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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Michelin has introduced the new MICHELIN XHA3 tyre, a next-generation product engineered to meet the escalating productivity demands of modern construction equipment. Building on the established legacy of the MICHELIN XHA2, this latest release is designed to support faster operational cycles and the increased capabilities of contemporary machinery, all while prioritising uptime and efficiency through a combination of versatility and innovation.

Developed for a broad spectrum of heavy machinery, the MICHELIN XHA3 is suitable for loaders, articulated dump trucks and graders, covering E3, L3 and G3 applications. Its multi-machine design allows it to perform effectively across diverse terrains, ranging from mud and asphalt to more aggressive environments. This adaptability not only simplifies fleet management but also reduces inventory complexity by minimising the number of tyre references needed on site.

The tyre’s advanced structure and new tread design, which incorporates increased rubber volume, deliver up to 20 percent greater wear life compared to the previous generation. Enhancements such as a reinforced bead area provide up to 20 percent additional load capacity depending on the size, accommodating high-torque machinery. Furthermore, the new four-block tread pattern and optimised shoulder radius improve traction and stability, contributing to reduced vibration and enhanced operator comfort.

A standout feature of the MICHELIN XHA3 is the patent-pending Michelin Visual Pressure Control, an integrated sidewall indicator that allows for immediate visual inspection of tyre inflation without the need for sensors or electronic devices. This system facilitates routine safety checks and streamlines workflows, contributing to lower maintenance costs and reduced unplanned downtime. With a high retreadability rate and an estimated 16 percent reduction in Total Cost of Ownership, the tyre is positioned as a durable, reliable solution that will be progressively rolled out worldwide in multiple dimensions.

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Continental has unveiled a concept tyre developed under the EU-funded ZEvRA project, which is composed of approximately 43 percent recycled materials. The innovation serves as a demonstration of the potential inherent in advanced material approaches while simultaneously underscoring the critical need for a dependable regulatory framework to facilitate the industrial-scale adoption of recycling technologies.

The technical achievement is set against the backdrop of the ZEvRA initiative, an acronym for ‘Zero Emission Electric Vehicles Enabled by Harmonized Circularity’. This two-year EU project, slated to conclude in 2026, is dedicated to enhancing the circular economy for electric vehicles across the entire value chain. As the sole tyre manufacturer participating in the consortium, Continental brings specialised expertise to the collaborative effort.

Addressing the complexities of tyre production, which requires a precise balance of numerous high-performance raw materials to guarantee safety, efficiency and durability, the concept tyre represents a significant milestone. The successful integration of a substantial proportion of recycled content into a safety-critical component, without compromising performance standards, highlights the compatibility of ecological responsibility and product excellence. The tyre has achieved the highest possible rating on the EU rolling resistance label.

The ZEvRA concept tyre incorporates a variety of recycled materials, including tall oil, steel, rubber derived from end-of-life tyres and polyester fibres sourced from recycled PET bottles. Continental employs advanced methodologies such as pyrolysis to extract recovered carbon black from old tyres for repurposing. Since 2023, this material has been utilised in all newly manufactured solid rubber tyres at the Korbach facility. Additionally, the company uses sand residue from foundries in a recycling process to produce an alternative silica variant, effectively keeping materials in circulation and reducing the demand for primary resources.

Continental executives have articulated the strategic importance of this development. Dr Andreas Topp, head of Platform Development and Industrialization for passenger-car tyres, emphasises that while circular materials are key to sustainable mobility, the full impact of technological progress requires reliable and aligned policy frameworks. Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental’s Tires group sector, stresses the necessity of establishing innovative recycling technologies on an industrial scale and creating closed material flows. He advocates for a standardised, transparent approach to calculation and reporting, developed through close dialogue between policymakers and stakeholders.

Beyond the recycled content, the concept tyre also features approximately 13 percent renewable raw materials and 25 percent mass-balance-certified materials, bringing the total share of sustainable sources to over 80 percent. Continental is progressively increasing the use of such materials across its portfolio, with the share of purchased renewable and recycled production materials reaching 28 percent in 2025, with a target of at least 40 percent by 2030. Insights from the ZEvRA project will guide the company’s future development of materials and technologies, focusing on industrial availability and scaling manufacturing processes.

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Doublestar Tire emerged as a prominent exhibitor at the 2026 Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo in Panama City. The premier industry gathering for the Americas attracted over 700 international exhibitors and more than 30,000 professional trade visitors, providing a substantial platform for automotive parts and tire manufacturers.

The Panamanian event serves as a critical commercial gateway, radiating trade opportunities across more than 20 neighbouring nations. Given Latin America’s varied topography and climatic extremes, which demand superior tyre resilience and wet traction, Doublestar has collaborated with regional partners to engineer customised products. These targeted solutions have secured considerable market acceptance and popularity throughout the area.

Among the showcased innovations, the TBR tyre D902 integrates a wear-resistant compound with an advanced tread pattern, ensuring dependable stability for long-haul routes in tropical heat. The DSU02, a premier passenger car tyre, demonstrates exceptional protection against abrasion and impact, coupled with superior handling in both wet and dry conditions. A diverse portfolio of economically priced models further drew significant attention from purchasing agents.

This strategic participation has notably amplified Doublestar’s brand presence across the American markets and established a robust framework for deeper local engagement. Committed to delivering high-performance, value-added transportation solutions, Doublestar continues to reinforce the international standing of Chinese tyre manufacturers through quality-driven innovation.

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Barez Industrial Group, Iran’s leading tyre manufacturer, observed its 29th consecutive year of activity on the Tehran Securities Exchange during a commemorative event held on 23 August 2026. The gathering featured the traditional exchange bell ceremony, underscoring the company’s enduring footprint in Iran’s capital markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Mirzaei, CEO of Barez Industrial Group, spoke of the organisation’s momentum, asserting that current undertakings and forward-looking blueprints are steadily carving out its tomorrow. The firm’s leadership used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to sustained growth and operational excellence.

Originating as a provincial manufacturer in Kerman back in 1985, Barez has since risen to become a linchpin of the national tyre industry. Strategic upgrades to production lines and the integration of cutting-edge manufacturing processes have propelled its reach beyond borders. Since joining the TSE in 1997, it has outshone six other listed peers in the rubber and plastics category, claiming the largest share of the sector’s overall valuation, which exceeded IRR 330 trillion at the prior session, with the group responsible for over IRR 120 trillion of that figure.

The proceedings also included an award presentation, with TSE Chief Mahmoud Goudarzi offering a commemorative token to Mirzaei in appreciation of the firm’s three-decade record of transparent engagement with the exchange. Later, a press engagement allowed the executive team to walk reporters through notable milestones, pipeline ventures and strategic forecasts, fostering a clearer view of the company’s roadmap for investors and analysts alike.

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