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Michelin to End Pax System R&D

Michelin described it as “revolutionary” and “our biggest technological breakthrough since we patented the radial tyre in 1946,” yet news indicates that the French manufacturer is turning its back on the product about which it once said “we haven’t been this proud since we invented the radial.”

The director of research at Michelin’s Technology Center in Ladoux, France is reported to have said that the company has halted further research into its Pax run-flat system as there is “no big market demand” for the product. He added that demand for the Pax was not sufficient to justify the expense of the research invested into it.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Celebrates Double Milestone in Canada

Michelin’s Waterville facility in Canada has in November produced its 25th millionth tyre, a double milestone for a factory also celebrating its 25th year of manufacturing tyres for the commercial truck and earthmover market. Tyre number 25,000,000 was an XDA5 long haul drive tyre.

“I’m always saying that we like to do things ‘big’ here at the Waterville plant, so we’re very happy to celebrate two ‘big’ achievements at once,” said plant manager Grant Ferguson. “Our employees certainly have a lot to be proud of because they have worked hard and as a result we’ve enjoyed many significant accomplishments over the years. But, to produce our 25th millionth tyre in our 25th year is very unique indeed and twice the reason to be proud.”

12th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Scientist: Tyre Manufacturing By-products Reduce Fertility

Research carried out at Australia’s Newcastle University indicates insecticides and tyre industry by-products could be adversely affecting fertility. Local news sources are reporting that the work found that low doses of certain chemicals can cause eggs to grow prematurely. Researcher Eileen McLaughlin told Australia’s Radio National’s Science Show that means women will run out of eggs at a younger age.

“We’ve discovered that sub-acute doses will actually trigger the eggs prematurely into growing,” she said. “Obviously they are destined to die, they are not going to be ovulated. And this is depleting the population of ovarian follicles in the ovary so effectively the woman will run out of good eggs earlier.”

5th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Names New Supply Chain VP for EU and EEMEA

Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of Robert Scholte as vice president of supply chain for the company’s EU and EEMEA regions. Scholte joins the company from Nestle Purina Petcare where, for the past 3 years, he has been European Supply chain director. The appointment is effective 1 January 2008.

In a joint statement, Arthur de Bok, president EU, and Jarro Kaplan, president, EEMEA, said: “This appointment follows our recent announcement of the new supply chain organization across both regions. Robert joins us with an outstanding background, covering all the supply chain elements….he has held senior positions with responsibilities for raw materials, manufacturing, logistics, through to the final delivery of products to customers. We have underlined the strategic importance of this position and have found an individual who will work with all areas of the company to provide the most effective supply chain to our customers.“

5th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Challenge Bibendum Returns to Shanghai in November

The 9th annual Challenge Bibendum is only two weeks away, and this year sees the event returning to Shanghai, host city to Challenge Bibendum 2004. The Challenge Bibendum, created by Michelin in 1998, is a concerted effort on the part of vehicle manufacturers, technical partners, energy suppliers and research institutes to provide political and economic decisions makers with insights and understanding into the latest advances in vehicle technology for creating cleaner and more fuel efficient transport options.

31st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Makes Energy Saving Big News

Michelin wants the world to know that its energy saving tyres reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – and on October 30 the French tyre major launched a novel new method of getting its message across. Every evening at 7pm the company will project “Green” meters onto prominent landmarks in four major world cities. These meters will display the estimated fuel savings and reductions in CO2 emissions achieved since 1992, the year Michelin first released low rolling resistance tyres with silica used in part as a substitute for carbon black.

Featuring Bibendum, the iconic Michelin Man, the meters will be projected onto the façade of the Park Inn Hotel in Berlin, the NASDAQ and Reuters boards in New York’s Times Square, the Port de Suffren at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and on the City Group Mansion tower, across from the Bund, in Shanghai – four cities, says Michelin, whose growth has been driven by the mobility of the goods and people who come and go every day.

31st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Study Shows Lehigh Rubber Powder ‘Adds Value’ to Tyres

Engineered rubber powder manufacturer Lehigh Technologies, Inc., has announced the results of studies that show its flagship product, PolyDyne rubber powder, can be used as a chemically functioning element in the manufacture of new tyres. This takes the use of rubber powder in tyres beyond its existing role as a mere static filler and enables the product to add value to the finished tyre.

The research was carried out by the Department of Chemistry at South Carolina’s Clemson University. “There has been some question in terms of the extended use of ultra-fine rubber powder and its realistic functionality in new products,” said Dennis W. Smith, Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University. “Our study illustrates that used tyre rubber powder prepared by the Lehigh process is in fact unique and does offer a value-added reactivity and functionalisation. Breakthrough results from electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) measurements indicate that the Lehigh process provides a significant increase in free radicals, which can bond to matrix resins or other application-specific substrates, extending the powder’s usefulness beyond that of an added filler. With this study, tyre manufacturers worldwide have a viable alternative ingredient that can be used to make ‘green’ tyres, while at the same time enhancing the performance of the tyre. We’re confident that tire manufacturers will see the environmental and economical benefits that PolyDyne powder brings to the table.”

29th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New R&D Centre Making Konstrukta’s Ideas Reality

An essential part of the development and production of any item of tyre manufacturing equipment is the availability of a suitable testing centre, a facility that permits engineers not only to test the functionality of their equipment but also to solve and whenever possible prevent technological problems during the production process. This fact has not been lost on Konstrukta–Industry, a Slovakia-based manufacturer of machines and equipment for the tyre industry. In recent years the company has grown considerably in terms of product range, customer base and market share, and these last two factors have prompted Konstrukta to engage in the construction of its own new research and development centre.

The centre’s main focus, says Konstrukta, is the development and examination, by means of simulation, of new functional components for extrusion devices and lines. A major initial project for the centre is a 120 mm-diameter extrusion testing machine equipped with additional sensors that are not fitted to standard machines. These sensors allow for detailed monitoring of the extrusion. The company has also mounted a feeding conveyor, temperature control units, shrinkage conveyor and other accessories to the machine, and further plans to add a new type of cooling equipment to the machine – a spiral drum –cooling device – a product of centre’s own R&D technicians, are now under way.

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Q Tires Relocating R&D to South Carolina

(Akron/Tire Review) Q Tires, which plans to produce tyres with retractable studs, has moved its research operations from Akron to its headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. The move was possible due to a US$20,000 grant from the Advance SC fund sponsored by Duke Energy. The company plans to begin relocating equipment and individuals in late 2007.

24th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ETRMA Proposes Voluntary Road Noise Reduction Levels

On October 18 the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) delivered to the European Commissioner for Enterprise, Günther Verheugen, its letter of commitment concerning the reduction of environmental impact resulting from tyres and further measures to increase road safety.

With this document the Association, chaired by Pirelli Tyre managing director Francesco Gori, commits itself to lowering tyre noise levels by two decibels while also contributing to a reduction of up to 5 grams per kilometre in CO2 emissions caused by motor vehicle traffic. This will be achieved through a range of measures including promotion of lower rolling resistance tyres and a recommendation for the fitment of tyre pressure monitoring systems to all cars.

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Signs Tyre Sector Research Agreement

On October 15 Pirelli and the Politecnico di Torino, an institute specialising in engineering and related disciplines, signed a five-year framework agreement for joint research in the tyre sector. The agreement will see the Politecnico’s research infrastructure utilised and will have the aim of further developing manufacturing processes and products derived from Pirelli technology.

In the realm of processes, in particular, the research team will work on the future generation of MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System), the robotised manufacturing system patented by Pirelli, and of the CCM (Continuous Compound Mixing) method that allows for a continuous production of mixes. On the products front, Pirelli and Politecnico di Torino will focus on development of the Cyber Tyre, an “intelligent” tyre able to “dialogue” with the vehicle, thereby permitting greater road safety.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Modern Tyre Marks Tyre Safety Month With Charity Tyre Checks

Northern Ireland’s largest independent tyre retailer, Modern Tyre Service, has held a press conference at Belfast Castle in which the company detailed its support for tyre safety month. Modern Tyre Service is offering motorists throughout Northern Ireland a tyre safety and pressure check completely free of charge at any of its depots from Monday 15th of October to Friday 26th October. In addition to this they will be carrying out supermarket checks at Quays Shopping centre in Newry on Monday 22nd, Sprucefield Shopping Centre in Lisburn on Wednesday 24th and at the new ASDA store in Enniskillen on Friday the 26th.

As well as having the piece of mind of getting a free tyre inspection, Modern Tyre Service will donate £1.00 for every tyre check carried out to Cancer Research as October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Participants will be entered into a super free prize draw with the opportunity to win some Bridgestone Merchandise.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Aiming for 15 Million Tyres a Year in Poland

The previously reported Michelin expansion in Poland will see capacity at the company’s Olsztyn plant boosted to 15 million units a year, claims Deutsche Bank’s Equity Research division. This capacity will further be revised in the mid-term to 20 million units, making the facility in northeast Poland the tyremaker’s largest.

The reasoning behind the decision to expand in Poland at the expense of facilities in Western Europe becomes clear when viewing the relative costs of each region. In Western Europe, direct labour costs per passenger car tyre represents approximately 7.5 euros, or 15 per cent of its selling price. In Poland the same tyre can be manufactured for 1.7 euros, less than 4 per cent of the tyre’s retail price.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Norwich Union Supports Tyre Safety Month, 3mm Campaign

The UK’s insurance services provider, Norwich Union, has leant its support to the TyreSafe-initiated Tyre Safety Month campaign. As part of its press release aimed at raising awareness of winter driving campaign, Norwich Union also promoted 3mm tread depth. The insurer quoted research conducted by MIRA Ltd that shows that tyres with a 3mm tread have 25 per cent better performance than those at the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

11th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vicki Gets into Gear for Tyre Safety

UK online tyre retailer etyres has teamed up with Vicki Butler-Henderson – the face of Tyre Safety Month – to produce two tyre safety videos showing the dangers of driving on worn tyres. Both are now available to view on the eTyres website www.etyres.co.uk or through the TyreSafe website, www.tyresafe.org.

The dramatic videos, which were shot at the Motor Industry Research Association in Nuneaton, clearly and graphically depict how dangerous braking in the wet can be in a vehicle fitted with worn tyres. As Vicki says in the video, stopping on a wet road with 1.6mm tread can extend the braking distance by 8 metres compared with new tyres!

Research by TyreSafe has also shown that almost three quarters of all cars on the UK’s roads have tyres that are under-inflated, and during Tyre Safety Month the organisation seeks to hit home the message that vehicle handling can be adversely affected by under-inflated tyres, leading to a potential accident.

5th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors