The priority for the newly elected president of All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), Dr Sawar Dhanania, is to create an ecosystem in the Indian rubber sector with the help of all stakeholders, especially small ones, for sustainable growth. "I find the rubber ecosystem is not in place, and every sector that has to go forward or meet the challenges has to have an ecosystem. All the links should be in place to take the MSME sector forward along with big players in the industry," said Dr Dhanania.

"We have identified the issue and are working on it. To have the ecosystem, we require the participation of all stakeholders in the sector to make it stronger," added Dr Dhanania.

Due to the erratic supply chain, buyers are losing price negotiation powers, especially MSMEs. Meanwhile, soaring prices of raw materials are adding fuel to the challenges. According to Dr Dhanania, the MSME sector requires special-purpose rubbers, such as EPDM, Nitrile, Neoprene, SBR and others to make the goods. However, suppliers from other countries are dictating the terms due to the current situation. "Currently, manufacturers in the MSME sector are facing challenges as they cannot increase the prices of finished goods even though the demand is picking up, and they have to buy raw materials at soaring prices," explained Dr Dhanania.

Coupled with skyrocketing raw material prices, the lack of testing facilities for raw materials and finished rubber goods for the MSME players is another primary concern, as per Dr Dhanania. "Due to growing exports and quality requirements in the local market, we too are getting quality conscious. We need testing facilities at the door level according to the standards," said Dr Dhanania.

In May, the AIRIA will approach the government to avail special-purpose rubber and other raw material at fair prices through imports to meet domestic demand being infused by the growing infrastructure development and export demand. 

The association will also urge the government to make FTAs more favourable to the domestic industry and boost local supplies of speciality rubber to lessen dependency on imports. "To tap the opportunities in new markets, we will motivate our rubber goods manufacturers to export goods. We will focus on exploring the new market for our members. Currently, we are collecting and analysing the data for MSMEs. We will provide data to the manufacturers about the export details for the countries where they can possibly supply their rubber goods," expressed Dr Dhanania.

The Arab and European countries are currently the largest export market for the Indian rubber goods companies. Rubber sheeting, cycle tyre & tubes, footwear and moulded products are among India's largest export rubber goods. However, India contributes merely one percent of the total global rubber export, which stands at around USD 200 billion. 

The association also seeks stimulus packages for the rubber industry. "With the technological changes, we want to upgrade our processing technology and add some new machines. But since we are facing so many problems like increasing raw material prices and inverted duties, we don't have a surplus in our hands to invest in the machines," said Dr Dhanania.

The AIRIA will also enhance its activities to hone workers' skills in the MSME sector. According to the new president, the association did face some challenges in providing training in the rubber sector in the past, but it will soon launch training and educational courses for academia and industry. "Even for the people working in the rubber industry for a long time, we will launch reskilled training programmes. We will be discussing with RCPSDC how the technical expertise will provide the practical training to the industry people as lots of machines are required for such training," added Dr Dhanania. 

The AIRIA will soon introduce an e-portal where the association members can market their products digitally. "With this portal, job seekers can also get connected to companies," said Dr Dhanania.

Dr Dhanania sees the greater demand will come from the automotive sector. He averred, "The auto companies are not running at the full capacities due to shortage of semiconductors, but for the long term, the demand will pick up, and the government too is spending on building infrastructure. Electric vehicles will generate demand for new types of high-performance rubbers." 

The size of the Indian rubber industry is about INR 1 trillion, out of which INR 700 billion is contributed by the tyre segment and the rest by rubber goods manufacturers. The MSME units in the rubber sector employ about 400,000 people. 

In India, there is a deficit of over 400,000 tonnes of natural rubber, which is being met by imports. However, the government has been serious to narrow the gap between demand and supply. 

Recently, four major tyre companies, part of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), have decided to contribute INR 10 billion for rubber plantation development on 200,000 hectares of land in the North East states of India, over five years.

The AIRIA has postponed the India Rubber Expo (IRE) due to Covid outrage. According to Dr Dhanania, the IRE is likely to be held in 2024 . "As the situation (Covid-19) is improving, we are planning to hold the IRE in 2024. Meanwhile, we will have industry outreach programmes every month in different states, and we may unfold the programme in April," concluded Dr Dhanania.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2 has been awarded the title of WhatTyre’s All-Season Tire of the Year 2025, securing top honours in both the Passenger Car and SUV categories. This recognition from WhatTyre is determined through a comprehensive evaluation process that synthesises data-driven insights from European magazine tests, an independent Tyrescore algorithm, expert reviews and ESG sustainability ratings.

The Seasonproof 2 emerged first out of 10 competing passenger car tyres and first out of seven SUV tyres. The SUV variant received an exceptional Tyrescore of 8.94, with judges commending its exemplary snow handling, A-rated wet grip, and improved rolling resistance that enhances fuel efficiency. The passenger car model was noted for delivering superior performance across critical wet, snow and aquaplaning tests, successfully combining year-round safety and reliability with a strong emphasis on sustainable design. This dual victory solidifies the tyre's position as a leading all-season product for European and UK drivers.

The verdict read: “The judges were very impressed with the Seasonproof 2 and have agreed that the improvements that Nokian Tyres has made over the past 12 months are commendable and highly deserve to take the crown for both of our all-season categories."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Omni United Group is expanding the reach of its flagship brand, Radar Tyres, with the introduction of the Radar RED (Radar Elite Dealer) programme across Europe, United Kingdom and United States. Implemented in collaboration with local partners, this initiative is strategically designed to empower tyre dealers by enhancing their profitability, strengthening brand presence and elevating the overall customer experience.

The programme provides a comprehensive package of advantages built around high-performance products, exclusive privileges and a structured rewards system to foster business growth. Key benefits include competitive pricing and attractive margins supported by a range of premium yet affordable tyres, which are intended to boost sales and improve customer retention. Membership is structured around a three-tier system – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – where benefits scale according to annual sales volume.

Additional support comes in the form of marketing resources, including promotional materials for stores, local campaign assistance and visibility through the official Radar Dealer Locator. The programme also incorporates loyalty incentives such as monetary rewards, staff discounts and formal dealer recognition. To further enhance customer appeal, selected products come with exclusive protection plans and satisfaction guarantees. Dealers will also have access to specialised product training seminars and become part of an exclusive RED community.

The rollout of the Radar RED programme is being executed in phases. The initial phase launched in several countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Portugal. A recently launched second phase introduces an enhanced version of the programme, complete with tiered rewards, loyalty incentives and the gradual deployment of dedicated Radar Network Managers in major markets such as UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

G S Sareen, President and CEO, Omni United, said, “The Radar RED programme is a strategic step to further fuel Radar’s continued growth in the region. This programme provides our partners with the tools, rewards and recognition needed to succeed in today’s market. We are committed to building long-lasting relationships with our retail partners and supporting them in making the brand more profitable. The current programme is just the basis: we will continue to develop it and support retailers in a highly competitive market.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced a significant victory for its flagship ADVAN tyres in the GT300 class during Round 5 of the 2025 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Series at Suzuka Circuit. This marks the third win this season for a car equipped with ADVAN tyres, reinforcing Yokohama Rubber's strong position in the pursuit of a second consecutive GT300 championship.

The triumphant vehicle was the No. 7 CARGUY FERRARI 296 GT3, fielded by the CARGUY MKS RACING team, which is competing in its debut SUPER GT season. Driven by the rookie duo of Zak O’Sullivan and Rikuto Kobayashi, the car started on the front row after a strong qualifying performance. O’Sullivan aggressively challenged for the lead from the outset before handing over to Kobayashi on the 18th lap. Despite a radio failure that left him without communication from his team, Kobayashi delivered a remarkably consistent and fast drive, seizing the lead on lap 35 and securing a decisive victory by a 17-second margin.

Adding to the success of the ADVAN brand, a second car fitted with the tyres also achieved a podium finish. The No. 5 TEAM MACH entry, driven by Yusuke Shiotsu and Iori Kimura, crossed the line in third place, underscoring the competitive performance and reliability of Yokohama Rubber’s racing tyres under the demanding conditions of Japan’s premier GT racing series.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental’s dedication to comprehensive environmental and social responsibility has been formally recognised with the 2025 Kalmar Sustainability Award. The honour was conferred at Kalmar’s Supplier Day event in Szczecin, Poland, following a rigorous independent evaluation.

Continental distinguished itself by earning the highest score on Kalmar’s supplier sustainability scorecard, which measures performance in critical areas like responsible sourcing, data transparency, hazardous substance compliance and active participation in sustainability initiatives.

This partnership is operationalised through Continental’s role as the premium supplier of V.ply and radial tyres for Kalmar’s port logistics vehicles, which include reach stackers, terminal tractors and container handlers. The collaboration is strengthened by a shared vision for a carbon-neutral future. Continental implements this vision by focusing on the entire tyre lifecycle, from employing energy-efficient production and sustainable materials to designing long-lasting products like the TerminalMaster tyre.

Digital tools such as ContiConnect further this mission by optimising tyre pressure and health, which reduces fuel consumption and extends tyre life, thereby minimising the overall environmental footprint. This award celebrates a synergistic alliance built on a mutual commitment to innovation and superior quality standards.

Christian Berner, Global Key Account Manager for Port Operations at Continental, said, “We are honoured to receive this award from Kalmar, a valued customer with whom we have enjoyed a strong partnership for more than 15 years. This award is a testament to our shared values: a strong commitment to sustainability and lifecycle responsibility as demonstrated in our yearly sustainability report.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!