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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Tyres Europe has joined a broad coalition of industrial sectors calling on the European Union to adopt a more dynamic and forceful trade policy amid deliberations by the European Council on economic security, competitiveness and EU-China relations. The tyre industry contends that current frameworks are increasingly mismatched with the realities of a fast-moving global economy, where distortions rapidly transcend borders and sectors.

The sector underpins approximately 500,000 jobs across the Union and supplies essential products for passenger mobility, freight, agriculture and defence. Its viability depends on fair competition within deeply interconnected value chains, yet structural overcapacity, state-induced market distortions and unfair trading practices are simultaneously affecting multiple industries. These pressures cascade across supply networks, weaken investment incentives and progressively hollow out Europe's industrial base. Tyres Europe argues that only a coherent policy combining robust trade defence instruments with broader industrial resilience measures can effectively counter this erosion.

A critical challenge lies in the temporal disconnect between agile global supply chains and the slower pace of EU investigations and duty implementation. Tyre manufacturing routes can be reconfigured within months, allowing exporters to front-load shipments during probes and redirect production to alternative locations once tariffs are imposed. This leaves European manufacturers under sustained competitive pressure even after investigations conclude. Tyres Europe has therefore endorsed the Joint Industry Statement, which urges a more ambitious application of trade policy that reflects the fundamentally altered contours of global commerce.

The organisation supports enhanced resources for investigations, a more proactive deployment of existing instruments aligned with industrial objectives and exploration of additional WTO-compatible tools to tackle systemic state-induced distortions. It also advocates for strategic use of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation to address recurrent distortive patterns beyond isolated case assessments. Given that tyre manufacturing involves long-term, capital-intensive decisions with near-irreversible capacity loss, preserving a competitive domestic base is framed as both an industrial goal and a matter of strategic autonomy. As European leaders shape their response to a volatile trading environment, Tyres Europe urges them to ensure that trade defence evolves to safeguard fairness and the industrial capabilities underpinning prosperity and innovation.

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Sri Trang Group, led by Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world's largest fully integrated producer and distributor of natural rubber, and Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), a global leader in sustainable rubber glove production and distribution, executed its second annual ‘Sri Trang Go Green: Restoring Blue Carbon for Sustainability’ project on 6–7 June in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province. The initiative convened executives, employee volunteers and residents from Baan Don Harn and Kao Charoen communities to restore coastal ecosystems and promote environmental awareness.

Marine and coastal ecosystems, which sequester carbon at rates quadruple those of terrestrial forests, anchored this year's blue carbon focus. The project pursued three core activities, including seagrass bed restoration to support carbon storage and marine larvae nurseries, the release of aquatic species to revive ecological balance and continuous monitoring of seagrass growth to guide data-driven conservation management.

The selection of Baan Don Harn and Kao Charoen leveraged their abundant mangrove forests and robust community conservation involvement. Over seventy participants joined, including Sri Trang employees from Bangkok and the southern provinces of Songkhla, Trang, Surat Thani and Chumphon, alongside the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 4, the Pak Prak Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital, local conservation groups, agricultural networks, Wat Singkhon School students and community volunteers. Their efforts produced 400 planted mangroves, 600 released Asian seabass, 200,000 released black tiger shrimp and 68 kg of waste collected from Nang Kam Beach, with debris sorted according to carbon credit standards for future marine debris solutions.

The initiative reinforced the vision of a green rubber company while emphasising environmental education. Asst. Prof. Pontep Wirachwong from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya and Patipan Bupatae, Director of the Mangrove Resource Conservation Division at Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 4, shared expertise on mangrove ecosystems and marine resource management to deepen participant understanding of blue carbon significance.

Community support included donations of 10,000 Satori rubber gloves to the Pak Prak Sub-district Health Promotion Hospital and sports equipment worth THB 5,000 to Wat Singkhon School. Employee engagement flourished through the ‘GoGreen – Vlog Challenge 2026’, with selected videos to be published on the ONE SRI TRANG Facebook page to broaden conservation messaging.

Building upon the 2025 project in Trang Province, the second year commenced with an April phase on Koh Libong, with monthly seagrass monitoring underway. Sri Trang Group aims to expand marine green spaces, enhance biodiversity and strengthen collaboration between private sector, government agencies and local communities to preserve natural resources for generations to come.

Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Group CEO, Sri Trang Group, said, “Participating in the restoring blue carbon ecosystems reflects our commitment to sustainable business practices and ESG principles, encompassing both environmental restoration and contributing to society and enhancing quality of life for communities. Beyond mitigating the impacts of climate change, the project also contributes to strengthening coastal ecosystems, which are vital to the livelihoods and local economies of coastal communities. We believe that the collaborative power of employees and the communities today will inspire further conservation efforts, laying the foundation for future sustainability.”

Veerin Auengteerasuwan, Human Resources Division Manager of Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), and Chalermchai Norsakul, General Manager of Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT), representing the management and employees of both companies, shared their vision: “Environmental stewardship begins with collective action. The Blue Carbon project is another important step in encouraging Sri Trang employees to participate in restoring and conserving beach areas, which are natural carbon dioxide sinks. The initiative also fosters awareness, understanding and inspiration for collaborative and sustainable conservation of natural resources.”

Asst.Prof.Pontep Wirachwong, Head of Marine and Environmental Science, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science and Fisheries Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus, said, “This project plays a vital role in the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, particularly in restoring seagrass beds to a healthy and abundant state. This will help increase the abundance of aquatic life and fisheries resources, which are essential to the value chain of surrounding communities. It also supports the local economy, both as a seafood production area and as a location with strong potential for sustainable tourism.”

Kerk Nuinoi, Chairman of the Ban Don Han Marine Conservation Volunteer Group and Village Headman of Moo 2, Ban Don Han, Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, said, “On behalf of the Ban Don Han Marine Conservation Volunteer Group, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Sri Trang Group for its continued commitment to supporting mangrove forest restoration in our area. The ‘Sri Trang Go Green’ project has contributed to restoring the richness of coastal and marine ecosystems, while encouraging the community to recognise the value of natural resources and work together to conserve mangrove forests in a sustainable manner.”

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TyreSafe commemorated its 20th Annual Briefing and Awards this week, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 200 representatives from the automotive, retail, manufacturing, enforcement, governmental and road safety sectors. The landmark gathering took place at The Belfry, signalling a significant escalation in the collective focus on tyre maintenance as a cornerstone of national roadway welfare.

The unprecedented turnout underscores a broad-based acknowledgment that proper tyre upkeep is essential to UK's wider road safety objectives. Opening the proceedings, TyreSafe Chair Stuart Lovatt lauded the industry's unified dedication, emphasising the necessity of preserving this cooperative drive amidst an evolving policy environment. This call to action set the tone for discussions centred on the newly released National Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in 15 years.

Throughout the day, experts dissected upcoming challenges and potential solutions, repeatedly stressing that cohesive collaboration and a harmonised message are vital for achieving the ambitious goals set forth by the government. The formal proceedings seamlessly transitioned into an evening gala where distinguished entities and individuals received accolades for their creative partnerships, public outreach and steadfast dedication to safeguarding motorists.

The night culminated with TyreSafe bestowing its Lifetime Achievement Award upon Lisa Scott, honouring a remarkable 40-year tenure in road safety advocacy. From her origins as a Road Safety Officer to her present managerial role at National Highways, Scott's influence on educational programmes and behavioural initiatives has been profound. As a key Steering Committee member, her mentorship has been instrumental in shaping protective measures for the public. Looking forward, TyreSafe recommits to evidence-based education and advocacy to ensure the new national strategy translates into tangible, life-saving action.

2026 TyreSafe Award Winners:

Tyre Safety in the Community – Halfords
Online & Social Media – The Motor Ombudsman
Communications – Pneumatic Components Ltd
Road Safety Partnerships – Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service
Small Tyre Retailer of the Year – TMT Tyres
Emergency Services Partner – Sussex Police Road Safety Team
Innovation & Technology – Autogem Invicta Ltd
Road Safety Organisation – Driven To Improve Ltd (My Learner Driver)
Large Tyre Retailer of the Year – Protyre Autocare
Vehicle Manufacturer – Toyota (GB) PLC
Tyre Manufacturer of the Year – Bridgestone UK
Road Safety Individual of the Year – Brad Mawson, Safer Roads Greater Manchester
Special Recognition Award – Pirelli UK Tyres Ltd
Outstanding Achievement Award – Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership
Lifetime Achievement Award – Lisa Scott

Lovatt said, “This year’s record attendance demonstrates the strength and commitment of the tyre safety and road safety community. As we welcome the first National Road Safety Strategy in 15 years, it is more important than ever that organisations across our sector continue to work collaboratively, share expertise and deliver consistent messages that help save lives. The challenges ahead are significant, but together we have the opportunity to make a lasting difference.

“Our twentieth Annual Briefing and Awards was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose. The quality of this year’s award entries was exceptional and reflects the incredible work being undertaken across the country to improve tyre safety and road safety. We congratulate all of our winners and finalists and thank every organisation and individual who continues to support TyreSafe’s mission of reducing tyre-related incidents on our roads.”

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Continental has engineered a specialised tyre for French automaker Renault Group, designed to substantially extend the driving range of its electric vehicle lineup. Developed through a strategic collaboration with Renault’s innovation divisions, the new tyre achieves a rolling resistance that is up to 35 percent lower than the threshold required for the European Union tyre label’s top A rating. For an electric vehicle with a standard battery range of 500 kilometres, this reduction translates into an additional 30 kilometres per charge, a distance comparable to the journey from Paris to Versailles.

The tyre’s development began with Continental’s EcoContact 7 model, which was then extensively modified to meet Renault’s specific performance targets. Engineers implemented a uniquely formulated tread compound, a redesigned sidewall structure and an optimised internal construction to minimise energy loss. The final product was publicly presented during Renault Group’s Sustainability Tour on 8 June in Guyancourt, near Paris, showcasing how precision engineering can directly influence the efficiency and road performance of next-generation electric vehicles.

Rolling resistance remains a critical factor in vehicle energy consumption, accounting for approximately 20 to 30 percent of total energy use regardless of propulsion system. Lower resistance reduces the energy dissipated through tyre deformation and friction, a benefit that is particularly pronounced in electric cars where it directly translates to increased range. While prioritising efficiency, Continental also emphasised that the tyre maintains essential safety functions, as the tread’s friction with the road surface is vital for reliable braking and stable vehicle handling.

To achieve these results, Continental and Renault employed advanced virtual development tools, including Continental’s Driver-in-the-Loop simulator and Renault’s ROADS driving simulator. These systems allowed engineers to evaluate and refine tyre characteristics under realistic conditions early in the design phase, with seamless replication of test scenarios between both platforms. This digital approach not only accelerated the development cycle but also significantly reduced physical prototyping, enabling Continental to save up to 10,000 test tyres annually through the increased application of virtual technologies.

Dr Christian Strübel, Continental expert on the rolling resistance of car tyres, said, “Together with Renault Group, we are improving the efficiency of its new electric vehicles. Our tailor-made tyres have very low rolling resistance, which significantly increases range.”

Nicolas Champetier, VP Innovation at Renault Group, said, “Extremely low rolling resistance is key to enhancing the range of electric vehicles. With Continental, we have a strong partner by our side: thanks to our longstanding collaboration in original equipment, we can jointly develop solutions that have the potential to deliver real added value for our customers.”

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