As the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) prepares for 2025 under a new administration and Congress, President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke shares insights into the industry’s priorities and recent achievements. From advancing sustainability through innovative research to advocating for updated regulations and expanding domestic retreading, USTMA is focused on driving economic growth, safety and environmental progress.

In this interview, Luke highlights the importance of collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders, detailing how the tyre industry is addressing key challenges while positioning itself as a leader in innovation and sustainability.

With a new president and Congress in place, the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is preparing for a potential shift in regulatory priorities and legislative focus. The incoming administration may initiate a regulatory pause to assess existing policies, a move USTMA sees as an opportunity for constructive engagement.

 “This offers the tyre industry an avenue to engage with fresh faces and perspectives within the administration and Congress, fostering a dialogue about the tyre industry’s key issues,” thinks Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “USTMA looks forward to collaborating with the new administration and Congress and the opportunity to highlight how smart, balanced policies can drive innovation, sustainability and growth within the US tyre manufacturing sector.”

USTMA anticipates collaborating with the new administration and Congress to advance initiatives that align with the industry’s priorities. “As the association looks to 2025, its efforts will continue to centre on three key themes: innovation, sustainability and safety,” adds Luke.

USTMA aims to build relationships and advance its advocacy objectives during the 119th Congress as the Trump administration takes office. However, Luke adds that the association cannot predict the new administration’s specific policies; it remains committed to advancing its legislative priorities. These include advocating for updated National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules on consumer tyre information and performance standards, modernising tyre testing regulations, addressing potential trade and tariff issues, expanding sustainability efforts and supporting domestic manufacturing job creation.

USTMA also intends to working directly with state governments to address policy and regulatory issues where state action may arise in response to perceived gaps in federal policies.

Looking back

The year 2024 was an active period for the US tyre industry, marked by significant progress advocating for several priorities focused on enhanced road safety, tyre innovation, environmental stewardship and domestic jobs in the manufacturing sector, as per Luke.

The US tyre manufacturing industry generates an annual economic impact of USD 170.6 billion and directly provides more than 291,000 jobs across manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors. Additionally, the sector supports over 510,000 jobs through supplier and induced activities, contributing to a total of more than 801,000 jobs nationwide.

“In 2024, despite challenges such as the ongoing impact of interest rate fluctuation and inflation, post-election and geopolitical uncertainty, the tyre industry remains resilient, continually adapting to market dynamics and technological advancements to sustain its vital role in the US economy,” said Luke.

Leadership and collaboration

Luke empathises on the importance of partnerships and leadership to drive progress. Luke adds, “Achieving meaningful progress on a complex and ambitious series of goals requires strong leadership and deep collaboration to succeed. We view 2025 as a year full of opportunities to build on a rich ecosystem of partnerships with stakeholders.”

USTMA has outlined several key areas of focus for the upcoming year. Chief among them are sustainability leadership, advancing innovation through research, collaborative policy and regulatory engagement, creating economic impact and working with a new administration and a new Congress in 2025.

Collaborative efforts

Luke stresses the organisation’s commitment to working with state and federal policymakers and stakeholders across the tyre recycling value chain.

Another major initiative is advancing innovation through research, particularly in the development of sustainable alternatives to 6PPD, a chemical widely used to preserve tyre performance. The 6PPD Alternatives Analysis Consortium, spearheaded by USTMA, will move into its second stage in 2025, evaluating potential effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

USTMA members use a chemical additive called 6PPD to help tyres resist degradation and cracking, which is crucial for driver and passenger safety. In December 2020, researchers from the University of Washington and the Washington Stormwater Center published a report identifying a transformation product of 6PPD, called 6PPD-quinone, which they concluded is toxic to coho salmon and may be contributing to urban runoff mortality syndrome in the species. Earlier studies had not identified this substance.

In response, USTMA led the formation of a more than 30-member consortium to work transparently and collaboratively with California regulators and stakeholders to find a potential alternative to 6PPD that would protect both motorists and the environment.

“That work, and our collaboration with federal and state regulators, legislators, researchers and other interested stakeholders, will continue in 2025,” adds Luke.

Retreading

Commercial tyre retreading offers significant opportunities to expand domestic manufacturing, create American jobs, and promote sustainability. Retreading benefits not only large manufacturers but also small, independent businesses. In the US, most retread facilities are small operations, employing between 10 and 60 workers, and are often located in smaller towns and rural communities.

“By promoting investments in tyre retreading, the tyre industry aims to strengthen these small businesses, enabling them to grow, hire more workers and play a vital role in their communities. Increased demand will help these shops thrive, ensuring their longevity and supporting local economies across the country,” says Luke.

USTMA has prioritised domestic manufacturing of retreaded tyre for commercial vehicles to boost sustainability and create American jobs. The retread sector, employing over 51,000 Americans, is the largest remanufacturing sector in the US; commercial tyre retreading offers an effective way to recycle tyres, providing numerous economic and environmental benefits. Beyond job creation, retreading reduces energy consumption, CO2 emissions, raw material usage and tyre disposal challenges.

“The US Congress has an opportunity to increase domestic retreaded tyre demand by requiring the use of these tyres in the federal fleet. USTMA will continue to advocate for expanding this crucial industry to create more well-paying jobs, allowing domestic workers to contribute to the local economy,” says Luke.

Recycling

USTMA is prioritising sustainable solutions for end-of-life tyres. For nearly three decades, the association has worked with stakeholders to promote tyre recycling and advocate for supportive regulations. “Our goal is that 100 percent of end-of-life tyres will enter sustainable, circular end-use markets. This remains a top focus area for us heading into 2025,” tells Luke.

Use of recycled tyres in road construction is increasing, according to USTMA’s 2023 End-of-Life Tire Management Report. The use of rubber-modified asphalt (RMA) has grown 17 percent since 2021. USTMA sees potential for further growth in this area, thanks to recent federal infrastructure legislation. “We continue to advocate for increased investment and expansion in these areas while also pushing for greater focus on domestic retreading of commercial tyres. Particularly, USTMA has called on Congress to fund research and demonstration projects using Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) in federal state and local construction projects,” says Luke.

As per Luke, shredded tyres can be used in various construction projects, including road embankments and stormwater systems. The association advocates for the use of RMA in federal road projects, citing its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits.

The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative of the United States Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has been launched to expand markets for end-of-life tyre (ELT) and promote tyre recycling research.

The foundation aims to secure funding and allocate grants for research, education, intervention and demonstration projects addressing critical gaps in the US tyre recycling supply chain. A key focus is accelerating the adoption of RMA. Luke explains,” USTMA will continue to emphasise that collaborative efforts across the tyre recycling value chain must continue to fully eliminate illegal and abandoned tyre stockpiles and create sustainable, circular markets for ELTs, and this effort will be a focus of USTMA going forward.”

Smooth supply of NR

Natural rubber remains a key component in tyre production, but the industry is making strides in integrating modern, sustainable materials. USTMA continues to advocate for developing a domestic natural rubber supply, including alternatives like guayule, taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) or dandelion rubber. These efforts have already resulted in successful experimental tyres, highlighting the potential of these sustainable sources.

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Dow Inc. said its chief executive Jim Fitterling will become executive chair of the board from 1 July , 2026, with chief operating officer Karen S Carter appointed as chief executive.

Carter will also join the board on the same date, while Richard Davis will continue as independent lead director.

The company said the changes follow a multi-year succession planning process and are intended to ensure continuity as it advances its strategy as a materials science group.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Jim for his exceptional leadership and continued contributions to Dow,” Davis said. “Jim has led the company through a period of significant transformation while strengthening Dow's strategy, culture and long-term positioning. We are equally pleased to congratulate Karen on her appointment as CEO. She is a disciplined, highly respected leader with a deep understanding of Dow's businesses and customers. This appointment reflects our confidence in her ability to lead Dow forward into its next chapter of growth and value creation for customers, employees and shareholders.”

Fitterling, who has been chief executive since 2018 and chair since 2020, oversaw the company’s separation from DowDuPont and led its repositioning towards higher-growth, consumer-led markets. He also guided the group through broader macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, while advancing its sustainability ambitions and corporate culture.

“Serving as CEO of Dow has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Fitterling said. “Together with our employees and leadership team, we have transformed Dow into a stronger, more focused company with the right strategy, capabilities and culture for the future. I look forward to continuing to support Dow as Executive Chair and working closely with Karen to help ensure continuity and strong execution.”

As executive chair, Fitterling will continue to lead the board, focusing on long-term strategy, governance and external relationships.

Carter, who has spent more than three decades at Dow, currently oversees business and operational performance across the company as chief operating officer. She previously led the packaging and specialty plastics division, the group’s largest operating segment, where she focused on capacity expansion, asset upgrades and operational reliability, alongside efforts linked to circular economy initiatives.

“I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO and lead Dow into our next chapter,” Carter said. “Dow has extraordinary people, world-class assets and leading positions in the markets we serve. Our focus remains unwavering: delivering reliable and innovative solutions for our customers, and long-term value for our employees and our shareholders, while accelerating our transformation to set a new competitive standard for best-in-class performance. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Jim in his new role as Executive Chair, and to working with the Board and all of Team Dow to advance our strategy and deliver on our priorities.”

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Nokian Tyres plc is expanding its partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to strengthen IT operations and support ongoing transformation.

The companies will focus their expanded partnership on maintaining and developing IT applications to meet Nokian Tyres’ future needs and to increase the efficiency of its IT operations.

TCS has already handled Nokian Tyres’ service desk support, end-user services like device deliveries, and network and data centre operations. Starting June 1, 2026, TCS will also take over maintenance and development of IT applications, as well as on-site support for internal processes.

This change is part of a larger restructuring of Nokian Tyres’ IT organisation to keep up with changing business needs.

“A more extensive partnership with TCS will enable Nokian Tyres to have a globally unified, agile, and efficient operating model that supports business needs. In addition, it creates a sustainable foundation for the increasing adoption of next-generation technologies such as automation, data-driven solutions and artificial intelligence,” said Timmy McLellan, vice-president, IT and processes, and chief information officer at Nokian Tyres.

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JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has appointed Mandar V Deo as President – India, effective immediately.

Based in Delhi, Deo will report to the Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Raghupati Singhania, and the Managing Director, Anshuman Singhania. He joins the tyre manufacturer with more than two decades of experience in senior leadership positions, having previously served at Exide Energy Solutions, Cummins India and Cummins Inc.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pune University, alongside a Master’s degree and a PhD from Pennsylvania State University. He also holds an MBA from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University.

Deo’s appointment comes as JK Tyre continues to expand its global footprint, which currently spans 105 countries and includes 11 manufacturing facilities in India and Mexico with an annual production capacity of 35 million tyres.

The company maintains a focus on technical innovation through its Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence in Mysore and was the first in India to introduce 'Smart Tyre' technology featuring integrated Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). Additionally, JK Tyre has committed to the global RE100 initiative, aiming to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre, said, “I am confident that Mr. Deo will provide strong and adept leadership and steer JK Tyre on a new growth trajectory.”

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The research and development team of any tyre maker decides whether the final product will be a success or a failure. And it is prudent to say that a lot of research hours and developmental cash go into making one of the most critical components of the automobile sector. In an exclusive tete-a-tete with Tyre Trends, Vice President and Global Head of Research and Development at Omni United, Olli Seppala, shares insights into the demanding and complex world of tyre research illuminating how markets and other factors dictate team operations.

“Omni United has an experienced team and we understand the needs of different markets very well. We constantly track trends in each region because legislation and approval requirements change all the time. In Europe, for instance, there are evolving regulations and strong influence from testing. In United States, the market is also changing very quickly as it is no longer only about mileage and comfort. Performance has become equally important,” he stated.

The company sells extensively in North America and Europe as well as in countries like South Africa, Australia and several markets across Asia.

However, every market doesn’t necessarily have similar demands, and the onus falls on the research and development team to derive market-ready products.

“Every market is equally demanding in different ways. Europe requires extremely high-performance levels, but customers are also willing to pay for that performance. In Asian markets, however, you still need a certain level of performance, but you must also keep prices under control. That creates additional pressure on the research and development side,” noted Seppala.

In the tyre industry, research and development quietly determines whether a product succeeds or disappears from the market. Behind every tyre lies years of testing, complex material science and constant adaptation to changing global demands. In an exclusive interaction with Tyre Trends, Vice President and Global Head of Research and Development at Omni United, Olli Seppala, explains how the company’s development teams navigate shifting regulations, regional market expectations and sustainability pressures while striving to deliver premium performance tyres at accessible prices across diverse international markets.

He added that European developers sometimes struggle when developing tyres for US or Asian markets because they may still carry the old perception that the US market is only about comfort and mileage.

Currently, the US market is now strongly performance-oriented. Tyre makers must understand specific requirements such as wet grip, correct handling balance, rubber compound characteristics and special durability properties like resistance to cuts and chips.

Asian markets are also highly complex. Conditions can vary dramatically by region. For example, southern China is very different from northern China, so specialised approaches are necessary.

The Japanese market is another example, said Seppala, as Japanese winter tyres are a category of their own and one really has to understand the specific expectations there. In addition, tyres must be durable and resistant to environmental factors such as ozone and pollutants.

WORKING THE WORKS

“When we talk about all-season tyres with the snowflake symbol, European all-season or North American all-weather tyres pose a significant challenge,” noted Seppala.

“Such tyres must balance strong wet grip, stable dry handling in high temperatures and reliable performance in snow and cold conditions. The main challenge is developing a rubber compound that remains flexible in freezing temperatures while maintaining handling stability at around 30 degrees Celsius,” he added.

On the other hand, working with different manufacturing partners also raises certain concerns, which the executive describes as ‘complex situation’. “The process is complex and involves several challenges. When developing a new product, we carry out the design work internally including building the construction and conducting in-house testing. Most of the development work is completed within the company before moving forward to the production stage. However, the advantages generally outweigh the challenges,” noted Seppala.

The company develops its own tyre compounds in-house and is now entering a deeper phase of rubber compounding through a new materials development initiative focused specifically on compounding.

“The goal is to deliver premium tyre performance at accessible prices. Key research and development priorities include improving wet grip, increasing mileage and reducing rolling resistance to balance the tyre industry’s ‘magic triangle’. Sustainability is also becoming essential with growing work on recycled and bio-based materials. Currently, development efforts are focused mainly on passenger car and 4x4 tyres, although we also produce truck and commercial tyres,” he added.

Nonetheless, he noted that shorter development timelines are an everyday challenge for research and developmental teams. While Omni United already has one of the shortest development cycles in the industry, efforts are ongoing to make the process even faster.

However, Seppala averred that the approach depends on the situation. Completely new concepts can be developed quickly, but when replacing a product at the end of its lifecycle, it is often better to allow more time for testing and gradual improvements. In such cases, the focus is not just speed but improving the overall efficiency of the development process.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVENT

Seppala noted that digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to play a very significant role in tyre research and development, particularly in construction design and compound development.

Machine learning can help improve compound recipes by analysing large datasets generated from continuous testing. Using non-linear analysis and specialised software, the company processes accumulated testing data to refine and optimise compound formulations over time.

Seppala also noted that tyre development today must address broader environmental challenges, including noise pollution. With electric vehicles becoming quieter, tyre noise is becoming more noticeable.

At the same time, regulations such as Euro 7 are increasing attention on particle emissions. He explained that noise is an important factor in tyre design. While the European tyre label mainly measures external pass-by noise, the company also focuses on reducing noise inside the cabin to improve driver and passenger comfort, alongside minimising environmental noise pollution.

Over the next three years, one of the main priorities of the company will be taking materials development to the next level, making it a major focus for the research and development team.

Another key area will be expanding the company’s testing operations. While he did not disclose detailed strategic plans, he noted that testing capabilities will increase significantly, covering outdoor track testing, indoor tyre testing and laboratory testing of materials. All three areas will play an important role in future development.

Alluding to the areas pertaining to tyre performance that the company plans to focus on in the future, he said, “Tyre performance involves many factors, making it difficult to rank them strictly, but improving safety will remain a key focus in the coming years. While current products already perform at a high level, we aim to further enhance safety performance.”

Seppala also highlighted ongoing work on replacing 6PPD, noting that progress has been promising. The goal is to become the best-performing tyre brand in ozone resistance, addressing ozone cracking issues seen in many manufacturers globally, while developing a solution that is both sustainable and effective.

Commenting on key trends that will influence the company’s future, Seppala said, “Three major trends will shape the company’s research and development work going forward. First, market expectations in Europe and US are gradually converging. The US market is placing greater emphasis on safety and wet grip, while Europe is increasingly focusing on abrasion resistance and tyre mileage, creating pressure to improve durability. Secondly, sustainability will remain a constant industry priority. Thirdly, the key challenge will be developing tyres with advanced materials that deliver premium performance while keeping prices accessible for customers.”

For Omni United, the future of tyre development lies in balancing performance, durability and affordability amid tightening regulations and sustainability demands. As markets converge and technologies like AI reshape research and development, the company’s challenge will be clear as it harnesses advanced materials and faster development cycles to deliver safer, longer-lasting tyres without compromising accessibility.

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