After two years of virtual conferences, the Tire Society has returned to an in-person format for the 41st Conference on Science and Technology, to be held September 12th and 13th at the University of Akron. With the return to the University of Akron, where it was originally held, the Tire Society Conference will kick off Tire Week in Akron, officially proclaimed September 12-16 by the Mayor of Akron. Tire Week also includes the International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC), which is the largest tyre manufacturing trade expo and conference in North America. Tire Week will be a can’t-miss opportunity for those who want to achieve a broad grasp of leading-edge Tire Design and Manufacturing technology. 

Please click to the link for the detailed programme: Programme schedule  

Alexis Garcin, Chairman and President, of Michelin North America, will deliver a keynote address at the conference. Tracey Norberg, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of USTMA, will give the plenary lecture titled ‘The Road Ahead – Technology and Policy in the Tyre Industry’ at the conference. Dr Nohoon Ki, Engineering Manager at John Deere, will speak on ‘Round and Green: Engineering for Agriculture’.

The welcoming address will be delivered by Dr Gary L Miller, President of the University of Akron. Under Dr Miller’s leadership, the University of Akron has reaffirmed its reputation as a leading public urban research university, committed to fulfilling its long-standing promises to the people of Akron and Northeast Ohio. 

Wide range of topics

The conference is attended by engineers and scientists from around the world, representing the tyre and vehicle industries, academia and governmental agencies. A wide range of topics on tyre applications, ranging from passenger, high-performance, truck and electric vehicles to off-highway, including aircraft to far off-highway Mars Rover, will be covered in the paper presentations.

There will be a wide array of more than 20 interesting and significant original works by top technologists, presented by the authors themselves.

With this year’s theme, New Horizons in Tyre Evaluation, the papers will cover the characterisation of tyre performance, both physically and with vehicle simulators. Other subjects include numerical predictive methods, data analytics, tyre performance and construction, and rubber compound development.

A panel discussion titled ‘The Future of Tire Testing’, moderated by Heather Bobbitt, Tire Modeling Group Manager, General Motors, will be joined by Christian Bachmann, Senior Manager – Tyre Technology, FKA GmbH; Henning Olsson, Director of Technology, Calspan Corporation; Jonathan Darab, Operations Director, Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS); Matt Kent, Technical Director of Tire & Wheel Test Lab, Smithers, USA and Sonny Huisman, Manager, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

These experts will discuss the challenges ahead for the tyre industry and provide insights into the next steps in tyre testing. Predictive methods in the emerging ‘digital twin’ era require improved testing methods to understand the physics of tyre mechanical behaviour under circumstances that can cause uncertainty in virtual assessment. Temperature effects, wear behaviour, wet surfaces, soil interaction and snow sinkage are some factors that are not necessarily well understood or integrated when a vehicle-level assessment is concerned.

They will also discuss the testing requirement in developing speciality tyres for racing, agricultural or heavy industrial applications that will remain a challenge for characterisation and parameterisation. Big data, machine learning algorithms and databasing methods and increased leverage of simulation environments are critical enablers for faster turnaround in early vehicle development, which is emerging as an OEM requirement.

Back to roots

This year’s edition will be held at the University of Akron near downtown Akron. In the last 12 years, the conference has only been held downtown once. With the conference’s return in September to its historic home, where it was held for the first 28 years, it is fitting that the Awards Banquet will be kicked off by an address from Mayor Dan Horrigan. 

With the conference’s return downtown to the University of Akron and being aligned in the same week as the International Tire Exhibition and Conference (ITEC) to be held at the John S Knight Center, this ‘Tire Week in Akron’ will provide a nostalgic and informative homecoming, said the organiser.

The conference will be held in a hybrid format.

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Prometeon Tyre Group, a leading company in the commercial, agricultural and OTR tyre sectors, is displaying its advanced Serie 02 radial tyres at the ongoing Agritechnica 2025, the world’s largest trade fair for agricultural machinery, which is being held in Hannover, Germany, from 9 to 15 November 2025. The company is featuring its AT02 model, a key part of its agricultural line, within the Sindipeças exhibit, a Brazilian automotive components association. This highlights a natural link to Brazil, where Prometeon manufactures these tyres at its Gravataí and Santo André facilities.

The Serie 02 range, designed for tractors (AT02), harvesters (H02) and sprayers (SX02), incorporates significant technological advancements. Its design includes reinforced lugs and an optimised tread that enhance traction and self-cleaning while reducing fuel consumption. The radial structure utilises advanced polymers to create a larger footprint, which improves load distribution, minimises soil compaction and boosts overall productivity. Built for durability, these tyres offer excellent resistance to cuts, chipping and wear. Their versatility ensures reliable performance across diverse terrains and conditions, including road travel, where they provide safety, comfort and dependable handling.

Dario Gotti, Global Head of OE and Agro Business at Prometeon, said, “Our established presence in the LATAM market has made us a benchmark in terms of performance and brand awareness in the agricultural tyre sector. Prometeon’s strategy is to extend this leadership globally, as we have already done in the Truck & Bus Radial tyres segment. In this context, Agritechnica represents an important opportunity for us to meet key customers and OEMs, with whom we have longstanding partnerships. The agricultural tyre business requires a high level of expertise, both in research and development and in manufacturing processes – elements that are core to Prometeon and allow us to play a leading role in the international market.”

Igor Zucato, Global Head of Agro R&D at Prometeon, said, “The new Serie 02 product line for the Agro business represents the culmination of our research in terms of efficiency, sustainability and performance. Every component – from the radial structure to the material compounds – has been designed to meet the needs of an increasingly technological and productivity-driven sector. Our goal is to provide operators with solutions that enhance agricultural work while reducing fuel consumption and the environmental impact.”

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Making a powerful debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Doublestar Tire captivated the global automotive industry with a display of innovative products. This premier event for customisation and accessories, which attracts top enterprises and professionals from over 130 countries, served as the ideal platform for the company to demonstrate Chinese manufacturing and technological advancement. Doublestar’s booth, emphasising high performance and green technology, became a central hub for visiting partners and industry experts.

The company’s strategy was precisely tailored to the specific demands of the American market, focusing on tyres for popular pickup trucks and SUVs used for long-distance highway travel. Key products included the Wildpuma AT10, noted for its exceptional wet grip and stable handling, and the durable, wear-resistant TBR tyre DLS918, designed for extended mileage. The vibrant on-site response saw numerous clients expressing strong collaborative interest, with Doublestar affirming its commitment to deepening its market presence in the United States.

Beyond simply meeting existing market needs, this successful appearance at SEMA proved Doublestar’s advanced capability to proactively identify and co-develop products that create new customer demand. The event ultimately served as a definitive demonstration of the brand's strength and its readiness to compete directly with leading international tire manufacturers on the global stage.

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German tyre major Continental Tires has inaugurated a new Continental Premium Drive (CPD) dealership in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The new outlet, operated by Tyre Tune Up, strengthens Continental’s retail presence in central India.

The new CPD store, spread across 3,000 sqft, is located in Mechanic Nagar, Indore. It is designed as a one-stop destination offering Continental’s premium tyre portfolio alongside advanced services such as computerised wheel alignment, precision wheel balancing, nitrogen inflation and premium alloy wheels.

Indore was chosen for its status as a commercial and cultural hub with an expanding vehicle base, aligning with Continental’s expansion strategy. Tyre Tune Up has been a part of Indore’s automotive journey since 1956.

Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India, said, “With this new CPD store in Indore, we are bringing Continental’s promise of safety, innovation, and driving comfort closer to customers in Madhya Pradesh. India is a key growth market for us, and through our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we continue to expand our retail network and strengthen customer connections across the country.”

Rafique Khan, Owner of Tyre Tune Up, said, “Tyre Tune Up has been a part of Indore’s automotive journey since 1956, and our partnership with Continental allows us to deliver global standards of quality locally. This CPD outlet will not only provide premium products but also ensure a seamless service experience that our customers have come to expect over the decades.”

Continental recently announced a strategic investment of approximately INR 1 billion in India to strengthen and expand its Passenger and Light Trucks business in the country.

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Steelastic LLC, part of the HEICO Companies, has officially announced a new strategic partnership with PT Pelita Esa for Indonesia. In this capacity, the company has welcomed Evan Soerjaatmadja as its official agent for the region.

With over 15 years of experience in the tyre industry, Soerjaatmadja is a respected professional known for his work with PT Pelita Esa Wanua and his representation of Bartell, a member of the HEICO Group. He will now collaborate closely with Hemant Agrawal, Steelastic’s Business Development Manager, to bolster customer support and strengthen the company's market presence throughout South Asia. Steelastic anticipates that this partnership will yield substantial new opportunities for its customer base.

The company statement read: “Going forward, Soerjaatmadja will work closely with Hemant Agrawal, Steelastic’s Business Development Manager, to enhance customer support and strengthen Steelastic’s presence across South Asia. We look forward to this partnership and the new opportunities it will create for our valued customers.”

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