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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NEXEN TIRE has unveiled a major marketing push across United States designed to lift brand visibility among everyday drivers and sports fans alike. The initiative merges high-profile sports arena placements with hands-on retail strategies, aiming to reach consumers through stadium screens, in-store displays and moving advertisements. Company officials see this broad approach as a key step in deepening connections with the American market, which remains the world’s largest for tyre sales.

A central piece of the effort involves digital LED advertising inside nine Major League Baseball stadiums spread across four different US regions, ensuring exposure to both live crowds and television audiences. The company has also purchased commercial time on more than 10 sports networks to stretch its national reach. Beyond baseball, NEXEN TIRE will extend its existing sponsorship of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks, adding ribbon boards and exterior billboards at the team’s home rink and training facility.

On the retail side, the manufacturer is placing banner and digital advertisements at over 3,000 locations throughout North America, including major big-box chains and specialised tyre stores. A separate truckside advertising campaign will put branded wraps on delivery vehicles operated by key dealer partners, turning highways and local roads into moving billboards. The North American region already generates 22 percent of NEXEN TIRE’s total revenue, a figure representing roughly 40 percent growth since 2021, with larger diameter tyres of 18 inches and above now accounting for half of all regional sales due to rising demand for trucks, SUVs and premium vehicles.

The company has further strengthened its position by broadening its retail distribution network, launching new tyre models, attending industry gatherings like the SEMA Show and hosting test drive events for dealers. With this latest brand investment, NEXEN TIRE expects to accelerate its growth trajectory and lock in a more permanent presence across the North American market.

Brian (Yoonseok) Han, CEO, Nexen Tire America, said, "The core of this strategy is making NEXEN TIRE a natural part of American consumers' everyday lives, from stadiums to stores to the roads they drive on each day. By combining sports marketing with retail activation in a comprehensive campaign, we expect to accelerate growth in the North American market."

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Dunlop Tire Corporation (DUNLOP) has entered a strategic partnership with the International Auto Film Festa (IAFF), now in its fourth year as a global hub for automotive cinema. All future references to the event from 2026 onward will carry the title ‘International Auto Film Festa - Powered by DUNLOP’, marking a significant branding shift.

The Tokyo-based festival has quickly become a unique cultural celebration blending automobiles, filmmaking and creativity. Filmmakers worldwide are invited to submit original short films of up to 15 minutes, covering car culture, cinematography, animation, artificial intelligence and motorsport. As the official title partner, Dunlop will help expand the festival’s international footprint, rooted in shared values of innovation, performance and storytelling.

All 12 judges have already cast their votes for this year’s winners. The award ceremony and party for the International Auto Film Festa - Powered by DUNLOP will take place on 25 April in Tokyo’s Roppongi district.

Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Founder, IAFF, said, “We are truly honoured to welcome Dunlop, a global brand, as our title partner. IAFF is not merely a short movie competition but a new cultural platform where automobiles and cinema merge. With Dunlop's strong support, we are confident that, together with creators and their works from around the world, we can vividly portray the future of automotive culture from Japan, a major automotive nation.”

Akito Makino President and CEO, Dunlop Tire Corporation, said, “Dunlop supports the International Auto Film Festa, which aims to showcase the appeal and potential of automotive culture through film, and has decided to sponsor this film festival. As a company that supports the evolution of mobility and the emotions of people, we will continue to contribute to the development of diverse values and culture surrounding automobiles.”

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Pirelli has announced a technical update for the Moto2 class ahead of the World Championship’s European season opener this weekend in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The Italian tyre manufacturer will supply riders with a new rear development tyre designated F0192. This specification shares the same structural design as the existing supersoft SCX but introduces an alternative compound aimed at enhancing wear resistance and delivering more consistent performance over race distances.

Following its initial rollout at the United States Grand Prix, the standard supersoft SCX remains available for this round, enabling Moto2 competitors to conduct a direct back‑to‑back comparison with the new compound variant. Both rear supersoft options may be paired with the standard soft SC1 and medium SC2 front tyres. With the addition of the development tyre, each intermediate class rider will have access to up to ten rear tyres across the weekend.

For the Moto3 category, the championship’s entry class will rely on proven, reliable solutions. Riders will use the soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds for both front and rear positions. These specifications have a successful track record in Jerez, as demonstrated last year when José Antonio Rueda claimed victory with a medium SC2 front and a soft SC1 rear.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “On the occasion of the Spanish GP, scheduled for this weekend at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto, we have decided to provide Moto2™ riders with a new rear development specification, the F0192. Compared to the standard supersoft SCX, it retains the same structure but features a new compound. This solution should improve wear while also delivering more consistent performance over race distance.

“The Jerez circuit is an excellent testing ground for evaluating new soft solutions, as it does not have highly abrasive asphalt and, at this time of year, temperatures are usually warm enough to allow the use of particularly soft options. In addition to this new solution, riders will of course also have access to the standard SCX, enabling a direct comparison between the two tyres under the same track and weather conditions, providing us with the most accurate feedback possible. The supersoft was already used as a race tyre last year and proved well suited to the characteristics of this circuit, so it is simply a matter of understanding which of the two alternatives will be preferred by the riders.”

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The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has warned that UK’s circular economy goal will remain out of reach if waste tyre processing continues to move abroad. Environment Agency data shows enhanced verification measures introduced last October have a compliance rate below two percent, a figure the TRA described as deeply concerning. Without a fundamental shift in policy and enforcement, a closed-loop system cannot be realised.

Exporters are systematically ignoring the new rules. Of 4,189 waste tyre shipments since 1 October 2025, only 54 post-shipment forms were completed correctly, a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent. The vast majority of UK’s annual 300,000 tonnes of tyre exports end up at illegal batch pyrolysis plants in India. The TRA called this both an environmental failure and an economic loss, as the UK ships abroad the very feedstock needed to power its own circular economy.

While the UK treats waste tyres as a disposal problem, the domestic sector holds 150,000 tonnes of licensed but idle processing capacity. The TRA argued that with enforceable regulation and proper oversight, the industry could expand significantly, creating skilled jobs and generating high-value secondary materials at home instead of losing them overseas.

Shredding tyres reduces environmentally harmful disposal and unlocks new value streams. Shredded tyres are strategic feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, advanced continuous pyrolysis, recovered carbon black for new tyre manufacturing and rubberised asphalt for long-life roads. The TRA urged immediate regulatory action to stop uncontrolled exports and activate dormant domestic processing capacity without further delay.

Peter Taylor OBE, Secretary General, Tyre Recovery Association, said, “The Environment Agency’s transparency is very welcome, but the figures are an indictment of those tyre export brokers who continue to operate without conscience. To see a compliance rate of just 1.3 percent is ultimately depressing, these measures are a long way off having any meaningful impact.

“New measures need to be introduced so that EA can fulfil their statutory duty; until then, the export chain simply continues to abuse their goodwill. We must face the hard reality. Shred is the only immediate route to a circular economy and sustainable future for British operators. Unless we mandate that tyres must be mechanically processed into shred before they leave our shores, we will continue to fuel pollution abroad while our domestic recycling assets wither.

“Our neighbours and competitors are realising the opportunity from secondary materials. We continue to export the UK’s future in the back of shipping containers, while the rest of the world builds a circular economy. If the UK does not move to a shred-only mandate, we will be left behind.”

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