Michelin, one of the global leaders in tyre technology, announced a collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to launch India’s first AI Startup Challenge. The initiative aims to propel innovation and entrepreneurship in the country’s manufacturing sector.

The challenge was unveiled in the presence of senior DPIIT officials, including Joint Secretary Sanjiv and Director Sumeet Kumar Jarangal. Dr Ambica Rajagopal, Group Chief Data and AI Officer, and Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, represented Michelin. A recorded address by DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh emphasised the programme’s significance.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT, said, “Michelin and Startup India, through the AI Challenge, invite Indian startups to co-build technical solutions using large language models for business use cases. The Michelin AI Startup Challenge offers opportunities to develop solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, operating software, and infrastructure, leveraging AI and robotics to enhance manufacturing processes, improve product quality, boost safety, and reduce defects. This initiative aims to create sustainable products and expose Indian talent to global contexts and clients. I encourage all DPIIT-recognised startups to apply for the programme and wish them the best.”

Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships and the key role that manufacturing companies like Michelin play in bringing the right resources to help elevate the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also focused on the department’s commitment to empowering startups to scale their innovations and make a lasting impact on a global scale.

Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, spoke about the importance of AI and the government’s focus on advanced manufacturing and automation. He congratulated the Michelin team for developing a programme completely synergistic with the nation’s vision.

The 12-week challenge, hosted on the Startup India portal, invites applications from leading Indian AI startups. Selected participants will receive mentorship and the opportunity to compete at a demo day in Delhi this September. The top eight finalists will pitch their solutions to a panel of judges from Startup India and Michelin India.

The top three startups will be awarded paid pilot projects with Michelin, valued at up to INR 5,00,000 each. Additionally, they will be eligible for long-term global contracts and incubation support from Michelin leadership. The challenge focuses on fostering AI-powered solutions in manufacturing, supply chain management, operational software, and infrastructure development.

Dr Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group Chief Data and AI Officer at Michelin India said, “There has never been a more exciting time for startups in the AI world, and we are delighted to contribute significantly to advancing India’s technology sector. It is a proud moment for us to strengthen our commitment to the AI industry in collaboration with the government’s visionary Startup India initiative.”

 Commenting on this initiative, Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, stated, “At Michelin, we are committed to a greener future where sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of our efforts. We eagerly anticipate the participation of Indian startups in the AI challenge as we co-build global solutions together.”

 The initiative will unfold in stages, beginning with outreach and application collection in July. Shortlisted startups will undergo mentorship until September, culminating in a final pitch event.

This 12-week AI Startup Challenge aims to find and support innovative startups in manufacturing. Top winners will receive mentorship, pilot projects, and incubation opportunities. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between industries and startups, empowering them with AI to become global leaders.

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Zeon has confirmed its role as an official sponsor of RubberCon 2026, scheduled for 28 and 29 April in Paris. The conference is organised by AFICEP under the aegis of IRCO. The event will centre on the theme ‘Ecodesign and Rubber Innovation’, serving as a gathering for global experts spanning academia, research, manufacturing and technology sectors. This focus reflects the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainable material development and circular economy principles.

Through its sponsorship, the company underscores its commitment to sustainable solutions, innovation and international knowledge exchange. Zeon anticipates engaging with industry professionals to explore new approaches and contribute to meaningful sector progress.

“By sponsoring RubberCon 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to driving forward sustainable solutions, fostering innovation and supporting the international exchange of knowledge and best practices. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals, discovering new approaches and contributing to meaningful progress within our sector,” read the company statement.

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Maxxis Rubber India has been presented with an Appreciation Award from the Ahmedabad Rural Police in recognition of its support during VIP movements. The accolade was conferred by Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat, acknowledged for his role in fostering community safety and collaboration through his leadership.

Guided by its core principles of respect, care and appreciation, the company emphasises its commitment to quality, service and trust alongside cooperation with authorities. Expressing gratitude to the police department for acknowledging its efforts, Maxxis stated that the honour reinforces its dedication to integrity and public safety partnerships, motivating the organisation to continue contributing with the same unwavering commitment and a focus on building stronger, more resilient communities every single day forward together.

“At Maxxis, our core values – respect, care and appreciation – drive us beyond business. Whether ensuring 100 percent quality, service, trust in our products or standing alongside authorities for public safety, we believe strong partnerships build stronger communities. We sincerely thank the Police Department-Ahmedabad Rural Police for acknowledging our ‘unwavering support’ and ‘invaluable cooperation’. This honour motivates us to continue contributing with the same commitment and integrity,” the company acknowledged in a social media post.

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The organisers of the International Rubber Conference 2026 have opened exhibitor applications for the accompanying Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition, with discounted early-bird rates available until 30 April 2026.

The conference will take place from 2 to 6 November at the Aichi International Exhibition Center (Aichi Sky Expo), bringing together global scientists, engineers and industry stakeholders working across rubber and elastomer technologies.

Exhibitors submitting applications by the April deadline will benefit from reduced participation fees. The final deadline for regular applications is 15 July 2026.

Held alongside the conference from 3 to 6 November, the exhibition is expected to attract more than 4,500 visitors and is regarded as one of the leading international platforms for showcasing advances in rubber science, materials engineering and industrial applications.

IRC 2026 marks the sixth edition hosted in Japan, following previous conferences in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Yokohama and Kitakyushu. Under the theme “Future Rubber Technology toward Sustainability”, the event aims to address evolving industry demands, particularly as Asia accounts for a growing share of global rubber production and consumption.

Organisers said the event will provide a platform not only for established players but also for emerging engineers and researchers to engage with international experts, fostering collaboration and technological advancement across the sector.

Applications and further details are available via the official conference website.

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Tegeta Green Planet, in partnership with the Wasteless specific waste management association, hosted the Georgia Rubberized Asphalt Summit (GRAS) 2026 in Tbilisi. This international conference was designed as a platform for exchanging global knowledge on sustainable road infrastructure and rubber-modified asphalt technologies, bringing together industry leaders and international experts to examine both the challenges and opportunities within the sector. A dedicated panel discussion formed a central part of the event, fostering in-depth dialogue among participants.

Despite being widely adopted in United States, Portugal, Spain and across Europe for over six decades, rubber-modified asphalt remains unused in Georgia. This technology offers significant advantages over conventional pavement, including a service life of 8 to 10 years, superior resistance to water damage, reduced noise pollution and a substantial decrease in environmental harm caused by automotive waste. The summit’s organisers aim to address this gap by promoting responsible waste management and raising public awareness about the dangers of unprocessed refuse.

More than a forum for knowledge exchange, the summit served as a call to action, underscoring Georgia’s potential to become a regional frontrunner in sustainable infrastructure. Tegeta Green Planet, a subsidiary of Tegeta Holding established in 2022, was among the first companies in the country authorised by the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture to recycle used tyres, oils and batteries under extended producer responsibility principles. The organisation operates by collecting specified waste types, managing their transport and recycling and ultimately processing these materials in line with circular economy models, thereby supporting the nation’s shift towards innovative green initiatives.

Ekaterina Kavtaradze, CEO, Tegeta Holding, said, “For Tegeta Holding, sustainable development is one of the most important principles of our operations, which is reflected in concrete solutions. I am delighted that Georgia has had the opportunity to host such a large-scale event. GRAS 2026 demonstrates that the circular economy can become a real economic priority in Georgia as well, bringing significant benefits to the country, as waste is transformed into a resource, creating economic advantages and reducing the negative impact on the environment.”

Shalva Akhvlediani, Director, Tegeta Green Planet, said, “Georgia is at a stage where infrastructure decisions can shape the economic and environmental outcomes of the next generation. This summit provides us with a unique opportunity to learn from the world’s leading countries and implement these lessons at the local level. Overall, the circular economy is the way forward: it allows us to transform waste, such as used tyres, into a useful resource, ensuring economic stability, environmental protection and sustainable development.”

Giorgi Guliashvili, Chairman, Wasteless, “Our goal is to implement a fully circular model in Georgia – from waste collection to recycling and the effective use of recycled materials. Starting this autumn, Georgia will launch its first high-tech tyre recycling plant, which will process used tyres collected throughout the country. Using recycled rubber in asphalt is a clear answer to the question of how the resulting raw materials are utilised. As a result of the plant’s launch, we estimate that we will produce up to 12–15 thousand tonnes of rubber crumb per year, which will allow us to use this material locally to build more durable and environmentally friendly roads. This will bring significant benefits to both the environment and the economy.”

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