Michelin Awarded ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at Tire Technology

Recent advances from the tyre industry’s leading manufacturers and technology providers have been acknowledged at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The ceremony, held on the evening of February 10 in conjunction with the Tire Technology Expo show in Cologne, Germany, covers five categories.

The Tire Manufacturing and Design Innovation of the Year went to Kumho, for its new laser Etching Technology. Kumho unveiled its first laser cut tyre in 2009, and whilst tyres have been cut with a laser CNC before, the Kumho system uses a YAG laser and leaves a near perfect surface finish, much the same as a moulded tyre.

“Kumho is also developing the technology in regards to tire mould applications”, commented Adam Gavine, a member of the judging panel. “Kumho deserves this recognition, as although many companies have tried such technology, theirs is the first genuine success”.

Goodyear scooped the Environmental Achievement of the Year Award for creating the world’s first concept tyres made with BioIsoprene technology, its renewable biomass replacement for a petrochemically produced ingredient in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Prototype tyres containing this substance made their debut at the December 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The Tire Manufacturer of the Year Award went to Michelin, for a highly innovative year’s work. “Michelin invested a staggering 100 million euros in its R&D HQ”, Gavine noted. “It expanded in earthmover tyres, worked on one of Europe’s largest rubber compound centres, and upgraded its high-tech truck tyre facilities – all without any layoffs. A staggering performance by any standard.”

 Work on its fourth-generation run-flat tyres earned Sumitomo Rubber Industries the Tire Technology of the Year award. This latest generation of run-flat is said to provide a level of ride comfort that is equivalent to or better than standard tyres, while maintaining run-flat performance.

The Tire Industry Supplier of the Year Award was won by Lanxess, for expanding its High-Performance Rubber R&D Centre and extending its range of highly elastic neodymium-polybutadiene rubbers. Lanxess developments of particular note were a rubber grade of particularly high viscosity, the development of a Nanoprene polymer additive, and for its tie up with the Russian Academy of Science.