Ahead of this year's Sustainability in Tires 2024, we spoke with Dr. Ting Xu, Head of the Intelligent New NPT R&D Team at Ji Hua Laboratory, to get a sneak peek of what we can expect from her presentation on 'Energy-saving and environmentally friendly high-performance non-pneumatic tires - more possibilities for future mobility.' Here's what she had to say…



Q1. Your presentation topic is " Energy-saving and environmentally friendly high-performance non-pneumatic tires - more possibilities for future mobility." Could you briefly outline the key points you will focus on in your presentation?

The main content of the presentation includes: the definition of non-pneumatic tires, the current status of global research and development on non-pneumatic tires, the advantages and application scenarios of non-pneumatic tires, the core technologies involved, product layout, as well as market size and future outlook for non-pneumatic tires. As a revolutionary new technology, the key interests likely revolve around how non-pneumatic tires can address pain points in the tire industry, the priority areas for their initial application, and the benefits they bring to these fields.

Q2. In the context of sustainable development, what impact do you think non-pneumatic tires could have on the industry?

1. Non-pneumatic tires have a larger contact area and more evenly distributed ground pressure, resulting in superior wear resistance. Even after damage, non-pneumatic tires can maintain excellent driving performance and are also retreadable. Overall, their lifespan is three times that of traditional pneumatic tires.
  
2. Globally, approximately 200 million tires are prematurely discarded each year due to punctures, road hazards, or uneven wear caused by improper inflation. Non-pneumatic tires can mitigate these risks, significantly reducing the number of discarded tires.

Thus, the extended lifespan and lower discard rate of non-pneumatic tires can decrease the overall consumption of raw materials and energy in tire production, supporting the tire industry's path towards sustainable development.

Q3. What are the most prominent topics in the tire industry currently, and how might these factors affect the future of the tire value chain?

In my view, the tire industry is primarily focused on the implementation of innovative technologies to drive transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development. This approach can help reduce negative impacts such as excessive competition and price wars within the entire value chain, infusing new vitality into the tire industry.

Q4. What are you most looking forward to at Sustainability in Tires 2024?

The development and commercialization of non-pneumatic tire technology require the involvement and support of the entire value chain, including raw material suppliers, tire manufacturers, and vehicle manufacturers. I look forward to engaging in in-depth discussions about the future of non-pneumatic tires with like-minded colleagues at this summit, and I hope to establish connections that will lay the groundwork for future collaborations.