The OnTrack Project

OnTrack is a new generation of RFID (UHF/NFC) tags offering tyre traceability, based on unique flexible printed electronic solutions that are specifically designed to be integrated into the tyre rubber during the moulding and vulcanisation process using materials compatible with tyres and their manufacturing process. We use cutting edge technology to make light, flexible and robust tags can be installed in tyres.

Europe’s tyre manufacturing and re-treading industries are under increasing threat from imported tyres mainly from China. The EU re-treading industry is valued at €1.2bn (2015) but is declining due to the influx of Chinese tyres leading to the loss of highly-skilled jobs.

The low-cost imported tyres cost on average €80 per tyre, compared to €300-500 from a premium manufacturer. The temptation to buy these low-cost tyres is clear, however they are manufactured from poor quality materials with tread patterns that underperform.

The ethos of cheap tyres is ‘use and replace’, whereas premium tyres are built to be retreaded to increase lifetime. As a result, imported tyres are not cost effective over the lifetime of the tyres due to poor fuel economy and performance. Use of premium tyres and re-treading over the use and replace model needs to be encouraged to increase safety and fuel efficiency.

OnTrack is the only tyre traceability solution that offers NFC – empowering employees to interrogate tyres with just a smartphone. We have a clear market opportunity with OnTrack to supply up to 40m tags/annum to a single tyre manufacturer.