To increase its subject area knowledge, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) has added four additional members to its external Assurance Group. Additionally, TIP thanked Dr Masahiko Hirao (Department of Chemical Systems Engineering School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo), the departing member, for his outstanding contributions since 2019.

The Assurance Group, which was established in 2006, provides TIP with guidance on important environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues by introducing an impartial, outside viewpoint. The Group, which is made up of distinguished professionals from a range of academic and scientific domains, offers TIP unbiased advice on strategic initiatives and research.

The four new Assurance Group members, who were selected following a rigorous process, based on their scientific contributions, relevance to TIP’s focus areas and fitment within the group, include Dr Masaharu Motoshita, a Research Group Leader at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan; Dr Iseult Lynch, Chair Professor of Environmental Nanosciences at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK; Dr Oludayo Olusegun Dada, a lead expert and advisor to the African Region Group on Chemicals and Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and Dr John Bucher, an internationally known toxicologist and retired leader of the US National Toxicology Programme.

The Assurance Group members who will continue advising TIP during the 2024-25 work cycle include Dr John Spengler, a professor of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US; Dr Emeric Frejafon, currently at Bureau des Recherches Géologiques et Minières, France, scaling up industry innovation, besides being the Chairman of the European Committee for Standardization on Nanotechnologies, France; and Dr How Yong Ng, Adjunct Professor at National University of Singapore (NUS), Changjiang Scholar Professor at Beijing Normal University, China, Fellow of Academy of Engineering Singapore and International Water Association (IWA) and Chair of the IWA Membrane Technology Specialist Group, focusing on sustainable water management and removal of emerging pollutants.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “Ever since its inception, the Assurance Group has served as a solid sounding board as well as a check point, helping us stay on track in pursuit of our goals. Their multi-faceted advice over the years has strengthened our scientific understanding of key topics with an external perspective. We are now expanding the Assurance Group with specialist knowledge in the areas of ecotoxicology, human health, environmental impact and environmental policy, in line with our enhanced ambitions for TIP 2.0. With the expanded Assurance Group now in place, we are better poised to pursue a sustainability agenda that is science-based, innovative and pragmatic.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Rubber Development Division of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia at the ANRPC Secretariat. Led by Peter Dennis of Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, the group met with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.

The discussions centred on essential industry issues, particularly the vital importance of achieving stable rubber prices for the benefit of producers and the broader market. Conversations further delved into analysing recent market trends and their consequences for global production and trade dynamics.

This engagement highlighted the ongoing necessity for cooperative action to address sectoral challenges, advance sustainability and ensure resilient growth in the face of variable economic conditions.

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest flagship winter tyre, the Blizzak IcePeak, which will launch nationwide in May 2026. This new tyre is distinguished as the first from Bridgestone to achieve both the rigorous 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications, marking a significant advancement in winter performance. Designed to cater to a broad range of vehicles – including sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – the IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and DM-V2 models. It will be available in 107 sizes, ultimately covering approximately 97 percent of the US light-duty vehicle market, with the majority of sizes ready at launch.

The tyre’s development centres on delivering superior winter traction alongside improved durability and efficiency, leveraging the company’s ENLITEN technology. This integration aims to lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy and extend tyre wear life, offering long-term cost savings for drivers. Internal testing indicates the IcePeak surpasses the wear life of its predecessors while maintaining effective traction. Its compatibility extends to conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, emphasising its modern engineering.

Key to its performance is a suite of specialised technologies. Bridgestone’s patented MultiCell compound is engineered to enhance stopping power on ice, a claim validated by the official Ice Grip certification. This certification requires performance on ice to exceed a standard reference tyre by at least 18 percent in braking tests. For snow traction, the tyre employs optimised tread blocks and full-depth 3D sipes to create additional biting edges, helping vehicles gain grip and reduce spin.

Building upon the Blizzak lineage, which spans nearly four decades of innovation, the IcePeak introduces refined design elements. Its optimised compound is formulated for added durability across multiple winter seasons without sacrificing grip. A newly unified global tread pattern incorporates several critical features: strategically placed sipes are angled to maximise the gripping edge, protrusions on tread blocks prevent water intrusion on ice and micro-grooves help clear the thin water film that forms on icy surfaces. Together, these features aim to provide drivers with reliable control in wet, snowy and icy conditions, advancing the brand’s reputation for winter safety and performance.

Ian McKenney, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our Blizzak tyre lineup moves from strength to strength, continually raising the standard for impressive winter weather control. With the application of ENLITEN technology, we are able to expand the tyres’ performance envelope in all directions while also delivering greater durability and reduced rolling resistance, while promoting a focus on enhanced sustainability.”

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Citira, a circular tyre management provider, is introducing a nationwide emergency tyre service in Sweden for commercial fleets, a strategic move to become a comprehensive tyre management partner. Named Citira 24/7 Däckjour, it provides a dedicated contact point for heavy vehicle operators needing immediate assistance, day or night.

This service connects customers to an established, quality-assured network of professional tyre workshops across the country. By utilising pre-assembled replacement wheels ready for immediate deployment, the system ensures rapid on-site repairs to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise operational disruptions.

Clients also benefit from predictable, agreed-upon pricing and consolidated billing, which simplifies administration and enhances budget control. This integrated offering is designed to streamline daily operations, reduce downtime and deliver a more seamless support experience for truck and bus companies.

Göran Bengtsson, Head of Sales at Citira Sweden, said, “This is an important milestone for us to be to able offer our Swedish heavy vehicle fleet customers. This has been frequently requested to us, and we are happy to be able meet the demand, providing a new level of reliability and convenience for our customers.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X-Ice Snow+ tyre, a premier winter product designed to meet the heightened demands of modern, unpredictable winter weather. This new offering provides increased performance and durability over its predecessor, specifically engineered to tackle severe seasonal challenges. Its advanced FLEX-ICE 3.0 tread compound optimises braking performance across a spectrum of conditions, including ice, snow and both wet and dry roads, ensuring reliable control during freezing rain or on treacherous black ice.

The tyre's proven tread design delivers superior start-up traction in deep snow compared to three leading competitors and offers strong lateral grip for stability on slick, icy corners. Beyond immediate safety, the X-Ice Snow+ is built for long-term value and efficiency. It achieves an extended tread life, lasting more than 26 percent longer than key rival tyres. Furthermore, through a specialised low-energy-loss compound that minimises rolling resistance, it delivers up to 34 percent better efficiency, which supports fuel savings and extends electric vehicle range without sacrificing winter traction. Passenger comfort is enhanced by proprietary Piano Acoustic Tuning Technology, a system engineered to reduce road noise for a quieter ride.

Available for dealer order starting in May 2026 for the winter selling season, the Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre will be produced in 15- to 23-inch sizes to accommodate a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, CUVs, SUVs, pickups and both hybrid and electric models.

Omer Waysman, Vice President – B2C Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc, said, “For more than 130 years, Michelin has continued to push the boundaries of innovation by improving our technologies to meet the needs of mobility across the globe. With the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre, we have taken everything drivers loved about the previous generation tyre and improved key areas. This new tyre delivers excellent winter performance, longer-lasting durability and greater efficiency, giving drivers a dependable advantage when the weather is at its worst.”

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