The tire industry lacks of the service provider in which the tire manufacturer could purchase all research activities. At the moment, the trend is that especially new tire companies want to outsource their R&D activities as their own R&D centre are not cost-effective. Furthermore, continuously increasing competition and new regulations force tire manufacturers to develop environmental-friendlier tires (lower fuel consumption, silence, etc.). This challenges R&D departments to create totally new innovations and methods. This kind of development work is expensive and time-consuming if it happens inside the tire companies in their individual laboratories. Moreover, the education of the rubber sector is rather small in Europe and a major part of training is carried out in the factories. This cause a situation that the R&D centres of the tire manufacturers endures lack of the latest development steps in science.
The overall objective of the project was to finalize and commercialize an innovative business model utilizing modern techniques and technology to perform objective, independent, and all-inclusive R&D services for tire manufacturers in all continents. The new service concept is seen important as the world relies heavily on the use of tires, which have a significant impact on all societies, economy and environment. The novel business concept provides real and measurable benefits for the customers, i.e. remarkable reduction in the development costs of new energy efficient and environmental friendly rubber materials, compounds and tires. Additionally, there will be indirect savings for society from reduced fuel consumption, increased safety and decreased environmental impact. Furthermore, the testing of tires and the reliability of the tests carried out by magazines have been on board in EU region recently. It has shown that it is impossible for consumers to get completely objective information with the current testing systems showing a need of independent testing services. This can be improved by creating an objective testing centre and testing practices.
