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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Apollo Tyres has achieved a significant international distinction in workplace safety, with its Chennai and Limda (Gujarat) plants each receiving the prestigious Sword of Honour from the British Safety Council. This accolade represents one of the highest global recognitions for excellence in health and safety management. The honour was formally presented to Chief Quality and Safety Officer Yoichi Sato, alongside Chennai Unit Head C Thomasmathew and Limda Unit Head Piush Bansal.

This award follows both facilities having previously secured top-tier five-star ratings in the British Safety Council’s rigorous Occupational Health and Safety Audit. The Sword of Honour is specifically reserved for organisations that exhibit an outstanding and sustained dedication to upholding the utmost standards in employee health, safety and wellbeing. Notably, the Chennai plant received additional commendation for its achievements in Innovation and Development.

These awards highlight Apollo Tyres' proactive and systematic approach to fostering a pervasive safety-first culture across its operations. The company's efforts extend beyond mere regulatory compliance, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to cultivating secure, healthy and sustainable working environments for all employees, contractors and stakeholders. By consistently demonstrating world-class safety management and a drive for continuous improvement, this milestone reinforces Apollo Tyres' standing as a responsible industry leader aligned with global best practices.

Yoichi Sato, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd,, said, “Receiving the Sword of Honour for both our plants is a matter of great pride for everyone at Apollo Tyres. This recognition reinforces our belief that operational excellence begins with putting people first. We remain committed to continually strengthening our health and safety practices across all our operations, guided by our ‘Safety First’ philosophy.”

Peter McGettrick, Chairman, British Safety Council, said, “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the British Safety Council, I would like to congratulate Apollo Tyres on achieving the highest standards of its health, safety and wellbeing management. Achieving recognition of this sort takes absolute dedication and the utmost professionalism. We are proud to support you in your achievements and delighted we can contribute to your ongoing success.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive, British Safety Council, said, “I would like to congratulate Apollo Tyres and its staff on this award, in tribute to their commitment to keeping their workplace safe and healthy and contributing to safeguarding the environment. All of the Sword, Globe and Shield award-winning organisations share a commitment and willingness to achieve the uppermost standards of health and safety. We thank Apollo Tyyres  for contributing to achieving our vision that no one should be injured or made ill through their work.”

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Hankook Tire is all set for Round 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s Season 12 as both title sponsor and the championship’s sole tyre supplier, bringing its iON Race tyre to the 2026 Mexico City E-Prix. The event will be held at the celebrated Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a venue famous for its energetic atmosphere and distinctive technical profile. This circuit provides a critical high-stakes environment for demonstrating the advanced capabilities of Hankook's dedicated EV race tire technology.

The track’s primary challenge stems from its location over 2,200 metres above sea level, where thin air reduces aerodynamic downforce and complicates powertrain cooling. This unique atmosphere intensifies the focus on energy conservation and thermal management. Furthermore, the layout itself combines long full-throttle sections with a complex, twisting infield run through the Foro Sol stadium, demanding exceptional tyre stability and responsiveness through rapid changes in direction and heavy braking.

Under these compounded stresses, the iON Race compound is designed to offer teams a stable and predictable performance window. Its development focuses on delivering consistent grip and managing heat effectively, which is crucial for driver confidence and strategic energy deployment throughout the race. The extreme conditions encountered in Mexico City serve as an invaluable real-world laboratory. The technical insights gained here, particularly regarding temperature control and material durability under severe loads, directly accelerate the research and development of Hankook's entire iON range of tyres for consumer electric vehicles.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport, said, “Mexico City is always a special challenge for drivers and teams. The altitude adds an extra layer of complexity, and that makes tyre consistency and thermal control even more important. With its fast sections, technical stadium layout and passionate fans, this is one of the most distinctive races of the season. As title sponsor of the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix, we are proud to support the championship at such an iconic venue and to see the iON Race perform under these unique conditions.”

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has secured a Silver Rating from EcoVadis, the esteemed international sustainability assessor. This recognition situates the company within the top seven percent of all evaluated firms globally, highlighting its superior standing in corporate responsibility. The evaluation is based on comprehensive performance across four core pillars: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.

JK Tyre earned an impressive total score of 77 out of 100, with its environmental efforts being particularly notable at 89 points. This high score underscores tangible achievements in climate action, energy efficiency, and emissions control. The accolade collectively reaffirms the company's dedicated focus on ethical operations, a safe and inclusive work culture and the proactive integration of sustainable practices throughout its entire value chain.

Dr Raghupati Singhania, CMD, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, said, “This significant performance in our EcoVadis performance is the outcome of focused initiatives across environmental stewardship, ethical governance, labour practices and responsible sourcing. The Silver rating is a strong validation of our integrated sustainability approach and the dedication of our teams. It further motivates us to continue strengthening our sustainability journey and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

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Hankook Tire continues its role as the Founding and Official Tire Partner for the second season of TGL. The company's integrated branding will be featured throughout the next three matches, scheduled to be held on the 2^nd, 6^th and 13^th of January 2026 at SoFi Center in Florida, US, leveraging on-site displays and broadcast coverage to reinforce its premium positioning for an international audience. This multiyear partnership exemplifies Hankook's strategic commitment to connecting high-performance mobility with elite sports.

The upcoming schedule features key matchups beginning with Boston Common Golf versus Los Angeles Golf Club. Boston Common, led by Rory McIlroy and Keegan Bradley, is widely regarded as a championship-calibre team yet to secure a TGL match win. They face a formidable opponent in Los Angeles Golf Club, which previously defeated them and fields a cohesive team including Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose. Subsequently, The Bay Golf Club, with stars like Ludvig Åberg and Wyndham Clark, will challenge the defending champions, Atlanta Drive GC. Atlanta, led by Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, demonstrated its strength by winning the Season 2 opener and holds several Season 1 performance records.

A highlight of the schedule is the Season 2 debut of Jupiter Links Golf Club, featuring Tiger Woods alongside Max Homa and Tom Kim. The Florida-based team will enjoy local support as it faces New York Golf Club, seeking to overturn a prior defeat. New York, the Season 1 runner-up with a roster including Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, is similarly motivated to return to winning form. Through its prominent partnership, Hankook Tire is directly integrated into these compelling storylines, enhancing global brand engagement through premier sports entertainment.

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