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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Vittoria has unveiled The Quest, a 25-minute technical documentary that grants unprecedented access to its factories, laboratories and production lines. The film meticulously answers what defines a world-class bicycle tyre by examining every facet of the Corsa PRO, the brand’s premier road racing tyre trusted by top WorldTour teams. From raw material sourcing and premium cotton casing construction to advanced compound development, the film chronicles the tyre’s complete journey.

Extensive laboratory testing and real-world validation alongside professional squads are featured, alongside the human expertise driving the process. The documentary also follows the tyre from natural rubber to test tracks and ultimately to the tarmac of cycling’s most prestigious races. Created for enthusiasts seeking deeper understanding over traditional advertising, the content reflects a growing consumer appetite for educational, long-form narratives.

Now available on Vittoria’s official YouTube channel, the film aligns with modern viewing habits on smart TVs and connected home platforms. By sharing the passion and knowledge behind each Corsa PRO, Vittoria responds to evolving rider trends with meaningful storytelling that respects viewers’ intelligence and time.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has achieved the highest possible rating in the latest CDP Supplier Engagement Assessment, securing an ‘A’ score for its climate-related collaboration with vendors. This recognition from the global environmental disclosure organisation places the tyre manufacturer in the leadership tier for its supply chain emissions management.

The CDP evaluation scrutinises how corporations involve suppliers in climate strategy, focusing on emissions targets, Scope 3 greenhouse gases and cooperative initiatives. Goodyear’s top-tier score underscores its systematic approach to integrating environmental performance into procurement and partnership frameworks.

Central to this achievement is the company’s focus on value-chain emissions, supporting formal climate commitments. The firm has established science-based milestones for 2030 and a net-zero ambition for 2050. Goodyear initiated a supplier programme in 2023, mandating science-based target-setting, renewable energy adoption and transparent progress reporting from raw material providers.

The engagement strategy includes impact analyses by material type, customised development roadmaps and performance evaluations. Through structured assessments, Goodyear deepens understanding of vendor sustainability, identifies improvement areas and fosters collaboration on shared climate objectives throughout the production ecosystem.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

BKT Tires’ Waluj Plant has secured two Gold Awards for Manufacturing Innovation at the Quality Circle Forum of India’s TQM Convention 2026, hosted at the Quality Circle Excellence Centre in Pune. The recognition came in the Case Study presentation segment, where the plant’s entries stood out among a competitive field.

The awards were selected from a pool of 132 case studies, presented by 481 participants representing 38 different organisations. This achievement highlights the Waluj facility’s technical proficiency and its sustained focus on problem-solving, process optimisation and employee-driven improvements. The twin honours reflect the teams’ persistent dedication and ingenuity, reinforcing the plant’s reputation for operational resilience and manufacturing excellence.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyreSafe, UK’s leading independent tyre safety charity, has significantly expanded its industry backing with the formal addition of Dunlop and Falken to its roster of official supporters. The move arrives at a crucial juncture, as road safety advocates push for greater public awareness amid rising concerns over vehicle maintenance standards across the country.

Both brands bring considerable market weight to the charity, holding influential positions across premium, performance, SUV and light commercial vehicle categories throughout UK and Europe. Their entry into the TyreSafe fold does more than simply increase membership numbers; it injects fresh technical perspective and broadens the demographic of motorists who can be reached through co-branded safety messaging. This development coincides with the rollout of Britain’s first comprehensive road safety strategy in over a decade, a period in which industry-wide cooperation has become increasingly vital.

Practical benefits for everyday drivers are expected to emerge quickly, as the partnership enables larger-scale distribution of educational content on tyre care fundamentals such as proper inflation, tread evaluation and defect recognition. Beyond public awareness, the alliance creates a framework for joint research ventures and information exchange, potentially yielding richer data on accident causation and tyre performance under varied conditions. These insights are likely to inform future campaign designs and help address gaps in current road safety knowledge.

The collaboration reinforces a growing consensus within the automotive sector that preventable road incidents demand unified responses rather than isolated efforts. TyreSafe will coordinate closely with its new partners on targeted initiatives spanning driver education, industry engagement and policy advocacy. By combining the charity’s strategic oversight with the commercial reach and engineering expertise of Dunlop and Falken, the group aims to foster lasting behavioural shifts among motorists, ultimately contributing to a measurable decline in tyre-related casualties on UK roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome both DUNLOP and FALKEN to TyreSafe. Their decision to join TyreSafe demonstrates a clear commitment to road safety. This is significant not only for TyreSafe, but for road users. The more leading manufacturers we can bring together around a shared vision for safer roads, the greater our ability to influence behaviour, share expertise, generate evidence and deliver life-saving safety messages. The publication of the Government’s new national Road Safety Strategy has created a renewed focus on casualty reduction across UK. Achieving those ambitious goals will require genuine collaboration between industry, government, enforcement and road safety organisations, and we are excited to have DUNLOP and FALKEN joining us on that journey.”

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe and FALKEN Tyres Europe, said, “We are delighted to join TyreSafe and become part of an organisation that has played such an important role in improving tyre safety awareness across UK for more than two decades. At DUNLOP and FALKEN, safety, innovation and performance are at the heart of everything we do. As manufacturers, we recognise that delivering world-class products is only part of the equation; helping road users understand the importance of tyre maintenance and vehicle safety is equally important. TyreSafe has built a strong reputation for bringing together industry, enforcement, government and road safety partners to drive meaningful change, and we are proud to be joining that community. We believe that by working collaboratively and sharing expertise, we can help raise awareness of the vital role tyres play in keeping people safe on the roads. We look forward to supporting TyreSafe’s mission and contributing to initiatives that encourage safer journeys for road users across UK.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!