- Global market outlook for green tires
- Main drivers of green tire demand
- The automotive sector’s impact on new green tire development
- Current challenges to the tire industry
Cassie Zhao, Senior Consulting Analyst, Information Division, Smithers
Weidong li, male, born in 1966, graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University, Capital University of Economics and Business and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and obtained a bachelor of Engineering, a master of economics and a Doctor of philosophy degree. He is currently the president of China Tyre Retreading and Recycling Association and has served as deputy secretary general, Secretary general and vice president of China Association of Auctioneers. He has been engaged in economic and trade industry management for a long time, and has rich theoretical and practical experience in association construction and management.
Graduated from Tsinghua University, Automotive Engineering department. 31 years in automotive and components industry and over 19 years technical standards, regulations and product certification work experience. Since 2013, served Continental tire company as director of APAC Standards & Regulations.
The strategy of Sumitomo Rubber's material technology to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society will be introduced.
We will report our long-term policy for the period 2030 to 2050, involving the latest material trends in terms of replacing conventional materials with sustainable materials and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
In order to achieve the 2050 target of full carbon neutrality by 2050, Sumitomo Rubber will continue to reduce CO2 emission related to electric power consumption through ongoing energy saving activities as well as the introduction and expansion of cogeneration system and solar power.
The Sumitomo Rubber Group’s two tyre factories of Changshu and Hunan in China have obtained the green certificate and been now operating on 100 per cent renewably sourced energy since January 2021.
Solar power generators have also been installed in these factories.
It is expected to reduce CO2 emissions from tyre manufacturing processes by 70 per cent compared with 2021 levels.
Furthermore, Sumitomo Rubber is focusing on the hydrogen energy as a new sustainable energy source.
Sumitomo Rubber has been conducting a proof of concept at our Shirakawa Factory in Japan since August 2022.
The attempt will be expanded to other manufacturing process in Shirakawa Factory, other factories in Japan, and finally global factories, step by step.
After graduation in 2005, Hu was engaged in tire manufacturing, development and research in Wanli Tire, Geely, Baoneng Motor, and Xiaopeng Huitian. Now Hu mainly conducts research on tire vertical impact, dynamic compression, tire airworthiness and other related work. Hu Integrates the requirements of automobile tires and aviation tires, and develop flying car tires that can meet the requirements of airworthiness safety and automobile attributes at the same time.
He received a master's degree from Jilin University in 2017 and a doctor's degree from Jilin University in 2020. His main research interests include tire dynamics, vehicle dynamics, intelligent chassis, etc
From 2005 to 2010, Amy worked in Giti R&D Center as PCT PCR & Racing tire engineer. From 2010 to 2012, she joined Linglong R&D Center as International OE Department Manager. After that, Amy worked in Ford Research Engineering Center, served as Tire Supplier Technical Assistant Specialist (2012~2014) and Global Advanced Tire Core Specialist (2014~2018). Since 2018, Amy has been holding the position of Senior Technical Expert in Geely Research Engineering Center.
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Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Global Rubber Industries (GRI). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, UK, an MBA from the University of Wales, UK, and a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the University of Peradeniya.
With a distinguished career in leadership, Dr. Ranasoma has served as a board member of Hayleys PLC, Managing Director of Dipped Products PLC, and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Sri Lanka. This wealth of experience has granted him profound insights into various industries and corporate dynamics.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Dr. Ranasoma has made significant contributions to academia and research as a Senior Lecturer in Coastal Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he has worked as a Consultant in Environmental Management for the private sector and multiple donor-funded projects.
Dr. Ranasoma's unwavering commitment is geared in steering GRI in a path towards sustainability and championing a greener world. His leadership has seen GRI initiate various environmentally responsible practices, reflecting his vision for a sustainable rubber industry and a more eco-conscious global community. His continuous efforts inspire both GRI's workforce and the broader society, establishing him as a formidable advocate for a greener and more sustainable future.
Alex Lu joined Dow Corning in 2013 and is responsible for the development and application of silicone rubber products.
Involved in applications include printers, automobiles, consumer electronics, etc.
Related products include silicone rubber, liquid silicone rubber, fluorine silicone rubber and so on.
He graduated from East China University of Science and Technology with a master's degree in materials science.
Calvin graduated from Dalian University of Technology and got his MS degree. In the past 15 years, he worked in Michelin, ExxconMobil and Cabot. His expertise covers material and processing technology development, technical service, continuous improvement for tire manufacturing, and technology team management. He had given over 100 presentations in customer seminars or industry conferences. Calvin is now the applications development manager and lead scientist at Cabot Asia Technology Center.
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Gerald serves as the CEO of Agridence, a multistakeholder platform established in 2018 and backed by key shareholders including SGX (Singapore Exchange) and DBS Bank. Agridence is committed to sustainable agri-commodity procurement and trading. Drawing upon his family's rich history in the rubber industry, Gerald possesses a deep understanding of the entire supply chain, encompassing farmer/dealer engagement, plantation management, processing, sales, foreign exchange, and futures trading. His fluency in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Bahasa Indonesia, enables him to actively engage with diverse stakeholders, tailoring Agridence's product suite to meet their specific needs. Guided by firsthand experience and industry expertise, Gerald leads Agridence in delivering impactful solutions to the agri-commodities sector.
Petar is a highly accomplished commercialisation leader and bitumen expert with extensive experience in research, development, and commercialisation of sustainable road materials. He has led world-first research and development programs and sustainability projects, and successfully collaborated with industry and government stakeholders to trial and implement innovative road making materials. Petar has delivered expert technical consulting to organisations such as MRPV, Ecologiq, DAWE, LGA's and leading industry contractors, and has been responsible for changing specifications to allow increased use of sustainable materials in road construction. He is an expert in the design and development of process equipment and has a comprehensive understanding of fluids, emulsions, and rheological testing which have enabled him to design ad-hoc products for specialised clients such as airports, racetracks, ports and more.
General Manager of Smithers (Suzhou) Bachelor degree of Measurement & Control Technology and Instrument, Master degree of Business Administration. Henry has been working in tire & wheel testing industry as test Engineer, Lead Test engineer & Lead quality system. Main responsibility of Henry is Tire & wheel testing, data analysis, test method development, company operations & management.
Secretary General of the International Tire Dynamics Collaborative Innovation Alliance (TDA), Executive Chairman and Secretary General of the Fujian Automotive Industry Innovation Promotion Alliance, and Outstanding Scientific and Technological Talents in the Chinese Automotive Industry.
Adam McCarthy is the Secretary General of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) where he is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the organisation. Adam has spent his career in government affair and public policy at the European and Global levels. He holds a PhD in European Politics and is a duel Belgian/British national.
Howard Colvin has worked in the rubber industry for over 35 years as a chemist and a polymer scientist. He started his career in the Hydroquinone and Derivatives section in the Goodyear Chemical division, then moved on to the rubber chemicals group. He was in charge of the polymer group at the Goodyear Chemical Division for 13 years where he worked on new materials using emulsion and solution polymer technology. At Cooper Tire he led Cooper’s guayule rubber research program and led the research team who obtained a $6.9 million grant to study all phases of cultivation, harvesting, rubber isolation and tire building. Cooper built the world’s first all guayule tire in 2017.
He was Professor of Chemistry at Florida College for four years, and after returning to the tire industry, worked for the school as an adjunct professor of Biochemistry. He holds over 50 US patents and numerous foreign patents. He won the lifetime achievement Melvin Mooney award from the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society in 2020. He is now a consultant to the rubber industry and suppliers to that industry.