You may think that the current concern over producing environmentally friendly tyres is a new phenomenon, but not so. Michelin have been marketing “green” tyres since 1992. Over the last 16 years Michelin have sold 600 million green tyres, saving over 9.8 billion litres of fuel and avoiding the emission of 24 million tonnes of CO2.

Burgeoning fuel costs are affecting the global economy, but Michelin claim that their eco-friendly tyres are reducing costs and limiting environmental damage. Michelin’s aim is to design tyres that offer reduced fuel costs, and low environmental impact, while maintaining performance and safety levels.

In preparation for winter, Maxxis is releasing a range of winter tyres to suit all motorists’ needs. The tyres utilize Maxxis’ soft-tread compound and a tread design for improved water, snow and slush dispersal.

For passenger cars the company offers the MA-W1 Wintermaxx, which gives a quiet ride and excellent traction in snowy conditions. The tyre footprint is designed for stable handling and optimized braking in wet, icy or snowy weather, while the zigzag tread pattern gives excellent water and snow dispersal.

For more extreme conditions Maxxis offer the MA-SPW Presa Wintermaxx. Stud pin holes in the tyre offer the possibility of extra grip in the worst of conditions. There is also a tyre suited to those who may want to drive off-road in harsh weather. The MA-SW Victra Snow, for 4×4 drivers, has a zigzag tread pattern for stable steering and excellent snow removal.

A German company, ProContour, has released a laser tread-depth measuring system that can read the tread depth of moving cars. With one third of British cars running on dangerously worn tyres this device could have a serious impact on road safety.

The fact that the German police have expressed an interest in the machinery could set alarm bells ringing for motorists. In years to come we may have to be on the look-out for more than just speed cameras. However, the system could well be put to use in less alarming ways. The device could be installed in fleet depots to monitor the condition of fleet vehicles. It could also be used by tyre retailers who could set up in car parks, and then offer new tyres to any motorists whose tyres are diagnosed as being dangerously worn.

The system, which was awarded a mark of distinction at the Reifen 2008 Innovation Awards, works on the principle of laser triangulation. The manufacturers see the device making a significant contribution to increasing road safety.

According to ProContour, over the past year more than 1200 accidents in Germany resulting in injury or death were attributable to sub-standard tyres. Their research has shown that worn tyres are the leading cause of traffic accidents in Germany, and other research points to this being the case in many other countries, including the UK.

The system, which measures the tread depth on moving vehicles, would facilitate the collection of data concerning dangerously worn tyres, and would raise awareness of the problem. ProContour claim that this would result in a significant reduction in accidents, injuries and deaths.

Car insurance company “More Than” has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting greener driving styles. The scheme, which uses in-car telemetry developed in Formula 1 racing, is designed to encourage motorists to drive in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The system, known as Green Wheels, is designed to help motorists understand how their driving style affects fuel consumption. Drivers will learn about their habits regarding braking and acceleration, and will have their use of their vehicle summarized, showing the types of journeys they take on a regular basis. More Than hopes that this information will influence the way motorists drive, and help them to reduce their carbon footprint.

Product Director at More Than, Dowshan Humzah, commented: “Green Wheels is great news for anyone interested in taking more responsibility for their own carbon ‘tyre-print.’ Furthermore, by helping motorists drive more efficiently the ‘Green Box’ can also help cut the cost of motoring which, with fuel prices rising, is top of many motorists’ agendas”.

Green Wheels incorporates what is known as “Green Box” technology. This involves fitting a small device to the car’s engine management system, which monitors the driver’s driving style and then transmits the information to More Than’s new website. The information can then be accessed by motorists, helping them to improve their driving style. Their driving style is then rated on a scale of A to G, and they can gain further information to help improve their driving.

Heikki Kovalainen and McLaren took first spot in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Felipe Massa seemed to have the race won until his Ferrari suffered engine failure four laps from the finish. Timo Glock of Toyota claimed his first ever podium spot with an impressive second place. Kimi Raikkonen showed a return to form by taking third place. Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a third successive F1 win were dashed after he suffered a puncture. He recovered from the set back to finish fifth, and in doing so cemented his pole position in the Driver’s Championship table.

Ferrari remains on top of the Constructors’ Championship, with an 11 point lead.

Hankook tyres have announced plans to increase its annual research spending to 12.5 million euros. This money will be used to fund research into eco-friendly tyre technology.

Environmental friendliness is high on the agenda for all tyre producers, and Hankook’s announcement is a reflection of that fact. All the major tyre companies are vying with one another to develop low rolling-resistance tyres in an attempt to cut fuel consumption. The other area of concern is to develop sustainable, eco-friendly systems for tyre production.

This new figure represents an increase of 350 percent on the Korean tyre giant’s annual spending on R&D. The sum represents 0.5 percent of Hankook’s annual revenue. The company’s commitment to environmentally friendly tyres and tyre production was further highlighted by the prominence given to their eco-tyre, the Optimo 4S, at the recent tyre fair in Essen. (See ETyres News 20.6.08)

In the immediate future Hankook is looking forward to the international launch of its newest tyre, known as the enfren range. This tyre utilizes a new silica compound and structure in order to optimize low rolling-resistance. These new features are referred to as “Kontrol Technology” which, the Koreans claim, can reduce fuel consumption by 16 percent.

Speaking of the new tyre and the research funding announcement Executive Vice President and European COO, Seung-Do Jin, said, “Our goal is to develop tyres that offer maximum environmental protection without compromising quality, performance and safety. This is the central concept behind Kontrol Technology. “Technology is at the heart of everything we do and this investment represents our commitment and desire to lead the creation and development of next generation, high-performing environmental tyres.”

Goodyear Tyres has announced radical changes in its production struture, which are a reflection of the difficulties facing tyre producers in the current climate. Goodyear has announced the closure of a number of tyre plants around the world, with the suggestion that more cuts are in the pipeline.

At present, the tyre market is extremely competitive. Growth has stagnated while production costs have risen. This has prompted Goodyear to undertake a radical plan to minimise costs. Plants across North America and Canada will be closed this week as part of this cost cutting exercise. Tom Hogeboom, spokesman for Goodyear, announced that the strategy made sound economic sense, “The week includes Canada Day and Independance Day, when production tends to drop anyway. It’s not a decision we take lightly, but the marketplace is telling us it’s something we have to do”.

Goodyear has also announced that it will be closing its tyre plant in Somerton, north of Melbourne, Australia, in an attempt to cut costs. This will reduce the company’s capacity by 3 million tyres per annum, and will bring with it cost savings of US$35m. 587 workers will be made redundant. The company has announced that it plans to reduce high-cost capacity by 25m units, with concommitant savings of US$150m.

Goodyear will then divert funds to more cost-effective areas of production. 4 plants in the US are to be refurbished at a cost of $700m, over the next five years. Goodyear are also set to invest between 1 and 1.3 billion dollars over the next three years to develop production in more cost-effective countries, such as China and Brazil.

All of this had a serious impact on Goodyear’s share price. Shares in the giant tyre company fell by 11.2 percent, to their lowest price since 2006, in response to the announcements.

Tyre manufacturers Goodyear Dunlop are planning to raise £50,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. In order to raise the cash thirteen of the company’s employees are embarking on a four day, 320 mile bike ride.

The money raised will fund a specialist play area for the Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and the efforts of the 13 cyclists will take Goodyear Dunlop well on the way to the projected target.

Corporate Fundraiser Manager for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Fidelis Hynam, explained the importance of the project, saying “there is currently no suitable outside play area for these patients and they desperately need somewhere where they can let off steam, use up their energy and forget their health worries in a safe and fun environment”. Hynam praised Goodyear’s contribution to the project, saying, “Goodyear Dunlop is committed to raising the much needed funds to make the play area a reality, and staff are really going that extra mile to help - literally!”

Kez Panchal, one of the ride’s organisers stated, “The whole of Goodyear Dunlop is behind the Birmingham Children’s Hospital for it has personal connections to many of the employees. The bike ride is going to be tough, but it will be worth every mile if it means we take a step closer to raising the £50,000.”

The cycle ride will begin at the company’s head office in Erdington on 18th September, and all funds raised will be donated to the CAMHS appeal.

The famous Goodyear chimney, for so long an iconic landmark in Wolverhampton, was demolished last month, and the company are now planning to sell of the tower’s coloured bricks to raise money for cancer care charity MacMillan Nurses.

1,000 people turned out to witness the demolition of the 150 foot tower. Afterwards Goodyear salvaged 350 multi-coloured bricks from the chimney, and these will be offered for sale, with blue bricks costing £2, yellow £5 and the rarer two-tone bricks valued at £10.