Henkel and 4JET have joined hands to introduce a new process for producing silent tyres for electric vehicles (EVs). In the new LASER-FIT process, a tailor-made acoustic foam is produced directly inside the tyre from liquid starting materials, at the end of the tyre line.

The current process of making silent tyres carries along with it a number of overheads, namely a second logistics line to transport the lightweight but high-volume foam to the ‘tyre wedding’ at the end of the production line, multiple stages of intermediate storage for the foam and several additional manual or semi-automatic steps for logistics, cutting, adding adhesives and foam insertion into the tyre. Also, the appropriate foam must be provided ‘just-in-sequence’. This process increases the cost of production by up to 25 percent and leaves us with significant volumes of waste generated from the off cuts of the foam pieces.

The new direct-foam-to-tyre process aims to eliminate all these hassles. With the LASER-FIT process, you don’t need to worry about the ‘just-in-sequence’ complexity, time-consuming logistics and manual process steps. Moreover, it also provides greater freedom in adapting the foam’s geometry and volume to the tyre type, thereby reducing waste generation. This process is made possible using patented foam activation process using a laser after the application of foam. The foam forms an air-impermeable skin on the surface, which minimises the penetration of sound into the open-pored acoustic foam and prevents sound absorption.

The process concept was presented at TireTech in Hannover this March and the complete solution will be presented at RubberTech24 in Shanghai this month.

Dr Rainer Schönfeld, Global Market Strategy Head in Henkel`s Automotive Component business unit, explains, “Our new to market Loctite LASER-FIT acoustic foam achieves its sound absorption effect through a large inner surface and a pore design specifically tailored for tyre noise suppression. Without 4JET`s laser activation process, which precisely removes the foam skin, the majority of sound waves would be reflected off the foam surface instead of being absorbed. This great idea is a prime example of the innovative strength of German SMEs, which continue to be the engine of our economy!”

George Kazantzis, Global Head of Henkel`s Automotive Components business unit, adds: “This revolutionary direct-foam-to-tyre technology represents our joint commitment to innovation and sustainability. By eliminating the transportation of pre-fabricated foam and reducing cutting waste, we will enable our customers to lower their carbon footprint.”

Dr Armin Kraus, Co-CEO of the 4JET Group, stated: “In Henkel, we have found the ideal development partner for this innovation. Henkel combines expertise in the development of technically sophisticated PU foams with their mechanical application like few companies in the world. At the same time, Henkel has the necessary industry knowledge in the automotive industry as well as the global footprint required to reliably supply the tyre industry worldwide with products of consistently high quality. We witnessed this. What impressed us most was the passion and speed with which Henkel works. From the idea to the finished application in record time: we will be presenting our joint complete solution at RubberTech24 in Shanghai this month.”

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.

Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, has been recognised as the European Commercial Fleet Telematics Company of the Year 2025 by global research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. This is the third time in the last five years that Webfleet has been recognised with the prestigious award.

Webfleet's emphasis on partner development, leadership in EV and sustainability solutions and strategic innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) were specifically highlighted by Frost & Sullivan. The judges also emphasised the significant contribution Webfleet, which had its 25th anniversary in 2024, has made to the mobility industry over the last 25 years. Webfleet's expanding OEM.connect partner programme with top trailer manufacturers, the recently introduced EV Services Platform and the Webfleet AI Assistant that provides fast, data-driven fleet insights in response to straightforward commands typed by the fleet manager are examples of current initiatives and offerings.

Mugundhan Deenadayalan, Research Manager, Frost & Sullivan, said, “To drive its next growth phase, Webfleet is leveraging two major trends: electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence (AI). Both fields are poised to significantly impact fleet management and telematics, pushing efficiency and sustainability forward. By embracing EVs and AI, Webfleet will bring innovative solutions to fleets and secure its market leadership position in Europe and across the globe.”

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said, “We are proud to be recognised with the prestigious Frost & Sullivan award once again, underlining our commitment to continuous innovation and development. This achievement is made possible by our employees, partners and customers, all of whom drive us forward every day to deliver the best data-driven solutions for fleets and shape a smarter, more sustainable future of mobility.”