Aeolus Tyre, a subsidiary of Sinochem Holdings, unveiled its new 37.00R57AGO1 PRO tyre at its Jiaozuo facility for heavy-duty dump trucks used in the mining industry.

Weighing around 3.4 tonnes, the gigantic tyre has a diameter of 3.4 metres and is specifically designed for 180- to 200-tonne heavy-duty mining dump trucks. The new tyre features a biomimetic design with anti-stone trapping technology and a specially formulated tread, which provides exceptional durability and resilience against cuts.

The 37.00R57AGO1 PRO tyre also features an innovative heat dissipation system that aids in minimising heat buildup and facilitates effective heat dispersal. These features make this new tyre perfect for construction vehicles that operate in challenging conditions.

Autopromotec 2025, the 30th edition of the international exhibition specially dedicated to the automotive aftermarket, is all set to open tomorrow in Bologna, Italy. The event is scheduled to be held from 21 to 24 May 2025 and coincides with the 60th anniversary of the fair.

Exhibitors from over 50 countries will participate in the fair and benefit from an unprecedented events programme consisting of conferences, round tables and international talks. The fair will have dedicated spaces for startups, innovation and sustainability along with thematic areas focusing on digitalisation, electrification, autonomous driving and new mobility models. The entry is free but requires registration and online ticket download from the Autopromotec website. The organisers have also arranged free shuttle service from Bologna Central Station to the event spot for visitors. The fair timing is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

With a dedicated focus on the aftermarket, Autopromotec features dedicated areas for workshop, body shop and tyre service equipment; components and spare parts; diagnostics and electronics; tyres and inflation systems; car wash, detailing and vehicle care; digital services, software and workshop management solutions and technical-professional training and updates.

Magna Tyres Group, a global leader in off-the-road (OTR) and industrial tyre solutions, has launched a new digital platform, Dealer Portal, to provide its European dealers with instant access to real-time stock information.​ This latest move is in line with the company’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology in enhancing customer service and operational excellence.

Faster and more effective order processing is made possible by this cutting-edge portal, which provides dealers with a simplified interface to see current inventory levels. The technology gives dealers the ability to make well-informed purchase decisions by giving them access to real-time stock data, which improves customer happiness and operational effectiveness. The mobile-friendly portal comes with a user-friendly interface and features real-time inventory updates and secure access through protected login credentials. The portal is accessible by invitation only and aimed at the company’s most loyal dealers.

Arno vd Linden, Sales Director, Magna Tyres, said, “Our commitment to supporting our dealer network is unwavering. The Dealer Portal is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence, providing our partners with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive market.”

JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre makers in the country, expects a strong pickup in demand for FY2025–26. The company, in addition to strategic capacity expansions, is upbeat about attaining growth across both domestic and international markets, despite prevailing global uncertainties.

It may be recollected that the tyre major had announced a CAPEX towards capacity expansion of INR 14 billion last year, which will see an additional INR 2.5 3 billion earmarked for maintenance capex. The board-approved capex will be directed primarily towards expanding truck and bus radial capacity, with production slated to begin in early 2025. Notably, the company plans to roll out all-steel light truck radials from July and commence passenger vehicle radial production by September 2025, targeting a 15–20 percent capacity increase over the next six to 12 months.

In a post-earnings call, Anshuman Singhania, MD, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “We anticipate robust demand across OEM and replacement markets in FY2026, driven by a recovery in sentiment and product launches. In the OE segment, we expect mid-single-digit growth in truck tyre demand, recovering from last year’s muted performance amid general elections. Stronger single-digit growth in the passenger vehicle segment, buoyed by a pipeline of new model launches. High single-digit growth in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment. And mid-single-digit growth in the tractor category, underpinned by forecasts of a normal monsoon. Replacement demand trends are also encouraging.”

Export business

Even as United States export tariffs remain a challenge, with a 25 percent duty on truck and passenger radials and 10 percent on other categories, Singhania stated that JK Tyre has managed a 4 percent QoQ rise in exports. The company continues to target key international markets including North America, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe.

Meanwhile, the company’s Mexico-based Cornell facility remains a vital export hub and is undergoing expansion to support future demand.

JK Tyre is also making strategic long-term investments to secure raw material supply. Out of 200,000 hectares identified in the Northeast for natural rubber cultivation, about 70,000–75,000 hectares have already been developed. On the cost front, Singhania stated that raw material prices declined by 2–2.5 percent in the last quarter and are expected to stabilise moving forward.

Financial Performance

In Q4 FY2025, the company reported revenue of INR 37.8 billion, EBITDA of INR 3.84 billion, EBITDA margin of INR 10.2 percent and profit after tax of INR 1 billion.

Singhania also explained that despite a challenging year on the back of muted growth in truck segment, which constitutes a large chunk of the company’s OE business, along with high raw material prices and inventory costs, it was able to reduce its net debt of INR 40 billion, down from INR 43 billion in December 2024. However, there was a marginal uptick compared to March 2024 due to increased working capital requirements stemming from raw material and inventory costs. JK Tyre continues to maintain a healthy balance sheet, with debt-to-equity and debt-to-EBITDA ratios within manageable levels — currently at 2.2, which going forward the company aims to bring down to a targeted corridor of 1.5–1.8.

Inorganic Growth and Global Watch

Responding to a query on the company’s plans for inorganic growth, Singhania reiterated its intent to pursue inorganic growth opportunities. Having previously expanded through acquisitions, the company is now actively scanning global opportunities, particularly in Europe and the United States, where plant shutdowns and cost pressures may create strategic openings.

In Southeast Asia and China, market allocations are already in place, though timelines for activity vary by region.

Despite global headwinds, Singhania remains optimistic about overall demand. "We do not see any structural shifts that could dampen industry momentum," noting that key sectors such as cement, mining and steel remain aligned with long-term growth outlook.

Synthos, the largest producer of synthetic rubber in Europe, the world’s leading producer of solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) and the leading European producer of expanded polystyrene (EPS), has secured a Gold Medal in the 2025 EcoVadis Sustainability Rating. This recognition places it among the top three percent of over 130,000 companies evaluated globally.

EcoVadis evaluates businesses on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues using internationally accepted standards including the UN Global Compact, ISO 37001 and the GRI Guidelines. With very high marks in Environment (88/100) and Labor C Human Rights (83/100), Synthos' achievement across important sustainability criteria is recognised with the EcoVadis Gold Medal. These outcomes demonstrate Synthos' ongoing dedication to innovation, climate action and ethical business practices.

Synthos promotes the execution of its Evergreen plan 2030, a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes community involvement, circularity, ethical corporate practices and climate and energy. The company possesses environmental certifications such as ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and ISCC PLUS throughout its production facilities. It is also a signatory to the UN Global Compact and actively participates in the Business C Human Rights Accelerator.

Zbigniew Warmuz, CEO, Synthos, said, “This recognition is the result of our dedicated efforts to embed sustainability into everything we do. It is also a signal to our customers, partners and communities that Synthos is taking meaningful, measurable action towards building a more sustainable future.”