In just a couple of weeks, global leaders from throughout the tyre industry will gather in Hannover for this year’s Tyre Technology Expo. As attendees walk the floor and sit in on the insightful talks and panel sessions from industry peers during the conference, one topic is set to come up again and again – connected tyres.

Driven by the impending EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulation – which is set to make item-level digital identification for all tyres a legal requirement as early as 2027 – tyre manufacturers must find an interoperable, scalable solution for storing and sharing data.

As tyre manufacturers prepare for incoming legislative requirements, many are also considering how the solution they choose can be a key strategic differentiator for their product. One such solution is RAIN RFID, which uses small electronic tags attached to or implanted within the tyre that transmit stored information when scanned. This provides each tyre with a machine-readable unique identifier, as well as a host for its core composition and origin data. In doing so, this allows users to identify, locate, authenticate, and engage with each tyre seamlessly and securely.

So, how does RAIN technology differentiate itself from other connected tyre solutions, and how will this shape conversations at Tyre Technology Expo?

The Unique Needs of Tyres

While there are several different DPP data carriers on the market, the tyres industry presents unique challenges that manufacturers cannot ignore. Tyres must withstand years of high-speed movement, regular impact with debris on the road surface, and a whole host of different environmental conditions. The durability of RAIN tags provides trust to manufacturers that the tag can remain readable not just when it first leaves the factory, but at the point it needs retreading, at the end of its life, and at any point in between.

This resilience can be a key factor in helping keeping drivers safe on the road. Structured, computerized inspection processes that leverage RAIN RFID data allow for the condition of the tyre to be carefully monitored in a fast, efficient way. Additionally, thanks to the unique identifiers on each tyre, even within a set bought together, the tyres can be properly rotated to help ensure wear and tear is even, maximizing their lifespan.

Delivering A Sustainable Tyres Ecosystem

The first phase of the European Commission’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is set to come into effect in 2027, and tyres are included in the list of priority product groups for DPP data. Once in effect, this will mandate that each tyre has data on its origins, composition, and recyclability available on demand to support the growth of a seamless circular economy.

Those that choose RAIN RFID as their connected tyre data carrier are already well prepared for this legislation. As one of the carriers identified by CEN/CENELEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 24, RAIN tags in tyres are primed to share the required DPP traceability and transparency data. This will enable efficient retreading, enhanced recycling, and in the event of a product recall, RAIN technology provides each item with a unique identifier, meaning only those tyres from the faulty batch need taking out of circulation, minimizing waste.

Standardization Provides The Map To Interoperability

For the connected tyre ecosystem to be practical and profitable, interoperability between all stakeholders is essential. Within its lifespan, the data stored on a tyre may be accessed by the original manufacturers encoding and reading tags in production, logistics operators transporting them from the factory to the garage, retreaders and mechanics updating service records, and recyclers at the end of the tyre’s life.

Delegates from each of these groups will be at Tyre Technology Expo asking a very similar question: How can I ensure tyre data is both accessible and interoperable, while preserving my business’s confidential product information?

Trusted industry standards provide a roadmap for all stakeholders that ensures their compliant tyre solutions are interoperable with those of their peers throughout the ecosystem. This means that tags in a tyre made by a manufacturer can integrate seamlessly with other systems from different manufacturers throughout the entyre supply chain. Meanwhile, standardized data protocols mean that core information can be correctly accessed and interpreted by all those that need it, facilitating faster data exchanges at a lower cost and with reduced errors.

Innovation Through Collaboration

Building a holistic connected tyres ecosystem that is accessible for all stakeholders must be a key priority for 2026. Regulatory momentum, market pressure, and technology availability are coming together to create the conditions needed to scale. Delegates at Tyre Technology Expo must consider the importance of this being done as a harmonized collective underpinned by standards, rather than the industry fragmenting into incompatible proprietary solutions.

The RAIN Alliance and the RAIN Alliance Tyres Workgroup focuses on creating standards that drive collective progress. Working with groups throughout the value chain to align on needs and best practices, the RAIN Alliance is committed to supporting connected tyres deployments that help transform innovation into scalable adoption.

We are looking forward to being a part of the conversations happening at Tyre Technology Expo this March. Don’t miss the chance to connect with our members on site at the event:

  • Bekaert (Stand: C150)
  • Beontag (Stand: 9086)
  • BKT (Stand: C504)
  • Fisher TireTech (Stand: 8080)
  • Hana (Stand: 4006)
  • Murata (Stand: 4050)
  • Perfect ID (Stand:  5001)
  • Siemens (Stand: C410)

Interested in contributing to the work of our Tyres Working Group? Learn more here.