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)

In a move to promote rubber cultivation, the Rubber Board of India has announced a new financial aid scheme for 2025. Growers in non-traditional regions are now eligible to apply for subsidies supporting both new planting and re-planting initiatives. The application process is exclusively online through the ‘service plus’ portal on the Board’s official website, with a submission deadline of 31 October 2025.

To complete their application, growers must provide digital copies of essential documents. These include land ownership certificates, a rough sketch of the planted area, a copy of their Aadhaar-linked bank passbook and proof of purchasing planting materials from recognised nurseries. Successful applicants will receive financial assistance of INR 50,000 per hectare. For additional information, growers are advised to consult the Rubber Board’s website or contact their nearest regional office, field station, or the Board’s call centre.

The global tyre recycling market is forecast to grow to USD 8.92 billion by 2029 from USD 7.44 billion in 2024, driven by mounting volumes of end-of-life tyres (ELTs), tighter environmental regulations and rising demand for sustainable materials, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets.

The market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 percent over the period, the report said.

According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, one passenger tyre per person is discarded annually in the developed world, contributing to about 1 billion ELTs globally each year. A 2022 study in ScienceDirect estimated some 4 billion ELTs are already stockpiled worldwide, a figure expected to reach 5 billion by 2030.

“The mass piling of 1 billion ELTs per year to be expected to reach 5 billion by 2030 calls for an ever-increasing process of recycling tyes in a more sustainable means of waste management,” the report noted.

MarketsandMarkets said demand is being spurred by both environmental concerns and industry adoption of new recycling technologies aimed at reducing landfill volumes while maximising material reuse.

Rubber is set to remain the most dominant recycled by-product, with applications in crumb rubber, rubberised asphalt, playground surfaces and sports fields. Mechanical shredding, described as the most cost-effective and scalable method, will continue to lead recycling processes due to its wide applicability in construction, energy and automotive sectors.

Construction is expected to be the largest end-use industry, as recycled materials such as crumb rubber are increasingly used in road building and green infrastructure projects.

Asia-Pacific is projected to remain the biggest consumer of recycled tye products during the forecast period.

Key players in the sector include Liberty Tye Recycling (US), GENAN HOLDING A/S (Denmark), ResourceCo (Australia), GRP Ltd (India), Lehigh Technologies (US), Entech Inc (US), Emanuel Tye (US), BDS Tye Recycling (US), Contec (Poland) and CRM (US).

The global market for Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is projected to grow modestly over the next five years, with volumes rising from an estimated 68.9 million units in 2025 to 71.4 million units by 2030, according to a report published.

The “Sector Innovation Report: Tyres and Wheels Q2 2025”, released by Research and Markets, forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7 percent for the TPMS market.

The study synthesises data from multiple sources and provides an overview of the tyres and wheels sector, highlighting recent developments, patent activity, job trends and regional growth prospects.

The report identifies opportunities for auto manufacturers and suppliers to refine sales and marketing strategies, noting growing demand for detailed, region-specific data.

Key sections include an analysis of patent filings by region and country, sector forecasts across five geographies – Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America and South America – as well as profiles of leading component suppliers.

The report also tracks job listings and advertising activity in the sector, broken down by geography, occupational category and level of seniority.

Companies covered in the report include Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Michelin and Hankook.

Truck driver Adam Medley of Omro, Wisconsin, has been named the winner of the 41st Goodyear Highway Hero Award. The professional driver for J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. was recognised for a courageous act performed on 28 July 2024 while driving on County Rd A in Green Lake, WI.

While navigating a familiar route, Medley initially steered to avoid what he assumed was road debris. As he drew closer, he realised a person was lying directly in the roadway. Medley promptly and safely pulled over, rushed to assist the individual and moved them to safety before contacting the police.

Established in 1983, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award honours commercial drivers in the U.S. and Canada who perform extraordinary acts of courage. Winners are selected by an independent panel of industry judges from nominations submitted each year. As this year’s honouree, Medley will receive a cash prize and a commemorative ride on the Goodyear blimp.

Goodyear presents the award to acknowledge the vital role of the commercial trucking industry. The program’s stories of heroism inspire the company to continuously enhance its commercial tire products and support services, like its Fleet HQ network, to ensure drivers have reliable assistance on the road.

Nick Hobbs, Chief Operating Officer at J.B. Hunt, said, "In a moment where every second counted, Adam put the safety and well-being of others first. His actions exemplified integrity and selflessness, and we are excited that Goodyear has recognised him with this year's Highway Hero Award."

Joe Burke, Vice President, Goodyear North America Commercial, said, "Adam's story continues to remind us that professional truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our roads. His quick and professional response to this unexpected situation demonstrates the integrity, dedication and compassion that define what's the best of our industry."