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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Pirelli has achieved a historic electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring, courtesy of its P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyres fitted to a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit. The car demolished the traditional seven-minute barrier by posting 6:55 minutes, outperforming all other production electric vehicles on the punishing circuit. A bespoke tyre version delivered decisive extra grip. This result marked a major improvement over the 2023 benchmark of 7:07.5 set by the Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. The rubber also features Pirelli Elect technology, designed to boost electrified vehicle dynamics.

The latest Nürburgring triumph cements the P Zero Trofeo RS as the definitive track tyre. Originally created as original equipment for hypercars and supercars, including custom variants for the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS, it has now entered the replacement market. This move brings Pirelli’s expertise from premium fitments directly to customers. Intended for drivers who demand ultra-high performance, the tyre also carries road homologation despite its track-focused design.

Developed specifically for the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit, this tyre is the first production model made with over 50 percent certified bio-based and recycled materials to contribute to a Nürburgring record. A dedicated logo on the sidewall identifies this composition. The natural rubber used holds Forest Stewardship Council certification, ensuring responsible supply chain management.

The P Zero Trofeo RS has recently earned top recognition from Tyre Reviews as the finest among the fastest tyres globally, citing dry grip and consistency. Auto Bild Sportscars also gave an exemplary rating after comparing five road-legal semi-slick tyres. Since its debut, the tyre has accumulated multiple records on the German circuit, including three in 2025: the electric vehicle lap record, the first 7:30 time for compact cars and the fastest touring car record.

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) will present a dedicated exhibit at the Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026, scheduled from 23 to 25 June in Stuttgart, Germany. The showcase is organised by UKIP Media & Events Ltd.

At booth number 1474 in Hall 1 of Messe Stuttgart, the company will feature its proprietary SENSING CORE software. This technology detects tyre and road surface conditions without extra sensors by analysing wheel speed rotation data and Controller Area Network (CAN) vehicle transmissions. Key detections include tyre pressure, load, wear, road conditions and wheel detachment.

The display will highlight use cases for mobility challenges under five themes: autonomous driving, smart navigation, one-stop maintenance with insurance optimisation, smart infrastructure and digital twin. SENSING CORE supports software-defined vehicle advancement and autonomous driving, fostering partner collaboration for the evolving automotive industry.

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Radar Tyres, the flagship brand of Singapore headquartered Omni United, has announced that its Radar RED (Radar Elite Dealer) programme now includes more than 1,000 dealers across Europe. The initiative provides participating tyre retailers with exclusive incentives, brand visibility support, product training and a dedicated platform aimed at fostering long-term business growth.

The European dealer network expansion has been carried out in stages. The first phase launched in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Portugal. An enhanced phase followed last year in UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany, with the programme now also being introduced in Poland. Reaching the 1,000‑dealer mark represents a significant step in the programme’s regional development.

Radar Tyres’ European strategy emphasises close collaboration with local distributors and dealers rather than focusing solely on end consumers. The company recognises tyre professionals as key advisors who help drivers select products based on vehicle manufacturer guidelines, driving conditions and budget. Depending on the market and programme level, Radar RED offers point‑of‑sale materials, online visibility through a dealer locator, product training, staff tyre benefits, structured rewards and access to select Radar Protect Program benefits such as Road Hazard Protection and the 30‑day Satisfaction Promise.

To support the next phase, Radar Tyres has introduced dedicated Network Managers in selected markets and posted new dealer testimonial videos on the RED landing page. In those videos, participating dealers share how the programme supports daily business operations, customer confidence and long‑term relationships.

G S Sareen, CEO, Omni United, said, "Reaching more than 1,000 Radar RED dealers across Europe is a proud moment for us. While the number itself is an important milestone, what matters most is the trust and commitment we have built with our dealer partners over the years. The success of Radar RED is driven by dealers who believe in the brand, understand their customers' needs and see long-term value in growing their business with Radar Tyres.

“As the network continues to expand, our goal is to keep strengthening these relationships and create more opportunities for dealers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. We look forward to bringing the RED community together through new initiatives, partnerships and events, not only across Europe but also with RED dealers in other markets around the world.

“Tyre dealers play a central role in the purchase decision. They know their customers, they understand local driving needs and they can explain product value in a practical and trusted way. Through the Radar RED programme, we are supporting the dealers in building the brand at a local level and building stronger relationships with their own customers.”

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Giti Tire has broken into the top tier of the global tyre industry, securing the eighth position on the Brand Finance Tyres 25 2026 ranking. The annual financial report also crowned the manufacturer as the world’s fastest-growing tyre brand, a distinction driven by a remarkable 37.7 percent surge in brand value. This financial lift brought the company’s valuation to USD 1.47 billion, pushing it one spot higher in the global order and signalling a sharp increase in its competitive clout.

Analysts at Brand Finance pointed to a trio of strategic priorities behind the company’s ascent: relentless innovation, advanced tyre engineering and deliberate worldwide expansion. Over the last 12 months, the tyre maker has solidified its hold on both original equipment and replacement markets while tailoring a new product family for the booming electric vehicle sector. A standout technical achievement came through a partnership with BYD’s luxury Yangwang division, where Giti’s Sport e.GTR2 Pro tyres helped the Yangwang U9 hit several high-speed performance milestones, directly challenging traditional premium brands in the EV and high-performance arenas.

The company’s physical footprint now includes five manufacturing plants and five R&D and testing hubs, distributing goods to more than 130 countries. Heavy investment continues in the AdvanZtech and T5 Smart Technology platforms, which are designed to produce next-generation tyres for passenger cars, commercial fleets and electric vehicles. That industrial reach is matched by a retail network of over 100,000 professional outlets worldwide, a logistical asset that Brand Finance cited as a key enabler of the brand’s rapid global service delivery and market penetration.

Giti’s new standing places it alongside industry titans such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Dunlop, Pirelli and Yokohama. Beyond the ranking itself, the fastest-growing tyre brand title reflects mounting recognition from carmakers, business partners and consumers alike. As the mobility sector undergoes electrification, digital shifts and sustainability demands, Giti continues to channel resources into modern tyre solutions, aiming to cement its status among the world’s tyre industry leaders.

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