Sumitomo Rubber Aims for 2027 Launch of ‘Active Tread’ Technology in Europe

Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) is planning to introduce its ‘active tread’ technology in the European market by 2027. This innovative technology is designed to control the movement of polymers in the rubber by incorporating two ‘switches’ that respond to changes in road surface conditions. The ‘water switch’ replaces part of the covalent bonds between polymers with ionic bonds, which dissociate when exposed to water, making the rubber surface softer and improving grip on wet roads. The ‘temperature switch’ is based on a material that combines hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions at low temperatures, while separating them at high temperatures, enabling the material to remain softer at low temperatures and improving grip on icy road surfaces. Dunlop Tyre Europe has confirmed that tires equipped with this technology are expected to reach the European market from 2027, although the first product to feature the technology has not been decided yet. SRI has also confirmed that Dunlop-branded tires have been supplied in Europe under the company’s brand ownership since the start of the year, with the first SRI-developed Dunlop tire for the region, the Blue Response TG, launched this spring.