What does ‘Tyre Labelling’ guarantee? It shows schematically the classification of tyres in terms of fuel consumption, noise and wet performance. The tyre manufacturer is obliged to demonstrate the values ​​indicated on the label in tests carried out in accordance with the test method described in EU regulations. This essentially means that the performance parameters of the tyres in question are at least exactly at this level or above the positive side of the limit scale, but only when the tyres are new, i.e. at the beginning of tyre installation. It is technically expected that the stated performance values ​​will not change until the end of the first 10,000 kilometres or until wear of approximately 1.5 mm occurs.

Who knows what the actual grading of tyres will be after the second 10,000 kilometres or at 3 mm down wear stage? No one can correctly estimate what the wet noise and traction will be after most of the mini-kerf or notches are eliminated or reduced, but only when the tyre is tested it can be monitored. Or if the tyre's grooves are completely ‘V’ type, and after a period of time the tyre's traction forces change significantly, then rolling resistance and wet braking behaviour will become significantly different.

The performance level of worn tyres might be therefore quite uncertain and must be taken into account on a legal basis. The wet performance of worn tyres will be a check point for ‘wet grip class’ grading on EU Tyre label after 1st July of 2024, which is in line with the demand of tyre industry parties asking more sustainability.  Thanks to the introduction of a new EU regulation R117-04, tyres sold in EU distribution channels meet the same minimum wet braking performance requirements not only when new but also when worn down to the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm.

EU is the most sensitive and advanced market to sustainability in the world. It is driven at any time by the increasingly aspiring regulatory agenda and there is always a constant development in this respect. Requirements of consumers or the automotive industry are more demanding by a more conscious society. Tyres’ life cycle contributing to a more sustainable future proactively identifies and addresses the potential human health and environmental impacts associated with the industry. Therefore, safer and more environmentally sound mobility options are always geared towards resource conservation and fuel economy amongst the focus points of innovations.

Thanks to the introduction of a new EU regulation R117-04, tyres sold in EU distribution channels meet the same minimum wet braking performance requirements not only when new but also when worn down to the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. They must therefore be tested both as new and as worn tyres before receiving the 'wet grade’ on the label. This means that EU drivers can now buy safer tyres that meet the legal minimum standards for wet braking performance, even when worn down to the legal minimum tread depth.

As a weak point of R117-04 regulation, it only covers wet braking of new and worn-out tyres. It does not cover ‘noise’ and ‘rolling resistance’ items given on labelling or more simply endurance performance level of especially cheap tyres in the market with a 1.6 mm tread depth assuming they will not change!

Informal wet braking tests conducted by ETRTO show that the wear rate of group ‘C1’ tyres can decrease by up to 50 percent, while the loss rate of group ‘C2’ and ‘C3’ tyres remain in 10 percent. The new regulation R117-04 therefore does not apply to group ‘C2’ and ‘C3’ tyres, as they normally have a greater tread depth and it is assumed that the level of wet braking does not change during the wear phase. However, since group ‘C1’ tyres have a smaller tread depth, it is assumed that their contact patch is more subject to negative changes, so that the wet braking performance also changes more after use. 

As a weak point of R117-04 regulation, it only covers wet braking of new and worn-out tyres. It does not cover ‘noise’ and ‘rolling resistance’ items given on labelling or more simply endurance performance level of especially cheap tyres in the market with a 1.6 mm tread depth assuming they will not change!

The new R117-04 regulation may mainly be considered as sustainability issue rather than total safety. It promotes tyre usage until defined min tread depth creating a room to consumers to trust the tyres above minimum tread depth level. However, it should still be positively considered a step forward to the worn tyres’ safety regulation. It accepts that wet braking level of worn tyres are more critical and important safety issue and should be regulated. By the way, consumers may use their tyres in longer stage, giving a contribution to a greener world.

The transparency provided by the new regulation, which came into force on 2024 July, is even more essential, as some performances deteriorate over time, especially in terms of safety. R117-04 in this term guarantees enhanced safety, better respect for the environment and the protection of motorists’ purchasing power. 

Common consumer behaviour shows that 50 percent of car tyres are demounted before reaching a residual depth of 3 mm and replaced with a new set of tyres.

Michelin has studied the safety margin of used tyres since 2018 and has stressed the importance of tyres to be used until 1.6 mm remaining tread depth. The best way was to test worn tyres because it can easily reflect the real risks a driver can face on the road. During the study, the results were surprisingly varied. It was shown that some worn tyres performed better than new tyres when braking on wet roads. This was exactly what Michelin has been saying for a long time. The performance of different tyre brands also varies considerably.

Common consumer behaviour shows that 50 percent of car tyres are demounted before reaching a residual depth of 3 mm and replaced with a new set. In global scale, this makes around 400 million tyres are prematurely scraped every year. A quarter of this amount, or almost 100 million tyres, would save at least 6 million tonnes of CO2 instead of reproducing it. The implementation of this regulation will certainly have an impact on the demand for new tyres in Europe.

R117-04 presently focus mainly on only tread depth attribute, while aspects such as ageing or rubber structural integrity degradation remain outside the scope of this amendment.

In addition, in the hope that higher performance requirements will not result in higher costs for consumers, the changes are designed to encourage consumers to continue using sustainable tyres instead. Once drivers are confident in their tyres, they will drive to a tread depth of 1.6 mm, potentially saving EUR 6 billion a year by not complying with proposals to reduce tread depth to less than 3 mm.

R117-04 presently focuses mainly on tread depth attribute, while aspects such as ageing or rubber structural integrity degradation remain outside the scope of this amendment. We also mentioned some additional weak points above. However, imposing these standards, will increase the driver’s awareness for worn tyres performance limits and let them to make more informed decisions when purchasing tyres.

On the other hand, understanding the ‘NEW AND WORN PHASE TESTS CONCEPT’ will become the standard mentality of the customer, who will be able to assess the attitude towards the initial performance of the tyres, which may change over time, but should not! The new challenge will be to weed out products that are not gripping in the wet when worn and have not met these expectations for years..!

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JK Tyre & Industries has appointed Pushpak Barik as Vice President – Replacement Business, reinforcing its domestic leadership team as the company looks to strengthen its presence in the replacement tyre market, according to a report.

In his new role, Barik will lead the strategic growth of JK Tyre's replacement business, with responsibility for expanding the company's replacement market portfolio, optimising channel performance and strengthening its retail footprint across India.

Before joining JK Tyre, Barik served as Head of Sales – Commercial Mobility at TVS Motor Company, where he led initiatives to accelerate business growth in the commercial mobility segment.

He brings extensive industry experience, having held leadership positions at Continental, Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto and Tata Motors. His expertise spans sales leadership, channel development, commercial mobility, strategic partnerships, network expansion and business transformation.

JK Tyre said Barik's experience in driving profitable growth, strengthening distribution networks and expanding market presence will support the company's next phase of growth in the replacement business.

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Nokian Tyres has announced the promotion of Tiina Frazer to Senior Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Communications, effective 1 August 2026. In addition to her new executive role, she will join the company’s Management Team, operating from the headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, and reporting directly to President and CEO Paolo Pompei.

Frazer originally joined the Finnish tyre manufacturer in September 2025 as Vice President for the same functional area. Her professional background includes a tenure as Vice President of Brands and Marketing at HKFoods Finland Oy, along with prior senior leadership roles at Lumene, Roche Pharmaceuticals and Fiskars, bringing extensive cross-industry experience to her expanded responsibilities.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am delighted to welcome Tiina to the Nokian Tyres Management Team. Her experience in building impactful brands make her an excellent addition to our team as we continue to strengthen our premium position in our key markets.”

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Fornnax Technology has taken a decisive step to strengthen its European footprint by formalising a service partnership with industry veteran Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice. The agreement, ratified by company CEO Jignesh Kundaria, transitions the Indian manufacturer’s support model from remote coordination to an on-the-ground operational presence. This strategic alignment is designed to address the growing demand for immediate technical intervention across the continent’s recycling sector.

Based in Worbis, Germany, Baur commands a fully integrated service infrastructure that includes a 1,000-square-metre workshop fitted with a 5-tonne crane system, a dedicated hydraulic bay and specialised tooling for bearing replacements. His mobile response unit comprises 12 Mercedes Sprinter vans and a workforce of 24 certified technicians, enabling rapid deployment across a 1,000-kilometre radius. This setup guarantees that Fornnax customers can expect emergency assistance within 24 hours of a service call.

Baur’s professional history spans over 20 years of hands-on work with prominent shredder brands such as Eldan, Lindner and Vecoplan, giving him intimate knowledge of the operational challenges faced by European plant operators. His decision to join forces with Fornnax was driven by the manufacturer’s distinctive combination of competitive pricing, rugged construction and advanced wear-resistant engineering. He recognised that the current market turbulence – marked by tight margins, postponed capital expenditures and a dwindling labour pool – demanded a partnership capable of delivering both technical depth and logistical speed.

Under the new arrangement, Baur assumes full responsibility for the entire equipment lifecycle, covering system commissioning, scheduled upkeep, urgent breakdown recovery and the supply of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical components. He has also expressed a long-term vision to transform his Worbis facility into a regional spare parts consolidation centre, particularly if Fornnax opts to stock inventory at that location. To match anticipated growth, he plans to augment his fleet and technician count by two to three units annually.

This collaboration signals Fornnax’s broader commitment to building a dedicated European service network rather than relying on generalized support structures. With Baur’s proven capabilities now formally integrated, the company aims to deliver faster resolution times and technically nuanced assistance that aligns with the high-throughput demands of modern recycling operations. The partnership ultimately positions Fornnax as a formidable contender in the European shredding equipment landscape, with service excellence as its cornerstone.

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax, said, "We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue."

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Apollo Tyres is accelerating investments in manufacturing technology, artificial intelligence and international expansion as the company seeks to strengthen its position in premium tyre markets while expanding its global production footprint.

The tyre maker said its long-term strategy, branded Momentum 2.0, is centred on financial discipline, product premiumisation, manufacturing expansion and sustainability, following a year in which it outperformed the industry across several segments and delivered strong international revenue growth.

The company has reinforced its global manufacturing network, operating six manufacturing facilities across India and Hungary and two global R&D centres in Chennai and the Netherlands. Its products are now sold in more than 100 countries, supported by continued investments in research, development and an expanding global distribution network.

Apollo is also increasing investment in digital manufacturing, describing technology as a key driver of future competitiveness. During FY26, the company rolled out its Advanced Manufacturing Execution System (AMES) across major manufacturing plants, enabling real-time production monitoring, end-to-end traceability and greater integration between factory operations and enterprise systems.

To accelerate digital transformation, Apollo established a dedicated AI Innovation Unit that is developing artificial intelligence and machine-learning applications for manufacturing, engineering and business operations. The company said generative AI and agentic AI assistants are being deployed to improve simulations, operational planning and enterprise-wide decision-making, positioning AI as a core element of future factory operations.

Research and development remains another strategic investment priority. Apollo said it invested INR 460.87 million in R&D during FY26 while establishing advanced DoJo Centres at its Chennai and Andhra Pradesh facilities to strengthen engineering capabilities and accelerate product innovation.

International manufacturing continues to underpin Apollo's export ambitions. The company's Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary has become a strategic hub for serving European markets, allowing Apollo to manufacture closer to customers while strengthening supply-chain resilience amid evolving global trade dynamics.

Management said Europe remains a key growth market, particularly in premium passenger car tyres, while North America offers opportunities through higher-value products. During the year, Apollo expanded its dealer network by adding more than 250 dealers across the United States and Canada, strengthening distribution for the Vredestein brand and improving access to replacement markets.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, energy price volatility and changing trade policies, Apollo said it would continue investing in innovation, operational efficiency and manufacturing excellence rather than slowing capital deployment.

Looking ahead, the company said it will maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy while continuing investments in product innovation, brand building, manufacturing efficiency and digital transformation, with a strong focus on improving return on capital employed and supporting sustainable long-term growth in both domestic and export markets.

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