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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THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026 is advancing its position as the foremost global platform for the tyre and wheel industry through a significantly enhanced INNOVATION LAB. This evolution places a deliberate emphasis on the circular economy, reflecting the sector’s shift towards sustainable practices. A key addition is the dedicated ‘Material & Production’ segment, which allows visitors to engage directly with advancements in sustainable raw materials, intelligent manufacturing and closed-loop systems that define modern tire production.

This integrated approach addresses the industry's pressing challenges, including stringent sustainability regulations and the integration of digital technologies. The INNOVATION LAB serves as a dynamic hub for dialogue and demonstration, where companies and research institutions showcase practical innovations across the entire value chain. Attendees can explore everything from artificial intelligence and automation in manufacturing to zero-waste initiatives and advanced recycling methods, making the future of tire production tangible.

Central to this experience is a redesigned Circular Economy Area that visually maps the complete lifecycle of a tyre for the first time. It traces the journey from raw material extraction and resource-efficient production to use, reuse and final recycling. This physical representation is further enriched by a curated stage programme. Hosted by the European Rubber Journal, the Future Tire Forum will facilitate critical discussions on material science, production technologies, quality management and extended producer responsibility.

Collectively, these strategic expansions underpin the long-term vision of THE TIRE COLOGNE. By continuously adapting its offerings, the trade fair consolidates its essential role as the central nexus for innovation and business, guiding the international tire industry towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

Ingo Riedeberger, Director, THE TIRE COLOGNE, said, "The combination of INNOVATION LAB and the expanded Circular Economy Area shows how sustainable processes interlock with one another in the tyre industry. With the new Material & Production segment, we depict the circular economy of the industry holistically for the first time."

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Apollo Tyres Ltd is broadening its cycling portfolio with a new all-season, high-performance option: the Vredestein Superpasso Pro 4S. Engineered for competitive cyclists, this tyre is designed to provide reliable speed and handling throughout the year, regardless of weather or road conditions. It will be available across Europe from 1 March 2026 in four different width sizes to accommodate various road bikes.

Developed at the company's European Global R&D Centre, the tyre builds upon the existing Superpasso Pro platform. It aims to merge the low rolling resistance and responsiveness of a summer performance tyre with the enhanced grip, durability and puncture resistance necessary for consistent year-round use. A key innovation is the proprietary ‘TriComp’ technology, which utilises multiple rubber compounds. A harder, reinforced centre section promotes efficiency and longevity, while softer shoulder compounds deliver superior traction and stability when cornering, even on wet or uneven surfaces.

Further contributing to its all-season capability is an optimised tread pattern. This design efficiently channels water away and maximizses the tyre's contact patch with the road, ensuring predictable handling. Underneath this tread, a 120 TPI casing and a reinforced breaker layer work in tandem to bolster puncture protection and overall resilience. Additionally, the model incorporates ‘Active Control Technology’, featuring a unique bridged centre structure. This construction method reduces overall weight and enhances the direct feedback transmitted to the rider, resulting in a more agile and connected riding experience.

Nic Knippers, Divisional Head – Vredestein Two Wheel Tyres, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Following the success of the new-generation Superpasso Pro, we saw a clear opportunity to create an all-season variant that would allow competitive and enthusiast riders stay on the bike longer, regardless of the weather. The Superpasso Pro 4S achieves exactly that, faithfully transmitting rider power and steering inputs to all surfaces, year-round.”

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Polymer Alumni Welfare Association (PAWA), in association with Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) and Dr D Banerjee Centre of Excellence (DBCOE), Mysuru and with the support of Department of Polymer Technology at Karnataka (Govt) Polytechnic, Mangaluru, is jointly conducting the third edition of DPT-Con 2026, a national-level conference scheduled to be held on 23rd & 24th January 2026 at KPT College campus, Mangaluru.

Carrying the theme “Sustainable Polymer for a Smarter Future,” DPT-Con 2026 aims to bring together industry professionals, alumni, academicians, and students on a common platform to advance learning and collaboration for infrastructure development in polymer science and technology.

“Karnataka (Govt.) Polytechnic, a 78-year-old institution approved by AICTE, as India’s first Autonomous status Polytechnic, has been home to the Department of Polymer Technology since 1975. Over the past five decades, the department has produced more than 1,000 polymer technologists who today serve across the Tyre, Rubber, Plastics, TPE and composite industries in India and abroad. Many of these alumni now hold senior technical and leadership roles, forming a strong industry–academia bridge,” says S Vasudev Rao, convener, DPT-Con 2026. 

PAWA, established in 2017 by senior alumni of the department, has played a pivotal role in strengthening this ecosystem. The association focuses on enhancing student competencies through industry engagement, infrastructure upgrades and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Earlier editions of DPT Con, held in 2018 and 2023, directly contributed to the upgradation of the rubber processing laboratory and the establishment of a modern plastic processing laboratory at the institute.

Building on this legacy, DPT-Con 2026 has set ambitious objectives. The conference seeks to fundraising to establish a cutting-edge incubation centre for composites, to provide scholarships to meritorious & deserving students, and support the maintenance and modernisation of existing rubber, plastic, TPE and composite laboratories. Enhanced student exposure through advanced equipment and real-time industrial interaction is a key focus area, alongside fostering long-term collaboration between industry, alumni and academia. The two-day programme will feature technical paper presentations, expert lectures, networking sessions and cultural programmes. A structured sponsorship framework—ranging from main and platinum sponsors to gold, kit and lunch sponsors—has been designed to encourage active industry participation, with opportunities for technical presentations and brand visibility during the event.

Organisers have set a fund-raising target of INR 2 million to support the planned initiatives and have invited industry leaders, alumni and well-wishers to contribute through sponsorships, kind support or direct participation. According to the organising committee, contributions to DPT-Con 2026 will have a direct and lasting impact on student skill development and the creation of infrastructure aligned with contemporary industry standards.

"With sustainability, innovation and collaboration at its core, DPT-Con 2026 is positioned not merely as a conference, but as a collective effort to shape the next generation of polymer technologists and strengthen India’s polymer ecosystem for the future," adds S Vasudev Rao. 

In addition to Polymer Alumni dedicated team Indian Rubber Institute- DBCOE team joined hands to fulfill this noble cause.

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Pirelli’s 2025 was defined by exceptional innovation and acclaim across its product lines and pioneering technologies, earning numerous independent awards and test victories. The company’s flagship families – P Zero, Cinturato and Scorpion – collectively secured 27 podium finishes in 34 comparative evaluations, with 15 of those positions being first place. New global market launches were particularly successful; both the fifth-generation P Zero and the new Cinturato summer tyre each claimed two major victories. The P Zero was celebrated as the top ultra-high performance summer tyre by industry experts, while the Cinturato demonstrated an outstanding blend of safety and efficiency. Winter performance was also highlighted by the P Zero Winter 2, which won its category in rigorous testing by a leading Swedish automotive magazine.

Specialised technologies integrated into these tyres further enhanced their appeal, offering motorists tangible benefits such as increased puncture resistance and reduced cabin noise. Meanwhile, the all-season segment saw remarkable dominance from Pirelli, especially in the European market. The Cinturato All Season SF3 proved extraordinarily versatile, earning 11 test victories and widespread praise for its balanced safety profile across diverse conditions. Its SUV-oriented counterpart, the Scorpion All Season SF3, quickly replicated this success following its launch. This collective achievement led Pirelli to be crowned the All Season Champion and Top Manufacturer of All Season Tyres by prestigious German institutions.

Complementing these product triumphs, Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre technology received significant international recognition, underscoring its role in advancing connected mobility. This integrated system uses in-tyre sensors and proprietary algorithms to communicate vital data with vehicle electronics in real time, enhancing safety and performance. Over the year, it was honoured four times across different continents, including a top innovation award in the United States, a safety prize in France, a pan-European safety accolade and a Company of the Year title from a noted market analysis firm. These awards collectively affirm how Pirelli’s digital advancements are fundamentally transforming traditional automotive components, positioning the company at the forefront of the industry’s connected future.

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