BKT has analysed the main trends that will shape the future of agricultural tires, matching the expectations of leading tractor and farm machinery manufacturers. (Image source: BKT)

BKT, as a leading Off-Highway tire manufacturer is pursuing its goal of bringing to life high-performance tires that meet stringent application standards and sustainability criteria

Traditional farming techniques are being overtaken by more efficient and productive operations, partly thanks to the arrival of Agriculture 4.0 applications. These include precision farming, IoT sensors, crop monitoring drones, as well as an entire series of devices and technologies that allow for 360-degree process optimisation. A new scenario where sustainability is at the center of this transformation process. BKT has analysed the main trends that, according to the company, will shape the future of agricultural tires, matching the expectations of leading tractor and farm machinery manufacturers. 

Sustainability and environmentally sustainable materials 

There is a growing industry focus on biodegradable or recycled materials, making sustainability a priority for original equipment. As a response to this trend, tire manufacturers will increase their focus on the use of materials such as natural rubber or recycled compounds to reduce the environmental footprint. Also, the tire design will be conceived with due regard for improved fuel efficiency and thus to lower emissions.

Smart tires and IoT integration 

Next-generation tires will gradually integrate IoT sensors for real-time communication of pressure, wear, and performance data, also preventing maintenance interventions for reduced downtime. Moreover, the sensors will be able to provide relevant information on soil conditions, temperature, and load in view of optimising overall performance and farming yields.

Endurance and durability 

Increasing operational complexity requires ever stronger and more durable solutions. That is why compounds, tread design, and sidewalls will be optimised for an enhanced product life-cycle and increased product suitability for both traditional and modern practices.

Advanced manufacturing techniques 

On the production side, too, we will witness the advancement of cutting-edge techniques, such as 3D printing, which would greatly accelerate a tire’s time-to-market while increasing their customization, thus meeting the specific needs of individual operators in a targeted manner.

Customisation and adaptability 

It is quite likely that in the future we will experience increasing flexibility and modularity of tires, which would then be able to easily adjust tire features according to the season, type of application, and field conditions. Hybrid tires will also gain ground and be able to handle a wide range of agricultural tasks, leading to greater versatility.

Hence, the future of the tire industry, notably the premium tire industry, will therefore be increasingly influenced and determined by the ongoing advancement of technology and an increased focus on sustainability and crop protection. Future-oriented manufacturers like BKT, who make performance, durability, and the environment three main pillars of continuous improvement, will be emerging with a view to growth and their ability to meet the complex needs of modern manufacturers.

The ARA sprayer now supports over 20 crop algorithms, offering unmatched precision. (Image source: Ecorobotix)

Swiss Certified B Corporation and sustainable Agtech leader, Ecorobotix recently announced 10 new beta crop algorithms for its AI Plant-by-Plant software

These algorithms which are now available for testing by ARA users, help in enhancing the ARA ultra-high precision sprayer's capabilities, thereby broadening the range of supported crops and enabling more farmers to reduce plant protection products and advance sustainable practices. Ecorobotix's latest software update (5.01) can be used for a wide variety of crops including broccoli, cauliflower, cotton, soy, sweetcorn and dicot weeds in wheat among others. 

Clients with an ARA sprayer can access these crop algorithms free of charge for a limited time. While still under refinement, they allow users to contribute valuable feedback for improving agronomic performance. By using these beta features, farmers gain early access to innovative tools while supporting the evolution of our precision technology. These solutions have been optimised to deliver exceptional accuracy across diverse field conditions, reducing chemical use while maintaining effective crop care. The Carrot and Dock + Thistle (for Grasslands) algorithms, successfully beta-tested in 2024, are now available as paid features. 

The ARA sprayer now supports over 20 crop algorithms, offering unmatched precision for herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilisers, and bio stimulants. With up to 95% reduction in chemical use, the technology empowers farmers to achieve sustainable practices without compromising productivity. Flexible alternatives like the All-Green or Row algorithms are available for crops not yet covered.

Ecorobotix’s innovations are now accessible in 15 European countries including Canada, South America, the US and New Zealand, expanding sustainable farming solutions globally.

These awards recognise the most innovative designs in engineering products or systems for the food and agriculture industries. (Image source: New Holland)

New Holland Agriculture recently announced that it has been honored with three prestigious AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)

These awards recognise the most innovative designs in engineering products or systems for the food and agriculture industries. New Holland's IntelliSense Bale Automation, CropSpeed Monitoring System, and UltraFeed Pickup have each been acknowledged for their groundbreaking contributions to agricultural technology.

IntelliSense Bale Automation: Revolutionising Baling Efficiency 

The IntelliSense Bale Automation system has set a new standard in the large square baler industry. This cutting-edge technology for New Holland’s BigBaler range offers the potential for greater productivity, bale quality, fuel efficiency and operator comfort by automating key baler and tractor functions. It integrates SmartSteer swath guidance and IntelliCruise II speed control, utilising LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology to provide precise navigation and real-time adjustments. Farmers have underlined the system's ability to automate feedrate and swath guidance, which significantly reduces operator fatigue and increases efficiency.

CropSpeed Monitoring System: Enhancing Crop Management

The CropSpeed Monitoring System featured on the FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled forage harvesters is the first system of its kind in the industry, and it’s based around a spout-mounted radar sensor that monitors the crop flow leaving the machine, detecting any change in its rate in relation to the forage harvester’s forward speed. Operators using the system have the potential to reduce blockage likelihood and make dense blockage far less likely to occur in the machine, with the cleanout and work resumption being far faster. This system also helps less-experienced operators operate with more confidence to ensure they can maximize the output of the FR Forage Cruiser with minimum operator training before getting in the seat.

UltraFeed Pickup: Maximising Forage Harvester Productivity

The UltraFeed Pickup head is designed to enhance the performance of New Holland's FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled forage harvesters. Presented in 3.0 m, 3.5 m and 4.0 m working widths, the UltraFeed Pickup efficiently handles larger windrows and improves crop flow through the harvester. Its robust belt-driven driveline and innovative auger design ensure increased capacity, uptime, and service life. The UltraFeed Pickup also features a large roller windguard and optional auto greasing system, further optimising productivity and reducing maintenance. The AE50 Awards will be presented at the Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC), which is scheduled to take place from 9-12 February 2025, in Louisville. This event will celebrate the most innovative designs in agricultural engineering, including New Holland's award-winning technologies.

The acquisition of Merec Industries is Invictus Investment’s second major transaction in Africa. (Image source: Invictus Investment)

Leading agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa, Invictus Investment Company Plc recently announced it has completed the acquisition of Merec Industries, Mozambique’s largest flour milling company

The deal was made through the purchase of Merec Industries’ holding entity, Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, Mauritius, from current shareholders Amethis Fund II and Merec Financial.

Merec Industries is a market leader with strategically located mills, production facilities and silos, along with a strong portfolio of leading food brands. The company operates state-of-the-art milling facilities with a total production capacity of more than 800,000 MT of wheat and corn flour per annum. It also has processing facilities for over 180,000 MT of pasta, biscuits and animal feed per annum, as well as grain silos with a total storage capacity of more than 145,000 MT. The company’s assets are strategically located in Beira, Maputo and Nacala to comprehensively cover demand in Mozambique and neighbouring countries. It also owns a grain terminal at the port of Maputo. 

“The acquisition is expected to add significant scale and synergies between the two companies, increasing our consolidated revenues by over US$272mn per annum," said Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment. "It will also accelerate other investments and the expansion of our trading activities, fuelling substantial EBITDA growth, which is projected to more than double in 2025."

“This move contributes to our long-term strategy to expand our agro-food business in high-potential African markets, develop new strategic partnerships and build on our operational capabilities in themidstream and downstream segments. It also brings us a step closer to our goal of becoming a fully integrated agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa and achieving US$6.8bn in revenue by 2028. With a focus on key staples in the agricultural sector and food industry, the transaction is expected to positively impact food security and economic growth in Mozambique by supporting job creation and driving export growth.”

With a population of over 34 million, growing at nearly 3% annually, Mozambique is an attractive growth market for wheat-based products, where Invictus Investment expects a projected CAGR of 6% in demand from 2022 to 2027, driven by population growth, urbanisation and rising incomes. The pasta market is also expected to offer additional avenues for business growth, with a forecasted CAGR of 9.5%, driven by evolving dietary preferences over time.

Jean Sébastien, Senior Partner at AmethisFund II, said: “We are pleased to announce the sale of our Merec shareholding to Invictus Investment. Our partnership with Merec has seen it establish a strong market position and brand portfolio by consistently delivering high-quality products. Merec’s growth in its core wheat milling business and diversification into wheat value-addition has significantly contributed to job creation and has improved Mozambique’s food security to the benefit of millions of Mozambican consumers all over the country – a core pillar to Amethis’ investment strategy. We are confident that Invictus Investment will further enhance Merec’s growth by improving efficiency, product quality and seizing new opportunities. With Merec’s local expertise and Invictus Investment’s global capabilities, we are certain that the business will reach new heights.”

The acquisition of Merec Industries is Invictus Investment’s second major transaction in Africa, following the purchase of a 60% stake in Graderco, Morocco’s leading grains trading company, and its subsidiaries from Zalar Holding. Invictus Investment remains focused on exploring further acquisition opportunities, developing new joint ventures in strategic markets,and continuing its investments across key African markets.