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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Linglong Tire, a major Chinese tyre manufacturer, is investing USD 800 million to build a new advanced tyre plant in Kenya. The facility will be situated in the Mombasa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kilifi County's Mariakani area. This significant project is anticipated to generate more than 1,500 direct local jobs and substantially strengthen regional value chains, marking a pivotal step in enhancing Kenya's profile as an emerging global manufacturing hub.

The official announcement came during the Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms – Kenya Investment Forum 2025. At this event, held at Vipingo Ridge, Kenyan President William Ruto witnessed the formal signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Linglong Group and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. President Ruto reiterated his administration's firm commitment to establishing Kenya not just as Africa's leading investment destination but as a competitive player on the world stage.

This development finalises high-level discussions that began earlier in the year between President Ruto and Linglong's Chairman, Wang Feng. The national government has pledged its full support, promising a package of attractive incentives designed to secure investor confidence and ensure the project's success. Beyond immediate employment, the government highlights that the factory will serve as a catalyst for Kenya's broader industrialisation goals, with Special Economic Zones acting as powerful engines for economic growth and continental investment.

President Ruto said, “I was honoured to sign the agreement alongside Mr. Feng Wang, Vice Chair of Linglong Group and President & Chair of Linglong Tyres. As Kenya, and as Africa, we must cast aside the smallness of vision. We must raise our ambition to rival the very best in the world within our lifetime. This landmark project will create jobs, attract new skills, and establish Kenya as a trusted destination for world-class investments.”

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Continental is set to unveil its most advanced city bus tyre, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT, at the Busworld Europe trade fair in Brussels. The event, anticipated to draw over 40,000 attendees, will feature the new tyre as a centrepiece of the company’s exhibit. This product represents a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions.

Constructed with up to 60 percent renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass-balance-certified materials, the tyre is designed to meet the growing environmental and operational demands of fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers. Its composition incorporates natural rubber, renewable fillers and recycled materials from sources like processed scrap tyres. A major technical achievement is a 25 percent reduction in rolling resistance, which can extend the range of electric buses by up to 15 percent, enhancing their overall efficiency. Furthermore, a new tread compound boosts mileage by as much as 15 percent over its predecessor while retaining a ‘B’ wet grip rating.

The tyre’s design also prioritises noise reduction, achieving the top EU label class A for external rolling noise. Its tread pattern ensures excellent grip and braking performance, a critical feature for electric buses equipped with regenerative braking systems. As a standard feature for original equipment, the tyre comes pre-installed with the latest generation of sensors. These enable seamless integration into Continental’s ContiConnect digital management platform, providing real-time data on pressure, temperature and mileage. This connectivity facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces vehicle downtime and lowers operating costs.

Now available in size 275/70 R 22.5, the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT expands upon the existing Conti Urban HA 5 portfolio introduced in 2024, offering fleet operators a targeted and sophisticated solution for the challenges of urban public transport.

Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “This major industry gathering is an excellent platform to present the Conti Urban HA 5 NXT to our original equipment customers, fleet operators, transport companies and also the trade public. Our customers expect solutions that are both environmentally and economically sound – in both original equipment and the replacement business. The Conti Urban HA 5 NXT meets these expectations with a balanced concept combining resource-saving material selection, high energy efficiency and a long service life.”

Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires EMEA at Continental, said, “In addition to the transformation to climate-friendly local public transport, this also includes familiar challenges such as curbs, frequent traffic lights and driving in narrow streets. The externally certified lifecycle assessment shows an 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the previous Conti Urban HA 3 model.”

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Goodyear is executing a major expansion of its award-winning Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 line, introducing 13 new SKUs to create one of the most comprehensive all-season portfolios available. For 2025, the range will encompass an impressive 187 sizes designed to fit rim diameters from 14 to 22 inches. This strategic broadening ensures exceptional market coverage, meeting over 92 percent of demand for vehicles with 18-inch wheels and below and more than 75 percent for the growing segment of 19-inch and larger fitments, catering to a vast majority of European drivers.

The tyre's advanced engineering specifically addresses the needs of modern mobility. Its development is underscored by new original equipment (OE) approvals from premium manufacturers such as Mercedes and Renault, confirming its performance pedigree. It is particularly optimised for the latest electric and hybrid vehicles, including the Kia EV3, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo XC40 and Audi e-tron, where its low rolling resistance enhances battery range and its noise-reduction properties are critical.

Certified with the European Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, the tyre guarantees capable winter performance alongside its summer capabilities. An advanced tread pattern and a versatile compound work in unison to provide superior grip on wet, snowy and icy roads while maintaining reliable and durable dry-road handling across a wide spectrum of temperatures.

Further enhancing its value proposition, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 incorporates two key proprietary technologies. Goodyear SealTech is an integrated self-sealing system that can instantly and effectively seal tread punctures up to five mm in diameter, helping to maintain tyre pressure and allow continued driving until a professional inspection can be performed. Simultaneously, Goodyear SoundComfort Technology utilises a built-in foam layer to reduce transmitted interior cabin noise by up to 50 percent, significantly elevating driving refinement, a feature especially beneficial for the quiet nature of electric vehicles.

Ben Glesener, Senior Director, Technology Consumer, EMEA, Goodyear, said, “The expansion of the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 range reflects Goodyear’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of drivers and vehicle manufacturers alike. The tyre is now available to even more vehicles in the premium segment, combining cutting-edge technologies with year-round versatility to deliver a confident and comfortable driving experience. With its recent win in the ADAC all-season tyre test, the Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 continues to prove that premium all-season tyres are a great way to enhance every journey, all year round.”

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has announced the selection of five research proposals under its inaugural Open Call for Projects (OCP), awarding nearly USD 2 million in total funding. This initiative, designed to advance the global scientific understanding of tyre wear emissions and their mitigation, also coincides with the launch of a second funding round focused on ecological impacts.

The first OCP, which concluded in late 2024, attracted 22 submissions over a four-month period. An evaluation committee composed of TIP experts and external technical assessors selected the five awardees based on stringent criteria, including scientific relevance, methodological feasibility, innovation and potential societal impact. Three of the chosen projects will advance research into the environmental pathways and presence of tyre wear particles. These are led by institutions including Germany’s Technical University Darmstadt, which will map pollution in roadside soils; France’s Gustave Eiffel University, investigating particles in sewer systems and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, developing a new high-throughput method for detecting particles.

The remaining two projects are focused on developing practical mitigation solutions. Washington State University will research using tyre char to treat stormwater runoff, while the non-profit Ocean Conservancy will evaluate the effectiveness of green infrastructure in urban areas to capture tyre wear pollution.

Concurrently, TIP has launched its 2025 Open Call for Projects, which will specifically address significant knowledge gaps concerning the potential ecological impacts of tyre wear emissions, including chemicals and leachates. This new focus is informed by TIP’s recent State of Knowledge paper series, which highlighted inconsistencies in the current scientific understanding. To support prospective applicants, TIP will host introductory webinars on 23 September 2025. The final deadline for proposal submissions to this global collaborative initiative is 15 January 2026.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “The topic of tyre wear emissions is extremely complex – one that requires deep, evidence-based investigation and cross-stakeholder collaboration. Recognising this, we decided to complement our own research and mitigation initiatives by launching the Open Call for Projects, inviting stakeholders across the world to join us in the quest to uncover this multi-dimensional subject. The initiative reflects our long-term commitment to building a collaborative research ecosystem through public platforms. The OCP takes us one step forward in harnessing the collective brainpower of the scientific community and we look forward to evolving this further in the coming years.”

Dr John Bucher, part of TIP’s Assurance Group and a member of the OCP evaluation committee, said, “Sound science and robust evidence are essential to assessing the environmental challenges we face and to identifying the most effective solutions. Initiatives such as the OCP can act as a tremendous catalyst in this regard, opening a new world of possibilities. We are pleased with the diversity and quality of submissions received, which reaffirms the strong interest in this topic and the desire to engage in collaborative solutions.”

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