Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone), has renewed its commitment to the country.

The tyre maker has announced a strategic investment of USD 85 million towards expanding capacity and capability in India starting 2025. The funds will be directed towards Bridgestone's Pune and Indore plants to reinforce the company’s premium-mass strategy.

The move will see the company’s Pune plant to produce 1.1 million tyres annually by 2029 and also upgrade its Indore facility to produce premium tyres.

Bridgestone India will also establish a satellite technology centre at its Pune plant in 2025 to produce ‘Dan-Totsu products’. These products will be customised optimally for the Indian market with ‘Enliten’ technology, which is the base technology for product design.

This, the company says, will accelerate the technology development capability of its entire engineering chain from material planning to product research / design and manufacturing for the domestic market.

The Japanese tyre major sees huge potential in the Indian premium passenger car tyre segment. Furthermore, with India's stable outlook in terms of economic development and growth in the number of automakers further provides an optimistic outlook.

In addition, Bridgestone India sees the growing demand including the demand for High Rim Diameter (HRD) tyres and all the other categories over the mid-long term.

The initiatives are part of Bridgestone Mid Term Business Plan (2024-2026) as ‘Create good tyres’ and ‘Create good business’.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.

PCBL Limited, a leading global manufacturer of carbon black, announced plans to evaluate new sites for a greenfield capacity expansion. The move is part of its strategy to meet growing international and domestic demand, underscoring its vision of achieving 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity by fiscal year 2027-28.

The expansion comes as PCBL leverages strong financial results and increased production capabilities. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, the company reported a consolidated revenue of INR 21. 63 billion, a year-on-year growth of 45 percent. Sales volumes rose 14 percent to 148,693 tonnes, with exports accounting for 58,474 tonnes, a 22 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

PCBL currently operates with an installed carbon black capacity of 770,000 MTPA and plans to commission two major projects in the coming months. A specialty-grade carbon black facility with a capacity of 20,000 MTPA in Mundra and a 30,000 MTPA brownfield expansion in Tamil Nadu are expected to be operational by the end of the fiscal third quarter. A subsequent second phase of expansion at Tamil Nadu will add 60,000 MTPA, raising the company’s total capacity to 880,000 MTPA by fiscal year 2025-26.

Additionally, PCBL announced an aggressive expansion programme in specialty products, targeting a doubling of specialty-grade output by fiscal year 2028.

The company projects a total capital expenditure of approximately INR 25 billion crore over the next five years to fund its carbon black capacity expansion. The projected cost per metric tonne for new capacity is estimated at INR 65,000, supporting PCBL’s growth aspirations in high-margin specialty products and performance chemicals.

PCBL aims to capitalize on opportunities created by supply chain shifts in Europe and Asia, as well as tightening environmental standards worldwide. The company has reported increasing its European market share from four percent to over 21 percent within two years, driven by the sanctions on Russian exports and the cost inefficiencies of Chinese manufacturers.

PCBL is also advancing its innovation capabilities, particularly in battery chemicals through its joint venture Nanovace Technologies Limited. The venture aims to develop nanosilicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, marking a diversification into cutting-edge technology.

The new capacity additions and site evaluations reflect PCBL’s confidence in sustained growth across domestic and international markets. With a strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and market expansion, PCBL is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving global carbon black industry.

Maxxis has launched the third generation High Road tyre, a redesigned all-purpose road race tyre. The redesigned High Road aims to provide improved performance over its predecessor.

The tyre is available in tubeless as well as tube-type variants and features a 150 TPI casing and a new Turn-Up construction that reduces weight while increasing puncture protection. The enhanced tread pattern further aids in providing a smoother ride in any condition.

Both the variants gain strength with a refreshed HYPR compound, which provides 16 percent less rolling resistance with 23 percent better grip in wet conditions, and K2 Puncture Protection, a Maxxis-exclusive fabric that provides greater puncture protection than aramid, claims the company.

Firestone has launched the new Firestone Vanhawk 3 EV-ready van tyre for light commercial vehicles. The tyre succeeds the Vanhawk 2 and claims longer mileage, improved fuel/energy efficiency and enhanced wet braking.

Developed using Bridgestone’s ENLITEN Technology, the latest van tyre from Firestone is fully EV-ready and offers 13 percent longer mileage, a 10 percent reduction in rolling resistance and a 13 percent improvement in wet braking. This is made possible because of features such as optimised grooves and unique sipe distribution that work in tandem with the enhanced compound to optimise energy dissipation, maximise water evacuation and provide enhanced grip.

The Firestone Vanhawk 3 comes with an EU label B-grade for wet grip, as well as a B-grade for fuel efficiency in selected sizes. The tyre will be launched in January 2025 and will be available across Europe from 15 inches to 17 inches in 20 short sizes and 23 long sizes.

Stefano Sanchini, Vice President – Consumer Replacement, Bridgestone EMEA, said, “The Firestone Vanhawk 3 is for professionals and private van drivers who are looking to invest in a durable and cost-efficient tyre. With the introduction of ENLITEN, we’ve taken the best of the Vanhawk 2 – fuel economy, mileage and wet weather handling – and significantly improved all three areas. The Vanhawk 3 provides improved performance across the board for everyday journeys.”