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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Alliance, a leading global brand of agricultural and off-highway tyres, introduced the Agri Star II Row Crop tyre, a significant new product extending its proven technology into the specialised row crop segment, at the Agritechnica 2025 show. This launch represents a strategic expansion of the successful Agri Star II series, which has achieved remarkable commercial success with one million units sold since its 2020 debut. Building on this momentum and driven by farmer feedback, the company has adapted its core Stratified Layer Technology (SLT) for the specific demands of row crop equipment, such as sprayers.

The new tyre is engineered as a comprehensive solution for the high-speed, multi-terrain nature of contemporary farming. It is designed for reliable performance both on the road and in the field, offering enhanced traction, greater longevity and improved road handling, all supported by a 7-year warranty. Central to its performance is the proprietary Stratified Layer Technology, which constructs each lug with two distinct layers to maintain consistent performance throughout the tyre's life. This design not only boosts braking and roadability but also helps protect crops by minimising soil compaction.

Further ensuring durability, the tyre features a robust build with integrated stubble guards and advanced, wear-resistant compounds to defend against common hazards like cuts and cracks. Its enhanced speed rating of up to 70 kmph meets the demands of modern, efficient farm logistics. To provide a tailored fit for a wide array of machinery, the Agri Star II Row Crop will be available in a comprehensive selection of sizes, ranging from 24 to 54 inches.

This product introduction reinforces Alliance’s ‘Always By Your Side’ brand philosophy and its 70-year legacy of agricultural innovation. By delivering a customised solution for the row crop category, the company aims to solidify its market position and continue addressing the evolving challenges faced by farmers worldwide.

Angelo Noronha, President & CEO, Yokohama-ATG, said, “At Alliance, we take pride in our ability to adapt and innovate based on customer feedback. The Agri Star II Row Crop tyre is a testament to our commitment to empowering farmers with solutions that address their specific challenges. By bringing our proven SLT technology to the row crop segment, we aim to set new standards for performance and reliability in this category.”

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The valedictory function for Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 at the Rubber Board served as a significant culmination to the week-long campaign, held from 27 October to 2 November. The event, which aligned with the Central Vigilance Commission's directives, aimed to champion integrity and galvanise a collective stand against corruption in public life.

Presiding over the ceremony, the Honourable Principal District and Sessions Judge for Kottayam, Manoj M, delivered the keynote address. He emphasised the severe detrimental effects of corruption on a developing economy, stating that it fundamentally undermines the constitutional values of justice and rights. He elaborated that corruption extends beyond bribery to include misappropriation, misconduct and nepotism, all of which erode the foundation of public institutions.

M Vasanthagesan, IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, set the tone by welcoming the gathering and underscoring that the fight against corruption is a shared duty which must begin with individual accountability. A highlight of the function was the distribution of prizes to winners of various competitions held for students and Board employees during the observance week. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sreevidya P, the Assistant Vigilance Officer, formally bringing the awareness campaign to a close.

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JK Tyre & Industries Limited has reinforced its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards by achieving a top-tier rating of CareEdge ESG 1+. This prestigious accolade, supported by an impressive overall score of 81.2, places the company well above the industry average.

The high rating is a direct result of the firm's exceptional management of ESG risks, which is demonstrated through superior disclosures and robust policies. Key to this performance is the company's strategic focus on proactive carbon and energy management, backed by sophisticated monitoring systems and major investments in renewable energy and decarbonisation technologies.

Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.  said, “It gives me immense pride that our company JK Tyre has been rated CareEdge ESG 1+, the highest ESG rating for the 3rd consecutive year. This is a recognition of our unwavering commitment to sustainable growth, ethical business practices and social responsibility in addition to a key driver to long-term value creation, risk management and operational resilience. We have achieved the industry leading ESG score of 81.2, which is a strong validation of our disciplined approach to integrating sustainability into our core business and financial strategy.”

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Vredestein, the premium European tyre brand from Apollo Tyres Ltd, has strengthened its Indian market presence with the launch of its first exclusive retail outlet in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This strategic initiative was executed in partnership with Sri Subham Tyres and Alignment, which will host the new store. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the proprietor of the host dealership alongside senior members of the Vredestein India Team, marking a significant milestone in the brand's expansion.

The brand, renowned for its heritage in the luxury segment, initially entered the Indian market in 2021. Its product line for India is domestically manufactured at Apollo's advanced production facilities and is specifically engineered for the country's premium and luxury passenger vehicles. The new Coimbatore outlet features a modern design and an extensive, immersive display of Vredestein's latest tyre range.

The products are intelligently organised by driving style and performance characteristics, assisting customers in selecting the ideal tyres for diverse needs, from robust off-road exploration to ultra-high-performance road driving. This customer-centric retail approach underscores Vredestein's commitment to not only expanding its footprint but also enhancing the driving experience for discerning Indian consumers through its cutting-edge technology and high-quality products.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President – Commercial, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "Coimbatore’s thriving community of auto enthusiasts makes it an ideal market for our tyre brand. Vredestein’s new store is designed to serve the city’s discerning motorists, offering a premium range of high-performance tyres for luxury cars and superbikes. Through superior products and exceptional service, we aspire to become the go-to destination for driving enthusiasts, building enduring relationships and accelerating sales growth."

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