The Yokohama Rubber Company has developed a proprietary tire mold design support system that uses simulations (FEM – finite element method) and the company’s AI technology.

The new system supplements the knowledge and experience of the company’s development staff and reportedly makes it easier for less-experienced staff to design new molds by providing information (such as changes in tire characteristics due to different mold design factors) obtained by conducting a large number of virtual experiments.

According to Yokohama, this system accelerates mold development while reducing costs and the reworking often required to realize a new mold design.

Continue reading New system from Yokohama speeds up tire mold design at Tire Technology International.

Bespoke versions of the Pirelli P Zero R have been developed for the new Audi RS 5 and RS 3 Competition Limited. Designed to balance everyday usability with track performance, the tires have been developed with a focus on improved grip and shorter braking distances. Audi RS was among the first to adopt the P Zero R. The fitments build on more than 25 years of collaboration between Pirelli and Audi Sport in developing tailored tires for high-performance vehicles.

Ad-hoc development

Audi’s primary objective was braking performance. The P Zero R has been designed to approach the levels of performance of the semi-slick Trofeo R, delivering very short stopping distances and consistent deceleration under demanding conditions.

Continue reading Audi RS models get bespoke Pirelli P Zero R tires at Tire Technology International.

Bridgestone Corporation has launched a joint research project with Universitas Indonesia, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University (Yokohama City University) and Public University Corporation Maebashi Institute of Technology (Maebashi Institute of Technology) for the genetic analysis of para rubber trees. This collaboration will leverage trees and genetic information from Bridgestone’s natural rubber farm in Indonesia.

The joint project aims to create a marker-assisted selection technology that enables early identification of elite trees (high-yielding, stable performers). Through this effort, Bridgestone and the partner universities seek to contribute to improvements in the productivity and stable supply of natural rubber.

Masashi Otsuki, executive director, Institute of Advanced Technology, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “By co-creating with stakeholders across the natural rubber industry and promoting the sustainable use of natural rubber, Bridgestone strives to achieve the corporate commitment of ‘Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations’ described in its Bridgestone E8 Commitment.”

Stable yet sustainable

While natural rubber is a renewable resource, its source, the para rubber tree, grows only in geographically limited regions near the equator and is susceptible to external factors such as climate change and disease.

Continue reading Bridgestone and three universities collaborate on genetic analysis of para rubber trees to boost natural rubber production at Tire Technology International.

Japanese tire manufacturer Toyo Tires held a ground-breaking ceremony on March 19, 2026, for an R&D center in Serbia, which will be established on the premises of the Toyo Tires Serbia Factory in the municipality of Indjija.

The R&D center will focus on developing processing technologies, including rubber compounds, materials and composite design, as well as evaluating raw materials. It will use the on-site proving ground next to the Serbia factory to support development through vehicle testing, improving efficiency and reducing time-to-market.

Satoru Moriya, director, corporate officer, and vice president at the R&D headquarters, said, “We are excited about the potential of the Serbian R&D Center to refine cutting-edge processing technology from the ground up and to establish a European operational model that coordinates R&D, production and sales functions, thereby boosting the competitive advantages of the Proxes brand, among others.

Continue reading Toyo Tires breaks ground on R&D center in Serbia at Tire Technology International.

After years of engineering development and large-scale field testing, Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW), the Phoenix-based developer of the Air Suspension Wheel (ASW), has announced a key milestone in the transition from research and development to commercial deployment for 2026, following successful extreme-condition validation trials in Minnesota mining operations.

The recent winter trial subjected the company’s non-pneumatic mechanical wheel system to real-world operating conditions in Minnesota in December, with temperatures ranging from approximately -29°C to -40°C under full production loads and operational conditions. The testing focused on validating suspension performance, tread compounds, lubrication systems, and traction in extreme sub-zero mining conditions.

Continue reading GACW’s Air Suspension Wheel undergoes extreme mining trial ahead of 2026 launch at Tire Technology International.

Nokian Tyres has launched the Betula concept tire containing raw material made from birch bark. The renewable material made by Reselo uses the residue from the global pulp, paper and plywood industry – the Betula marks the first use of this recycled material in a tire.

The material is included in the tread compound of the concept tire, bringing the amount of renewable and recycled material content to 93% of all materials used on the tread.

The alternative sustainable material is positioned as a performance-enhancing addition. The concept tire, based on the tread design of the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta R5 non-studded winter tire, has been tested at Nokian’s facilities in Ivalo in Finnish Lapland and in Nokia, Finland.

Continue reading Nokian Tyres unveils concept tire using performance-enhancing birch bark material at Tire Technology International.

Yokohama Rubber has unveiled the results of the international joint research project on preventing and controlling rubber tree leaf fall diseases. The findings were presented on December 9 at the 5th  Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting at Universitas Indonesia.

The project, which aims to achieve the sustainable production and use of natural rubber, has been selected as a research project for the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program, which is jointly implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with support from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Continue reading International research project targets sustainable rubber production at Tire Technology International.

Hankook Tire & Technology has been selected as original equipment (OE) supplier, providing its Ventus evo SUV tire to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron. Six tire sizes ranging from 17in to 20in are available for various model versions of the Tiguan. Five sizes are available for the Tayron, a crossover SUV that comes in five- and seven-seater versions.

The tire development, carried out in close collaboration with Volkswagen, focused on balancing handling, comfort and performance while also prioritizing the lowest noise levels possible. The tread design was tailored to the segment’s needs, using an innovative material mix that delivers high mileage and excellent handling without compromising safety.

Continue reading Hankook Tire custom-develops OE tire for Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron at Tire Technology International.

Hyundai Motor Group has signed a third memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Michelin to accelerate tire technology innovations that will lead the future mobility market. This agreement continues the partnership established through MoUs signed in 2017 and 2022. The collaboration aims to address the evolving demands of electric and autonomous vehicles, including high load capacity, driving performance and environmental sustainability.

Under the three-year partnership, the two companies will collaborate on joint R&D for extremely low rolling resistance tires to improve fuel efficiency, and high-performance tires to enhance handling and safety. The partnership will also focus on advancing tire technology for premium EVs, which require cutting-edge solutions for performance, safety and extended range.

Continue reading Next-gen tire R&D underway as Hyundai and Michelin strengthen partnership at Tire Technology International.

Hankook Tire & Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rotoboost, a company specializing in thermocatalytic decomposition of methane gas, to jointly develop a low-carbon footprint carbon material for tire applications.

The companies are collaborating on technologies intended to reduce CO₂ emissions during the raw material acquisition phase, aligning with Hankook Tire’s long-term strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Carbon black, a key material in tire production, is derived from fossil-based feedstocks and is associated with high CO₂ emissions. To address this, Hankook Tire has been conducting research into sustainable alternatives, including recycled carbon black and certified carbon black, aimed at reducing emissions during the tire manufacturing process.

Continue reading Hankook Tire and Rotoboost collaborate on turquoise-hydrogen-based carbon materials at Tire Technology International.