For any enterprise involved in on road operations there are quite a number of risks and always a degree of risk. How to mitigate the risk potential is always a challenge and in some larger businesses involving a dedicated risk manager.

Many trucking companies look at risk exposure as a necessary evil and utilise insurance packages to reduce the financial ramifications of such exposures.

Now, what if, a risk mitigation strategy that provided positive financial outcomes was available for just a little investment? Does this spark interest in those who drive the abacuses in the back rooms?

Tyres form one of the highest cost centres for a transport operation be the activities on road or in a mining operation. Fuel is usually the largest and is tightly controlled as the abacus jockeys understand that every last millilitre of fuel must be accounted for. Granted there is a percent here or there for spillage but as fuel companies demand payment prior to delivery for almost all operations the bean counters are onto it without delay. Tyres?

When we consider the humble tyre so many ASSuMe that the tyre just performs the required duties without any (at worst) attention or with just a little attention, perhaps a kick every now and again or being slapped with a pipe or bar to confirm the tyre isn’t totally flat.

Tyre, the influencer

What is not very well understood by back-office personnel is that tyres are influenced by, and actually influence, the successful operation of the vehicle, be it a wheel barrow, a tri-cycle, a rigid truck or road train even a giant haul truck. If the tyres aren’t “right” then the operating costs will rise. Consider a delta percentage on fuel burn of 3 – 5%, a wheel end bearing life reduction of 10%, a tyre life deficit of 10%, decreased suspension component life as the tyres are being dragged not rolling, at what cost does the “head in the tyre” influence the profits of the business?

So, when we “Cover Your Analyse risk SAFETY” every-time (CYA) we consider all the contributing aspects of tyre use and how risk mitigation practises can be employed to grow the return on the investment our businesses make in tyres. All successful transport companies maintain a close log on the consumption of mechanical items such as fuel and spare parts. Labour costs are also rigidly overseen and as every driver well understands there are events on the road that result in a later delivery than was planned, a traffic event that turns the usual highway into a car park. When the driver returns to base and lodges the work hours there is always a cry from the accounting department why has this person worked overtime, why are we paying more than normal?

Yet, for tyres it seems too often the humble servant is treated as a mere consumable commodity and just turned over or replaced without any consideration as to how life can be extended. Why? When tyres influence so many of the unseen factors for a transport operator why are they not used as the reporter, the data logger of operations? A tyre does not lie about the experiences they have endured, they cannot suddenly grow tread to cover misalignment or a brake lock up, the evidence is in our faces IF we simply observe what the tyres are telling us.

Tyre management

There are many valued publications from around the globe that have photos of tyres that have worn in a certain manner or exhibit various conditions that relay the root causes of the damage to the observer. The tyre scrap heap is the first place we visit when determining the tyre management capacity and capability of a new client. How many tyres with more than the minimum legal tread depth are in the scrap heap? If there are records of tyre performance what is the tread consumption rate for the tyres consumed? What is the frequency of the various scrapping reasons the business using tyres is experiencing? Why? What is the distance per tread unit rate? What is the fuel burn rate per tread unit consumption? What if these questions can’t be answered? Then a risk mitigation practise is obviously not in practise. Exposure is certain, a matter of when not if.

A simple tree diagram or spider web drawing outlining the various risk aspects a tyre could experience with each branch drawing down into detail of how, what and why can assist in the mitigation process. The risk on the underside of the branch with the solution on the top provides a simple but effective illustration of the potentials available.

The TyreSafe Australia policy known as the 6M Principle is engaged in not only tyre performance enhancement but right through the various aspects of the transport business. Before you can MANAGE you have to be able to MEASURE. With measurements (read data) one can MONITOR to know when to MAINTAIN the equipment therefore actually MANAGING in order to MAKE MONEY! The 6M principle is simple but it requires diligent and dedicated systems within the workplace. There are many principles such as that espoused by Dr William Deming who developed the PDCA process, PLAN, DO, CHECK, ACT where the a/ versus b/ consideration was created:

Bill Smith who introduced the 6 Sigma philosophy in the 1980’s also recognised the same avenue of opportunity. The basis of 6 Sigma is the improvement of the output quality by recognising and eliminating the root causes of defects and so minimizing the impacts using statistical processes, ie managing by measuring monitoring and maintaining!

The TyreSafe Australia 6M principle is closely aligned with these well recognised philosophies and commences with the simple recognition that tyre inflation pressure control is the absolute basis for the desired performance outcomes a transport related business will experience. How do you analyse the risks, what mitigation processes are in place?

Safety is not just about well-being of personnel. If a business doesn’t employ safe practices, is it going to be sustainable? Not just from the human factor but also consider the financial aspects. A business engaged in risky financial undertakings will probably collapse sooner than later.

So why not start the process from the ground up by ensuring that the foundation of the modern motor vehicle, the humble tyre is indeed operating at optimum levels. With modern electronics there is no excuse for not completely understanding (and so appreciating) what the tyres you use are providing to your business profits. If you are not measuring, how are you managing?

Ensure that your tyres are not a drag on your operation, ensure the rolling resistance is as low as possible and this will ensure there is an even flow of dollars into your account. Utilising real time tyre monitoring is now a standard practise for successful businesses who utilise tyres in their operations.

Cover Your, Analyse Risks Safety Everytime! (TT)

• Adam Gosling and the team at TyreSafe Australia provide guidance and direction for all tyre users. Safety is paramount, so is efficiency and sustainability. Tyres are a globally universal product, the requirement for tyre safety is also a global standard.

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has initiated a pilot study in collaboration with the Greater Paris Sanitation Authority (SIAAP) and the sustainability consultancy ERM to assess the potential of wastewater treatment plants to remove tyre and road wear particles. The research is being conducted at the Valenton wastewater treatment facility near Paris, which ranks as Europe’s second-largest plant and features advanced treatment technologies representative of modern municipal systems. This investigation is scheduled to continue through 2026.

In numerous urban centres globally, stormwater and road runoff are channelled into wastewater systems prior to being discharged into natural waterways. A clearer understanding of how effectively these treatment processes capture TRWP could guide the broader adoption of optimised wastewater management practices. Currently, systematic data quantifying the removal of these particles within treatment plants remains scarce, and this project aims to generate comprehensive, end-to-end evidence to bridge that knowledge deficit.

The study represents TIP’s first real-world application of a priority mitigation strategy identified in its white paper on addressing tire and road wear particles. Over the coming months, researchers will collect and analyse samples from key stages of the Valenton plant’s treatment cycle using advanced pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The findings are expected to estimate the total removal efficiency across the entire process and will be submitted to a scientific journal, with publication anticipated in early 2027.

The scientific understanding of TRWP is complicated by a lack of standardised methodologies, the variable nature of the particles and their transformation products, and the diverse environmental pathways they traverse. In response, TIP and its member companies have committed to advancing research on quantification, characterisation, environmental migration and potential impacts while collaborating with value-chain stakeholders to support science-based interventions. A 2024 TIP publication reviewed over 50 mitigation measures and prioritised nine based on upstream and downstream potential, employing a prevention, containment and removal framework.

That review also concluded that no single measure has been proven effective specifically for TRWP and that on-ground validation is essential. Moreover, the paper stressed that no universal solution exists, requiring coordinated, large-scale implementation across multiple actors, including the tyre, road construction and automotive sectors, as well as municipal authorities, academia and other public and private entities. The Valenton pilot thus marks TIP’s inaugural effort to test wastewater management’s real-world efficacy, uniting diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in this critical research.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “This pilot is an important step in going beyond understanding the subject in the laboratory to field-based evidence. We expect to identify best practices that can be applied far beyond this project, supporting TIP’s ambition to support science-based mitigation.”

Sabrina Guérin, Head of Innovation Department, SIAAP, said, “As the public authority responsible for wastewater treatment in the Paris region, SIAAP is committed to emerging science that protects waterways. By taking part in this TIP study, we will gain an early, science-based view of TRWP movement in solid waste. The findings can help inform and accompany future treatment planning and readiness for upcoming regulatory requirements.”

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Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

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Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

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