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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Comerio Ercole is set to make a significant impact on the global stage in 2026 with its participation in two major industry exhibitions. The company will showcase its latest advancements at both Chinaplas 2026 and Tire Technology Expo 2026, highlighting a comprehensive portfolio designed to enhance precision, productivity and sustainability in polymer processing.

At Tire Technology Expo, Comerio Ercole will present integrated systems tailored for the tyre industry, focusing on high-performance rubber calendering and digital intelligence. A flagship solution is the TRIPLE 4-roll calendering unit. Its innovative "S" configuration provides remarkable flexibility by enabling the processing of both textile and steel cord, as well as the production of rubber sheeting, all within a single line. The system’s capability for simultaneous lamination ensures high precision and product stability while minimising defects. Downtime is a critical factor in tyre production, and the patented FASTEEL system directly addresses this. By automating the steel cord change process, it dramatically reduces changeover time from hours to minutes, allowing the line to continue running during preparation and thereby maximising plant availability and operator safety. Following the calendering process, the SUPERCUT system guarantees clean, precise transversal cuts for both steel and textile-reinforced rubber, integrating guillotine and high-speed rotary blades to minimise waste and streamline downstream winding.

Simultaneously, at Chinaplas 2026, taking place in Hall 2.1 at Stand C85, the company will place a strong emphasis on its patented HYDROPLUS concept for PVC and plastic calendering. This technology suite is engineered to deliver micrometric precision and robust process stability through advanced hydraulic controls. Central to this is HYDROGAP, a system that achieves exceptional thickness uniformity with high-resolution gap positioning. Complementing this are HYDROSAFE, which ensures rapid roll separation for ultimate protection, and HYDROTHERM, a feature that intelligently compensates for thermal expansion to maintain precise gap settings during fluctuating operational temperatures.

Beyond mechanical innovation, the company is driving digital transformation with its CELEMETRY and MINERV-AI platforms. CELEMETRY focuses on sustainability by converting production data into actionable insights for environmental reporting and energy optimisation. MINERV-AI captures and standardises operational expertise through artificial intelligence, supporting more effective maintenance protocols, training procedures and overall operational consistency. Through these combined efforts at both exhibitions, Comerio Ercole is demonstrating a holistic approach to advancing the plastics, rubber and tyre industries.

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The seventh edition of Trelleborg Tires’ Tractor Driver of the Year competition took place at the Cremona Circuit in Italy on 28 February 2026, drawing 50 skilled participants from across the nation. Held at a venue renowned for its professional standards, the event has become a fixture in the agricultural calendar, offering a platform for drivers to demonstrate their expertise while experiencing advanced tyre technology in practical scenarios. After a demanding day of challenges, Francesco Coppe emerged victorious, distinguished by his exceptional precision and versatility across the various disciplines.

The competition featured a series of exercises designed to assess core abilities, including manoeuvring, loader operation, reverse driving and trailer handling, culminating in a field regularity test. Throughout these tasks, participants directly observed the benefits of Trelleborg’s ProgressiveTraction technology, which aims to boost traction, reduce soil impact and enhance overall efficiency. This year, Fendt joined as the technical partner, supplying the machinery for the event. The tractors used, such as the Fendl 300 Vario Gen5, 500 Vario Gen4 and 800 Vario Gen5 models introduced in 2025, exemplified how modern agricultural engineering supports operators in achieving high performance with comfort and ease, both on road and in the field.

Daniela Gambatesa, Marketing Manager Italy, Trelleborg Tires, said, “The ‘Tractor Driver of the Year’ once again confirms its position as a landmark event for the agricultural sector: a unique opportunity to celebrate expertise, innovation and professionalism. This 7th edition recorded a remarkable participation of tractor drivers, highlighting the growing importance of the initiative. A key highlight of the event was the new ‘5,000 Hours of Guaranteed Performance’ campaign dedicated to ProgressiveTraction® treads, originally launched in July 2025 and now featuring a customised look for Fendt tractors equipped with VarioDrive technology. This initiative allows us to prove in real working conditions the long-term durability and efficiency of our tyres, offering tangible support to agricultural professionals in their daily operations. The collaboration with Fendt as technical partner further reinforces our shared commitment to excellence, combining advanced technology with high-performing solutions for the industry.”

Silvia Uderzo, Advertising & Sales Promotion Specialist, Fendt Italia, said, “Fendt has believed in the ‘Tractor Driver of the Year’ project since its early editions, reflecting the trust and importance we attribute to this initiative. Taking part again this year represents a valuable opportunity to enhance the skills of tractor drivers and to demonstrate how the technology, performance and comfort of our machines play a decisive role in improving operational efficiency. The partnership with Trelleborg Tires confirms our shared commitment to delivering increasingly high-performing and sustainable solutions to agricultural professionals, combining innovation with close attention to their real operational needs.”

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Pirelli is all set for the Australian Grand Prix, where a new era of Formula 1 begins with more uncertainties than any season opener in recent history. The 2026 cars, fundamentally redesigned in both power unit and aerodynamics, have completed nine days of pre-season testing across Barcelona and Sakhir, but Albert Park will offer the first genuine opportunity to assess their true potential. For the Italian manufacturer, this weekend represents far more than routine tyre supply; it is about observing how an entirely new generation of machinery interacts with its products on a familiar yet demanding street circuit.

The tyres brought to Melbourne reflect the sport's broader evolution, featuring a reduced contact patch and smaller overall diameter while retaining the 18-inch rim architecture. The full range spans five slick compounds, from C1 to C5, alongside Intermediate and Full Wet options. For Albert Park, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds, C3, C4 and C5, continuing a strategy employed over the previous two seasons. The 5.278-kilometre layout, winding around a lake, combines fast straights with low and medium speed corners that do not place extreme thermal demands on the rubber. Degradation here typically results from mechanical wear rather than heat buildup, largely due to the smooth asphalt surface comprising public roads. Last season, minor graining appeared on dry days but remained at very low levels.

Friday practice will offer the first indications of how teams approach unlocking their cars' potential. Pirelli anticipates close observation of how squads balance performance simulations with longer runs, particularly regarding thermal management across both axles. The significant energy delivered by new power units to the rear axle creates an asymmetry requiring careful correction, especially in qualifying. Teams are expected to experiment with tyre blanket temperatures and preparation lap strategies to achieve optimal operating windows.

Predicting race strategies involves multiple variables unique to this opening round. Individual car loads will determine whether the softest compound can feature meaningfully in race stints on a circuit considered relatively low in severity. Overtaking presents another consideration, as Albert Park remains challenging for passing despite recent modifications. The introduction of Overtake mode could prove significant here, potentially reshaping tactical approaches.

Weather adds further complexity, with the race falling in early autumn, one week earlier than last year, bringing potential temperature swings and rainfall. Intermittent showers dramatically influenced the 2025 race, won on Intermediate tyres, and similar conditions remain possible.

Melbourne celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Australian Grand Prix this year, marking its 29th occasion as host since replacing Adelaide in 1996. Michael Schumacher holds the record with four victories, followed by Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel with three each, while 21 other drivers have won here, including reigning champion Lando Norris. McLaren leads constructors with 12 wins, one ahead of Ferrari.

This season also launches a collaboration between Pirelli Design and renowned designer Denis Dekovic, creating 15 special-edition podium caps for selected grands prix. Each cap draws inspiration from host country traditions through dedicated colours and materials. The collection begins in Australia, where podium finishers will wear caps inspired by the southern hemisphere sky and the stars of the Australian flag, available on the Pirelli e-commerce platform.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has expanded its premium road tyre lineup with the introduction of the Corsa PRO Speed in a new 700x30c (30-622) format. This latest addition directly responds to requests from WorldTour professional teams and reflects the shifting priorities in contemporary high-performance road cycling, where riders continuously seek marginal gains in speed, aerodynamics, comfort and overall efficiency.

The new 30 mm model joins the established Corsa PRO family, Vittoria’s flagship range defined by its supple 320 TPI cotton casing. Within this series, each variant serves a specific racing purpose: the Corsa PRO Speed is engineered for outright velocity, the standard Corsa PRO offers versatility for general racing and the Corsa Control is built for challenging conditions. The new 30 mm iteration of the Speed model aims to bridge the gap between aerodynamics and ride quality.

Building on technology introduced with the 2025 Corsa Wide Rim series – a 29 mm tyre co-developed with Team Visma | Lease a Bike to minimise micro-turbulence on wider rims – this new 30 mm tyre is designed to deliver tangible benefits in grip and comfort without sacrificing speed. The increased air volume and larger contact patch provide superior traction, particularly in wet conditions, while also absorbing road vibration for a smoother ride. This setup aligns perfectly with modern road bike frames, which now commonly accommodate wider tyres.

The Corsa PRO Speed 30 mm is positioned as a pure performance tool for elite competition. It is intended for fast, smooth asphalt in events like time trials, triathlons and high-speed road races. By offering this size, Vittoria aims to enhance the racing experience for both professionals and serious amateurs, further cementing its reputation as a leader in road tyre innovation.

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