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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RuLa-BRW, a partner in the AZuR network, has introduced the Berliner BUS400 Premium HL EV, a hot-retreaded tyre engineered specifically for the operational realities of electric city buses. The launch addresses a critical facet of the mobility transition, shifting focus from powertrain emissions to the sustainability of vehicle components. This new offering expands upon the established Berliner BUS400 profile, targeting the distinct mechanical stresses imposed by battery-electric public transport.

Electric buses present unique challenges for tyre design, including substantial weight increases from traction batteries, elevated starting torque and the relentless stop-and-go cycles inherent to urban routes. These factors place considerably greater strain on tyres compared to those used in conventional diesel or gas-powered buses. The BUS400 Premium HL EV has been developed to withstand these rigorous conditions while maintaining performance and safety standards.

The tyre features a robust carcass construction paired with a specialised rubber compound formulated for electric bus traffic, according to RuLa-BRW. This combination is designed to deliver extended mileage, consistent driving stability and cost-effective operation within demanding city environments. The development underscores a commitment to the circular economy, demonstrating how modern retreading techniques can repurpose premium tyre casings multiple times, significantly prolonging their useful life and conserving raw materials.

For public transport operators, the synergy of electromobility and tyre retreading offers tangible operational and environmental benefits. The new tyre enables fleets to reduce new tyre purchases while maximising the service life of existing casings, complementing the zero-emission operation of their vehicles. This innovation highlights that the mobility revolution extends beyond drive systems to encompass the full lifecycle of components, reinforcing the retreading industry’s role in sustainable transport solutions.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has expanded its partnership roster with the addition of Machine-Vision.io, a Reutlingen-based innovator that secured first place in the AZuR startup competition LOOP THE TYRE 2026. The company develops artificial intelligence-powered systems for the automated assessment, classification and sorting of used and scrap tyres. Its technology employs advanced image processing, laser scanners and machine learning to detect manufacturer details, tyre type, dimensions, production dates, tread depth, wear patterns and structural damage, delivering objective and reproducible condition reports.

Manual inspection remains the industry norm, with outcomes often shaped by individual employee experience. Machine-Vision.io digitises this workflow, introducing standardised and verifiable quality evaluation capable of handling high-volume tyre inventories. The generated data enables businesses to route suitable tyres towards reuse or retreading operations while directing non-compliant units to appropriate recycling pathways. This systematic approach improves material flow efficiency and strengthens high-grade recycling loops.

Beyond automated evaluation, the startup provides web-based solutions for tyre inventory management and marketing. Test outcomes, stock quantities and quality classifications are captured digitally and can be synchronised with online marketplaces. Such integration enhances transparency across the supply chain and simplifies the matching of tyres with their most suitable next-use applications.

Through its two-year partnership within the AZuR network, Machine-Vision.io will collaborate with companies, researchers and other stakeholders along the entire value chain to advance the tyre circular economy. The initiative illustrates how digitalisation and objective data can support informed decision-making, potentially increasing the supply of retreadable casings and fostering the continued development of sustainable material cycles.

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Tana Oy has announced the appointment of AB Equipment as its new authorised distributor for the New Zealand market, a strategic move that bolsters the Finnish manufacturer’s footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration is designed to elevate local service capabilities and ensure that New Zealand-based operators receive responsive, on-the-ground support.

AB Equipment, a nationally recognised provider with deep expertise in material handling, construction, forestry and municipal machinery, will now carry Tana’s complete range of landfill compactors and recycling equipment. Leveraging its extensive countrywide service infrastructure and technical proficiency, the distributor is well-equipped to manage customer needs from initial commissioning through to long-term maintenance and repairs.

Within Tana’s global sales network, authorised distributors are instrumental in delivering region-specific knowledge and comprehensive lifecycle care. This latest agreement reinforces that commitment, promising New Zealand customers enhanced reliability and sustained operational value from their Tana machines while further solidifying the brand’s international service standards.

Gerd Schreier, VP Sales and Marketing, Tana Oy, said, “Expanding our distributor network with strong local partners is a key part of our growth strategy. AB Equipment’s deep market knowledge and nationwide coverage make them an excellent fit to represent Tana in New Zealand. Together, we can better support waste management operators with efficient and sustainable solutions.”

Peter Dudson, CEO, AB Equipment, said, “With over a century of experience in heavy equipment and a strong focus on customer support, we are excited to bring Tana’s solutions to the New Zealand market. Tana’s technology aligns well with the needs of our customers, particularly in improving efficiency and supporting more sustainable waste management practices.”

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Michelin has opened a new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) outlet in Kanpur in partnership with HJ Wheels, expanding access to its products and services in the city and surrounding areas.

Located in Harsh Nagar, the outlet offers Michelin's range of passenger car, SUV and two-wheeler tyres, including the Primacy, Pilot Sport, Latitude Sport and LTX Trail series. It also provides tyre-related services and automotive accessories.

The facility was inaugurated by Annu Mehla, Regional Sales Head – B2C (North and East), Michelin India, alongside the HJ Wheels team.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, said: "Kanpur is a pivotal market in Michelin's North India growth journey with a strong automotive customer base and a growing interest in premium products. The launch of our new Michelin Tyre & Services store is a step towards bringing Michelin's globally benchmarked products and services closer to this growing base of discerning customers. As we prepare to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, we remain focused on delivering premium mobility solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers."

Michelin said the outlet is intended to improve access to its products and services as demand for premium automotive offerings grows in the region.

The company said Kanpur's improving connectivity through new expressways, expanding presence in electric and advanced manufacturing, ongoing urban development and changing consumer preferences influenced its decision to strengthen its retail network in the city.

The new outlet has been established with HJ Wheels, an automotive aftermarket business that has operated in Kanpur since 1989. Michelin said the partnership reflects its strategy of working with established local retailers to expand its customer reach.

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