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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Prinx Chengshan hosted its Brand Open Day on 21 May at the Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) Product R&D Institute, showcasing cutting-edge achievements and technical strengths. The event was designed to build deeper mutual trust and align industrial development strategies between the tyre manufacturer and the automaker.

The partnership between Prinx Chengshan and JMC began in 1992, and over 34 years, their collaboration has continuously deepened. They have expanded beyond traditional strongholds like pickup trucks, light trucks and light buses into passenger vehicle supporting businesses, achieving integration in supply chain stability and technological co-innovation. Executive President Jiang Xizhou addressed industry trends such as electrification and connectivity, positioning Prinx Chengshan as a future-oriented, technology-driven enterprise. R&D Center Director Li Chongbing detailed the company’s digital R&D system and collaborative innovation ecosystem, while Marketing Center Director Wang Hongdian introduced the brand portfolio and strategy for the global flagship brand, PRINX.

During technical exchange sessions, Prinx Chengshan leveraged its fundamental research capabilities to discuss tyre NVH technology, virtual tyre sampling, EV tyre formulations and smart tyre solutions with the JMC R&D team, reinforcing consensus on core technologies. At a separate Technical Showcase Area, the company set up experience zones for Silenteck silent technology and low-temperature low-rolling-resistance technology, turning abstract principles into immersive demonstrations. Other innovations on display included X-CHIP smart tyres, colourful tyre technology, Vanta Black and Healteck self-healing technology.

The open day served as both a comprehensive brand showcase and a major opportunity to deepen the longstanding cooperation. Prinx Chengshan will now accelerate its transformation from a tyre supplier into a technical partner for automakers, working closely with JMC on R&D innovation, vehicle matching and technical upgrades to jointly drive sustainable development in the transportation industry.

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Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH has secured a fresh three-year alliance with Fanatec, a premier sim racing hardware manufacturer and an official Formula 1 partner under the Corsair Group. Fanatec’s high-end equipment is widely used by both passionate sim racing amateurs and professional esports athletes.

Dunlop has been actively involved in digital motorsport since September 2025 through an official role with Gran Turismo on PlayStation, developed by Polyphony Digital and Sony Interactive Entertainment. That simulation platform allows Dunlop to express its performance heritage virtually. The new Fanatec deal logically extends this foundation, combining Gran Turismo’s authentic racing scenarios with Fanatec’s premium gear to deliver a lifelike driving experience.

A primary focus of the partnership is improving audience engagement with motorsport. Fanatec’s racing setups will appear at live trade shows and events, starting with TIRE COLOGNE 2026 from 9 to 11 June, giving attendees a chance to enter a virtual cockpit and feel racing firsthand.

This cooperation seeks to bridge different enthusiast groups and strengthen ties between the motorsport and sim racing communities. By merging digital authenticity with high-grade hardware, Dunlop aims to advance motorsport both technologically and emotionally, ensuring it stays relevant for contemporary audiences.

Dennis Wilstermann, Marketing Manager, DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “As an official partner of Gran Turismo, it was clear to us that collaborating with Fanatec is the next logical step. Together, we are creating a platform where motorsport can be experienced at every level – digital, virtual and real.”

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JK Tyre & Industries has approved a phased capacity expansion plan involving an investment of INR 49.8 bllion to strengthen its presence in the Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) and Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tyre segments.

The company said its board of directors, at a meeting held on May 26, approved the expansion of TBR production at its Chennai Tyre Plant (CTP) and Vikrant Tyre Plant (VTP), along with PCR capacity expansion at the Chennai facility.

JK Tyre currently has an installed TBR and PCR capacity of 21 million tyres per annum, including capacities under implementation, with utilisation levels running at over 90 percent. The proposed expansion will increase overall capacity by 24 percent and is scheduled to be completed by FY30.

The investment will be undertaken in phases and financed through a combination of internal accruals and debt, the company said in its regulatory filing.

According to JK Tyre, the expansion is driven by robust demand across tyre categories in the Indian market and the need to maintain and strengthen its market presence.

The announcement comes alongside the company’s strong FY26 performance, with JK Tyre reporting record revenues and profitability amid rising domestic demand and higher sales volumes.

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Continental has introduced an addition to its retread product family with the launch of the ContiTread HDR 5, a regional retread designed to support fleet operations through enhanced durability and dependable performance. The new retread focuses on delivering confident handling, reliable traction and an extended service life for vehicles operating on regional routes.

The ContiTread HDR 5 employs a five‑rib tread pattern intended to provide predictable control, stability and even wear, particularly on routes involving frequent stops, sharp turns and mixed road surfaces. Its open shoulder design improves grip across various weather and road conditions, ensuring real‑world reliability while preserving both durability and overall mileage.

Developed to balance toughness with performance, the retread helps fleets maximise value from each retread cycle. Available widths include 210, 220, 230 and 240, all featuring a tread depth of 26/32 inch, offering flexible fitment for a range of regional truck applications.

Shaun Uys, VP of Sales and Marketing, Truck Tire RE USA, said, “Regional fleets need tyres that perform consistently across a wide range of conditions. The ContiTread HDR 5 was engineered to provide predictable handling, dependable traction and the durability fleets rely on to keep vehicles moving and costs under control.”

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