Tyre News Media would like to mark the end of another year by thanking readers, contributors and industry partners for their support across what proved to be a period of significant transformation. From advances in digital traceability for end-of-life tyres to leadership transitions at major manufacturers, 2025 saw the sector embrace change at pace.
The most striking theme of the year was the practical application of digital tools across the supply chain. In October, Big Atom launched a voucher-based digital tracking platform designed to trace end-of-life tyres from removal through to verified processing, a development that aligns closely with the UK government's forthcoming digital waste tracking requirements.
By December, the scale of digital adoption became clearer still when Anyline confirmed it had surpassed 100 million digital tyre inspections worldwide, reflecting rapid uptake among retailers and service providers seeking to modernise customer engagement and streamline operations.
Safety and regulatory compliance remained prominent throughout the year. TyreSafe's 2025 Annual Review highlighted the effectiveness of cross-sector partnerships and enforcement initiatives in raising standards across the UK.
Looking ahead, the government's Digital Waste Tracking Service moved closer to full implementation, with mandatory use for receiving sites confirmed from October 2026, a change expected to reshape end-of-life tyre logistics and compliance practices significantly.
Manufacturers continued to push boundaries on lower-impact materials and high-profile deployments. Continental showcased sustainable tyres in the Tour de France support fleet in June, later detailing broader use of recycled inputs across its product range in October.
Performance testing also delivered headlines, with Bridgestone securing a trio of major European tyre-test wins in late October, demonstrating that sustainability and performance increasingly go hand in hand.
Corporate transformation provided another defining narrative. Continental confirmed that Christian Kötz will take over as chief executive on 1 January 2025, as the group completes its evolution into a tyres-focused business. Earlier structural changes within Continental's tyre division had already signalled a sharpening of operational focus. Vaculug announced two senior promotions effective 1 January 2026: Michael Evans becomes Commercial Director and Mark Holloway moves to Head of VMS, reflecting the company’s focus on commercial execution and its proprietary fleet management platform.
Across fleets, retail and manufacturing, the unifying theme was visibility, knowing where tyres are, how they perform and how they are recovered at end of life. "Better data now underpins better decisions, from procurement to recycling," one UK fleet manager told Tyre News Media during autumn interviews. In practical terms, that translates to tighter audit trails, clearer sustainability reporting and improved customer outcomes.
Tyre News Media itself evolved in 2025, adopting a more Europe-focused editorial approach and expanding coverage of sustainability and electric vehicle developments to reflect readers' priorities.
We would like to close the year by thanking everyone who read, shared and contributed throughout 2025, wishing the industry a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous start to 2026. Coverage will continue in the new year, reporting the stories that matter from factory floors to fleet depots and recycling centres across the sector.
Tagged with: tyre industry 2025, digital tyre tracking, end-of-life tyres, fleet tyre management, Vaculug promotions, Continental CEO, tyre safety, recycled materials, tyre test results, UK waste tracking, ELT compliance
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
