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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Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has announced a definitive strategic step in its ambition to become a leading, integrated provider in the Northern European circular tyre ecosystem with the acquisition of Tyrefix. The agreement, executed on 20 January 2026 and expected to close imminently, secures a robust and scalable operational foundation for Citira in the United Kingdom, representing a core pillar of its geographic expansion.

Tyrefix is renowned for its four decades of specialised service excellence. The company operates a nationwide fleet delivering on-site tyre management, repair and replacement exclusively for off-highway and earthmoving machinery, a sector where equipment uptime, worksite safety and service reliability are non-negotiable for its industrial clientele.

This transaction is fundamentally value-driven. It provides Citira with immediate access to Tyrefix’s established national network, its deeply entrenched customer relationships and its unique mobile service expertise. The integration of this proven model is anticipated to generate significant commercial synergies and cross-selling opportunities across Citira’s broader portfolio, enhancing service offerings for all customers.

Post-closure, Tyrefix will continue its operations under the trusted Tyrefix brand, preserving its customer-facing identity and its experienced management team, including Oliver Johnson, Jon Pitman and Steve Bareham, who will transition to become co-owners within the Citira group. The transaction facilitates a full exit for the current investment company, Literacy Capital, and other minority shareholders, transferring ownership to Citira and marking a new chapter of growth.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “I am very happy to welcome Oliver, Jon, Steve and the entire Tyrefix team to Citira. Tyrefix’s model is unique and has shown great success during several decades, and still has potential for growth across current and new market segments. With Oliver at the helm, I am confident that our expansion into the United Kingdom will become another success story of Citira.”

Oliver Johnson, CEO, Tyrefix, said, “Joining Citira allows Tyrefix Group to advance our already strong market position in off-highway tyre services while providing additional solutions to minimise vehicle downtime. By becoming part of a larger organisation, Tyrefix Group gains access to additional resources and increased opportunities to accelerate our growth plans.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched the Vredestein Perfect Tour+, a new urban bicycle tyre designed for reliability across diverse conditions. Engineered for daily commutes and longer tours, this tyre accommodates both traditional and electric bicycles, including higher-speed pedelec models, as confirmed by its full ECE R75 certification. This ensures its capability to handle increased loads and velocities while maintaining safety and comfort.

A key focus of the design is enhanced durability, achieved through a robust 5-mm puncture-protection layer. This reinforcement substantially diminishes the likelihood of flats from road hazards. For consistent performance in varied weather, the tyre utilises a specialised Optimum Silica Processing (OSP) compound. This technology provides secure grip on wet, slippery or snowy surfaces by improving the bond between silica and rubber, offering reliable traction even in colder temperatures.

Further contributing to its all-weather performance is a refined V-shaped tread pattern, which promotes stable roadholding without sacrificing efficiency. This design works to reduce rolling resistance, facilitating smoother and faster rides. The Vredestein Perfect Tour+ will be available from March in multiple sizes commonly used for touring and commuting, such as 50-559 and several 622 diameter options.

Nic Knippers, Divisional Head – Vredestein Two Wheel Tyres, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Perfect Tour+ continues our long tradition of developing touring products that combine safety, durability and reliable everyday performance. With its upgraded protection and advanced compound technology, it provides riders with even more worry-free kilometres of riding, whether they’re commuting or touring, and is fully able to harness the enhanced torque delivered by e-bikes and speed pedelecs.”

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Cabot Corporation has completed the acquisition of Mexico Carbon Manufacturing S.A. de C.V. from Bridgestone Corporation, following regulatory approvals, the US-based materials group said on Monday.

The transaction, first announced in August, brings the Mexican carbon black producer, known as MXCB, into Cabot’s global manufacturing network. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cabot has long supplied reinforcing carbon products to Bridgestone, and said the acquisition would further strengthen the relationship between the two companies.

The MXCB facility is located near Cabot’s existing site in Altamira, Mexico. Cabot said the addition would expand its production capacity, improve operational flexibility and allow the manufacture of a wider range of reinforcing carbon products to serve customer demand and future growth.

Sean Keohane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabot Corporation, said the acquisition marked “a significant step forward” in the company’s strategy to grow its core businesses.

“By adding the MXCB facility to our global network, we are expanding our manufacturing capabilities, enhancing supply reliability for our customers, and positioning Cabot for long-term success,” Keohane said. “We are excited to welcome the MXCB team to Cabot and look forward to building on our strong partnership with Bridgestone as we continue to deliver industry-leading reinforcing solutions around the world.”

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Hankook’s iON Race tyre played a defining role in the unpredictable third round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Miami. For this event, a new bespoke circuit configuration at the Miami International Autodrome presented fresh challenges with its temporary, non-uniform surface. These demands were intensified by a historic first: a wet-weather Miami E-Prix. As grip levels shifted dramatically from the initial safety car period onward, the tyre’s predictable warm-up behaviour and controlled thermal characteristics provided teams with a stable platform. This consistency was vital for managing the evolving conditions, allowing for strategic adaptation without sacrificing balance or race-long efficiency.

The race itself unfolded as a closely fought contest, ultimately won by Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans, who strengthened his championship position. Beyond supplying crucial performance on-track, Hankook engaged directly with the festival atmosphere of the Formula E weekend. The brand operated a dedicated Fan Village where attendees could explore the iON road tyre range and interact with displays highlighting Hankook’s philosophy and advancements in EV-specific tyre technology.

This Miami round, with its unique configuration and variable weather, served as a valuable proving ground. The insights gained from the iON Race tyre’s performance under such distinct pressures directly contribute to the ongoing development of Hankook’s broader electric vehicle tyre portfolio. With the Miami chapter complete, the championship's focus now shifts to the contrasting high-speed challenge of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Miami was a strong example of how important predictable tyre behaviour is on a newly introduced Formula E layout at an iconic venue. As grip levels evolved throughout the weekend, the iON Race delivered the stability and consistency required to support competitive racing under changing conditions.”

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