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.

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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), was a distinguished speaker at the World Elastomer Technology and Engineering Forum (WETEF) in Shanghai from 13 to 16 September 2026. Co-organised with RubberTech China, the event attracted over 100,000 professional visitors, industry leaders, scholars and executives from dozens of countries.

His participation delivered strategic benefits for ANRPC and its members by raising natural rubber's profile amid global discussions dominated by synthetic elastomers and advanced materials. Aligning with WETEF's eco-friendly manufacturing focus, he promoted climate-positive practices, traceability and environmentally sound processing methods.

The forum also created direct dialogue channels with major consuming markets and international technical institutions, strengthening trade synergies. It provided valuable insights into breakthrough elastomer science, helping member nations adapt to shifting international market demands.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd. has contributed JPY 9,896,480, roughly USD 64,000, to four international nonprofit organisations. The funds were generated through employee participation in ‘100 Challenge’, a global initiative tied to the company’s centennial observances.

The World Food Programme received JPY 2,804,003, while UNICEF was granted JPY 2,474,120. WaterAid obtained JPY 2,405,394 and WWF was allocated JPY 2,212,963. Each organisation’s share corresponded directly to points accumulated by Kuraray Group staff.

The Group marked its 100th anniversary in June 2026, adopting ‘Possible starts here’ and a related brand story as the guiding concept for its centennial activities. While honouring those who built its first century, Kuraray is pursuing diverse efforts intended to shape the next 100 years, with employees worldwide at the centre. The company seeks to connect staff across departments, countries and languages, fostering unity and connection.

A dedicated app called ‘100 Challenge’, inspired by younger employees, formed one such effort. Participants completed 100 in-app tasks, earning points that supported social contribution activities. The app provided a shared experience regardless of location or role, with individual efforts contributing to both a commemorative mosaic artwork and charitable donations. By combining small individual challenges, the initiative illustrated how personal actions can generate meaningful collective impact, reflecting long-held Kuraray Group values.

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TyreSafe has entered a new partnership with Staffordshire Police, reinforcing a joint commitment to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the county. The collaboration aims to highlight the critical role tyres play in protecting road users by encouraging simple, regular checks of pressure, tread depth and overall condition.

The value of this preventative approach was recently demonstrated during a multi-agency enforcement operation at the DVSA Vehicle Inspection Site in Doxey. Held on 25 August, Operation Doxey involved Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, DVSA, Datatag, the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and TyreSafe. Inspectors directed 30 vehicles into the site, covering leisure vehicles, towing vehicles, light commercial vehicles and goods vehicles.

Seven tyre and wheel-related defects, mechanical risks and pressure discrepancies were identified. These included a tyre cut through to the cord, which received an immediate prohibition notice, a tyre running roughly 30 percent below recommended pressure, an overweight light commercial vehicle with a nail embedded in a tyre and all four tyres underinflated, a significant rear axle pressure imbalance, a missing wheel nut and an 11-year-old tyre. Leisure vehicle owners generally showed good tread awareness, though pressure maintenance remained an issue, while commercial vehicles presented several preventable defects.

Staffordshire has one of UK’s statistically safest road networks, yet serious collisions remain a concern, particularly on single carriageways. Rural bends, changing speed limits and limited visibility add risk, while motorcyclists and vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected. Common factors include failing to look properly, misjudging speed or path and driving too fast or carelessly. TyreSafe now works with over 260 organisations, and this partnership encourages Staffordshire motorists to make tyre checks routine.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Staffordshire Police as a TyreSafe partner. While Staffordshire has a strong road safety record, every serious collision has potentially devastating consequences for those involved, their families and their communities. The recent Operation Doxey enforcement activity demonstrates exactly why preventative vehicle maintenance matters. Across just 30 vehicles, inspectors identified a number of serious tyre and wheel defects, including a tyre cut to the cord, significantly incorrect tyre pressures, an embedded nail, a missing wheel nut and a tyre that was 11 years old.

“These findings are a powerful reminder that problems are not always obvious from behind the wheel. Simple checks before a journey can help identify issues before they become a danger on the road. Different roads present different challenges, particularly rural and single carriageway roads where the consequences of losing control or being unable to stop safely can be especially severe. Road safety requires a collective effort, and partnerships such as this are incredibly important. By combining the reach and expertise of Staffordshire Police with TyreSafe’s specialist knowledge and campaigns, we can help more road users understand the simple but crucial role their tyres play in keeping themselves and others safe.”

Police Sergeant Adam Van de Sande, Staffordshire Road Crime – Proactive & Harm Reduction Team, said, “Keeping people safe on Staffordshire’s roads requires everyone to play their part. We are committed to working with partners to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our road network. Operation Doxey demonstrated the value of partnership working, with officers, vehicle examiners and road safety specialists able to identify a range of defects and safety issues before those vehicles continued their journeys.

“Vehicle safety is an important part of that responsibility, and tyres are fundamental to a vehicle’s ability to stop, steer and maintain grip. We are pleased to be working with TyreSafe to raise awareness and encourage motorists to make regular tyre checks part of their routine vehicle maintenance. Our message to road users is simple: don’t wait for something to go wrong. Take a few minutes to check your vehicle and make sure it is ready for the road.”

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The AZuR Network has been honoured with the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2026 in the C2C/Recycling category for its ‘Retreading: Climate Protection on Wheels’ project. The recognition highlights the network's efforts to expand tyre retreading across Germany and Europe, thereby extending the useful life of tyres. Retreading works by reusing a suitable used tyre casing and applying a fresh tread, keeping a substantial share of the original tyre in circulation.

A life cycle assessment commissioned by AZuR and carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT compared retreaded tyres with equivalent new ones. Under the conditions examined, producing a retreaded truck tyre generated roughly 135 kilogrammes less greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction exceeding 60 percent. The process also reuses considerable portions of the existing tyre casing, reinforcing its environmental advantages.

The jury underscored the project's scalability and its relevance to the industry. Official documentation further noted the political integration of the topic as a key strength, with the EU taxonomy confirmation in 2025 representing a tangible milestone. The award places AZuR among well-known companies and innovative projects, including a climate protection cooker initiative in Cameroon, a capsule-free coffee system and a mental health awareness campaign.

Knauf secured first place in the same category with its circular gypsum supply chain, while Schmitz Cargobull led the Mobility and Logistics Solutions category. Other first-place winners included DEKRA, Hansgrohe, Pfleiderer Germany and SBRS. Presented by DISQ with ntv and DUP UNTERNEHMER under Brigitte Zypries' patronage, the 2026 edition saw 433 nominations, with 46 organisations recognised across 19 categories on 17 September in Berlin.

Christina Guth, Network Coordinator, AZuR, said, “This award belongs to our entire network. Retreading only works when many stakeholders collaborate along the value chain – from certified end-of-life tyre recyclers, tyre manufacturers and retreaders to retailers and fleet operators, all the way to academia. The award highlights the potential of using high-quality tyres for longer and keeping their casings in circulation.”

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