Tire Technology Expo 2026 opened this morning with a packed plenary session that set the tone for three days of technical insight and industry discussion. Senior representatives from leading global tire manufacturers and industry research groups took to the stage to address transformation, sustainability and the accelerating pace of innovation across the sector.
The energy on the exhibition floor was also high from the outset. Visitors streamed into the halls, where exhibitors were deep in technical discussions, product briefings and live system demonstrations. Meeting areas were full, equipment was running and both halls were buzzing from the get-go.
Here are just a few snippets of what expo visitors have been enjoying today.
Exhibitor highlights from the show floor
Black Donuts highlights the turnkey factory
Black Donuts is presenting turnkey factory solutions that combine digital twin technology with bio-based material innovation. Its integrated system connects tire design, digital factory simulation and manufacturing in one workflow, supporting faster commissioning, smarter factory footprints and measurable sustainability gains. The approach links compound formulation and material testing with production optimization before manufacturing begins. “We are exhibiting to engage directly with manufacturers and show how one integrated, validated engineering ecosystem connects factory engineering, tire and material R&D, and digital tools to deliver measurable factory and product improvements while reducing risk through a single connected partner,” said Tomi Pekkola, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.
Visit Black Donuts at Booth 8048 to find out more.
Applus Idiada advises on winter testing
Applus Idiada is giving expo visitors details about its winter tire testing services in Finnish Lapland, more than 300km north of the Arctic Circle. The facility provides authentic extreme weather conditions, and its Skid Trailer technology enables real-time performance evaluation across ice, snow and frozen surfaces. Advanced simulation models support predictive vehicle dynamics analysis, helping manufacturers accelerate development from concept validation through to final testing. “Tire Technology Expo will once again be a key platform for us to showcase our advanced testing capabilities – especially our Skid Trailer technology – directly to tire manufacturers and automotive experts driving the next generation of vehicle dynamics innovation in all weather conditions,” enthused Joan Puig, senior product manager of tire development.
Visit Booth C443 to learn more from the Applus Idiada team.
Tekna Automazione features defect-detection systems
Tekna Automazione is presenting its Vision Tire System 3D, an automated inspection solution designed to detect and classify defects in PCR and TBR tires. By reconstructing a precise 3D model of the tire and applying AI-driven analysis, the system identifies holes, bubbles, scratches, cuts and blisters with high confidence. Laser-camera triangulation and robotized arms scan every millimeter of the surface, while real-time software ensures reliable and traceable results for 100% online quality control. “We have been exhibiting at Tire Technology Expo for 10 years, as it represents the key meeting point to connect with our core audience,” said sales manager Michele De Stasio. “Over the years, all major global tire manufacturers have visited our booth, giving us the opportunity to significantly increase our brand visibility worldwide.”
Tekna Automazione e Controllo’s experts are on hand at Booth 2048.
Kokusai spotlights indoor wear testing tech
Kokusai is showcasing its advanced indoor wear testing concept developed in response to Euro 7 and ISO DIS 18512-2 requirements. The system uses a structured load case model and micro-concavity approach to deliver consistent wear rates and improved reproducibility across multiple cycles. Combining precise hardware control with accurate force and moment management, the solution simplifies the transformation of outdoor data into indoor test parameters and supports reliable compliance for OEMs and laboratories. “This event is the best place to showcase our solutions and communicate that we are currently commissioning a new tire abrasion testing system at our Application Center in Tokyo, to demonstrate significantly improved reproducibility while shortening overall testing time,” explained Markus Winter, director of marketing and sales.
Kokusai’s display is on Booth 4029.
Ecombine showcases liquid phase mixing technology
Ecombine is highlighting its continuous liquid phase mixing process, which blends rubber solution and filler slurry in the liquid phase to enhance dispersion and overall tire performance. Compared with traditional dry mixing, the technology can reduce energy consumption and improve mechanical properties, while supporting greater polymer uniformity and minimizing phase separation risks. The approach also delivers strong processing stability and high air retention for self-sealing applications. “We are proud to return to this event, a top global platform to showcase our liquid phase mixing technology and connecting global industry partners,” said company vice chairman Wang Zheng.
Get more information from Ecombine’s experts at Booth C340.
UPM promotes renewable functional fillers
UPM is using Nokian Tyres’ Green Step Ligna concept tire to showcase its renewable functional fillers to expo visitors. The tire features UPM BioMotion renewable functional fillers, and was recognized at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence in 2025 and also won a 2025 New Wood Award. Green Step Ligna replaces traditional CO2-intensive fillers such as carbon black with UPM’s 100% renewable, wood-based alternative. With UPM’s biorefinery progressing, RFF is expected to become commercially available, supporting more sustainable, high-performance tire development. “At the industry-leading Tire Technology Expo, we’re excited to help shape the next era of tire innovation by driving the revolution in performance and sustainability together,” stated Dr Florian Diehl, director of RFF sales.
Learn more about UPM’s sustainable materials at Booth C310.
Conference highlights from the morning sessions
Building a sustainable tire industry
Sustainability was front and center in the New York 1 conference hall, exemplified by Bridgestone’s presentation, Bridgestone’s path to circular economy: innovation and enabling tools. The session explored how the company is embedding circularity across materials, production and end-of-life strategies, supported by digital tools and system-wide innovation.
This paper was followed by Sander Vermuelen, who presented Why Michelin believes enhanced ELT collection and sorting matters. The session focused on the importance of improving end-of-life tire collection infrastructure and sorting processes to unlock higher-value recycling pathways and strengthen circular supply chains.
Materials, chemicals and related processes
In New York 2, Jorge Lacayo Pineda of Continental delivered Identification of rCB in cured rubber compounds. The presentation addressed analytical methods for detecting recovered carbon black in finished compounds, highlighting the technical challenges associated with verification and traceability as sustainability targets tighten and material transparency becomes increasingly important across the value chain.
Advanced modeling, simulation and testing
Earlier in the morning, Pirelli delivered a presentation on Tire grip: from indoor friction test to realistic tire model. The speakers examined how indoor testing methodologies can be correlated with advanced tire models to improve predictive accuracy and accelerate development cycles, bridging the gap between laboratory testing and real-world performance simulation.
Still to come this afternoon
The conference program continues this afternoon, with the session by GDSO on digitalization across the tire industry at 13:30 in the Five Continents room, exploring how data integration and smart manufacturing strategies are reshaping development and production environments. Meanwhile, WDK will present on risks in tire recycling, in New York 1 at 13:35.
The first day of the conference will conclude with a panel discussion from 16:40 to 17:20, bringing together industry leaders to debate key challenges in deploying digitalization in the tire value chain.
Away from the conference rooms, attention will turn to Hall 19, where the drinks reception will begin at 16:30 ahead of the Tire Technology International Awards ceremony on the stage at 17:30 – one of the most anticipated moments on Day 1 of the show.
There’s still time to join us for the rest of Day 1 and the next two days, if you have not yet registered! Click here to register for a visitor pass
