Michelin India Technology Centre has been operating for over five years. Could you highlight how the centre has been playing its role in research and development for Michelin's domestic and international markets?

The centre has grown over the years in terms of developing competencies and delivering products and solutions to businesses in the local market, region and globally. The agility and flexibility in delivery of solutions to sustainable mobility is one of our key strengths. The product solutions that are developed in conjunction with other regional teams have the cutting edge, keeping Michelin ahead of the curve. The gender and domain diverse team at the centre has brought unique dimensions to meet customer aspirations specific to different vehicle platforms. There are forward looking concepts and products that are being developed in different life cycle stages by the team in India that have upgraded their skills due to their world class training. Our teams are also exposed to global norms and developments in mature markets, thus enabling them to bring in such perspectives while developing products in the domestic market. 

What will drive the Indian truck and bus tyre market in future?

This is very interesting and all of us have seen a reset of a new normal due to Covid-19 in ways we are conducting the different facets of our businesses. The Indian market is smart, agile and ahead in their thought process compared to some of the other markets. The digital solutions, smarts, AI and services will drive the Indian truck and bus tyre market. Customers, whether they own transportation fleets or personal vehicles, want the worry-free ‘fit and forget’ tyre solutions. At Michelin, we have many such services, charging cost per kilometre to customers, which have been deployed in mature markets as well as in India, allowing our customers to focus on other aspects of their business models or personal routines.

The other driving factor will be ‘smarts’ in the tyre industry. The embedded chips in tyres for V2X interfaces are a huge opportunity for the mobility ecosystem with a vast application playfield that includes monitoring tear wear, tyre rotation periods, driver behaviour, inputs fed to active integrated suspensions for ride comfort, adjusting speed depending on terrain for safety and ergonomics of driver comfort as well as cargo movement.

Advanced materials will change the game with growing percentages of recycled rubber in tyre design and manufacturing. These will be an enabler in reducing carbon footprint of a vehicle and the holistic ecosystem including tyre dust. Faster curing materials, self-sealing tyres are around the corner in India. There are pilots and that will be the real ‘aah-ha’ moment for the industry and consumers. 

The centre also has a material testing lab. Sustainable raw materials are growing focus of tyre companies. What are the activities of the centre in the material testing space?

Materials, we believe, will be the strategic edge of our products and solutions as mentioned earlier. The centre does leverage material testing, monitoring various aspects of product development. The automation of test data for faster evaluation and upstream design actions is an important aspect with regard to speed to market. This is something that our teams are good at creatively innovating at the centre and the lab downstream.  

How do you distinguish the product requirements for developed and developing countries?

It is not the product but the solutions and services that are adapted for different regions. This is decided based on local regulations and norms, and the ecosystem and the infrastructure available there to support it. Product development also considers the tech savviness in the totem poles of the customers. The smartness in deploying the right solutions at the right price, at the right time will continue to be a distinguishing and winning factor for us across the globe.

MITC joined hands with IIT Bombay and ARAI. According to you, how will the new mobility shape in India, and how are you preparing, through R&D work, to offer the customised products in India?

This is one amazing aspect of India that we believe can be leveraged to the advantage of the Indian ecosystem. The Indian competitiveness for delivering ‘more customer value with lesser resources’ will help Michelin progress with these engagements. We will have students exposed to mature markets, working with global academia and experienced Michelin engineers to straight-on take the lead in their careers and solution mindset. We are confident that these and such partnerships are the diving boards to our collective growth. To use the cricket analogies, we are here to play well, in both the T20 and the test matches, and we are building teams that can switch on and off the pace between such situations due to their exposure, mentoring and talent acceleration.    

Will you be open to more partnerships in India?

The power of Collective Intelligence is second to none when it comes to delivering smarts to our customers through such valuable partnerships. The centre is already working with few of the academic institutions in India and is in discussions with the right-minded players that are on the same page. We have a clear understanding of ‘where to play’ as it forms our evaluation matrix when we are exploring start-ups, incubation parks and innovation accelerators. We will continue this journey as it helps with the step-change in the Indian ecosystem on many aspects of mobility and related solutions that are beneficial to all stakeholders.

According to you, what are the more significant challenges for scientists and engineers in the tyre industry?

Challenges are to find, train and retain individuals with the right kind of skill-sets. The gestation period to train and get an engineer to deliver high quality smart solutions requires patience and commitment. The more experienced scientists and engineers are at cross roads to delegate to the pipeline of talent that graduates out of our engineering institutions in their early professional journey. The infra and technical power needs to grow in India since the AI solutions and digitalisation can be catapulted very well in an existing innovation mindset for deployment. The race to get to the senior positions without developing a depth in domains is a challenge and not sustainable for growth in the long term. Talent in AI and data analytics tied to tyre and mobility domains is growing, but this talent is enticed by other non-mobility industries, creating a churn and dampening the speed to market and ability to provide attractive solutions and products to our customers. (TT)

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Dow will invest approximately USD 100 million by the end of 2027 to expand its specialty silicones manufacturing and research capabilities in the US, China and Japan, as the chemicals group seeks to meet rising demand from the mobility, electronics and healthcare sectors.

The investments will increase production capacity for liquid silicone rubber and engineered silicone materials, while also expanding research facilities focused on thermal management technologies.

The company said the projects would strengthen regional supply chains and support customers through local manufacturing and technical capabilities.

“These investments underscore Dow’s focus on scaling specialty silicones materials and bringing innovation closer and faster to our customers,” said Brendy Lange, president of Performance Materials & Coatings. “By expanding manufacturing and innovation capabilities in these strategic regions, we are investing to meet increasing consumer demand, strengthening our global supply chain capabilities, and enabling customers to move faster from innovation to commercialisation.”

Dow plans to expand liquid silicone rubber manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Kentucky, and Zhangjiagang, China. The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2027 and will support applications in mobility, electronics and healthcare.

The company is also increasing capacity for engineered silicone materials used in electronics applications, including power electronics, semiconductor packaging, thermal management and electrical protection.

New capacity in Songjiang, China, and Fukui, Japan, is scheduled to come on stream this year. Additional expansions in Auburn, Michigan, and Zhangjiagang are expected to be completed in 2027.

Dow expanded its Cooling Science Labs in Shanghai earlier this year and opened additional facilities in Midland, Michigan, in June. The facilities are intended to support the development and scale-up of thermal management technologies.

The investments complete the series of silicones projects outlined during Dow’s 2024 investor day. The company said project timelines had been updated to reflect market conditions and affordability considerations.

Dow said demand for specialty silicones continues to grow in mobility, electronics and medical applications, where supply reliability, technical support and product performance remain important considerations.

In mobility and electronics markets, the expanded capabilities are intended to support applications including mobility intelligence modules, data centres, microelectronics, energy electronics, consumer electronics components and advanced safety systems.

In medical applications, the company said regional manufacturing capabilities support local supply requirements for regulated products.

Dow said local manufacturing and technical support would help customers improve supply reliability, accelerate commercialisation and meet evolving qualification requirements.

The company said its integrated silicones manufacturing network across the Americas, Europe and Asia positions it to serve growing demand in specialty materials markets.

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CEAT Kelani Holdings has been recognised as the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the Component Manufacturer category at Sri Lanka’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards, a distinction that underscores its dominant role within the nation’s expanding vehicle assembly sector. The awards, organised by the newly established Automobile Industry Council, were presented during a formal ceremony at Temple Trees, drawing a distinguished audience of government ministers, senior bureaucrats and key industry stakeholders.

The company’s commanding presence is particularly evident in the original equipment segment, where it supplies tyres for over 90 percent of all vehicles assembled domestically. Since initiating its original equipment supply chain in 2012, CEAT Kelani has grown to become the preferred partner for assemblers, delivering more than 150,000 tyres annually for a broad spectrum of vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial trucks. Its products are now fitted as standard equipment on more than 30 locally assembled models across 11 international brands.

This position of strength is further validated by the company’s attainment of the IATF 16949:2016 certification, marking it as the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to achieve this globally respected automotive quality standard. The tyres supplied to vehicle makers undergo exhaustive validation processes, demonstrating superior outcomes in critical areas such as safety, braking performance and durability while also exhibiting low rolling resistance to improve driving efficiency.

Beyond its industrial achievements, CEAT Kelani contributes substantially to the national economy by conserving foreign exchange through import substitution and sustaining the livelihoods of over 10,000 rubber cultivator families through domestic natural rubber sourcing. The Automobile Industry Council, which hosted the awards, functions as a private-sector-led entity established with government support to foster sustainable growth and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

The inaugural awards ceremony forms part of the Council's broader mission to promote global best practices and governance standards within the local industry. As Sri Lanka's leading tyre brand, the company sells over 1.2 million tyres annually and maintains a presence in more than 110 countries, including US and Europe.

Ranked as the country's most valuable tyre brand by Brand Finance, CEAT Kelani has invested over INR 8.5 billion in Sri Lanka over the past decade, with a further INR 4.5 billion recently committed. The manufacturer supplies approximately half of Sri Lanka's automotive tyre demand while exporting around 20 percent of its output to 16 nations, reinforcing its status as a vital contributor to the national economy.

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Vittoria has expanded its Gravel Endurance Range by introducing new 700×50c and 700×55c tyre sizes across the Terreno T10, T30, T50 and T70 models. The gravel cycling discipline has transformed from a niche mixed-terrain activity into a multifaceted sport encompassing competitive racing, multi-day journeys, bikepacking and increasingly technical routes.

Although 40 mm and 45 mm options remain effective benchmarks in certain conditions, adoption of 50 mm and 55 mm widths is accelerating across racing and adventure circles. A wider footprint delivers improved traction on loose terrain, greater stability on descents, lower pressure capabilities and enhanced comfort during prolonged rides.

Within the racing segment, the trend towards larger tyres is unmistakable, with some competitors turning to mountain bike rubber for rugged courses. Tyre pressure management emerges as critical, as reduced pressure absorbs vibrations and maintains control on unpredictable surfaces. The average weight increase of approximately 70 grammes represents a modest compromise relative to performance gains.

For bikepacking and touring, wider tyres prove invaluable for managing heavier loads, delivering superior stability and cushioning over extended distances. The flexibility to adjust pressure enables navigation of both paved roads and isolated gravel routes. This preference aligns with frame design developments, as manufacturers produce bicycles with ample tire clearance to accommodate diverse styles.

The Terreno tread patterns are purpose-built for gravel surfaces and outperform traditional mountain bike designs. With the new sizes, the Vittoria Gravel Endurance Range now addresses the full spectrum from competitive racing to wilderness adventures, empowering cyclists to select optimal configurations for their ambitions across any terrain.

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Titan International has introduced the ITP CrossTrax tyre, a new product developed to enhance utility task vehicle performance in demanding agricultural settings. The company translated direct feedback from dealers and farmers into engineering specifications, addressing the specific operational challenges faced on modern farms. This initiative underscores a strategic move to tailor equipment for the evolving role of UTVs as essential workhorses beyond simple transportation.

The genesis of the CrossTrax tyre stemmed from field observations rather than laboratory work. During the Titan University Summit in early 2025, dealers highlighted persistent issues with tyre durability and machine downtime. Concurrently, farmers at agricultural shows reinforced these concerns, emphasising the need for a tyre built exclusively for farm work, distinct from recreational models, given that UTVs are now routinely used for hauling heavy supplies across fields, gravel and hard-packed roads.

The engineering response targeted the most frequent user complaints, namely flats from crop stubble and accelerated wear from mixed-terrain use. To combat these issues, the CrossTrax features an aramid-reinforced ply layer for enhanced puncture resistance against debris. It also incorporates a low void-to-tread ratio to improve stability across varying surfaces and utilises large tread blocks to promote even wear, thereby extending service life and reducing operational disruptions.

Reinforcing Titan’s commitment to customer-driven development, the new tyre line is now available in nine sizes, covering popular models like the Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Mule and John Deere Gator, with three additional sizes forthcoming. Early field evaluations have reportedly affirmed the design priorities, with positive feedback on improved ride stability and durability. The CrossTrax ultimately aims to increase operator confidence while minimising downtime and replacement frequency.

Todd Hinson, Powersports Product Manager, Titan Specialty Division, said, “Hearing this input directly from dealers and farmers was really eye opening. CrossTrax is the result of taking those conversations seriously and acting on them. We built a tyre around what is actually needed for farm work today. CrossTrax reflects who Titan is, a tyre manufacturer with boots on the ground, staying close to our dealers and customers. We spend a lot of time understanding how equipment is actually being used on farms and building solutions around those needs. That approach has always shaped how we innovate, and it will continue guiding us moving forward.”

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