As per Govt. of India’s Automotive Mission Plan, by 2026, India will be the third largest automobile manufacturer globally, 12% of GDP will be from automobile sector and will generate around 65 million employment. As per Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC), in the next decade, 1 million trained and skilled manpower will be required in the Indian Rubber MSME sector including organized Tyre & non tyre sectors. This translates to 1 lakh people have to be trained every year. This is a gigantic task and it requires to create significant infrastructure for skill development & training in the country for rubber sector.

Centre of Excellence

Encouraged by our Hon’ble. Prime Minister’s Skill India Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat and continuous effort for Skill development & to enhance indigenous technology development capability, we the members of Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) took initiative to establish Centre of Excellence for Rubber Technology Education, Training, Research, Testing and Skill Development at JSS Science & Technology Campus, Mysuru. The JSS Mahavidyapeetha Management were kind enough to provide 10,000 sq.ft land area on long lease for establishment of this centre. In this regard, IRI has signed an MoU with JSS MVP on 18th March 2021. IRI decided to dedicate this Centre of Excellence under the name of late Dr D. Banerjee, who is known as Father of Indian Rubber Industry. This Centre is aimed to be empanelled with RSDC / NSDC, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. Of India as a premier institute for Skill Development for rubber sector in India. We envisage that this center would not only generate employment but also produce a large number of entrepreneurs, who in turn would generate further employment and contribute to MSME segments. Apart from producing skilled manpower, this Centre is also planned to provide Rubber product development, consulting and testing services to the rubber industry in order to become self-sustainable Centre in future.

The construction of the 32,000 sq. ft. building for proposed Centre of Excellence already completed. This building consists of one auditorium (seating capacity 225 people), two training halls, one library-cum-documentation centre, one workshop, rubber processing lab and various testing laboratories (Physical, Analytical, Chemical & characterization) including data analytic lab for training, skill development and hands on training on equipment & machineries for rubber & allied industries including tyre testing and auto rubber component testing facility. These testing facilities will cater the needs of meeting skill requirement of Emerging Legislations & Regulations in automobile and tyre industries like Fuel Efficiency, Safety, etc.

The estimated cost of this establishment is around Rs 60 Crores for Building, Furniture/fixtures and equipment/machinery in three phases. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC) are helping IRI to establish the centre.

Activities of Dr. D Banerjee Centre of Excellence

• To fulfil the objective of Indian Rubber Institute

• To provide sustainable employment and improved quality of life to more than 20,000 people through implementation of this project in next seven years in association with RSDC/NSDC.

• Entrepreneurship Development - To upgrade skill of workers in rubber & allied industry (MSME Sector) and to encourage entrepreneurship through appropriate skill & technology interventions as to enable them to produce quality rubber products at a competitive price.

• Providing training to increase the productivity & efficiency of MSME Sector in Rubber & Allied industry.

• Testing, Benchmarking, Reverse Engineering, Failure Analysis, Compound Development, Product Development, Simulation & Modeling, Data Analytics and Certification for tyre & non tyre sector (Tyre Testing and Auto Rubber Component Testing facility)

• Technology Development for Rubber MSME sector for creating new avenues for sustenance of MSMEs in rubber industry - To create Design Studio for development of new products / designs and prototypes to cope with diversification and changes in use of rubber in the industry

• To create Centre of excellence with well integrated forward and backward linkages.

• To impart with latest information regarding technology, process, marketing and the changing needs of customers.

• To coordinate with all associations (AIRIA, ATMA, ACMA, SIAM, SAE, IITs & Other Universities for promoting Rubber Technology Education, Training, Skill Development, Testing and R&D for Rubber and allied industries.

• Continue to offer Diploma & Post Graduate Diploma in Rubber Technology in association with RTC, IIT Kharagpur and expanding to neighbouring countries (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam etc.)

• Starting of B.Voc. Course in Rubber Technology in association with JSS Science & Technology University, Mysore and Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC).

• Jointly conducting short term courses, workshops, seminars & conferences with Department of Polymer Science & Technology, JSS S&T University, Mysore and other Universities/institute of national importance.

• This centre will act as a Nodal Centre for Skill Development and Training in Rubber Sector in Southern Region in particular in the State of Karnataka. (TT)

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Tana is poised to deliver a compelling presence at IFAT 2026, scheduled for 4–7 May, where the central invitation for attendees is to Feel the Energy through live displays of high-performance machinery, recent innovations and advanced digital tools. This year’s exhibition focuses on how intelligent technology and powerful waste processing equipment can work together to achieve both efficiency and operational excellence.

Visitors can experience the TANA Hammerhead, a mobile shredder engineered for demanding waste environments with a focus on maximising uptime and productivity. On the first day of the show, Tana will also unveil an exciting new product, representing a major leap in waste management technology through innovative engineering and practical operational benefits. Live demonstrations of the TANA Shark shredder will take place daily at 10:30, 12:00, 14:30, and 16:00 at the stand of German distributor VENETO Schwenter GmbH (FS.911/1).

Another highlight is the Tana Wingman, a live digital operator assistant that improves visibility, safety and efficiency. It provides real-time machine data and a live hopper camera view on a tablet interface without needing cloud services or internet, keeping all data secure on site. This system enhances situational awareness during loading and feeding, helping operators react quickly to blockages or irregular material flow while reducing the need to leave the operating area.

Tana is also piloting an AI-driven proof of concept called the TanaConnect Smart Assistant, developed with spogen.ai, which enables hands-free, voice-activated interaction for operators and service teams. This assistant offers intuitive, context-aware access to machine information, reducing time spent searching manuals. At Stand 227 in Hall B5, Tana welcomes IFAT attendees to an interactive space where experts are available to discuss how these solutions can improve productivity and workflows, offering a firsthand look at the future of waste management technology.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is preparing a major presence at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, the world’s leading tyre industry trade fair running from 9 to 11 June 2026. Building on its successful collaborative model, AZuR will return with an even larger network of partners representing all facets of the sustainable tyre circular economy. At the joint exhibition stand located in Hall 7.1, nineteen AZuR members from across the tyre and recycling sectors will showcase their work while the alliance takes on an intensive role within the fair’s event programme.

By bringing together industry, small businesses, trade and recycling specialists once again, AZuR demonstrates the full circular value chain under one roof. Visitors to the stand can explore sustainable new tyre production alongside repair, retreading, and both mechanical and chemical recycling processes.

The 2026 fair will place a special emphasis on promoting tyre retreading as a proven method to save resources, slash CO₂ emissions and reduce costs through multiple reuse of quality casings. To help retreading gain wider traction, AZuR is inviting European retreaders to attend and is integrating the topic into dedicated events and new dialogue formats spanning the entire value chain.

Among the fresh initiatives is a municipal dialogue connecting city decision-makers with experts to showcase retreaded tyres for public fleets, waste management and transit systems, highlighting CO₂ savings and up to 30 percent lower operating costs. An educational project called Retreading Goes to School will train tyre dealers, auto shops and their staff on the safety, quality and economic benefits of this technology.

THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 thus offers AZuR and its partners an unmatched platform for presenting innovations, best practices and concrete solutions. The joint stand will also serve as a meeting hub for policymakers, scientists and business leaders to discuss advancing retreading, new uses for recycled materials, chemical recycling progress like pyrolysis and better political frameworks.

AZuR network coordinator Anna-Maria Guth said, “Our joint stand demonstrates the strength of the industry when it works together on solutions. The increasing number of partners participating confirms our approach and the relevance of the tyre circular economy.”

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS marked the 46th Disability Day by organising a sports day and donation event on 16 April 2026 at Yeongnak Aenea’s House, a residential care facility for children with severe disabilities in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Employees paired one on one with the children, who have limited chances for outdoor activities, and together they took part in various sports and recreational programmes, creating meaningful experiences.

The donation will be used to replace wheelchair inner seats, purchase specialised rehabilitation equipment and upgrade the facility’s environment. This partnership began in 2012, and this year marks its 15th anniversary. Through regular in person volunteering such as assisting with walks and supporting sports events, the company has consistently worked to improve quality of life and promote independence for people with severe disabilities.

This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to the social contribution slogan Value Together, emphasised by Vice Chairman H.S. CHO, who states that providing practical support to marginalised neighbours is a corporate responsibility. In recognition of its efforts, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been selected for seven consecutive years under the Community Contribution Recognition Program, received a Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation and achieved the highest S Grade rating.

Since its establishment, the HS HYOSUNG Group has carried out various social contribution activities, including cultural programmes for people with disabilities and initiatives for national veterans. Moving forward, the group plans to further expand its efforts to create social value based on its management philosophy of mutual growth with local communities.

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Tyrecycle, led by CEO Jim Fairweather, has responded to a recent federal inquiry into end-of-life tyres, conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science, by stressing that the industry’s successes should not hide its failures. While the inquiry focused on commercial and economic aspects of tyre recycling, Fairweather argued that any regulatory changes must target specific market gaps rather than burdening parts of the sector that already work well. Tyrecycle supports mandatory market-based regulation and increased government procurement, and Fairweather described illegal tyre dumping as completely unacceptable.

The recovery rate for passenger and truck tyres in Australia stands at 96 percent, yet off the road tyres, or OTRs, tell a different story. Only two percent of OTRs are recovered, despite these large tyres from mining and agriculture accounting for about 29 percent of Australia’s tyre market. Fairweather highlighted regional disparities, noting Western Australia produces 60,000 of OTRs out of a national total of 155,000 tonnes, while Queensland and New South Wales together contribute another 75,000 tonnes. He warned that a complete system overhaul could raise consumer prices with little benefit.

Fairweather explained that passenger and truck tyres benefit from established state-based regulations and infrastructure, but OTRs require targeted intervention. Policy must differentiate between working markets and those needing genuine help. Fairweather reiterated that Tyrecycle is prepared to process every tyre in Australia, provided the correct supporting system is in place.

A critical shortage of domestic end markets for recycled tyre materials is a central problem. Tyrecycle collects around ninety thousand tyres daily, yet viable markets remain limited. Fairweather cautioned against over reliance on extended producer responsibility schemes, arguing they do not inherently create market demand. Australia needs market-based solutions that enable recyclers to find commercially viable applications. Tyre derived fuel provides an outlet, but more recycled products should be used domestically rather than exported. Other applications face limited demand, and collection alone does not close the waste loop.

On illegal dumping, Fairweather argued that schemes funnelling money through a central authority risk inflation and reduced competition. Better alternatives include rigorous enforcement of accreditation and monitoring systems that maintain direct customer relationships. He supported a mandatory scheme requiring manufacturers to contribute to waste management costs, though he prefers a market-based approach over a strict extended producer responsibility framework.

Fairweather stated that existing state-based regulations are sufficient; no new laws are needed, only proper enforcement. Where enforcement is weak, non-compliant operators undercut legitimate recyclers, reducing investment confidence. High quality enforcement supports market integrity, competition, lower prices and greater consumer choice. He placed tyre issues in the context of end-of-life vehicles, noting Australia processes 850,000 vehicles annually, generating 1.36 million tonnes of waste.

Fairweather concluded that only a combination of effective regulation, infrastructure investment and genuine end market development can achieve a circular economy for tyres. Without these measures, even well-intentioned schemes cannot deliver sustainable outcomes. Tyrecycle supports stronger compliance, expanded domestic consumption of recycled products and targeted fixes for off the road tyres, with Fairweather simply wanting the right regulation properly enforced.

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