Dr Sawar Dhanania, Chairman of the Rubber Board, expressed optimism about the growth in both production and consumption of natural rubber (NR) in the Indian plantation sector. At the 185th meeting in Kottayam, he acknowledged the challenges such as price volatility, climate change, market issues, and labour shortage. Dr Dhanania emphasized the need for grassroots-level solutions to ensure sustainability and profitability.
“The efforts of the Rubber Board and the timely interference in disease control, adoption of rubber holdings for harvesting, formation of Rubber Tapper Groups (RTGs), etc., have resulted in the augmentation of NR production in the country. But, many challenges, including volatilities in rubber prices, climate change, market issues, labour shortage, etc., continue in the rubber sector. We need to find suitable solutions at the grassroots level to make the plantation sector more sustainable and profitable. In the present scenario, Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPSs) need further improvement in their governance and activities to face the various challenges in the rubber plantation sector. RPSs should become self-sufficient in their activities. The concept of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the RPS sector is a viable suggestion to experiment with in the coming days, Dr Dhanania said.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, provided an overview of the Indian NR sector. He reported an 8.3 percent growth in NR production, totalling 839,000 tonnes in 2022-23, with an average yield increase to 1,482 kg/ha. Domestic NR consumption reached a record high of 1,350,000 tonnes, reflecting a 9 percent increase from the previous year. The auto tyre sector saw a 4.8 percent growth, while the general rubber goods sector experienced a substantial 20.4 percent growth.

Auto-tyre manufacturing accounted for 70.3 percent of NR consumption in 2022-23. Projections for 2023-24 estimate NR production at 875,000 tonnes and consumption at 1400,000 tonnes. The Board commended the Union Government for increasing the import duty on compounded rubber to align with NR.

Additionally, the Committee recommended ensuring that the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme of the State Government reaches all small growers. The Rubber Board held meetings covering Staff Affairs, Strengthening of RPSs, and Research and development.

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Apollo Tyres has introduced a new series of truck and bus bias (TBB) tyres, marking a significant expansion of its commercial vehicle portfolio. This launch centres on three distinct models within the popular 10.00-20 size category, each engineered to address specific operational needs while contributing to a lower total cost of ownership for fleet operators. The development process involved rigorous collaboration between global research and plant teams, ensuring the tyres deliver enhanced durability, reliability and extended mileage through advanced technological features.

The new range includes the XT 1^x and XT 2^x, both designed as drive pattern tyres. The XT 1^x focuses on profitability through a robust lug design that resists cuts and chips, along with a durable carcass structure. For operations demanding extra strength, the XT 2^x incorporates an extra-deep tread and a reinforced casing to improve load capacity and longevity. Complementing these is the XR 1^x, a steer pattern tyre built for an extended service life. It utilises a specialised tread matrix to minimise wear and incorporates design elements for improved heat dissipation and overall durability.

Collectively, these tyres are engineered to maximise vehicle uptime and operational efficiency. The drive patterns are constructed to provide superior traction across diverse conditions, while the steer pattern prioritises stability, even wear and responsive handling. This balanced approach offers a comprehensive solution for transport businesses. Through this strategic product introduction, Apollo Tyres reaffirms its dedication to innovation and developing solutions that support more efficient, profitable and dependable mobility for its customers.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President – Commercial (India, SAARC and Southeast Asia), Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This new TBB tyre range is a strong step forward in our journey to deliver superior performance and value. By combining advanced design, robust construction and application-focused patterns, we aim to help our customers achieve lower operating costs while meeting the demands of newer and growing vehicle segments.”

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Goodyear and TIP Group, a prominent European equipment solutions provider, have renewed their longstanding partnership for another five-year term. This extension coincides with a significant milestone, celebrating two decades of joint efforts supporting fleet operations across the continent. Throughout this period, Goodyear has provided TIP's fleets with tailored, high-performance commercial tyre solutions designed to meet specific operational demands.

A central pillar of the renewed alliance is a shared commitment to sustainability. By integrating Goodyear's latest product innovations, such as the KMAX GEN-3 range, TIP can now offer its customers truck tyres constructed with a minimum of 40 percent sustainable materials. These products are engineered to deliver the expected durability while also featuring B-label rolling resistance to enhance fuel efficiency. Further supporting sustainable operations, Goodyear’s retreading services aid TIP in prolonging tyre life cycles, which helps reduce waste, conserve resources and manage operational expenses.

Complementing the supply of tyres, TIP’s clients gain access to extensive service support through Goodyear’s expansive TruckForce Network of over 2,000 locations. This network is critical for minimising vehicle downtime, optimising tyre performance and ensuring fleet reliability. These combined efforts actively contribute to TIP Group’s broader environmental, social and governance objectives, enabling more sustainable fleet management without sacrificing efficiency or customer value.

Concurrently, TIP continues to advance its own modernisation initiatives, investing in sustainable fleet solutions, advanced telematics and refurbishment capabilities. These investments help customers extend asset lifecycles, improve regulatory compliance and lessen their environmental impact. The enduring partnership with Goodyear thus serves as a key component in TIP’s comprehensive strategy to navigate evolving market and regulatory landscapes.

Piotr Czyżyk, Vice President – Commercial Sales EMEA, Goodyear, said, “This partnership is built on trust, long-term thinking and a deep understanding of the transport fleet market. For 20 years, we have worked closely with TIP Group to deliver reliable products, innovative fleet solutions and retreading services that help keep their customers moving. Extending our agreement for another five years reflects our shared commitment to performance, efficiency and sustainability – and to continuously evolving together as market expectations change.”

Paul Beadle, COO, TIP Group, said, “Our collaboration with Goodyear is a strong example of how strategic partnerships can create real value for fleet operators. Managing more than 90,000 trucks, trailers and specialised assets across Europe means reliability is critical, which is why we value long-term partners like Goodyear. By combining high-performance tyres and mobility solutions with our operational experience, we deliver more efficient and more sustainable fleet solutions and ultimately more value for our customers.”

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Maxam Tyre Europe will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of agricultural tyres at Fieragricola 2026 in Verona from 4–7 February. Under the banner ‘More Pull. Less Fuel’, the company's participation highlights a core commitment to efficiency and enhanced productivity through smart tyre performance. Exhibiting in Hall 6, Stand D4, the Sailun Group subsidiary will feature a curated selection from its diverse range.

Among the products on display will be the MAXAM AgriXtra XL VF tyre, a model recognised by the German Agricultural Society, the DLG, for its contributions to soil preservation, improved traction and reduced fuel consumption. The event provides an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the Maxam brand and its innovative solutions. This focus on sustainable technology aims to demonstrate how advanced tyre engineering can significantly improve operational efficiency and support modern, responsible farming practices.

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Prinx Chengshan has successfully rolled off its first off-the-road giant tyre, model 30.00R51, a milestone celebrated by company leaders and Rongcheng Mayor Liu Jinjun. This achievement marks a crucial step in the construction of the firm's new green and intelligent off-road tyre factory and represents significant progress in enhancing its high-end product portfolio, effectively addressing a gap in the domestic market for premium off-road tyres.

The newly produced tyre, with an outer diameter of nearly three metres and a weight of 1.8 tonnes, is engineered for massive dump trucks operating in open-pit mines, capable of carrying loads over 120 tonnes. Its design features a wide, deep tread pattern for superior traction and a specialised shoulder cooling system that promotes heat dissipation. This innovation enhances safety by reducing risks such as blowouts while also improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in demanding mining environments.

This strategic development responds to steadily rising global demand for high-end off-road tyres, fuelled by growing infrastructure investment and mining industry modernisation. The company's significant investment of over CNY 1.1 billion (approximately USD 158 million) in its new production base, initiated in 2025, underscores this focus. The facility, covering more than 100,000 square metres, is planned to have an annual capacity of 84,000 engineering tyres and 10,000 giant tyres for diverse applications across mining, construction and industrial sectors.

From its inception, the project has been guided by principles of high-end intelligence and green environmental protection. It incorporates modern workshops, smart manufacturing processes and sustainable initiatives like rooftop solar power generation to ensure energy-efficient development, reflecting a firm commitment to circular economy practices and Industry 4.0 standards.

Moving forward, Prinx Chengshan will leverage its global network of research and development centres to continue advancing independent innovation. By fully implementing a ‘Product + Service’ model, the company is committed to its in-depth transformation towards high-end, intelligent and green manufacturing. This direction aims to provide efficient and reliable solutions for global mining progress, injecting robust momentum from ‘China Smart Manufacturing’ into the industry's future.

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