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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AZuR partners DIKABO and BEAR Machines have deepened their joint efforts by combining practical innovation with strategic growth in tyre recycling. Through the adoption of BEAR-CUT technology, DIKABO is building a new product line focused on reprofiling, demonstrating how collaboration can advance the circular economy in the commercial vehicle tyre sector.

The semi-automatic BEAR-CUT machine allows DIKABO to offer precise and repeatable reprofiling of truck tyres while fitting smoothly into existing workshop workflows. Sven Wehrmeyer, Managing Director, DIKABO highlights the equipment’s speed, high-quality cuts and straightforward setup, which together enabled immediate productivity gains. The company now plans to recut up to 55 tyres daily for its customers.

Reprofiling plays a vital role in the tyre circular economy by extending tyre mileage by as much as 25 percent, cutting the need for new tyre production, and lowering CO₂ emissions. With BEAR-CUT, DIKABO can further refine this process and tap into new market opportunities. Establishing its own reprofiling division is a strategic move into a high-growth segment that lowers material and energy costs while boosting tyre longevity.

Investing in BEAR-CUT is both a technological upgrade and a strategic portfolio expansion for DIKABO, creating a scalable business model with strong commercial vehicle demand and reinforcing its role in sustainable tyre services. This partnership exemplifies the AZuR network’s philosophy that innovations should be developed and scaled collectively, turning new technologies into resource efficient, low emission and competitive business solutions.

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Anyline has made its TireBuddy ToolKit available for React Native, offering a digital tyre inspection solution designed for easy integration into mobile apps. Originally developed for a limited set of customers, this solution has now been fully packaged, documented and prepared for widespread use.

With TireBuddy, developers can add features like tread measurement, tyre identification, VIN reading and license plate recognition to vehicle inspection applications. Customers can choose between native integration for Android and iOS or cross platform frameworks such as React Native and Flutter. Since React Native is widely adopted in the automotive industry, many clients requested a way to use TireBuddy without losing cross platform efficiency. After a year of real-world testing with selected partners, the TireBuddy React Native wrapper is now ready for broader deployment.

Unlike a simple bridge over native code, this wrapper provides a stable, production ready integration of the TireBuddy SDK and APIs. Key improvements include typed async API calls instead of an event driven pattern, with clear scan result states like completed, aborted or failed. This gives developers more predictable control over scanning logic, retries and user messaging. The wrapper also offers full TypeScript support, versioning utilities, a structured configuration model and feedback APIs for comments, tread depth corrections and tyre identification. For teams using Expo development builds, an automated config plugin handles camera permissions and Android repository setup, reducing integration effort. The wrapper also supports additional context for fleet workflows, such as scan correlation and tire position data.

The release of the React Native wrapper makes TireBuddy more broadly accessible while cutting time to deployment for apps requiring tyre inspection. Being public and versioned, it reduces evaluation time and shortens implementation cycles. Long term, this standardised model improves how updates are delivered and adopted, creating a clearer path for customer feedback and iteration. Teams can now add tyre inspection capabilities without changing their existing architecture or sacrificing cross platform efficiency, all backed by a more consistent and scalable integration foundation.

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Bridgestone has initiated a collaborative research project with Universitas Indonesia, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University (Yokohama City University), and Public University Corporation Maebashi Institute of Technology (Maebashi Institute of Technology) focused on the genetic analysis of para rubber trees. The partnership draws on tree samples and genetic data from Bridgestone’s own natural rubber farm in Indonesia, combined with the advanced capabilities of the academic institutions. The primary goal is to develop a marker assisted selection technique that can identify elite trees, characterised by high and stable yields, at an early stage. A formal signing ceremony took place at Universitas Indonesia on 7 April to mark the beginning of this joint effort.

Sustainability is central to Bridgestone’s management philosophy, reflected in its business model that links operations to carbon neutrality, a circular economy and nature positivity across the entire value chain from production to renewal. This research directly supports that vision by aiming to improve the sustainability of natural rubber. Ultimately, the company seeks to contribute to a more circular and regenerative business model where natural rubber production becomes increasingly efficient and environmentally responsible.

A stable supply of natural rubber is essential for tyre manufacturing and safe mobility, yet para rubber trees grow only in narrow equatorial bands and face threats from climate change and disease. With global vehicle ownership rising, demand for natural rubber is increasing, creating pressure to boost productivity without expanding farmland into forests. Bridgestone has therefore pursued multiple technological paths, including disease diagnostics and big data driven planting optimization on limited land. The company also supports smallholder farmers by sharing these technologies and providing training based on know‑how from its own farms, thereby enhancing productivity, improving livelihoods and strengthening the long-term sustainability of natural rubber.

In this specific research initiative, Bridgestone supplies latex samples and existing genetic information from its rubber trees. Universitas Indonesia handles the extraction of DNA and RNA data, while Yokohama City University and Maebashi Institute of Technology perform genetic analyses to pinpoint genes linked to rubber productivity. Together, they will build a marker assisted selection method for rapid, high-precision identification of elite trees, significantly shortening traditional breeding timelines that once took decades. After validating the technology and establishing propagation and nursery systems, Bridgestone plans to replace ordinary trees with elite varieties over the medium to long term, thereby raising productivity and stabilising yields within finite land resources.

Prof Dr Tito Latif Indra, M.Si, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, said, "In this project, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), will play a key role in supporting the scientific framework of the project by leveraging its expertise in molecular biology and genetic data acquisition. This collaboration is such an important foundation in strengthening FMIPA UI's academic contribution in impactful global research. Through research in the field of sustainable natural resources, we are trying our best to reinforce the ecosystem of global natural rubber production and provide significant innovation to support sustainable rubber plantations in Indonesia."

Yukihisa Shimada, Director, Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Public University Corporation Yokohama City University, said, "In this project, Yokohama City University will serve as a strategic and technical advisor, supporting collaboration with Indonesian government agencies and the establishment of research infrastructure. Through international collaboration, we will drive high-precision genome analysis and the selection of promising lines, contributing to the creation of scientific knowledge for sustainable resource use."

Kensuke Nakamura, President, Public University Corporation Maebashi Institute of Technology, said, "In this joint research, Maebashi Institute of Technology will lead the bioinformatics analysis, contributing to the advancement of natural resource research through a data-driven approach. As a public university, we are dedicated to fostering both locally grounded research and international research partnerships. By leveraging these strengths, we seek to generate impactful knowledge that will contribute to building a more sustainable society."

Masashi Otsuki, Executive Director, Institute of Advanced Technology, Bridgestone Corporation, said, "By co-creating with stakeholders across the natural rubber industry and promoting the sustainable use of natural rubber, Bridgestone strives to achieve the corporate commitment of ‘Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tire technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations’ described in its Bridgestone E8 Commitment.

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Pirelli has created bespoke versions of its P Zero R tyre for the new Audi RS 5 and the RS 3 competition limited, aiming to deliver everyday driving pleasure without sacrificing track capability. Special emphasis is placed on superior grip and shorter braking distances. Drawing on over 25 years of collaboration with Audi Sport, these fitments reflect experience gained from developing tyres for high-performance SUVs and the sportiest sedans.

Audi’s main target was braking performance, and the P Zero R was engineered to approach Pirelli’s semi slick Trofeo R. This results in extremely short stopping distances with rapid deceleration even under demanding conditions. Pirelli’s German R&D centre worked with Milan headquarters on a new compound that performs well even when cold, responding to Audi’s request for safety during deceleration. Though nearing track-oriented products, the P Zero R remains suitable for daily use.

The RS 3 competition limited celebrates 50 years of the five-cylinder engine. Two tyre options are available: the standard P Zero R provides strong grip on dry and wet roads, while the P Zero Trofeo R semi slick is designed mainly for track driving. Its motorsport derived rubber delivers exceptionally high dry grip, stability and short braking distances. Development used digital simulation at both companies, with physical tests later validating data on circuits like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The Audi RS 5, the brand’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, required a new High Load tyre size. Pirelli reinforced the P Zero R’s structure to handle the hybrid components’ extra weight while maintaining driving precision. This partnership, symbolised by the R0 marking, began with the original RS 4 25 years ago and continues with record setting Nürburgring performances in 2024 by the RS 3 with Trofeo R and the RS Q8 performance with P Zero.

Steffen Bamberger, Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, said, “The tyre is the only connection between the vehicle and the road surface. Therefore, it plays a significant role in chassis development, especially in our RS models, where excellent handling has paramount importance. Plus, a close, collaborative partnership is essential to achieving this level of performance.”

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