“Sustainability” is the word of the 10’s that will surely last well into the 20’s. But how far is the tyre industry on the path to contributing to a sustainable future? I touched upon the matter a little bit in the last issue, where I compared game-changing product development efforts in the tyre industry to British Tobacco starting to advertise against smoking. While the point there was that it’s not likely we’ll see major tyre manufacturers entering the passenger drone manufacturing industry or similar engagements, while at the same time advertising against tyre usage, a similar point can be made from a sustainability perspective.

Because the fact is that tyre production consumes a massive amount of energy, and the products are a source of massive pollution all over the world. The microparticles shed by tyres on the road enter the ecological systems everywhere and impact nature in a way we might not be able to undo. So, sustainability efforts in the tyre industry must therefore focus on product development as much as on energy sources.

Emission management

The latest trend in emissions management is including third party emissions in the calculation, meaning the emissions from the entire supply chain involved in the production must be connected to the products put out. That makes a lot of sense but does pose challenges for controlling the facts when engaged in global supply chains. It surely requires that a supplier is able to measure its emissions in a reliable and proven way. Naturally, it’s a measure to prevent “emission shopping,” where countries will buy emission quotas from each other, so they can pollute more while the selling countries can pollute less – it blows the mind that it was at all possible in the first place, so the actions taken now make a lot of sense, even if it is a challenge to manage. Because it doesn’t matter much that a manufacturer only uses green energy to power its production units in Europe, where local emission requirements are very strict, if it sources materials produced using fossil energy sources from other countries.

On top of that, globalisation has provided another unsustainable factor to the mix: transportation. Earlier, manufacturers would source as many materials as possible locally, while only crossing borders to source products that were available inside its own. These days, the market is global. If a material or component is slightly cheaper on the other side of the planet, it will be sourced from there to ensure the lowest possible cost structure. But the irony in terms of environmental impact is that this often results in materials being shipping across the globe and finished products being shipped back to where the materials came from. It’s a complex analysis to get the full picture of the cradle-to-grave environmental impact of manufacturing these days, but it’s very likely that transportation emissions weigh heavier on the negative scale than they ever did before. That’s why local sourcing is as important to large manufacturers as basing production on renewable energy consumption.

Impact during life-cycle

The other element in the equation is at least as important as the sustainability of how the product was put into the world: the environmental impact of the product itself during its life cycle, and especially of the disposal at end-of-life. 10 years ago, the first big step in reducing the environmental impact of tyre usage was made introducing the REACH regulation in the EU. It stipulates restricted chemicals and very low limit values for “substances of very high concern,” which is an ever growing list of chemicals that manufacturers must actively stay updated on. Naturally, the regulation didn’t aim at tyres specifically, but it did mean that in order to supply tyres to the EU markets, all tyre manufacturers had to change the softening oils used in their rubber compounds, and to date it still poses a strategical challenge to many manufacturers to split production into conforming and non-conforming lines, as the cost of managing two systems can weigh heavier than the added material cost of the clean oils. Some still separate the lines, as product performance requirements in some non-EU markets are still easier met using the softening oils not permitted in the EU. It’s a difficult balance for manufacturers when environmental regulations not only make the product more costly to produce, but also increases the difficulty of staying competitive in the market in terms of performance parameters.

‘Green’ in name

Naturally, many manufacturers have been quick to take on the challenge and coin it in their marketing communication as if they are now suddenly “green” tyre manufacturers, and countless tyre brands pop up that have the word “green” in the name. But in reality, in terms of environmental impact, the changes implemented in the industry so far are only baby steps. Tyres can easily be made more durable while still offering the same levels of comfort and safety as they do now, in fact they can be improved on all parameters by using more innovative pattern designs and rubber compounds. Why isn’t it done, then?

The obvious explanation is that product pricing would increase drastically, and consumers in most parts of the world are not willing or able to pay more for their tyres, even knowing that they would last a lot longer than the ones they have bought before. Producing longer lasting tyres would also drastically increase the effectiveness of global production lines, reducing the quantity of energy consuming factories in a way that will have a real global impact for the environment. But, as consumers are not likely to support this with their wallets, the only way to get there is through regulation and legislation. And then maybe tyre manufacturers will start developing products they can call green without being accused of marketing ruses.

Intelligent tyres

Though we probably won’t see them all moving into the aforementioned passenger drone segment, we might see them moving towards developing products that will display no or almost no wear during the life cycle, potentially outlasting the vehicle they are fitted on from birth. I have seen innovative designs for intelligent tyres that can adjust the pattern and hardness to adapt to any surface and weather condition guided by AI, and maybe we will get there some day. Until then, tyres need to live longer than they do today. Not just to reduce particle pollution during use, but also to reduce the burden of disposing of worn out tyres, which is a massive challenge all over the world. Here’s hoping we’ll see some of the large manufacturers bring a truly sustainable agenda to the table soon, including both full supply chain emissions and product environmental impact from cradle to grave.

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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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