The US Tire Manufacturers Association’s (USTMA) 6PPD Alternatives Analysis Consortium has received a Notice of Compliance from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for its revised Preliminary (Stage 1) Alternatives Analysis report. This compliance allows the Consortium to move forward with developing a Stage 2 Alternatives Analysis report, to further explore the most promising potential replacements for 6PPD in motor vehicle tires.

The California DTSC recognized the Consortium’s “continued efforts to seek safer alternatives to 6PPD” and acknowledged USTMA’s “open communication about research updates and results.” USTMA had initially requested that 6PPD be added to the agency’s priority products plan in December 2020.

Continue reading USTMA Consortium advances in search for 6PPD alternatives following California DTSC compliance at Tire Technology International.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Bridgestone Corporation have expanded the use of tire wear prediction technology to schedule tire replacements for large jet aircraft, including the Airbus A350-900, which JAL began operating in May 2024.

Tire wear prediction operating procedures

Aircraft tires must ensure safe take-off and landing under harsh conditions, such as heavy loads, at high speeds and across a range of temperatures. Typically, aircraft tires need to be replaced after several hundred take-offs and landings. However, the wear rate varies due to factors such as aircraft usage and airport conditions. This variability has made scheduling tire replacements difficult, often leading to unscheduled replacements.

Continue reading Bridgestone and JAL expand predictive technology for jet aircraft tire replacements at Tire Technology International.

The UltraGrip Ice 3, Goodyear’s new Nordic friction tire, has been specifically designed for Nordic winter conditions and has obtained several top positions in recent Nordic magazine tire tests.

In the winter tire evaluation conducted by Finnish Moottori, where four premium non-studded Nordic winter tires were pitted against four budget studded tires, the UltraGrip Ice 3 emerged as the clear leader. It secured the highest score of all eight tires tested and was named Test Winner. Moottori said that UltraGrip Ice 3 has significantly improved in ice performance compared to its predecessor, and praised it for its “excellent grip on ice and snow.” On asphalt, the tire excelled in wet handling, with the editors describing it as “safe and easy to drive in wet conditions.”

A similar success story unfolded in the winter tire test conducted by Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, where the UltraGrip Ice 3 shared first place among the nine Nordic friction tires tested.

Continue reading Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 praised in multiple Nordic winter tire tests at Tire Technology International.

A partnership between Bridgestone Americas and Dow has seen the development of B-SEALS, a recyclable, silicone-based tire sealant technology. Having conducted more than four years of collaborative research, the companies are scheduled to introduce the extended mobility solution at an upcoming expo in Detroit, Michigan.

The B-SEALS technology will provide excellent sealant performance if a puncture occurs, without compromising sustainability. The new silicone-based sealant can be removed after application, unlike traditionally used sealants which are hard to separate from the tire. By promoting repairability, the duo aims to extend the total service life of a tire, and because the solution is removeable it also supports end-of-life tire recycling and material circularity.

Continue reading Bridgestone and Dow develop tire sealant technology at Tire Technology International.

A new wet handling track has been opened at Bridgestone’s European Proving Ground (EUPG) near Rome, Italy, enabling the tire maker to test in a range of weather conditions to optimize wet performance.

Bridgestone invested nearly €3m (US$3.38m) in the project and worked collaboratively with several partners, including new EV companies and traditional vehicle manufacturers, to refine the testing capabilities at the wet handling track. A virtual simulation was created before construction, with the tire maker taking a modular approach that enabled it to focus on separate areas of development – surface, layout and water management. Data and feedback were also collected from the OEMs and EUPG drivers.

Continue reading Bridgestone opens wet handling track at Tire Technology International.

Volkswagen is aiming to beat the lap record for electric vehicles on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit later this year with its ID R, which will be equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires.

“We are really looking forward to working together with Bridgestone in motorsport for the first time,” said Sven Smeets, Volkswagen motorsport director.

“In attempting to crack the e-record on the Nordschleife, we want to underline the enormous performance potential of electric drive.”

Last year Volkswagen set a new record with the ID R at the famous Pikes Peak hill climb in the USA.

Continue reading Volkswagen ID R to attempt Nürburgring record on Bridgestone tires at Tire Technology International.

A new high-performance process oil grade has been added to the Nynas product slate, designed to help customers tackle the challenge of reducing rolling resistance in a bid to boost vehicle fuel economy, and secure a reliable supply chain.

Nytex 846 provides all of the advantages of pure naphthenic oils, including high compatibility with polar and non-polar rubber, ease of processing, and excellent low-temperature properties. Furthermore, the product’s low color enables application in the formulation of innovative end products within the full color range.

“Nytex 846 has been developed to support the continuing challenge the tire industry faces to meet an ever-growing demand to improve fuel economy without compromising on wet grip or wear,” explained Dr Herbert Fruhmann, global marketing manager for tire and rubber oils.

Continue reading New process oil enhances low rolling resistance of tires at Tire Technology International.

Cimcorp has been contracted to supply a fully automated handling system to Petlas Tire Corporation at its factory in Kirsehir, Turkey, about 100 miles southeast of Ankara.

Based on Cimcorp’s dream factory solution, the automation system will take care of the handling of PCR finished tires in the tire-finishing and palletizing areas.

Work on the order – Cimcorp’s first project for Petlas – is already underway and the turnkey material handling system will become operational in the autumn of 2017.

The order for Cimcorp is part of a huge investment program to expand the Kirsehir plant in order to increase PCR production capacity and meet growing demand.

Continue reading Cimcorp to supply turnkey automated handling system to Petlas at Tire Technology International.