JK Tyre & Industries Managing Director Anshuman Singhania

JK Tyre is preparing to step up exports from India to the United States as a long-awaited Indo-US trade agreement moves closer to completion, even as the company continues to serve the American market through its Mexico subsidiary to navigate existing tariff structures.

Speaking at the company’s FY26 third-quarter media briefing, Managing Director Anshuman Singhania said that JK Tyre expected tyres made in India to secure a favourable position compared with imports into the US from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries once the agreement is signed.

“We expect to be either at par or in a better position. Once there is clarity on the duty structure, we will step up exports from India to the US,” he said, adding that clarity on the agreement was expected shortly and that the company would study the fine print before acting.

For now, JK Tyre maintains its presence in the US through JK Tornel, its Mexico-based subsidiary, where passenger car tyres attract almost zero duty into the American market. Earlier, around 3-4 percent of the company’s total revenue came from exports to the US, a share that could be reinstated depending on the final contours of the trade deal.

The company is also closely watching progress on a separate trade agreement between India and the European Union, which it believes could further improve export prospects for Indian tyre makers once signed by all member countries.

A strategic hedge

JK Tornel’s role in the company’s export strategy has become more prominent amid trade uncertainties. The Mexico arm allows JK Tyre to continue servicing the US market while India-US trade terms remain under negotiation.

Singhania made it clear that JK Tyre is ‘not giving up’ on the US market. Instead, it is using geography and duty structures to its advantage while awaiting clarity that could make India a viable export base again.

The management noted that, at times, strong domestic demand makes it more prudent to prioritise India over exports to the US. However, with additional capacities coming on stream, JK Tyre expects to have greater headroom to participate more aggressively in overseas markets.

While export strategy is evolving, the company’s current momentum is firmly anchored in the domestic market.

JK Tyre reported strong traction across both OEM and replacement segments, supported by festive demand, GST-led formalisation benefits and positive rural sentiment. Domestic volumes grew 16 percent year on year.

Replacement volumes rose 11–12 percent, while OEM volumes grew between 24 percent and 27 percent, reflecting robust demand from vehicle manufacturers.

A key driver has been the rebound in the commercial vehicle (CV) segment, which had remained subdued for nearly 18 months. JK Tyre, which commands one of the highest market shares in this category, is seeing renewed traction as freight movement and trucking activity improve.

The passenger vehicle OEM segment is also witnessing healthy momentum, contributing to overall growth across segments.

Market shifts

Singhania highlighted a visible shift in market demand towards premium tyres and larger rim sizes. The company is positioning itself to benefit from this trend by expanding its passenger car radial (PCR) portfolio and developing multiple sizes for export markets, particularly Europe.

The company has secured new OEM approvals to supply tyres for electric vehicle variants such as the Hyundai Creta EV and Tata Punch EV. The newly launched Renault Duster also features JK Tyre’s 18-inch Ranger HPE tyres.

The executive indicated that premiumisation and EV-linked demand are becoming structural drivers in the passenger vehicle tyre segment.

The company has announced an investment of INR 11.3 billion to expand capacity in truck and bus radials (TBR), PCR and other segments across multiple locations. This will increase overall capacity by nearly seven percent.

This follows a recently completed INR 15 billion expansion in PCR tyres that increased capacity by around 26 percent. On this expanded base, the company will now add another 4-5 percent capacity in passenger vehicle tyres.

Company Executives noted that this capacity addition would provide additional headroom to cater to both domestic growth and export opportunities once trade conditions become favourable.

The recent merger of subsidiary Cavendish Industries (CIL) into JK Tyre, completed in December, is expected to significantly improve operating efficiency and financial flexibility.

With the integration, JK Tyre now has full access to capacities at the Laksar and Tripura plants. While these capacities were earlier consolidated operationally, company officials said that the merger would now allow better realisation of large-scale synergies.

JK Tyre will also leverage its marketing and service network for CIL products. Importantly, the parent company’s higher credit rating will result in lower interest costs for working capital and term loans previously availed by CIL, which had an A+ rating.

The company expects overhead savings, interest cost reductions and operational efficiencies to support faster expansion.

Material outlook

Addressing concerns around commodity price volatility, Singhania said that the raw material basket saw a decline of nearly one percent during Q2 and Q3.

Going forward, raw material prices are expected to remain range-bound within 1–2 percent. Even if there is a marginal rise, JK Tyre believes strong demand conditions will allow it to pass on costs without disturbing margins.

“We do not see anything that may disturb the apple cart,” Singhania said.

He also announced that the company had earned a Silver rating in the latest EcoVadis ESG assessment, placing it among the top seven percent of companies globally.

The company said this recognition reflects its performance across sustainability pillars and aligns with its vision of becoming a green company by 2050.

A record quarter

JK Tyre reported its highest-ever consolidated quarterly revenue of INR 42.35 billion in Q3 FY26, up 15 percent year-on-year. EBITDA stood at INR 5.83 billion with margins expanding sharply to 13.8 percent, a rise of 470 basis points year on year.

Profit after tax surged 3.7 times to INR 2.9 billion compared with INR 570 million in the same quarter last year. Domestic volume growth stood at 16 percent while export volumes grew nine percent, even though overall export revenues were described as flattish due to geopolitical uncertainties.

JK Tornel reported a 21 percent rise in turnover to INR 6.16 billion from INR 5.07 billion a year earlier.

Company officials attributed the margin expansion to operating leverage, execution focus and benign raw material prices.

Singhania indicated that demand visibility for 2026–27 remains strong with particular optimism for the first half of FY27. All segments including OEM, replacement, domestic and exports are expected to see growth.

For JK Tyre, the convergence of strong domestic demand, expanded capacity, merger synergies and potential trade advantages could determine whether India re-emerges as a meaningful export base for the US and Europe.

Not as a return to the past, executives suggested, but as a fresh opportunity built on scale, efficiency and a more premium product mix.

Kuraray America, Inc. marked National STEM Day on 8 November by spotlighting a community educational event that brought together 15 of its volunteers and students from the Houston Japanese Supplementary School at San Jacinto College for a day of hands-on exploration and discovery.

Participants engaged in activities illustrating how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) converge in chemical manufacturing. Experiments with superabsorbent polymer beads explored chemistry and material properties, while a tour of the college’s facilities introduced industrial equipment. Students also learned about water filtration and distillation processes and how mathematical concepts underpin scientific and engineering applications.

One student showed particular interest in the distillation tower, linking the experience to the Kuraray Group’s contributions to everyday life and its mission of achieving for people and the planet what no one else can. The event also benefited KAI volunteers, who shared technical knowledge, exchanged perspectives and learned alongside potential future scientists and engineers.

Kuraray America thanked Reiko Fuwa and Tomohiro Tani for coordinating the visit, Hans Vandommele for sharing his expertise and all 15 KAI volunteers. The company also expressed appreciation to San Jacinto College for facility access and to the Houston Japanese Supplementary School students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.

Liberty Tire Recycling attended the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, held from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The automotive aftermarket event, one of the industry's largest, drew over 160,000 attendees from the automotive, tyre and transportation sectors to review new products, technologies and business opportunities.

The Lakin Tire brand, a consistent SEMA exhibitor, once again used the show to reinforce industry relationships and present Liberty's tyre collection, recycling and sustainable resource management capabilities. Personnel from Grade/Used Tires, Commercial Truck Tires, Metals, Recycling and Collection, together with corporate and regional leadership, met customers, suppliers and industry professionals from around the world.

The booth received existing and prospective customers from numerous tyre and automotive segments during the week. Costco Wholesale Corporate Office, United Tires and UTU Wholesale were among the organisations that stopped by to examine Liberty Tire's products, services and nationwide reach. The company viewed the event as an effective forum for monitoring emerging market trends and demonstrating its position in recycling and sustainability, alongside its focus on innovation, workforce development and circular economy principles.

A memorable moment came when a high school shop teacher and students, attending through a special educator programme, toured the booth to learn about tyre recycling and industry operations. Liberty team members provided industry insights, outlined career pathways and acknowledged educators' contribution to developing future skilled trades professionals, supplying tyre inflation gauges for classroom use.

Laufenn, Hankook's associate brand, earned a ‘Good’ ratingwith an overall score of 2.2 for its G Fit 4S in the Auto Bild Allrad all-season SUV tyre test published on 8 October 2026 (issue 41). The tyre competed credibly against 11 rivals from established premium marques, finishing competitively in a 12-strong field.

Wet handling proved a particular strength, with the G Fit 4S collecting the second-highest rating shared with other models. Aquaplaning resistance also impressed, as the tyre held its line until stability began to fade at roughly 100 kmph (62 mph). In snow, it recorded the third-shortest braking distance, matching two other contenders.

Testing spanned snow, wet and dry disciplines, each weighted equally in the final ranking, with a third-generation MINI Countryman serving as the test vehicle. Snow assessments were carried out in New Zealand, while European venues hosted the wet and dry evaluations. The jury's conclusion underscored Laufenn's value-focused positioning, finding the G Fit 4S a solid option for cost-conscious buyers.

Tyres Europe has underscored that tyres qualify as fully recyclable under ISO 22628:2002 and UN Regulation No. 133, describing the established methodology as a robust foundation for assessing tyre recyclability. The organisation recently set out its position on the matter.

The distinction between recyclability and actual recycling rates is central to the group's argument. Recyclability refers to the technical potential of a product and its materials to be recycled, while the real rate hinges on treatment capacity and demand for secondary raw materials. Regulatory frameworks should therefore separate the two concepts clearly and align with an internationally recognised standard.

Tyres consist of rubber compounds, chemical additives and reinforcing textile and steel cords, and at end of life they are separated into rubber, textile and steel fractions, all of which existing mechanical or chemical routes can recycle. Mechanical processing yields rubber granules and powders usable as secondary raw materials across many applications, recovered textiles can be further processed and valorised, and cleaned recovered steel can re-enter metal recycling and steelmaking.

Tyres Europe pledged continued cooperation with policymakers and value-chain partners to strengthen circularity and maximise recovery of valuable tyre materials in Europe, with the full paper available on its website.