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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Maxxis has officially unveiled the next generation of its widely used MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to deliver marked improvements in both durability and traction for performance mountain bike tyres. Responding to rider concerns about rising costs and the desire for longer-lasting equipment, the brand has focused on extending tyre lifespan without compromising the rolling efficiency that its products are known for.

Following extensive laboratory development, Maxxis engineers have achieved a reported 30 percent gain in tread wear and durability compared to the original MaxxTerra, alongside a 15 percent increase in traction. Crucially, these enhancements come without any sacrifice in rolling resistance, ensuring consistent performance from the first ride through many subsequent outings, thereby reducing the frequency of tyre changes and maximising trail time.

The updated compound is being introduced across the full range of Maxxis trail tyres in phases, with the first phase available immediately. The new generation is identifiable by packaging marked with a New MaxxTerra graphic, while the tyre’s tech badge now simply reads MaxxTerra, replacing the previous designation of 3C MaxxTerra.

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Tana is poised to deliver a compelling presence at IFAT 2026, scheduled for 4–7 May, where the central invitation for attendees is to Feel the Energy through live displays of high-performance machinery, recent innovations and advanced digital tools. This year’s exhibition focuses on how intelligent technology and powerful waste processing equipment can work together to achieve both efficiency and operational excellence.

Visitors can experience the TANA Hammerhead, a mobile shredder engineered for demanding waste environments with a focus on maximising uptime and productivity. On the first day of the show, Tana will also unveil an exciting new product, representing a major leap in waste management technology through innovative engineering and practical operational benefits. Live demonstrations of the TANA Shark shredder will take place daily at 10:30, 12:00, 14:30, and 16:00 at the stand of German distributor VENETO Schwenter GmbH (FS.911/1).

Another highlight is the Tana Wingman, a live digital operator assistant that improves visibility, safety and efficiency. It provides real-time machine data and a live hopper camera view on a tablet interface without needing cloud services or internet, keeping all data secure on site. This system enhances situational awareness during loading and feeding, helping operators react quickly to blockages or irregular material flow while reducing the need to leave the operating area.

Tana is also piloting an AI-driven proof of concept called the TanaConnect Smart Assistant, developed with spogen.ai, which enables hands-free, voice-activated interaction for operators and service teams. This assistant offers intuitive, context-aware access to machine information, reducing time spent searching manuals. At Stand 227 in Hall B5, Tana welcomes IFAT attendees to an interactive space where experts are available to discuss how these solutions can improve productivity and workflows, offering a firsthand look at the future of waste management technology.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is preparing a major presence at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, the world’s leading tyre industry trade fair running from 9 to 11 June 2026. Building on its successful collaborative model, AZuR will return with an even larger network of partners representing all facets of the sustainable tyre circular economy. At the joint exhibition stand located in Hall 7.1, nineteen AZuR members from across the tyre and recycling sectors will showcase their work while the alliance takes on an intensive role within the fair’s event programme.

By bringing together industry, small businesses, trade and recycling specialists once again, AZuR demonstrates the full circular value chain under one roof. Visitors to the stand can explore sustainable new tyre production alongside repair, retreading, and both mechanical and chemical recycling processes.

The 2026 fair will place a special emphasis on promoting tyre retreading as a proven method to save resources, slash CO₂ emissions and reduce costs through multiple reuse of quality casings. To help retreading gain wider traction, AZuR is inviting European retreaders to attend and is integrating the topic into dedicated events and new dialogue formats spanning the entire value chain.

Among the fresh initiatives is a municipal dialogue connecting city decision-makers with experts to showcase retreaded tyres for public fleets, waste management and transit systems, highlighting CO₂ savings and up to 30 percent lower operating costs. An educational project called Retreading Goes to School will train tyre dealers, auto shops and their staff on the safety, quality and economic benefits of this technology.

THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 thus offers AZuR and its partners an unmatched platform for presenting innovations, best practices and concrete solutions. The joint stand will also serve as a meeting hub for policymakers, scientists and business leaders to discuss advancing retreading, new uses for recycled materials, chemical recycling progress like pyrolysis and better political frameworks.

AZuR network coordinator Anna-Maria Guth said, “Our joint stand demonstrates the strength of the industry when it works together on solutions. The increasing number of partners participating confirms our approach and the relevance of the tyre circular economy.”

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS marked the 46th Disability Day by organising a sports day and donation event on 16 April 2026 at Yeongnak Aenea’s House, a residential care facility for children with severe disabilities in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Employees paired one on one with the children, who have limited chances for outdoor activities, and together they took part in various sports and recreational programmes, creating meaningful experiences.

The donation will be used to replace wheelchair inner seats, purchase specialised rehabilitation equipment and upgrade the facility’s environment. This partnership began in 2012, and this year marks its 15th anniversary. Through regular in person volunteering such as assisting with walks and supporting sports events, the company has consistently worked to improve quality of life and promote independence for people with severe disabilities.

This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to the social contribution slogan Value Together, emphasised by Vice Chairman H.S. CHO, who states that providing practical support to marginalised neighbours is a corporate responsibility. In recognition of its efforts, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been selected for seven consecutive years under the Community Contribution Recognition Program, received a Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation and achieved the highest S Grade rating.

Since its establishment, the HS HYOSUNG Group has carried out various social contribution activities, including cultural programmes for people with disabilities and initiatives for national veterans. Moving forward, the group plans to further expand its efforts to create social value based on its management philosophy of mutual growth with local communities.

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