More and more machinery manufacturers are currently facing customer demands to streamline the technical support of their equipment. Despite the possibilities of local service in each country, the speed of response and customer support is a key factor, especially for machinery that is defined as strategic. Also, our equipment is classified as strategic in production facilities due to their high productivity and thus the need for a small number. We are fully aware of this fact and come up with a solution to support our customers with the Augmented assistance programme. With this solution, we try to bring the best solutions and develop our customer service module. In cooperation with external partners, our engineers have prepared a product that will enable the production plant to connect online between the manufacturer, specialists, and other experts in the online space. The advantage of this service product is the possibility of online image sharing and meeting between participants and thus instruct the end customer to correct the device's condition. At the same time, it is possible to see the result of the service immediately. An alternative option, as the result of increasing production variability, is augmented reality (AR) as a form of employee education in interactive training. AR is a unique tool for training and integrating new employees.

On the other hand, it provides a unique tool for overcoming and solving the so-called generational exchange (efficient and effective transfer of many years of experience in training). This type of support brings the end user a benefit in the form of a quick response and, by its nature, can be used for all types of VIPO devices anywhere in the world. All these services become an integral part of the offered equipment and respond to the latest trends in the tyre industry, including IoT, predictive maintenance and analytics (using neural networks and AI).

The production trend of a wide portfolio of products fundamentally affects the performance and productivity of production equipment, not only in the field of tyres. Bead winding machines also face this challenge in semi-product material preparation, where the product portfolio has expanded significantly in recent years. We are aware of this fact in VIPO, and our goal is to dramatically reduce the downtime when changing production, which will create space for increasing the production of equipment. For this reason, we have identified the most significant effects of downtime and we try to eliminate them with new technical solutions on our devices by applying R&D activities. One of them is the automatic adjustment of the manipulator for removing beads from the mould according to the type of product produced. Selecting a recipe will automatically set the manipulator on either a Single or Multi Bead winding machine, which will significantly save the time of setting up the machine when changing production. Additionally, seemingly routine procedures are revised through SMED and Poka-yoke approaches, considering ergonomic principles when replacing individual tools of production equipment. By solving this challenge, we managed to eliminate the necessary setup time by the operator significantly and, in the long run, increase machine utilization time, especially with a high frequency of changes in manufactured products.

To ensure consistent production, it is essential to use the right tools for the product. Many times, in production, we encounter an error caused by the human factor. This can cause a manufacturing mismatch or damage the device if the wrong tool is used. At VIPO, we, therefore, designed a system for automatic detection of used tools according to the selected product type on the device. The machine can automatically check whether the used tool is in accordance with the selected product type and thus eliminate any manufacturing error and collision on the machine. With this solution, we prepare our equipment for autonomous adjustment and production without further necessary mechanical changes by the operator when changing production.

The resulting parameters of the final product are fundamentally affected by the identical production process throughout its course. To meet this requirement, it is necessary to ensure its control and evaluation in its sequence of operations. In the field of beads production, several control points monitor the required parameters, such as the temperature of the preheated wire and the geometric dimensions of the coated wire. These parameters are important indicators of the accuracy of the final product and the stability of the production process. The VIPO R&D team, in cooperation with partners, prepared technical solutions that allow you to check these parameters and, in case of a mismatch, notify the operator of the need to react to a change in the machine settings. Online control mechanism and timely intervention in the process will prevent the formation of non-conforming semi-finished product, which has a positive effect on economic indicators of production.

We are grateful to our customers and partners for developing R&D solutions and putting ideas into practice that improve our products and solutions. Through cooperation, we thus achieve a higher technical level of production and the support of our customers. (TT)

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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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