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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Cabot Corporation has officially released its 2026 Sustainability Report, which details the company’s environmental, social and governance performance throughout the 2025 calendar year. The document serves as a comprehensive account of the organisation’s measurable outcomes, culminating in the final assessment of its previous five-year sustainability strategy.

By the conclusion of 2025, the speciality chemicals firm had successfully achieved 14 of its 15 original sustainability targets established in 2020. Eleven of these objectives were completed ahead of the projected timeline, effectively fulfilling the company’s ambition to embed sustainable practices more deeply into its operational framework and corporate systems.

Looking forward, Cabot has transitioned to its newly established 2030 Sustainability Goals, which concentrate on six priority areas deemed most significant to its business model. Early progress includes a collaborative effort with the International Carbon Black Association to create a standardised lifecycle assessment methodology for furnace carbon black. The company intends to develop a certified internal tool for tracking product carbon footprints across its entire portfolio. Additionally, an initiative at the Franklin, Louisiana, facility has converted synthetic gypsum into a cement ingredient, slashing site landfill waste by 87 percent and contributing to a 70 percent global reduction in non-hazardous waste disposal.

The 2026 report has been prepared in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and supports Cabot’s ongoing participation in the United Nations Global Compact. These disclosures mark a significant step in the company's continuing journey toward greater transparency and industrial responsibility.

Sean Keohane, President and CEO, said, “Sustainability is embedded in how we operate and underpins our purpose of creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. I am immensely proud of the unwavering commitment of our teams across the globe as we close out our 2025 Sustainability Goals while making headway on our next key priorities, delivering meaningful impact today and for future generations. As we advance in our efforts, we remain focused on strengthening the integration between our sustainability agenda and our Creating for Tomorrow strategy, ensuring sustainability remains a catalyst for value creation and differentiation.”

Jennifer Chittick, Senior Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) and Government Affairs, and Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “As we conclude our 2025 Sustainability Goals, we are entering the next chapter of our sustainability journey with momentum and clear direction. Building on our strong foundation of safety, innovation and operational excellence, we are making measurable progress towards our targeted 2030 Sustainability Goals through initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint and strengthen our overall impact across our value chain. Through collaboration, process optimisation and strategic investments in technology, I am confident that we will continue to advance our commitments and deliver long-term results for our stakeholders worldwide.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, spearheaded an environmental education initiative at Lampari School-Lyceum on 8 May 2026. The programme targeted seventh through ninth-grade students, focusing on the interconnected themes of sustainable development, transportation and energy consumption under the theme ‘A Sustainable Future: Environment, Transportation and Energy’.

The session moved beyond traditional lectures, employing interactive presentations and hands-on activities to engage the young audience. Core topics covered included resource efficiency, waste management strategies and the significance of renewable energy sources, alongside an exploration of individual environmental responsibility. A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the Extended Producer Responsibility system, clarifying its mechanisms and vital function in safeguarding the environment.

The event’s interactive nature was underscored by a series of educational games and team challenges that saw enthusiastic participation from the students. To mark their involvement and completion of the programme, each participant received certificates and symbolic gifts, recognising their engagement with the material.

Established in 2022, Tegeta Green Planet stands as a pioneering authorised organisation in Georgia, operating under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s EPR framework. The entity manages the complete lifecycle of used tyres, oils and batteries, adhering to circular economy principles. This school visit forms part of an ongoing series of educational meetings designed to cultivate an environmentally conscious generation and instil a culture of stewardship, which both organisations consider essential for long-term ecological sustainability.

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Continental’s presence at the 2026 Tour de France will be notably pronounced, with the German manufacturer supplying road bike tyres to six competing teams. From 4th to 26th July, more than a quarter of the peloton will rely on tyres produced at Continental’s Korbach plant in Hesse. Over the three-week event, the company will provide over 1,000 tyres, all manufactured and tested at the German facility.

The six teams utilising Continental rubber are Groupama-FDJ United, UAE Team Emirates – XRG, Movistar Team, Bahrain-Victorious, Decathlon CMA CGM and Uno-X Mobility. Teams have access to four tyre models for different stage conditions. The Grand Prix 5000 S TR serves as the primary option, offering balanced rolling resistance, puncture defence and weight.

For wet weather, the all-season Grand Prix 5000 AS TR provides superior grip. Time trial specialists favour the lightweight Grand Prix 5000 TT TR, while the Aero 111 tyre handles windy stages with its aerodynamic tread pattern. All models are tubeless-ready, allowing sealant to seal small punctures automatically.

Continental’s involvement extends beyond bicycles, as over 70 support vehicles and 30 motorbikes will use Continental tyres. As an official main partner, Continental will present stage winners with their trophies. The tyres are commercially available, allowing recreational cyclists to purchase the same products used by professionals.

The company develops tyres using both laboratory data and racing feedback. Test rigs measure rolling resistance and durability, while professional riders provide handling data under extreme conditions. Hannah Ferle, Continental’s product expert, has noted that racing exposes tyres to conditions impossible to replicate in the lab, and these insights directly inform product development.

Balancing low weight, high grip, low rolling resistance and puncture protection remains a central challenge. Continental addresses this through rubber compounding and reinforcing layers beneath the tread. Since the first Tour in 1903, average speeds have risen from 25 to over 40 kilometres per hour, reflecting ongoing technological evolution.

Ferle said, “The trust placed in us by the six teams is both an honour and an incentive. The Tour is decided by the smallest details: on every stage, in every kind of weather and on every surface. That is why we put so much time and effort into developing our tyres in close collaboration with the professional racing teams. And ultimately, recreational riders benefit as well.”

Pelayo Sánchez, a rider on the Movistar team, said, “Sometimes a race is decided by a fraction of a second. To focus on our legs, we need to be able to rely on tyres that deliver top performance at all times.”

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Bekaert has secured a place on TIME magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2026. Developed in collaboration with data firm Statista, the ranking recognizes 750 enterprises from an initial global pool of 5,800, highlighting those with outstanding environmental and social performance.

The assessment employs a rigorous, multi-dimensional methodology examining over 20 indicators. These include the sustainability of core operations, external evaluations from organisations like CDP and the Science Based Targets initiative, ESG reporting transparency and social factors such as workplace safety, leadership diversity and employee engagement. This comprehensive data-driven approach determines the final standings.

This accolade underscores Bekaert’s ongoing dedication to responsible practices and its strategy of embedding sustainability into its solutions to foster efficient, circular and low-impact industrial processes. The company’s strong social metrics reflect a safe and inclusive culture, which supports the delivery of high-quality solutions and the cultivation of enduring partnerships with customers and stakeholders.

Ann-Françoise Versele, Vice President – Sustainability and Governmental Affairs, Bekaert, said, “We are honoured to be included in TIME’s ranking of the world’s most sustainable companies for 2026. This recognition confirms the progress we are making and the commitment of our teams worldwide. Sustainability is a core part of how we operate and how we innovate. I would like to thank all our colleagues who contribute to this journey every day. Together, we remain focused on advancing our ambitions and creating lasting positive impact.”

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