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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Continental has unveiled the Conti Hybrid HT 5, a new trailer tyre that completes its fifth-generation hybrid tyre family designed specifically for regional freight transport. This launch provides fleet operators with a fully coordinated tyre solution for steering, drive and trailer axles, all engineered to handle the rigorous demands of distribution transport. These operations often involve a challenging mix of inner-city manoeuvring, highway cruising and occasional light off-road driving.

The new Conti Hybrid HT 5 was developed to address the specific pressures of daily regional logistics, including frequent stop-and-go traffic, navigating tight urban streets and managing variable load weights. According to Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development for Bus and Truck Tyres at Continental, this tyre model integrates safety, operational efficiency and robustness to support dependable and economical fleet performance under fluctuating conditions. The trailer tyre delivers a 15 percent increase in mileage over its predecessor, the Conti Hybrid HT 3+, leading to fewer replacements. For a fleet operating 80 trailers covering 110,000 kilometres each annually, this translates to saving roughly 32 trailer tyres per year, along with reduced labour, storage and procurement costs.

Beyond durability, the tyre contributes to lower fuel consumption thanks to its optimised rolling resistance, a critical factor given that tyres can constitute more than half of a commercial vehicle’s operating expenses. This efficiency also brings environmental advantages by decreasing raw material use and cutting CO2 emissions throughout the production chain. The Conti Hybrid HT 5 excels in wet and cold conditions, achieving a B rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label. This performance stems from a new tread compound and a redesigned pattern featuring zigzag centre grooves and 2D pocket sipes, which maintain reliable traction even as the tread wears down. The design also ensures even pressure distribution for stable braking on slippery surfaces. Additionally, it holds a top A rating for external rolling noise, helping to reduce sound pollution.

With the arrival of the HT 5, Continental now offers a unified technological approach across all axle positions for regional transport. The Conti Hybrid HS 5 provides steering precision and comfort, while the Conti Hybrid HD 5 delivers strong traction and consistent braking for drive axles. The new HT 5 rounds out the lineup for trailer axles with its stability, rugged build and adaptable grip. All Generation 5 tyres share a focus on extended mileage and long-term performance, featuring an optimised casing suitable for multiple retreading cycles and embedded RFID sensors for digital tracking. The Conti Hybrid HT 5 will launch in March in sizes 385/65 R22.5 and 385/55 R22.5, with additional sizes expected by 2027. These tyres come ready for integration with the ContiConnect digital management system via pre-installed sensors.

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In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Punjab in August 2025, a strategic partnership between Bridgestone and ADRA India successfully restored educational infrastructure and learning continuity across 20 government schools in the Gurdaspur district. The natural disaster had inflicted widespread damage on school buildings, with sanitation systems rendered inoperable, while countless students lost access to textbooks, stationery and uniforms – essential items for classroom participation.

Working in tandem with the District Disaster Management Authority, local government bodies, School Management Committees and community stakeholders, ADRA India implemented a targeted three-month rehabilitation project from October 2025 through January 2026. The collaborative approach ensured that intervention efforts reached the most severely impacted educational institutions within a region where flooding had submerged over 324 villages, causing prolonged disruption to essential services including education.

The restoration initiative prioritised the repair and upgrade of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across 12 government schools, directly benefiting approximately 697 children through renewed access to safe and functional toilets. Beyond infrastructure rehabilitation, the project distributed comprehensive education kits to 585 particularly vulnerable students, including children from daily wage worker families, migrant households, women-led families and historically marginalised communities. This intervention alleviated the financial burden on families already strained by disaster losses while enabling students to resume their education promptly.

Sustainability remained central to the project's design, with School Management Committees receiving orientation on routine maintenance of rehabilitated facilities to ensure their long-term functionality. Infrastructure repairs incorporated enhanced durability measures specifically intended to withstand potential future flooding, thereby strengthening the resilience of educational facilities in this disaster-prone region.

Dr Aaditya Sharma, IAS, SDM Dera Baba Nanak, said, “Following the floods that affected Dera Baba Nanak Sub-Division, several government schools suffered damage to essential infrastructure, particularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) facilities, resulting in disruption to the education of school-going children. The restored sanitation infrastructure has helped ensure a safe, hygienic and dignified learning environment for students, especially for girl students.”

Sudhir Kulkarni, Executive Director HR, Admin & CSR, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone is committed towards Serving Society with Superior Quality. This inspires us to offer the best to the communities that we serve. Education is a critical pillar for communities, and this was most impacted by the floods. We have, in our humble way, contributed towards restoring some of the educational facilities in the Dera Baba Nanak block, thus safeguarding learning and well-being when vulnerable communities needed it the most.”

Imran Majid, Programmes Director, ADRA India, said, “In post-disaster settings like Dera Baba Nanak, children are among the most vulnerable. Restoring safe and functional WASH facilities in schools is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting children’s health, dignity and right to learn. When sanitation and hygiene are compromised, the risks of illness increase and school dropouts become more likely, especially for girls. Through the School WASH project, we are ensuring that schools become safe, hygienic spaces again, enabling children to return, stay and thrive in their education.”

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CEAT Specialty Tyres has received a nomination for its SUSTAINMAX-VF tyre in the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Tire Design category at the prestigious Tire Technology International Awards 2026. The nomination marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting advancements made at the intersection of tyre design, performance and sustainability.

The winners are scheduled to be announced on the opening day of the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held in Hannover, Germany, from 3 to 5 March 2026. The recognition on a global stage underscores the company’s commitment to developing responsible and forward-looking mobility solutions, specifically within the off-highway segment.

The nomination reinforces the company’s dedication to engineering products that align with evolving industry standards. CEAT Specialty Tyres anticipates participating in key discussions shaping the future of tyre technology during the event in Hannover.

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JK Tyre & Industries has expanded its premium agricultural tyre lineup with the introduction of ‘Shresth Plus’, unveiled at the Krishi Darshan Expo 2026 in Hisar. The launch was officiated by Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, alongside the company’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Srinivasu Allaphan, and other key officials. This new offering underscores the company’s dedication to delivering innovative solutions tailored to the shifting demands of contemporary agriculture.

Engineered to meet the challenges posed by modern farming techniques, the Shresth Plus tyre is designed for high-horsepower tractors that operate under diverse and demanding soil conditions for extended periods. Its construction features a deep non-skid profile and a broad lug pattern, which together provide superior grip and longevity. The tread design incorporates an angular step lug configuration with connecting tie bars, which enhances stability and minimises tread distortion under strenuous fieldwork. Furthermore, features such as the Eagle Eye sidewall design and a fortified nylon casing contribute to increased durability, offering better resistance against impacts and greater load-bearing capacity for both in-field and on-road applications.

JK Tyre is leveraging the expo to present its comprehensive range of farm solutions, catering to a wide array of tractors and implements used across different agricultural terrains. The display at Stall OA-15-16 highlights the brand's robust portfolio and its commitment to boosting farming efficiency and productivity through reliable technology.

Beyond the product showcase, JK Tyre is adding a dynamic element to the event with a dedicated motorsport arena. Reflecting its legacy as a motorsport pioneer, the company has arranged for a professional driver to perform live tractor stunts, providing entertainment and demonstrating the vehicles' capabilities in a high-energy format. The expo, held at the Northern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute in Hisar, runs from 14 to 16 February, offering attendees a firsthand look at the new tyre’s features.

Srinivasu Allaphan, Director – Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “Indian agriculture is rapidly embracing mechanisation and higher horsepower tractors. With premiumisation at the core of our business strategy, we are focused on bringing advanced, high-performance solutions to the farm segment. ‘Shresth Plus’ reflects this direction, combining superior traction, durability and stability to meet the evolving needs of modern farming. The product has been designed to help farmers achieve better efficiency, reliability and consistent performance across varied agricultural applications.”

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