3 Factors that Have Made Tire Bead Wires Indispensable to the Automotive Industry

In 1888, John Dunlop designed and developed the first pneumatic tire for his son’s tricycle and patented the idea of pneumatic tires in the same year itself. However, Dunlop never imagined that pneumatic tire industry would expand to the scale that it is today. As years passed and the transportation industry grew, the need for developing pneumatic tires which could handle enormous loads was felt. Leading tire manufacturing companies, however, were skeptical as to the extent to which rubber tires alone could handle such a huge pressure. It was during this time that the idea of tire bead wires was conceived.

Tire bead wires have been an essential component for pneumatic tires ever since mass production of tires began in late 1900s. Pneumatic tires, by their very nature, need strong reinforcement so that they stay attached to the metal rim of the wheel and offer smooth locomotion. Tire bead wires perform this exact function of reinforcing the pneumatic tire on to the rim of wheel so that the wheel can withstand the vehicle load and ensure efficient mobility without the tire falling apart. Modern day tire bead wires are made from high-carbon, resilient steel which can hold together huge tires including that of trucks, tractors, buses, etc.

Factors Responsible for the Growing Importance of Tire Bead Wires

Over the years, due to the growing utility of tire bead wires in pneumatic tires, their demand has increased in a direct proportion to the growth of automotive industry. This direct correlation between the automobile industry and tire cords, according to a report published by Research Dive, is the biggest factor responsible for the surge in the global tire bead wire market. Moreover, the report also adds that since the automobile industry is booming in countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea, the tire bead wire market is expected to witness more growth in the Asia-Pacific region as compared to North America, Latin America, or even Europe.

Secondly, in the post-pandemic world, governments across the globe have been pumping money in their respective economies to revive the demand from the consumer side and bring the economy back on track. This, as per many leading economists, is extremely necessary as the private final consumption expenditure has plummeted during the pandemic on account of the lockdowns, and industries on their own cannot fuel the economy once again without government support. This increased government spending, especially on public infrastructure such as roads and highways is predicted to help logistics and transportation sector immensely which in turn is anticipated to push the automotive and tire cords industry as well.

Thirdly, as with many other sectors, the tire bead wire market is experiencing a new wave of innovative spirit which is helping the market to regain its lost ground during the pandemic. Leading players of tire cord industries such as Bekaert Lipetsk have invested heavily in design and development of steel cords that are more tensile, light weight, and more efficient. Now this design and development has far-reaching effects on the environment in general. The steel cord for tire reinforcement designed by Bekaert, due to its light weight and high load bearing capacity, reduces the fuel consumption of the vehicle which ultimately reduces the carbon emissions. Moreover, this tire bead wire has additional adhesive properties which reduces the use of cobalt in rubber tire production for effective grip. This further increases the eco-friendliness nature of this advanced tire cord.

In Summary

Though, the Covid-19 pandemic had disastrous effect on the tire bead wire market, the above-mentioned factors are sure, as per market analysts, to play a huge role in increasing the importance of tire cords in automotive industry. Moreover, the increasing popularity of electric vehicles is expected to boost the utility and demand of tire cord in e-mobility sector. Thus, due to these factors, coupled with the environment-friendly innovations done by the market players, tire bead wires have become indispensable to the automotive industry.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.