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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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been honoured with the ‘Highest Revenue Business – Southern Region’ award at the Prachachat Business Awards 2026. The recognition, presented during a ceremony at Paragon Hall in Bangkok on 28 May 2026, is based on performance metrics and tax contributions evaluated by Prachachat Business News, the Department of Business Development and Creden Asia Company.

This accolade underscores STA’s pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s natural rubber sector and its dedication to sustainable, stable growth. The company continues to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency while generating value for stakeholders, including farmers, partners, employees and investors. Amid global industry shifts, STA is committed to raising domestic rubber standards and strengthening its international market position.

The organisation prioritises responsible supply chain management, transparency and strong corporate governance. By integrating digital platforms and artificial intelligence, STA is modernising data connectivity across its operations, facilitating the industry’s transformation into the digital age and ensuring long-term resilience.

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Doublestar Tire showcased its European-market product portfolio at The Tire Cologne 2026, held in Germany from 9 to 11 June. The international exposition drew specialists from more than 100 countries and served as a venue for presenting sector-wide progress in sustainable manufacturing, intelligent production systems, and advanced material science. For Chinese tyre makers, the fair represents a strategic avenue into the European arena, and the company used this opportunity to reinforce its commercial momentum within the region.

Visitor interest at the manufacturer's stand remained high throughout the event, with many industry peers examining the aesthetic qualities and technical specifications of the displayed items. Product offerings fell into two principal categories, heavy-duty solutions and light-vehicle tyres, each engineered to satisfy distinct operational demands prevalent across European roads.

Among the commercial range, the DLD816 all-weather tyre emerged as a notable entry for extended haulage operations. Its construction incorporates cold-weather features and a reformulated rubber layer that extends operational lifespan, while closely spaced tread patterns furnish dependable grip under varied climatic circumstances. Stopping distance reductions on frozen surfaces received particular attention from logistics professionals.

The passenger side featured the DSU08 summer variant, which employs refined dynamic control architecture to harmonise acoustic comfort with responsive steering and durable construction. With a newly operational production facility in Cambodia complementing its European launch, the enterprise continues to cultivate its overseas standing through sustained client engagement and incremental market development.

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Continental is showcasing an expanded military tyre portfolio at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, with exhibits on display in Hall 5B at Booth A197. The lineup addresses a broad spectrum of operational needs, ranging from lightweight off-road vehicles to heavy logistics trucks and tactical deployment units, with a focus on maintaining mobility across difficult terrain, extreme loads and high-speed conditions.

Trade visitors to the Continental stand can examine flagship products such as the SOT Traction for heavy tactical platforms, the HCS for medium tactical and logistics vehicles and the Grabber X3 for light off-road applications. Each tyre is engineered for dependable performance on soft ground and in rugged environments, while the company’s sales representatives remain on-site throughout the event for individualized consultations to match specific mission profiles with appropriate tyre solutions.

Tyres in this category are distinguished by specialised tread designs, reinforced load-bearing capacities and adjusted speed ratings, alongside rugged constructions that ensure reliability during off-road operations. Continental develops these products through close cooperation with global customers, including national armed forces and original equipment manufacturers, integrating real-world operational feedback into the design process.

The company is actively broadening its defence-oriented tyre range, with all models conforming to stringent international standards for durability, safety and performance under extreme conditions. Longstanding partnerships in the military sector inform continuous product refinement, incorporating direct input on performance requirements. Eurosatory, held biennially in Paris, serves as a premier global venue for defence and security technology, drawing manufacturers, suppliers, military leadership and international delegations.

Matthis Riekemann, Project Lead at Continental responsible for developing the company’s military tyre business, said, “Eurosatory provides the ideal platform to present our expanded tyre portfolio for military vehicles. With our extensive experience in the tyre industry, technological expertise and global presence, as well as our distribution and service network, we deliver advanced tyre solutions that are precisely tailored to our customers’ needs.”

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Michelin has expanded its retail network in Rajasthan by opening a new Michelin Tyres & Services outlet in Bikaner. The facility results from a partnership with Bhagwati Tyres and is situated on Jaipur Road near the Khatu Shyam Temple. This location is intended to improve regional access to the company’s premium tyre products and advanced automotive care.

The 7,000-square-foot establishment functions as a contemporary mobility hub with customer-focused infrastructure. Shoppers can find high-end tyres for passenger cars and two-wheelers, while on-site technicians provide wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation. The official opening ceremony featured Annu Mehla, the North and East B2C regional sales head, alongside representatives from Bhagwati Tyres.

Bhagwati Motors Nokha Private Limited has operated in Rajasthan since 2006 and possesses more than 20 years of local market experience. The firm has made substantial investments in spacious retail spaces to elevate the tyre buying experience. Through its collaboration with Michelin, the enterprise seeks to offer tyre solutions that emphasise safety, longevity and strong performance, thereby aiding the region’s automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “As mobility aspirations continue to evolve across India, we are seeing growing demand for premium products and high-quality automotive services beyond traditional metropolitan markets. Bikaner represents an important growth market for Michelin in Rajasthan, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and a rising appreciation for performance and safety. 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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