Just concluded 2021 will stand out as a defining year for the tyre industry in India as it embarked upon an ambitious initiative – Charting a path to greater raw material security by attaining self-reliance in natural rubber (NR) availability.

The journey to become self-reliant is not new for the Indian tyre industry. The industry was amongst the first ones to become self-sufficient much before the slogan of being Atma Nirbhar was coined. For years, India has been producing practically all the tyres it requires making it one of the few countries that are self-dependent in tyre manufacturing. Much before a vehicle is rolled out, the tyre Industry is ready with the fitments having worked out specifications and standards to the minutest details.

While India has developed globally competitive tyre manufacturing capabilities, realising the vision of being Atma Nirbhar necessitates achieving self-sufficiency of the entire value chain in view of strong backward and forward linkages.

In this context, the ATMA NR project, launched during the year, attains all the more importance. Natural rubber is a key raw material for the Indian tyre industry. Unlike the global scenario where the ratio is skewed in favour of synthetic rubber, Indian industry stands out for its unique preference for NR.

However, NR demand has been outstripping domestic supply and the gap is widening. Going forward, the situation may become more challenging for the NR Consuming interests. Imports may not be sustainable considering the strategic importance of NR as raw material and also in view of large outflows of foreign exchange that the Government has been trying to discourage.

As one of its kind initiatives that could hold a template for several other raw material intensive sectors, the NR Project is designed to implement the scheme for developing a substantial 200,000 hectares of rubber plantations in the North Eastern states financially supported by major tyre companies, represented by ATMA with technical support and coordination by the Rubber Board.

This collaborative project in PPP mode involving tyre majors, Rubber Board and financing institutions is a landmark initiative where the consuming industry would be contributing directly to the development of plantation.

The project took off early in the year with a visit to the North East (Tripura, Meghalaya & Assam) by top leadership from ATMA Member companies along with Dr KN Raghavan, Executive Director of Rubber Board in February 2021 to get a first-hand understanding of ground level situation and connect with state leadership and policy makers.

Minister for Commerce & Industry (CIM), Government of India Piyush Goyal has been the prime motivating force, mentoring the project at every step right from the inception. A meeting convened by the Minister in the month of June 2021 discussed threadbare the launch of the project and the road ahead. The CIM proposed a meeting with the chief ministers of North-Eastern states to take them on board, seek their full support and fast track the project. The CIM even offered to speak to the CMs to inform them about the wider benefits of the NR Project for their respective states.

Since availability of planting material locally in North East states was a challenge, plans were made to transport the saplings from Kerala to the North East by rail. Few thousand saplings were initially sent as a pilot which reached Guwahati in good condition.

 It was an emotional moment for all the stakeholders in natural rubber sector, when the first full consignment was sent by a special train 'Bharathappuzha - Brahmaputra Rubber Express', to Azara, Guwahati, from Thiruvalla Railway Station on 10th July 21. It carried 1.33 lakh rubber saplings packed in specially designed cartons. These saplings were distributed in the NE states for planting in the identified areas.

Eventually, Biplab Kumar Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura formally launched the NR Project under Chief Minister's Rubber Mission on 14th August 21 at Pathaliaghat in Sepahijala district of Tripura and the project is shaping up well ever since.

 India has emerged as a front runner as the world pursues alternatives to China in the field of manufacturing. Given the spirit of entrepreneurship backed by the policy reforms, the country is poised to play its due role in the global supply chains.

At the same time, the need for raw material security cannot be over emphasised as India looks to become the manufacturing hub of the world. It goes to the credit of the Government that it has shown keen interest in enabling policies to encourage domestic manufacturing, including tyre and allied sectors.

The fact that the ATMA NR Project could see the light of the day under the shadow of ongoing pandemic says a lot about the commitment of all the stakeholders to fight against odds. That surely augurs well for raw material security and sustainability as we welcome the New Year.

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Plannex Recycling has entered into a strategic partnership with French technology firm REGOM to establish a closed-loop tyre recycling system in India. The collaboration aims to replace manual sorting with AI-powered identification and X-ray technology to improve traceability and processing safety.

The initiative addresses operational challenges in the Indian recycling sector, including labour shortages and equipment damage caused by hidden contaminants such as batteries and TPMS sensors. By automating the identification process, the companies intend to create a verifiable data trail for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.

Plannex will deploy REGOM’s automated systems to classify light vehicle, truck and bus tyres. The technology uses AI vision to categorise tyres by type and condition, while an integrated X-ray unit scans for metal fragments and electronic components before materials enter the shredder. This process reduces the risk of plant shutdowns and fire hazards.

Key features of the system include:

• Contaminant Detection: X-ray scanning for batteries and sensors to protect downstream machinery.
• Data Traceability: Automated, time-stamped records of material flows to support EPR audits.
• Regulatory Readiness: Support for RFID infrastructure and Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements aligned with EU standards.
• Downstream Optimisation: Classification of tyres for specific uses, including retreading, mechanical recycling and pyrolysis.

Yashraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder and CSO, Plannex Recycling, said, “India’s tyre infrastructure undoubtedly has the potential to scale and improve, but we need the right tools and infrastructure to match the ambition. Our newly forged partnership with REGOM paves the way for us to move from reactive, manual operations to a data-driven, verifiable system, where the quality of every output stream can be demonstrated. We are pleased to collaborate with REGOM, which has incredible expertise in the tyre solutions segment, and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Arthur Wagner, Director, REGOM, stated, “We are excited to join hands with Plannex, which has contributed immensely to shaping India’s recycling and waste management sector. What we have built together is the data backbone for a circular tyre economy. When every tyre is identified, tracked, and routed based on its actual condition and composition, the entire recycling system becomes more efficient and transparent. We look forward to working with the Plannex team to achieve our shared vision and ensure a long-standing relationship.”

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Continental has achieved a key objective within its global sustainability framework by permanently eliminating the use of coal and heavy fuel oil at all of its tyre manufacturing sites. Effective January 2026, all facilities have transitioned to alternative energy solutions for producing the steam essential to tyre production and facility heating. This new energy landscape incorporates biomass, biogas, renewably sourced electricity and supplemental fuels like liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas to maintain a consistent and reliable energy supply.

In the early part of the last decade, more than a third of Continental’s global tyre plants depended on coal and heavy oil to meet their thermal needs. This reliance was largely due to the necessity for stable heat output and dependable operations, particularly in regions lacking robust gas or electrical grids. Today, through sustained, strategic investment, every Continental tyre plant operates on a customised blend of these cleaner energy carriers.

A substantial portion of energy in tyre manufacturing is dedicated to thermal processes, most notably vulcanisation, which imparts the essential elastic characteristics to rubber. While steam for this purpose has traditionally been generated from fossil fuels, emerging electric technologies are now enabling a more adaptable and energy-efficient approach.

Beyond thermal energy, Continental has secured its electricity from renewable sources since 2020 and is actively increasing its onsite generation capabilities. This comprehensive strategy yielded significant results in 2025, with the greenhouse gas intensity of its manufacturing dropping by over 10 percent from the prior year and approximately 70 percent from the 2019 baseline. The decisive move away from high-emission energy carriers has alone resulted in a reduction of roughly 180,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ from tyre production over the last four years.

The specific composition of energy sources at Continental’s various locations is inherently diverse, reflecting local infrastructure, resource availability and market conditions. However, a universal principle applies: a definitive pledge to abandon coal and embrace sources with a diminished carbon footprint. The plant in Gqeberha, South Africa, which once relied on coal for steam, now primarily utilises biomass, with LPG addressing its remaining needs. A parallel evolution occurred at the Kalutara facility in Sri Lanka, where the introduction of a second biomass boiler last year completed the phase-out of heavy oil, allowing all steam to be generated from renewable biomass. In Otrokovice, Czech Republic, Continental collaborated with its local energy provider to realign steam production with its climate ambitions. This partnership led to a gradual conversion of the power plant’s fuel base from coal to biomass and natural gas, now supplying the tyre plant with steam that is predominantly biomass-generated, a shift that also benefits the wider community through cleaner district heating.

The comprehensive switch to alternative energy sources for steam generation is a tangible manifestation of Continental’s broader dedication to sustainability. The company persists in enhancing energy efficiency and amplifying its reliance on renewables throughout production. These concrete actions and transparent reporting have garnered external acknowledgment, evidenced by an A- rating from the CDP in 2025 for climate leadership and emissions reduction.

Dr Bernhard Trilken, head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Continental Tires, said, “For us, coal and heavy fuel oil are a thing of the past. The future increasingly lies in renewable energies. By relying on a smart mix of energy sources – increasingly renewable and ideally generated directly on site – we are making our manufacturing more independent and therefore more resilient.”

Henning Mühlenstedt, Head of Future Technologies and Sustainable Infrastructure, Continental Tires, said, “We have significantly reduced our production-related CO₂ emissions, thanks to continuous investments in electrification and changing the energy sources used for heat generation at our plants worldwide.”

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Pirelli has secured a position in the top one percent of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for 2026, distinguishing itself as the exclusive tyre manufacturer globally to achieve this distinction. This marks another consecutive year the company has been featured at this elite level. The annual publication evaluates the environmental, social and governance performance of over 9,200 corporations worldwide, with a place in the top percentile representing the pinnacle of its assessment framework.

This honour is a direct result of Pirelli’s performance in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, where it attained 86 points. This score was the highest recorded within both the Auto Components and Automobiles industry sectors. The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to embedding responsibility and innovation into its core business strategy.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, the company’s Executive Vice President for Sustainability, New Mobility and Motorsport, views this continued recognition as validation of their efforts to weave responsible practices into operational choices. The company’s priorities, which focus on technological advancement, transparent supply chain management and a strong emphasis on safety and employee development, are central to building long-term value and maintaining competitiveness. The Sustainability Yearbook is a leading annual publication that highlights top-performing companies based on data from the Corporate Sustainability Assessment, a tool renowned for providing detailed, sector-specific comparisons of key sustainability metrics.

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Prinx has announced an evolution in its enduring partnership with Garrett Truck Sport, marking a new chapter in their collaboration from the 2026 season onwards. The tyre manufacturer will assume lead brand status within the team’s motorsport programme, bringing a sharper brand focus and renewed drive to the initiative. This strategic shift is intended to strengthen the programme’s identity both on and off the track while elevating visibility for the Prinx brand and reinforcing the technical commitment that underpins the project. It also ensures closer integration between motorsport activities and the company’s wider commercial objectives across Europe.

The decision follows a strategic meeting in London, where Prinx representatives and the Garrett Truck Sport management team reviewed the 2025 season and aligned on the future direction. Driver Luke Garrett also took part in the discussions, which centred on creative alignment and the expression of the partnership throughout the 2026 season – from trackside presence to broader communications. With Prinx now taking the lead, the partnership aligns closely with the brand’s expanding footprint in the European commercial tyre sector and the ongoing rollout of its Truck and Bus range.

While Prinx assumes the flagship role, the wider brand portfolio remains integral to the programme. Austone Tires, Fortune Tires and Chengshan Tires continue to operate under the group’s unified motorsport platform, ensuring clarity and consistency for partners across Europe. From a commercial standpoint, the transition strengthens Prinx’s position in the European market.

Beyond track visibility, the partnership serves as a platform for genuine connection. Throughout the 2026 European Truck Racing Championship, Prinx will host selected partners and guests through a tailored hospitality programme at major events, fostering shared experiences and deeper collaboration within an authentic motorsport setting.

Ari Salah, Marketing Manager, Prinx, said, “This is a great opportunity for the PRINX brand to gain greater visibility and bring our portfolio into the spotlight. We are looking forward to the upcoming events and are pleased to share this journey with our partners. Updated Prinx flagship branding and livery will be revealed ahead of the 2026 season.”

Adrian Costache, Commercial Director, Prinx, said, “Taking the lead brand role allows us to focus the partnership more clearly on our commercial priorities in Europe and to support our partners with a strong, consistent presence throughout the season.”

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