What does the future of tyre technology look like? The answer remains ‘pneumatic tyres’, but in the sense of greener and more digital technologies.

The ‘pneumatic tyre’ remains the only optimal long-term solution that meets expectations in all important technical parameters, even if tyre construction becomes more complex with each new vehicle generation. To the question ‘What does the future of tyre technology look like?’, the answer is still ‘pneumatic tyres’, but in the sense of greener and more digital technologies.

The increasing number of SUVs, electric cars and new types of vehicles lead to a change in tyre sizes in every markets. New vehicles come in different sizes, so the lifespan of common tyre sizes under same class vehicles available in the market is decreasing day by day. Therefore, successful SKU management and new technics are required for inventory management.

Electric cars are increasingly dominating the market with their larger load capacity, higher torque and higher requirements for tyre wear resistance. Tyres of electrical cars and SUVs are becoming larger and heavier, limiting opportunities to reduce total tyre weight on automobiles.

Electric vehicle-associated increase in average vehicle weight and acceleration speed requires changes in tyre design. Optimisation of the raw materials and chemicals used in the mix of compound formulations are certainly necessary.

Tyres are still ‘black and round’, but they are constantly evolving towards ‘more efficient, smarter and safer technologies’. Lower skid depth but better wear resistance are common approaches to higher overall efficiency. Friction requirements must be balanced with tyre pattern for safety. Minor differences of patterns might change tyre responses unpredictably.

Of course, tyres must be durable and perform properly throughout their lifetime, but there are other requirements that must be met to be accepted on the market. The basic requirements are already included in the tyre regulation. The European tyre labelling system obliges tyre manufacturers to maximise the rolling resistance, wet grip and noise level of the tyres. In addition, it is an opportunity to enter the market with better tyre ratings.

Cold working is better for endurance and for better rolling resistance, but maintaining optimum grip performance is a challenge. Optimising wet grip and tyre wear are in conflict together with tyre handling, which is critical for safety. Likewise, better aquaplaning performance does not automatically mean better wet performance, and it is difficult to optimise both at one time. The same goes for noise and traction in wet conditions. Therefore, optimising and balancing different parameters is always a science in itself.

The increasing market penetration of electric vehicles and the associated increase in average vehicle weight and acceleration speed require changes in tyre design. Noise reduction and improved rolling resistance must be balanced by improved wear resistance. Given the enormous development of new generation alternatives in recent years, optimisation of the raw materials and chemicals used in compound formulations are certainly necessary.

Improving one performance parameter in the tyre industry often has a negative impact on another metric. The use of nanomaterials in tyre tread compounds let many of the metrics get better such as durability, wear and rolling resistance and wet performance.

Lower rolling resistance means less dynamic energy is required to maximise the vehicle’s range, which is crucial for electric vehicles. Low rolling resistance tyres make it possible to increase the range of electric vehicles by up to seven percent. Continental has announced the development of a special soft rubber tread compound that helps reduce rolling resistance and noise levels simultaneously, without compromising mileage.

Current tests show that the tyres of electric vehicles wear out 20 percent faster. This is due to the additional weight, the higher engine torque and the friction effects on the tyres when energy is recovered in coasting. Reduction of RR essentially requires a lower tread depth, but it also means the tyre lasts less time and generates more noise. However, the use of nanomaterials in tyre tread compounds, which manufacturers are experimenting with, improves durability, wear resistance and extends tyre life.

Nano-silica reduces rolling resistance, thereby improving fuel efficiency, while nano-clay improves thermal stability and provides consistent performance at different temperatures. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are used to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of tyre rubber, which improves tensile strength, elasticity and compensating low conductivity caused by the high silica content in the tread compound of current tyres. However, due to high cost and low availability, their widespread application in the tyre industry is limited.

Improving one performance parameter in the tyre industry often has a negative impact on another metric, such as efficiency, and comes at the expense of another metric, such as durability or wet grip. Silica nanoparticles improve wet grip in this respect by improving the tyre’s interaction with wet surfaces, thus increasing safety in adverse weather conditions.

By 2050, all tyres will be made from direct natural sources or recycled materials, which corresponds to the global goal of net zero CO2 emissions. Growing consumer awareness is also driving demand for products made from recycled materials.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality, a ‘sharp decline in demand for fossil fuels’ is expected in the global energy sector from 2040 onwards. ISO 14068 provides principles, requirements and guidelines for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality, with a focus on quantifying, reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint. Growing consumer awareness is driving demand for products made from recycled materials. Industry practices and market offerings are influencing new products.

Similar to the rapid and massive increase in investments in renewable energy and capacity expansions, the sustainable tyre materials market is also expected to witness strong growth. Manufacturers are exploring biodegradable materials and using recycled components to reduce environmental impact while ensuring that safety and performance are not compromised.

Major tyre manufacturers have already set themselves ambitious goals: by 2050, they are committed to use 100 percent sustainable materials in their production. From that date, all tyres will be made from direct natural sources or recycled materials, which corresponds to the global goal of ‘net zero CO2 emissions by 2050’.

Today, it is technically possible to extract ultrafine carbon black and pyrolysis oil from scrap tyres. Other achievements include the use of bio-based butadiene from wood biomass and other plant waste as a replacement for butadiene from petroleum, recycled styrene from plastics and polyester yarn obtained from recycled PET. The extraction of high-quality, reusable steel, gas and other new materials from scrap tyres is currently practiced by some tyre manufacturers.

Tyre performance is experimented with virtual testing in extreme conditions and optimisation of tyre performance is possible before real prototypes come to life. Digitalisation offers endless possibilities for new horizons in tyre industry.

Digitalisation has revolutionised design, manufacturing, performance monitoring and durability of tyre technologies. ‘Smart tyres’ with ‘embedded sensors’ send real-time and continuous data such as pressure, temperature, tread depth and wear data to vehicle control systems and cloud platforms. Safety is provided by detecting early signs of wear or punctures.

Simulation in virtual environments allows understanding of tyre behaviour under different conditions such as temperature, pressure and road types. It is possible to reduce the number of physical prototypes and speed up tyre design cycles. Faster design and prototyping minimise the time spent on developing the tyre. Major tyre manufacturers already own simulator setups and software to virtually test vehicle and tyres altogether.

Virtual tyre testing and simulation uses AI for visualising tyre model behaviour and finite element analysis methods are used to calculate external heat, load or pressures impacts. Virtual models respond to forces, heat and wear effects. This enables virtual testing in extreme conditions and optimisation of tyre performance before real prototypes come to life. Digitalisation offers endless possibilities for new horizons in the tyre industry.

The tyre industry is increasingly placing emphasis on digital transformation and sustainability. ‘What’s next?’ is an open question for any technological industries. The ‘Next Step’ in tyre industry is the green and digital revolution. How this development is managed depends on the intellectual and technological capabilities of the tyre manufacturers.

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CAMSO Construction and CEAT Specialty has announced the appointment of Jason Canning as Vice President & Head – International Sales for CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT business units. The executive will assume responsibility for steering the company’s worldwide sales strategy, accelerating international revenue expansion, and fortifying collaborations with original equipment manufacturers, distribution networks and end-users in pivotal global regions.

With a career spanning over two decades, Canning brings extensive commercial leadership experience garnered across the speciality tyre, industrial products and engineered materials industries. His professional track record is distinguished by consistent delivery of sustainable financial growth, the cultivation of high-performance international sales teams and the establishment of durable strategic alliances with major OEMs, channel partners and a diverse clientele across multiple continents.

This strategic hire underscores the organisation’s ongoing commitment to securing premier global talent in support of its ambitious international development objectives. The move also reaffirms the company’s dedication to providing customer-centric, premium-grade solutions on a worldwide scale, aligning with its broader vision for sustained market presence and operational excellence.

Canning said, "I am excited to join CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT at such a pivotal time for the organisation. I look forward to leveraging my international experience to strengthen our global partnerships, expand our market presence and drive sustainable growth for the business."

Amit Tolani, Director, CAMSO Construction and Chief Executive, CEAT Specialty, said, " Jason's international experience and proven track record of building high-performing sales teams make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. His deep understanding of the OHT products landscape, along with strong OEM and channel relationships, will support our global expansion."

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ZC Rubber has held its first Indonesia Distributor Conference, bringing together around 140 representatives from the company, PT Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI) and its core Indonesian distributor network as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia.

The two-day event, held in Jakarta on July 23–24 under the theme "Gathering Momentum in Indonesia, Creating Success Together", focused on the company's manufacturing development in Indonesia, product planning for regional markets and closer collaboration with distributors.

Opening the conference, Henry Shen, Senior Vice President of Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), highlighted the progress of MTI since it was established nearly three years ago. According to the company, the Indonesian plant began production 289 days after construction started and produced its first one million tyres a further 282 days later.

"MTI is an important part of our long-term development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It gives us a stronger local manufacturing base, closer access to market demand and greater flexibility in serving both regional and international customers,” said Shen.

Located in Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, the 58.8-hectare facility is ZC Rubber's second overseas tyre plant. The company said Phase I has reached its planned production capacity, while Phase II has entered operation.

During the conference, Wang Xianning, Vice President of ZC Rubber and General Manager of MTI, outlined developments in production capacity, intelligent manufacturing and the plant's end-to-end quality control system.

Zhang Chunsheng, Deputy General Manager of ZC Rubber's Truck and Bus Tire Division and Director of its TBR and OTR Research Institute, presented the company's tyre technology roadmap and product development plans. These include refining products for Indonesia's road conditions, heavy rainfall, high temperatures and demanding commercial vehicle applications.

"Feedback from distributors, fleets and users in Indonesia is helping us refine products for local conditions, while ZC Rubber's global R&D platform allows those products to meet the requirements of wider regional and export markets," Zhang said.

Jeffrey Zhang, General Manager of ZC Rubber's International Business Department, and Justin Cui, Assistant General Manager of MTI, also presented localised product planning, marketing programmes and channel development strategies for the Indonesian market.

The conference included discussions with distributors covering product performance, customer demand and regional market conditions. The company said the feedback gathered would be incorporated into future product planning and market support.

ZC Rubber also announced the formation of an Indonesia Marketing Committee, comprising representatives from four national distributors. The committee will provide a forum for MTI and its partners to discuss product requirements, market developments and coordinated sales and marketing activities.

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SI Group has promoted Robert Kaiser to Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing, concurrently appointing him to the company’s Executive Leadership Team. The global developer and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions and chemical intermediates has tasked the executive with spearheading market-focused growth efforts and enhancing the synergy between client demands and the firm’s enduring strategic vision.

Kaiser’s elevation follows a distinguished tenure with the organisation that began in 2014, during which he assumed progressively significant roles in strategic marketing and business development. His contributions have been instrumental in refining the company’s product portfolio and market positioning, as well as fostering interdepartmental cooperation on pivotal expansion projects. His professional background also includes commercial leadership stints at AkzoNobel and Arizona Chemical, now part of Kraton Corporation.

The newly appointed Senior Vice President holds a Master of Business Administration from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. With his extensive commercial acumen, Kaiser is poised to drive alignment and execute the company’s long-term objectives in his new executive capacity.

David Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer, SI Group, said, "Robert has consistently demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our markets. His ability to turn information into actionable insight has been instrumental in strengthening our commercial organisation and advancing our strategic priorities. We look forward to the unique global perspective and market-centric lens he will bring to our Executive Leadership Team.” 

Kaiser said, “I am honoured to join the Executive Leadership Team. Our customers are navigating an increasingly complex business environment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role at a time when SI Group has the global footprint and strong foundation needed to create value for our customers and the markets we serve. I look forward to working with colleagues across SI Group to deepen customer relationships and continue advancing our commercial strategy.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has extended its partnership with Cricket Australia for a further three years, remaining the naming rights partner of the Golden Cap awards in the Big Bash League (BBL) until the end of the 2028-29 season. The renewal takes the partnership beyond a decade, making it one of the league's longest-running commercial agreements.

BKT has been an Official League Partner of the Big Bash League since 2018. The companies said the extension reflects their continued commitment to supporting the growth of Australian cricket while enhancing the experience for players and fans.

Over the course of the partnership, BKT has developed a strong presence across the Big Bash Leagues through its association with the tournament and fan engagement initiatives. The renewed agreement, the companies said, reflects a long-term relationship built on community engagement and a shared commitment to Australian cricket.

Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT, said: “The extension of the partnership with the BBL has continued to evolve since 2018, bringing us to achieve significant milestones together. Australia remains a strategic market for BKT, and cricket is one of the country's most popular and passionately followed sports, bringing together millions of fans every year. That’s why we are pleased to continue supporting one of the world's most exciting cricket competitions through the 2028/29 season. We look forward to building on the success we have achieved together and creating lasting value for our stakeholders, partners and fans around the world.”

Alistair Dobson, General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues at Cricket Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with BKT, who has been such a fantastic supporter of the Big Bash for nearly a decade. The BKT Golden Bat and BKT Golden Arm caps have long been popular with players and fans and a great way to celebrate the world-class batting and bowling across both the BBL and WBBL. BKT Big Bash Tipping also adds to the fan experience, giving fans another avenue to engage with the leagues and challenge their friends, families and workplaces. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on our strong relationship with BKT as this partnership extends beyond a decade in the coming years.”

The companies said they would continue to work together as the partnership enters its second decade, with a focus on innovation, fan engagement and the long-term development of Australian cricket.

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