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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Nova Motorsport has secured a multi-year agreement to become the Official Tyre Partner of the PartsForCars.ie Irish Rallycross Championship (IRX). The deal, struck with championship promoter Mondello Park, also brings in leading Irish motorsport supplier Euro M-Sport as a third partner. Under the arrangement, Nova Motorsport will serve as the exclusive tyre supplier to three headline classes from Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2026/27 season onward.

The affected categories are Supercar, Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car. Euro M-Sport will be present at every IRX event to supply and fit Nova Motorsport tyres for all competitors in these classes, ensuring consistent product availability and expert trackside assistance throughout the campaign. The collaboration links Ireland’s foremost rallycross promoter with a tyre brand whose lineage is deeply rooted in the discipline.

Nova Motorsport manufactures the former Avon Motorsport range under licence and owns the assets and intellectual property previously employed to produce Cooper Tires competition products. This gives the brand direct continuity with tyres that have long dominated rallycross, from national events to the FIA World Rallycross Championship. In the Supercar class, IRX competitors will use the Nova ACB11 in 225/640-17 fitment, with the Nova RALLYCROSS WET 210/635R17 available for wet conditions.

The ACB11 stands as the most successful rallycross tyre ever produced, with 10 FIA World Rallycross Championship titles, over 20 consecutive European crowns and numerous national honours. Relaunched in 2024, it is manufactured in Portugal using the original moulds, compound and construction, allowing IRX drivers to race on the same specification that has defined the sport’s elite level. Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car will run the all-new Nova ZZXC, revealed in August 2026 and developed specifically for Cross Car competition.

The ZZXC is Nova Motorsport’s first clean-sheet design. Its asymmetric rear tread fits either side of the car, reducing spare requirements, while a larger-block outer shoulder boosts durability and a more open inner pattern generates traction. Tyre pressure adjustments alter the rear profile for dry, wet or muddy conditions. Benchmark testing with three-time FIA European Cross Car Champion David Méat confirmed strong start-line traction, lateral grip and durability. The partnership also includes branding on every car in the exclusive categories, winner’s caps, Mondello Park signage, digital promotion and website features.

Roddy Greene, Managing Director, Mondello Park, said, “We are excited to have Nova Motorsport as our Tyre Partner as we enter a new era in the promotion of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Although Nova Motorsport is a relatively new company, it comes with a huge heritage, particularly in rallycross. Rallycross demands specialist tyres, so bringing on board a company as synonymous with rallycross as Nova Motorsport was an easy decision. We look forward to working with Nova as we continue to promote rallycross within Irish Motorsport.”

Matthew Vincent, Senior Product Category Manager, Nova Motorsport, said, “Nova Motorsport is proud to become Official Tyre Partner of the Irish Rallycross Championship. Irish rallycross has a long history and a passionate following, and under Mondello Park’s promotion, the IRX is a championship with real momentum. This agreement reinforces our commitment to rallycross at every level of the sport and gives us the ideal platform to bring both the ACB11 and the all-new ZZXC to a new group of competitors. The ACB11 needs little introduction. It is the most successful rallycross tyre ever made, and IRX Supercar drivers will race on exactly the construction and compound that has won world championships. The ZZXC is the first product we have created from a clean sheet, developed specifically for Cross Car, so it is fitting that the Super Buggies and FIA Cross Car classes will be among the first to compete on it. With Euro M-Sport delivering trackside supply and fitting at every round, competitors can be confident of consistent product and the highest level of support throughout the season.”

Mick McCullagh, Director, Euro M-Sport, said, “Rallycross, with the help of Mondello Park, has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the most exciting spectacles in Irish Motorsport. Euro M-Sport has a growing professional track record across multi-discipline motorsports, such as BSB, WEC, Motorsport Ireland Stages Events and contractual work with OEM Manufacturers. We are now delighted to partner with Nova Motorsport and the IRX to provide a world-class tyre and fitting service and help continue the growth of Rallycross in Ireland.”

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Hankook Tire has been named a Finalist in two categories at the 2026 International Design Excellence Awards, presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America. The IDEA programme ranks among the world’s three leading design honours, alongside Germany’s Red Dot and iF awards, with entrants judged across more than 20 categories on factors such as innovation, user experience and social responsibility.

One finalist entry came in the Social Impact Design category for re:move, an upcycling initiative that converts tyre-curing bladders into new resources. Developed with Seoul National University’s DISCO Lab, the Bladder Upcycling Series includes furniture, bricks and lifestyle products, while a Kinetic Wall built from those bricks expresses the company’s sustainability vision. The project has now collected four major international design honours this year, adding the IDEA recognition to a Red Dot Winner title, an A’ Design Gold award and a Green Good Design award.

The second finalist placement, in Concepts and Speculative Design, went to WheelBot2, a modular robotic wheel system. Using built-in and crab-walk drive motors, it achieves three-axis movement and full 360-degree omnidirectional motion, allowing precise control in tight spaces and along complicated routes. Judges praised the concept for expanding mobility possibilities in an era of smart cities and autonomous driving.

Hankook Tire’s latest showing follows success across all three of the world’s top design competitions, underscoring its global design credentials. The company has continued to sharpen that competitiveness by pushing innovation further into future mobility and sustainable design while reinforcing the premium positioning of its unified global brand, Hankook.

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Fornnax Technology has received the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 from the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA). The recognition stems from the company recording the highest export volume of tyre recycling plants to Europe, marking a significant achievement in its international trade performance.

For more than 10 years, Fornnax has driven innovation within India’s tyre recycling sector. The firm now holds a 90 percent share of the domestic market, while exports constitute 30 percent of its operations, serving regions such as Europe, Australia and the GCC. Its integrated, high-capacity recycling lines and shredding systems support a more circular ecosystem.

The company’s approach centres on complete infrastructure rather than standalone equipment, combining multiple shredding and size-reduction stages to boost throughput and reliability. Fornnax aims to expand its global footprint and advance technologies suited to rising international recycling demands.

Jignesh Kundaria, Founder and Director, Fornnax, said, “This honour from AIRIA is a reflection of an incredible journey we have undertaken over the years. When we started Fornnax, there was no established recycling industry in India to follow. We chose to build for the future instead. Today, when you see India’s tyre recycling sector, it has already transformed into a dynamic, high-growth industry, and we are proud to have played our part in building it.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has expanded its industrial tyre portfolio with the introduction of the AWE 733 flotation tyre, engineered for mobile excavators working on soft and sensitive ground. Developed in Europe, the product reflects the company’s ‘Engineered for Tough Conditions’ approach, combining minimal surface compaction with high traction and durability.

The tyre, offered in size 600/50-22.5, targets construction, infrastructure and utility duties requiring low ground pressure and dependable off-road manoeuvrability. Its wide flotation tread incorporates rounded lugs and shoulders to reduce ground disturbance while preserving grip.

A steel-belted bias construction supports stability during lifting and digging, and a reinforced carcass with steel breaker guards against cuts and punctures. High flotation and a durable tread compound extend service life and cut downtime. Global sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Bernhard Schmolz, Division Head OHT Europe, said, “The AWE 733 flotation tyre is an important addition to our proven excavator portfolio. It combines flotation, traction and durability in a purpose-built solution, enabling operators to work productively in challenging conditions while reducing ground impact. It is another example of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to providing reliable and application-focused solutions for industrial equipment operators.”

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