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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Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has strengthened its position in the urban mobility sector by launching the ScootSmart 2, a new all-season scooter tyre engineered to enhance grip, handling and durability under a variety of city riding conditions. The tyre is designed for riders who depend on their scooters for daily transportation, from short commutes to longer journeys through metropolitan areas.

Building on the original ScootSmart introduced in 2012, which gained a strong reputation among scooterists for reliable all-weather performance and longevity, the second-generation model addresses the evolving needs of modern riders. Dunlop has incorporated its sport touring expertise into the ScootSmart 2, blending advanced motorcycle tyre technologies with a design specifically tailored for scooters. The tyre features a new high silica compound that improves traction across a wide range of temperatures and road surfaces, including wet and dry conditions, while preserving mileage performance.

An all-new tread pattern distinguishes the front and rear tyres for specific handling benefits. The front tyre includes a jagged centre groove to cut through surface water and reduce braking distances, with main grooves oriented for effective water dispersion at intermediate speeds. Secondary grooves and shoulder tread elements boost grip on slippery surfaces. At the rear, a continuous tread centre supports wear resistance and dry-road traction, while the groove layout maintains wet-weather grip. Dunlop’s internal testing indicates a 10 percent reduction in wet braking distance compared to the previous version, marking a clear safety improvement.

ScootSmart 2 offers extensive size coverage for a broad range of scooters, from lightweight city models and retro designs to high-end performance maxi scooters. The lineup will ultimately include 75 sizes covering rim diameters from 10 to 16 inches, accounting for roughly 84 percent of the scooter market. Availability across Europe begins in the second quarter of 2026, with the full range arriving in the fourth quarter of that year.

Roberto Finetti, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “With the introduction of ScootSmart 2, Dunlop builds on the proven success of ScootSmart to deliver a clear step forward in performance for today’s scooter riders. The tyre offers stable and well-balanced handling, even for the most demanding riders with a more spirited riding style. Urban riding is full of contrasts. ScootSmart 2 is designed to handle all of them, and our broader launch campaign brings that idea to life in a way that feels dynamic, with playful assets that resonate with the needs of riders in cities, always ready to stop and go.”

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “In developing ScootSmart 2, we set out to build on a product that already had a very strong reputation among scooter riders across Europe. We have combined expertise from our sport touring products with a design tailored to optimise urban riding, and have achieved marked improvements in wet grip, braking and handling. The end result is a tyre that gives supreme all-round performance while also delivering the versatility that is essential for everyday use across sporty, classic, high-end performance and commuter scooters.”

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Cooper Tires has strengthened its product offering in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region with the introduction of the Cooper Summer tyre range. This newly launched portfolio is specifically designed for passenger car and sport utility vehicle drivers seeking dependable, no-nonsense performance across a broad spectrum of summer road conditions. The lineup is purpose built without unnecessary frills, focusing squarely on reliable everyday driving.

The Cooper Summer range spans the ultra-high-performance, high-performance, and sport utility vehicle segments, delivering a balanced driving experience where it matters most. Key engineering priorities include energy efficiency, confident braking on wet surfaces and extended tread life. Every tyre in the lineup is engineered to maintain grip consistently over time, ensuring that vehicles can handle daily demands without sacrificing safety or longevity.

This product launch coincides with the rollout of Cooper Tires’ refreshed global brand identity, which draws on over a century of proven durability. The new visual branding underscores the company’s longstanding commitment to rugged reliability and hard-earned confidence, appealing to drivers who value substance over promotional claims. The Cooper Summer range embodies this philosophy by promising road-tested performance rather than empty marketing rhetoric.

The portfolio covers 162 stock keeping units across rim diameters from 14 to 22 inches, addressing 81 percent of the most sought-after fitments in the region. All tyres in the range are electric vehicle ready, reinforcing Cooper’s dedication to durable engineering for modern mobility. To achieve dependable summer performance, the tyre relies on a lightweight, optimised casing with advanced materials that reduce rolling resistance while maintaining high speed stability. An asymmetric tread pattern maximises road contact, and enlarged outer shoulder blocks improve braking stability, while well distributed grooves quickly evacuate water to reduce aquaplaning risks. Stiffer ribs and a balanced footprint promote even pressure distribution, reducing irregular wear, and the compound architecture preserves tread stiffness throughout the tire’s life.

Independent testing by the German publication Auto Motor und Sport in size 195/55R16 placed the Cooper Summer in seventh place with a good rating, praising its safe, precise and reliable handling on both wet and dry roads along with very good aquaplaning protection and rolling comfort. With speed ratings of H, V, W and Y, width ranges from 165 to 285 mm, and aspect ratios from 30 to 70, the Cooper Summer portfolio is positioned to support dealers through the 2026 summer season and beyond, proving that Cooper continues to deliver tough, well-engineered products for real world demands.

Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “With the Cooper Summer range, we set out to build a summer portfolio drivers can rely on without hesitation. We engineered this portfolio around three benefits that matter most – energy efficiency, confident wet braking and strong tread wear – and made sure every element of the tyre works together to support them. From the asymmetric tread pattern to the lightweight yet robust casing, Cooper Summer delivers balanced performance without compromise. It’s a significant step forward for Cooper in EMEA, and a clear expression of what the brand stands for today: dependable performance, built with purpose.”

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Doublestar Tire, a leading Chinese tyre manufacturer, recently showcased its flagship products at the 139th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, held in Guangzhou. The event reached a record scale, gathering exhibitors from over 210 countries and regions and highlighting cutting-edge technologies in advanced manufacturing, new energy and low-carbon environmental protection.

Doublestar presented three specialised tyres. The TBR mining tyre D170 was developed for complex mining conditions with enhanced wear, cut and puncture resistance. The new OTR tyre DFA603 offers high loading capacity, safety and durability, boosting support for construction machinery. The PCR star product DH03 provides superior road grip, low rolling resistance, fuel economy, reliable braking and reduced noise for driving comfort.

The company’s participation demonstrated its continuous research and innovation in professional fields and reaffirmed its commitment to overseas markets. Doublestar aims to provide safer, more energy-efficient and intelligent tyre products and travel solutions, earning widespread professional recognition.

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Continental is showcasing ‘The Sound of Premium’, an immersive installation, at Milan Design Week 2026 held at BASE Milano from 20 to 26 April. The experience translates the brand’s advanced tire engineering into a multisensory journey, redefining how urban mobility sounds. Key technologies on display included Continental’s noise-reducing ContiSilent and Urban Silent Technology, which actively lower rolling noise through sound-absorbing materials inside the tire and tread patterns optimised for city speeds.

Cities are dense with movement and noise, where even invisible elements like tyres shape the acoustic environment. Continental’s technologies reduce road noise at its source, enhancing both driving stability and interior comfort. The installation invites visitors to reconsider urban sound not as a nuisance to be eliminated but as an element that can be precisely engineered and controlled.

The exhibition unfolds in three distinct phases: chaos, harmony and quiet. Layered city sounds first create tension and disorientation, then gradually dissolve as rhythm and balance emerge. The journey ends in a state of calm defined not by silence alone but by acoustic precision. A tyre displayed as a design object underscores how engineering can improve urban well‑being.

An interactive installation of 25 touch points allows visitors to shape their own sound environment in real time, activating different acoustic layers through touch. Each participant creates a personal composition reflecting their rhythm and sensitivity. The resulting experience can be recorded and shared via QR code, extending the dialogue between technology and individual expression beyond the exhibition space.

As electric vehicles become more widespread, rolling noise has grown into a dominant source of urban traffic sound. Continental meets this challenge by applying its expertise at the tyre‑road interface, developing measurable reductions in interior noise. Through ‘The Sound of Premium’, the company positions silence not as emptiness but as a performance feature.

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