Will my dream ever come true? Recent material and technological innovations suggest this… Once this becomes a reality, how industrial tyre factories work? As a brand manufacturer, who could survive and catch up with this ability?

The big brands of the 1970s sold the same sizes of samples made from the same material for 15 to 20 years. Today you need to market a top-quality product every three years.

Any branded manufacturer that is looking to be competitive and doesn’t want to sell a standard product with a low-profit margin needs to own a product of the highest quality that is really good for the customer. Therefore, brand owners should give a clear answer to this dramatic question of whether their product is innovative or revolutionary. When you have a clear answer, your path to success is clear. Even though the product lifecycle will not be as similar as it has been over the past several decades, then marketing can create a product map. Even though it is revolutionary, its popularity in the market will drop to almost zero in three years.

In electronics, for example, the remarkable drift of a new product is six months. Over the next six months, its popularity may decline and lag behind the competition, which means that the product life in electronics is close to a year. So you need to install a new product every year if you have a long-term business vision.

What is the situation like in the tyre industry? Major brands of the 1970s produced the same pattern and sizes from standard materials and compounds for 15-20 years. They used the same mould and equipment during long year product life. Hence, they maximized their profits with limited investments. What is the situation today?

“Smart materials” as a combination of all these will shape the industry in the next decades and we will talk “smarter” and “super smart materials.”

Material science is leading the technology. Lighter, more durable, more dimensionally stable, stronger and flexible materials can be provided for new designs in the industry. Hardware and electronics benefit from these developments. At the same time, better programming with the same hardware configuration leads to a fantastic result. However, when the hardware is limited, amasing software codes won’t work. The new materials, electronics and programming so will lead to revolutionary innovations in the coming years. “Smart materials” as a combination of all these will shape the industry in the next decades and we will talk “smarter” and “super smart materials.”

The humidity-sensitive polymer is, for example, used in dressings to be self-adaptive and regulates moisture balance in and around. If we look at the tyre industry, stimulus sensitive polymers or high-performance functional polymers can change depending on the environment. These are examples of smart materials. Copolymer systems, as they are inherently sensitive to temperature and phase changes occur in microstructures, can be monitored for critical solutions. An example of the “Smart Tyre” concept is “Active Tread” when it is successful.

When the personalised and printed commercial tyre one day becomes a reality, it will be made entirely of the latest technology comprised of many first initials.

The tread area is the most important part for tyres with low rolling resistance, long life and better handling in dry and wet conditions. Imagine, all of these main criteria are intelligently and comprehensively optimised based on the ‘Sensing Core’ unit, which is intelligent networking with the main vehicle control unit and collects all driving data from sensors, including from tyres and wheels. So that the smart polymers of the active treads are simultaneously stimulated by the road conditions, and you have a safe trip when we control all the dynamics of the vehicle. At the same time, optimal energy results are obtained.

Green low carbon energies and green materials like biomaterials will be highly valued in the future. Recycling of rubber, especially from tyres, will be strongly encouraged. Nowadays, tyre recycling technologies are intensively developed. Rather than just being a filler, its use as a primary polymerization element is the next target. Non-petroleum synthetic rubber derivatives, carbon nano cellulosic hybrid solutions, applications of carbon nanotubes and graphene are already underway. Thermo Plastic Elastomers for non-pneumatic applications gains more strength, flexibility and resistance to high temperatures.

When the personalised and printed commercial tyre one day becomes a reality, This will surely be the most ecological solution.

The next decades will be the time zone for electric vehicles. Tyres, as part of a vehicle, are influenced and powered by this industry. Whatever invention is going on in the automotive industry, it is about automated and smarter parts made from environmentally friendly and primarily recycled and energy-efficient materials. OEMs, for most electric vehicles, will or will be required to give preference to these tyres.

Airless tyres are already in the market for very special applications. When the personalised and printed commercial tyre one day becomes a reality, it will be made entirely of the latest technology comprised of many first initials. If the tread profile part becomes interchangeable, it offers simple and diverse applications and meets OEM requirements. This will surely be the most ecological solution, and it will inevitably or happily be installed under electric vehicles.

There are no limits to advanced technologies. The tyre industry is open to many multidisciplinary collaborations.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has entered into a strategic agreement with Swedish technology firm Univrses to integrate artificial intelligence-based computer vision systems into its Cyber Tyre platform. As part of the deal, Pirelli has acquired a 30 percent stake in Univrses, with an option to increase that share to a majority holding. The collaboration will embed Univrses’ 3DAI technologies into Pirelli’s existing Cyber Tyre solutions, creating a unified system aimed at producing safer and higher performing vehicles.

The combined technology has potential applications in advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving. It also generates timely, actionable data for road management, helping authorities make better decisions and deploy resources more efficiently. This could lead to fewer road accidents and saved lives. The system uses onboard cameras and tyres to collect feedback on road conditions. Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre, the first integrated hardware and software system of its kind, gathers data from tyre sensors, processes it with proprietary algorithms and communicates in real time with vehicle electronics and the cloud.

Univrses originally developed its technology to help cars understand their surroundings, but it has since been adapted to turn vehicles into AI-powered road monitoring agents. The Swedish company’s 3DAI Engine provides autonomous vehicles with perception capabilities including 3D positioning, mapping and spatial deep learning. Its 3DAI system digitises roadside infrastructure using data from vehicle-mounted sensors like cameras.

A pilot project is already active in Italy. In 2025, Pirelli and the Puglia Region launched a road network monitoring system to create an updated map of infrastructure conditions. The system analyses data from tyres via the Cyber Tyre platform alongside visual data from cameras interpreted by Univrses’ technology.

Andrea Casaluci, CEO, Pirelli, said, “The agreement with Univrses further enhances our Cyber Tyre™ platform, thanks to advanced AI‑based artificial vision technologies. The collaboration between Pirelli and Univrses will make a significant contribution to the ongoing transformation of cars into true software‑defined vehicles.”

Jonathan Selbie, CEO, Univrses, said, “Continuous monitoring and data are becoming the new foundation for infrastructure asset management, and Univrses technology is able to provide powerful analytical capabilities based on reliable and frequently updated data. In this context, we are pleased to welcome Pirelli as an investor and to take our partnership to the next level: we will join forces to deliver increasingly advanced services and products.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

ZC Rubber is preparing a major European-focused showcase at THE TIRE COLOGNE, scheduled to run from 9 to 11 June 2026. The tyre manufacturer will occupy Booth C050g in Hall 8.1, highlighting its WESTLAKE and GOODRIDE brands with a clear emphasis on products tailored specifically for regional market demands.

The display will blend imminent and future innovations. Products destined for a European launch in the latter half of 2026 will appear alongside the company’s current truck and bus radial lineup. Selected previews of developments planned for 2027 will also be on view. A featured attraction is the Westlake Sport RS2, a drift-proven ultra-high-performance tyre praised for its grip, precision and 180 treadwear rating. A renewed rubber compound, developed through work with the Red Bull Driftbrothers, now delivers steadier traction under severe driving conditions. Appearing at the stand, Red Bull Driftbrothers driver and engineer Elias Hountondji will illustrate how motorsport data directly refines ZC Rubber’s product engineering.

Additional new passenger car radial models for Europe in the second half of 2026 include the Westlake ZuperFlex Z-137, Goodride RideMax G-147, the all-season Westlake Zuper4S Z-411 and the off-road focused Westlake Terra Legend SL399 and Goodride Mud Legend SL388. On the truck and bus side, already available tyres such as the Westlake WSL2, Westlake WDL2+ and Goodride S2, D3 and D4 will be exhibited, covering steer and drive axle needs for long-haul and heavy-duty transport.

A sneak peek at 2027 offerings will feature the Westlake Z-301 commercial van tyre, Goodride All Season G-721, Goodride SnowComfort G-518 and new TBR models including the Westlake WTL2, Westlake WTR OEM and Goodride M2. ZC Rubber’s team will remain on-site throughout the event, welcoming visitors and partners to the booth for meetings and professional discussions.

Leo Liao, General Manager, ZC Rubber Europe, said, “This year’s showcase reflects a much broader and more complete portfolio for Europe. From UHP and all-season tyres to all-terrain, mud-terrain and TBR solutions, we are bringing new developments across almost every major segment. This reflects how seriously we take the European market: we are listening to local needs, investing in the right products and building a portfolio that better matches the needs of our European partners.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Magna Tyres has launched the MA801 TR, a new solid tyre engineered for extreme operating conditions in recycling facilities and heavy industrial settings. Designed to maximise equipment uptime while supporting high load capacities, the tyre is built to deliver dependable performance in harsh environments. The official debut of the MA801 TR will take place at IFAT 2026 in Munich, scheduled from 4 to 7 May 2026.

The new model is intended for compact wheel loaders and telescopic handlers, featuring a flat-free solid construction. Its extra-deep non‑directional tread is reinforced by a triangular structural design, which enhances traction and stability on surfaces littered with sharp debris. Available in sizes 13.00‑24 and 14.00‑24, the tyre prioritises puncture resistance and reduced maintenance needs.

Thanks to its robust architecture and deep tread profile, the MA801 TR offers an extended service life and consistent performance across demanding work cycles. By eliminating the risk of flats, Magna Tyres positions the tyre as a reliable solution for recycling and industrial operations where continuous heavy loads are standard.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a prominent corporate climate-action organisation, for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets set for 2035. This endorsement confirms that the company’s goals are scientifically aligned with the standards established under the Paris Agreement. The validated targets are measured relative to the company’s 2024 emission levels.

Under the approved framework, Yokohama Rubber aims for a 63.0 percent reduction in combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which cover direct emissions from its business activities as well as indirect emissions from purchased energy. Additionally, the company commits to a 37.5 percent cut in Scope 3 emissions, specifically targeting indirect supply chain emissions from purchased products and services, along with fuel and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2. To achieve these reductions, Yokohama Rubber has been expanding solar power generation and renewable energy electricity at its global plants, while also disclosing indirect emissions from product distribution, use and disposal since 2013.

The company obtained SBTi validation to accelerate supply-chain-wide emission cuts in response to intensifying climate challenges. Operating under its sustainability management slogan, ‘Caring for the Future’, Yokohama Rubber continues to create shared value by tackling social issues directly through its business operations.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!