However, as is evident now, we were caught unawares. Mutated strain of the virus took India in its stride as we were yet to work out a robust vaccination strategy. To curb the spread and manage the health emergency getting out of control in view of paucity of beds, oxygen and ventilators, a large number of states-imposed lockdowns and other restrictions which continue till date. 

As is normal under such circumstances, the economy bears the brunt and that is what seems to have happened. The fragile economic recovery seen in the second half of FY21 seems to have gone derailed. Consumer confidence has hit a new low as shown in a recent survey. Different rating agencies and multilateral organizations have downwardly revised the growth projections for the current fiscal year. From a bullish 11-13% growth (in view of base effect), the projections are now for growths in single digits only.

Needless to say, the pitch for economic revival is queered.  But, curiously, as Covid infections come off from the peak levels and the recovery rates go up, a new kind of confidence is building up. The infection rates are coming down with as much alacrity as they had peaked.

Certainly, there is no room for any complacency as premonitions of a third wave have already been made. However, the vaccination strategy to inoculate a large number of Indians by the end of the year holds much hope. It has been observed that those countries that have already inoculated over 50% of their population have witnessed much less morbidity and mortality rates.

What also holds out hope are a range of high frequency indicators which show the resilience of the Indian economy and the entrepreneurship that shines through whenever an opportunity is provided. The economic growth in the fourth quarter of last fiscal has been better than expected. From a contraction of 24.4% and 7.4% in the first and second quarters, the economy turned around in the third one with 0.5% growth and ended the year with 1.6% growth in Q4.

There are a range of other indicators too. Industrial performance measured by IIP grew by 22.3 percent in March. Merchandise exports grew by 197 percent in April. The output of eight core infrastructure sectors grew by robust 7% in March. Manufacturing PMI has remained at a high of over 55 in March and April. GST revenue collection set a new record of Rs. 1.4 lakh crore in April.

If the tyre  production data for FY21, as released recently, is anything to go by, Tyre Industry will continue to put the wheels of economy in motion against all odds. No doubt, Tyre Industry's overall numbers are down in FY21. However when looked closely, there is ample evidence that points to the resilience  in the sector. Truck & Bus (T&B) tyre production, the bellwether of economy has turned in better performance in FY21 over FY20. And this despite the fact that April’20 was a washout in view of nationwide lockdown. Both T&B and Passenger Car tyre production touched significantly higher figures in March this year with T&B tyre production crossing 20 lakh numbers, a historic high.

FY21 will also go down as a landmark year when Radial Truck & Bus tyre production equalled that of Bias tyre production. Tyre exports from India have charted an upward trajectory in the second half of previous fiscal as the stability was achieved in the exports markets.

Forecast of a normal monsoon (third in a row) and the upcoming festive season can provide much-needed impetus to the economy if vaccination drive accelerates and Covid appropriate measures are followed strictly.

No doubt, the situation is still in a flux, and it is too nascent to gauge the true impact of the second wave on economic growth.  But ramping up the vaccination drive and inoculating the entire adult population as early as possible will help.

And there is a major shift again in the vaccination policy. As this column gets on the editor’s desk, the federal government has decided to provide free coronavirus vaccines to states for inoculation of all above the age of 18.

FY 21 could not live up to the expectations that most Indians had. Hope the next year will. (TT)

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The AZuR network will take centre stage at the centenary annual conference of the German Rubber Society (DKG) in Fulda on 24 and 25 September 2026, where network coordinator Christina Guth will deliver a presentation titled ‘The Next 100 Years Are Circular’. Her address will illustrate how the network links rubber industry stakeholders and underline why collaboration across the entire value chain is indispensable to establishing a circular economy in the tyre sector.

Founded in Düsseldorf in 1926, the DKG marks its 100th anniversary by once again convening specialists from research, development and industry. The two-day gathering, held under the banner ‘100 Years of the DKG’, blends professional exchange with an examination of the sector's future direction. Guth's contribution centres on the argument that coming decades must be defined by circularity, as rubber and tyre manufacturers confront the pressing task of retaining products and raw materials in circulation for as long as feasible.

Achieving this demands more than isolated recycling solutions. It requires coordinated effort spanning producers, traders, collection and sorting operations, repair and retreading services, mechanical and chemical recycling, alongside science and policymaking. The AZuR network, established in 2020, now encompasses over 90 partners across Germany and Europe, uniting actors committed to a resource-efficient tyre circular economy. Science-industry cooperation features prominently, with materials analysis, life cycle assessments, sorting technologies and process research supplying the evidence base for advancing circular methods and informing sound commercial and political choices.

Numerous synergies exist between the DKG and AZuR, including expanded scientific exchange, joint work on recovered carbon black and other recyclates, quality standards for secondary raw materials, and knowledge transfer to emerging scientists and engineers. Guth maintains that materials expertise and circular economy competence are inseparable, arguing that reusing high-quality secondary raw materials in rubber compounds requires research, industry and recycling to jointly refine quality, processes and standards. The anniversary prompts AZuR to look forward, with digital product passports, circular design, greater secondary raw material use and shared quality standards offering pathways towards a circular tyre and rubber industry sustained by strong networks.

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Just Tires has opened a new location at 112 N Larkin Ave. in Joliet, bringing expert tyre and automotive care to a community known for its cruise nights and race weekends. The store welcomed customers on 23 September 2026, offering drivers a trusted destination for maintaining the vehicles that keep them moving.

Backed by more than 125 years of Goodyear expertise, the Joliet store’s technicians help customers select the right tyres and care for their vehicles, whether for daily commutes or trips to the track. The location carries a broad selection of Goodyear and Cooper tyres, including the Eagle F1 All Season for year-round performance, the Wrangler Steadfast HT for highway comfort, the Assurance WeatherReady 2 for all-weather driving and the ElectricDrive 2 for EV-focused performance, along with high-performance, all-weather and all-terrain options.

Services at the new store include tyre installation, TPMS sensors, air refills, oil changes, wheel alignments, brake service, battery replacement and free maintenance inspections. With cooler weather approaching, every service includes a complimentary Courtesy Tire & Maintenance Inspection covering tyre pressure, tread depth, battery, brakes and accessible fluids, plus free air to support proper inflation, performance and fuel efficiency.

To celebrate the opening, a sweepstakes running from 15 September through 15 October invites fans to purchase a set of four Goodyear tyres on Goodyear.com or through Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tires stores and submit an entry form. One randomly selected winner will receive a blimp flight certificate for two passengers, redeemable at any of Goodyear’s three US airship bases in Akron, Ohio, Carson, California or Pompano Beach, Florida.

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Sri Trang Group has been recognised for its philanthropic support with a plaque of appreciation at the Mahidol Day 2026 ceremony. The award was accepted by Somporn Pannarai, Chief Procurement Officer of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), on behalf of the Group's management. The presentation took place on 24 September 2026 at the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University.

The plaque honoured benefactors who contributed to the work of the Faculty of Medicine and the Songklanagarind Hospital Foundation during the southern Thailand floods in 2025. Mahidol Day itself commemorates His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and his lasting contributions to medicine and public health across the nation.

With its origins in southern Thailand, Sri Trang Group – represented by STA and Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT) – stated it was honoured to have backed initiatives benefiting the public. The Group reiterated its dedication to enhancing quality of life and supporting communities both in the South and throughout the country.

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Dr William Mars, Founder and President of Endurica, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Rubber Division, American Chemical Society (ACS) Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award. The honour recognises exceptional technical competency demonstrated through significant and repeated contributions to rubber science and technology.

Dr Mars is widely regarded as a pioneer in elastomer durability, having developed critical plane analysis methods and fatigue life simulation techniques that are now employed throughout the global tire and rubber industry.

The award will be presented during a special event at the Global Polymer Summit (GPS), scheduled for 28–30 September in Louisville, Kentucky. As part of a science and technology awards symposium at the summit, the Endurica leader will deliver a special lecture.

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