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 British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA) has secured a one-year mandate to represent Europe’s national tyre trade bodies on the Tyres Europe Board of Directors. The decision was made during the first meeting of the newly created National Associations Leadership Council, a body intended to improve coordination between national and European industry representatives.

The Council includes associations from UK, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. It will serve as a platform for exchanging views on sector-wide issues, identifying matters of broader European significance and feeding national perspectives into Tyres Europe’s discussions.

As the Council’s chosen representative, BTMA Chief Executive Darren Lindsey will relay shared priorities to the Board and report back on relevant outcomes. For BTMA members, this offers earlier and more detailed insight into European-level discussions, plus a direct route to raise UK concerns on trade, enforcement, end-of-life tyres and product regulation in Brussels alongside eight other national markets.

Lindsey said, “This is a genuine step forward for the national associations, and the BTMA is grateful for the confidence its European colleagues have shown in asking us to hold the seat. Our job over the next year is a simple one to describe and a demanding one to do well: to make sure the Board hears not just the UK view, but the common thread running through nine national markets and to bring back what we learn so that every association benefits. Members need to understand the associations they belong to and the value those associations create, and where that picture is changing it should be discussed at Tyres Europe level as part of our collective strategic thinking, not in isolation. That culture of open exchange is what this Council exists to build.”

Adam McCarthy, Secretary General, Tyres Europe, said, “The Leadership Council strengthens the mutually beneficial exchange of information between Tyres Europe and the national associations. National insights can better inform discussions at European level, while associations gain a clearer view of relevant EU developments. This closer two-way exchange will support more coordinated and effective representation of the sector.”

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Blackcircles.com has become a member of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), deepening its engagement with the UK tyre trade. The NTDA represents businesses spanning retail, wholesale, distribution, mobile fitting, manufacturing, retreading and recycling, along with the broader automotive aftercare sector.

The move marks a further step in Blackcircles.com’s efforts to forge closer industry relationships and help shape conversations about the sector’s direction. Membership offers a chance to share its digital tyre retail expertise with the wider trade while drawing insight from companies active in different parts of the market.

Since its 2001 launch, Blackcircles.com has changed how motorists purchase tyres, merging online ordering with a nationwide network of independent fitting partners. As UK’s leading online tyre retailer, it now links customers to a broad selection of tyres and fitting choices.

NTDA involvement will support greater participation in discussions on industry standards, professional development, regulation and tyre safety. Blackcircles.com has long valued fitters and independent garages, and the membership reinforces that connection as the trade confronts evolving vehicle technology, electric vehicle growth, sustainability pressures and shifting customer expectations.

Michael O’Connor, Chief Operations Officer, Blackcircles.com, said, “Joining the NTDA is an important step for Blackcircles.com and reflects our commitment to playing an active role in the wider UK tyre industry. Our business brings together the convenience of digital retail with the expertise of tyre professionals across the country, and we’re looking forward to working more closely with the NTDA and its members to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and support high standards across the sector.”

John Paterson, Head of Network, Blackcircles.com, said, “One of the real strengths of the NTDA is its ability to bring together businesses from across the tyre industry and give the sector a collective voice. As customer expectations, vehicle technology and the way people buy tyres continue to evolve, that collaboration becomes increasingly valuable. We’re excited to work alongside the NTDA and its members, sharing our experience in digital tyre retail while contributing to the conversations that will help shape the future of the industry.”

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Maxam Tire has introduced the MT152 Rubber Track, a new product featuring an enhanced Z-Lug design. This track is engineered to provide exceptional traction, durability and extended service life for compact track loaders operating in demanding environments.

Building on the proven performance of traditional Z-Lug rubber tracks, the MT152 combines aggressive traction with increased tread depth and a larger footprint. This design improves wear life without sacrificing performance. It is intended for construction, site preparation and general earthmoving applications, excelling in loose ground conditions while offering the stability and durability contractors rely on daily.

The MT152 features a heavy-duty carcass for enhanced machine stability and long-lasting structural integrity under demanding workloads. Its stepped tread pattern improves self-cleaning by allowing mud and debris to expel more efficiently, maintaining consistent traction throughout the workday. A cut and tear-resistant tread compound further boosts durability in harsh conditions, while the increased tread depth and optimized net-to-gross ratio deliver longer tread life and greater overall value.

Matt Fagan, Director – Research & Development, Maxam Tire, said, “The MT152 was developed to give equipment owners aggressive traction and the durability they need to maximise uptime. By enhancing the traditional Z-Lug design with a deeper tread, larger footprint and reinforced carcass construction, we’ve created a rubber track that delivers outstanding performance, extended wear life and dependable operation across a wide range of challenging jobsite conditions.”

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Birla Carbon will use its presence at RubberTech China 2026 to demonstrate how its operations across Asia, including China, are being scaled up to meet demand from both regional and international customers. The manufacturer of high-quality carbon materials will exhibit at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from 15 to 17 September 2026 at Booth No. W5B467.

Growth in manufacturing capacity and geographic reach underpins the company's push for greater supply reliability, responsiveness and consistency. Thailand's Rayong facility and an additional high-output Indian plant both commence operations this year. Across key Asian markets, these additions bolster dependable volume availability, sharpen the company's ability to react swiftly to changing customer demands and shorten delivery timelines by operating nearer to buyers.

A broad solutions portfolio awaits exhibition attendees. Engineered materials for mechanical rubber goods (MRG) deliver enhanced hose durability, superior belting abrasion resistance and reliable performance in anti-vibration and sealing systems. Tyre-focused carbon black grades extend product lifespan while improving fuel and energy efficiency, with Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed options covering PCR, LT and TBR applications. Low PAH grades hold certification for skin-contact and export markets, functioning as drop-in ASTM replacements. Continua SCB and SCM products permit elevated recycled and bio-based content as drop-in substitutes for conventional ASTM grades, assisting customers in advancing circularity goals without sacrificing performance.

Amit Kumar, President, Asia, Birla Carbon, said, “The Asia region is increasingly viewed as a manufacturing hub for the world, with China playing a central role in the growth of high-value MRG and tyre markets.  This is making performance, supply reliability and sustainability more critical than ever for the region. At Birla Carbon, we are strengthening our regional material capacity and footprint to be closer to our customers and respond more effectively to their evolving needs. With expanded capacity and innovative solutions spanning MRG, tyres, including Euro 7-inspired and EV-designed performance materials low PAH applications, and sustainable offerings, we are well positioned to help customers enhance product performance, build more resilient supply chains and advance their sustainability goals.”

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