India’s tyre retreading industry has petitioned the government to slash goods and services tax (GST) rates from 18 percent to 5 percent on retreading services and materials, arguing the move would support environmental goals and the circular economy.

The Tyre Retreading Education Association (TREA), representing over 15 Indian retreading material manufacturers and retreaders serving approximately 10,000 retreaders nationwide, has written to authorities requesting the tax reduction across multiple product categories, including retreading services, retreaded tyres and retreading materials.

The industry body estimates India’s tyre retreading sector generates annual revenues of around INR 50 billion, with tread rubber manufacturing adding another INR 30 billion yearly. Last year, whilst 20,000,000 new truck tyres were sold domestically, approximately 80,00,000 truck tyres were retreaded, alongside smaller volumes of tractor, earthmover and car tyres.

“We are committed to educating and promoting retreading benefits: cost savings, safety, sustainability, and circular economy,” stated Karun Sanghi, Chairman of TREA, in the petition.

The request comes after recent GST amendments that reduced rates for new truck tyres from 28 percent to 18 percent, and cut levies on tractors, tractor tyres and tractor parts from 18 percent to 5 percent. However, conventional tread rubber used primarily for tractor tyres and retreading services for tractor tyres remain at the higher 18 per cent rate.

“We would request you to reduce the rate to five percent in line with other tractor products,” the association said, highlighting the inconsistency in tax treatment.

The industry argues that retreading aligns with government environmental priorities, pointing to the 2022 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for tyres introduced to reduce environmental impact. The Environment Ministry has recognised retreading as “a very important part of the circular economy on tyres” and continues developing disposal systems for end-of-life tyres.

The association drew parallels with other environmentally friendly sectors that enjoy preferential GST rates, noting that electric vehicles are taxed at five percent, whilst rates for various renewable energy devices and solar water heaters were also reduced to five percent.

“The government recognised the need to support environmentally friendly industries,” the petition stated, emphasising that retreading represents “a critical part of the circular economy of tyres” supported by both the Environment Ministry and Central Pollution Control Board.

The group argued that increased tyre retreading would help India achieve its zero carbon footprint targets by extending tyre lifecycles and reducing waste requiring disposal.

India’s tyre retreading industry serves as a cost-effective alternative to new tyres whilst supporting sustainability objectives through reduced raw material consumption and waste generation.

The association has offered to provide additional information and meet with government officials to discuss the proposal further.

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Yokohama Rubber Co has announced that its Mexican subsidiary, Yokohama Industries Americas de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (YIA Mexico), will expand its production capacity. YIA Mexico manufactures air conditioning and transmission oil cooling hose assemblies for the North American market.

The expansion involves constructing a new building on approximately 32,000 square metres of land adjacent to the existing plant, more than doubling the current site area. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with operations expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The expansion aims to strengthen YIA Mexico’s profitability and support the continued growth of Yokohama Rubber’s hose and couplings business.

The move is part of the growth strategy within Yokohama Transformation 2026 (YX2026), the company’s medium-term management plan, which positions the hose and couplings business as a driver. Expanding capacity at YIA Mexico is an effort to restructure the MB Segment’s value chain and North American production network.

Prior to construction, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on 14 October, attended by local government officials, including the governor of the state of Aguascalientes and the mayor of the city of San Francisco de los Romo.

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In a significant move to reinforce their strategic partnership, ZC Rubber recently hosted a delegation from International Tyres, the exclusive UK distributor for its WESTLAKE tyre brand, at its Hangzhou headquarters. The visit, which included Managing Director Andy Jackson and Commercial Director Richard Allen, was centred on a mutual dedication to providing superior product quality, reliable supply chains and excellent service for commercial vehicle operators in the United Kingdom. The itinerary provided a comprehensive look into ZC Rubber's operations, beginning with a corporate showroom that detailed the company's brand history, global presence and future innovation strategies, including its sustainability efforts.

The tour then progressed to two key manufacturing facilities. The first was the Future Factory for passenger car tyres, where the delegation observed highly automated production lines. This facility demonstrated a commitment to smart manufacturing through real-time quality monitoring, end-to-end traceability and automated logistics, all designed to ensure consistent product quality while improving environmental efficiency. The second site visited was the Zhongce Qingquan TBR plant, which specialises in all-steel truck and bus radial tyres. Here, the guests witnessed the entire production process, from initial material mixing to final inspection.

The tour emphasised robust construction techniques, precise engineering and stringent quality checks that contribute to the tyre's durability and potential for retreading. This collaborative visit has set a strong foundation for the two companies to continue aligning on product availability and responsive support, ensuring that UK fleets receive dependable performance and value from WESTLAKE tyres across various demanding applications.

Leo Liao, European Sales Director of ZC Rubber International Business, said, “International Tyres is a trusted partner, and visits like this ensure we stay closely aligned with the expectations of UK customers.”

Andy Jackson, Managing Director, International Tyres, said, “We appreciated the open access to ZC Rubber’s teams and facilities. Seeing the manufacturing and quality processes behind WESTLAKE strengthens our confidence in the product and our ability to support fleets across the UK.”

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The Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ has earned a notable third-place ranking with an 'Exemplary' rating in a major test of high-performance winter tyres conducted by Auto Bild Allrad. The German magazine’s rigorous assessment involved 12 different tyre models in size 215/55 R 17, putting them through a demanding series of tests on specialised tracks in Finland and Germany. These trials – performed with a Volkswagen T-Roc as the primary test vehicle – were designed to evaluate safety and performance across the most challenging winter conditions, from icy and snow-covered roads to wet surfaces.

Testers praised the tyre for its exemplary balance and specifically highlighted its outstanding wet grip and traction. They described its performance as confident and well-rounded, noting its ability to deliver consistent grip and precise steering control even in highly demanding scenarios. This performance profile confirms the tyre's design and engineering purpose as an ideal choice for modern high-performance vehicles.

The Wintrac Pro+ is the latest flagship winter tyre from Vredestein, a brand with a heritage of winter innovation spanning more than half a century. Its advanced technology includes a high-silica tread compound and an optimised directional pattern. This combination is engineered to provide exceptional braking and handling on snow, slush and ice while also contributing to reduced rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency.

To accommodate a wide array of vehicles, the tyre is available in over 120 different sizes fitting rims from 17 to 22 inches. The majority of these variants carry a ‘Y’ speed rating, meaning they are certified for speeds up to 300 kmph. Furthermore, every tyre in the range carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, certifying that it meets strict European regulatory standards for severe snow service.

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Vredestein Pro+ is a premium winter tyre designed specifically for high-performance cars and SUVs, including the latest generation of performance-oriented electric vehicles. With this segment continuing to grow rapidly, it’s significant that Auto Bild Allrad has once again endorsed the competitiveness of our products. The Wintrac Pro+ combines exceptional winter capability with the refinement and confidence expected by today’s drivers.”

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Bridgestone is set to redefine high-performance motorcycling with the 2026 introduction of its track-exclusive RACING BATTLAX V03 tyre in Europe and North America. This premium offering is engineered for a broad spectrum of riders, from dedicated amateurs to professional competitors, who demand exceptional speed and the ultimate in grip from their equipment.

The V03’s development is deeply rooted in Bridgestone’s proven success in elite global racing, such as a five-year winning streak in the FIM Endurance World Championship. This racing heritage directly informs the tyre's advanced technology, including a completely new front and rear profile that enlarges the contact patch with the track. This redesign, combined with novel compounds and sophisticated production methods, results in what Bridgestone describes as the most significant grip in the history of its BATTLAX line. When benchmarked against its predecessor, the V02, the V03's SOFT compound demonstrates a measurable 1.3 percent reduction in lap times, all while maintaining consistent performance over multiple laps.

A landmark innovation for this model is the introduction of a dedicated rear SPRINT spec. This variant is specifically formulated to deliver the absolute peak grip for shorter race formats. By concentrating its compound technology on immediate, maximum performance, the SPRINT spec achieves an even more substantial lap time improvement of 1.9 percent over the previous generation. This provides riders with a strategic choice, allowing them to select a tyre optimised for either endurance or all-out sprint racing conditions.

As the new flagship of Bridgestone's motorcycle racing portfolio, the RACING BATTLAX V03 embodies the company's philosophy of using motorsports as a dynamic laboratory. The technologies perfected in this track-focused tyre are intended to ultimately influence the development of future commercial products, marking a new era where cutting-edge racing innovation directly fuels advancements for all riders.

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