand for product testing and certification. Our new testing capacities will set new standards in safety, sustainability and performance. We look forward to supporting our customers with state-of-the-art testing technology and professional expertise.”

Chicago-based Koala Technologies (KTL), a leading automotive testing, measurement and evaluation tools provider, has launched Te.Sense Bloom – a breakthrough in non-destructive rapid tyre deflation testing. The company has introduced the base kits starting at USD 20,000.

The solution the company claims is fully compliant with FMVSS 110 and emerging EV stability test standards. The Te.Sense Bloom allows passenger vehicle manufacturers and tyre makers to cost-effectively reuse solutions, thereby optimising test programmes while reducing waste.

Currently, the rapid tyre deflation tests often rely on a vehicle being driven over special roadway cleats at defined speeds. This method sees tyres destructively punctured and destroyed by the cleats, and internal inflation pressure is quickly reduced to atmospheric pressure. At times, these tests aim to ensure that the tyres are safely seated on the wheels post rapid deflation, wile at times it is to evaluate vehicle stability in terms of tyre failure.

The company stated that this tests however require destroying multiple tyres, not only leading to waste but may also corrupt certain vehicle dynamics tests that call for a single, targeted tyre failure.

On the other hand, with Te.Sense Bloom, the industry can use non-destructive controlled, rapid deflation for the selected tyres. Using a controllable central air ejector valve with a volume and a flow capacity that simulates a sudden tyre press loss. While the method sounds simple and frugal, the innovation lies in relation with the turn-key nature of Te.Sense Bloom. Automotive testers and engineers get a repeatable set up method, easy in-car operation and simple connectivity with data acquisition systems. As part of its comprehensive supply to Te.Sense Bloom customers, KTL even offers a wheel setup service to simplify test preparations.

The other advantage of Te.Sense Bloom is that the tyre deflation event can be triggered from inside the vehicle or remotely that further expands test scenario possibilities. It can be used for testing tyre inflation pressures up to 100 PSI and speeds up to 140 kmph (87 mph). The real-time tyre inflation data at 100 Hz has a claimed data accuracy of +/-0.1 PSI.  

Kenneth Martin, Head of Tyre Testing at the Transportation Research Center, said, “We have significant experience with rapid tyre deflation tests, using all types of methods, and we’re looking forward to evaluating KTL’s Te.Sense Bloom, since it represents a turn-key, non-destructive solution. There’s definitely some baseline justification for test equipment like this because it fundamentally means consuming fewer tyres. But Te.Sense Bloom’s inherent connectivity opens some other doors also, since triggered and monitored rapid tyre deflations are becoming an area of interest for vehicle stability testing, especially in EV space.” 

The first U.S.-specification kit has been delivered to the Transportation Research Center in Ohio for initial evaluations.

Being compliant with EV stability testing standards the Te.Sense Bloom is already being used by OEMs globally such as Huawei AITO, SAIC Motor Corp and GAC Motor to conduct regulatory tests such as GB/T 38796-2020 (Performance Requirements and Test Methods of Automobile Blow-out Emergency Safety Device).

Mike Lee, Founder and President, KTL, added, “Koala Technologies is excited to introduce Te.Sense Bloom into new markets, beginning in 2025. Bloom has been widely adopted for vehicle development testing in China over the last several years, becoming a must-have tool for many OEMs and key suppliers. It’s one example, among many, of an excellent, trusted, useful automotive testing device that no one knows about outside China. A part of our mission at KTL is to shine a light on some of these exciting technologies that are currently available, but not widely known. Another part of our mission is to help customers achieve their goals more efficiently and at a lower cost. We look forward to the upcoming testing at the Transportation Research Center in Ohio, and we hope that Te.Sense Bloom proves to be a good fit for automotive development programmes in the U.S and beyond.”

Bridgestone Corporation has developed a new Tyre and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) vehicle collection method aimed at understanding the environmental impact of TRWP. The solution was also displayed at the Tire Technology Expo 2025, held in Hannover, Germany, from 4 to 6 March.

TRWP is made up of a blend of road pavement components and tread (tyre surface). In order to comprehend the particle size distribution, dispersion behaviour, and environmental impact – as well as to create effective collecting techniques – Bridgestone is actively engaged in a number of TRWP research projects. The company is dedicated to comprehending TRWP and lowering its generation through these initiatives.

Utilising the B-Mobility testing facility at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Kodaira, Tokyo, the company has created a state-of-the-art technique that makes it possible to gather TRWP effectively. Bridgestone has used laser light scattering in conjunction with a high-speed camera to visualise the dispersion of particles like TRWP. Based on this, the company has developed a device that effectively catches TRWP and covers the whole tyre. Additionally, the technique made it possible to collect TRWP effectively in a state that removes the effects of exhaust pollutants and broken dust by employing autonomous driving and an electric car with regenerative braking.

Through the Tire Industry Project (TIP), which is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Bridgestone has been researching the physical and chemical properties of TRWP and their implications on the environment. In addition to the continuous co-creation and internal R&D cooperation, Bridgestone is speeding up its efforts to evaluate TRWP's environmental consequences by collecting it effectively and with a high recovery rate using its recently developed collection technology.