The tyre industry gathered to honour outstanding innovation and individual accomplishment over the past year during the Tire Technology Expo 2026 held in Hannover. The Tire Technology International Awards, spanning 13 categories, recognised both technological progress and the commitment to a more sustainable future within the tyre sector. Organised by the Tire Technology International magazine, the winners were selected by an independent panel of journalists and technical experts.

Sustainability was a dominant theme, highlighted by three distinct environmental awards. Bridgestone received the award for tyre design innovation, celebrated for developing a truck tyre composed of 70 percent recycled and renewable materials, a notable industry milestone. In manufacturing, Continental was acknowledged for its significant strides in reducing freshwater consumption during production with the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing award. The Environmental Achievement – Industry Contribution award went to the BioButterfly project, a collaborative effort involving Michelin, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens. This initiative was praised for creating bio-based butadiene from bioethanol, presenting a credible substitute for fossil fuel-derived materials and demonstrating strong potential for immediate industrial application.

Further technical achievements were recognised across several categories. Flexsys earned the Chemicals and Compounding Innovation of the Year award for developing the first practical alternative to the antioxidant 6PPD after extensive research. Teijin Aramid was honoured with the Materials Innovation of the Year award for industrialisation of its high-performance Twaron Next para-aramid fibre. A collaborative R&D breakthrough by Goodyear and TNO, which integrates tyre intelligence directly into a vehicle's automatic emergency braking systems to enhance safety, won the R&D Breakthrough of the Year award. In manufacturing equipment, Comerio Ercole’s advanced modular calendering line, Zeus, won the Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year award. Uzer Makina, a long-time finalist, was finally named Tyre Industry Supplier of the Year.

The event also celebrated conceptual and product excellence. Michelin had a particularly successful evening, first winning the Tire Concept of the Year award for its Lunar Airless Wheel, designed to withstand the extreme conditions on the moon. The company then claimed the highly anticipated Tire of the Year award for its Primacy 5 Energy, a tyre noted by the jury for achieving top EU label ratings in most sizes while offering improved longevity and reduced emissions compared to its predecessor. In the final major category, Continental was named Tire Manufacturer of the Year for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall, following a review of the top manufacturers' yearly contributions.

The awards also highlighted personal achievements within the field. The Young Scientist Prize for 2026 was presented to Max Dixey, a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, for his compelling presentation on the effects of carbon black activators. Finally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Michelin’s Pascal Prost. A veteran engineer, researcher and long-time contributor to both the conference and the awards jury, Prost was celebrated by peers and colleagues for his enduring and significant impact on the tyre industry.

Matt Ross, Chairman of the awards and Editor-in-Chief of Tire Technology International, said, “As is now becoming the norm, this year’s awards were incredibly close. Continental and Michelin have picked up multiple awards and should be highly commended, but I’m also happy to see such an array of winners across the whole range of categories. The level of innovation on display across the tyre sector is staggering, and I hope that this year’s awards have captured even a hint of the groundbreaking work taking place to move this industry forward.”

On Frost’s achievement, Ross said, “For as long as I have worked on Tire Technology International and these awards, Pascal has been a valued contributor, a hugely appreciated advisor – and a wonderful sounding board. I would like to join with his peers and friends from across the industry in celebrating his phenomenal contribution to the tyre business.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has announced a more aggressive tyre strategy for the second appearance of the FIM Superbike World Championship round at Balaton Park in Hungary. Following a conservative approach in 2025 due to a lack of track data, the manufacturer now introduces the supersoft SCX compound for the first time to WorldSBK riders. Last year’s lineup featured the SC0 and the E0125 development tyre, which has since become the current SC0 for 2026.

For the long races this season, riders will have access to the supersoft SCX alongside the soft SC0 rear tyres. The extrasoft SCQ, the softest rear compound, returns for free practice, qualifying, and the Superpole Race. Front tyre options include soft SC1 and medium SC2, while DIABLO Wet intermediates and DIABLO Rain tyres are available for wet conditions.

In the WorldSSP category, the same SC1 and SC2 front and SCX with SC0 rear compounds from 2025 remain. The WorldWCR women’s championship will also compete, using Pirelli DIABLO Superbike tyres with the SC1 compound on both axles.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “The data collected last year showed that Balaton Park is a track with low tyre-wear values. For this reason, we decided to make the softest range solutions available to WorldSBK riders, including the supersoft SCX in the allocation, which was not present last year. Riders will, in any case, also be able to count on the soft SC0 which, in 2025 as the E0125 specification, was the race reference. This could be a valid alternative, especially in the event of lower temperatures.

“For the first time this season, the extrasoft SCQ returns to centre stage for qualifying and the Superpole Race. Last year, this solution was used only in qualifying due to unfavourable weather conditions in the Superpole Race, so it will be interesting to see whether anyone uses it in the short race this year. All solutions, as well as the soft SC1 and medium SC2 fronts, are range products– i.e. they can be purchased by any motorcyclist worldwide and used both in competitions at any level and for track days.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Linglong Tire is set to make a major appearance at THE TIRE COLOGNE, the world’s leading tire trade fair, taking place from 9 to 11 June 2026. Located in Hall 7 at booths C-050 to D-059, the company will present its group brands Crosswind, Leao and Green Max alongside its main brand.

Making its European debut at the fair is the new Linglong UHP tyre, the Sport Master II, which is designed as the successor to the existing Sport Master model and is expected to reach retail markets in spring 2027. In addition to this launch, the company will exhibit leading passenger car profiles from its Masters series, a sustainable concept tyre and fresh off-the-road patterns. The truck segment will see four new tread designs premiere in Cologne, including a trailer tyre engineered for reduced rolling resistance on long-haul routes and two brand-new bus tyres intended for city buses and coaches.

The exhibition includes Linglong’s latest original equipment tyres, while the Green Max brand is being introduced as an independent brand for the European market. Visitors will also see new car and truck profiles from the Crosswind and Leao brands, now produced exclusively in Europe, including the first appearance of the Crosswind Dura Peak Van tyre.

Beyond product displays, Linglong’s presence emphasises personal customer engagement at its booth and lounge, where the European and international sales team looks forward to welcoming global visitors for discussions. Organised by Koelnmesse and the German Tyre Trade Association, the fair features around 350 exhibitors from 32 countries and expects roughly 15,000 trade visitors from over 110 nations.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CTJ Janssen GmbH, a freight forwarding company based in Grevenbroich, Germany, has integrated retreaded truck tyres as a core element of its operational and sustainability strategy. The family-owned business relies on Continental’s ContiRe hot-retreaded tyres alongside the ContiLifeCycle tyre return programme. Olaf Meyers, Managing Director of CTJ Janssen, reports that this approach delivers high mileage and significant cost savings compared to new tyres while also reducing carbon emissions.

Founded in 1985 and now led by the second generation since 2008, CTJ Janssen specialises in national and international transport of general cargo, hazardous materials and chemical products. The company also offers warehouse logistics and value-added services. With a fleet of over 500 tractor-trailers, it ranks as one of the larger regional providers and is pursuing a holistic sustainability plan that includes alternative fuels. This year, the entire fleet switched to HVO 100 synthetic diesel made from residual and waste materials, saving more than 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually compared to fossil diesel. Combined with tyre retreading, the firm calculates potential savings of over 90 percent relative to conventional diesel operation.

The ContiLifeCycle system focuses on tyre reuse and extended service life, helping fleet operators optimise total cost of ownership. Based on circular economy principles, the concept includes new tyres, casing management and retreading. Used tyres are inspected, stripped of worn treads and fitted with new patterns, allowing up to approximately 70 percent of materials to be reused. Continental offers both cold-retreaded ContiTread and hot-retreaded ContiRe tyres.

For CTJ Janssen, retreaded tyres serve as a cost-effective alternative to new tyres without compromising safety, reliability or performance. Meyers views tyres as a critical factor in decarbonising the fleet, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Yokohama Tire Corporation, the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has introduced the GEOLANDAR H/T4 as the newest member of its GEOLANDAR line. This durable all-season highway tyre, engineered for light trucks, SUVs and commercial vans, is now available in 62 sizes covering wheel diameters from 15 to 22 inches.

Optimised all-season capability comes from dual lug grooves and wide circumferential grooves featuring sharp block edges that boost snow traction without sacrificing wet performance. These grooves effectively remove water to prevent hydroplaning, while large centre blocks are strategically shaped to improve traction and grip across varying driving conditions.

A smooth and quiet ride is ensured through a multi-pitch tread variation that disperses frequency peaks efficiently. High-rigidity shoulder blocks further reduce tread noise over the tyre’s lifespan, and on-road durability is supported by Yokohama’s advanced compound technology, which provides the strength needed for hauling and towing stresses. A dual sidewall design offers a rugged upper sidewall on one side for protection against road hazards and a traditional upper sidewall on the reverse.

Long tread life results from triple 3D sipes that increase wear resistance by controlling tread block stability while also improving dry performance. The advanced compound technology, through an optimised blend of silica and carbon, enhances tread life, fuel efficiency and wet traction.

Kevin Nguyen, Manager – Product Planning, Yokohama Tire, said, "The H/T4 is our latest generation highway tyre, following a long line of successful predecessors in this segment. It's built to provide excellent on-road durability with a smooth, quiet ride, perfect for truck and SUV drivers seeking a balance of long mileage, comfort and all-season traction. Plus, it carries a 70,000-mile (approximately 112,654 km) limited treadwear warranty for Euro-metric sizes and a 55,000-mile (approximately 88,513 km) limited treadwear warranty for LT-metric sizes."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!