CONFERENCE PURPOSE AND HISTORY
About the conference
Shaping the Future: Sustainability, EVs, and Tire Innovation.
The Clemson Tire Conference has evolved from solely addressing developments in tire design, research, and manufacturing to encompassing a broader spectrum of issues related to how tires interact with and perform in their operating environment. This expanded focus is expected to generate new insights that will enhance tire design and manufacturing.
This evolution reflects South Carolina’s role as the leading producer of tires in the U.S. and acknowledges the responsibility that comes with this position.
HISTORY
Established in 1985 by Clemson University, the Clemson University Tire Conference was originally hosted by the professors of the School of Textiles. It began as an educational program primarily focused on manufacturing tire cords for vehicle tires. Over time, it evolved into a two-day conference featuring industry experts presenting on the dynamic changes within the tire industry and their impact on manufacturers, consumers, and the automotive sector.
Today, the conference has grown into a global event. Over three days, expert representatives from tire manufacturers, academia, and government explore critical topics affecting the tire business and technology.
With the tire industry experiencing tremendous growth, the Clemson University Tire Conference now welcomes attendees from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The conference continues to present the latest advancements in manufacturing technologies, product standards, regulatory developments, automotive trends, and financial forecasts.
GREENVILLE, SC
Greenville is a warm, inviting, down-to-earth place where waterfalls grace the city center, mountain views fill the horizon with endless panoramas, and a remarkably cosmopolitan craft food and beverage scene delights every palate. You’ll find all this and more wrapped in comfort and ease and tied with a bow of genuine Southern hospitality.
ALOFT HOTEL
Aloft Greenville Downtown blends sleek design, modern style and technology for the savvy traveler and is part of Greenville ONE, a mixed-use hub in the heart of the city. We offer easy-breezy access to business offices, arts venues, natural attractions, TD Convention Center, Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Haywood Mall. Energy flows and personalities mingle in the vibrant social scene of W XYZ® bar featuring live music, signature cocktails and tasty bites.
CLEMSON @ GREENVILLE ONE
Clemson's state-of-the-art facility at Greenville ONE provides an ideal location for our graduate-level business programs and centers. Downtown Greenville is a nexus of business activity; each entity making its home at Greenville ONE enhances and supports one or more facets of this thriving business community..
SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Saied Taheri
Professor & Director
Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe)
Virginia Tech
Jacob George
Consumer Reports Data Intelligence
Carolina Rodezno Ph. D
Associate Research Professor
National Center for Asphalt Technology
Auburn University
Hope Pegues
Tire Performance Research Engineer
Michelin North America
Ed Terrill
Research Fellow
Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL) - Retired
Turner Bryant
Tire Performance Research Engineer
Michelin North America
Leo Breton
Pioneer of Real World Emissions Testing of Vehicles and the Inventor of the Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS)
Ben Daughtry
Strategic Account Executive
Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation Solutions
Paolo Mazzatorta
Senior Manager, Research, Tire Industry Project
2026 AGENDA
Note: Speakers and Titles will be added as we finalize the Agenda
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026
Location: Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) | 5 Research Drive, Greenville, SC 29607
1:00 - 1:30: CHECK- IN AND MEET & GREET
1:30 PM - WELCOME
SESSION I
1:40 - 2:10 pm: EV Market Study #1
2:15 - 2:45 pm: EV Market Study #2
2:45 - 3:00 pm: Break
3:00 - 3:30 pm: EV Engineering Presentation #1
3:35 - 4:05 pm: EV Engineering Presentation #2
4:10 - 4:40 pm: Common Tire Portfolios vs. Drivetrain-specific Designs: Technical Trade-offs for BEV and ICEV Applications | Matthias Warneck, Director of Communications, Tire Industry Project Team, BMW Group
5:00 - 6:00 PM NETWORKING EVENT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026
Location: Clemson @ Greenville ONE - 6th Floor | 1 North Main Street | Greenville, SC 29601
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:45 AM - 11:45 AM SESSION II
SESSION II
8:30 - 9:00am: Consideration of Wear Life Performance and Abrasion Index in Tire Design | Hope Pegues, Tire Performance Engineer, Michelin North America
9:05 - 9:35am: Performance of Different Dry Rubber Sections at the NCAT Test Track | Carolina Rodenzo, Associate Research Professor, National Center for Asphalt Technology, Auburn University
9:40 - 10:10 am: A New Method for Measuring Real-World Tire Abrasion and Collecting Emissions Samples/ Leo Breton, Pioneer of Real World Emissions Testing of Vehicles and the Inventor of the Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS)
10:10-10:20 am: Refreshment Break
10:25- 10:55 am: From Scrap to Resource: TBD | Paolo Mazzatorta, Senior Manager, Research, Tire Industry Project
11:00 - 11:30 am: Panel Discussion
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
12:00PM - 1:00PM KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Sustainability, Autonomy and the Hidden Role of Tires in the EV Era
SPEAKER: Saied Taheri, Professor/Director, Virginia Tech/Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe)
SESSION III
Moderated by Russell Shepherd, Technical Communications Director, Michelin North America
1:20 - 2:30 pm: Evaluation of Vehicle and Tire Specifications across Various Energy Sources: EV, Gas, and Hybrid | Turner Bryant, Tire Performance Research Engineer, Michelin North America
1:55 - 2:25 pm : Summary of Electric Vehicles (EV) vs. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Tires | Nicki Hershberger, Vice President, Consulting Services, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL)
2:30 pm: Refreshment Break
2:45 - 3:15 pm: Perspective on the Economics of EV Adoption for the American Consumer | Scott L. Baier, Professor and Associate Dean of Research
3:20 - 3:50 pm: Replacement EV-Specific Tires vs Standard Tires:Alignment of Consumer Perception and Testing Results | Jacob George, Consumer Reports Data Intelligence
3:55 - 4:30 pm: Panel Discussion
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
Location: Clemson @ Greenville ONE - 6th Floor | 1 North Main Street | Greenville, SC 29601
8:45 AM CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:15 AM WELCOME
SESSION IV
9:20 - 10:10 am: Driving Innovation to Accelerate Energy Conservation | Ben Daughtry, Strategic Account Executive. Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation Solutions
10:15 - 10:45 am: Optimizing Process Efficiency for Next Generation Compounds: The Role of Release Liners | Loïc Rocaboy, Global Rubber Market Manager
10:50 - 11:20 am: Kinetics and Mechanism of Ozone and Oxygen Attack on Natsyn with and Without 6PPD | Ed Terrill, Research Fellow, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL) - Retired
11:25 - ll:55 am: Panel Discussion
2026 TIRE CONFERENCE SPONSORS
NOTE: This page will continue to update as sponsors are added.
Sponsorships are still available! Please email jmonday@clemson.edu for more information.
SPONSORS:
cONFERENCE lEADERSHIP TEAM
The Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference is organized and presented by Clemson University's Center for Corporate Learning and supported by leading tire and auxiliary industry companies. The annual conference features expert presentations, ensuring it remains a premier, world-class event that addresses the economic, technical, and innovative challenges shaping the tire industry.
For more information on other programs and executive education opportunities at Clemson University, please visit: Clemson.edu/thinkclemson
Steering Committee
Venkat N. Krovi Fasme
MICHELIN SMARTSTATE CHAIR PROFESSOR OF VEHICLE AUTOMATION
David Shelton
DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS, GITI TIRE USA
Jeremy Kröber
Director of Operations
Clemson Center for
Corporate Learning – Clemson MBA Program– Clemson Greenville ONE
Lydia Thomas
Program Coordinator
Center for Corporate Learning
Clemson University
Dr. Prashant Prabhu
Conference
Committee Chair
Clemson University
Dr. Ankita Bakre
Conference Marketing Chair
Clemson University
Email Inquiries go to Lydia Thomas: llt2@clemson.edu