Some unprecedented trends emerged from the tire industry in 2015.
Smart tire, self-repairing tire became new favorites of tire companies; Chinese producers made breakthrough in aerotire; run flat tires were spread all over the country; and emerge of new tire materials excited the entire industry again and again.
The industry holds that under the new technological trends, tire companies shouldn’t stick in the mud, but follow the trends.
1. Utilization of smart tires
Smart tires refer to those with computer chips installing inside the tires, or connecting with the casing. They are capable of monitoring and adjusting the temperature, pressure, and condition of the tires during the driving, thus improving safety of tires.
Industrial experts say that although smart tires are a development trend in the future, there are no criterion about smart tires so far, which should be dealt with as soon as possible.
2. Penetration of run flat tires
Run flat tires have been widely used in vehicles today on the basis of the unique feature. But they are criticized by drivers for noise and discomfort.
3. Tire labeling law promoting green development of tires
As the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations launched by the U.S., the tire labeling law adopted by the European Union had scared many Chinese manufacturers.
Today, China adopts self-regulatory rules over green tires and the mandatory labeling acts for green tires will be implemented by 2017.
General implementation of tire labeling laws in foreign countries will in turn force Chinese tire makers accelerating the production and deployment of green tires.
Industry analysts reckon that green tires in China are in the phase of introduction, consumers and some producers still consider green tires as a fashionable concept without enough emphasis.
There is a long way for green tires to become really popular.
4. Breakthrough of China’s aerotire technology
Aerotires have been monopolized by foreign tire giants for years, but the situation has been changing. Chinese producers achieved many breakthroughs in technology, raw materials, production, and distribution channels of aerotires.
Analysis goes that under present industrial crisis, developing aerotire will help domestic rubber, tire companies expand the application fields of their products and enhance their competitiveness.
5. Emerge of new materials
Tire companies never stop looking for substitutes for natural rubber.
As the emergence of new materials such as taraxacum rubber, gutta percha and guayule rubber, large tire companies rushed into developing new materials.
Industry insiders warn that companies should prevent the industry trapping into difficulty after mass investment in the production of gutta percha.
6. Automation of tire industry
Today, automation and intellectualization are no longer patents of foreign tire companies. Leading Chinese tire companies have all started their attempts on automatic, intelligent tire production.
Industry experts say automation of tire production will boost technological innovation and management innovation, making a shift from traditional development mode that depends on low-cost labors.
7. Self-repairing tire technology becoming mature
The latest outcome of the self-repairing tire technology is adding carbo-nitrides in rubber tires to repair damaged polymer chain. In this way, a tire is capable of repairing itself a few hours after a blowout.
Industry insiders think the self-repairing tires will not be widely used in too many vehicle models in the short term because of high expenses.
8. Popularity of non-air tire
Since the presence of the first non-air tire by Michelin in 2005, the tire type has become increasingly popular.
Over the past few years, the number of patent applications for non-air tires increased rapidly by an increasing number of tire producers, suggesting greater emphasis laid by the industry. But Chinese tire companies showed little interests in the field.
Industry analysts hold that non-air tire is not flawless. Once a foreign body enters the tire, the braced structure is easily damaged. In addition, non-air tire cannot bear heavy loads or high speed.
9. Increasing tire proving grounds
Tire proving grounds have become an important means for the application of new tire technology and the development of new products, as well as one of the indices of a country’s tire production and development.
But some industry insiders worry that it is hard to say whether the proving grounds will meet required technological standards, or whether the international market will accept the results.
10. Faster elimination of bias tires
During the 2011-2015 period, Chinese market accelerated the elimination of bias tires. An industry insider discloses that bias tires will only be used by forestry machinery, industrial vehicles, special-purpose vehicles, and some other specific areas, and the market will shrink further.
