Epsilon Carbon launched of Terrablack, a pioneering product line designed to redefine the sector with sustainability at its core. The unveiling took place at the Bharat Mobility Show’s India International Tyre Exhibition in New Delhi, attended by industry leaders including JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal, Epsilon Carbon Managing Director Vikram Handa and others

Terrablack addresses the growing demand for sustainable carbon black by utilising recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre derived oil (TDO). After 24 months of rigorous testing and collaboration, the product line delivers high-performance, environmentally conscious solutions tailored for both tyre and non-tyre industries. Terrablack exemplifies a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility, setting a benchmark for the future of carbon black production.

The Terrablack portfolio features Terrablack 3310, which is engineered for heavy-duty applications such as tyre treads, offering superior wear resistance and durability, and the Terrablack 6615, designed for flexibility and resilience, ideal for tyre sidewalls, hoses, belts and sealing systems.

Both products seamlessly complement traditional virgin carbon black, providing equivalent performance with significantly reduced environmental impact. The Terrablack line is capable of lowering Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 40–50 percent, aligning with global sustainability objectives and supporting compliance with Tyre Extended Producer Responsibility standards.

Alluding to the launch. Handa said, “Terrablack is not just a product; it is a promise—a promise to innovate, protect the planet, and drive industries toward a greener future. We believe that innovation, performance and sustainability should go hand in hand, and Terrablack is a testament to that belief and it’s a significant step in our mission to redefine the carbon black industry and pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.”

Looking ahead, Epsilon Carbon is advancing its sustainability commitment with the planned establishment of a fully integrated tyre recycling plant in Karnataka, expected to be operational by FY26. This facility will recycle 30,000 tonnes of tyres annually, generating 9,500 tonnes of recovered carbon black and 12,000 tonnes of tyre-derived oil. This initiative reinforces Epsilon Carbon’s commitment to turning the concept of a circular economy into a practical reality. With Terrablack, Epsilon Carbon is setting a new standard, proving that sustainability does not have to come at the cost of performance.

Martins Industries has announced the acquisition of ABC American Balancing Corp, a specialist in tyre balancing beads. This strategic move marks a significant step in the diversification and expansion of Martins' product offerings.

ABC American Balancing Corp provides a versatile solution for a wide range of vehicles, including motorcycles, using a traditional bead insertion method via the tire valve. This technology ensures precise and rapid balancing, enhancing tire longevity, driving performance and fuel efficiency.

The complementary nature of Martins' products and ABC American Balancing Corp’s offerings will allow Martins to cater to a broader market, covering all segments of the tyre industry. This acquisition strengthens Martins' ability to address diverse tyre balancing needs, offering more flexible and tailored solutions to meet customer requirements across different sectors.

“I’m thrilled to welcome ABC American Balancing Corp to our portfolio,” said Martin Dépelteau, President of MARTINS. “This acquisition opens up new markets for our tire balancing product line, particularly in the motorcycle segment, where quick and easy valve-based installation ensures safe, precise balancing.”

With the integration of ABC’s proven products, Martins continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering innovative, reliable solutions, further diversifying its offerings to meet the varied needs of tire professionals while upholding the high-quality standards that have defined the company.

"I am very pleased to add a top-quality brand like American Balancing Corp to our portfolio. This opportunity will open new markets for Martins' tyre balancing product line, particularly for motorcycles, with quick and easy installation via the valve, ensuring safe and precise tyre balancing," said Martins President Martin Depelteau. 

Hankook Tire is introducing its new Optimo sub-brand in Europe. With a more varied brand portfolio, Hankook will be able to better serve consumer demands and grow its market share in Europe.

One of Hankook's incredibly popular heritage all-season tyres served as the inspiration for the Optimo brand name. It stands for Optimo's dependability and capacity to satisfy strong demand with a condensed product line that accommodates a variety of client needs in all seasons. Hankook's current premium and related passenger vehicle tyre brands are enhanced by Optimo. In a market category where demand is rising, the lineup is made to provide enough market coverage with key items.

By giving customers a dependable and trustworthy choice, the portfolio addition seeks to promote Hankook's expansion. As competition heats up, Optimo will help protect market share by providing fresh chances in unexplored markets and channels. With an emphasis on performance and dependability, the brand will provide a distinct and targeted product line that includes summer, all-season and winter tyres. In order to increase brand recognition and loyalty, Hankook will support Optimo with sales support resources that will be accessible both online and offline.

Hankook Tire will support Optimo, guaranteeing that consumers will identify it as a brand made by a reliable and respectable company. All marketing and sales collateral will clearly display this endorsement, highlighting Optimo's dependability and integrity. In the second quarter of 2025, the brand will be expanded to further areas outside of Europe.

Jongho Park, COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “In recent years, Hankook has seen tremendous growth in the European market. With the introduction of Optimo, we are now setting course to continue this success story in the future.”

International Finance Corporation (IFC) has sanctioned a USD 100 million sustainability-linked loan (SLL) to JK Tyre. The funding includes USD 30 million to JK Tyre and Industries Limited and up to USD 70 million for Cavendish Industries Limited (CIL), a subsidiary of JK Tyre.  

The funding will support the expansion of tyre manufacturing capacity, focusing on passenger car radial (PCR) tyres at JK Tyre's Banmore plant in Madhya Pradesh and truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres at CIL’s Laksar plant in Uttarakhand. The initiative aims to promote energy-efficient tyre production, strengthen local supply chains and create jobs.

Commenting on the development, JK Tyre and Industries Chairman Dr Raghupati Singhania said, “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with IFC, securing a $100 million Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) to fund our growth plans. By aligning financing to sustainability goals, we aim to drive positive environmental and social impact while achieving our growth objectives. This reaffirms our commitment to sustainable development, while embracing a holistic approach to bolster our presence in key product segments.”

IFC’s Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Riccardo Puliti said,  “Sustainable manufacturing is key to realizing India’s green ambitions. The enduring partnership between IFC and JK Group demonstrates our shared commitment to this vision. Our latest investment will drive climate-smart manufacturing, enhance supply-chain integration, create quality jobs, and propel India towards self-reliance in domestic production. The SLL, a first in India’s tyre industry, aims to set a benchmark and catalyze widespread adoption across the manufacturing sector.”

CEAT has reached a significant milestone with its Chennai plant being recognised as part of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network. This makes CEAT the first tyre brand globally to receive such an honour. The inclusion of the Chennai plant further builds on the success of CEAT’s Halol facility, which was the first tyre plant in the world to be inducted into the network. This recognition highlights the company’s commitment to embedding advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies at scale to drive innovation and operational excellence.

The Global Lighthouse Network identifies and celebrates manufacturing facilities that have achieved transformative outcomes through the use of 4IR technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), robotics and advanced analytics. CEAT’s Chennai plant exemplifies this approach, showcasing measurable improvements across various key areas.

The deployment of advanced analytics and real-time monitoring systems has led to an 18 percent reduction in cycle times, while operation costs have been reduced by 31 percent. In terms of sustainability, the plant has made significant strides with eco-efficiency initiatives in energy and water usage, resulting in a 47 percent reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions. These achievements align with CEAT’s ongoing commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Additionally, the plant has prioritised workforce digital enablement with over 80 percent of its workforce now equipped with digital tools, enabling data-driven decision-making and enhanced automation workflows. This further underscores CEAT's leadership in adopting digital transformation strategies to enhance both productivity and sustainability.

Speaking on the achievement, RPG Group Vice Chairman Anant Goenka said, “The recognition of our Chennai plant as a WEF Lighthouse is a remarkable milestone for CEAT, marking our second facility to join this prestigious network. The deployment of advanced digital solutions has improved dispatch turn around by 54 percent and labour productivity by 25 percent. This underscores our continued commitment to leveraging digital transformation to drive operational excellence, sustainability, and innovation across our manufacturing units.”

Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at CEAT, Jayasankar Kuruppal, stated “This recognition underscores our vision of establishing intelligent factories that not only deliver business value but also contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability. The Chennai plant has redefined benchmarks in productivity through the seamless integration of advanced technologies while maintaining a strong focus on resource efficiency. This accomplishment reaffirms CEAT’s role as a global leader in manufacturing excellence, setting a benchmark for future readiness and innovation.”

Speaking about the announcement, Head of Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, World Economic  Forum, Kiva Allgood, said, "Across our Global Lighthouse Network, digital technologies are revolutionizing production ecosystems. From AI-driven control towers to zero-code workflows, Lighthouses exemplify sustainable innovation, setting benchmarks millions can follow to drive transformational change across the entire ecosystem."