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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ARLANXEO has announced that the German Federal Patent Court has nullified the German component of European patent EP 3 800 714. The contested intellectual property, held by Zeon Corporation, pertains to synthetic rubber compounds utilised as cathode binders within rechargeable battery systems, a sector critically linked to electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

The revocation stems from an ongoing legal confrontation regarding battery binder technology. Zeon initiated infringement lawsuits in 2024 against ARLANXEO’s German and Dutch operations at the Munich Regional Court. In response, ARLANXEO contested the patent's legal standing, prompting a validity review by the Federal Patent Court.

Following a preliminary July 2025 ruling that cast substantial uncertainty on the patent’s enforceability, the Munich court suspended the infringement case. With the formal revocation in Germany, the foundational grounds for the local infringement allegations have been effectively eliminated.

John Gerrese, General Counsel, ARLANXEO, said, “We welcome the Court’s decision, which confirms our position on the invalidity of the patent. The ruling underscores the importance of robust patent standards. It also highlights the critical role of nullity proceedings in ensuring that only valid and enforceable patents are upheld.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, recently conducted an environmental awareness session for students in grades one through three at Pirveli School-Gymnasium. The initiative employed an interactive and age-appropriate methodology to introduce young learners to fundamental ecological concepts.

The curriculum covered the detrimental effects of littering, the necessity of specialised disposal for waste tyres, used oil and batteries and the broader importance of resource conservation. Students were also taught practical, daily actions that contribute to environmental preservation and were shown how individual responsibility can collectively forge a cleaner future. The educational experience was reinforced through a participatory game that allowed children to engage with environmental topics via practical examples.

Upon concluding the programme, each student received a certificate and a symbolic gift. This activity aligns with the organisations' ongoing commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among youth, a priority that sees them regularly visiting schools to deliver engaging educational content. Such initiatives are designed to cultivate a sense of ecological responsibility from an early age, encouraging children to integrate nature conservation into their daily routines.

Established in 2022, Tegeta Green Planet operates as one of Georgia’s first authorised Extended Producer Responsibility organisations. The company offers membership to any business or individual entrepreneur subject to the nation’s EPR legislation, irrespective of their operational scale.

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Pirelli P Zero has made a prominent return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, reinforcing its status as a leading choice for premium manufacturers. The 2026 edition features numerous high-performance vehicles equipped with tyres from the revitalised P Zero family. This widespread adoption underscores the range’s appeal, supported by over 300 homologations secured for the latest products across diverse vehicle types that prioritise performance, safety and driving enjoyment. The complete renewal of the P Zero line, initiated in 2023, is now showcased as original equipment on many contemporary models.

The festival highlights several bespoke applications, starting with the Ferrari Luce. For this model, Pirelli engineered a custom P Zero E tyre, merging high performance with over 55 percent bio-based and recycled materials in a record-setting 24-inch format. The semi-slick P Zero Trofeo RS appears on the Bentley Supersports, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and BMW M2, while the Pagani Utopia Roadster adopts this tyre alongside the Cyber Tyre system, enabling direct communication with vehicle electronics.

The luxury electric segment is represented by the Rolls-Royce Spectre and Jaguar Type 01, both utilising P Zero Elect tyres with diameters reaching 23 inches. The P Zero Trofeo RS is also fitted to the Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear megacar and its LEGO Technic replica, the latter achieving a record of 111 kilometres per hour on the Goodwood Hillclimb.

All P Zero tyres share a technological foundation rooted in motorsport, serving as Pirelli’s primary testing ground. The company’s participation in over 350 racing events annually, including Formula 1, facilitates the transfer of innovations like virtual development processes to road tyre production. This continuous cycle ensures the P Zero range remains at the forefront of tyre technology for both track and street applications.

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Titan International, Inc. has officially introduced the new Titan ForestEDGE tyre line, engineered to meet the severe demands of contemporary forestry work. This release broadens the company’s existing forestry portfolio, positioning the ForestEDGE as a dependable and economically conscious alternative alongside its established Goodyear Logger Lug series. The tyre is specifically tailored for critical machinery including skidders and feller bunchers.

Engineered with a heavy-duty steel-belt package, the tyre resists damage from rocks, stumps and debris, while a specialised rubber compound promotes even tread wear and extended service life. Backed by Titan’s extensive engineering and field-testing heritage, the tyre offers boots-on-the-ground reliability. This combination of rugged construction and proven performance provides a practical option for fleet managers aiming to balance productivity with reduced operating expenses.

The ForestEDGE line is now available for ordering through authorised dealers in sizes 30.5L-32 and DH35.5L-32. Additionally, the 24.5-32 size is currently open for pre-orders, with shipments expected to begin in the third quarter of the calendar year.

Matt Werstein, Product & Engineering R&D Manager – OTR, Titan, said, “Forestry environments are often extreme. With the Titan ForestEDGE, we set out to provide a tyre that not only stands up to some of the worst conditions but also helps boost productivity and lower total operating costs. After extensive field testing, we're confident that the ForestEDGE line delivers the durability and value operators need to keep their machines moving.”

Andrew Hogan, Director – Pricing and Product Strategy, Titan, said, “Forestry work is demanding, not just on people but also on equipment and tyres. We worked closely with customers and dealers to understand where current solutions were falling short. The ForestEDGE is the result: a tyre line that’s tough, dependable and built around the realities of modern forestry work.”

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