MRF Ltd introduced its visionary theme called 'Muscle in Motion' at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This theme underscored MRF’s relentless commitment to innovation, excellence and its transformative role in shaping the future of mobility across a wide spectrum of applications.

The theme reflects MRF’s unparalleled market leadership, engineering expertise and steadfast dedication to innovation. It highlights the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge mobility solutions that enhance vehicle performance, foster progress and redefine the transportation industry. 

The company showcased its innovative prowess with several remarkable exhibits. These include the Aeromuscle tyre range, developed for the Sukhoi aircraft and the LCA Tejas, alongside tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles featuring acoustic foam technology (AFT) to enhance EV performance. Other highlights include an ERC-Type Rally Car equipped with MRF Gravel tyres, high-performance studded tyres engineered for extreme rally conditions and snow-application tyres tailored for harsh winter environments. The company’s flagship truck radial S3C8 tyre and a range of products exported globally further underline MRF’s comprehensive portfolio.

The legacy

MRF’s reputation as India’s leading tyre manufacturer is built on decades of industry leadership with 37 years of dominance in the market. In the fiscal year 2023–24, the company achieved a record turnover of INR 254.86 billion with double-digit growth recorded for the six months ending April and October 2024. This stellar performance propelled MRF’s global ranking to 11th place among the world’s top tyre manufacturers, according to the Global Tire Intelligence report dated November 28, 2024.

The company continues to cater to millions of customers across India and globally, offering the widest range of tyres, from go-kart models to specialised products for aircraft. MRF is at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) innovation, setting benchmarks in tyre technology and motorsports. Its engineering excellence has positioned the brand as a leader in global motorsports and a pioneer in EV-specific solutions that drive advancements in sustainable mobility.MRF’s commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in its operations, with 10 advanced manufacturing facilities across India contributing to the nation’s Net Zero emission target by 2070. The company has established phase-wise targets to enhance its sustainability performance, focusing on clean energy adoption, manufacturing efficiency, and resource optimisation. MRF’s vision for the future includes embedding sustainability into its business practices, ensuring long-term environmental and operational excellence.

Innovation in the EV space remains a cornerstone of MRF’s strategy. The company’s advanced EV-specific tyres are designed for efficiency, durability, and performance, supporting a range of key EV models in India, including the Maruti EV, Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra EV, and two-wheelers like the Honda Activa Electric, Bajaj Chetak, Hero Moto Vida, and Ather Rizta. MRF’s partnerships also extend to electric motorcycles such as the Ultraviolette F77 and Revolt, electric buses like those from JBM and Olectra, and commercial EVs including trucks and three-wheelers from leading manufacturers.

Motorsports excellence is another hallmark of MRF’s legacy. The company’s high-performance tyres are synonymous with motorsports in India supporting Formula cars, rallying, motocross, motorcycle racing and go-karting. Globally, MRF’s dominance is evident with titles in the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2022 and 2023, multiple victories in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), and four consecutive wins in the Italian Gravel Championship. MRF’s philosophy, “Tyres We Race Are the Tyres You Buy,” ensures that innovations born on the racetrack translate into superior durability, performance, and safety for everyday drivers.

MRF’s expertise extends beyond automotive applications as seen in its Aero Muscle Tyres developed for fighter jets. These tyres meet stringent aviation standards, showcasing MRF’s engineering capabilities and its leadership in sectors beyond traditional automotive boundaries.

The 'Muscle in Motion' theme epitomises MRF’s steadfast dedication to innovation, quality and sustainability. As a beacon of progress in mobility solutions, MRF invites attendees of Bharat Mobility 2025 to witness its vision for a future defined by cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance.

Research analysing 850+ studies reveals fragmented methodologies hampering understanding of environmental impact

Scientists have called for urgent standardisation of methods used to measure and assess tyre wear emissions, following publication of what they describe as the most comprehensive review of research in the field to date.

The "State of Knowledge" series, which analysed more than 850 peer-reviewed scientific publications spanning four decades, has revealed significant gaps and inconsistencies in current understanding of how tyres shed particles and chemicals during use.

The research highlights how fragmented approaches across different studies have prevented scientists from drawing definitive conclusions about the environmental and health impacts of tyre wear emissions, which occur when tyres interact with road surfaces during driving.

"The topic of tyre wear emissions is extremely complex, multi-dimensional, and unfortunately only partially understood," said Dr Stephan Wagner, one of the paper's lead authors. "Until these gaps are closed, there is a growing concern that decisions about tyre emissions could be based on incomplete science."

The first two papers in the three-part series focus on characterising tyre wear emissions and assessing their environmental impact. A third paper examining potential health impacts is expected later this year.

The research, supported by the Tire Industry Project - part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development - found that tyre wear creates not just particles but also releases volatile compounds and dissolved chemicals that can leach into the environment.

Current data suggests the risk from most tyre and road wear particles in water and soil is "generally lower down the priority list", according to the environmental risk assessment paper. However, researchers said insufficient data exists on tyre leachables and volatile compounds to make a full assessment.

The studies propose a tiered measurement framework and call for harmonised testing protocols to enable meaningful comparisons between different research efforts.

"The SOK underscores why we need a concerted, multi-stakeholder response to close the knowledge gaps, now more than ever," said Larisa Kryachkova, executive director at the Tire Industry Project.

The research comes as regulators worldwide grapple with how to address microplastic pollution, including particles from tyre wear. The European Union has been considering regulations on tyre emissions as part of broader environmental protection measures.

The authors suggest existing frameworks for assessing microplastics could provide a starting point for developing tyre emission guidelines, with modifications to account for the unique characteristics of tyre wear materials.

"We hope that these papers will encourage the scientific community and serve as a catalyst for further research and standardisation," Wagner concluded.

The Tire Industry Project plans to host a research conference at MIT in Boston to promote collaborative approaches to addressing the knowledge gaps identified in the review.

Japanese tyre maker launches cost-cutting initiative as US tariffs bite

Sumitomo Rubber Industries maintained its full-year profit forecast despite a sharp decline in first-half earnings, as the Japanese tyre maker launched a comprehensive cost-reduction programme to counter rising raw material costs and US trade tariffs.

The company reported business profit of 28.3 billion yen for the six months ended June 30, down 33 percent from the previous year, whilst sales revenue fell  three percent to 572.2 billion yen. Profit attributable to shareholders plunged 63 percent to 14.4 billion yen.

Despite the weak first-half performance, Sumitomo Rubber held its full-year business profit target at 95 billion yen, representing an eight percent increase from the previous year.

"At the initial planning stage for H1, we anticipated significant negative impacts from rising raw material costs, particularly natural rubber, as well as foreign exchange fluctuations," President and CEO Satoru Yamamoto told analysts. "Overall, performance progressed largely in line with our plan."

The company faces headwinds from US tariffs imposed under the Trump administration, with an estimated impact of 14.5 billion yen for the current fiscal year, down from an initial estimate of 18 billion yen following tariff postponements and rate reductions in Japan and Indonesia.

Project ARK targets 30 billion yen savings

To bolster profitability, Sumitomo Rubber launched "Project ARK," a company-wide cost-reduction initiative targeting 30 billion yen in cumulative savings by the end of 2027 from its 1.1 trillion yen annual cost base.

"By advancing Project ARK, which carries forward the direction of the Be The Change initiative, we intend to help build a robust management foundation that is resilient to such external changes," Yamamoto said.

The programme focuses on tyre production costs, shared administrative and R&D expenses, and non-tyre business segments. General Manager Shinji Araki, who leads the project, said the company expects to achieve "several billion yen" in savings this year, ramping up to approximately 10 billion yen in fiscal 2026.

Dunlop brand expansion progresses

The company began selling tyres under the acquired Dunlop brand in North America and Australia in May, following the completion of its trademark acquisition from Goodyear Tire & Rubber. Sumitomo Rubber plans to launch proprietary Dunlop products for the North American market in January 2026, with European sales to follow.

"By introducing differentiated products manufactured by the Company under the DUNLOP brand in Europe, North America, and Oceania, we aim to increase the proportion of premium products," Yamamoto said.

The company's proprietary Active Tread technology, featured in its Synchro Weather tyre launched in Japan last October, won multiple industry awards and is being developed for next-generation all-season tyres targeting European and North American markets for a 2027 launch.

Tariff impact manageable

Sumitomo Rubber began implementing price increases in the US  market in May to offset tariff impacts, with Managing Executive Officer Hidekazu Nishiguchi saying progress has been "generally in line with our plan."

The company estimates it can recover approximately 10 billion yen of the 13.5 billion yen tariff impact on its tyre business through price increases, with the remainder offset through cost reductions and expense controls.

"Since we primarily ship from Thailand, the tariff is applied to the export price from Thailand. As a result, we estimate the effective tariff burden to be around 12% to 13%," Nishiguchi explained.

For the full year, Sumitomo Rubber forecasts sales revenue of 1.215 trillion yen, unchanged year-on-year, whilst maintaining its interim dividend at 35 yen per share with a projected year-end dividend of 35 yen for a total annual payout of 70 yen.

The company's tyre sales volume is expected to decline four percent to 99.03 million units for the full year, though it continues to focus on premiumising its product mix, with premium tyres forecast to account for 46 percent of passenger car tyre sales, up from 44 percent previously.

During the recent BASF Demo Day at Hurcott Farm, Trelleborg Tires presented its advanced tyre technologies to an audience of agricultural professionals. The farm's operators, Mark, Sue and Andrew Doble, facilitated hands-on demonstrations that highlighted the tangible benefits of proper tyre pressure management in real-world farming scenarios.

The company's VF (Very High Flexion) tyre technology took centre stage, demonstrating its ability to operate effectively at reduced inflation pressures. This engineering breakthrough allows for improved weight distribution across a larger contact area, significantly decreasing soil compaction while maintaining optimal traction. Such advancements contribute directly to preserving soil health and enhancing long-term field productivity.

Complementing this innovation, Trelleborg's ProgressiveTraction tread design exhibited its dual functionality – delivering exceptional field performance without compromising on-road comfort. The unique dual-anchor lug configuration provides multidirectional grip, effectively reducing wheel slippage and improving fuel efficiency across various terrain conditions. An integrated Interlug system further enhances operational performance through superior self-cleaning capabilities and stability.

To support customer investments, Trelleborg extends a comprehensive 5,000-hour warranty on select ProgressiveTraction models when registered through their Premium Care initiative. Industry partner C&O Tractors, renowned Massey Ferguson specialists, participated in the event, showcasing the synergistic benefits of combining premium tyre technology with high-performance agricultural machinery.

This demonstration underscores Trelleborg's ongoing commitment to developing innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of modern agriculture. By focusing on technological advancements that promote sustainability and operational efficiency, the company continues to deliver measurable value to farming professionals worldwide.

Craig Churstain, Sales Manager, Trelleborg Tires, said, “Optimising tyre pressure between field and road applications is one of the most effective, yet often overlooked, ways to boost farm efficiency. Lower pressure in the field means less soil compaction and healthier crops. On the road, it ensures better fuel efficiency and longer tyre life. It’s about getting the most from every working hour. Farmers today are under constant pressure to do more with less. Our mission is to provide tyre solutions that not only perform in the toughest conditions but also support a more sustainable and profitable farming model.”

For the second year running, CHIMEI Corporation has secured the prestigious Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top one percent of 150,000+ global companies evaluated for sustainability performance. This recognition reflects CHIMEI’s excellence across environmental stewardship, labour practices, ethical operations and sustainable procurement.

The EcoVadis assessment, a gold standard for corporate sustainability, has seen growing participation and stricter criteria as ESG awareness rises worldwide. CHIMEI demonstrated particular progress in 2025, advancing its Sustainable Procurement score through platinum-level Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) certification. This strengthened supply chain oversight, workplace safety standards and employee welfare initiatives. The company also elevated its Ethics performance via ISO 27001 information security and ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications, reinforcing governance transparency.

Since joining EcoVadis evaluations in 2021, CHIMEI has systematically enhanced its sustainability framework through continuous strategy reviews and operational improvements. Back-to-back Platinum ratings validate its leadership in sustainable business practices and commitment to the ‘Clean & Green’ vision. Moving forward, CHIMEI will intensify efforts in carbon reduction, eco-innovation, and supply chain collaboration to accelerate progress towards net-zero goals. This achievement not only recognises current performance but also fuels the company’s drive to set new benchmarks in responsible corporate citizenship.