The European tyre and rubber industry has welcomed the European Parliament’s vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), describing it as a step towards greater clarity in sustainability efforts.

The sector has been actively addressing the Regulation’s objectives even before its formal proposal, notably through its involvement in the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

“Clear timelines and practical guidance are essential for our industry to comply effectively with the EUDR,” said Adam McCarthy, Secretary General of ETRMA. “We are eager to continue working with EU policymakers to find solutions that benefit the entire supply chain.”

In light of the extended implementation timeline, the industry plans to enhance its systems to ensure compliance. Key measures include expanding the mapping of smallholder farmers to cover a broader supply base, providing them with necessary support, and refining Annex I of the Regulation to avoid any unintended impact on circular economy practices.

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) reaffirmed its commitment to embedding sustainable practices across the natural rubber supply chain. The association also pledged to support the sector’s competitiveness while ensuring a smooth transition to meet the Regulation’s requirements.

This initiative underscores the industry’s long-term dedication to promoting sustainability while aligning with the EU’s environmental goals.

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."

Indag Rubber launched its latest innovation called the Win Master at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. This pre-cured tread rubber brand promises an unmatched mileage of over 1 lakh kilometres on radial tyres. With its advanced engineering and rigorous testing, Win Master brings a significant opportunity for fleet operators to lower operational costs while maintaining durability and superior performance.

Backed by extensive tests on radial tyres, Win Master ensures longevity on India’s challenging road conditions. It offers dramatic reduction in cost-per-kilometre , translating into substantial savings for fleet operators. 

Commenting on the occassion, Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shrinivas said, “The launch of Win Master at Bharat Mobility Expo reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and value creation for our customers. By providing unparalleled mileage and reducing operational costs, Win Master is a game-changer for fleet owners across India.”