The Indian government has nominated Dr R. Mukhopadhyay, Director (R&D) of JK Tyre and Industries Ltd, as the president of the Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA). 

Dr Mukhopadhyay replaces Dr RK Matthan, who completed three years as president of IRMRA, according to a press release. 

After completing his graduation from the University of Calcutta and MSc – Ph.D. from IIT Kharagpur, Dr Mukhopadhyay started his career in the 70s as a Faculty in Applied Chemistry at IIT, Kharagpur. He subsequently joined Bayer India (Rubber Chemical Division). He was the Director and Chief Executive of Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI) since its inception in 1991 and Director. R&D, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. With close to five decades of experience in Education, Training and Research he has been contributing expertise towards rubber science and tyre technology, the release pointed out.  

He is also a Visiting Faculty at different IITs and national universities in India. He has to his credit more than 175 research and Technical Papers in national and international journals and seven patents from his research work. Under his guidance, ten scientists did their Ph.D from different universities/IITs.  

He is the Chairman of Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) Governing Council and Fellow Member of Indian National Academy of Engineers (FNAE), The Institution of Engineers India (FIE), Indian Rubber Institute (FIRI), American Chemical Society-Rubber Division, Indian Society of Analytical Scientists, Indian Institute of Quality etc. 

Dr Mukhopadhyay is also a member of Academic Advisory Board of Techno India NJR Institute of Technology, Udaipur, Member of Governing Council of Rubber Skill Development Council, under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Govt. of India. 

He is also a Lead Assessor of different Quality Management Systems and different Business Excellence Models. He is a member of Advisory Board of Certification Services, British Standards Institute (BSI), India and BSI APAC Certification Body Impartiality Committee (CBIC), British Standards Institution (BSI) Asia Pacific Region. 

He is instrumental in establishing “Dr. D.Banerjee Centre of Excellence” at JSS Technical Institutions Campus in Mysuru. This Centre acts as a nodal centre for rubber technology education, training, testing, research and skill development in Karnataka including BVoc course in Rubber Technology and various certificate programmes for different job roles of “Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC) under Skill India Mission proposed by the Prime Minister. (TT)

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For the second year running, CHIMEI Corporation has secured the prestigious Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top one percent of 150,000+ global companies evaluated for sustainability performance. This recognition reflects CHIMEI’s excellence across environmental stewardship, labour practices, ethical operations and sustainable procurement.

The EcoVadis assessment, a gold standard for corporate sustainability, has seen growing participation and stricter criteria as ESG awareness rises worldwide. CHIMEI demonstrated particular progress in 2025, advancing its Sustainable Procurement score through platinum-level Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) certification. This strengthened supply chain oversight, workplace safety standards and employee welfare initiatives. The company also elevated its Ethics performance via ISO 27001 information security and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications, reinforcing governance transparency.

Since joining EcoVadis evaluations in 2021, CHIMEI has systematically enhanced its sustainability framework through continuous strategy reviews and operational improvements. Back-to-back Platinum ratings validate its leadership in sustainable business practices and commitment to the ‘Clean & Green’ vision. Moving forward, CHIMEI will intensify efforts in carbon reduction, eco-innovation, and supply chain collaboration to accelerate progress towards net-zero goals. This achievement not only recognises current performance but also fuels the company’s drive to set new benchmarks in responsible corporate citizenship.

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For nearly three decades, Titan International has championed agricultural preservation and education through its Antique Tractor Restoration Program. Since 1996, the company has contributed over USD 1 million to FFA chapters nationwide through tyre donations, auctions, and fundraising support – including USD 50,000 worth of tyres in 2025 alone. These investments have enabled students to breathe new life into historic farm equipment while developing hands-on technical skills.

The programme’s impact shines through success stories like Jenna Rosener, a 4-H member from Anthon, Iowa, whose restored tractor earned recognition at the Iowa State Fair thanks to Titan’s rear tyre donation. Similarly, Nevada FFA Chapter President Lily Henderson redirected savings from Titan’s donated tyres towards premium restoration materials for her 1948 Oliver tractor project. According to Nevada High School agriculture instructor Kevin Cooper, such partnerships do more than preserve machinery – they inspire future agricultural leaders.

Beyond individual projects, Titan’s commitment extends to community engagement. This year marks their inaugural sponsorship of the Central Iowa Tractor Club Display at the Iowa State Fair, featuring over 70 vintage and modern tractors. The exhibit offers fairgoers a tangible connection to farming’s evolution while showcasing student restoration achievements.

From California to Maine, Titan’s specialised antique tractor tyres and restoration support help students master mechanical skills, project management and agricultural history. By bridging generations through these initiatives, Titan reinforces its dual mission: honouring farming’s heritage while equipping the innovators who will shape its future.

Kim Boccardi, VP – Marketing, Titan, said, “At Titan, we believe strong roots lead to a stronger future. Through our Antique Tractor Restoration Program, we're not only helping preserve agricultural history but also inspiring tomorrow’s innovators, teachers, technicians and leaders. I wish I’d had access to a programme like this when I was in 4-H – it truly fosters craftsmanship, education and community, and fuels the passion for farming for generations to come.”

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Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest innovation for the trucking industry with the launch of the W920, a tandem-axle radial drive tyre built to deliver reliable performance in all seasons. Engineered with Bridgestone’s next-generation ENLITEN technology, the W920 combines extended tread life, superior traction, and sustainability enhancements to meet the evolving demands of commercial fleets.

As the third ENLITEN-equipped tyre introduced for the commercial truck segment in 2025, the W920 represents Bridgestone’s commitment to advanced engineering that aligns with both operational efficiency and environmental goals. The tyre builds on the success of its predecessor, the W919, with notable improvements, including Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for dependable performance in rain and snow.

Fleet operators can expect a six percent increase in wear life compared to competitors like the Michelin XDS 2, translating to an estimated 10,000 additional miles (17,000 kilometres) per tyre, states the company. The W920’s non-directional tread design simplifies mounting and rotation, while features such as stone rejector platforms, specialised tread compounds and full-depth sipes enhance durability and all-weather capability. Additionally, the tyre’s premium casing supports multiple retread cycles, further extending its service life.

Manufactured at Bridgestone’s Warren County Plant in Tennessee, the W920 will debut in the 11R22.5 size, with additional sizes planned for release in 2026.

Brad Booth, Director, Canadian Commercial Sales, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Weather plays a significant role in every fleet’s journey. Our aim with the W920 is to mitigate risks and elements that weather brings to the road and give drivers more confidence in these uncertain conditions. The Bridgestone W920 tyre with ENLITEN technology illustrates our company’s passion for bringing products to the market that directly respond to the needs of fleets in different regions.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) projects total tyre shipments will reach a historic high of 340.2 million units in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 337.3 million set in 2024. This represents a 0.9 percent year-over-year increase and a 2.3 percent gain compared to 2019 levels (332.7 million), signalling continued recovery and growth in the tyre industry.

The forecast reveals diverging trends between original equipment (OE) and replacement markets. OE shipments are expected to decline across all categories, with passenger tyres dropping 2.0 percent (42.3 million units), light truck tyres down 1.4 percent (6.6 million) and truck tyres falling 8.0 percent (5.2 million) compared to 2024. This 1.4-million-unit overall reduction reflects softening demand from vehicle manufacturers.

In contrast, the replacement market shows robust growth, particularly in light truck (37.7 million units, +2.5 percent) and truck tyres (24.3 million, +3.7 percent), which have surged 15.7 percent and 28.2 percent, respectively, since 2019. Passenger replacement tyres (224.2 million) maintain steady demand with a 1.2 percent annual increase. Combined, replacement shipments are projected to grow by 4.4 million units in 2025.

These trends highlight shifting dynamics in the tyre industry, with aftermarket demand driving overall growth even as OE shipments contract. The data suggests consumers are prioritising tyre replacements and upgrades, potentially influenced by extended vehicle ownership cycles and evolving fleet needs.

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