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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CEAT Limited has incorporated a step-down subsidiary in Germany, marking an extension of its overseas corporate structure.

The BSE-listed tyre maker said it had received a certificate of registration on 20^th April  for the incorporation of CEAT GmbH, a wholly owned step-down subsidiary set up with a capital of €25,000.

The subsidiary is held entirely through a wholly owned arm of CEAT Limited, giving the parent company indirect 100 percent ownership.

The company stated that CEAT GmbH would operate in the automotive tyres and related products segment, including tubes, tracks, flaps and ancillary activities.

As the entity has been newly incorporated, no turnover figures are available.

CEAT said the subsidiary qualifies as a related party, although promoters and group companies have no direct interest in it beyond its status as a step-down subsidiary.

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NEXEN TIRE has unveiled a major marketing push across United States designed to lift brand visibility among everyday drivers and sports fans alike. The initiative merges high-profile sports arena placements with hands-on retail strategies, aiming to reach consumers through stadium screens, in-store displays and moving advertisements. Company officials see this broad approach as a key step in deepening connections with the American market, which remains the world’s largest for tyre sales.

A central piece of the effort involves digital LED advertising inside nine Major League Baseball stadiums spread across four different US regions, ensuring exposure to both live crowds and television audiences. The company has also purchased commercial time on more than 10 sports networks to stretch its national reach. Beyond baseball, NEXEN TIRE will extend its existing sponsorship of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks, adding ribbon boards and exterior billboards at the team’s home rink and training facility.

On the retail side, the manufacturer is placing banner and digital advertisements at over 3,000 locations throughout North America, including major big-box chains and specialised tyre stores. A separate truckside advertising campaign will put branded wraps on delivery vehicles operated by key dealer partners, turning highways and local roads into moving billboards. The North American region already generates 22 percent of NEXEN TIRE’s total revenue, a figure representing roughly 40 percent growth since 2021, with larger diameter tyres of 18 inches and above now accounting for half of all regional sales due to rising demand for trucks, SUVs and premium vehicles.

The company has further strengthened its position by broadening its retail distribution network, launching new tyre models, attending industry gatherings like the SEMA Show and hosting test drive events for dealers. With this latest brand investment, NEXEN TIRE expects to accelerate its growth trajectory and lock in a more permanent presence across the North American market.

Brian (Yoonseok) Han, CEO, Nexen Tire America, said, "The core of this strategy is making NEXEN TIRE a natural part of American consumers' everyday lives, from stadiums to stores to the roads they drive on each day. By combining sports marketing with retail activation in a comprehensive campaign, we expect to accelerate growth in the North American market."

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Dunlop Tire Corporation (DUNLOP) has entered a strategic partnership with the International Auto Film Festa (IAFF), now in its fourth year as a global hub for automotive cinema. All future references to the event from 2026 onward will carry the title ‘International Auto Film Festa - Powered by DUNLOP’, marking a significant branding shift.

The Tokyo-based festival has quickly become a unique cultural celebration blending automobiles, filmmaking and creativity. Filmmakers worldwide are invited to submit original short films of up to 15 minutes, covering car culture, cinematography, animation, artificial intelligence and motorsport. As the official title partner, Dunlop will help expand the festival’s international footprint, rooted in shared values of innovation, performance and storytelling.

All 12 judges have already cast their votes for this year’s winners. The award ceremony and party for the International Auto Film Festa - Powered by DUNLOP will take place on 25 April in Tokyo’s Roppongi district.

Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Founder, IAFF, said, “We are truly honoured to welcome Dunlop, a global brand, as our title partner. IAFF is not merely a short movie competition but a new cultural platform where automobiles and cinema merge. With Dunlop's strong support, we are confident that, together with creators and their works from around the world, we can vividly portray the future of automotive culture from Japan, a major automotive nation.”

Akito Makino President and CEO, Dunlop Tire Corporation, said, “Dunlop supports the International Auto Film Festa, which aims to showcase the appeal and potential of automotive culture through film, and has decided to sponsor this film festival. As a company that supports the evolution of mobility and the emotions of people, we will continue to contribute to the development of diverse values and culture surrounding automobiles.”

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Pirelli has announced a technical update for the Moto2 class ahead of the World Championship’s European season opener this weekend in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The Italian tyre manufacturer will supply riders with a new rear development tyre designated F0192. This specification shares the same structural design as the existing supersoft SCX but introduces an alternative compound aimed at enhancing wear resistance and delivering more consistent performance over race distances.

Following its initial rollout at the United States Grand Prix, the standard supersoft SCX remains available for this round, enabling Moto2 competitors to conduct a direct back‑to‑back comparison with the new compound variant. Both rear supersoft options may be paired with the standard soft SC1 and medium SC2 front tyres. With the addition of the development tyre, each intermediate class rider will have access to up to ten rear tyres across the weekend.

For the Moto3 category, the championship’s entry class will rely on proven, reliable solutions. Riders will use the soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds for both front and rear positions. These specifications have a successful track record in Jerez, as demonstrated last year when José Antonio Rueda claimed victory with a medium SC2 front and a soft SC1 rear.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “On the occasion of the Spanish GP, scheduled for this weekend at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto, we have decided to provide Moto2™ riders with a new rear development specification, the F0192. Compared to the standard supersoft SCX, it retains the same structure but features a new compound. This solution should improve wear while also delivering more consistent performance over race distance.

“The Jerez circuit is an excellent testing ground for evaluating new soft solutions, as it does not have highly abrasive asphalt and, at this time of year, temperatures are usually warm enough to allow the use of particularly soft options. In addition to this new solution, riders will of course also have access to the standard SCX, enabling a direct comparison between the two tyres under the same track and weather conditions, providing us with the most accurate feedback possible. The supersoft was already used as a race tyre last year and proved well suited to the characteristics of this circuit, so it is simply a matter of understanding which of the two alternatives will be preferred by the riders.”

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