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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Bridgestone Retail Operations, the world’s largest network of company-owned automotive service providers and a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has donated 10 new passenger vans to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The contribution brings the company’s total giving to more than 100 vans and over USD 30 million since 2015, a milestone that aligns with the 100th anniversary of Bridgestone-owned Firestone Complete Auto Care.

The 100th Driving Great Futures van was presented to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area in Austin, Texas, while the nine remaining vehicles will go to local Clubs nationwide. These vans will transport young people to and from Clubs and provide access to field trips, college tours and other enrichment activities. Bridgestone will further support the recipient Clubs by servicing the new vehicles at its retail stores.

Recipients of the 2026 van grants include Clubs in Austin, Texas; Reno, Nev.; Lynn, Mass.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Topeka, Kan.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; Greenville, Texas; West Bend, Wis. and Albany, Ga.

Bridgestone launched its Driving Great Futures national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2015 to help more young people access the opportunities, experiences and support they need to succeed. Through donations collected at its retail stores, the company has addressed transportation-related needs and bridged technology gaps by funding new computers and hotspots for in-person programming, virtual classroom learning and other infrastructure needs.

Marko Ibrahim, President, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said, “Donating our 100th van as we celebrate 100 years of business is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our teammates and customers. We believe in the transformative power of Boys & Girls Clubs and are honoured to provide the critical transportation that makes their life-changing resources accessible to kids and teens in the communities we serve.”

Jim Clark, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said, “For more than a decade, Bridgestone has helped ensure Club kids and teens can access the opportunities and support they need to succeed. Reliable transportation helps connect young people to caring mentors, safe places and experiences that can change the trajectory of their lives. Today, 97 percent of Club kids expect to graduate from high school, and partnerships like Driving Great Futures help make outcomes like that possible. We’re grateful for Bridgestone’s continued commitment to young people and proud to celebrate this remarkable 100-van milestone.”

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Cooper Tires has unveiled the all-new Discoverer HT, a highway mixed-terrain tyre engineered for drivers who depend on their vehicles daily. Designed specifically for popular trucks and SUVs, the tyre was created to handle the tasks that let drivers take full advantage of their vehicle's potential.

The tyre features tall, straight sidewalls and an optimised footprint that places a maximum amount of tread in contact with the road, helping provide confident handling and stability even when carrying heavy loads. Engineered for long-lasting value without compromising performance, the mixed-terrain tyre carries a 70,000-mile/115,000-km limited treadwear warranty on Metric sizes and a 55,000-mile/90,000-km limited treadwear warranty on LT-Metric sizes. Its durable construction is designed to support hauling, towing and carrying heavy loads, while the optimised tread footprint and sidewall design deliver stable handling. 3D Micro-Gauge technology enhances traction throughout the tyre's life, and the long-wearing tread is designed for durability and a quiet ride even on rough and uneven surfaces.

The Discoverer HT will be available in 19 popular sizes beginning in October 2026, with an additional 16 LT sizes anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. Rim sizes range from 16 to 22 inches, and the tyre is offered at local Cooper authorised retailers and online store. It is manufactured at three US facilities: Texarkana, Arkansas; Findlay, Ohio and Tupelo, Mississippi. Cooper also introduced a refreshed brand identity signalling strength, purpose, and confidence, with branded merchandise and apparel available through a dedicated page on the Goodyear website.

Brad Heim, Vice President – Product Development Global Consumer, Goodyear, said, "The toughest jobs aren't always the biggest ones. They're the ones you show up for every day. Constructed for today's truck and SUV owners, the Cooper Discoverer HT combines everyday comfort with dependable highway performance, helping drivers stay confident whether they're pulling a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving across town or covering hundreds of miles in a single day."

Alain Kohnen, Vice President, Global Manufacturing, said, "The Cooper Discoverer HT reflects more than a century of US manufacturing expertise behind the Cooper brand. This new tyre showcases what our teams do best: build high-quality, US-made products that deliver the durability and dependable performance drivers count on every day."

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) will present its latest innovations at the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition, scheduled for 3–6 November at the Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center (Aichi Sky Expo). The event runs concurrently with the International Rubber Conference 2026 (IRC2026 AICHI), marking the first time in a decade that the conference is held in Japan since IRC 2016 Kitakyushu.

The company’s booth (#82) will highlight efforts to generate new value in mobility, sports, healthcare and daily life through its proprietary Rubber and Analytical Technology, refined over many years. Under its Long-term Corporate Strategy R.I.S.E. 2035, the firm envisions continuing to deliver new experiential value born from rubber to everyone. The exhibition will feature latest technologies tied to further innovation originating from rubber, identified as a growth driver for that vision.

Attendees will be able to observe how the proprietary technology is being applied across the four fields. A key tyre display is the SYNCHRO WEATHER, a next-generation all-season tyre using Active Tread Technology that lets rubber properties change with road conditions. Also featured is the WINTER MAXX ICE Pro, a new studless winter tyre engineered to maximise on-ice performance through newly developed rubber compounds and a new tread pattern design, alongside a reference exhibit of sustainable tyres made with Russian dandelions as a raw material.

Additional exhibits span several categories. In sports, a reference exhibit of the SRIXON Z-STAR +e80 golf ball carries a sustainable materials content of 82 percent. Industrial products include MIRAIE, a vibration damper for detached wooden houses that reduces building vibration amplitude during earthquakes via high-damping rubber, and safe, high-quality rubber parts for medical applications developed with polymers, rubber-processing technology and clean technology. New business displays comprise reference exhibits of rubber materials for 3D printing that retain rubber’s inherent elasticity, resilience and durability, and space-grade rubber materials, showcasing R&D initiatives and prototype materials for harsh space environments.

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Michelin has introduced the Michelin X Multi Energy Z2, a new truck and bus tyre developed and tested for Indian road conditions.

The new products are manufactured at the company’s facility in Chennai, and the tyres will be available across India from 1 November 2026.

The Michelin X Multi Energy Z2 is designed for all-position fitment on commercial vehicles and incorporates the Carbion tread compound blend alongside InfiniCoil and Duracore technologies.

Testing conducted by Michelin indicates fuel savings of up to six percent in the 295/80R22.5 dimension and up to 13 percent in the 295/90R20 (tube type) dimension compared to commercial competitors. The design delivers a footprint up to five percent larger to improve grip in wet and dry conditions, alongside an 11 percent increase in summit strength and up to 25 percent longer tread life.

In terms of sustainability, the tyres contain up to 30 percent recyclable materials, and the Chennai manufacturing plant operates using 45 percent renewable energy. The model will be distributed through Michelin Tyres & Service stores and 300 authorised dealerships nationwide.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, "India’s commercial vehicle sector is the backbone of the nation’s economy, and fleet owners are increasingly looking beyond the upfront cost of a tyre to its overall value throughout its life. Developed for Indian highways, the MICHELIN X Multi Energy Z2 addresses these needs by combining fuel efficiency, longer tyre life and enhanced robustness to help reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). With up to 13 percent fuel savings, 25 percent higher mileage and 11 percent better ply strength enabled by our Duracore technology, it is designed to help fleet operators optimise operating costs, improve productivity and strengthen their margins. At Michelin, we are committed to being a performance partner to Indian fleet owners, bringing advanced, locally relevant mobility solutions that help make every kilometre count."

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