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.
Apollo Tyres Launches Vredestein Superpasso 2 Road Bike Tyre
- By TT News
- May 19, 2026
Apollo Tyres Ltd has expanded its cycling portfolio with the release of the Vredestein Superpasso 2, a mid-range road tyre borrowing compound technology from the brand’s premium Superpasso Pro model. The new offering targets cycling enthusiasts and leisure riders by pairing that professional-grade tread with a highly durable casing.
Engineers have focused on reducing rolling resistance, achieving an improvement of up to 19 percent on the 28 mm tubeless-ready version compared to the previous generation. This gain comes without sacrificing the established levels of grip or puncture protection, thanks largely to an updated casing and compound rather than structural overhauls. The tyre also retains its predecessor’s 100 TPI casing and reinforced breaker layer.
Apollo’s TriComp technology employs distinct rubber compounds across the tread and shoulders, with a firmer centre promoting durability and lower resistance while softer shoulders enhance wet-weather cornering. Available from May 2026 across Europe, the Superpasso 2 will be offered in tubeless-ready options of 28-622 and 32-622, as well as tube-type sizes of 25-622, 28-622 and 32-622, in both black-black and black-transparent finishes.
Nic Knippers, Divisional Head, Vredestein Two Wheel Tyres, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “With the Superpasso 2, rolling resistance has been significantly reduced while grip and puncture protection remain at the same high level. No rider wants a flat tyre – they want a tyre that delivers both speed and safety, without compromise.”
Vredestein Comtrac 2+ Named Overall Winner In Promobil Motorhome Tyre Test
- By TT News
- May 18, 2026
The Vredestein Comtrac 2+ has been named the overall winner in the latest summer tyre test by Promobil, Germany’s leading motorhome magazine. The assessment focused on high-demand driving scenarios, with the tyre earning particular recognition for its short stopping distances on both wet and dry pavement.
The test evaluated seven leading summer tyres in size 225/75 R 16 C 121 R on a Fiat Ducato-based motorhome. All competitors were C-type products for vans and campers. The Comtrac 2+ recorded the best wet braking performance at 27 metres from 80 kmph and the highest aquaplaning resistance speed of 93.5 kmph. In dry conditions, it again led the field with a shortest braking distance of 41.1 metres, securing the test winner accolade.
Launched in late 2025, the Comtrac 2+ is available in 21 sizes for 15- to 17-inch rims, including XL load-rated versions. Its wet weather capability comes from a highly dispersible silica filler and a tread pattern designed to expel water. A durable construction, strengthened bead area for stability under load, and reinforced sidewalls for wear resistance contribute to its longevity and handling performance.
Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This latest independent test confirms the Comtrac 2+ is one of the leading C-type summer tyres on the market. Tyre development requires a careful balance of characteristics, and this result shows that we have created a summer product that is an ideal choice for motorhomes operating in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.”
Gothenburg District Court Rejects Termination Request For Enviro’s Company Reorganisation
- By TT News
- May 18, 2026
Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has received a ruling from the Gothenburg District Court regarding its ongoing company reorganisation process. The court decided that the reorganisation, which the company has been undergoing, will continue rather than be terminated.
This legal determination follows a request submitted to the court that sought an end to the restructuring proceedings. In response to that request, Enviro had already provided its own statement to the District Court arguing for the continuation of the process. With the court’s latest decision now formally issued, the company is permitted to move forward with its planned measures without disruption.
Enviro has expressed a positive view of the court’s ruling, seeing it as an endorsement that allows the firm to persist with the necessary actions aimed at securing a long-term and sustainable business operation.
Michelin India Expands Rajasthan Presence With New MTS Store In Jodhpur
- By TT News
- May 18, 2026
Michelin India has opened a new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) store in Jodhpur through a partnership with Sushil Tyres. Located on Chopasani Road, the facility expands the French tyre giant’s retail footprint across Rajasthan while offering premium tyre solutions to local motorists.
Spanning 1,800 square feet, the outlet features Michelin’s full range of passenger car tyres alongside modern wheel alignment and balancing equipment. The inauguration was led by Prashant Sharma, Michelin India’s National Sales Director, with the site designed to deliver a premium and convenient service experience.
Jodhpur, known as the Blue City and a fast-growing commercial hub in Rajasthan, benefits from a strong tourism economy and rising numbers of premium vehicle owners. Sushil Tyres, a trusted local name since 1984, brings over four decades of aftermarket expertise, making the collaboration a blend of global technology and deep community knowledge focused on safety, durability and performance.
Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said: “Jodhpur represents a key market in Michelin's growth strategy for the region. The city's rapidly evolving mobility landscape, driven by growing infrastructure and a rising base of premium vehicle owners, makes it an important hub for our retail expansion. The launch of our new Michelin Tyres & Services Store in Jodhpur reinforces our commitment to expanding our network and ensuring greater accessibility to Michelin's premium products and services. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers”
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