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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Iochpe-Maxion, a global leader in automotive wheel production and a prominent manufacturer of automotive structural components across the Americas, has been distinguished as a top performer in environmental action by CDP. The organisation’s annual assessment placed the company on its prestigious Corporate ‘A’ List for 2025, reflecting exemplary transparency and climate leadership. This accolade is based on Iochpe-Maxion’s robust transition strategy and verified data disclosure.

CDP’s system, the sole global platform for independent environmental reporting, evaluated thousands of organisations this year. Out of more than 20,000 scored companies, a mere four percent earned an ‘A’ rating. This achievement signals Iochpe-Maxion’s advanced governance and substantial strides in building environmental resilience, positioning it among the world’s leading corporations in climate stewardship.

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Continental has launched the new IceContact 8 studded tyre for control and safety on ice, snow and slush Designed for severe winter driving, the tyre is aimed at a wide variety of vehicles, including compact cars, SUVs and hybrids, whether electric or conventionally powered, and comes in sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches. This tyre builds upon the proven legacy of its predecessor, the VikingContact 8, to offer lasting winter performance.

At the core of its design is an innovative twin-stud system. This technology utilises two distinct stud types that work in concert: one is optimised for acceleration and secure braking by biting into the surface, while the other enhances dynamic handling and cornering stability. These studs are strategically distributed across the tread for maximum grip. To bolster durability and performance, the studs are set within larger, deeper tread blocks. This creates a more stable foundation that minimises stud movement and loss, contributing to a longer tyre life. Further enhancing resilience, a specialised chemical bond fuses each stud to the rubber, reducing gaps that could trap debris and compromise the tyre's structure over time.

The tread design itself incorporates an optimised sipe layout for stronger grip and stable handling. A specially formulated compound, featuring a new highly flexible polymer and a softener system, ensures the rubber remains pliable and effective even in extreme cold. This balance of a robust V-shape tread pattern, advanced stud bonding and a cold-adaptive compound guarantees reliable traction and safety throughout the tyre's entire service life. The IceContact 8 is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2026, making it available for the following winter season.

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Hankook Tire has released a new brand film to mark its official sponsorship of Saudi Arabian football club Al-Ittihad FC. This initiative is designed to bolster the company’s premium status and deepen brand connection within crucial Middle Eastern and African markets, where passion for both football and motorsport is rising rapidly.

The cinematic piece creatively merges intense racing sequences, featuring high-performance cars on Hankook tyres, with actual match footage of Al-Ittihad athletes. This parallel highlights a shared dedication to peak performance, symbolising the solid partnership between the brand and the club. Through the use of striking tyre-tread visuals and immersive driving acoustics, the film reinforces Hankook’s identity as a trusted, high-end partner that champions a winning spirit. The content is being distributed globally via Hankook’s official social media platforms.

This move is part of Hankook’s broader global sports marketing strategy, which includes partnerships with major events like the UEFA Europa League, the Ballon d’Or awards and the TGL simulation golf league. The company’s involvement in premier FIA-sanctioned motorsport events held in Saudi Arabia, such as Formula E and the World Rally Championship, has already significantly raised its profile across the region.

Moving forward, Hankook Tire intends to leverage its alliance with Al-Ittihad to create more avenues for consumer engagement. The objective is to consistently underscore the brand’s world-class technological expertise and reinforce its position as a premium global leader.

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The BKT Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Balkrishna Industries Ltd., has been formally recognised on the Wall of Giving at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. This honour acknowledges the foundation’s sustained philanthropic support, which has made a concrete difference in advancing the hospital’s work in cancer treatment and research. The Wall of Giving specifically celebrates donors whose ongoing commitments have created enduring benefits for the institution and, most importantly, for patients and their families.

Guided by its ‘We Care’ motto, the foundation concentrates its efforts on healthcare, education and essential services. Its support for Tata Memorial Hospital has included funding critical palliative care programmes for children and providing advanced medical equipment. These donations, encompassing ultrasound devices, anaesthesia equipment, video bronchoscopy processors and dual-energy CT scanners, have directly strengthened diagnostic and treatment services. This has expanded access to high-quality, affordable cancer care for a broader patient population.

This accolade marks a significant milestone in the BKT Foundation’s wider mission to generate measurable social impact through dedicated and long-term engagement, both within India and internationally.

Sunita Rao, General Manager – Fundraising, Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “BKT’s steadfast commitment and ongoing support over the years have played a pivotal role in extending both our services and institutional capabilities, expanding access for patients in need and enabling several transformational initiatives at the hospital. We are deeply grateful for the company’s trust in the hospital and for the continued support in providing high-level technologies and machinery at the service of the Indian community of people.” 

Vijaylaxmi Poddar, President & Chairman, BKT Foundation, said, “This acknowledgment reflects a shared commitment to care, dignity and healing and reinforces the value of sustained partnerships in advancing healthcare for those who need it most. It is truly inspiring to see how our efforts are strengthening cancer care and expanding access for patients in need, and we are honoured for the opportunity to walk this journey.”

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