As in previous Tire Technology Conferences, this presentation will give a global update on the recovered carbon black industry, covering the state of the industry, new technologies and new strategies. In 2024, the leaders of the industry are building industrial plants to fill the tire industry's requirements for recovered carbon black and circular feedstocks for synthetic polymers. Product standardization and precision engineering are key for supplying to the tire industry.

What the audience will learn

• The industrialization of recovered carbon black
• New pyrolysis technologies
• New tire-to-tire recycling strategies
• Recovered carbon black standardization and classification
• Recovered carbon black quality control

The European Recycling Industries' Confederation will offer an overview of tire recycling trends within the EU, with a specific emphasis on the transformative influence of ongoing legislation. The effects of this dynamic regulatory landscape on tire recycling practices, currently under evaluation by the European Commission, will be presented together with their implications for the broader sustainability objectives of the tire industry.

What the audience will learn

• Tire recycling trends in the EU
• EU policies concerning tire recycling
• The potential of tire recycling to contribute to the overarching sustainability goals of the tire industry

The BioButterfly project aims to produce butadiene from ethanol to manufacture innovative synthetic rubbers. Michelin, IFPEN and Axens have joined their efforts to revisit the Lebedev process and make it compatible with today's environmental and economic realities. A demonstration plant was built and is today producing 100% sustainable butadiene. This industrial prototype will demonstrate the technological and economic viability of the mass production of butadiene.

What the audience will learn

• Butadiene can be manufactured from ethanol
• Michelin and its partners have invested in this technology
• A working demo plant has produced bio-sourced butadiene

This presentation will illustrate the introduction of lignin in compounds for high-performance tires, in particular following two directions: 1) surface chemistry modification of phenols and carboxy groups to boost lignin-rubber interactions and 2) latex compounding targeting to evenly disperse in rubber. Lignin derivatives were used in partial replacement of carbon black, resulting in good dynamic reinforcement and tensile strength before and after aging.

What the audience will learn

• Lignin can be used in rubber compounds
• Pirelli pushes sustainability with innovation
• Innovation stems from collaboration with universities into new industrial products

Automotive mobility is today strongly driven by high-performance tire demand as well as environmental considerations. This presentation highlights the recent progress of Linglong Tire in the R&D of sustainable materials introduced in its tires and innovative manufacturing (process, equipment) to maximize energy saving. Additionally, it will outline Linglong's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality through the future use of further sustainable materials, while maintaining a high level of performance.

What the audience will learn

• Sustainable material usage for the tire industry
• The green process
• Energy saving in manufacturing equipment

The European project BlackCycle led by Michelin brings together 13 partners. The project, which started in mid-2020, aims to create an innovative circular value chain that goes from the collection of end-of-life tires to the integration of high-quality secondary raw materials into new tires. The project has made great progress, recently announcing the production of several tons of sustainable carbon black, made from end-of-life tire pyrolytic oil, and its successful introduction in a Michelin bus tire.

What the audience will learn

• Tire recycling
• Valorization of tire pyrolytic oil
• The European collaborative approach
• Secondary raw materials
• Sustainability and circular economy on tires

Sustainability has become an immensely important criterion for tire companies in their expansion plans. The presentation will compare the most important tire recycling and rubber regeneration systems in the market, such as pyrolysis, chemical rubber conversion, physical grinding, regeneration, cryogenic conversion, extrusion/intermeshing and additional new developments. This will include retreading, as it is still the No. 1 tire recycling method.

What the audience will learn

• Sustainability has become an immensely important criterion for all major tire companies
• It is now both an issue and a tool to increase feasibility and profits rather than just an homage to the environment
• The most important tire recycling and rubber regeneration systems on the market

In Europe, around 3.5 million tonnes of used tires accumulate each year. To drive circular economy, used tires should be reused or recycled as far as possible. The current end of life of tires is showcased and to what degree current business can be seen as contributing to circular economy. A focus is put on requirements for end products made out of tire recyclates, such as toxic hazards for the (end) consumer. Traceability of tire supply chains as well as risk awareness for secondary end products must be managed holistically to get to a working concept.

What the audience will learn

• Circular economy of used tires
• State-of-the-art used tire recycling
• Products made of worn tires
• Recycled content in new products
• Risks of recycled end-of-life tires in new products

End-of-life tires (ELT) are globally well collected, though their sorting has until now been very manual and exhausting. Automatization and digitalization will drastically change that by improving ergonomics and value and supporting the development of new recycling streams. Innovative solutions based on vision AI analysis and laser measurement of tread depths are starting to be deployed. RFID in tires and access to data will further unlock possibilities, fostered by the coming Digital Product Passport.

What the audience will learn

• The tire recycling process is starting to be automatized and digitalized
• Today's solution, based on vision AI analysis, drastically changes the way ELT are sorted but drives impressive progress
• Tomorrow's RFID in tires will further unlock sorting possibilities through access to data
• The combination of both technologies will bring value in the coming years while the number of tires with RFID will increase

The Sumitomo Rubber Group is working to promote the practice of ESG management as part of our defined philosophy: “Through innovation we will create a future of joy and well-being for all”. Toward fulfilling our purpose, we strive to be a positive force in bringing about solutions to various environmental and social issues throughout all of our business activities. We will introduce the next stage of our environmental efforts in our unique circular economy concept 'TOWANOWA'.

What the audience will learn

• Circular economy
• Sustainability
• Data utilization

Bridgestone is committed to sustainable mobility for our society and customers. Innovative, sustainable technology and products are key enablers to deliver on this commitment, and Enliten is Bridgestone’s technology strategy and framework. The presentation will demonstrate how Bridgestone is at the forefront of sustainable mobility transformation through strategic initiatives and transformative products.

What the audience will learn

• Introduction to Bridgestone’s Enliten strategy and associated technology framework
• Visualization of how the Enliten strategy is enabling Bridgestone’s sustainable mobility transformation
• Realization of sustainability as a performance attribute through transformative products

The emergence of the circular economy necessitates tire recycling. Pyrolysis of waste tires has emerged as a leading technology. Pyrolysis creates two useable streams: tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) and reclaimed carbon (rC). While the use of TPO in various chemical processes is fairly straightforward, including as a carbon black feedstock, the use of rC is more complicated. The presentation examines the rubber properties achievable with various available grades of rC having different ash content, silica content and other properties. It will show that, as produced, these materials cannot satisfy the demanding performance targets of tire technology. It will then discuss some upgraded materials.

What the audience will learn

• The rC production process is very different from the carbon black process
• rC imparts deficiencies in rigidity and fatigue
• rC alone cannot be used at high substitution levels for carbon black in most applications
• rC can be upgraded to match dispersion and tensile properties for semi-reinforcing applications at 30% loading
• An alternate upgrade route can match most properties for reinforcing applications at 20% loading

A major target for increasing circularity in the tire industry is to find a technology for re-compounding ELT tires. The sustainability of new tire production and retreading can be enhanced not only through circular-attributed polymers from R-oil but also by introducing recycled rubber from both devulcanization and micronization. eSBR with microdispersed ELT powder is combined with devulcanized and fresh rubber to maximize the recycled component. Curing, properties and aging are investigated.

What the audience will learn

• The circularity or rubber compounds
• Micronized rubber powder dispersion
• Compounding with devulcanized rubber

This paper looks at current conditions and future prospects for reinforcing fillers (carbon black, precipitated silica) used in tire and rubber applications. Topics covered include the upcoming ban on imports of Russian carbon black into the EU and its effects on carbon black trade flows and prices; circularity and sustainability initiatives in the tire industry and their long-term effect on fillers; and the outlooks for alternative materials including recovered carbon black and RHA silica.

What the audience will learn

• Impact of impending ban on Russian imports
• Status of US environmental projects
• Prospects for RHA silica
• Prospects for recovered carbon black
• Overview of new investments in tire production capacity

Functionalized SBRs are widely used for modern passenger car tire tread compounds. The functional groups are introduced in a silica/silane-filled S-SBR to enhance the polymer-filler interactions. However, what kinds of reactions take place in the presence of the functionalized SBR have not been clarified yet. In this study, different possible interaction/coupling reactions in a silica/silane compound with functionalized SBRs were investigated.

What the audience will learn

• Reactivity of functionalized SBRs
• Reactivity of sulfur silanes and silica
• Insights into reactions in a tire tread compound

The tread compound must be engineered to achieve an optimized balance between rolling resistance, wet grip and abrasion resistance properties in tires. The TBR tread recipes used in this study are based on natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber blends with carbon black and silica dual filler systems along with compatibilizer to facilitate the filler dispersion in the rubber matrix. Substantial improvement of rolling resistance is achieved in tread compounds containing dual fillers.

What the audience will learn

• Performance and durability parameters
• Role of compatibilizer in dispersion enhancement
• Effects of dual filler system on functional properties of tires
• Hysteresis in tread compounds
• Next-generation TBR tires

The focus of development in tire technology is on three critical properties: rolling resistance, wear and wet grip, collectively called the Magic Triangle. The challenge for tire development is improving the performance of each without deteriorating other performance. In tread compounds, SSBR and silica are usually used to maintain tire performance. It is very challenging to achieve and/or balance tread rubber performance as desired. This seminar will demonstrate the polymer microstructure-property relationship and its influence on tire performance.

What the audience will learn

• The impact of polymer microstructure
• The polymer microstructure-property relationship
• Polymer microstructure impact on tire performance
• The corresponding direction can be used to accomplish the preferred tire performance
• The design of tread compound

The vulcanization chemistry of rubber is complicated. It has been difficult to understand the vulcanization mechanism in detail. This presentation introduces the sophisticated aspects of the CBS-accelerated vulcanization of isoprene rubber using ZnO and stearic acid. The combination of ZnO with the other curing reagents is crucial for the chemical cross-linking of the rubber molecules and controlling the structural network inhomogeneity in the vulcanization. This presentation will offer new insights into how rubber is made to improve tires and reduce air pollution.

What the audience will learn

• Newly observed characteristics of vulcanization
• New vulcanization mechanism
• Two-phase network morphology of vulcanizates
• Reinforcement effect by vulcanization
• Template effect of zinc oxide for controlling vulcanization

As the EV car market is expanding, demand for new SSBR is increasing. Kumho is focusing on developing SSBR for low RR and wear resistance. This presentation introduces low-Tg SSBR with next-generation functionalities.

What the audience will learn

• The trend of new SSBR
• EV tire requirements
• The silica compounding result

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a distinct class of copolymer characterized by dynamic polymer networks, specifically physical and reversible chain entanglements. The synthesis of novel sustainable TPEs tailored for tire formulation was carried out. This was made possible through the utilization of living-controlled radical polymerization processes and offers a promising avenue for the development of eco-friendly elastomeric materials for the automotive industry.

What the audience will learn

• Innovative synthesis of green TPEs via living-controlled radical polymerization processes
• Comprehensive characterization of TPEs copolymers' microstructure
• TPEs reactivity

Silane-terminated resins are proved to be powerful in EV tire formulation. A new step toward tires with higher sustainable content has been identified, reinforcing the versatility of such resins. It has been highlighted that silane-terminated resins are crucial to the incorporation of high natural rubber content within the tread formulation. In the present study we will show that silane-terminated resins can maintain the overall performance of tread with high natural rubber loadings.

What the audience will learn

• Incorporation of high NR content within a tread formulation is possible
• Unique behavior of silane-terminated resins
• Bio-content of the tire is increased (through NR and silane-terminated resins)

In this presentation, Cabot will highlight advances in new E2C solutions that increase sustainable materials content, decrease tire company Scope 2 and 3 emissions, and deliver significant performance and sustainability benefits for tire applications.

What the audience will learn

• An overview of elastomer composite technology and its associated advantages
• The use of elastomer composites in different tire applications
• Elastomer composites reduce Scope 2 and 3 emissions by enabling lighter and more fuel-efficient products
• Recent advancements in elastomer composites improving tire performance
• Elastomer composites push durability boundaries and drive innovation through flexible formulations

Widely used phenolic tackifiers are increasingly coming under regulatory pressure. At the same time, the performance requirements of tires, especially for demanding applications, e.g. electric vehicles, are becoming ever-more challenging. As a leading supplier to the industry, SI Group has developed SVHC-free tackifiers with optimized performance even in high-silica tread compounds. A case study of selected new tackifiers will be presented and their application benefits discussed.

What the audience will learn

• The regulatory status and outlook for phenolic tackifiers
• Challenges in tire building of low-RR EV tires
• The new class of SVHC-free tackifiers developed at SI Group
• Structure/property relationships in SVHC-free tackifiers
• New optimized SVHC-free tackifiers for high-silica tread

TSRC uses state-of-the-art multiscale simulation and proprietary multiple-initiation synthesis and process technologies and designed the Gen 5 SSBR and Gen 4 low Tg polymers. The Gen 4 SSBR and LiBR products, targeting high silica-loaded EV tire treads, demonstrated 15-40% improvements in rolling resistance (RR), compounding efficiency and wear resistance. TSRC's newest Gen 5 SSBR further improved by over 10%. TSRC is devoted to incorporating renewable resources to maximize the sustainability impact.

What the audience will learn

• How we design the newest polymer using state-of-the-art technology to improve RR and wear
• How the low Tg polymer and LiBR improve the performance of high silica-loaded EV tire tread
• How TSRC is incorporating renewable resources to maximize sustainable impact

New synthetic rubber development must consider a variety of tire design requirements in a diversified tire market, environmental challenges and regulatory requirements. Currently, the priorities are low-wear characteristics, excellent wet grip and low rolling resistance properties of HP tires. This performance target can be achieved with Synthos's new functionalized low-Tg S-SBR solutions, which optimize tire compound performance in terms of low rolling resistance and high abrasion resistance.

What the audience will learn

Changes in the automobile industry are occurring rapidly, including the expansion of electric vehicles and car-sharing services. Also, governmental policies emphasize resource reuse and carbon neutrality. Based on these environments, we developed novel Nd-BR with better polymer properties and good processability. We designed a new polymer with higher molecular weight, maintaining narrow molecular weight distribution for better LRR and long chain branch without chemical modification for better processability. This presentation will introduce LG Chem's sustainable synthetic rubber milestones and advanced BR and S-SBR that can improve tire performance for a sustainable future.

What the audience will learn

• Sustainability
• Synthetic rubber
• Anti-abrasion
• Rolling-resistance

The concept of airless tires has gained interest recently. In this presentation, an airless tire is modeled using finite elements and its radial, lateral and longitudinal stiffness are analyzed. It is found that the radial stiffness of the modeled tire is within the ranges of that of a conventional pneumatic tire, however, the longitudinal and lateral stiffness are 2.5 and 2 times higher, respectively. In future work, the same tire model will be used to study its modal behavior and noise characteristics.

What the audience will learn

• Airless tire
• Tire stiffness
• Tire noise
• FE modeling of the tire
• Modal behavior of the airless tire

In the EU project LEON-T, in WP5, one of the aims is to produce prototypes for a noise-reducing airless truck tire. This presentation will present the general idea behind the concept, then present the prototype in physical format and why it looks like it does. The first tests and observations for the rolling tire, as well as rolling resistance and hopefully also noise test results, will be presented. Finally the remaining work in WP5 and potentially also our ideas of how the prototype(s) may be optimized will be discussed. Co-authors are H-E Hansson, B Anantharamaiah, R Anadon and P Mioduszewski.

What the audience will learn

• Idea behind the airless tire produced in project LEON-T
• The overall design of the first prototype tire
• Results of first rolling tests
• Results of first rolling resistance tests
• Results of first (external) noise tests

EU labeling of tires mandates the measurement of rolling resistance at +25°C ambient temperature. For many purposes, such as the dimensioning of batteries for electric vehicles, this value is not representative enough. In this presentation, the transient rolling resistance of a representative truck tire was measured at different ambient temperatures (-30 to +25°C) in a climatic wind tunnel and a considerable temperature dependency on rolling resistance was found. Key findings from this study and an outlook on the range dependency of an electric long haulage truck on ambient temperature will be given.

What the audience will learn

• The temperature dependency of rolling resistance
• The importance of correct values for rolling resistance at low ambient temperatures
• The influence of increased rolling resistance on electric long-haulage truck range at low ambient temperatures
• The rubber temperature measurement point has an influence on rolling resistance estimation
• The change of transient rolling resistance at cold temperatures

In common practice, rubber testing is frequently performed under simplified conditions assuming that isothermal curing or isothermal relaxation are adequate, regardless of the real application. A review of innovative methods for the non-isothermal characterization of rubber is presented here to motivate their broader use for better differentiation of rubber compounds in real processes.

What the audience will learn

• The concept of non-isothermal kinetics of vulcanization and examples of application
• The concept of non-isothermal relaxation and examples of application for cured and uncured rubber
• Innovative test methods for non-isothermal testing of rubber

Since 2018 ETRTO has been designing an abrasion rate method for regulatory purposes. The feasibility study identified a vehicle test on public roads as a suitable method for passenger car tires. Validation tests were done on 11 different tire specifications and tested four times each with this method, to estimate test dispersion due to influencing parameters. In this presentation, an overview of the results and conclusions will be given, reflecting the status of the test method development.

What the audience will learn

• The principle and the main parameters of the abrasion method for regulatory purposes
• The content of the validation plan, with tire effects, temperature effect, vehicle effect, circuit effect
• The evaluation of the method dispersion, which is important in a regulatory context
• The analysis of some possible causes of dispersion, and the possible improvements
• The status of this regulatory abrasion method and the next steps

The presentation will cover the latest tire modeling and testing developments at Jaguar Land Rover, with a specific focus on the introduction of CDTire.

What the audience will learn

• The approach to tire modeling in JLR
• The approach to tire testing in JLR
• The introduction of the CDTire type of tire model in JLR

The transfer of force from the tire to the road results in the formation of a boundary layer on the tread material. The characteristic feature of this boundary layer are wave-like patterns on a microscopic scale. These patterns form and change with each revolution of the wheel. They are modified by the detachment of rubber material and by the intake of road dust, and they are characteristic of the friction mechanism and the abrasion mechanism.

What the audience will learn

• Visualization of the dynamics of the change in the patterns using stroboscope principle opposite to footprint in indoor testing. The wave-like patterns are moving material and particles are detaching from the wave crests
• Suitable parameters for characterizing the surface structures
• Conclusions about the rubber wear mechanism and a certain correlation to the mass loss of the tire

The presentation will discuss a research project aiming to develop a new tire rubber compound material to tackle the Magic Triangle for a new generation of high-performance tires. This project effort uncovered correlations between rubber compound properties and tire performance, paving the way for significant breakthroughs. The project also delved into the development of novel wear performance testing methodologies and established an approach for validating tires with diverse tread rubber compounds.

What the audience will learn

• Project scope and motivation
• Literature review
• Rubber compound tests to validate and assess sensitivity
• Validation and testing – new tests and methodologies for wear performance
• Conclusions

During recent years, more and more electric vehicles have been introduced onto the market, making noise produced by tires more predominant and therefore increasing interest in this phenomenon. Also, new European regulations have arisen to reduce tire noise. In the presentation, the entire workflow to simulate the noise produced by a truck tire in a near-field indoor condition is shown by means of FEM with an explicit procedure and the use of vibro-acoustic simulation software, Abaqus & Wave6.

What the audience will learn

• Noise phenomenon applied to truck tire
• Finite element method, explicit procedure
• Vibro-acoustic software capabilities
• Tire tread pattern influence on tire noise
• Abaqus specific workflow for tire noise

'All about Tires' is envisioned as a forthcoming AI-driven, community-based platform centered on advancing tire science and technology. Poised to address anticipated industry-wide needs, it aims to provide comprehensive support in areas including general tire knowledge, advanced modeling and simulation, manufacturing processes, design and engineering, and tire performance. The dynamic validity of this future platform will be upheld through meticulous community inputs, including peer reviews and expert verification. This future large language model (LLM)-based AI represents a pioneering step toward developing a specialized and interconnected platform within the tire industry.

What the audience will learn

• Understand the utilization of large language models (LLM) for predictive pre-trained translators
• Assess the precision and reliability of existing applications, including a critical examination of ChatGPT's effectiveness
• Recognize the industry-specific requirements driving the development of a specialized platform for tire science
• Explore the mechanisms ensuring the dynamic validity of the platform through community inputs, peer reviews and expert verification
• The practical implementation of an example AI-driven application

According to Persson’s theory, flash temperature significantly influences friction but is notoriously difficult to estimate. This work presents a new friction testing device for field measurement of both near-contact temperature and friction. The correlation between test data and model predictions is studied in some detail and we also discuss the use of the proposed rig for friction model parameter identification.

What the audience will learn

• Background on flash temperature and the effect on friction
• The difficulties with validating and why low sliding speeds may not be representative
• How the device works, and the benefits of in-situ testing compared with lab testing
• Correlation between measurements and the physics-based friction and heating models
• How measurements can be used to parameterize friction and tire models

Calspan’s thermo-mechanical tire model has been developed to better address the current and future needs of the automotive industry. Its real-time capabilities coupled with its advanced contact patch model have opened new types of simulations and enabled advanced analysis of tire performance in unprecedented ways. The benefits of these enhanced capabilities are presented in various examples of practical applications, from reducing tread wear emissions to improving vehicle handling correlation.

What the audience will learn

• The state-of-the-art TM tire model
• Innovative applications in tire simulation
• Innovative methods in tire analysis with never-before-seen graphs

Intense and automated testing during production for fast acquisition of material data is key in applications that demand high quality, such as tire. The control of material data in tire and tire-associated parts is a pain for industrial producers as lab testing requires considerable manpower and expense. The Italian company Gibitre Instruments is showing aids for these tests to amplify throughput in lab testing. Standard operations of testing were developed within automated setups for 24/7 lab testing without requiring additional staff. The focus of testing in this presentation is a laboratory press with an automated sample loader, a production MDR with automatic sample feeder. The connected software with SQL database work can be plugged into Industry 4.0 environments and offers new methods of AI data analysis. An example is shown for our DeMattia tester with AI software used for automated data processing.

What the audience will learn

• Automized tools for material data controll in production and QC
• 24/7 lab testing is possible without additioanl manpower
• MDR with automized sample loader
• DeMattia testing with AI for for automized data collection
• Database and Controll Software for immediate processing and visibility

This presentation tracks changes across the world’s tire industry, and looks to the future. For the big brands, changes include reviews of corporate strategies. In China, it has meant consolidation and international expansion. In India, it has meant adding capacity to meet increased demand. Everywhere, it means focusing on sustainability, digitization and developing new skills within the workforce. For the future, it means more flexibility, more collaboration and yet more focus on sustainability.

What the audience will learn

• Strategic direction of the tire industry
• What is happening in China
• What sustainability means for tire makers and suppliers
• How tire makers are managing the transition
• Changes in the manufacturing environment

Recent years have seen huge levels of volatility in both the automotive and tire industries. The presentation will present the outlook for the tire industry, by major region, for both OE and replacement tires. With high inflation and pressure on household incomes, consumers are having to make choices about mobility and what replacement tires to purchase. This has led to growth in low-cost imports in many markets, placing pressure on tire production.

What the audience will learn

• The outlook for automotive production in the coming years
• The outlook for tire sales in the coming years
• The factors that will determine tire sales

Tire makers are fighting to deliver ever higher tire performance whilst transitioning their companies from tire manufacturers to tire technology and mobility solutions businesses and working toward 100% sustainability goals. These business drivers are leading to accelerated innovations in the fields of materials science, AI/supercomputing and 3D additive manufacturing. These three technologies are being combined to offer stepped improvements in tire performance from the first to last millimeter of wear.

What the audience will learn

• Drivers for accelerated change in the tire industry
• Key technology innovations being used by tire makers to answer the challenges of the mobility revolution
• What these technologies deliver to all stakeholders in the mobility industry
• Who will win in the fight for relevance in the new mobility of our future

A new amendment to UNECE Regulation 117 introduces requirements for wet grip of worn tires to assess tire performance at end of life. For type approval, artificially worn tires are generated by mechanically removing tread material (i.e. buffing). To assess how well a buffed tire replicates a naturally worn tire, we tested four tire models comparing new, naturally and artificially worn samples of each model. We carried out the regulatory test and other representative dynamic maneuvers.

What the audience will learn

• European Commission's role in Europe market surveillance activities
• Recent developments of regulatory framework for worn tires
• Performance comparison of new, worn and artificially worn tires

New product development (NPD) is a key process for TBR tire groups, and NPD time is crucial. TIC’s holistic NPD approach enables you to launch world-class products faster and more cost-effectively than ever. It would be useful for all tire manufacturers to have an efficient and effective NPD process. The presentation will outline technical challenges in TBR, how to establish an effective NPD process, tire eng. enhancement, TBR virtual model validation and verification, TBR field engineering, and other important points.

What the audience will learn

• The latest technical challenges in the TBR tire group
• How to establish an effective NPD process
• How to create a winning technical team
• A holistic view of TBR new product development
• How to establish a TBR field engineering system

Considering the different aspects of EVs, there are three main issues that must be considered about electric vehicle tires. Tires for electric vehicles carry a heavier load and have to withstand high instant torque, so the tire construction should be more robust. Greater mass and increased inertia mean longer braking distance, so the tire grip should be improved. Minimal rolling resistance is essential for electric tires, so tires for electric cars offer a smoother and low-impact ride.

What the audience will learn

• Electric mobility, its challenges and future outlook
• New trends in electric vehicles
• The effect of electric mobility on the tire industry
• The market for tires for electric vehicles
• The specifications of tires for electric vehicles

Recently, more and more tube-type applications have been migrating to tubeless and the many well-known advantages this offers, but some sizes are still not properly addressed – for example, the 325/95 R24 in the Middle East market. The usage of 325/95 R24 in TL rims was previously proposed, but assembly process constraints prevented this solution from becoming widespread in the market. To solve this issue, a new tire size standardization was requested from ETRTO as the start of a new tire project.

What the audience will learn

• Tubeless tires advantages
• Tire/wheel assembly weight reduction and subsequent truck payload capacity increase
• Increased tire load capacity
• New standard rim development in partnership with Accuride – 9.0
• Sustainability

We will share an update on recent TIP-sponsored tire-emissions research and new work that aims to develop a better understanding and promote action on the mitigation of tire and road wear particles (TRWP).

What the audience will learn

• Recent developments in industry-sponsored tire-emissions research
• An introduction to ongoing and new additions to TIP's tire-emissions workplan
• An overview of TIP's work to better understand and promote action on TRWP mitigation

Michelin is studying the environmental impact of our tires to understand the key levers and effectively reduce them. Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) emitted during use affect energy efficiency and longevity. TRWPs are being studied intensively in the Michelin research centers, to understand their generation and emission mechanisms so that innovative solutions can be proposed. Our latest findings about TRWP properties and emissions will be presented.

What the audience will learn

• Fate of TRWPs in the environment
• Contribution of TRWPs to air pollution
• Influencing factors of airborne TRWP emission
• Impact of tire design on TRWP emission

Continental's research and development center investigates tire emissions in the form of tire and road wear particles (TRWP) intensively. Tire wear and therefore the resulting particles are influenced by several factors. In this presentation, outdoor TRWP samples will be compared with tire wear particle (TWP) samples created on an indoor machine drum. Various parameters that influence the particle size distribution and therefore need to be carefully controlled will be presented and discussed.

What the audience will learn

• Summary of current results of the latest TRWP outdoor studies with Continental's test vehicle
• Various parameters that influence the particle size distribution at the drum
• Comparison of TRWP from outdoor tests and TWP from indoor tests
• Challenges in the reproduction of realistic tire wear particles at the machine drum
• Recommendations and hints for realistic particle generation indoors

This study evaluates the leachability of tire wear particles (TWP). Variables include high silica tread compounds versus non-silica tread compounds, slip ratios and G force, and vehicle weight. Tire wear particles will be generated on the Ueshima RTM friction tester utilizing an asphalt test track. SEM imagery is performed on all TWP samples to compare morphology structure. The rate of leachability of 6PPD, zinc and hydrocarbons is conducted on each TWP sample. The leachability analysis includes an environmental exposure period, a distilled water soak and analysis of the water by GC-MS.

What the audience will learn

• The difference in the leachability rate between silica tread compounds and traditional carbon black tread compounds
• The difference in TWP between the traditional weight of combustion engine vehicles and heavier electric vehicles
• How surface area and morphology are impacting the leach rate of TWP
• The difference in size and leachability of TWP between acceleration torque, braking force and standard cruising
• How much of an impact the road surface has on the morphology of TWP

Several factors influence the wear and lifetime of tires. The biggest challenge is to increase the resistance against degradation of tires, which leads to various wear phenomena, reduces the operating time of tires, increases overall costs and pollution and provokes higher consumption of resources. The recent research demonstrates what a huge step has been taken in the meantime to improve the prediction of wear under specific operating conditions for tailor-made tires.

What the audience will learn

• Survey of the detailed mechanisms that harm rubber and lead to wear
• Novel technical characterization of degradation phenomena will be introduced in detail
• Clarification of how the load applied to the tire relates to the type of degradation

This presentation explores the fusion of design of experiments (DoE) with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). AI utilizes historical data like words or facial pixels, relying on neural network algorithms. However, AI demands extensive data, an issue in rubber development where data is abundant but lacks standardization. These data sets exhibit unique measurement errors, making them distinct from the norm. Storing such complex data in the cloud is complicated, with compatibility issues between polymers and cross-linking systems, and insoluble ingredients posing challenges. Integrating this heterogeneous data is a formidable task, as conventional cloud storage falls short.

What the audience will learn

• The potential synergy between design of experiments (DoE) and artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial applications
• How AI leverages historical data and neural network algorithms for analysis and decision making
• The unique challenges of data abundance and non-standardization in the context of rubber development
• The complexities of dealing with data sets characterized by atypical measurement errors
• The limitations of traditional cloud storage in handling complex compound data

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant strides in various industries, and the tire R&D and manufacturing sector is no exception. The presentation will highlight how AI is being applied in this field, such as material design and optimization, utilization of large test data to predict tire behavior and process optimization.

What the audience will learn

• Seamless integration of AI into both R&D and manufacturing processes to enhance the overall efficiency, quality, and innovation in the tire industry
• How the gathered real time data from many sensors in the machines enables insights into the processes & enabled Real time Data Analysis
• How Apollo started its journey towards building self-learning program to optimize tire designs for better performance, durability, and fuel efficiency
• Connecting data from the filed i.e. digitisation of customer complaints & feedback etc

In a landscape marked by significant labor shortages, hundreds of material compositions, and complexities inherent in tire manufacturing, maintaining consistent tire quality poses a formidable challenge due to variations in raw materials, production conditions, and rheological properties that affect material flow and behavior. However, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) combined with well-established bedrock of optimal control theory can help address these challenges effectively. During this session, we'll delve into real-world examples showcasing how AI/ML technologies are transforming tire manufacturing, resulting in enhanced quality and efficiency. By leveraging advanced closed-loop optimization and machine vision capabilities, manufacturers optimize various stages of production, from mixing to final inspection.

What the audience will learn

• Progressing towards Autonomous Tire manufacturing through AI integration.
• Utilizing AI from mixing to ensuring consistent weight measurements during extrusion to minimizing out-of-tolerance events at tire building machines and optimizing vulcanization properties during curing.
• Best practices for the responsible deployment of AI capabilities in tire manufacturing, ensuring alignment with industry standards and ethical considerations.

Traditional tire recycling processes don’t meet the expectations of a circular economy in terms of quality and quantity for secondary raw materials or recyclates. That’s exactly where Zeppelin Systems with its international partners of the Zeppelin Sustainable Tire Alliance comes in. With innovative solutions and joint forces, new goals can be achieved in terms of reliability, stable quality and sufficient quantity through precise material handling and professional plant engineering.

What the audience will learn

• Status quo in the tire recycling process and potential
• Recyclates as a key success factor for a circular economy
• How joint forces can make an impact on the tire recycling process

AI and machine learning (ML) are already starting to revolutionize key aspects of manufacturing, from supply chains to production automation. In this presentation, Harm Voortman, who is both CEO of VMI and executive leader for smart technologies at the TKH Group, explains how AI developed in TKH smart tech companies is now being introduced to VMI’s already highly automated machines. Harm will show how the synergies between group companies and their core technologies are leading to performance benefits for tire companies in the form of reduced scrap, lower energy costs and higher-quality outcomes. Highlights will include an exploration of how different technologies (such as camera systems and ML) can co-evolve to deliver exponential improvements; how collaborative development accelerates the creation of new concepts; and a clear vision for AI adoption over the next five years.

What the audience will learn

• An exploration of how different technologies (such as camera systems and ML) can co-evolve to deliver exponential improvements
• How collaborative development accelerates the creation of new concepts
• A clear vision for AI adoption over the next five years.

The presentation will cover the mathematical modeling of the final rubber mixing process, optimization of the final rubber mixing process on a laboratory scale, constant rotor speed, variable rotor speed and the optimization of final rubber mixing processes in the field.

What the audience will learn

• Mathematical modeling of final mixing processes in internal mixers
• AI-based optimization of mixing processes
• Energy reduction in the mixing room
• Efficiency increase in the mixing room

Marangoni Meccanica has patented a system to automate the loading and unloading of carcass and GT. Compared to the pneumatic variant, it has the advantage of complete and precise control over the diameters of the flanges, even during shaped carcass rotation. Electronic control by drive allows precise control of the bead lock force and is adjustable by recipe and adaptable during the cycle. Fluid and continuous expansion and contraction movements allow the delicate management of carcass and GT, preventing surface damage to the bead area. Main features include user-friendliness, easy maintainability and safety.

What the audience will learn

• Innovative bead lock system for automatic tire building machine – technological innovation
• Fast and reliable movements for reducing cycle time – ROI increase for customer
• Wide range of applications – capex reduction
• Reduced tooling changing down time and easier maintenance – improving maintenance
• Precise force and position control for flexible operation – quality output

The presentation will discuss reducing the vibration forces of wheels at a driving speed of 120km/h with balancing weights. No need for balancing machines and low-speed TU machines anymore in a TWA assembly process.

What the audience will learn

• Production of wheels with the lowest vibration level at a defined speed
• Increase driving comfort at a defined speed with heavy EV cars
• Reduction of wheel rejections in a production process
• No need for standard low-speed TU and balancing machines in a production process
• Improving the TU yield level with the tire suppliers

Vehicle manufacturers use automatic tire and wheel assembly lines for tire mounting. With the help of these systems, it is possible to produce high-quality assembled wheels in a short time and at a low cost. The specifications for these systems are precisely defined by the vehicle manufacturers, but this automatic process also has its challenges and these need to be recognized and solved. This presentation additionally points out phenomena that cannot be eliminated with the classical analysis methods.

What the audience will learn

• Tire wheel assembly challenges
• Bead seat optimization
• High-speed tire uniformity
• OEM requirements for the assembled tire-wheel system

Due to increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, industrial companies are faced with the major challenge of seamlessly tracing the entire product carbon footprint (PCF). This can only be achieved through a continuous data exchange along the entire value chain. This requires digital solutions that all connected companies can trust. Go beyond the static reporting of CO2 emissions and start managing product decarbonization with the help of dynamic PCF.

What the audience will learn

• Sources for product carbon footprint (PCF)
• Challeges based on today's static PCF evaluation
• How to implement dynamic PCF evaluation
• Benefits for all participants in the value chain

There is increasing automation of the mixing workshop and a development trend of intelligence and unmanned operation. When considering upgrading the mixing equipment, it is essential that the intelligence, stability and reliability of the mixing equipment is continuously improved. The mixing workshop will develop in the digital, intelligent and unmanned direction, thus achieving a 10% boost in total production efficiency.

What the audience will learn

• Digitally empowered mixing equipment is stable and reliable
• The application scenario of a digital mixing workshop
• The application of intelligent interconnection in the mixing workshop

The current move toward e-mobility and the associated changes in requirements for tire production pose new challenges (or opportunities) for Troester as a system supplier. Besides modified rubber compounds, topics such as efficient raw material usage (low startup and scrap lengths) and tight tolerances have to be considered to achieve truly optimized systems. As a global system supplier, Troester is leading the way in the continuous optimization of extrusion technology along with strong customer collaboration to ensure the highest level of productivity and to be prepared for the next generation of tires. Troester focuses on mapping the entire planning, design, manufacturing and assembly process within the company to be able to optimally utilize the experience of the individual areas for the customers. Development projects with industrial partners additionally substantiate this continuous further development.

What the audience will learn

• Actual development in compounds
• New techniques in extrusion
• Prospective trends in PCR and EV tire applications

The application of the innovative VESevo technology for viscoelastic characterization is evolving from the evaluation of tire performance to production monitoring. The non-destructive and non-invasive VESevo methodology allows a real-time assessment of moduli directly on tires. These features allow both testing tire performance over time and conducting a quality check in the production line, bridging the gap between laboratories, production and testing with the final aim of waste reduction and performance optimization.

What the audience will learn

• Non-destructive characterization
• Production monitoring
• Performance assessment
• Viscoelasticity

Within the Life Green Vulcan project, the devulcanization technology developed by Rubber Conversion has been tested in demanding applications like PCR treads (10% de-vulc) and spring pads (20% wt/wt of de-vulc). Performance tests carried out on both products showed values compliant with product specifications despite the high content of devulcanized rubber. The partners on this project are Bridgestone, Fiat Research Center, Stellantis, the University of Trento and Innovando.

What the audience will learn

• An industrial devulcanization technology for closed-loop recycling
• Performance test results on new tires and spring pads manufactured with high devulcanized rubber content
• Low carbon footprint tires and GRG

Increasing interest in sustainable raw materials during the last few years led to the implementation of rCB and micronized rubber powder in many rubber applications, as well as in tire manufacturing. Consistency in quality is one of the key pillars of success in the adoption of these in manufacturing, and a challenge for mechanical and chemical recyclers as the feedstock variability is high in the short and long term. Collaboration within the tire manufacturing ecosystem brought possible solutions. A case study of pyrolysis of specific parts of the end-of-life tires will be presented together with in-rubber performance analysis of state-of-the art sustainable raw materials.

What the audience will learn

• Challenges associated with the pyrolysis of end-of-life tires and the influence of the feedstock on the quality of recovered carbon black
• Synergy between waterjet milling and pyrolysis for the production of sustainable raw materials for the tire industry
• Properties and in-rubber performance of rCB obtained from selected tire parts

Industrial adhesive resins contain petro-sourced compounds, some of which, classified as 'Substance of Very High Concern' as defined by the REACH regulation, require strict precautions to avoid any danger to human health (e.g. formaldehyde, resorcinol, isocyanates). ResiCare, a Michelin Group entity, develops and markets high-performance bonding systems for textile-dipped fabrics in tires, free of formaldehyde and resorcinol. ResiCare's ambition is to open up this innovative technology toward bio-sourcing and to the whole tire industry, paving the way for perennial chemistry and safer products for health and the environment. RFL is not a 'must' anymore in the tire industry. Credible alternatives exist, are deployed, and are available for tire manufacturers to use now.

What the audience will learn

• Why should you look at RF-free alternatives now? Regulations are moving quickly, especially in Europe; you may want to secure a long-term right to play there
• How can you access existing credible alternatives? Learn how to prepare for the technological shift
• When can you operate the change at scale? These alternatives are available and ready to be deployed to create the next generation of fabrics

The green tire industry, composed of low-RR tires as well as those emerging from ‘green’ materials, is a fast-growing part of the overall tire industry. The global market for green tires is forecast to increase from an estimated US$129bn in 2022 to US$202bn in 2027. The CAGR for green tires for the report period is 9%. In line with this trend, this technical presentation deals with rice husk silica, bio-plasticizer and compatibilizer to develop green tire compounds.

What the audience will learn

• Toward more sustainability
• Electrical vehicles
• Greenhouse gas emission
• Use of natural sources
• High impact of the future passenger tire market in the developing world

With changes in mobility technologies such as electric vehicles, automated driving, etc, there are also substantial changes in demands for tires. The demands of such tires are quite imperative. To successfully deliver on stringent performance requirements, Asahi Kasei is developing new SSBRs. At the same time, as attention toward environmental sustainability is increasing, the need for sustainable solutions is of the essence. Asahi Kasei’s contributions towards sustainability are highlighted in this presentation.

What the audience will learn

• SSBR
• Sustainability
• New developments
• Tires

For the past 30 years, Michelin has been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products and services. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to evaluate the potential environmental impact. The methodology used to conduct LCA is critical since it could lead to different deductions as to the impacts on the circular economy. This paper will present a case study for tire retreading, highlighting the importance of LCA boundaries to get relevant results. Recommendations will be presented.

What the audience will learn

• The importance of LCA boundaries
• A case study for retread tires
• A case study for retread tires

Sustainability and circularity are high on the innovation agenda. Currently, a lack of alignment on scrap definitions, or a clear standard on recycled content claims, leads to untransparent claims and even right out greenwashing. Bekaert proposes a new standard, which is transparent and certifiable and applicable to the entire supply chain of steel reinforcements for tires. This standard aims to provide peace of mind to tire makers looking to include recycled content from steel in their claims.

What the audience will learn

• Alignment of the definition of scrap with international standards
• Physical segregation versus controlled blending and mass balance as 'true north' for maximum credibility and transparency for recycled content for tire reinforcement
• Importance of third-party certification in a rapidly evolving market for recycled content
• Bekaert’s approach to implementing a global certification

Sustainable compound design is one of the important critical requirements for the tire industry. Increasing the sustainable materials content in tire compounds is a big challenge as the tire is one of the safety elements of a vehicle. To maintain the performance criteria of tires, researchers are continuously working on suitable means to include sustainable materials as compounding ingredients. One of these sustainable materials is micronized rubber powder produced from end-of-life tires. This research work will present the effect of different grades of micronized rubber powder on the rheological, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of tire compounds with its usage limit.

What the audience will learn

• Addressing circularity
• Reuse of ELT
• Characteristics of recycled materials
• Processability with recycled materials
• Compound properties with recycled materials

Sustainable PET must couple recycling or biosource technologies with favorable lifecycle assessment during tire reinforcement use. Today's properties of textiles, from the microstructure to the tire performance, are unchanged by recycling, whether mechanical from clear bottle limited feedstock or chemical from varied origins. The Michelin Group's targets of 40% sustainable materials by 2030 and 100% by 2050 are leading to new technologies, matured by the WHITECYCLE European project led by Michelin.

What the audience will learn

• Sustainable polyesters meet technical performances of petro-sourced products
• Next generations will require wider scrap feedstocks
• WHITECYCLE project tackles accurate and optimized LCA

For the sustainable transformation of mobility in Europe to succeed, it is not only necessary to switch to e-cars, but also to efficiently rehabilitate the road network. Asphalt modified with tire rubber can make a valuable contribution here. The durable rubber asphalt sustainably improves road quality throughout the EU, keeps raw materials from end-of-life tyres in the recycling loop, and pays off ecologically and economically. A ZIM project group will advance the technology of the future.

What the audience will learn

• Environmentally compatible recycling of end-of-life tyres into rubber powder
• Modification of road bitumen and asphalt with recycled rubber powder
• Ecological and economic advantages of rubber asphalt on Europe's roads
• Realization of a future-oriented tire recycling economy in Europe

Achieving the tire industry's sustainability ambitions requires value chain collaboration. Kraton's pragmatically designed strategic roadmap intertwines the company's commitment to sustainability, innovation and advancing the journey toward reducing resource consumption and GHG emissions. The presentation will share the progress, highlight the value chain partnerships, and demonstrate how our collective industry efforts can drive significant change for a sustainable future.

What the audience will learn

• Value chain partnerships
• Sustainability roadmap
• Intertwining sustainability and innovation

With a strong legacy in reinforcement resins and steel cord-to-rubber adhesion promoter systems, Allnex is committed to replacing chemicals of high concern in tire compounding. After replacing resorcinol in cord adhesion systems, the company's latest breakthrough innovation enables the replacement of cobalt salts, paving the way for a safer and greener tire industry. To go one step beyond, Allnex broadens the current technology as an additive supplier for rubber applications by leveraging its broad material know-how.

What the audience will learn

• Steel cord-to-rubber adhesion promoter systems
• Cobalt salt alternatives
• Replacement of chemicals of high concern in tire manufacturing
• Sustainable additive developments

The tire industry has widely embraced the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, which rely on zero-emission raw materials for successful implementation. For synthetic rubber, investing in low- and zero-carbon energy and feedstocks is key to this transition. At the same time, meeting the requirements of the upcoming Euro 7 legislation without compromising on performance is critical. This paper addresses how sustainability and performance can work in tandem when value chain collaboration and leveraging the appropriate bio-based, renewable and recycled materials are combined with a common goal in mind: 40% sustainable content by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

What the audience will learn

• The role and significance of net zero feedstocks in synthetic rubber production for tire manufacturing
• Understanding how carbon-free energy and bio-butadiene enable the production of emission-free synthetic rubber
• The availability and potential of bio-based, renewable and recycled raw materials in line with the industry's 2030 targets
• Insights into R&D activities that ensure compliance with the upcoming Euro 7 legislation without sacrificing tire performance
• A roadmap outlining value chain collaboration strategies to achieve the sustainability milestones set for 2030 and 2050

Processing aids are indispensable in optimizing the mixing and extrusion of silica-filled compounds, elevating critical attributes such as abrasion and rolling resistance and thereby bolstering the sustainability of the final products. Ensuring the inherent safety of these processing aids is paramount. This paper aims to elucidate strategies for formulating processing aids in a sustainable manner, utilizing high natural-content ingredients, thereby ensuring the utmost safety for everyone involved.

What the audience will learn

• The composition of well-known processing aids
• The sustainable formulation of processing aids
• The advantages of using processing aids in functionalized rubbers

Current requirements for tire treads are increasingly focused on improved wear abrasion for environmental reasons and due to high-torque acceleration in electric vehicles. To fulfill these challenging requirements, polymers such as NdBR and functionalized S-SBRs play a crucial role. Besides functionalization technologies to increase the interaction with fillers, branching becomes more important to achieve acceptable processability behavior of the resulting tread compounds. These two types of modification – functionalization and coupling – are competing and need to be balanced to optimize tire performance, customer safety and longevity. Arlanxeo’s new functionalization technology allows for both modifications to occur simultaneously: 1) functionalization for gaining strong interaction with fillers, and 2) exceptionally high coupling to maintain good processability. These two combined modifications offer the tire producer a higher level of freedom regarding the type of silica to be used.

What the audience will learn

• Functionalized SSBR
• Low-Tg FX SSBR
• Highly coupled SSBR
• Compound processing

The long-term stability of rubber products is limited mainly by thermal-oxidative aging processes, which depend on polymer structure and compound ‎ingredients. To optimize the properties of rubber ‎compounds, fillers are necessary. The objective of the study was to get ‎more knowledge about the influence of silica, carbon blacks and CNT on the ‎thermal-oxidative stability and aging mechanisms. Systematic ‎investigations were performed using modern chemical and physical methods.

What the audience will learn

• Mechanisms of thermal-oxidative aging and influencing parameters
• Effect of fillers on the kinetics of the aging processes
• How to quantitatively characterize aging processes in rubbers
• Accelerating testing methods for aging

The present study assesses the impact of pre-modified silica with functionalized S-SBR polymer chains on in-rubber properties of tire tread compounds. Incorporating rubber-modified silica, along with a small amount of covering silane, enhances in-rubber properties, particularly by reducing filler-filler interactions.

What the audience will learn

• Pre-modification of silica with rubber
• Role of a covering silane
• Impact of the system on in-rubber properties

Results from prior work have illustrated that the final properties of silica-reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates drop for mixing dump temperatures higher than 160°C. This may be attributed to several factors, i.e. degradation of the natural rubber main chains; decomposition of silica-silane-rubber coupling; and/or interference with the silanization reaction by various compounding substances. The present work identifies the crucial reasons for this observation.

What the audience will learn

• Stabilizer helps to suppress rubber degradation during mixing
• Stabilizer interferes with the silanization reaction
• Intricate balance is needed during the mixing of silica/silane-NR compounds

Striving to reach sustainable development is high on the agenda for the tire industry, as it acknowledges different ways to contribute to sustainability. This presentation will employ a multivariate analysis approach to compound development with bio-based and alternative raw materials. At the same time, it will take a look into other ways of reducing the environmental impact of the industry, such as energy-efficient production and lowered rolling resistance, from a tire oil perspective.

What the audience will learn

• Non-converntional raw materials
• Multivariate analysis approach
• Naphthenic tire oils

Tire manufacturers are under pressure to achieve climate neutrality targets. The use of sustainable natural rubber and of recycled raw materials can contribute to these targets. Third-party multistakeholder certification systems can be used to credibly certify the sustainability of rubber plantations, identify raw materials and recycled materials, establish traceability based on specific chain of custody approaches, determine recycling rates and make on- and off-product claims to customers.

What the audience will learn

• The use of sustainable and recycled materials to achieve company commitments
• How to prepare for sustainability certification and run mass balance systems
• How to integrate certified sustainable and recycled shares into existing supply chains

This presentation is focused on the use of silane-modified palm oil in silica-reinforced SBR/BR blends for tire treads. The modified oil reduced filler-filler interactions and increased filler-rubber interactions, resulting in superior mechanical properties, when compared to the ones with DAE and TDAE. In addition, tire performances are also improved. This is due to a shielding effect of oil molecules on the silica surface via the silane bridge, leading to good compatibility between the silica and rubber matrix.

What the audience will learn

• Palm oil can be modified by silane to be used as a rubber process oil
• Silane-modified palm oil affects filler-rubber interaction
• Silane-modified palm oil promotes tire performance

The shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) in the automotive industry necessitates the design of tires with improved properties such as higher strength, lower rolling resistance, reduced weight, enhanced durability, increased resistance to abrasion and more sustainable raw materials. In alignment with this trend, Kordsa offers advanced materials for EV-specific tires, supporting the increasing demand for EV products and services. The company's commitment to sustainability strengthens its approach by providing holistic, future-driven mobility solutions. Kordsa places sustainability at the core of its operations and responds to these challenges by offering a wide variety of advanced materials and bespoke services, providing holistic, next-generation solutions to drive the future of mobility. Sustainability and the evolution of EVs are parallel themes that support Kordsa's development of a sustainable product portfolio, furthering the company's commitment to creating environmentally responsible solutions for a changing automotive landscape.

What the audience will learn

• Electrification trend
• Requirements of EV tires
• Reinforcement materials for EV tires

Asahi Kasei's project aims to reduce 6PPD in rubber compounds using hydrogenated SBR (HSBR), improving fatigue resistance. HSBR has shown superior ozone resistance and can double fatigue resistance when substituting high-cis BR. A notable use of HSBR is in tire sidewalls, which face UV rays and ozone and demand high resistance. HSBR's resilience could decrease tire replacements from sidewall degradation, promoting sustainability by potentially lengthening the rubber product lifespan.

What the audience will learn

• HSBR allows for reduced 6PPD additive usage
• HSBR boosts fatigue resistance
• HSBR promotes longer rubber lifespan

Tire manufacturers face increasing standards for performance including rolling resistance as well as sustainability. This study explores the silica dispersion and performance benefits of fatty acid amine adduct chemistry in sSBR tire tread formulas. The results show improved overall silica dispersion as measured by the Payne effect. Additionally, performance benefits were observed for ice traction, wet traction and rolling resistance, with minimal impacts on physical and performance properties.

What the audience will learn

• Fatty acid amine chemistry design for optimum performance
• Performance benefits of use of fatty acid amine adducts in tire tread formulas
• Ingevity's portfolio of bio-based rubber solutions, such as tackifiers and emulsifiers

The development of new tire compounds is currently driven by enhanced performance, high fuel efficiency, durability and sustainability concepts. A new-generation fn-LiBR is introduced to provide optimal solutions for enhanced tire applications. Combinations of fn-LiBR with fn-SSBR or NR systems are discussed and results compared to reference Nd-BR. The eco-sustainability of elastomers can be ensured through the mass balance approach, by the adoption of ISCC Plus certified monomers.

What the audience will learn

• Use of fn-LiBR in low-RR tires
• Bio-attributed polymers and mass balance approach
• Suitable polymer combinations for the improvement of tire performance
• Summer and all-season silica tread recipes

Momentive will present an update of its sustainability roadmap for tire and rubber silanes. The presentation will show the new reduced carbon footprint of its current in-market silanes. Laboratory and road performance tire data will be shared, to show how a new-generation advanced silane can significantly reduce tire use phase-related emissions. Advanced silanes can have a significant impact on most of the tire lifecycle phases and help tire producers achieve their tire sustainability targets.

What the audience will learn

• Silanes are additives with a significant impact on tire performance
• Advanced silanes can help reduce the tire footprint
• Momentive's advanced silanes contain a high percentage of renewable carbon

Since the launch of green tires in the 1990s, Solvay has constantly offered innovative precipitated silica grades to improve the lifecycle assessment (performance and sustainability). To go one step beyond, Solvay specialty silica grades combined with advanced silanes are offering a significant step forward to meet the grip, rolling resistance and wear performance needs of electric vehicles and future regulation (TRWP, CO2 emissions).

What the audience will learn

• Solvay specialty silicas combined with advanced silane are bringing significative benefits to tire performance
• The use of Solvay silicas in formulation improves the global LCA of tires
• Solvay specialty silicas combined with advanced silane are bringing an enhanced solution to meet specific EV needs

Diphenylguanidine (DPG) has been used for decades as a secondary accelerator, especially in silica-filled tread compounds for 'green' tires. Increasingly, it is coming under regulatory pressure due to its toxicity profile. In a current high-silica formulation, the Naugard Bio-XL ultra-accelerator is shown to be an effective replacement for DPG, improving cure while maintaining critical mechanical and dynamic properties. Naugard Bio-XL is unique in being SVHC-free and offering >85% bio content.

What the audience will learn

• DPG toxicity profile requires substitution in compounds
• DPG is a primary extractable when water-leachng tread wear particles
• Naugard Bio-XL ultra-accelerator offers better scorch/speed of cure balance
• Naugard Bio-XL maintains critical mechanical and dynamic properties
• Naugard Bio-XL does not form harmful nitrosamines (per TRGS 552) and has >85% bio content – an ideal fit for sustainable tires

The influence of furnace carbon black content on the barrier performance of halobutyl compounds is well understood. A recent study by the materials innovation group at Avon Protection has shown that the level of improvement through the use of rCB may be enhanced compared to grades of furnace black used in the tire innerliner. Hypotheses for this behavior will be shared and the influence of rCB feedstock type on permeation in optimized formulations will also be presented.

What the audience will learn

• Effect of rCB in the innerliner
• Effect on permeation properties
• Influence of rCB feedstock type
• Influence of formulation optimization

This paper focuses on designing high-performance silica compounds for tires. The solid percolation point (SPP) of precipitated silica is evaluated for its role in enhancing the wet grip and rolling resistance of rubber compounds. The paper presents a method for measuring the SPP and an adapted receipt tool to aid compound designers. Furthermore, a spatial material model is introduced to draw meaningful conclusions.

What the audience will learn

• Silica in tread compounds for high grip
• The solid percolation point of a filler
• The relevance of the solid percolation point for silica compounds
• Mechanical characteristics of high filler loading in rubber compounds
• Simple geometric silica model

Tire grip is dramatically affected, among many other parameters, by the viscoelastic material behavior of the tread compound and road roughness and how these parameters are measured and processed. This presentation proposes a practical and standardized methodology, developed with Pirelli, for acquiring and processing surface data, combined with a tire tread non-destructive viscoelastic characterization technique. The results of the friction models have been validated on data obtained with a new linear friction tester.

What the audience will learn

• Road roughness
• Viscoelasticity
• Friction
• Experimental testing

Measurements from three tires on flat-track and asphalt surfaces reveal lower cornering stiffness on the latter. The reduction in cornering stiffness is not linked to friction but is attributed to the influence of road roughness on the effective shear stiffness of the tread. An advanced brush model is proposed with the tread stiffness depending on the road roughness and the rubber complex moduli. A strong correlation is found between measurements and predictions of reduced stiffness on asphalt.

What the audience will learn

• The relationship between road roughness and cornering stiffness
• How the cornering stiffness can be predicted with a brush model
• How to model the bristle stiffness with different terms including inflation, bending and tread stiffness

The introduction of EVs made the tire the major contributor to vehicle exterior noise. It is crucial to reduce it for the environment and product homologation. Tire noise is a complex phenomenon that involves different mechanisms such as tire impacts, air pumping and horn effect, etc. The challenge always is to model these mechanisms as close to reality as possible to get accurate predictions. This presentation will review simulation validation of tires specifically designed and modeled using numerical methods.

What the audience will learn

• The noise mechanism
• Tire modeling and simulation
• Experimental validation

Virtual engineering is vital in automotive development and now requires a wider range of simulations, including non-dry surfaces. Thus, Siemens DISW, together with GCAPS and GM, is developing a novel physics-based wet tire model. Here, wet measurements executed with GCAPS’s wet test rig, with tires supplied by GM, are discussed, and physical trends identified. The wet tire model – an extension of MF-Tyre/MF-Swift – is then shown to replicate measurements, offering a new domain for simulations.

What the audience will learn

• Why vehicle OEMs want to simulate in wet conditions
• How you test tires in the wet today
• How and why tire models should model in wet conditions

In this study, a novel sacrificial network concept based on the reversible association of polymer chains and ionic compounds present in the matrix has been developed that gives natural rubber exceptional self-healing capabilities for innovative and sustainable tire application. The chain length of the diacids has significant impact on the mechanical properties of the rubber. In spite of being more reactive, short chain diacid cannot improve the mechanical strength but the long chain diacids with imidazole exhibit a significant increase in mechanical properties of the rubber due to the ionic crosslinking into the matrix.

What the audience will learn

• Modification of generic rubber compounds by incorporating rubbers with self-healing capability
• Effect of different chain length of Di-acid on ionic crosslinking of modified natural rubber
• Application of rubbers with self-healing capability

Mixing of silica-filled natural rubber compounds encounters the adverse effects of rubber degradation, and/or the reversions of silica-silane-rubber coupling and sulfide cross-links. To detect these phenomena, compound and vulcanizate properties were analyzed and correlated with the starting molecular characteristics of the materials. Results indicate two major competitive reactions taking place: degradation of the elastomer chains and branch formation during the mixing step.

What the audience will learn

• During silica-NR mixing, degradation and branch formation in the compound occur
• Dynamic mechanical analysis with a frequency sweep can detect small changes in molecular chains/networks due to rubber degradation and branching/networking
• A stabilizer might be required during mixing silica-silane-NR compounds

This presentation explores the microstructure of smear wear generated during the abrasion of tire tread compounds made from either synthetic polyisoprene rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber, reinforced with either carbon black or silica. The study used a range of experimental techniques including gel permeation chromatography, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy on both fresh and aged smear wear to understand their structure and aging mechanisms.

What the audience will learn

• Smear wear generation during abrasion reduces the tire tread wear rate
• Different tire tread compound formulations generate smear wear of different mechanical and chemical properties
• The mechanical and chemical properties of smear wear provide insight into its formation mechanisms and microstructure
• Elucidating the microstructure and formation mechanisms of smear wear allows us to improve our understanding of tire tread abrasion

A wear experiment of tire tread rubber was conducted using the Field Performance Simulation (FPS) abrader manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusyo by changing the severity. The relationship between frictional work and wear rate was obtained. The normal load varied in 10N, 20N and 40N and the circumferential speed of the rubber specimen was 50, 100, 150 and 200m/min, respectively. The slip speed varied in 1, 10 and 20m/min by changing the slip ratio from 0.5 to 40%. As a result, the relationship between introduced frictional work and wear rate was obtained. The relationship varied as the applied normal load changed.

What the audience will learn

• The relationship between frictional work and wear rate of tire tread rubber
• Wear test using the FPS abrader manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusyo
• Frictional work
• Normal load change leads to different relationships between frictional work and wear rate
• The relationship between the coefficient of friction and slip ratio remains the same irrespective of different normal loads

In the material labs the tire reinforcement materials are validated for the different failure modes of the tire. Fatigue testing also differentiates the cord materials, constructions, grades and qualities between suppliers. The efficient Dixon-Mood fatigue workflow can also handle modern multi-head testing equipment. On one single 'runout' cycle count value, all tests run in a narrow load-cycles region of 'near-failure' for the highest statistical relevance. The load conditions evolve automatically with further improvements in specimen materials, grades, constructions and qualities. Specimens are all characterized by one quality value, enabling simple overall type and over-time comparison between legacy, new and future grades.

What the audience will learn

• In the material lab high cycle fatigue testing is needed on tire rubber reinforcement
• Fatigue tests must be relevant for the failure modes of reinforcement in the tire
• Defined test load and criteria must evolve with the future improvements in cord materials, grades and constructions
• For maximum statistical precision, all tests are done in a narrow test region
• The step-by-step Dixon Mood is adapted for use on modern multi-head fatigue testing equipment

This presentation will bring together original test results from Emissions Analytics on the links between tire mass emissions and toxicity, placed in the context of the latest ‘EV specialist’ tire models that have been brought to market. The headline findings are that the switch to electric vehicles creates a material risk of higher wear and greater toxicity, but this does not have to be the outcome if the industry and regulators establish an effective framework for evaluating tire emissions.

What the audience will learn

• Variance in tire chemical composition
• Electric vehicles' environmental impact
• The need for regulation
• Laboratory analytical techniques

This presentation demonstrates building a machine learning application for tire performance prediction. First, high-fidelity simulation results are generated by running a design of experiment with displacement field and contact pressure. Next, the 3D simulation data set is utilized for training a ML model. Supervised learning techniques are used to train the model using a neural network algorithm. Once the trained model is fully validated, a tire designer can use it for tire performance predictions.

What the audience will learn

• How a ML application can make a tire engineer more productive
• Basic steps for buliding a ML application
• The difference between running high-fidelity simulations and a ML-based predictive tool

The DMA is a non-destructive characterization technique to study the mechanical behavior of a material, especially of tires as a function of strain, stress, frequency and temperature by applying a sinusoidal signal in the form of stress or strain. When presenting stress as a function of strain, a loop called the Lissajous curve can be obtained. This approach could be used to calculate the viscoelastic properties using theoretical calculations and then validate the results obtained from the DMA.

What the audience will learn

• Capabilities of dynamic mechanical analysis
• Temporal signal storage features
• Validation of material properties

Direct measurements of tire behavior in real operating conditions are rarely performed due to many practical limitations. The presentation reveals a new technology for instantaneous wheel kinematics measurement that overcomes critical limitations of real condition testing. It is an enabling solution created to take simulation to the next level of realism. Applications concerning true grip at contact patch, real time suspension KnC that includes tire mechanics and vehicle dynamics analysis will be shown.

What the audience will learn

• Why test tires in real condition?
• Technical limitations of real-condition tire measurement
• A critical enabling solution for previous limitations
• Applications to enhance simulation realism
• Applications to enhance simulation realism at tire and vehicle system levels

SRI will launch the first Active Tread product line, a new technology designed for an autonomous vehicle society and promoting the establishment of a sustainable society. SRI will contribute to ensuring safety in the autonomous vehicle society with its Active Tread compounds. These compounds enable the physical properties to actively switch to the optimized one in any weather condition. The switchable performance makes it possible to eliminate the concept of border in the different tire categories.

What the audience will learn

• The smart tire concept
• Active tread
• Sustainable tires

To provide services that satisfy car makers' expectations, a complete offer around algorithms based on vehicle data has been developed by Michelin. The focus of this presentation is on algorithms for tire predictive maintenance and related use cases focused on car makers’ needs. The algorithms developed by Michelin are sensorless, tire brand agnostic and easy to deploy. The presentation will show the advantages of the Michelin approach compared to the state-of-the-art and illustrate its accuracy with results.

What the audience will learn

• A solution to predict tire end of life
• Use case for tire predictive maintenance
• Deployment constraints and learnings

The tire industry is undergoing a major transformation toward the digitalization of tires’ identity and data transfer. GDSO is leading the process with its global footprint that is strengthened by a number of key elements: new tire manufacturers joining the organization, continuous working to enable data-driven use cases, positioning itself as a data space among the top players, collaborating with other automotive organizations and developing a new service that will be announced during the conference. This new service will support the circular economy through data sharing, allowing transparency and traceability along the tire's life (cradle to grave).

What the audience will learn

GS1 in Europe is a not-for profit standardisation organisation that operates worldwide in 49 different countries. Regulations are a main driver for GS1 in Europe activities and sustainability and circularity are a priority. In the presentation we will link our standards to the tire industry and will give a practical example of how a digital product passport can be setup throughout the lifecycle of the tire. The use of RFID technology, GS1 identifiers and serialisation can help to improve the circularity of the tire industry in Europe.

What the audience will learn

• Learn more about GS1 as an organisation and what GS1 standards are about
• Understand the advantage of interoperability and a common language within technical industries and the tire-ecosystem
• Connect and shape the future of the digital product passport as part of the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The presentation will provide an overview of the European regulatory landscape, ongoing developments, compliance challenges and some examples of how TaaS can support the regulatory environment.

What the audience will learn

• Legislation and Regulation
• TaaS
• Access to In-Vehicle Data
• Circularity

Championing the idea of making tires talk. Tires are a mission-critical asset in the everyday life of passenger cars, trucks, heavy machinery, buses and agriculture. If tires stop, the whole operation stops. And yet, tires are still perceived as dumb rubber. So what if tires and roads could talk? What stories would they tell?

What the audience will learn

• Managing data as an asset
• #ShiftHappens – how to adjust your business models to compete in the intelligent tires space
• Why connected tires will be a large-scale ecosystem instead of a closed-loop product

The intelligent connected tire, integrated into a TMS system, allows direct communication between the tire and the vehicle, providing the correct inflated pressure value compensated by the real tire temperature. The system provides accurate warnings both to the driver and to the fleet manager, improving the features of a standard TPMS system. In the commercial logistics business, reduction of fuel/energy consumption and predictive maintenance are key elements in improving the sustainability and cost optimization of a fleet. The tire-mounted system, by maintaining constant monitoring of vehicle performance, improves the efficiency and environmental impact of a fleet.

What the audience will learn

• TMS: description of a real-time system and interface
• Truck and bus fleet requirements for safety and maintenance
• TPMS and TMS system comparison: features and benefits
• Additional features coming from tire data acquisition and analysis
• Further and future TMS implementation

Real-time onboard algorithms, nowadays often defined as “virtual sensors”, are changing the perspectives of automotive industry, impacting on hardware solutions as the sensored, or “smart”, tires. How such two technologies can interact? Are virtual sensors going to represent a dematerialized version of actual sensors, with advantages in terms of costs and reliability? Will the smart tires finally make the difference, for their unbeatable strength to take measurements from a privileged point of view, located at the ground level? Or a proper dialogue between both technologies, one improving each other in both vehicle development and mobility, can be the solution?

What the audience will learn

• What are the so called 'virtual sensors'?
• How can virtual sensors interact with smart tires?
• How smart tires measurements and predictions can improve coupling them to real time onboard algorithms

There are four basic mega-trends affecting mobility and only a few tire players trying to capitalize on them. With a focus on digital ecosystems, Eduardo will share how data generated downstream can retrofit tire development to improve performance and create value for individuals, fleets and society. This will be followed by three speakers presenting specific solutions to create and capture value.

What the audience will learn

• Understand the key mega-trends affecting mobility and the tire industry until 2030
• Visualize how the leading tire companies are responding to those challenges and moving into advanced and sustainable mobility solutions
• The role of digital ecosystems in the upstream and downstream, and how they will accelerate and improve tire development and sales

Tire sensors can generate huge volumes of raw data. The challenge for a systems designer is whether to process that data locally and send intelligence-rich data up to the cloud, or to send all the data to the cloud for subsequent processing. The latter choice requires substantial bandwidth, which can be costly and limit performance in regions where connectivity is low. Processing data locally is the preferred option but that needs specific solutions. PolyN is working with top-name tire makers to build systems that can extract intelligence from the raw data before sending it to the cloud.

What the audience will learn

• Utilizing accelerometer-derived tire vibration data for road condition monitoring via neural networks
• Neuromorphic Front-End concept of vibration data preprocessing on-device
• Ultra-low-power consumption and 4000-fold data volume reduction enable easy integration with standard TPMS.

There is a growing demand for advanced optimization software solutions for the commercial transportation industry. In response to that, Dynamon developed solutions such as Zero, to optimize the transition from ICE to EVs, and Tire Analytics, which is intended to reduce fleets' total cost of ownership, identifying the costs and environmental impact associated with the different tire choices for each specific service. Angus will explain how to generate extraordinary benefits for fleets and allow tire companies to use valuable insights for tire development.

What the audience will learn

• The impact of fleet energy costs on tire TCO
• Introducing Dynamon’s Tyre Analytics to analyze cost and CO2 savings from low rolling resistance tires
• Case studies of significant cost savings from optimizing tire choice
• How tire choice affects EV TCO, range and public charging wait times

Smart tires are a transformative development in the automotive industry, offering real-time monitoring and data-driven insights into tire health and performance well beyond traditional TPMS. By tracking assets, improving safety, extending tire lifespan and enhancing overall vehicle efficiency, intelligent tire solutions play a crucial role in modernizing tires and optimizing the driving experience. In this session, we'll dive into the benefits, differentiators and roadmap of intelligent tire technology.

What the audience will learn

• An introduction to intelligent tire technology and the overwhelming benefits of achieving a globally connected network of tire insights
• Trends and practical examples (benefits and drawbacks) of IoT technologies being used to advance the industry
• Considerations surrounding data management and standardization, compliance, security and automation
• Elaboration of Cerebrum's solutions, market adoption and high-level roadmap.

The university recently developed a variety of test methodologies for testing and analyzing tread-road contact in winter conditions. Under defined environmental and operating conditions the presentation assesses the performance of tire tread blocks (with and without pattern/studs) on smooth and rough ice as well as on black ice on asphalt roads. Snow friction mechanisms on everything from hard-packed snow to powder snow and even slush are analyzed in the snow lab. Leibniz University has developed means of snow and slush characterization for transferring these results to outdoors, as well as simulations to get further insights into winter friction mechanisms.

What the audience will learn

• Research results in the field of contact mechanics and elastomer friction
• Test methods development in the field of contact mechanics
• Experimental investigation of the friction of tire tread blocks on snow

TireChecker introduced laser sheet-of-light technology into tire geometry testing 25 years ago. Over this time many customers have chosen the solution for integration into their machinery, necessitating a variety of custom machine communication approaches. Similarly, the varying architectures of the testing machines required the integration of many different sensor systems. We present the unique challenges associated with the creation of a universal testing system and our approaches to solving them.

What the audience will learn

• Challenges of creating a universal testing system
• Retrofitting situation versus new machine solution
• Simple versus complex automation interfacing
• Challenges of serving a global client base

We are developing new tires for existing models and also for upcoming new models being launched by OEMs. In the sub-one-ton and above-one-ton of CV range of vehicles there is no need to do ADT, GHD and all the tests as per Indian ARAI standards but we can do the testing of the same on static back-to-back tire testing machines, which will save man hours and fossil fuel.

What the audience will learn

• How to implement new tires in less time. Reduction in lead time
• Financial savings because diesel and petrol testing on the road is eliminated
• Natural waste reduction and Indian OEMs have started the installation and commissioning of this machine in R&D

This study outlines a novel method of evaluating the friction and wear characteristics of two styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) tire tread compounds. Testing was carried out using an in-house testing rig with a dynamic abrasion process under a variety of conditions. The relationship between the thermo-mechanical deformation during abrasion is examined in detail to outline a robust method for evaluating compound performance.

What the audience will learn

• Tire tread compounds are abraded in continuous and discontinuous manners to showcase the importance of the abrasion test method
• Using different abrasion test methods can result in different friction and wear properties between compounds
• Transitions between wear mechanisms depend on the sliding direction, countersurface sharpness, load and temperature

Qualicision is an AI-based solution for optical quality control of tires, recognizing color dots and labels on sidewalls, color stripes on treads, tread profiles and DOT positions. The systems can be trained in a process based upon quantitative and qualitative test piece parameters while its knowledge and reference databases are enlarged by entering optical images of new test pieces. The solution performs a constant product quality check of the outgoing wheel to prevent probable material mix-ups.

What the audience will learn

• How AI enables the recognition of tire quality features
• How AI improves the quality check of outgoing wheels
• How AI supports automatic learning

This presentation will cover recent technical enhancements and performance improvements in automatic defect recognition (ADR) of tire x-ray images. Tire inspection and classification performance improvements have now been achieved through the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning software methodologies. Numerous financial advantages achieved using computer-automated x-ray image inspection, like increased throughput and reduced detection errors, will also be reviewed.

What the audience will learn

• The recent tire classification enhancements now achievable through the addition of an AI/deep learning layer to automatic defect recognition (ADR) of x-ray images
• New tire x-ray image defect detection methodologies available in ADR
• Interior tire structure measurement possibilities resulting from new ADR measurement tools
• Dramatic reductions achievable in x-ray tire recipe setup time resulting from novel calibration technology
• Throughput improvements possible through computer-automated tire x-ray image inspection

Evonik has a wealth of experience in compounding natural rubber and silica/silane systems. An experimental field test was performed to investigate the performance of pure silica/silane technology versus N234-reinforced NR-based truck tire treads on the drive axles. The benefits in wet and rolling resistance performance with silica/silane systems were achieved without detriment to the abrasion resistance, which is on the same level as the carbon black reference – a breakthrough.

What the audience will learn

• Compounding of silica/silane systems in NR compounds
• Truck tire experimental field test results
• Rolling resistance of silica/silane in NR is superior to N234
• Wet grip of silica/silane in NR is superior to N234
• Abrasion resistance of silica/silane in NR is on the same level as N234

CyXplus has enhanced automatic defect recognition (ADR) software image processing capabilities by developing an artificial intelligence ADR solution able to find complex defects on complex areas of x-ray tire images. Boasting a higher detection rate, it was tested on different machines in several leading clients' production sites. To ensure autonomy, this new software allows clients to create new tire-specific neural networks, even when the user does not have any previous knowledge of AI.

What the audience will learn

• Tire inspection technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Automatic defect recognition
• AI training
• X-ray images

Tire uniformity is the main criterion for tire quality. End users and OE customers attach great importance to performance and uniformity. The presentation explains the functional principle and compares traditional grinding processes. The results of laser processing last the whole tire lifetime, offering a superior solution compared to grinding. Even considering the cost factor, laser proves to be the better technology. Additionally, the surface quality of laser processing meets OEM standards. A case study including RFV and harmonics (before/after treatment) supports these findings and explains which parameters need to be addressed with priority to achieve the best improvement on the respective tires.

What the audience will learn

• Tire quality significance
• Laser uniformity correction
• Invisible enhancements

Discover the impact of Uster fabric inspection systems in tire cord production. These systems are adaptable at different process stages, including yarn dipping, on-loom inspection and cord dipping lines. Enhanced by Uster Fabriq Assistant, the central quality control platform, they optimize the entire quality control process. Automated systems ensure safety, efficiency and excellence. Detecting defects and inconsistencies at various stages enhances safety by reducing accidents and product failures. Efficiency is boosted by rapid, consistent inspections, enabling 24/7 operation. Quality data generated is the key to continuous process improvement, waste reduction and superior quality output.

What the audience will learn

• Learn how Uster fabric inspection systems adapt to different stages of tire cord production, enhancing quality control
• Understand the role of Uster Fabriq Assistant in optimizing quality control processes for superior results
• Discover how automated systems improve safety, efficiency and operational excellence by detecting defects and inconsistencies
• Explore the pivotal role of quality data in continuous improvement, waste reduction and the production of high-performance tire cords
• Gain insights into the necessity of embracing Uster's technologies for competitiveness and the delivery of high-quality, high-performance tire cords

The presentation will discuss quality monitoring at steel cord-cutting lines with the SIS Vision. With a high-resolution sensor, wire distances, offset and EPDM/EPI are reliably monitored at full production speed. After the steel cord is analyzed, it is visualized in an easy-to-use interface, similar to an x-ray image. The latest innovation is an independent server solution, which records and provides detailed data to customer MES. With the smart-archive functionality, it provides maximum data at minimum storage.

What the audience will learn

• Functionality and benefit of the independent server solution
• Possible recording types and use cases to improve the production process
• Smart-archive configuration and implementation into company MES
• Best-practice approaches and ideas for using the data

With standard sensors, hardware and software, you can understand the health of large mechanical machinery. By tracking vibration and correlating that data with VFD data and temp data, an understanding of the state of the machinery becomes a valuable tool for assessing preventative maintenance planning and measuring. With the connection to a global supervisory predictive maintenance tool leveraging artificial intelligence with machine learning, you can now extend the life of your equipment.

What the audience will learn

• Machine health analysis
• Predictive maintenance solutions
• Improving machine life

The presentation will describe, with practical examples, how the most advanced automation technologies assist tire manufacturers and their machine builders to digitalize compressed air installations, enhance maintenance capabilities, reduce labor and wiring time, save energy and improve sustainability.

What the audience will learn

• Automation technology innovations
• Digitalization
• Sustainability/energy efficiency
• Condition-based maintenance
• Wireless systems

Complete data integration in tire production is now possible due to intelligent sensors and infrastructures. Leading tire makers are moving to a new level of factory automation. Lifecycle management of their products via RFID, plant-wide condition monitoring of components and assets as well as seamless Industry 4.0 processes are becoming standard. The competitiveness of tire production is increasing based on new smart field devices such as proximity switches, photoelectric sensors and identification systems in combination with IO-Link, OPC UA or MQTT. This presentation includes conceptual solutions and practical tire industry success stories.

What the audience will learn

• The state-of-the-art technologies for sensing, transmitting and integrating critical production data
• How to increase traceability of automated material flow and seamless tire identification along the entire product lifecycle
• The results using data across all information levels

Devulcanized rubber (DvR) is used as a partial substitution for rubbers in recipes for various rubber goods. In the presentation, several examples of the application of DvR are shown, the most demanding being a partial substitution of virgin rubber in recipes for tractor tires. The recommended portion of DvR is discussed considering the changes of ultimate properties, as well as the possible modifications of DvR containing blends by fillers, additives and optimizing the vulcanization systems.

What the audience will learn

• Possible applications for devulcanized rubbers from truck tires
• Recommended portions of substitution of virgin rubbers
• New additives for optimization of properties of devulcanized rubber

Recycled steel should not be the only criterion for classifying steel tire reinforcements as sustainable. Reducing climate impact and materials consumption should be prioritized over the next decade. Many products have quality requirements more suited to using high recycled content and comprise more of the global steel market than steel tire reinforcement feedstocks. Pursuing higher recycled steel content in tires could shift steel mill recycled steel output to lower-productivity products and stifle the development of higher-strength steel grades that could lead to lower carbon emissions during the tire lifecycle.

What the audience will learn

• Recycled steel content is not the only measure of steel tire reinforcement sustainability
• Recycled content is dependent on the steel-making process
• Gains in material efficiency depend on high-quality feedstocks
• Steel operational life is typically 10-50 years after production, and available end-of-life scrap can lag behind steel demand by several decades

Pyrolysis of end-of-life tires or other post-industrial and/or consumer rubber products has been used to recycle these products for several years. Although traditionally seen as suitable only for low-value applications, recent advances allow the use of these valuable secondary raw materials in a wider range of higher-value products, helping customers meet their sustainability targets. In this presentation, the regulatory challenges of bringing circularity at scale will be discussed in terms of regulatory standards and customer documentation requirements, using as a case study the launch of Birla Carbon’s Continua SCM product range.

What the audience will learn

• The key attributes of sustainable carbonaceous material and why you do not ‘recover’ carbon black through pyrolysis
• Challenges of building large scale capacity to meet customer demands
• The importance of regulatory compliance and the complexities associated with chemical registrations

Increasing interest in sustainable raw materials during the last few years has led to the implementation of rCB in many rubber applications and in tire manufacturing. Consistency in quality is one of the key pillars of success in rCB adoption in manufacturing and is a challenge for chemical recyclers as the feedstock variability is high in both the short and long term.

What the audience will learn

• Consistency in quality is one of the key pillars of success in rCB adoption in manufacturing but is a challenge for chemical recyclers as the feedstock variability is high in both the short and long term
• Collaboration within the tire manufacturing ecosystem has brought possible solutions
• Increasing interest in sustainable raw materials during the last few years has led to the implementation of rCB in many rubber applications and in tire manufacturing

Chemicals called process additives are frequently used during tire production stages. The benefits are wide-ranging, from dispersion and flow improvement, control of tack and maintenance of green strength, through to the enhancement of mold flow and release. The drive towards greater sustainability, including increased usage of bio-derived or recycled content feedstock suitable for rubber process additives, has revealed new opportunities to maximize performance. This presentation will highlight the steps taken toward increasing the sustainability index for several types of process additives and will compare the performance obtained with that of established equivalent products.

What the audience will learn

• Technical aspects and benefits from the use of process additives
• Opportunities to increase the sustainbility aspects concerning this chemical class
• Additional performance benefits are possible with the use of new, alternative chemical types

This presentation highlights game-changing approaches to sustainable tires, including the use of new, sustainable materials, innovative manufacturing and responsible material use. Learn how reTyre's solutions minimize waste and reduce carbon emissions, and how the company utilizes the micromobility domain as a dynamic canvas for advancing automotive tire technology.

What the audience will learn

• Innovative, Sustainable Tire Manufacturing: Rubber-free, pneumatic tyres
• How working with different customers in multiple verticals allows reTyre to explore material characteristics for sustainable tires
• Collaborative communication

Huge quantities of rubber waste – e.g. hundreds of millions of used tires annually – need recycling processes that will take them beyond a secondary use in riding stables, as gym mats, or as an admixture in building materials. Processes are needed that break the sulfur bridges and preserve the carbon bonds and thus lead to recycled materials that can be reused as raw materials to produce e.g. new car tires and rubber.

What the audience will learn

• The patented devulcanization process with the planetary roller extruder ensures an optimal temperature-pressure profile, through which the material is devulcanized quickly without significantly breaking down the carbon chains of the elastomers
• During this process, volatile substances and vapors are largely evacuated by means of tailored degassing at several points of the process section
• The recycled material properties are in the same range as they are for the virgin compound
• It can be added to the virgin raw materials and processed to the initial product
• Practical implementation on an industrial scale together with Circular Rubber Technologies: www.circularrubber.com

In alignment with its 2050 sustainability targets, Kordsa has completed the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analyses of its products. As part of its product portfolio transition, Kordsa has established a roadmap for moving forward. This aligns with Kordsa's goal of achieving carbon neutrality, underscoring its commitment to incorporating sustainable materials while maintaining high performance standards in its tire reinforcement technologies. Product portfolio, featuring eco-friendly yarns and tire cord fabrics with recycled PET, recycled polyamide and bio-based materials, reflects this commitment. The company's achievements in establishing a sustainable value chain for its products are marked by significant certifications such as ISCC+ certification, highlighting its role as a leader in the green transition. The certification is a mark of success in establishing an international sustainable value chain for recycled polyester yarn, single-end cords, and tire cord fabrics.

What the audience will learn

• Sustainability Approach
• Sustainable Materials for Tires
• Sustainable reinforcement technologies (Recycled PET, Sustainable Ny Materials)

Tires are an important success factor not only in Formula 1, but also in road traffic. The mileage, rolling resistance and sustainability of tires influence the economy and eco-balance of vehicles of all kinds. Retreaded tires offer clear ecological advantages with the same quality and safety as comparable new tires. They are also often significantly cheaper to purchase. Commercial vehicle premium tires can be retreaded several times. Thus, their total mileage easily reaches 1,000,000km.

What the audience will learn

• Retreading is the silver bullet of sustainable tire recycling management
• Current techniques and processes for retreading tires
• Positive lifecycle assessment of retreading by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT
• Performance-cost analysis of retreaded commercial vehicle tires by AZuR
• Certified end-of-life tire disposal as the basis for retreading

To respond to climate change, the automotive and tire industries need to improve rolling and wear resistance, durability and grip in compounds, raw materials and synthetic rubber. Research on SBR, the main material of tread compounds, has focused on modification technology, increased molecular weight, improved rolling resistance, tensile strength and wear resistance. This study focuses on the main-chain structure and its effect on compound structural and physical properties.

What the audience will learn

• Effect of main-chain structure on compound structural properties
• Effect of main-chain structure on physical properties
• Structural analysis

Partially and fully hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins improve the performance of tire treads. This work shows the connection between the degree of hydrogenation and the behavior in rubber compounds. Polymers of different polarity and different curing methods are used to investigate the influence of hydrogenation. Finally, emphasis is placed on the improvement of tire tread performance by using commercially available resins from Rain Carbon.

What the audience will learn

• Tire tread properties can be improved by hydrogenated resins
• Influence of degree of hydrogenation on performance shown
• Different behavior in different polymers is investigated

Global ecological trends mean that tire fillers have no or significantly less negative impact on the environment. New 100% bio-based BioTorpine oils have similar properties to aromatic mineral-based rubber process oils. However, BioTorpine oils have a lower impact on the environment and are involved in the recycling of the paper production chain. Use of bio-based oils in tires and synthetic rubber helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil resources.

What the audience will learn

• New trends in raw materials for tires and rubber
• Differences and similarities of bio-based oils and mineral-based oils used in tires and rubber
• Benefits of using bio-based oils for the environment and tire and rubber producers

CheeShine has developed different series of modified cashew oil and soybean oil. The special modification improves the processing property and offers excellent low-temperature performance, good plasticizing effect, excellent physical properties and low rolling resistance. This presentation will introduce the application of different modified vegetable oils in tire formulation.

What the audience will learn

• Bio-based plasticizer
• Modified cashew oil
• Modified soybean oil
• 100% sustainable materials

A novel bio-based itaconate rubber was synthesized and industrialized successfully by Shandong Chambroad Sinopoly New Materials. In this presentation, bio-based itaconate rubber will be introduced, from its preparation process to its application properties. The application research of bio-based itaconate rubber in the tires, shoes and damping products will be discussed – it showed great potential in these areas. The successful application of bio-based itaconate rubber is of great significance to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and helps the sustainable development of the rubber industry.

What the audience will learn

• Bio-based itaconate rubber
• Rubber composites
• Green tires
• Anti-slip performance
• Damping performance

For decades, tire manufactures have been focusing on the development of tires with low rolling resistance and low abrasion. The development of new polymers is essential for any improvement in tire performance. The change from Co BR and Ni BR to Nd BR enabled a big improvement in the dynamic performance of tires. The new trial grade Buna Nd 20 EZ VP with its modified polymeric structure combined with high Mooney viscosity enables a further improvement in the dynamic properties in tire applications.

What the audience will learn

• Buna Nd 20 EZ VP – a new grade for tire applications
• Improving key tire performances
• High Mooney viscosity Nd BR balanced with good processing behavior

Kuraray has developed a series of liquid rubber products with molecular weights ranging from a few thousands to 100,000. These polymers – which consist of isoprene, butadiene and styrene – are used by tire manufacturers to achieve improvements in processing and tire performance. This presentation covers the latest study of the effects of liquid rubber on processability. Kuraray will present the advantages of using liquid rubbers in model tire tread formulations.

What the audience will learn

• Liquid rubber
• Tire formulation
• The mixing process

In the context of the tire industry's pursuit of novel compounds to meet evolving demands for enhanced fuel efficiency and traction, this study explores SureMix functional process aids combined with blocked mercapto-silane and high-performance silanization (HPS). Manufacturers grappling with challenging raw materials can benefit from SureMix to improve processability while addressing concerns about compromising tire wear performance. This innovative approach holds promise for simultaneously enhancing processing efficiency and tire performance, particularly crucial with the rising prevalence of electric vehicles in today's automotive landscape. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of SureMix in driving silica microdispersion, offering a compelling solution for optimizing tire compounds.

What the audience will learn

• Learn how SureMix, a patented USDA BioPreferred functional process additive, simultaneously delivers sustainability, performance and cost benefits
• Observe the importance of sulfur equalization for accurate performance comparisons of different silanes in silica tread compounds
• Understand how SureMix drives silica hydrophobation and micro-dispersion, resulting in lower hysteresis for improved fuel economy
• Uncover how SureMix delivers viscosity reduction, enabling substantially increased silica loading for improved wet traction without sacrificing compound hysteresis
• Discover how SureMix with high-performance silanization enhances modulus development and abrasion resistance by improving blocked mercapto-silane coupling

SI Group is a leader in phenolic resin additive technology for the rubber industry. SI Group’s additives are used in an array of rubber applications, including tires and technical rubber goods. In the tire industry, SI Group offers resins to promote metal-to-rubber adhesion, which is of great importance in the tire manufacturing process. SI Group has developed Elaztobond B8-3410, a resorcinol-free phenolic resin useful for providing a robust metal-to-rubber and fabric bond.

What the audience will learn

• Rubber-to-metal solution
• Bio-sourced
• Mixing energy
• Safer for processing
• Commercially available

As tire makers have started to manifest active interest in the standardization of tires with varied sensors, there is a need for new tools to be developed for the structural analysis and performance evaluation of the new tire's system models. Since the traditional tire FEA modeling approach mainly covers the modeling of the carcass with various tread geometries, many technical challenges must be overcome when the new system models are being investigated.

What the audience will learn

• How to model a 3D complete tire system for FEA, including the 3D modeling of the tire carcass and tread and the 3D tire sensors added to the tire model
• Some 3D system FEA analysis concepts for field and history data
• Various sensitivity analysis for potential model validation
• Scripting procedures that help speed up the post-processing of the various FEA variables

Tire physical/analytical modeling enables predictive performance analysis in tire development and optimization. In this context, wear and temperature interact mutually with interconnected mechanisms that can be highlighted thanks to proper virtual test plans. The thermoRIDE and weaRIDE tire simulation modules have been integrated in the presented study, the results of which will be discussed.

What the audience will learn

• Tire tread wear mechanism
• Tire thermal performance and modeling
• Real-time physical tire modeling
• Tire wear and performance optimization
• Tire virtual development

In Europe, noise regulations are becoming stringent and posing a challenge for the automotive industry. For OEs, meeting strict accelerated pass-by noise targets is very important because the tire is one of the major influencing components. This presentation focuses on accelerated pass-by noise (R51) and how it can be influenced by changing tire parameters, such as construction changes, cavity, tread pattern, material properties and operating parameters.

What the audience will learn

The precise shape of the new tire is imperative for all subsequent analysis. The tire owes its shape to vulcanization, where all the components undergo high deformation before curing, rendering it permanent. However, even after its removal from the mold, the tire experiences residual mechanical and thermal stresses from reinforcements and other rubber components. The current work simulates the stage-wise deformation and the effect of stresses developed during the process.

What the audience will learn

• How the deformation occurs inside the mold when a green tire takes shape as well as the interaction between bladder, green tire and mold
• Changes in the reinforcement cords in terms of angle and spacing as well as the residual stress
• Capturing phenomena like generation of belt waviness, bead rotation and material folding during the shaping of green tires
• The temperature profile and state of cure profile during curing
• Effect of residual stress of reinforcement cords and effect of thermal shrinkage of rubber components on the final geometry of the tire

Relying on one type of measurement bench or protocol only gives part of the tire characteristics. FORS Performance has developed innovative benches, like non-destructive DMA and ground measurement, to combine with forces and moments trailer measurement for a total understanding of tire behavior. This accurate and complete tire characterization can then be used to feed the modeling chain for accurate tire simulation up to driving simulator applications. FORS Performance will present the virtuous circle approach with some technical examples to illustrate the results.

What the audience will learn

• FORS Performance company presentation
• The virtuous circle of tire performance: presentation and illustration
• Technical use case example
• Perspectives and new developments

Tire finite element models execute too slowly for direct use in real-time intelligent tire applications, but the Endurica Efficient Interpolation Engine (EIE) offers a solution. This benchmark study of the EIE solver shows how road load inputs (including tire load, speed and slip angle) can be converted into stress-strain history at critical tire locations, and processed in real time to track damage development during tire operation. The technology is ideal for the analysis of track events during tire development, and for large-scale processing of fleet data during tire operations.

What the audience will learn

• How to implement a tire digital twin that can track damage development in real time
• Computational requirements and performance for tire digital twin applications
• How to identify key moments during recorded track events using Endurica solvers
• Workflow steps for analysis of raw road load duty cycle data
• How to map multidimensional operating spaces to rapidly compute tire performance

New regulations and sustainability goals are forcing companies to enhance their recycling capabilities and/or switch to bio-based formulations. Atomic-scale simulation provides the ability to screen new cross-linkers, dispersants and compatibilizers that are necessary for new recycled and bio-based formulations. This presentation will include case studies from Schrödinger in the application of molecular simulations and machine learning to tire-relevant formulations, including an example from a leading chemical supplier. These studies illustrate how new analysis features targeted to various polymer and polymer formulation application areas can influence design for sustainability.

What the audience will learn

• Understand how the tire industry is using molecular simulations and machine learning in formulation design
• Examples will be shown for bio-based polymers, thermoset resins, and thermoplastics like polyacrylates and polyolefins, including prediction of thermomechanical properties
• Development of machine learning models for polymer and formulation discovery
• Designing advanced materials by synergizing computational chemistry and machine learning, exploring their integration into industrial applications

The presentation will focus on the methodology to perform tire characterization from racetrack testing with an instrumented Le Mans hypercar. The tire forces, angles and slips are measured without any structural or aerodynamic modifications of the original vehicle components, then a procedure to process data and identify the scaling factors of Pacejka’s Magic Formula is implemented to characterize temperature-dependent tire stiffness and friction coefficient with the road.

What the audience will learn

• Measurement of tire forces, angles and slips during racetrack testing
• Data processing for identification of Pacejka’s Magic Formula scaling factors
• Tire-road friction dependency on temperature
• Tire stiffness dependency on temperature

Embedded sensors inform R&D, leading to better tires. To do this, precision in the data gathered is needed to differentiate between development options. In a tire fitted to a consumer vehicle, what is the purpose of each sensor and what precision is needed to allow the vehicle's chassis management computer to make meaningful decisions? There are certainly going to be complexity and reliability issues that might make locating sensors near the tire rather than in the tire a better choice.

What the audience will learn

• What data can be obtained from the tire
• How road surfaces affect the data
• Solar heating changes the tire temperature by >20 degrees
• The inception of aquaplaning can be sensed well in advance of a change registered by traction control
• Some sort of adaptive learning or AI is going to be needed to cope with the inherent scatter in the data

The challenges facing the tire industry today are diverse, and the necessity for transparency is imperative in a circular model. This presentation will demonstrate how RFID technology can effectively address the industry's main challenges, ultimately leading to improved transparency.

What the audience will learn

• How RFID technology enables end-to-end traceability throughout the lifecycle
• How Beontag's embedded RFID TireTag enables a wireless communication link to the entire ecosystem
• How Beontag's embedded RFID TireTag supports digital product passport requirements

This presentation will provide an overview of Sightline Technology, Goodyear’s suite of tire intelligence solutions that combines sensory data with state-of-the-art algorithms to deliver intelligence for next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The presentation will feature specific examples illustrating how the generated insights can empower advanced vehicle safety features, optimize vehicle dynamics performance and facilitate predictive maintenance applications.

What the audience will learn

• Advances in algorithms harnessing data from existing vehicle sensors and tire-based sensors
• Applying insights from tire intelligence to address real-world practical scenarios/use cases
• Technical hurdles to be addressed

The rapid trend toward CASE (connected, autonomous, shared and electric) mobility is underway. Vehicle utilization is expected to increase while new vehicle sales decrease. In this new landscape, the connected tire will provide unique value for customers by reducing the cost of ownership, improving safety and reducing environmental impacts. Designing the connected tire is a challenging endeavor. Electronic sensors and components must be specialized and optimized to perform effectively in the environment of a tire. The primary challenges for designers are the electromagnetic shielding properties of the tire’s conductive structural materials and tortuous mechanical operating conditions.

What the audience will learn

• How to optimize antenna position and configuration
• How to optimize antenna durability
• How to accelerate product development
• How to assess adhesive durability
• How to manage multiple geometric configurations and adhere the antenna to the tire

Tire manufacturers are actively implementing RFID transponders in their tires. This presentation will discuss how this trend could support the whole tire industry from raw material manufacturers to tire recyclers.

What the audience will learn

• Understand how the tire industry is already implementing RFID
• The key benefits
• How all companies in the tire industry can benefit from the trend
• The key RFID applications in the tire industry on top of the embedded tire tags

A guide through the world of embeddable tire tagging and why it is one of the key enablers of a more sustainable tire industry.

What the audience will learn

• The future of RFID embedded tire tagging
• How to reach your sustainability goals with RFID tire tagging
• What embeddable tire tagging has brought to the world so far

See the big picture: a connected plant end-to-end with a full view into your operations. Native data from software, directly connected to visualize plant status. The result? Deliver faster, for less cost, with less risk and achieve optimized production to the fastest possible timescale. MES helps make it happen. Smart manufacturing companies are empowering their people, using manufacturing execution systems (MES) to connect their people to every facet of their manufacturing operations. Discover how they're using MES to tie their people and their manufacturing operations together, creating a truly connected and engaged factory worker.

What the audience will learn

• The challenges facing the tire industry
• What MES is and how it can impact your operations
• How other customers are utilizing MES and seeing results
• How MES can create a truly engaged factory worker
• Session speaker Q&A

Increasing automation to reach a fully autonomous production facility is the aim. Today, we are not yet there, since several tasks need to be implemented manually – either there is no technologically feasible solution available, or it is not economical. AI and digitalization in combination with sensor intelligence can help get us closer to the aim. Discover Sick's possibilities and dive into a new dimension in the world of sensors.

What the audience will learn

• New sensor solutions
• The impact of AI on robot guidance
• Digitalization can bridge the gap between manual to fully automated processes

Color Service is the world leader in the production and development of small chemicals weighing systems, able to solve problems associated with manual weighing and replace traditional production methods that inevitably do not allow a safe, fast and precise dosing. Weighing is a key phase in the production process and the precise dispensing of the product determines the specifications of the recipe as well as the quality requirements of the final product.

What the audience will learn

• Automatic dosing systems
• Environmental conditions (no dust)
• Small chemicals weighing

Newly developed industrial microwave preheating technology for green tires is now fully operational and set to make a global impact. This cutting-edge innovation significantly reduces curing time, enhancing production efficiency and sustainability in the tire manufacturing industry. You'll gain a unique insight into what's beneath the surface of such innovation.

What the audience will learn

• Specific achievements unlocked through the green tire preheating prototype
• How microwaves distribute heat through the different structures of the tire
• What works and what doesn't when speaking of green tire microwave preheating

When changing the steel cord diameter and EPI density in a rubberizing calender line, it is necessary to insert each individual steel cord into the grooves of the pressure and guide rollers. This takes 2 to 4 hours and this time is unproductive in the state-of-the-art. Fasteel is the patented and innovative system developed by Comerio Ercole to guarantee a downtime reduced to just 15-20 minutes. Fasteel is possible for fixed V type or parallel (with mobile platform) creel configuration.

What the audience will learn

• New system to reduce the setup of lines during production changeover
• An automatic device to improve the working ergonomics
• A system to carry out operations during line uptime in a safe way

Explore the uniqueness of each tire by emphasizing traceability and transparency. Prioritize traceability to provide a clear understanding of the tire's origin and production processes. Embrace circular economy principles to extend tire lifespan and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Foster direct consumer engagement through apps, offering information and personalized recommendations, creating a distinctive identity in the competitive tire market in which every tire is still as unique as a fingerprint.

What the audience will learn

• Consumer connect
• Consumer engagement
• Circular economy