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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Maxion Wheels will showcase a low‑carbon commercial vehicle steel wheel at IFAT Munich as part of the Daimler Truck–led reECONIC concept vehicle. The component demonstrates how circular material strategies and advanced engineering can significantly cut carbon footprints at the individual part level.

For the reECONIC project, Maxion Wheels developed a 22.5-inch x 9.00-inch steel wheel that achieves a CO2 footprint reduction of more than 50 percent compared with conventionally manufactured counterparts. The wheel weighs 32.5 kilogrammes and was produced using electric arc furnace steel with a high proportion of post‑consumer recycled scrap.

The wheel’s cradle‑to‑gate CO2 footprint fell from 132.7 kilogrammes to 61.4 kilogrammes per wheel through a combination of CO2‑reduced steel, optimised design and responsible material selection, all without compromising functionality, performance or safety. Given that steel wheels are safety‑critical and among the heaviest parts of a commercial vehicle, their mass and material composition make them a key lever for emissions reduction and overall vehicle efficiency.

Maxion applied its proprietary Lightweighting Process, which integrates performance, safety and production parameters into advanced structural design and simulation tools. This enabled a 2-kg weight saving compared with previous designs, lowering material demand and further reducing the carbon footprint. However, the majority of the emissions reduction came from material circularity, since raw materials account for roughly 75 to 85 percent of a steel wheel’s CO2 footprint.

Using high‑share post‑consumer recycled scrap via the electric arc furnace route lowers primary raw material demand, reduces iron ore mining and cuts energy‑intensive processing steps. The wheel was engineered at Maxion’s Global Engineering Center and plant in Königswinter, Germany, using industrially proven processes suitable for future scale‑up. Daimler Truck intends the reECONIC project as a pathway to series production, with real‑world testing starting in the second half of 2026.

The reECONIC vehicle will be unveiled at IFAT Munich from 4–7 May 2026, where it will be displayed and demonstrated as part of Daimler Truck’s circular‑economy initiative. The project confirms that circular design and recycled materials can be applied to high‑volume, heavily loaded parts, offering tangible CO2 savings within existing manufacturing frameworks.

Karl Rode, Director of Engineering at Maxion Wheels, said, “The reECONIC project allowed us to apply our engineering and material expertise to a clearly defined circular‑economy objective. By combining recycled‑material‑rich steel with targeted design optimisation, we were able to more than halve the CO2 footprint of a safety‑critical steel wheel using industrially feasible processes.”

Stan Mommers, Vice President Sales EMEA at Maxion Wheels, said, “Working with Daimler Truck on reECONIC shows how suppliers and OEMs can jointly translate circular‑economy principles into measurable results. Component‑level innovations like this steel wheel are essential for enabling lower‑carbon commercial vehicles in the future.”

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Linglong Tire unveiled a Sustainable Concept Tyre made from 85 percent sustainable materials during the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) gathering held from 27 to 30 April 2026 in Montreux, Switzerland. The WBCSD, a board-led organisation dedicated exclusively to business and sustainable development, shares a sustainability vision closely aligned with Linglong’s internal strategy. The Chinese tyre manufacturer has committed to significantly reducing CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement timetable for Chinese companies and matching the ambitions of both the WBCSD and the European Union.

Linglong is already cutting carbon emissions through efficient energy use, sustainable tyre development and intelligent supply chain management. The company targets a reduction of more than 50 percent by 2035, with climate neutrality no later than 2050. Five core elements drive this effort: new materials, advanced technologies, modern processes, smart machinery, and sustainable energy. A 35‑megawatt solar system is being installed at a new tyre factory under construction in Brazil as part of this transition.

By 2040, all Linglong tires are to be made entirely from sustainable materials. The concept tyre presented by Chief Executive Officer Lingkun ‘Andy’ Zhou relies on bio‑based feedstocks such as biotechnical itaconate rubber, rice husk ash and corn‑based silica to replace traditional petroleum‑based raw materials, reducing carbon emissions by up to 35 percent. Linglong became the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to join the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) and supports FSC‑certified natural rubber projects to protect forests, support rubber farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the rights of workers, indigenous peoples and local communities. In resource recycling, the company promotes liquid waste rubber and pyrolysis carbon black to close the loop on waste tyres.

Zhou emphasised that the dual‑carbon roadmap revolutionises the entire production process, not merely representing an environmental pledge. Linglong will do everything possible to meet its climate goals while providing consumers worldwide with environmentally friendly, sustainable and high‑quality mobility solutions, aiming to leave a clean and liveable planet for generations to come.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has entered into a new collaboration with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) to embed tyre safety education into the latter’s existing road safety programmes across the region. This partnership aims to provide motorists and motorcyclists with practical guidance on tyre maintenance as part of broader efforts to reduce road casualties.

NWFRS already runs several impactful initiatives with local partners, including Operation Atal, a roadside engagement campaign with North Wales Police that educates drivers on the Fatal 5, the most common causes of fatal collisions. The Service also delivers a targeted intervention for young drivers called Olivia’s Story, a true local tragedy in which a young woman lost her life when a friend raced another friend in a newly acquired car. Additionally, NWFRS offers BikerDown training for motorcyclists and engages with riders through BikerBrews at popular stops.

Recent data from Road Safety Wales shows total reported casualties in 2024 fell by 31 percent compared to 2019, with 84 fatalities and 1,007 serious injuries across Wales, a 7.9 percent decrease from the previous year. However, rural roads, which make up about 60 percent of all road fatalities in Wales, remain a concern. Authorities continue to highlight the Fatal 5 – excessive speed, drink or drug driving, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts – as leading causes of serious collisions.

Through this new partnership, tyre safety messages will be incorporated into roadside engagement, community events and educational programmes across North Wales. By ensuring drivers understand the critical role tyres play in vehicle control, especially on rural roads and in challenging conditions, TyreSafe and NWFRS aim to build on recent safety improvements and further reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “By working alongside North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and integrating tyre safety into their excellent road safety initiatives, we can reach more drivers and riders with simple, practical advice that helps prevent incidents before they happen. Partnerships like this are vital in continuing the positive progress we are seeing in reducing road casualties.”

Jane Honey, Deputy Head of Prevention at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Our teams are committed to supporting safer communities across North Wales, and road safety education is a key part of that work. Tyre condition is a crucial element of vehicle safety, particularly on the rural roads that make up much of our region. By working with TyreSafe, we can strengthen the messages we deliver through our campaigns and community engagement, helping motorists make small checks that can have a big impact on road safety.”

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Titan International has introduced two new product lines under the Goodyear Farm Tire brand, named Goodyear Softrac Pro and Goodyear Softrac Smooth. Designed as complementary front and rear fitments, the tyre lines aim to enhance performance across a range of landscaping equipment, including both commercial and residential zero-turn mowers. The launch follows Titan’s recent expansion of its Goodyear licensing rights into additional product segments, which was announced last year.

The Softrac Pro line features a forward-thinking tread profile and refined contour intended to work harmoniously with the terrain, offering a smoother ride, better slope stability and improved turf protection. Engineered for both professionals and homeowners, the tyre provides long-lasting durability and dependable traction without compromising ground quality. Key technical attributes include a proprietary ozone-resistant tread compound for extended tyre life, a meticulously engineered tread pattern that reduces turf damage and a multi-angle lug design for excellent hillside traction.

Current Softrac Pro sizes range from 20x10.00-8NHS to 26x12.00-12NHS, covering the most popular rear fitments for commercial and residential zero-turn mowers, with additional sizes planned for front engine riders and compact tractors. Meanwhile, the Softrac Smooth line is built as a front fitment for high-precision commercial mowers, engineered to deliver precise handling and clean cutting lines under heavy workloads. Available sizes include 11x4.00-5, 13x5.00-6 and 13x6.50-6, covering key front wheel mower fitments.

Both Softrac Pro and Softrac Smooth lines have undergone rigorous testing by multiple original equipment manufacturers, reinforcing Titan’s focus on application-specific solutions. Working together as front and rear systems, the tyres support a full range of commercial mower configurations, including zero-turn, stand-on and low-profile models, helping manufacturers and dealers equip fleets with a top-tier brand while boosting overall performance.

Peter Kortes, Outdoor Power Equipment Product Manager – Titan Specialty Division, said, “For years, turf tyres have looked largely the same, and recent aggressive designs have swung too far without considering everyday functionality. We set out to create a tread that strikes the perfect balance, modern and bold, yet still turf‑friendly and practical for any user. The result delivers standout style with the optimal performance customers expect from their equipment.”

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