India’s tyre industry is accelerating at an unprecedented pace with a turnover of INR 900 billion and production exceeding 217 million units in FY23. Amid this dynamic growth, JK Tyre has emerged as a front-runner, combining manufacturing excellence with sustainability-focused practices. From advanced automation to energy-efficient operations and innovative product development, the company is re-defining tyre production standards. Its Chennai plant with premium and export-oriented capabilities exemplifies this transformation, positioning it at the forefront of next-generation tyres both domestically and globally.

A turnover of INR 900 billion and a production strength of 217.352 million units was the key figures of India’s tyre industry in FY23, according to statistics by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association.

Unequivocally, the third-largest automobile market’s tyre sector is expanding by leaps and bounds. From passenger car to OTR tyres, Indian tyre makers are making a name for themselves not only in the homeland but internationally too.

With individual leaders in every segment of tyres, the industry as a whole is also changing its approach towards the different aspects of the supply chain.

One of the leaders, JK Tyre, is banking on its manufacturing excellence and sustainable methodology for paving the road for the next generation of tyres.

The statement is further reinforced during Tyre Trends’ tour of JK Tyre’s Chennai facility, which is spearheading this transformative movement. Commissioned in 2012 with investments exceeding INR 26 billion, the plant is one of the company’s most advanced facilities and is strategically located near Tamil Nadu’s automotive hub and major ports for exports.

It produces passenger car radial (PCR) and truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres including premium and export-oriented ranges. The plant has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC Plus) certification for using bio-based, renewable and recycled raw materials and has been a consistent award-winner for energy and water efficiency, operating as a zero-liquid discharge facility while sourcing over half its power from renewables.

JK Tyre’s recent INR 14.3 billion expansion plans will increase TBR capacity by 800,000 tyres and PCR capacity by two million tyres annually, enabling JK Tyre to roll out next-generation sustainable products like the UX Royale Green.

“We save around 56 percent of our energy through renewable sources and significantly reduce coal consumption. On sustainability, we have several products that can be commercialised through back-end raw material suppliers, although global adoption is still evolving due to cost and scale feasibility. Every energy efficiency initiative involves upfront investment with payback realised over time. Our company vision emphasises green and sustainable mobility, evident even in the plant environment as our facilities are designed with greenery and environmental considerations in mind,” said Managing Director Anshuman Singhania.

Automation is another defining feature of the plants. Very few people are directly involved in machinery operation as most processes have been automated to minimise or eliminate manual intervention. In tyre building, for example, green tyres move seamlessly via conveyor systems through painting units, curing and finally to inspection, mostly without human handling.

Across facilities, processes are fundamentally auto-controlled. Manpower is primarily assigned to oversight roles such as conducting checks or managing specific material movements that cannot be automated.

Otherwise, each stage is tracked through sensors, cameras and online data capture. The high level of automation is evident throughout operations from AGVs transporting tyres to robotic handling systems.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROWESS

A tyre’s birth involves many stages starting from the raw materials that go into a gigantic mixture. According to the company’s Technical Director V K Misra, a PCR tyre needs 8-10 raw materials, while a TBR tyre needs 16.

Once the raw materials are intricately mixed, the mixer sends it to an extruder machine to shape raw rubber compounds into continuous strips or profiles that form different tyre components.

The third step involves the extruder passing on the strips to an auto booking machine, which automatically measures, stacks and aligns these sheets for easy handling. The following step uses a leaf truck machine that carries and transports the stacked sheets or semi-finished materials to the calender machine.

The calender then coats the rubber sheets and sends them to the steel wire room, where the tyre gets its much-favoured durability. The next steps involve assembly, testing and the final roll out.

Across the entire manufacturing unit, a key metric is traceability ranging from individual components to final rollout and even through the operational life of the tyre – every stage leaves a footprint.

The company primarily uses German and Chinese machinery at its Chennai facility and is exploring the integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips in tyres for enhanced traceability, while currently, tyre life is monitored through embedded sensors.

The plant takes around 15 minutes to produce a PCR tyre and 50-55 minutes for a TBR tyre.

“We collaborate closely with equipment suppliers to implement automation, robotics and conveyor systems. Some proprietary solutions are exclusive to our plants, though specific details remain confidential. Many robotics systems were developed in-house, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimise productivity, quality and minimise wastage,” explained Singhania.

He added, “We benchmark ourselves against global standards across productivity, scrap, energy efficiency and water conservation. In water management, we are global leaders. For instance, innovations implemented at our first plant in Kanpur have set industry standards for water conservation.”

Furthermore, the company’s in-house research indicates that nearly 70 percent of low-inflation tyres, especially on highways and city roads, contribute to accidents or injuries. To mitigate this risk, it is deploying tyre pressure monitoring systems and advanced sensor technologies that alert consumers via smartphones.

Efforts are also underway to integrate these alerts directly into OEM dashboards across trucks, buses, passenger cars, two- wheelers and three-wheelers and even farm or off-the-road (OTR) applications.

“The next generation of tyres will incorporate embedded sensors directly within the tyre, eliminating the need for external kits. This approach not only improves consumer safety but also generates valuable research and development insights in a large and diverse market like India. Adoption has been particularly strong among younger consumers,” contended a confident Singhania.

SUSTAINABILITY

JK Tyre developed the UX Royale Green with 80 percent sustainable, recycled and renewable materials. The tyre was produced at its Chennai facility. The development of this line was a result of over a decade of research at JK Tyre’s Global Tech Centre.

The tyre incorporates bio-attributed polymers, recycled rubber powder, recovered carbon black, renewable oils, sustainable steel wire and recycled polyester. Despite its sustainable composition, the UX Royale Green delivers performance comparable to standard tyres and has a lower carbon footprint.

Moreover, the ISCC Plus certificate serves as a testament towards the company’s relentless efforts towards sustainability. “When we talk about sustainability, it encompasses the circular economy by using recycled materials where feasible, incorporating natural raw materials and minimising fossil-based chemicals. For example, recycled polyester, steel and natural rubber may be used without compromising performance,” averred Singhania.

He added, “We are committed to sustainability and green practices. While investments are necessary, balancing productivity, quality and cost control ensures profitability in cost-sensitive markets like India. Measures such as process optimisation, quality control and energy efficiency help us reconcile green mandates with financial goals.”

Commenting on the same lines, Misra stated, “Extensive testing ensures that recycled or sustainable materials do not reduce tyre performance metrics and mileage, ride comfort and handling remain consistent. The use of recycled rubber from cured tyres is minimal and does not impact the product beyond a small percentage. End-of-life tyre recycling is a separate initiative and does not feed directly into new tyre production at significant levels.”

MARKET OUTLOOK

Singhania affirmed that the company is anticipating 8–9 percent growth in the tyre industry this year. While commercial vehicle tyre demand remains subdued, passenger vehicles are stable and two-wheelers are expected to perform well post-monsoon.

“This growth is supported not only by GST sentiment but also by overall economic activity, government infrastructure pushes and strong rural demand. We are targeting white spaces in India, especially in towns with populations under 100,000, where demand for tyres is rising and our presence is limited,” noted Singhania.

The tyre maker is also confident of a significant growth opportunity in the off-road segment with GST reducing the rate to five percent for farm tyres. “We have re-positioned our product line and introduced a premium offering with enhanced performance. Activities were initiated well before the season began and our OEM footprint has already shown positive signs. With improving monsoon conditions, rising rural demand and GST benefits, the outlook for this segment looks very bright,” explained Chief Financial Officer Sanjeev Aggarwal.

He added, “The commercial vehicle industry, where we are primarily present, stands to benefit the most from GST. Increased consumption of goods and white goods will raise total freight availability. Alongside reduced interest rates, capacity utilisation in CVs is expected to increase, further supporting demand for new tyres.”

Radialisation in the TBR segment has reached around 68–70 percent of the market. JK Tyre continues to lead this segment, supplying directly to 85–90 percent of fleet operators and maintaining a strong market presence.

Innovative products such as the XF tyre provide fuel-saving benefits, a critical factor for transporters focused on cost per kilometre. These tyres are supplied entirely to OEMs while also being available in the replacement market.

The company serves approximately 1,800 fleets directly or through dealer networks. Its tiered fleet management programmes include a per-kilometre model, where transporters pay only for the distance covered with tyre performance guaranteed for that usage. This hands-off, mobility-based solution is unique in the industry, creating a clear differentiation from competitors, including international players.

Moreover, the company has strategically diversified its exports across multiple international markets to mitigate risk. Its key export products include TBR tyres, covering heavy trucks from SDM to HD, passenger vehicle radial tyres, truck bias and radial tyres, light commercial vehicle tyres in both radial and bias formats, farm tyres in limited quantities, industrial tyres and tyres for two-wheeler and three-wheelers.

Truck bias tyres are primarily exported to Brazil, parts of Latin America and select African countries, while PCR tyres are directed mainly to the European Union and the UK, particularly for heavy trucks.

OUTPACING HURDLES

About half of the company’s rubber requirements are met through imports. However, it doesn’t see tyre imports currently a threat to domestic manufacturing, and the market remains balanced.

Imports, particularly from China and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, are carefully managed through a license-based restricted system. For very small tyre sizes, limited imports, typically around 100 units annually for applications such as passenger cars, are allowed in close coordination with government authorities and ATMA, ensuring domestic production is not adversely impacted. Broader policy continues to encourage capacity creation within India to meet local demand, noted Singhania.

On the exports front, approximately 12–15 percent of JK Tyre’s total revenue comes from international markets, with around three percent previously destined for the US. Some of this volume has been redirected to other countries with key markets including Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Europe is identified as a growth opportunity with significant product launches planned for the start of the next financial year. Latin America and Brazil are also showing promising demand following previous disruptions. Overall, the company anticipates mid-to-high single-digit growth in exports.

Another major industry challenge is sourcing skilled talent. Commenting on this, Singhania mentioned that JK Tyre addresses this through comprehensive internal training programmes, upskilling initiatives and structured human resource interventions ensuring a consistent pipeline of capable personnel.

The Chennai plant contributes approximately 26 percent of the company’s total revenue and plays a critical role in its portfolio. Continuous upgrades and investment in advanced equipment is on the books to allow the plant to continue producing high-quality TBR and PCR) tyres.

JK Tyre’s approach underscores the convergence of technology, sustainability and market foresight. By integrating automation, embedded sensor technologies and energy-efficient processes, the company ensures quality, safety and environmental responsibility.

Its diversified product portfolio, ranging from passenger car radials to truck and bus tyres, coupled with a robust aftermarket and export strategy, strengthens its competitive edge.

Strategic investments in talent, research and development and sustainable materials position JK Tyre to meet evolving industry demands while addressing global challenges.

As domestic growth aligns with international opportunities, the company is set to become a pioneer in an innovation-driven future.

Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management, has announced a definitive strategic step in its ambition to become a leading, integrated provider in the Northern European circular tyre ecosystem with the acquisition of Tyrefix. The agreement, executed on 20 January 2026 and expected to close imminently, secures a robust and scalable operational foundation for Citira in the United Kingdom, representing a core pillar of its geographic expansion.

Tyrefix is renowned for its four decades of specialised service excellence. The company operates a nationwide fleet delivering on-site tyre management, repair and replacement exclusively for off-highway and earthmoving machinery, a sector where equipment uptime, worksite safety and service reliability are non-negotiable for its industrial clientele.

This transaction is fundamentally value-driven. It provides Citira with immediate access to Tyrefix’s established national network, its deeply entrenched customer relationships and its unique mobile service expertise. The integration of this proven model is anticipated to generate significant commercial synergies and cross-selling opportunities across Citira’s broader portfolio, enhancing service offerings for all customers.

Post-closure, Tyrefix will continue its operations under the trusted Tyrefix brand, preserving its customer-facing identity and its experienced management team, including Oliver Johnson, Jon Pitman and Steve Bareham, who will transition to become co-owners within the Citira group. The transaction facilitates a full exit for the current investment company, Literacy Capital, and other minority shareholders, transferring ownership to Citira and marking a new chapter of growth.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “I am very happy to welcome Oliver, Jon, Steve and the entire Tyrefix team to Citira. Tyrefix’s model is unique and has shown great success during several decades, and still has potential for growth across current and new market segments. With Oliver at the helm, I am confident that our expansion into the United Kingdom will become another success story of Citira.”

Oliver Johnson, CEO, Tyrefix, said, “Joining Citira allows Tyrefix Group to advance our already strong market position in off-highway tyre services while providing additional solutions to minimise vehicle downtime. By becoming part of a larger organisation, Tyrefix Group gains access to additional resources and increased opportunities to accelerate our growth plans.”

Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched the Vredestein Perfect Tour+, a new urban bicycle tyre designed for reliability across diverse conditions. Engineered for daily commutes and longer tours, this tyre accommodates both traditional and electric bicycles, including higher-speed pedelec models, as confirmed by its full ECE R75 certification. This ensures its capability to handle increased loads and velocities while maintaining safety and comfort.

A key focus of the design is enhanced durability, achieved through a robust 5-mm puncture-protection layer. This reinforcement substantially diminishes the likelihood of flats from road hazards. For consistent performance in varied weather, the tyre utilises a specialised Optimum Silica Processing (OSP) compound. This technology provides secure grip on wet, slippery or snowy surfaces by improving the bond between silica and rubber, offering reliable traction even in colder temperatures.

Further contributing to its all-weather performance is a refined V-shaped tread pattern, which promotes stable roadholding without sacrificing efficiency. This design works to reduce rolling resistance, facilitating smoother and faster rides. The Vredestein Perfect Tour+ will be available from March in multiple sizes commonly used for touring and commuting, such as 50-559 and several 622 diameter options.

Nic Knippers, Divisional Head – Vredestein Two Wheel Tyres, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Perfect Tour+ continues our long tradition of developing touring products that combine safety, durability and reliable everyday performance. With its upgraded protection and advanced compound technology, it provides riders with even more worry-free kilometres of riding, whether they’re commuting or touring, and is fully able to harness the enhanced torque delivered by e-bikes and speed pedelecs.”

Cabot Corporation has completed the acquisition of Mexico Carbon Manufacturing S.A. de C.V. from Bridgestone Corporation, following regulatory approvals, the US-based materials group said on Monday.

The transaction, first announced in August, brings the Mexican carbon black producer, known as MXCB, into Cabot’s global manufacturing network. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cabot has long supplied reinforcing carbon products to Bridgestone, and said the acquisition would further strengthen the relationship between the two companies.

The MXCB facility is located near Cabot’s existing site in Altamira, Mexico. Cabot said the addition would expand its production capacity, improve operational flexibility and allow the manufacture of a wider range of reinforcing carbon products to serve customer demand and future growth.

Sean Keohane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabot Corporation, said the acquisition marked “a significant step forward” in the company’s strategy to grow its core businesses.

“By adding the MXCB facility to our global network, we are expanding our manufacturing capabilities, enhancing supply reliability for our customers, and positioning Cabot for long-term success,” Keohane said. “We are excited to welcome the MXCB team to Cabot and look forward to building on our strong partnership with Bridgestone as we continue to deliver industry-leading reinforcing solutions around the world.”

Hankook’s iON Race tyre played a defining role in the unpredictable third round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Miami. For this event, a new bespoke circuit configuration at the Miami International Autodrome presented fresh challenges with its temporary, non-uniform surface. These demands were intensified by a historic first: a wet-weather Miami E-Prix. As grip levels shifted dramatically from the initial safety car period onward, the tyre’s predictable warm-up behaviour and controlled thermal characteristics provided teams with a stable platform. This consistency was vital for managing the evolving conditions, allowing for strategic adaptation without sacrificing balance or race-long efficiency.

The race itself unfolded as a closely fought contest, ultimately won by Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans, who strengthened his championship position. Beyond supplying crucial performance on-track, Hankook engaged directly with the festival atmosphere of the Formula E weekend. The brand operated a dedicated Fan Village where attendees could explore the iON road tyre range and interact with displays highlighting Hankook’s philosophy and advancements in EV-specific tyre technology.

This Miami round, with its unique configuration and variable weather, served as a valuable proving ground. The insights gained from the iON Race tyre’s performance under such distinct pressures directly contribute to the ongoing development of Hankook’s broader electric vehicle tyre portfolio. With the Miami chapter complete, the championship's focus now shifts to the contrasting high-speed challenge of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Miami was a strong example of how important predictable tyre behaviour is on a newly introduced Formula E layout at an iconic venue. As grip levels evolved throughout the weekend, the iON Race delivered the stability and consistency required to support competitive racing under changing conditions.”