Future of Tire Manufacturing | TTI 2026 Insights

The first issue of Tire Technology International has been released, bringing together research expertise, industry news, and highlights from the Tire Technology Expo in Hannover.

One of the key features is the article by Trinity Francis, “Tire Building Machines (TBM).” In this piece, leading industry experts explore how tire-building machines may develop in the coming years. The Black Donuts team contributes to this discussion, sharing practical insights on manufacturing, automation, and the direction of tire production. In parallel, Black Donuts also addresses a topic gaining increasing attention across the industry: tire abrasion and wear, and its growing role in both performance and regulatory requirements.

Progress Over Disruption

As tire designs get more complex, the machines that make them must also improve. Experts believe the future of tire manufacturing will be shaped by steady progress rather than sudden changes. TBMs are being updated to handle new designs, materials, and higher performance standards. However, the basic design of tires and the machines that build them is not expected to change much soon. Instead, improvements are focused on:

Automation levels
Process consistency
Diagnostics and control
Cycle time efficiency

Automation

Automation is one of the most noticeable trends. Aki Nurminen, Solution Manager at Black Donuts, says tire manufacturing could use much less manual labor by 2040. This change affects not just production machines but also the whole factory, including logistics, material handling, storage, and transport.

Fully autonomous ‘dark factories’ are often mentioned, but they are still a long-term goal. Progress will likely be gradual, with improvements in both machines and supporting processes.

The Role of Data

Experts agree that data is central to progress. Automation and AI work best when they rely on:

Accurate data collection at the tire, machine, and factory levels
The ability to link process parameters to final tire performance
Reliable identification of defects and their root causes

AI is seen as a tool to help engineers analyze data, find problems, and better understand production over time. Without reliable and organized data, advanced automation cannot reach its full potential.

Materials and Construction

As tire designs change, manufacturers are also rethinking how tires are built. New reinforcement materials like aramid fibers could reduce the number of layers while keeping tires durable. Other methods, such as multi-component injection, are also being tested. These changes depend on how well they work in practice and how the materials perform.

Rethinking the Factory

Factory design and operations are changing too. Manufacturers are looking at smaller, more flexible setups, making products closer to where they are needed, and using just-in-time manufacturing.

There is also a strong effort to remove unnecessary steps, make production simpler, and boost efficiency.

You can read the article here: Building the Future

Abrasion and Wear

In another article, Dr Pranab Dey, Tire Compound Development Engineer at InTire Labs, points out that tire abrasion and wear are becoming increasingly important. They are no longer just about durability but are now closely tied to environmental concerns such as tire particle emissions and emerging regulations like Euro 7. From a technical perspective, tire wear is influenced by the rubber’s properties, the compound formulation, and operating conditions such as load and slip.

At the same time, laboratory testing does not fully reflect real-world conditions. There is a growing need for test methods that better reflect how tires are actually used.

You can read the article here: Tire Abrasion & Wear

In summary, manufacturing will keep improving step by step, and automation will spread throughout production. Data will become even more important for understanding processes, and material behavior will keep affecting performance and compliance. The tire itself might not change much, but the ways it is designed, made, and tested are becoming more connected and data-driven.

To read more expert opinions and detailed discussions, visit the Tire Technology International website and check out the full digital edition: Online Magazines

Q&A

What is the future of tire manufacturing?
The future of tire manufacturing is focused on gradual improvement, increased automation, better data usage, and closer integration between materials, design, and production.

How are tire building machines evolving?
Tire building machines are evolving through improved automation, process control, diagnostics, and the ability to handle more complex materials and designs.

Why is tire abrasion and wear important?
Tire abrasion and wear are increasingly important due to their impact on environmental performance and regulatory requirements, including tire wear particle emissions.

Will tire factories become fully automated?
Full automation is a long-term goal. Current developments focus on increasing automation across logistics, material handling, and production processes.