The Skill Meet organised by Rubber, Chemical and Petrochemical Skill Development Council (RCPSDC) elicited keen interest from the participating industries in fulfilling the requirements of skilled individuals across all three verticals.
RCPSDC said in a statement that it has conceived the Skill Meet as a platform to sensitise the industry on the benefits of several schemes including the government schemes available for skill training of the existing workforce and for accessing skilled individuals. More than 30 top managers of industries from Delhi, NCR, attended the Skill Meet at Faridabad.
Dr Ashrita Tripathi, Head Training & QA at RCPSDC provided an overview of the role of RCPSDC as a sector skill council in terms of skilling and upskilling. She apprised the attending delegates on projects involving Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and CSR projects where the industry has benefitted to a large extent.
Deepmala Moorjani, who leads the Industry Engagements at RCPSDC, said, "So far over 7,000 apprentices have been enrolled in nearly 600 rubber establishments in the country. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Karnataka are the five leading states where rubber manufacturing units have hired the maximum number of apprentices. Some of the key job roles for which apprentices have been engaged by the rubber industry include Rubber Compression Moulding Operator, Rubber Mill Operator, Rubber Internal Mixer Operator and Material Handling & Storage Operator.”
Moorjani encouraged the industries to engage with RCPSDC for Industry paid RPL programs and CSR projects. She also described the flagship programmes of RCPSDC. Firstly, the RPL project ‘Saamarth’ which has been a trailblazer of sorts. Over one lakh people have been reskilled under the Saamarth project in the job role of “Tyre Service and Maintenance” leading to unique outcomes. Another flagship programme, ‘Utthaan’, which aims at upskilling the workforce in plastic waste segregation, processing and recycling job roles through Mobile Skill Vans. This training programme will help the unorganised trainees working as rag pickers to perform their jobs more effectively, enhance their productivity and raise their dignity in the society.
Jan Ebben, Apprenticeship Advisor, NSDC, advocated strongly in favour of apprenticeship as an effective employment pathway for employers and employees alike. According to him, apprenticeship establishes an internal pool of skilled candidates, reduces the cost of external recruitment and results in high productivity and high retention. Moreover, apprenticeship training offers the flexibility advantage since apprenticeships can be structured according to company and industry needs known as optional trades. Since the cost of an apprenticeship is covered under CSR, it offers a huge cost advantage too, he said.
So far five lakh apprentices have been engaged across different sectors. MSDE is targeting one million new contracts under Mission 1 Million.
Dr A K Mathur, Vice Chairman at Indian Rubber Institute and a veteran of the rubber industry, said, “Shortage of technically skilled manpower is being faced in the industry. Provision of skills at various levels is required to increase the productivity of this workforce. RCPSDC is playing an important role by helping the candidates to get trained and certified in the appropriate skills, leading to employment opportunities in the rubber or allied industry. Also, the placement portal launched by RCPSDC is a much required tool at this hour which will benefit the entire Rubber & Plastic ecosystem.”
The Skill Meet at Faridabad was done in association with the Prerna Group. During the meet, RCPSDC also exchanged an MoU with Prerna Engineering Education Group Pvt Ltd for the training of candidates under RPL Paid programs for various job roles of the Rubber & Plastic sector across the country.
This Skill Meet offered a better understanding to the Rubber and plastic industries on various skilling initiatives of RCPSDC and how industries can be benefitted from the association of RCPSDC, the release added. (TT)
ANRPC Hosts Malaysian Rubber Delegation
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Rubber Development Division of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia at the ANRPC Secretariat. Led by Peter Dennis of Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, the group met with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his team.
The discussions centred on essential industry issues, particularly the vital importance of achieving stable rubber prices for the benefit of producers and the broader market. Conversations further delved into analysing recent market trends and their consequences for global production and trade dynamics.
This engagement highlighted the ongoing necessity for cooperative action to address sectoral challenges, advance sustainability and ensure resilient growth in the face of variable economic conditions.
Bridgestone Unveils Next-Gen Blizzak IcePeak Tyre With Dual Ice And Snow Certifications
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
Bridgestone Americas has unveiled its latest flagship winter tyre, the Blizzak IcePeak, which will launch nationwide in May 2026. This new tyre is distinguished as the first from Bridgestone to achieve both the rigorous 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications, marking a significant advancement in winter performance. Designed to cater to a broad range of vehicles – including sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and trucks – the IcePeak will replace the Blizzak WS90 and DM-V2 models. It will be available in 107 sizes, ultimately covering approximately 97 percent of the US light-duty vehicle market, with the majority of sizes ready at launch.
The tyre’s development centres on delivering superior winter traction alongside improved durability and efficiency, leveraging the company’s ENLITEN technology. This integration aims to lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy and extend tyre wear life, offering long-term cost savings for drivers. Internal testing indicates the IcePeak surpasses the wear life of its predecessors while maintaining effective traction. Its compatibility extends to conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, emphasising its modern engineering.
Key to its performance is a suite of specialised technologies. Bridgestone’s patented MultiCell compound is engineered to enhance stopping power on ice, a claim validated by the official Ice Grip certification. This certification requires performance on ice to exceed a standard reference tyre by at least 18 percent in braking tests. For snow traction, the tyre employs optimised tread blocks and full-depth 3D sipes to create additional biting edges, helping vehicles gain grip and reduce spin.
Building upon the Blizzak lineage, which spans nearly four decades of innovation, the IcePeak introduces refined design elements. Its optimised compound is formulated for added durability across multiple winter seasons without sacrificing grip. A newly unified global tread pattern incorporates several critical features: strategically placed sipes are angled to maximise the gripping edge, protrusions on tread blocks prevent water intrusion on ice and micro-grooves help clear the thin water film that forms on icy surfaces. Together, these features aim to provide drivers with reliable control in wet, snowy and icy conditions, advancing the brand’s reputation for winter safety and performance.
Ian McKenney, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas, said, “Our Blizzak tyre lineup moves from strength to strength, continually raising the standard for impressive winter weather control. With the application of ENLITEN technology, we are able to expand the tyres’ performance envelope in all directions while also delivering greater durability and reduced rolling resistance, while promoting a focus on enhanced sustainability.”
Citira Rolls Out Nationwide 24/7 Tyre Breakdown Service For Swedish Fleets
- By TT News
- January 31, 2026
Citira, a circular tyre management provider, is introducing a nationwide emergency tyre service in Sweden for commercial fleets, a strategic move to become a comprehensive tyre management partner. Named Citira 24/7 Däckjour, it provides a dedicated contact point for heavy vehicle operators needing immediate assistance, day or night.
This service connects customers to an established, quality-assured network of professional tyre workshops across the country. By utilising pre-assembled replacement wheels ready for immediate deployment, the system ensures rapid on-site repairs to maximise vehicle uptime and minimise operational disruptions.
Clients also benefit from predictable, agreed-upon pricing and consolidated billing, which simplifies administration and enhances budget control. This integrated offering is designed to streamline daily operations, reduce downtime and deliver a more seamless support experience for truck and bus companies.
Göran Bengtsson, Head of Sales at Citira Sweden, said, “This is an important milestone for us to be to able offer our Swedish heavy vehicle fleet customers. This has been frequently requested to us, and we are happy to be able meet the demand, providing a new level of reliability and convenience for our customers.”
Michelin Unveils X-Ice Snow+ Tyre For Unpredictable Winters
- By TT News
- January 30, 2026
Michelin has unveiled the X-Ice Snow+ tyre, a premier winter product designed to meet the heightened demands of modern, unpredictable winter weather. This new offering provides increased performance and durability over its predecessor, specifically engineered to tackle severe seasonal challenges. Its advanced FLEX-ICE 3.0 tread compound optimises braking performance across a spectrum of conditions, including ice, snow and both wet and dry roads, ensuring reliable control during freezing rain or on treacherous black ice.
The tyre's proven tread design delivers superior start-up traction in deep snow compared to three leading competitors and offers strong lateral grip for stability on slick, icy corners. Beyond immediate safety, the X-Ice Snow+ is built for long-term value and efficiency. It achieves an extended tread life, lasting more than 26 percent longer than key rival tyres. Furthermore, through a specialised low-energy-loss compound that minimises rolling resistance, it delivers up to 34 percent better efficiency, which supports fuel savings and extends electric vehicle range without sacrificing winter traction. Passenger comfort is enhanced by proprietary Piano Acoustic Tuning Technology, a system engineered to reduce road noise for a quieter ride.
Available for dealer order starting in May 2026 for the winter selling season, the Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre will be produced in 15- to 23-inch sizes to accommodate a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, CUVs, SUVs, pickups and both hybrid and electric models.
Omer Waysman, Vice President – B2C Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc, said, “For more than 130 years, Michelin has continued to push the boundaries of innovation by improving our technologies to meet the needs of mobility across the globe. With the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tyre, we have taken everything drivers loved about the previous generation tyre and improved key areas. This new tyre delivers excellent winter performance, longer-lasting durability and greater efficiency, giving drivers a dependable advantage when the weather is at its worst.”
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