Does post-pandemic lockdowns prompt any priority change for ATMA? Will there be a campaign for greater health safeguards for tyre company workers?

Tyre companies have been at the forefront of maintaining safety standards based on guidelines /advisories during last one year. Tyre companies were perhaps the first to shut down operations when the call for lockdown was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. It needs to be appreciated that Tyre is a continuous process industry. Sudden shutdown results in huge losses in terms of wastage of raw material and other Work in Progress inventories. Restarting operations involves picking up several pieces involving significant effort. Being a continuous process industry, we could have argued for waiver from the lockdown. However, in appreciation of the real intent of the lockdowns and Tyre Companies being responsible Corporate citizens, aimed at safeguarding lives, went for a shutdown. ATMA has already issued Covid Compliant Standards for the benefit of all tyre plants. Health if its employees including workers has always been a priority with ATMA members, and this will continue to be so going forward.

How do you plan to take cheap tyre import issue to the next level?

Government has introduced certain much-needed measures by curbing indiscriminate import aimed at making the country ‘Aatmnirbhar.’ As we have observed, the imports from China that accounted for the lion’s share in tyre imports in India, have come down significantly after import curbs were initiated. However, it is also being observed that the percentage share of some other countries in total tyre imports in India has gone up substantially. As per the latest tyre import official data, Thailand has displaced China as the largest source of Truck & Bus radial tyres (TBR). Nearly 50% of TBR imported in India in the first three quarters of FY21 are from Thailand. Even in Passenger Car Radials (PCR) imports in India, Thailand has come to account for largest share of 35% in the Apr-Dec’20 period. We are taking up with the Government for all such indiscriminate imports about which the Government has exhorted various sectors to strengthen their domestic manufacturing capacities and capabilities, especially in the automotive space. We are also keenly looking at the measures to further boost domestic production under the PLI scheme for Automotive Sector.

As the automotive sector shows signs of resurgence, how do you foresee the growth of tyre business in India?

After two years of downward trend, things are looking up for the Auto sector in India. Different surveys point to 14 to 18% growth for the Auto sector in FY22. Tyre Industry’s growth is closely linked to Auto sector’s performance and the economic graph. Since economy is also projected to grow at upwards of 10% by different agencies, we expect growth in tyre demand to be in sync with economic and auto sector’s growth. Hopefully tyre imports will remain in check and the growth in demand will be met by Indian manufacturing. The focus on Infrastructure investment by the Government, should lead to higher demand generation in the automobile sector.

The proposed Scrappage Policy is expected to see an increase in new tyre sales. How do you foresee the development? Do you think a similar policy could be implemented for tyres as well?

The new vehicle scrappage policy is a welcome move since it is aimed at phasing out unfit and polluting vehicles from the roads paving the way of boosting the demand for new and environment-friendly vehicles No doubt, the new policy has potential to kick start the revival of the Indian auto sector and the entire automotive value chain including tyres.

The policy with in-built incentives should boost the demand for new and environment-friendly vehicles. It would lead to recovery in Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles and its positive demand on tyres which have remained under stress for long and, in the process, also give a fillip to Truck & Bus tyre segment.

Regarding scrappage policy for tyres, any initiative that leads to replacing of worn-out tyres beyond their useful and safe life will be a welcome move. Over the last few years, ATMA & its technical arm Indian Tyre Technical Advisory committee (ITTAC) have been intensely involved in creating awareness on Tyre Care & Road safety through On-ground activations, Tyre clinics, Safety seminars, Mass media messaging, Social media campaigns, Participation at expos, Launching of safety calendars, Animation films and other possible interfaces urging the motorists to replace worn out and poorly maintained tyres before it is too late. Tyre industry is willing to partner in any initiative that leads to replacement of risky worn-out tyres and make the road usage and conditions safer.

The Budget has also focused on bigger infrastructure development and promotion of public transport. What is your take on the readiness of Indian tyre manufacturers to exploit the bigger opportunities?

Tyre industry is ahead of the demand curve. An unprecedented amount of over Rs 50,000 crore was invested across 4-5 years before the pandemic in creating new capacities and R&D. The new capacities are now coming on stream and are geared to meet increased demand borne out of Infra development and other growth drivers. As a vibrant part of Aatmnirbhar Bharat, Tyre Industry has been conscious of its responsibility to the nation and has been investing heavily in new capacities building and research & development. India is one of the few countries that are self-reliant in manufacturing of practically all varieties of tyres.

How does ATMA look to support the uncertainties in the Natural Rubber sector? While looking for easier availability options like new rubber alternatives, will there be any further steps to support the NR sector?

A well-developed and competitive domestic NR sector is very close to Tyre Industry’s heart. The fact remains that domestic production of NR is short of its requirement by over 40%. Rubber Board has certainly made sincere efforts to increase the production and productivity of NR in the country; however significant production- consumption gap continues to exist.

A project for supporting development of new rubber plantations in North East and improving quality of processed forms of rubber has been finalised under the guidance and active mentoring of Mr Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The project is designed to implement the scheme for developing 200,000 hectares (ha) of rubber plantations in the North Eastern States with financial participation by major tyre companies, represented by ATMA with technical support and coordination by the Rubber Board.

While the NR project looks towards long-term availability of NR, for the short term, Tyre Industry has urged the Rubber Board to help the industry tide over the imminent crisis. (TT)

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Apollo Tyres, one of the leading tyre makers in the country, has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of the made-in-India for India and the world Apollo Aspire 5 ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre.

Available in 17-inch and above rim size with W/Y speed rating, the company looks to tap into the demand for Uthe HP tyre range, especially in the luxury car segment. The company shared that the UHP tyre has been designed with Dynamic Contour Technology for superior physical and acoustic comfort, and Tri-Flex Compound for high-speed grip and stability.

The electric vehicle-ready Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range has undergone extensively testing across Europe, India, Japan and Korea, and has been tailored to meet the demanding needs from Indian road conditions. Furthermore, the Apollo Aspire 5 will also be introduced in global markets such as Europe and Asia.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice-President, Commercial (India, SAARC and Southeast Asia), Apollo Tyres, said, “Performance today goes beyond speed; premium car buyers now demand a quieter, more refined driving experience, especially with the rise of electric crossover and luxury SUVs. At Apollo Tyres, we have been preparing for this shift with cutting-edge R&D, global benchmarking and technologies tailored for evolving mobility. Aspire 5 is a testament of our commitment to lead this new era of performance.”

The tyre maker stated that the new range of products have been co-developed with leading OEMs, deep industry insight with real-world consumer feedback.

The Apollo Aspire 5 tyre range offers better control, superior ride comfort and impressively low noise levels. The tyre will be produced at the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Andhra Pradesh.

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 The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is convening its annual Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors programme this week, sending industry professionals to Capitol Hill to press lawmakers on policies supporting domestic manufacturing, road safety and sector innovation.

The two-day event, running from 24–25 June, brings together representatives from USTMA’s 11 member companies — including engineers, business managers and marketers — to meet with members of Congress and their staff. The discussions are expected to focus on key legislative priorities such as expanding tyre retreading in the U.S., advancing consumer safety initiatives, and passing a congressional resolution in support of National Tire Safety Week.

“The U.S. tyre manufacturing industry is a vibrant engine of innovation, enabling safe and sustainable mobility for consumers and businesses. Our industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and keeping up with evolving consumer expectations on reliability, safety and environmental impact,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.

The ambassadors, who live in the same communities where the industry operates, are set to highlight how national legislation impacts local jobs and infrastructure. USTMA members operate 55 manufacturing facilities across 16 states and contribute to a $170.6 billion annual economic footprint, the association said.

The event follows a letter sent by USTMA to Congressional leaders in February outlining the sector’s legislative agenda. The group is advocating for increased investment in tyre innovation, transparency measures for consumers, and job creation through infrastructure and sustainability-focused policies.

“Our Ambassadors represent the manufacturing workers who power the industry every day, and we are honoured by their advocacy for the tyre manufacturing industry and the communities it supports,” Luke added.

The initiative reflects USTMA’s broader push to align policymakers with the industry’s goals of maintaining global competitiveness while securing long-term growth for U.S. manufacturing.

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Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian Tyres has been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025, ranking 98th on the prestigious global list of 500 companies demonstrating outstanding environmental and social responsibility.

The second edition of the rankings, compiled by TIME Magazine in collaboration with data firm Statista, evaluated companies based on verified sustainability commitments, including UN Global Compact membership and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative.

Assessment criteria also included performance ratings from respected organisations such as CDP and MSCI, alongside evaluations of sustainable business practices, transparency, and environmental and social stewardship.

Nokian Tyres has positioned itself as a sustainability pioneer within the tyre industry, driving sustainable development both within its operations and throughout its value chain. The company’s environmental leadership dates back three decades, with its Finnish factory becoming the world’s first tyre manufacturing facility to achieve environmental certification in 1995.

“We create tyres that are safe, innovative and sustainable. Nokian Tyres has been a pioneer in sustainability in the tyre industry for over three decades. As early as 1995, our factory in Finland was the first tyre factory in the world to gain an environmental certification. We are proud of our track record and want our sustainability actions to have a meaningful impact. The most recent example of this is our new factory in Romania, the first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory in the world,” said Paolo Pompei, president and chief executive of Nokian Tyres.

The company’s latest sustainability milestone is its new Romanian manufacturing facility, which represents the world’s first full-scale zero CO2 emission tyre factory, demonstrating Nokian Tyres’ continued commitment to environmental innovation in industrial manufacturing.

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Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinochem has achieved a significant milestone, with its brand value surpassing 500 billion yuan for the first time, according to rankings released at the 22nd World Brand Conference in Beijing.

The World Brand Lab announced that Sinochem ranked seventh on its annual “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands” list for 2025, with the company’s brand value climbing from 475.906 billion yuan in 2024 to over 500 billion yuan this year.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Sinochem brand has secured a position on the prestigious ranking. The company’s property development arm, Jinmao, also featured prominently, placing 170th with a brand value of 74.186 billion yuan.

The World Brand Lab’s methodology evaluates brand worth through three key metrics: financial performance, brand strength, and consumer behaviour analysis, employing a “present value of earnings method” for valuation. The ranking is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative assessments in Chinese brand research.

Sinochem’s consistent performance has been particularly notable since 2004 when it first entered the top ten of the annual list. Following the establishment of China National Chemical Corporation on 8 May 2021, the enhanced Sinochem brand has maintained its seventh position for four consecutive years, demonstrating sustained growth in brand value and international market recognition.

The company attributed its success to implementing comprehensive brand management strategies aligned with government directives on brand development. Sinochem stated that it will continue to leverage high-quality brand building and valuable brand assets to strengthen its core functions and competitiveness, supporting the company’s long-term development objectives.

The World Brand Conference, now in its 22nd year, serves as a key platform for evaluating China’s corporate brand landscape and tracking the evolution of the country’s most significant commercial entities.

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