In an interview with Tyre Trends, Markus Winter, Director of Marketing and Sales at Kokusai Europe, and Kazuhiro Murauchi, Vice President and Head of Engineering at Kokusai Headquarter, share insightful perspectives on the fast-changing reality of tyre testing. With regulatory demands increasing and car technologies developing, Winter shares how the industry responds to new challenges presented by electric vehicles, tighter emission requirements and shifting consumer demands. With Kokusai manufacturing around 130 tyre test machines every year, Winter presents a special point of view regarding the technological advancements and market forces that are determining the future of tyre development and testing practices.

Every nook and cranny within tyre markets across the globe, big or small, is echoing a confluence of old and new practices in the age of new mobility. Attempts to constantly derive upcoming trends are massively influencing stakeholders within the tyre ecosystem as they mull over operational shifts for meeting future demands. The intricate world of tyre testing is also attuning itself to such changes to deliver a seamless transition to end users as progress unfolds.

Markus Winter, Director – Marketing and Sales, Kokusai Europe, contended that tyre testing has surged in recent times as emission norms become stricter and manufacturers methodically formulate new compounds to develop tyres for new-age vehicles.

“Over the past five to 10 years, tyre testing has undergone significant changes driven by regulatory pressures and evolving consumer expectations. In Europe, automotive manufacturers have prioritised high-speed uniformity testing to enhance ride comfort,” noted Winter while speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends.

“Simultaneously, there has been a strong industry-wide push towards improving wet grip, not only for new tyres but also for worn ones. More recently, with the introduction of Euro 7 regulations, the spotlight has turned to wear testing. The emphasis is on minimising microplastic emissions and fine dust particles, aligning with broader environmental and health concerns. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, tyre manufacturers are expected to invest further in wear-reduction technologies, shaping the next phase of innovation in the industry,” he said.

The Japan-headquartered company that produces around 130 tyre testing machines each year believes that Euro 7 regulations will impose stringent limits on wear particle emissions, leading to a major shake-up within the global tyre industry.

The new rules, targeting a 30 percent reduction in particulate emissions, could disqualify a substantial number of current tyre models from original equipment (OE) fitment on new vehicles. While exact figures remain uncertain, industry estimates suggest that up to 50 percent of existing tyre types may be phased out, with some projections even higher. This has placed immense pressure on manufacturers to accelerate testing and compliance efforts.

The initial response from tyre makers will likely focus on outdoor testing, given its simplicity. However, there is growing consensus that standardised drum testing will be essential for consistent evaluation. Over the next one to three years, demand for advanced wear testing solutions is expected to surge, creating significant business opportunities for testing providers.

At the same time, the industry is closely monitoring regulatory discussions and standardisation efforts as test methodologies continue to evolve. Regional differences are evident with Japanese and European manufacturers prioritising distinct approaches to compliance.

While no dedicated testing equipment for wear particle emissions exists yet, there is increasing interest in integrating sensors and analytical systems into existing tyre wear testing frameworks.

As regulations tighten, companies positioned at the forefront of wear testing innovation will be well-placed to capitalise on the shifting market dynamics.

SHIFTING DYNAMICS

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is fundamentally reshaping the tyre testing industry. With EVs requiring bigger, heavier tyres and delivering significantly higher torque, testing methodologies must adapt to these changing dynamics.

“With EVs demanding bigger, heavier tyres and generating higher torque, the industry must adapt. Our testing concepts are divided into two key areas including force and moment testing, which accounts for the torque and velocity changes and endurance testing such as tyre wear assessments. While high torque isn’t a requirement for endurance testing, these machines must still meet rigorous performance standards,” noted Winter.

Another major transformation is the accelerated development cycle of new tyres. Previously, a single tyre model would take six months to a year to develop, but manufacturers are now introducing new models every three months. Each iteration features different materials, tread designs and wear characteristics, increasing the need for highly flexible and efficient testing solutions. “This shift creates a greater demand for flexible, high-throughput testing solutions. We’ve opened a technical centre in Tokyo, where manufacturers can evaluate new tyre designs and test methods in real time,” informed Murauchi.

Smart tyre technology is also influencing the testing landscape. According to the executive, tyre testing involved manually recording data such as temperature, pressure and wear characteristics in the past. Today, with the integration of tyre pressure monitoring system sensors and RFID tracking, data collection is becoming increasingly automated. These advancements allow for real-time analysis and improved accuracy in performance evaluations. Although not all tyres currently include RFID technology, the trend is clearly moving towards fully automated data integration.

High-speed uniformity testing is another area undergoing transition. “Demand for this type of testing peaked several years ago, particularly for performance and luxury vehicles. However, as EVs continue to grow heavier, the impact of uniformity variations at high speeds has diminished. A vehicle that is 500–800 kg heavier places less emphasis on tyre uniformity, making it less of a critical factor for the driver. Despite this trend, high-speed uniformity testing remains essential in laboratory settings, where it provides valuable insights into braking performance, torque application and wet grip. While production-line high-speed testing has seen a slight decline, laboratory testing remains a necessary step in ensuring that EV tyres meet safety and performance standards,” noted Winter.

Investment trends in the industry also reflect this evolving landscape. Many tyre manufacturers are opting for outdoor testing because it requires lower upfront investment. Outdoor tests can be conducted by hiring test vehicles and drivers rather than investing in costly laboratory equipment.

Nonetheless, core testing parameters such as uniformity, geometry and balance will remain essential despite the shifts, noted the executive.

INTELLIGENT MACHINES

Winter noted that artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a significant role in tyre testing, particularly in analysing wear test results. While machine builders focus on developing equipment that ensures precise and reproducible testing conditions, AI is increasingly being used in areas like shearography testing.

“For now, AI’s role in direct test result analysis remains limited as interpreting the data largely falls to manufacturers. Testing machines must guarantee consistent results under identical conditions ensuring uniform abrasion rates. However, manufacturers leverage AI to assess tread compounds and wear conditions, an area beyond the machine builder’s core business,” said Murauchi.

Software is also becoming increasingly important in tyre testing, though integration varies by manufacturer size. Major companies prefer to use proprietary quality tools and focus on seamless data integration.

Smaller manufacturers, however, seek guidance on handling test data, creating opportunities for collaboration with software firms.

Despite handling vast amounts of test data, the company is not pursuing a business model centred on data analytics or test services. Some competitors have expanded into internal testing and data-driven solutions, but this firm remains committed to machine building.

UPGRADING SYSTEMS

Customers today are increasingly seeking testing machines that can be upgraded rather than replaced after 15–20 years. Their expectation is to minimise costs while extending the machine’s lifecycle, though upgrading a machine directly in a customer’s plant at minimal cost is not always feasible. Despite this, manufacturers are focusing on designing equipment that allows for easier upgrades over time.

“One key aspect of this shift is the move away from hydraulic systems. All of our testing equipment is now fully electric, whether it is a compression tester, steering tester or vibration tester. This transition was influenced by Japan’s experience with earthquakes, particularly the 2011 disaster that led to power shortages. Following the Fukushima incident, the Japanese Government required manufacturers to reduce power consumption by 15 percent. Unlike hydraulic systems, which require stable oil temperature and pressure, our fully electric machines can be turned on and off instantly, making them more energy-efficient and reducing operational downtime,” averred Murauchi.

The focus on energy efficiency extends to long-term improvements in machine performance. Over the years, the company has developed systems that significantly reduce electricity consumption. Since tyre wear testers run for long durations daily, its energy usage directly impacts operating costs.

“We developed an innovative drive concept that provides force-synchronised control of the drum and test tyre, allowing tyre slip to be precisely applied via a highly dynamic torque-on-demand system. Combined with our specially adapted load case collective, this new system achieves a nearly 90 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional hydraulically driven wear testers. As a result, we can dramatically reduce the running cost for our customers. The first sets of these advanced systems have already been successfully implemented at a major Japanese company, demonstrating the effectiveness of our energy-efficient approach,” revealed Winter.

REGULATORY CHANGES

Regulations play a critical role in shaping the tyre testing industry as manufacturers continuously adapt to new requirements. Winter anticipates significant regulatory changes, particularly in Europe and Asia, over the next four to five years that will impact tyre testing and development.

“One of the key upcoming regulations is related to tyre wear. There is increasing focus on how quickly tyres wear out and how that affects road safety and environmental impact. In addition to wear, the wet grip performance

of tyres is expected to come under stricter regulations, pushing manufacturers to provide more transparent data on its products’ real-world performance. Another area of growing interest is tyre lifespan, particularly for commercial truck and bus tyres. Customers are becoming more focused on the overall service life of tyres rather than just wear resistance, which means testing procedures may need to evolve,” said Winter.

“Tyre safety is another area where regulations are expected to tighten. In the past, tyre testing has primarily focused on new tyres, but we foresee that future regulations may require testing on worn tyres as well. This is because a new tyre performs optimally, but its behaviour can change significantly after use. Factors such as tread depth, air pressure variations and temperature fluctuations influence how a tyre performs over time, and regulators may demand better data on these aspects,” he added.

Currently, tyre testing is done under standard conditions, but in reality, tyres are used in extreme temperatures ranging from sub-zero to scorching heat. With the rise of autonomous driving, there is an increasing need for tyres to be tested in a variety of weather conditions.

Future regulations may require more comprehensive testing to ensure that tyres perform predictably across different temperatures, humidity levels and road conditions. Autonomous vehicle systems will likely rely on detailed tyre performance data to make real-time driving decisions, which could drive the development of new testing methodologies.

FOOTPRINT

Asia remains the strongest market for the company, where it has established itself as the market leader with deep customer relationships. While competition is intense in Europe, the company has tested its machines with premium manufacturers and is adapting its equipment to meet the specific needs of different tyre makers.

The company is deploying pilot projects across various segments including passenger car and truck tyres to expand in Europe. These initial installations allow for extended testing before securing approvals to participate in larger procurement processes. In contrast, the wear tester segment is less competitive with only a few global suppliers, positioning the company as a key player with extensive collaborations worldwide. The focus now is on strengthening technical partnerships, installing pilot units and integrating its solutions within the operational frameworks of major tyre makers.

The company has set a target to expand capacity to 150 units per year, potentially by the end of 2025. While European markets face margin pressures, the company’s challenge lies in scaling up production in Asia, US and Europe to meet growing global demand.

Michelin Connected Fleet North America has named Willem Moore as its new Chief Executive Officer. Having been with the parent company since 2019, Moore brings considerable leadership expertise from the technology and mobility sectors. In his new role, he will steer the company's mission to provide advanced fleet management solutions that enhance customer efficiency, safety and sustainability.

“Willem brings an extensive leadership experience in the technology and mobility arenas and will guide our mission to deliver innovative fleet management solutions that drive efficiency, safety and sustainability for our customers. His leadership will help us accelerate innovation while continuing to put our people, customers and partners at the centre of everything we do,” expressed the company.

Moore said, “At Michelin Connected Fleet, we help fleet customers unlock the power of data to accelerate their transformation. Thanks to connected technologies, real-time insights and personalised support. Because we go beyond tools by partnering with our customers. Our end-to-end approach combines smart hardware, advanced analytics and the strength of Michelin’s 130+ years of innovation and trust. I’m honoured to lead such a talented and passionate team across North America and to continue building strong, trusted relationships with our customers and partners. Together, let’s keep moving mobility forward!”

Indian tyre manufacturer Tolins Tyres Ltd launched heavy-duty tractor rear tyres, completing its agricultural tyre portfolio as the company seeks to capitalise on India’s farming sector ahead of the harvest season.

The Kerala-based firm, which already produces tractor-trailer tyres, front tyres and tiller tyres, said the new product would enable it to offer farmers a complete tyre solution for tractors whilst opening fresh revenue streams in the agricultural market.

India’s agriculture sector, which employs nearly half the country’s workforce, is preparing for the upcoming harvest season that typically begins in late September. Tractor sales have remained robust in recent months as farmers invest in mechanisation to boost productivity.

Tolins plans to distribute the new rear tyres through its network of more than 1,200 dealers across India, ensuring availability during the critical farming period.

"The launch of our tractor rear tyres is a significant milestone as it completes our tractor tyre range, enabling us to serve farmers with a comprehensive solution," said Dr KV Tolin, promoter, chairman and managing director of Tolins Tyres.

"Agriculture remains at the heart of India's economy, and we are committed to supporting farmers with durable, high-performance products that enhance efficiency and reliability in the field. Backed by our strong dealer network of over 1,200 partners, this new offering will not only support farmers during the upcoming harvest season but also strengthen Tolins' position in the agricultural segment whilst opening new avenues of growth for the company."

The company said the timing of the launch would allow farmers to prepare their machinery ahead of the 2025 harvest season.

In the tyre industry, it is very difficult to change a supplier. Once you are a good vendor for the tyre companies, it is very difficult to dislodge the vendor unless they have something really bad. However, post the recent pandemic in 2020, there has been a sea change in the mindset of the tyre companies.   

For a new vendor to enter into the mindset of a tyre purchase head, you have to go head over heels to promote your product and have various tests conducted. However, it still is a long and painstaking process, which could take years just to know that you have not been approved. The importance of getting the right raw material is very important because if the compound is not right, then there is a good chance that the tyre could fail and could lead to a very big lawsuit, especially If a consumer has had a near death experience. So the tyre company has to be 100 percent sure that the new raw material is much better, safer, durable and sustainable.

In the pre-Covid era, you could see that well-established suppliers who have been in the market for decades would not consider participating in an industry event as they did not feel the need because they felt they were well established in the market.

However, after Covid, many companies, especially the vendors, struggled to supply the raw materials to tyre companies due to various issues such as plant shutdown due to labour shortage due to Covid regulations, logistics issues such as lack of truck drivers and less availability of containers, political issues with certain countries, ongoing wars and disputes between countries etc.

So the tyre company purchase heads were compelled to look at other alternative suppliers. If you see the current situation, various tyre companies across the world are under stress as the plants in certain countries are not being viable to run due to various reasons. So they got to be mindful of their purchase of raw materials.

Many tyre companies have also vowed to go the sustainable route by having more ecofriendly materials. So the raw materials companies, whether new entrants or well-established players, have to keep working on innovative products that are sustainable as well as price-competitive.

Tyre companies and their suppliers participating in various forums, such as the recently concluded Tyre Materials Conference in Delhi on 24 June, is encouraging as it provides a platform for the tyre/retread companies to interact with their vendors to understand the changing requirements of tyre companies coming out with new solutions to have a better, safer and sustainable tyre out in the market. n

BKT Europe has strategically reinforced its leadership team with three senior appointments, a move designed to significantly accelerate its expansion as a supplier to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This restructuring is a pivotal element of the company’s broader ambition to become a leading global player in the off-highway tyre market.

The new appointments target BKT’s key business segments to deepen expertise and foster stronger partner relationships. Paolo Mantovani has been named Head OEM Industrial & OTR Europe, a role that leverages his fifteen years of extensive commercial and strategic experience across multiple tyre sectors. His profound understanding of OEM requirements is expected to be central to driving growth in the industrial and off-the-road tyre divisions across BKT's essential European markets.

Leading the agricultural sector will be Silvia Busnelli in her promoted role as Head OEM Agriculture Europe. Recognised as a driving force behind the development of the existing OE channel, Busnelli brings a powerful combination of deep product knowledge and trusted relationships with manufacturing partners. Her advancement underscores a strategic commitment to placing seasoned experts in charge of pivotal growth areas.

Further strengthening the technical front, Melodie Dubreuil joins the organisation as OEM Technical Manager EMEA. Her six years of industry experience, including a key tenure at CNH Europe, will be vital for enhancing technical collaboration with OEM partners. She will ensure that BKT’s product solutions continue to align with the evolving demands for performance and innovation.

This consolidated leadership structure positions BKT for substantial growth across its agricultural, industrial and OTR businesses. By placing a renewed focus on expert collaboration and market-specific strategies, the company is building a robust foundation for achieving the sustainable and profitable growth targets outlined in its strategic plan for 2030.

Ludovic Revel, President Global OEM at BKT, said, “This decision reflects our bold commitment to scaling our OE business worldwide, with Europe being a critical part of that journey. Paolo’s arrival enhances our ability to engage with OEMs at the highest level and deliver long-term value through performance, partnership and innovation. We are building a team capable of transforming our strong ambitions into reality at a global level.”