Maxion Wheels, a leading global wheel manufacturer, in partnership with Iochpe Foundation from Brazil and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), celebrated the inauguration of the company's first Formare programme in Asia today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the brand-new Formare Learning Centre in Pune, India.  

Formare is a well-established academic scholarship programme for underprivileged youth in Brazil and Mexico. It recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, which is a benchmark in Brazil for providing professional training to economically and socially vulnerable young people. With this inauguration, Formare started its first class in India by selecting 26 EWS students for the two-year academic and industry programme that began with SPPU university classes in July and professional training at Kalyani Maxion Wheels’ manufacturing operation in Pune.

In addition to 100 percent tuition fees being reimbursed, they will receive a uniform, transportation, meals and a monthly stipend. After successfully completing the two-year programme, students will receive a Manufacturing Technology academic diploma.

Marcos Oliveira, President and CEO of Iochpe-Maxion and Chairman of the Board, Iochpe Foundation, commented, “The launch of Formare in India is a special moment for our company – a true testament to Iochpe-Maxion’s dedication to transforming lives through education and opportunity. For more than 35 years, we have successfully connected classroom learning with real-world workplace experiences for thousands of students in Brazil and Mexico and excited now to bring this successful programme and social benefits to India.”

“People and culture are at the centre of everything we do, from the wellbeing and inclusion of our employees to the social and environmental needs of those who live in our communities. The primary objective of Formare is to enhance the employability of underprivileged youth, and in this case, for the Pune region. I’m proud of the company and many Formare volunteers who work tirelessly to create a better shared future for us all,” said Pieter Klinkers, CEO of Maxion Wheels.

Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels’ Asia business unit, said, “Unlike other educational scholarship programs in the region, Formare is not focused on moulding students into future employees; instead, we want to give participants an opportunity to succeed in the overall job market. Formare provides job readiness and industry acumen, therefore opening doors to a wide range of employment opportunities upon graduation.” 

Highlighting the leadership and pioneering spirit of Maxion Wheels, Claudio Anjos, President of Iochpe Foundation, said, "Our foundation has worked closely with Maxion Wheels for almost 25 years in Brazil and Mexico. By offering opportunities for education and professional training to young people who really need it, Formare has the power to transform lives.”

“We are honoured to partner with Maxion Wheels in realising this programme and to provide the academic education for the Formare students here at Savitribai Phule Pune University,” said Prof Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor, SPPU. “The programme is unique as the comprehensive benefits alleviate any financial concerns and therefore allow the students to focus wholeheartedly on their education and professional development.”

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JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. has formally completed the merger of its subsidiary, Cavendish Industries Ltd., into its operations, a strategic move that follows Cavendish's acquisition in 2016. At that time, Cavendish was operating at only 30 percent of its manufacturing capacity for various vehicle tyres. Under JK Tyre's stewardship, the subsidiary received extensive managerial, financial and technical support, which facilitated a complete operational turnaround. Through optimised manufacturing processes, capacity utilisation dramatically increased to 95 percent. Additional expansion at the Laksar facility further bolstered its substantial contribution to the company's overall tyre production.

This consolidation is projected to generate significant value by combining operational strengths, achieving greater economies of scale, and creating a more robust and diversified product portfolio. The unified entity will also benefit from an extensive, integrated distribution network. The merger aligns with JK Tyre's enduring strategy of pursuing sustainable growth through both organic projects and strategic acquisitions. Cavendish’s successful integration represents the company’s third major operational turnaround, following previous revitalisations of Vikrant Tyres and JK Tornel Mexico, alongside the establishment of two Greenfield plants.

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Hankook Tire has further solidified its commitment to sustainable manufacturing with the recent International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS awarded to its Daejeon plant. This globally recognised certification validates the use of bio-based and recycled materials and ensures supply chain transparency, representing the company’s third such achievement following earlier certifications at its Geumsan and Hungary facilities. At the Daejeon site, the substitution of fossil-based synthetic rubber with bio-circular polymers has substantially lowered the environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle.

This milestone reinforces Hankook Tire’s comprehensive ESG strategy, which now encompasses original equipment, replacement and motorsport tyre production. A notable example is the supply of high-performance rally tyres, incorporating up to 31 percent sustainable materials, for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship. The company’s sustainable innovation is also evident in products like the iON evo tyre for the Porsche Taycan, which uses 45 percent recycled and recyclable materials without compromising performance. Similarly, the iON GT replacement tyre for the European market integrates up to 77 percent certified materials and has earned top EU Tyre Label ratings.

Beyond product development, Hankook Tire is pioneering future mobility solutions, showcased by a concept tyre with 81 percent sustainable materials presented at IAA Mobility 2025. In electric motorsport, as the exclusive tyre supplier for Formula E, the company has earned the FIA’s highest environmental accreditation and is set to introduce the iON Race tyre containing 35 percent sustainable materials.

To accelerate these efforts, Hankook Tire is pursuing open innovation through collaborations with technology partners such as ROTOBOOST and Solvay, focusing on advanced materials like turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. The company is also engaged in national research consortia to validate carbon-reduction technologies and enhance the commercial readiness of sustainable alternatives, consistently aiming to merge high performance with ecological responsibility across its global operations.

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Bridgestone India has reconstructed and revitalised the government school in Kuti village, near the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Madhya Pradesh, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The project directly serves a marginalised community of tribal groups and migrant labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Previously, the school operated in a perilous and crumbling structure, lacking even basic facilities for its 175 students, despite the steadfast efforts of three teachers. The new, purpose-built campus now provides structurally safe and vibrant classrooms, dedicated child-friendly spaces and access to essential amenities.

This transformation is set to dramatically improve student enrolment and daily attendance by replacing a hazardous environment with one that is secure and conducive to learning. More than just infrastructure, the initiative instils a renewed sense of dignity and aspiration in both students and their families, who work primarily as daily-wage labourers, vegetable vendors and construction workers.

Executed in collaboration with the district administration and education department, this effort reflects Bridgestone India’s core mission of driving long-term social impact through strategic community partnerships. By focusing on critical gaps in educational infrastructure for displaced and underserved populations, the company fosters an environment where children can truly thrive and communities can build a more hopeful future.

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Marking a significant milestone, the Nokian Tyres facility in Oradea, Romania, produced its one millionth tyre of the year on 20 December 2025, thereby reaching its annual production target. This new factory, inaugurated in September 2024, began deliveries in March and is dedicated to supplying passenger car tyres for the European market.

Its inaugural year saw the production of premium models like the Nokian Tyres Snowproof 2 winter tyre, upholding the company’s 90-year legacy of safety and sustainability. The product range expanded this year with the launch of two further tyres for Europe: the Seasonproof 2 all-season and the Powerproof 2 summer tyre, with more new products planned for future manufacture at the site.

Distinguished as the world’s first full-scale zero-CO2-emissions tyre factory, the Oradea plant operates entirely without fossil fuels, employing cutting-edge production technology. Upon its anticipated completion around the end of 2027, it will become Nokian Tyres’ largest global production facility, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total capacity. It represents the company’s third major manufacturing hub alongside its existing factories in Nokia, Finland, and Dayton, US. Currently, the Romanian operation employs over 500 people, underscoring its important role in Nokian Tyres’ strategic European production network.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “I am very proud of our entire team for their hard work in reaching this milestone. It is a strong testament to our commitment to customers across Europe, enhancing our service level and delivering innovative products that ensure safety and comfort for drivers in all conditions.”

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