Mumbai-based manufacturer outlines five-year plan with new market entries and USD 400m investment programme

Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT), one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, has unveiled an ambitious strategic roadmap targeting revenues of USD 2.6 billion by 2030, representing a significant expansion from its current operations focused primarily on off-highway tyres.

The Mumbai-headquartered company presented its five-year plan to the board of directors, outlining total investments of USD 400 million to be funded predominantly through internal resources. The strategy centres on three core pillars: reinforcing its leadership position in off-highway segments, expanding carbon black operations, and entering new tyre categories specifically for the Indian domestic market.

BKT reported record revenues of INR 106.15 billion for fiscal year 2024-25, marking a robust 13 percent increase over the previous year despite challenging global macroeconomic conditions. This performance has provided the foundation for the company’s ambitious expansion plans.

The most significant strategic shift involves BKT’s entry into passenger car radial (PCR) and truck & bus radial (TBR) tyre segments, departing from its traditional focus on agricultural and industrial applications. Both new product lines will target exclusively the Indian market, with TBR pilot launches scheduled for Q4 of FY25-26, followed by PCR pilots in Q3 of FY26-27. The company expects these new verticals to contribute approximately 20 percent of overall sales by 2030.

“With this development plan, we are setting a clear and ambitious vision for BKT’s future—built on solid foundations, modularity, and organic growth. We are entering new product categories with the same focus and consistency that have driven us in the Off-Highway space, backed by the trust we’ve earned worldwide,” said Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT.

In its established off-highway tyre (OHT) segment, BKT will continue consolidating its global agricultural leadership while strengthening positions in rubber tracks, mining, industrial, and construction applications. Following the successful commercialisation of rubber tracks, the board has approved expanding the dedicated production facility, which is expected to become operational in the second half of 2026.

The company plans to leverage its proprietary All-Steel Radial technology for mining applications, developing tyres up to 57 inches to complement its existing bias range. Geographically, growth efforts will concentrate on the Americas, India, and selected international markets whilst maintaining a steady European presence.

BKT’s carbon black division represents another growth engine. Over the past three years, it has established itself as a strategic partner for major tyre manufacturers domestically and internationally. The company focuses on speciality carbon black segments targeting high-performance non-tyre applications, including speciality and advanced carbon black grades.

Production capacity will expand from 200,000 to 360,000 metric tonnes annually to support this trajectory, incorporating advanced carbon black development. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2026, positioning BKT to capitalise on growing demand in both tyre and non-tyre applications.

The strategic plan emphasises an integrated industrial structure leveraging shared infrastructure, existing synergies between production hubs, and consolidated brand investments. This approach aims to enable scaling without compromising profitability—a critical consideration as BKT diversifies beyond its traditional market segments.

Despite the expansion into new categories, BKT remains committed to its core off-highway vision, targeting a 10% global market share in off-highway tyres by 2030. This goal underpins the company’s strategy of consolidating positions in high-value segments whilst expanding its presence across strategic international markets.

The announcement comes as India’s tyre industry benefits from strong domestic economic growth, providing favourable conditions for BKT’s market expansion. The company’s existing portfolio spans over 3,600 products sold across 163 countries worldwide, primarily serving agricultural, industrial, earthmoving, mining, ATV, and gardening sectors.

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Maxxis has been honoured with two significant awards from Subaru of Indiana (SIA), the automaker's sole manufacturing plant outside Japan. The company received both the Excellent Performance Award and the Commodity Leader Award for Wheels & Tires.

This dual recognition reflects Maxxis's consistent success in meeting SIA's critical benchmarks for safety, quality, cost and delivery. Having been a supplier since 2014, Maxxis was one of only 12 companies to earn the performance award for fiscal year 2025 and one of just nine suppliers recognised in two categories. The SIA facility, which produces vehicles like the Ascent and Outback, has built over seven million cars since 1989.

Scott Brand, President and Chief Operating Officer, SIA, said, “We’re proud to recognise the top performers in our supply chain – partners who have consistently exemplified excellence in both quality and delivery. Of nearly 260 suppliers supporting our operations, this distinguished group has truly set itself apart.”

Andy Lee, President, Maxxis International – USA, said, “We are truly honoured by this recognition from Subaru of Indiana, and we thank them for both of these awards. Everyone at Maxxis appreciates our partnership with SIA, so meeting and exceeding their expectations is enormously gratifying to all of us.”

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The grand finale of the 2025 European Tractor Pulling Championship (ETPC) was held recently in Ysselsteyn, Netherlands. The event, sponsored by Alliance Tires, was the conclusion of the season and featured classes such as Heavy Modified, Two Wheel Drive and Light Modified, with winners in each class celebrated on social media

The 2025 tractor pulling season served as a powerful platform for Alliance Tires to reinforce its deep-seated commitment to the agricultural community. As a central supporter of the European Championship, the company’s presence was felt at major events across the continent, from Bernay to Putten. This sponsorship was far more than a branding exercise; it was a demonstration of Alliance's dedication to the farmers, innovators and passionate competitors who form the heart of this demanding sport.

This commitment was actively embodied by Alliance ambassador Olly Harrison, a respected UK farmer and contractor. His enthusiastic participation at events, where he cheered on the teams and celebrated their engineering prowess, provided a genuine human connection to the brand. His involvement underscored that Alliance is an integrated partner invested in the sport's values and its people.

The championship itself, a spectacular display of power and innovation, perfectly mirrored Alliance's own brand pillars of performance and durability. By aligning with a sport that thrives on community and technical excellence, Alliance Tires successfully strengthened its identity as a brand that understands and champions the agricultural world, fostering a profound sense of loyalty and shared pride among all participants.

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Bridgestone Americas has launched the new Firestone FS592, a robust steer tyre engineered for the demanding needs of long-haul and regional trucking fleets. This tyre is designed as a dependable, ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ workhorse, officially succeeding the widely recommended FS591 model. The FS592 enhances its predecessor's legacy of durability with significant technological advancements aimed at extending service life and reinforcing reliability.

Key improvements include an impressive 17 percent increase in average removal mileage, which translates to approximately 18,000 additional miles. This extended lifespan is achieved through an extra 32nd of an inch in tread depth and a wider footprint. The tyre's construction incorporates Bridgestone's next-generation ENLITEN technology, which strengthens the casing to improve durability, boost retreadability and enhance fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance.

Furthermore, the tread design has been refined with defence grooves and an optimised shoulder rib to promote even wear and resist tearing, while its five-rib configuration ensures consistent performance across diverse driving applications. The FS592 is available in four sizes and has earned EPA SmartWay certification for its environmental performance. This launch not only broadens the Firestone product portfolio but also commemorates the brand's 125-year history of providing mobility solutions to the transportation industry.

Steve Hoeft, President, Commercial Truck Group, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Bridgestone’s next-generation ENLITEN technology unlocks greater levels of performance, along with an enhanced focus on sustainability, enabling us to make Firestone’s best tyre even better. With the new Firestone FS592, we’ve improved several aspects while staying true to the foundation of its predecessor, the FS591. The FS592 tyre is a testament to Bridgestone’s commitment to developing innovative products and advancing mobility, even when it means reimagining a proven formula.”

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CTS Tyre Recycling is charting a definitive course for leadership in the circular economy, proving that end-of-life tyres can be transformed into valuable new products with purpose. According to Waste Management Review, this Western Australian company, alongside its remanufacturing arm, Throughcycle Rubber, is fundamentally reshaping domestic material flows by taking control of its own waste streams and boldly advancing into sustainable manufacturing. As part of the family-owned Cometti Group, CTS leverages decades of industry expertise to tackle some of the most challenging materials, a mission significantly supported by its long-term partnership with global recycling technology leader, Eldan Recycling.

Under Managing Director Leigh Cometti, CTS identified a significant opportunity in recycling large Off-The-Road (OTR) tyres from the agricultural and mining sectors. Backed by substantial government support, the company invested over USD 40 million in a state-of-the-art facility in Neerabup, designed to process materials others find too difficult, including massive OTR tyres, mining conveyor belts and marine fenders. This strategic move was just the beginning. CTS is now executing a crucial transition from mere recycler to sophisticated remanufacturer, a shift designed to build domestic markets, lessen export dependency and enhance both environmental and economic resilience.

This evolution is powered by a comprehensive Eldan recycling line, a relationship that has been central to the company's performance for the past five years. The Eldan equipment provides the foundational capability to downsize any tyre, from a small lawnmower wheel to a 63-inch mining giant, and to process tough conveyor belts with ease. This robust and scalable infrastructure allows CTS to focus on adaptability and high-value production. The shift to remanufacturing means that instead of just selling separated materials, the company now produces a range of finished goods in-house under the Throughcycle Rubber brand. These products – including acoustic underlay, soft-fall flooring, matting and load restraint materials – displace virgin rubber imports from Europe and Asia, creating a genuinely local and circular alternative.

This strategic pivot yields profound benefits. By substituting imports and reducing the use of newly extracted rubber, CTS cuts emissions, creates local jobs and retains more material within the Australian economy. Perhaps most critically, this model insulates the business from the volatility of the export market for tyre-derived fuel, a revenue stream upon which many other recyclers have become dependent. By creating its own downstream markets, CTS ensures the industry's sustainability is not just environmental but also economic, demonstrating a clear and powerful correlation between ecological responsibility and long-term commercial viability.

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