Michelin, Sumitomo boast tire-wear performance in German study

MUNICH—Resistance to wear and the generation of rubber-particle emissions are now key performance criteria for tire manufacturers—as evidenced by recent announcements from Michelin and Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

Both manufacturers referenced a testing program involving almost 100 different summer and winter tires, conducted by the Munich-based German Automobile Club (ADAC).

For the tests, ADAC subjected tires to 15,000 km (9,320 miles) of real-life driving on a mixture of urban, country and motorway roads to calculate the life of the tire.

Data on abrasion rates, tread depth when new and the amount of material shed by the tires was used to evaluate performance.

Tire performance characteristics were also assessed to give a clear understanding of any compromises which may be involved in choosing a more "environmentally-friendly" tire.

In a press release, Michelin claimed to have emerged as "clear leader" in the ADAC tests

"In almost every case, Michelin tires emerged on top for low particulate levels (and) performed consistently well in all safety tests, wet and dry, and worn," the French tire maker said in a Jan. 11 statement.

The results, it said, not only related to generating very low levels of tire particulates but also for "strong performances in safety tests."

"Amongst the 15 tire manufacturers tested, Michelin, with an average tire abrasion of just 90 g per 1,000 km, was shown to be 'way ahead of the competition,'" it said.

According to Michelin, its Cross Climate+ (185/65 R15) offered the lowest abrasion rate of any tire tested at just 58 g/1000 km.

Meanwhile, Sumitomo Rubber said its Falken Azenis FK510 and Ziex ZE310 Ecorun tires had received top ratings in ADAC's wear treading study.

Falken Azenis FK510 tires produced the fewest wear particles for its size and received the top rating for wear resistance among tires of size 225/40R18, Sumitomo reported Jan. 28.

Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun tires came third in products of size 185/65R15, the Japanese group further pointed out.

European Rubber Journal will report further on this topic via ERJ Online and in the March/April 2022 edition of the European Rubber Journal magazine.