It was only many years later that we learnt about the atrocities and the inhuman ways the natives of the Amazon Valley were subjected to by the white barons to develop exporting of natural rubber to Europe to provide the main raw material for the automotive tyre industry which was gradually evolving in to a flourishing industry. The inventing of synthetic rubber in the late 1940s and the development of SBR  due to the short supply of natural rubber from the colonies  in the East to cater for the growing demand for tyres used in the military vehicles during the Second World War and the Korean War is another episode of beyond the border commercial endeavours.

Although the word ‘globalisation’ was coined by Theodore Levitt in 1983 through an article ‘Globalisation of Markets’ which appeared in the Harvard Business Review  (May-June 1983), I feel that we should go way back in the annals of history to get an understanding of the term. This knowledge may not look attractive to the modern business world. Nevertheless, the sociologists and others of similar disciplines will certainly find such knowledge useful in comprehending the modern day socio-economic woes.

Origins of globalisation may possibly be traced back to early human migrations, presumably from the Olduvai George Gorge, a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another, particularly different countries, with the intent of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It typically involves movement over long distances. The driving motive, namely seeking dominance over fellow men and exploiting the natural environment to achieve success, does not seem to have changed over the millions of years.

The emergence of the great civilisations, e.g. Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and their subsequent decline can be attributed to globalisation. Similarly, the invasions and cross-border military conquests of historical fame (or notoriety) such as that of Alexander the Great and colonisation by the West for the exploitation of natural wealth in Asia, Africa and South America reveals an ugly facet of globalisation.

The Silk Route interlinking East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe, on the other hand, was central to the economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions form 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.

The industrialisation and expansion of business and commerce across countries during the past 300-plus years was fuelled by the four industrial revolutions, or waves as some prefer to identify them, namely steam power, conveyor system, computers and digitalisation. The process is continuing to the unforeseeable future with new knowledge and innovations fuelling the globalisation.

The multifaceted nature of globalisation has commonly been identified into eight types as shown below:

•           Political Globalisation

•           Social Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Technological Globalisation

•           Financial Globalisation

•           Cultural Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Geographical Globalisation

My intention is not to delve in to a discussion about the pros and cons of globalisation, which has been comprehensively documented, but to highlight on some key aspects from this part of the world, especially of the Asian subcontinent.

Knowledge dissemination across border, in my view, is the single most important factor associated with globalisation. This appears common to all the above types of globalisation. The dissemination of the Buddhist doctrine by the great Emperor Asoka to countries spreading from the far East to the Central Asia and Middle East including the present Sri Lanka during 3rd century BCE is one of the earliest recorded instances of globalisation.

Countries with long histories going back to 3,000 to 4,000-plus years, such as India, China and Sri Lanka, possessed a vast knowledge base ingrained in the social consciousness. This appears to have significantly influenced the philosophical and intellectual thought of the Greek and Persian periods. Unfortunately, a major part of this knowledge has been eroded through the influence of the West, which started around the 16th century. One good example of this knowledge found in the ancient irrigation knowledge of Sri Lanka is the engineering  marvel of a gradient of 1 inch per mile in an ancient canal about 87 km long,  built to connect two man-made reservoirs in the 5th century AD. Similarly, India and Sri Lanka possessed a vast indigenous knowledge base in medicine, astrology, architecture, agriculture, irrigation and astrology, and it is somewhat unfortunate that this knowledge has not been adequately globalised. The only significant inroads are seen in tourism. But that too are based on the western norms.

On the other hand, we have acquired a vast knowledge from the industrialised countries on modern management thoughts and technologies which have enabled industrialisation and improvement in living conditions of the populace. In this era of interdependency, a country cannot afford to ignore the technologies which are necessary to maintain a suitable level of competitiveness internationally. However, if this is accomplished at the expense of ignoring the inherent social and cultural foundations, the long-term adverse consequences would be disastrous and unimaginable.

The adverse long-term consequences of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and the global addiction to pharmaceuticals are already seen physically and socially in practically all the countries, especially the so called underdeveloped or developing countries.

The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the irreversible effects of global warming are two examples of globalisation which are affecting the mere sustenance  of mankind.

A country can immensely benefit by striving for stars through adopting modern technologies. However, the absolute importance of a strong base cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Back to a strong base and reinforcing the base lies at the core of sustainable development.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi echoing from the past reaffirm this plain truth in no uncertain terms.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”

“What's past is prologue," a quote from William Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone's to decide – with the knowledge gleaned from the past. (TT)

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Following a wave of international acclaim, Pirelli's Cyber Tyre technology continues to redefine automotive safety and connectivity, earning a trio of prestigious awards that underscore its transformative impact. The recognition began in France, where a panel of 20 industry experts at the Automobile Awards honoured the Cyber Tyre with the Safety Award for its ability to enhance vehicle security. This intelligent system employs integrated sensors that communicate with a car’s electronic control unit, delivering real-time road data. This allows vehicle stability systems to react more precisely, improving braking and handling, while also sharing critical information with road infrastructure and other connected vehicles to proactively alert of hazards.

Further acclaim came from Autobest, a European automotive jury representing 32 countries, which granted its SafetyBest 2026 award. This honour celebrates the pioneering development of the Cyber Tyre, a technology deemed of exceptional significance for raising road safety standards following rigorous evaluation. Simultaneously, the global market analysis firm Frost & Sullivan named Pirelli the 2025 Company of the Year in the smart automotive tyre sector. This award highlights Pirelli’s foresight in anticipating industry trends and bringing groundbreaking innovations to market that generate substantial value.

The culmination of two decades of development, Cyber Tyre technology is now moving from concept to real-world application through key automotive partnerships. Following its 2021 debut on the McLaren Artura, the system has been adopted by Audi for a special track model and is fully integrated into the electronics of the Pagani Utopia Roadster. A recently announced agreement with Aston Martin will see the technology featured on future models, with development also expanding into the premium volume market. These implementations are supported by a strategic collaboration with Bosch, ensuring seamless integration with essential vehicle systems like ESP and ABS.

Fundamentally, the Pirelli Cyber Tyre is an integrated hardware and software platform. It collects vital data on tyre pressure, temperature and dynamics, processes this information via proprietary algorithms and communicates instantly with a vehicle’s driver-assistance and stability controls. This elevates safety, efficiency and comfort. Its influence extends beyond the vehicle itself, contributing to smarter infrastructure. A pilot project in Italy’s Apulia region, for example, combines tyre sensor data with camera imagery to create dynamic road maps that monitor pavement conditions and aid maintenance planning. Through Vehicle-to-Everything connectivity, the Cyber Tyre is paving the way for smarter roads and cities, marking a decisive step towards future mobility by transforming the traditional tyre into a connected, intelligent component.

Andrea Casaluci, CEO, Pirelli, said, “These new recognitions confirm that the role of the tyre has changed. For over a century, the technologies inside it have been evolving, but its function has remained the same: conveying forces to the ground to ensure vehicle control. Today, the tyre continues to evolve, and to its primary purpose a new one has been added: thanks to Pirelli Cyber™ Tyre, it has begun to collect and transmit data, processed through algorithms developed by Pirelli. These enable new functionalities, both within vehicle electronics and in relation to road infrastructure, with development potential that looks towards smart cities and autonomous driving. Digitalisation and connectivity are essential pillars for designing future mobility, and our technology – the first of its kind in the tyre world – has embraced them, as confirmed by these awards and by our collaborations with leading car manufacturers.”

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Dunlop (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has integrated chemically recycled circular carbon black into selected passenger car tyres, initiating mass production at its Miyazaki facility in November 2025. This marks the first application of this recycled material within Dunlop's commercial tyre range. The circular carbon black is derived from end-of-life tyres and manufacturing rubber scrap, which are processed through chemical recycling instead of being incinerated for energy. Developed in partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical, this approach transforms waste into a valuable raw material, promoting a circular economy and helping to lower CO₂ emissions.

This innovation was first proven in high-performance settings, having been successfully tested in Dunlop racing tyres during the competitive SUPER GT 2025 season, where it delivered reliable results. The initiative is a key component of Sumitomo Rubber’s overarching TOWANOWA circular economy strategy, which seeks to embed sustainability throughout the tyre lifecycle. This framework connects a sustainable ring, managing five key processes, with a data ring that harnesses information to generate additional value. A central element involves increasing the adoption of sustainable materials to lessen environmental footprint.

Operationally, Sumitomo Rubber provides rubber waste to Mitsubishi Chemical, which then utilises coke oven chemical recycling to produce the circular carbon black. This partnership redirects rubber from combustion to material recovery, enhancing resource efficiency and fostering more sustainable tyre production. Moving forward, the company plans to further develop its TOWANOWA strategy, concentrating on reducing ecological impact, improving tyre safety and performance and expanding service-oriented solutions for sustainable mobility.

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Bridgestone India has further strengthened its environmental and educational mission with the opening of a Nature Interpretation Centre. This new facility, an eco-friendly mud structure, is situated within the company’s thriving Butterfly Garden at its Kheda Plant. Designed as a hub for nature-based learning, the Centre provides immersive educational tools such as 3D models and interactive smart boards, alongside a resource area with books and training materials. It will facilitate workshops and community programmes, having already engaged over 70 local students with hands-on conservation experiences.

The surrounding 1.23-acre Butterfly Garden forms a critical habitat, home to over 7,000 native plants that sustain a diverse ecosystem of butterflies, birds, mammals and pollinators. Its ecological impact is demonstrated by a Bombay Natural History Society evaluation, noting a significant rise in biodiversity. Since the garden’s creation, documented butterfly species have grown from 44 to 68 and bird species from 40 to 46, with several birds recorded in the Kheda region for the first time.

Collectively, the garden and centre showcase a successful model for harmonising industrial activity with nature, actively supporting Bridgestone’s commitment to sustainable growth and meaningful community engagement.

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has formally completed the merger of its subsidiary, Cavendish Industries Ltd., into its operations, a strategic move that follows Cavendish's acquisition in 2016. At that time, Cavendish was operating at only 30 percent of its manufacturing capacity for various vehicle tyres. Under JK Tyre's stewardship, the subsidiary received extensive managerial, financial and technical support, which facilitated a complete operational turnaround. Through optimised manufacturing processes, capacity utilisation dramatically increased to 95 percent. Additional expansion at the Laksar facility further bolstered its substantial contribution to the company's overall tyre production.

This consolidation is projected to generate significant value by combining operational strengths, achieving greater economies of scale, and creating a more robust and diversified product portfolio. The unified entity will also benefit from an extensive, integrated distribution network. The merger aligns with JK Tyre's enduring strategy of pursuing sustainable growth through both organic projects and strategic acquisitions. Cavendish’s successful integration represents the company’s third major operational turnaround, following previous revitalisations of Vikrant Tyres and JK Tornel Mexico, alongside the establishment of two Greenfield plants.

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