Emerson, a global automation solution supplier, is known for its solutions that help tyre manufacturers to have efficiency, safety and precise operations in five production areas- mixing equipment, wire and fabric calendars, extruders, tyre building machines, curing presses and finishing process.

Currently, the company is focusing more on solutions for the tyre curing process, which consumes the greatest amount of energy during the tyre production. If tyre curing process does not work correctly, it could also lead to tyre scrap and even breakdown.

“Today, we are focusing on increasing our value as a solution provider to monitor the health and performance of the curing system. Within the curing process, we are not just supplying valves or components, but we also deliver the controller, pneumatic valves and sensors that monitor each step of the process,” said Chris Bart, Director Business Development Automotive & Tire at ‎Emerson Automation Solutions.

According to Bart, the challenge in the tyre curing process is to have precise control on temperature and pressure. With Emerson’s technologies, tyre manufacturers can maximise output and reduce energy and costs through better diagnostics, sensing and monitoring.

 “The main challenge is the management of steam and nitrogen used to heat the mould and bladder pressure.  So, any small deviation in the inputs can have severe negative effects on the quality of the products and overall productivity of the production line or the plant,” explained Bart.

In the tyre curing process, Emerson’s pressure-operated valves work in demanding steam applications and provide reliable and precise control, enabling rapid cycling and tight shut-off to ensure the curing press operates correctly and efficiently.

“Emerson’s valves system controls the movement of the steam and nitrogen into the process. Our valves are critical to supply steam and nitrogen in the proper time with proper temperature and pressure and make sure that there is no leakage during the cycle or between cycles,” explained Bart.

Digitisation helps Emerson’s steam valves to monitor the travelling time of the steam valve and detect anomalies, which ultimately assist in a predictive maintenance programme. “If any deviation happens, the system alerts the maintenance team, and downtime could be avoided,” said Bart.

Traditionally tyre manufacturing companies put a temperature gauge and a pressure gauge to monitor temperature and pressure in the piping system. “Earlier, it was tough to point out the reason for the deviation in temperature and pressure.  We have developed our products that control the steam and nitrogen and also included the sensors that tell the exact position of the valves. So, we can also monitor the leakage of nitrogen, steam and the air we use in operation. It also monitors the air pressure that opens and closes the steam valves. We can monitor the total consumption of the compressed air as well,” said Bart.

“Today’s typical approach to see the only results, but with our system, we are giving is infinite detailed inside the system. This gives customers actionable insights to improve their tyre curing process.”

Emerson, not only provides the solution in the curing but also extends its offering to other components in the system. Historically the steam traps used to be checked manually.

If not work correctly, either a large amount of steam can escape or damage the valves and pipework. Emerson offers wireless acoustic transmitters that monitor steam trap health and detect failures in real-time. “The steam trap monitoring system is one of our biggest innovations in energy-saving efforts. With this, we can avoid damage or loss of steam and improve energy efficiency,” said Bart.

As part of its product development, Emerson regularly visits tyre companies to understand the pain point in the production processes. “Looking at their process and our expertise with the components as a solution supplier, we always look into further potential scope in monitoring, measuring and reporting in the tyre production,” said Bart.

For the mixing process, Emerson offers flow control and pneumatic directional control devices, such as pressure operated valves that optimise the mixing process. At a manufacturing production plant, the mixing is a crucial stage that decides the quality of tyres. All ingredients have to be mixed with accurate weight and in a controlled sequence. Emerson valves keep the weighing and hopper systems running efficiently and reliably while ensuring batch quality.

Emerson, for Fabric/wire calendars and extruder, provides products that increase reliability and material guidance precision of bead wiring and rubber coating, improves pneumatic system performance to avoid premature valve failures and reduces commissioning time through onsite/pre-set tuning. The overall company solution can significantly increase the lifespan of valves by purifying compressed air and regulating pressure and improve safety conditions for your workers by locking systems down during maintenance.

Repeatable, high precision pneumatic directional control ensures the production meets the highest quality specifications every time. Using Emerson’s modular and compact valve manifolds tyre manufacturing companies can achieve greater application flexibility, reduce costs, simplify commissioning, maximise the availability of tyre building machinery and achieve higher throughput targets. Increased visibility into the health of valves also lowers maintenance costs, says the company.

In the finishing process, Emerson’s products ensure precise and reliable motion control and positional accuracy. By offering higher repeatability and reliability, these devices reduce machinery downtime and maximise throughput. Emerson’s ISO and NFPA-conforming actuators and linear-guided cylinders are extremely durable, providing greater test equipment machinery reliability and extended lifespans.

According to Bart, the growing complexity in each process of tyre manufacturing is a challenge. “Complexity in mixing, calendering, tyre building, curing and in the finished products is growing, and it is demanding more control on each process. The evolution of the tyre manufacturing processes requires more insights and integration of process information. This enables continuous quality improvements and energy savings.,” said Bart.

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Dunlop (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has secured the first commercial deployment of its SENSING CORE technology in China. The system's ‘tyre load detection’ and ‘tyre air pressure detection’ functions have been adopted by Chongqing Ruichi Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. (Ruichi) for its new electric commercial vehicle model, the Ruichi C5. This marks both the technology's entry into the Chinese market and the global debut of Dunlop's tyre load detection capability.

The load detection function monitors changes in cargo weight and distribution in real time, feeding data to the vehicle's control system. This reduces driving instability during starting, stopping and turning caused by shifting loads, thereby lessening driver burden and enabling more stable cargo transport. The feature is scheduled for implementation in additional Ruichi models going forward.

This development responds to conditions in China's urban areas, where e-commerce growth has fuelled demand for short-distance delivery services while autonomous driving and driver assistance features gain traction. In vehicles equipped with advanced systems, control logic typically operates based on predetermined load parameters. When actual loads deviate from these assumptions, discrepancies arise that affect driver comfort and cargo stability. Commercial vehicles therefore increasingly require smooth acceleration and deceleration control that remains effective regardless of load conditions.

Ruichi selected Dunlop's technology as an effective solution to these challenges. The system requires no additional sensors and can be installed without modifying existing vehicle configurations, offering significant cost advantages. SENSING CORE analyses wheel speed data alongside vehicle control information from the CAN data stream to detect various conditions including tyre pressure, tread wear and load.

On the Ruichi C5, the load detection function assesses total weight on left and right tyres for front and rear axles according to changes in cargo volume and position. This data optimises torque output during acceleration and brake control based on current load conditions, delivering stable ride quality unaffected by load changes during frequent urban deliveries.

Dunlop pursues this work under its SMART TYRE CONCEPT development philosophy, which aims to deliver high safety and environmental performance for CASE and MaaS applications. SENSING CORE anchors these services and is planned as the company's fourth major business pillar alongside tyres, sports and industrial products.

The challenges of frequent starts and stops during urban deliveries and changing load conditions extend beyond China throughout Asia, including Japan. Building on this adoption, Dunlop aims to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets.

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Refurbished tyre-recycling machines are emerging as a practical answer to rising compliance pressure and capital constraints across the sector. As demand grows for faster, lower-cost capacity expansion, Revyre Global’s decision to release a complete, operational processing line highlights how secondary equipment markets are becoming strategically relevant to recyclers.

Refurbished machines are finding renewed demand in the tyre-recycling industry as processors look to expand capacity quickly without the capital burden and long delivery cycles of new equipment.

Against this backdrop, New Zealand-based recycling firm Revyre Global is releasing a suite of previously used, fully operational machinery from its tyre-recycling line, offering other recyclers access to proven processing systems spanning shredding, separation and granulation, along with critical spares to support uninterrupted operations.

Speaking to Tyre Trends exclusively, Chief Executive Officer Shaun Zukor noted, “Demand for refurbished tyre‑recycling equipment is expected to increase as global EPR regulations intensify and scrutiny grows around whole‑bale tyre handling. Many operators are seeking leaner, downsized plant and equipment configurations to meet compliance requirements while reducing capital expenditure. As regulatory pressure mounts, refurbished systems present a practical and cost‑effective solution for meeting mandated recycling obligations.”

The equipment sale aligns with Revyre’s broader strategy to expand capacity and scale into new markets, particularly in roading and water-proofing applications where demand for high‑quality recycled polymer products is growing rapidly. These sectors require higher production volumes and upgrading to next‑generation technology positions the company to fulfil those larger‑scale opportunities.

The line for sale can produce approximately two tonnes per hour of product, which is standard with current smaller operational outputs. The new processing line’s output is highly adaptable and could be rapidly configured to produce a range of materials based on market demand.

“This flexible production capability allowed the system to switch between product types without significant downtime or reconfiguration, enabling throughput levels that aligned competitively with industry standards. The ability to modify production on demand ensured efficient utilisation of capacity under varying operational requirements,” explained Zukor.

The primary target buyers of the company are new market entrants with vertically integrated operations, particularly those managing tyre‑collection networks. Such buyers can benefit from processing tyres earlier in the value chain, improving transport efficiency by reducing bulk volume and lowering the need for extensive pre‑processing at the final facility. This machinery offers an accessible entry point for organisations seeking scalable, cost‑efficient recycling capability.

TURNING THE BLADES

According to Zukor, Revyre’s existing mechanical tyre‑shredding system faced significant operational constraints due to its reliance on multiple moving components, which resulted in frequent breakdowns, high maintenance costs and extensive downtime.

The traditional multi‑stage process viz-a-viz shredding, rasping and grinding required substantial manual supervision and labour input, creating both inefficiencies and higher operating expenditure. These limitations collectively hindered scalability and consistent production performance, prompting the shift to more advanced and efficient technology.

“The next‑generation system offers a markedly more automated process that consolidates material reduction into a single grinding stage. This significantly reduces maintenance requirements, labour dependency and risk of mechanical failure. The improved system delivers higher throughput rates, more consistent and higher‑purity output materials and substantially lower contamination levels. In addition, improved energy efficiency across the system contributes to lower operational costs and a more sustainable processing footprint,” explained Zukor.

While all used equipment carries inherent operational risks, the system on sale recently underwent a repair and replacement of key wear components. “With proper upkeep, the line is expected to deliver at least another 10 years of reliable performance. The sale package includes spare parts and maintenance support to help buyers manage operational continuity and compliance requirements,” added Zukor.

He also noted that providing reliable, industrial‑grade equipment lowers capital barriers and reduces development time for new entrants. Furthermore, by extending the lifecycle of existing machinery, Revyre reinforces the principles of circularity, effectively recycling the recycling equipment, which is aligned with the organisation’s mission and sustainability values.

Currently, the company is actively advancing towards fully automated, digitally controlled recycling systems to reduce human exposure to mechanical processes and improve operational safety.

Increased automation will also reduce labour overheads and enables more consistent, globally competitive production output, supporting its long‑term vision of efficient, technology‑driven resource recovery.

“This upgrade is a major step towards establishing Revyre as a leader in high‑value polymer recovery, enabling production of superior‑grade materials for roading, water-proofing and masterbatch applications. Enhanced quality, scalability and process efficiency will strengthen our circular‑economy partnerships including potential collaborations with tyre manufacturers seeking reliable, high‑performance recycled inputs,” noted Zukor.

Revyre’s equipment sale underlines a broader shift in tyre recycling where affordability, compliance and speed to market matter as much as technology. By extending machinery lifecycles while upgrading its own capability, the company reflects an industry increasingly viewing refurbished systems as both an economic and circular solution.

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Bridgestone has marked a significant advancement in its pursuit of digital mobility solutions with the activation of a cutting-edge driving simulator at its European R&D facility near Rome. The VI-grade DiM500 Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator represents a major step forward in the company’s virtual tyre development capabilities, allowing for the evaluation of tyre performance without the need for physical track testing.

The simulator is built around a large, mobile platform capable of moving up to five metres, enabling it to replicate the dynamic forces experienced in real-world driving. Housed within a carbon-fibre cockpit, the driver is immersed in a hyper-realistic virtual environment, and the system’s extensive range of motion ensures that the forces simulated are comparable to those measured during physical trials. This setup allows for highly accurate assessments of tyre behaviour.

By combining high-fidelity simulation with live driver feedback, historical data and artificial intelligence, Bridgestone can now explore a much wider array of tyre specifications earlier in the design phase. This approach accelerates design decisions and reduces the reliance on physical prototyping. Consequently, traditional track testing can be reserved for the final validation stages. This shift is expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, with a projected annual saving of up to 12,000 experimental tyres. It builds on the company’s existing Virtual Tyre Development technology, which has already reduced raw material use and CO2 emissions in the original equipment development phase by as much as 60 percent.

Beyond environmental gains, the technology shortens development timelines by enabling simultaneous tyre and vehicle engineering. This parallel process fosters closer collaboration with automotive manufacturers, allowing Bridgestone to tailor tyres more precisely to the performance characteristics of specific vehicle models. While the simulator is currently focused on dry handling scenarios, its capabilities are being extended to cover a broader spectrum of driving conditions. Supported by continued investment in global research and development, this initiative reinforces Bridgestone’s capacity to adapt to the evolving demands of both manufacturers and drivers.

Mattia Giustiniano, Senior Vice President – R&D, Bridgestone West, said, “Bridgestone is already considered a pioneer in digital tyre development – leveraging Virtual Tyre Development for more than a decade. By integrating the driver into the digital development cycle, this investment adds a crucial new piece to our evolving ecosystem. The simulator’s introduction marks a significant step in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of our R&D processes while unlocking unprecedented opportunities to foster innovation.”

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VMI will showcase its latest tyre manufacturing technologies at Tire Technology Expo 2026, scheduled for 3–5 March 2026 in Hannover, Germany. The company will operate from booth 8064 in Hall 21, featuring the return of its Innovations Theater for a second consecutive year.

Specialists from VMI will deliver a series of 15-minute presentations at the theatre, covering recent product developments and technological advancements. Topics include the AMC on MAXX system, new features for the VMI MILEXX and the Batch Off Closed Air Circulation technology. Representatives from the VMI Services team will also discuss offerings such as VPC, VMS+, remote guidance, training programmes and retrofits. No advance registration is required for these sessions.

For conference attendees, Marzieh Salehi will present on the laboratory perspective for tyre and road wear particle (TRWP) collection and detection. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, 4 March, at 16:10 in the Five Continents conference room.

VMI, a company with a longstanding focus on tyre industry innovation, develops advanced machinery and services aimed at supporting customer operations and shaping the future of tyre production. Its participation in the expo reflects a commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions designed to meet industry challenges and drive progress in tyre manufacturing.

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