Springtime is often considered ideal for conferences, as the weather is usually favourable, and people are more likely to attend. Both were true for the recent Clemson University Tire Conference held in Greenville, South Carolina, in April.

Education program

Established in 1985 by Clemson University, this conference was originally hosted by professors at the School of Textiles. It began as an educational program primarily focused on manufacturing cords for vehicle tires. Over time, it has evolved into a two-day conference featuring industry experts presenting on a variety of tire industry topics and their impact on manufacturers, consumers, and the automotive sector, In 2025, the event included the following:

• Session 1 on road pavement and tires, focused on rubber-modified asphalt, an alternative to traditional road pavement material that is produced by mixing crumb rubber (the granules that result from grinding up whole end-of-life tires) with conventional asphalt, including the pros and cons of two traditional methods (dry and wet process).
• Session 2 (“Driving Towards Sustainability”) included a session on science-based targets for nature (the next big thing in goal setting: creating measurable, actionable, and time-bound goals to align actions with the planet’s limits and societal sustainability goals through scientific framework for reducing negative impacts on nature.) and a presentation from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association on the growing market of tire recycling and end-of-life tire solutions.
• Session 3 (“Improvements in Tire Technology”) included presentations on tire pavement interaction noise and mitigation, and Michelin’s drive to advance airless mobility for off-road and autonomous applications. The latest advancements in tire labeling and RFID technology were also presented.
• Dr. Scott Baier, a keynote speaker from Clemson University, spoke about the impact of tariffs on the tire and auto industry, including helping attendees understand the current landscape of tire exports and imports.
• Session 4 focused on smart tires and autonomous mobility and included speakers on tire designs for an autonomous future, and enhancing vehicle safety – a hybrid fusion approach for real-time tire/road friction estimation.

And because all work and no play can make for a dull conference, the Clemson conference held a networking event at a local brewing company; an open night to enjoy dining at a choice of downtown Greenville restaurants; a tour of the Clemson University International Centre for Automotive Research; and a tour of Clemson’s Connected Autonomy initiative—a collaborative effort among 15+ faculty showcasing the latest advancements in Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies.

Industry commitment

The Clemson Tire Conference stands as a testament to the industry’s commitment to innovation and collaboration. As the tire sector continues to grow and adapt to evolving challenges, this global event remains a vital platform for sharing knowledge, fostering partnerships, and shaping the future of tire technology, and a leading global event always worthwhile attending.