European startup competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026 is now actively seeking innovations to fundamentally reshape the tyre industry’s future. The initiative from the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) challenges entrepreneurs, researchers and students to develop circular economy solutions that ensure end-of-life tyres become a source for new materials rather than waste. The application window is open until 15 May 2026.

The programme specifically targets concepts that maintain the value of critical raw materials like rubber, steel and carbon black in continuous loops. Desired innovations span a broad spectrum, from advanced retreading, repair technologies and sustainable material alternatives to novel recycling processes and digital systems for tyre lifecycle management. The goal is to support ideas that demonstrably reduce emissions, minimise resource consumption and keep products in use longer.

Winning entrants stand to gain significant momentum for their projects. Three selected concepts will each be awarded EUR 6,000 in prize funding. Beyond financial support, winners receive two years of complimentary partnership within AZuR, offering direct access to its network of over 80 industry and scientific partners. This is coupled with prominent presentation opportunities at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 trade fair, dedicated media coverage and inclusion in expert forums – a comprehensive package designed to transform prototypes into market-ready solutions.

Eligibility extends to early-stage startups, academic teams and individual innovators from fields such as environmental technology, engineering, IT and design. Applicants must submit a detailed project description or pitch deck by the deadline for evaluation by a jury of industry and research experts. As an example of the potential impact, AZuR cites the success of past participant BEAR Machines, which developed a tyre regrooving system that extends product life and cuts CO₂ emissions with support from the alliance’s network.

Ultimately, LOOP THE TYRE 2026 is conceived as a catalyst for systemic change. By bridging the gap between groundbreaking ideas and established industry players, AZuR aims to accelerate the transition from a linear disposal model to a closed-loop ecosystem where every tyre contributes to a sustainable cycle of reuse and recovery.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has launched Easter campaign to remind all road users that proper tyre maintenance is essential for a safe Easter getaway. With families carrying extra passengers, luggage and holiday treats, vehicles face increased strain, making tyre condition and pressure more critical than ever. Tyres are the only part of the car in contact with the road, so their health directly influences braking, handling and overall journey security.

Easter remains one of the busiest travel periods, and early signs point to another crowded weekend on British roads. According to the VisitEngland Domestic Trip Tracker 2025, a quarter of adults in Britain definitely planned an overnight Easter trip, with nearly one in five still undecided. As more families opt for UK breaks and rural staycations, the volume of traffic rises, and so does the reliance on tyres to cope with heavier loads and longer distances.

Carrying extra luggage, pushchairs, bikes and camping gear places significant additional weight on vehicles. Underinflated tyres under such loads lead to longer stopping distances, reduced stability, poorer steering control, greater risk of tyre failure and increased fuel consumption. Vehicle manufacturers provide specific pressure recommendations for fully loaded cars, yet many drivers overlook these adjustments before long journeys. Properly inflated tyres are vital to managing these risks.

Rural roads, popular for Easter escapes, remain the most dangerous in UK. A recent European Transport Safety Council report revealed that rural roads accounted for 59 percent of all UK road deaths in 2022, with over 10,100 fatalities in the past decade. While overall road deaths have fallen slightly, rural fatalities have not improved. Hazards such as sharp bends, narrow lanes, agricultural vehicles, poor lighting, potholes and slippery spring surfaces mean tyres must provide maximum grip and stability at all times.

TyreSafe’s own tread depth survey estimates that six million tyres on UK roads are illegal, meaning many vehicles are already unsafe before departure. To prevent Easter plans from unravelling, TyreSafe urges every driver to include tyre checks in their holiday routine, alongside packing and route planning, by embracing the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Easter is a time for family, fresh air and making memories – but it’s also one of the busiest times on our roads. Heavily loaded vehicles, long journeys and rural routes can all increase risk if tyres aren’t properly maintained. Something as simple as adjusting your tyre pressures for a full car can make a significant difference to safety and performance. Before you hop off on your Easter adventure, take a few minutes to ACT – check your Air pressure, Condition and Tread. It’s a small step that could make a life-saving difference.”

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Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has introduced its 8th Environmental Action Plan, a strategic roadmap spanning five years leading up to 2030. This plan directly supports the ambitious goals outlined in the TG 2050 Environmental Challenge, particularly the pursuit of carbon neutrality. By setting these intermediate targets, the company reinforces its longstanding commitment to reducing its ecological footprint while aligning with global climate objectives.

The framework of this new action plan rests on three interconnected priorities: carbon neutrality (CN), circular economy (CE) and nature positivity (NP). Toyoda Gosei recognises that accelerating resource recycling is indispensable for achieving carbon neutrality, especially as climate change intensifies. At the same time, preserving a rich natural environment helps mitigate climate shifts, creating a mutually reinforcing cycle. Guided by the Group Charter for Global Environmental Conduct, the entire Toyoda Gosei Group is dedicated to environmentally responsible operations that integrate these three pillars seamlessly.

Since 1993, Toyoda Gosei has pursued five-year mid-range environmental targets, striving to become a leader in the field. The company declared its 2050 carbon neutrality goal in 2016 and later moved up its target for eliminating Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions from production activities to 2030. Having successfully met all goals in the 7th Environmental Action Plan covering fiscal years 2021 to 2025, Toyoda Gosei remains steadfast in actively driving further environmental initiatives to realise its newest commitments.

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Vittoria has expanded its Corsa PRO Control lineup with two new wider sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm, aimed at riders who demand high performance on rough pavement, cobblestones and compact gravel. These tyres balance speed and efficiency on asphalt with enhanced comfort, grip and control on challenging terrain, positioning them as a strong option among premium bike tyres for mixed-surface riding and as a fast gravel tyre.

This size increase reflects a broader shift in road and gravel cycling, as modern endurance, all-road and gravel race bikes now offer greater tyre clearance and aerodynamic optimisation for wider rubber. High-performance wide tyres are becoming the standard for riders seeking the ideal mix of speed, comfort and traction. The Corsa PRO Control belongs to Vittoria’s premium road racing family, engineered for demanding race conditions, while the Corsa PRO serves as the all-rounder and the Corsa PRO Speed targets time trials.

Extensive lab tests and rider feedback confirm that wider performance tyres at optimised pressures deliver the best balance of rolling efficiency, comfort and control. Lower pressure improves vibration damping, grip and puncture resistance without sacrificing speed. As the market moves beyond the traditional 28–30 mm range, Vittoria introduced the 38 mm and 42 mm Corsa PRO Control to provide race-level performance on rough asphalt and compact gravel, offering a comfortable road tyre that does not compromise speed, aerodynamics or control.

The new sizes retain the proven Graphene plus Silica compound and supple 320 TPI cotton casing for consistent grip and durability across terrains. A slick centre tread keeps rolling resistance low on asphalt, while increased tread thickness boosts puncture protection. The herringbone shoulder texture enhances cornering grip, traction and stability on uneven surfaces like cobblestones, broken asphalt and gravel roads.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has joined forces with Road Safety Support (RSS), a not-for-profit organisation, in a new partnership rooted in their shared dedication to evidence-led road safety. As TyreSafe nears its 20th anniversary, it views this collaboration as vital to its mission of reducing tyre-related casualties and contributing to the ultimate goal of eliminating death and serious injury on British roads.

Road Safety Support brings specialised expertise to the table, working with police, highways authorities and safer roads partnerships both domestically and overseas. Their wide-ranging services include casualty data analysis, developing enforcement strategies, supporting speed and red-light camera technology, road safety marketing and providing independent expert evidence for traffic prosecutions.

This alliance strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network among enforcement and highways bodies, allowing tyre safety education and enforcement to be better integrated with broader road safety intelligence and operational data. By combining forces, TyreSafe gains access to RSS’s analytical and enforcement expertise to create more evidence-led campaigns, while RSS and its partners benefit from TyreSafe’s deep specialism in tyre condition research and practical guidance.

Underpinning the collaboration is a mutual recognition that reducing road harm demands coordinated, multi-disciplinary action. Both organisations are committed to the Safe System approach, ensuring that safer vehicles – particularly tyres – are given equal priority alongside safer roads, speeds and people. By blending RSS’s strengths in data, enforcement and legal processes with TyreSafe’s two decades of dedicated tyre safety knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver more consistent, informed and impactful road safety outcomes.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of safe vehicles, yet it is still too often overlooked in the wider road safety conversation. Partnering with Road Safety Support is an important step in ensuring that tyre-related risk is better understood and addressed using robust data and real-world insight. As TyreSafe continues to work closely with police forces, highways authorities and local authorities, this partnership will help strengthen the evidence base that underpins effective enforcement, education and prevention activity.”

Emma Kelly, Development, PR and Advocacy Manager at Road Safety Support and Road Safety Support International, said, “Road Safety Support works with police forces, road safety partnerships and stakeholders to develop robust, evidence-led road safety strategies. Tyre condition plays a vital role in collision prevention, yet it can be underestimated when considering vehicle-related risk. Partnering with TyreSafe allows us to integrate specialist tyre safety knowledge into broader enforcement and safety frameworks, helping partners make more informed decisions and deliver more effective interventions.”

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