Article published in May/June issue of ERJ
Reifen 2016 will mark a time of change for the organisers of the biennial tire trade show, set to take place on 24-27 May in Essen, Germany; as they prepare to move the trade show to co-locate with Automechanika Frankfurt for 2018.
This year’s show, which again is co-located with RubberTech Europe, is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors and over 650 exhibitors from 130 countries, according to the show organisers.
The trade show aims to cover the “entire value added chain” of the tire sector, with exhibitors involved in pre-production, through to manufacturing and trading, all the way to retreading and recycling.
Among the top exhibitors are the 20 largest tire manufacturers, including Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental and Hankook, as well as well-known accessory brands such as Ronal, BBS and Momo.
Bridgestone will be introducing its “game-changing” A-rated DriveGuard runflats, which are designed to sustain “virtually all types of tire damage and can be fitted to most cars with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)”.
Also in the extended mobility field, Chinese tire-maker Maxxis has joined the aftermarket runflat race with its M36+ tire, which has been available in China for the last two years.
And, South Korean Hankook is showcasing its Sealguard and sound absorber technologies this year, in what it describes as a response to market demand for quality and affordability.
In the retreading segment, VMI, Marangoni, Galgo Pre Q, Elgi Rubber and Matteuzzi are on the list of exhibitors this May.
From the machinery sector, major Dutch player VMI will introduce the automatic pre-cured tread applicator Retrax builder at the show.
The latest Retrax machine version features a single-machine layout combining cushion gum extruder, automatic tread applicator and automatic stitcher form.
Automatic alignment of the tread on the casing and the automatic and balanced stretching provide a matching splice and high quality, says VMI.
Elsewhere, China-headquartered TPMS aftermarket supplier, Hamaton, is introducing its OE-R sensors, which are direct replacements of OE sensors. Hamaton says it has identified the most widely-used OE sensors, and now offers a selection of programmed replacements.
Wholesalers including Interpneu, Heuver, Deldo and Inter-Sprint, will be joined at Reifen by major wheel rim manufacturers, garage equipment suppliers, specialists for retreading and tire dealers.
Despite the expected high turnout and the technology fanfare, organisers of the event are convinced that time has come to change the “classical tire fair” model.
RubberTech Europe, which is accompanying Reifen for a second time, expects to have 60 exhibitors, according to organisers Chinese United Rubber Corp. The event, it said, is part of an international expo series that provides “significant value added” to the Chinese tire and rubber sector.
The range on offer at RubberTech Europe consists of products and services for everything to do with tire construction, design and fabrication as well as for optimised tire production.
RubberTech Europe also aims to raise the bar this year, with leading elastomer manufacturer, the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), confirming its participation.
This year’s Reifen is also co-located with the two-day Future Tire Conference organised by European Rubber Journal.
The conference, set for 24-25 May, will bring together a host of experts and high-ranking officials, from tire makers, their materials and technology suppliers and industry bodies to study the latest business, technical and regulatory developments in tire production and recycling.
As tire-makers set to meet higher automotive industry demands, Future Tire will look into the information gap between car-makers and tire-manufacturers in the high-tech world of modelling and design simulation.
Meanwhile, the Reifen show, as with previous stagings of the event, will hold an industry awards ceremony in four categories: technology and products; service concepts and process optimisation; environmental and resource conservation; and motor vehicle service.
The awards will be presented 23 May on the eve of the opening of Reifen 2016, RubberTech Europe and the Future Tire Conference at Messe Essen.