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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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has reinforced its technical support for the sixth round of the 2026 season, the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, being held from 7 to 10 May in Matosinhos in the country’s northern region. The company is supplying its extreme all-terrain Dynapro R213 tyre, engineered for gravel stability, which is available in both Hard and Soft compound options. This tyre features a high-strength casing and an optimised tread pattern designed to disperse impact from sharp rocks and maintain grip even under high-speed, high-stress driving conditions.

As one of the most historic fixtures on the WRC calendar, Rally de Portugal has been a cornerstone event since the championship’s inaugural season in 1973. The 2026 edition is based at the Exponor service park near Porto and includes 23 special stages with a total competitive distance of roughly 345 kilometres. The route blends fast-paced sections with technically demanding areas, challenging crews with a soft, sandy gravel surface that deteriorates rapidly as cars make repeated passes. While the first run demands stable performance on limited grip, the second pass exposes deeper ruts and sharper rocks, making tyre durability and handling decisive.

A particular focus is the Amarante stage, the longest of the rally at approximately 26 kilometres, which features a mix of tight hairpin turns and high-speed straights. Drivers must carefully balance aggressive tactics with tyre preservation, placing a premium on strategic decision-making. The Dynapro R213’s two-compound system allows teams to adapt flexibly to evolving stage conditions, with the Hard compound offering resilience against cuts and the Soft compound providing extra mechanical grip on looser surfaces.

Beyond technical support, Hankook is operating its ‘Brand World’ booth inside the service park throughout the event. This interactive space aims to elevate the premium image of the global brand with a motorsport heritage exhibition, racing simulators, branded merchandise and dedicated photo zones. Visitors are offered an immersive brand experience that complements the intense competition, as Hankook continues to demonstrate its engineering capabilities across one of the most abrasive and unpredictable rallies on the WRC schedule.

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp (Toyo Tires) launched the 2026 Championship Off-Road (COR) racing season with a dominant three-class victory sweep, led by drivers Johnny Greaves in Pro-4, Ryan Beat in Pro-2, and Wyatt Miller in Prospec. The opening weekend, held for the second straight year at the Show-Me Shootout on the 1.2-mile short course at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, saw Beat’s Pro-2 truck run on off-the-shelf 35x12.50R17 Open Country C/T tyres, while Greaves relied on off-the-shelf 35x12.50R17 Toyo Open Country R/T Trail tyres for his Pro-4 win.

During Saturday’s round one, Ryan Beat in the number 51 Bilstein / Toyo Tires / Rockstar Energy / Chevrolet truck seized the lead on lap two and never gave it up, securing Team Toyo’s first Pro-2 victory of the 2026 campaign. The following day’s round two featured Johnny Greaves piloting the number 22 Monster Energy / Toyota / Toyo Tires Pro-4 truck to an early-season checkered flag, while reigning Prospec champion Wyatt Miller, in the number 73 Bass Pro Shops / Toyo Tires / Chevrolet entry, added another win to start his title defence.

With the season-opening weekend complete, the COR series now prepares for the Antigo Off-Road National scheduled for 29–31 May 2026 at the Langlade County Motorplex in Antigo, Wisconsin.

Greaves said, “It felt great to show up for the first race weekend and take a win, along with a third-place finish. It was a strong way to start the season.”

Beat said, “I’m super happy to kick off another season with a win! The team has been putting in the work, and it shows. As the series continues, tyres become the difference-maker, and our Toyos were dialled all weekend.”

Adrian Puente, Manager – Events, Motorsports and Technical, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp, said, “After an incredibly successful 2025 season, it’s great to see Team Toyo drivers in the winner’s circle on opening weekend in Wheatland. Wins across three classes on off-the-shelf Toyo tyres highlight the quality of our products and their championship-winning-pedigree.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX rubber asphalt additive (RMA) has taken centre stage as a key component as the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), alongside Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, was named a finalist in the Market Development Excellence category of the inaugural Circle of Change Awards launched by the Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF).

For its award-nominated project, Alabama State Parks selected Liberty Tire Recycling’s SmartMIX to resurface roads and parking areas at public parks. Unlike complex liquid modifiers, the SmartMIX additive from Liberty Tire Recycling offers a simpler, cost-effective solution that improves asphalt compaction, flexibility and overall durability. Manufactured entirely from recycled tyres, the material itself remains recyclable, helping Alabama’s project boost pavement longevity while generating steady, long-term demand for recycled tyre rubber.

The Tire Recycling Foundation launched this national recognition programme to honour efforts that create lasting, expandable demand for products derived from scrap tyres, integrating such materials into conventional infrastructure and public works. The award category recognises initiatives that embed recycled tyre materials into mainstream infrastructure and public works programmes.

Winners of the Circle of Change Awards, including the Market Development Excellence category, will be announced on 14 May 2026, during the Tire Recycling Conference Awards Luncheon in Denver, Colorado.

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Infiniteria has appointed Proman as its Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner for a circular tyre recycling facility in Uddevalla, Sweden. This collaboration marks a decisive move towards establishing what the company describes as Europe’s leading circular tyre recycling business, with the Uddevalla site serving as the cornerstone for a future network of industrial-scale plants across the continent.

The company specialises in transforming end-of-life tyres into high-value recovered materials, aiming to accelerate the transition to a more resilient circular economy. The Uddevalla facility stands as Infiniteria’s flagship project and represents the initial phase of a broader European expansion strategy.

Committed offtake agreements are already in place with major customers including Preem, Nokian Tyres and Michelin, underscoring strong industrial demand for the recovered materials.

Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren, CEO, Infiniteria, said, “Bringing Proman on board as our partner is a major step forward for Uddevalla. They have a proven track record in delivering complex industrial plants, and the discipline and capability they bring mark a decisive step towards starting operations. We are fully committed to Uddevalla as the long-term home of our flagship facility, to our customers and to building Europe’s leading circular tyre recycling business.”

Francisco Carlos, Managing Director, Proman Portugal, said, “We appreciate the confidence and trust placed in Proman by Infiniteria as we take on the role of Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner in the Uddevalla project. Proman brings strong global expertise and experience to the project, including project management, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of complex industrial facilities. We look forward to working with Infiniteria to progress the Uddevalla project towards successful completion.”

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