Therefore, transitioning to a green economy has sound economic and social justification. For governments, this transition would involve levelling the playing field for greener products by replacing harmful subsidies, reforming policies and redirecting public investment among others. In the private sector, this transition would involve responding to these policy reforms and incentives through increased financing and investment, skill building and innovation capacities to realise the opportunities arising from a green economy.

Automobile industry is one of the key sectors for economic growth, where sustainability is critical to ensure access to clean and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Particularly for the rubber industry, which is largely perceived as non-environmentally friendly, it is imperative to work towards adapting the green economy; largely through development of green technology and introduction of green manufacturing practices including resource decoupling - using less land, water, energy and materials to maintain economic growth and to reduce environmental impact.

Technology innovation remains a key priority. Some of the trends for automotive and tyre industries include, sustainable tyre through introduction of green material technology with further improvement in fuel efficiency (Rolling Resistance) Safety (Dry and Wet Traction), Durability (mileage) and Comfort (Noise, Vibration, Ride & Handling). Besides above, obtaining rubber material from biomass and recyclable avenues, greater use of modelling in performance prediction and tyre design, change in tyre design to tall and thin tires, especially to suit electric vehicles are of paramount importance towards the making of a green economy. In addition, technologies that include real time simulation, virtual proving ground, self-inflation technology, electrified rubber, sensor-based tyres for health assessment and fleet management can help save fuel, reduce operating cost including increased tyre life.

Use of simulation and predictive technology - Finite Element Analysis (FEA), service life prediction, etc. – are expected to contribute towards determining the reliability aspect of tyres. With the advent of high-end software, FEA tools are now extensively used for prediction of structural durability, aquaplaning, heat generation, process simulation and Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH). Advanced research is underway to understand the microscopic behaviour of polymer-filler interaction using new generation simulation techniques. This in turn would help to develop ultra-high-performance tyres with reduced hysteresis, improved safety and durability.

In line with the automobile industry, tyre Industry is also looking into possibilities of implementing smart manufacturing practices, which include Big Data-driven quality control, robot assisted production, self-driving logistics vehicles, production line simulation, smart supply network, predictive maintenance, machine as a service, self-organising production, additive manufacturing of complex parts and augmented work among others.

As vehicles directly impact the environment (air quality, noise levels etc.,) and tyres are integral to its functioning, a collaborative effort is required to bring about a change of thinking and a change of culture on pursuing green economy in the rubber industry.

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Dunlop Motorsport marked its competitive debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a strong top-10 finish, underscoring the potential of its advanced tyre technology. Central to this effort was the use of Dunlop tyres, integrated with the innovative Sensingcore system developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. This proprietary technology transforms the tyre itself into a smart sensor, delivering real-time data on critical parameters such as wear, pressure, wheel load and track conditions without requiring additional hardware. By enhancing both safety and strategic decision-making, Sensingcore enables early detection of issues like loose wheel nuts and allows for optimised pit stops, proving its value under the extreme demands of the ‘Green Hell’.

Behind the wheel of the black-and-yellow Porsche 911 GT3 R, drivers Nico Menzel and Dorian Boccolacci delivered a determined comeback. After a challenging qualifying session left them in 24th place due to ill-timed yellow flag periods, Menzel wasted no time, surging to 18th by the end of the opening lap. Boccolacci then took over, extracting the full potential of the new Dunlop slicks with consistently fast lap times. A well-executed team strategy propelled the duo into the top 10 before the race’s midpoint. Although the leading pack had built an insurmountable gap by then, preventing a podium challenge, Boccolacci brought the car home in ninth place overall after four hours of racing.

The event served as a crucial development test for both tyre technology and Sensingcore under real-world conditions, highlighting its promise for future motorsport and production applications. Dunlop Motorsport will continue its preparation at the next Nürburgring Endurance Series round, the 57th Adenauer ADAC Circuit Trophy on 11 April 2026, as part of its buildup to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in May.

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Magna Tyres marks its 20th anniversary today, 23 March 2026, celebrating two decades of expansion within the off-the-road and industrial tyre sector. From its beginnings as an entrepreneurial venture addressing the need for reliable OTR tyres, the family-owned business has evolved into a recognised international brand. It now serves customers across more than 130 countries, supported by a worldwide network of offices, partners and distributors.

Technical expertise and a commitment to customer focus have driven the company’s strategic growth, establishing it as a trusted partner across mining, construction, ports, terminals, recycling and agriculture. Headquartered in Waalwijk, the organisation draws on deep knowledge of rubber compounds and tyre engineering to deliver high-quality solutions tailored for demanding applications.

Over the past 20 years, the company has strengthened its global presence through new offices, expanded production capacity and strategic acquisitions. Long-term relationships with customers, distributors and partners remain central to its approach, blending entrepreneurial drive with the stability of a family-owned enterprise.

Michael de Ruijter, CEO, Magna Tyres, said, “This anniversary not only marks 20 years of growth but also the next phase. We will continue to invest in innovation, capacity and our global network to further strengthen our market position and serve customers worldwide at the highest level.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, equipped the entire grid with its specialised iON Race tyre for the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix. This marked a pivotal deployment for the tyre at the historic Circuito del Jarama, the longest circuit on the calendar, where it was tasked with handling the combined strategic complexities of a new race format.

Held over 23 laps of the undulating 3.934 km layout, this Season 12 round introduced the first single-header application of PIT BOOST alongside a revised ATTACK MODE, forcing teams to master a deeper layer of strategy. The fast-flowing corners and significant elevation changes made energy management paramount. Throughout the weekend, the iON Race tyre proved essential, offering stable grip and controlled thermal behaviour that provided predictable warm-up and consistent traction under the circuit’s demanding sustained cornering loads. This balanced performance window gave teams the confidence to commit to their pit strategies despite limited historical data at the venue.

Jaguar TCS Racing executed a flawless strategic race, with António Félix Da Costa securing victory in the inaugural Madrid E-Prix, leading teammate Mitch Evans in a 1–2 finish while Pascal Wehrlein rounded out the podium for Porsche. Following the conclusion of Round 6, the championship now prepares for Rounds 7 and 8 in Berlin, where the teams and the Hankook tyres will face a distinctly different challenge on the familiar Tempelhof circuit.

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport, said, “The Madrid E-Prix offered a valuable opportunity to see how teams adapted their strategy on Formula E’s longest circuit. With PIT BOOST and a revised ATTACK MODE influencing race dynamics, tyre consistency was an important factor as teams managed energy and race pace across the 23-lap distance. Insights from Jarama will contribute to our ongoing collaboration with the championship as the season continues.”

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JK Tyre & Industries has approved an investment of INR 15.3 million to acquire a 26 percent stake in FPEL Burning Bright Private Ltd, as part of efforts to secure captive renewable energy supply.

FPEL Burning Bright Private Ltd, incorporated on 28 May 2025, operates in solar power generation. The company is a special purpose vehicle of Fourth Partner Energy Private Limited and is engaged in the generation and sale of electricity.

JK Tyre said the acquisition is intended to meet regulatory requirements for captive power consumption under Indian electricity laws. It will maintain a minimum 26 percent holding in FPEL for the duration of the power purchase and shareholder agreements.

The investment will be made in cash and is expected to be completed within 90 days. No regulatory or governmental approvals are required for the transaction, and it does not fall within related-party transactions, the company said.

FPEL, based in Hyderabad, currently has no reported turnover as it was recently incorporated.

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