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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Trelleborg Tires is showcasing its latest agricultural tyre innovations at Agrishow 2026 in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, a premier Latin American trade fair. The company will present its advanced solutions at booth E8b, focusing on how tyre technology is driving progress in modern farming. Central to the showcase is ProgressiveTraction technology, which enhances traction and operational efficiency to meet the growing demands of agricultural operations that increasingly blend fieldwork with road transport.

Agricultural operations in Brazil face rising challenges such as higher loads, mixed usage cycles and continuous work in segments like sugarcane. In this environment, tyres have transformed from simple components into strategic assets that influence productivity, fuel efficiency and cost per hectare. Trelleborg’s latest innovations aim to support this shift by improving performance while preserving soil structure and optimizing overall efficiency.

The flagship product is the TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyre, displayed in size VF 710/70R42 PFO 184D for high-horsepower tractors. It combines VF and PFO technologies with a specialised tread design to increase load capacity, enhance traction and reduce soil stress. Widely recognised as original equipment on premium tractor brands such as Fendt, the TM1000 will be exhibited alongside a Trelleborg wheel to demonstrate a fully integrated original equipment solution.

Another key highlight is the TM800 PowerFlex in size VF 710/70R38TL 178D, introduced to Brazil for operations requiring both field and road capability. Its VF-PFO construction and ProgressiveTraction tread include a central rib inspired by road tyres. Tests have shown up to 20 percent more traction under specific conditions, plus reduced soil stress, improved self-cleaning, lower rolling resistance, enhanced comfort and extended service life. The portfolio also debuts the TM200 in Brazil at Agrishow 2026, extending ProgressiveTraction benefits to new applications, alongside the TM900 for high-power tractors.

Marcelo Natalini, Regional President South America, Yokohama TWS, said, “Brazil is one of the most important agricultural markets globally and is rapidly advancing in the adoption of more efficient technologies such as VF and radial tyres. Trelleborg plays a leading role in this transformation, bringing to Brazil innovations already established in global markets and helping farmers increase productivity while preserving soil health.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has expanded its network by securing Siemens AG (Digital Industries) as its newest partner, taking another step towards advancing digital transformation throughout the tyre and recycling sectors and transformation to a tyre circular economy. This new collaboration reinforces AZuR’s standing as a cross-disciplinary hub that connects innovation, industrial know‑how and sustainable practices.

Siemens brings deep experience in automation and digitalisation to the Europe-wide network, with the shared goal of accelerating a sustainable, ethical and green tyre value chain. The company pursues a holistic approach covering the entire tyre lifecycle, from production and use to end-of-life. A particular emphasis is placed on the end-of-life segment, where Siemens aims to expand its ecosystem through more efficient processing methods and continuous data collection across the increasingly extended lifecycle of tyres.

Working closely with stakeholders including raw material suppliers, machine manufacturers and producers, Siemens seeks to help meet regulatory requirements while unlocking new efficiency gains. A key technological example is the digital twin, a virtual representation of real-world systems and processes. These simulations allow dynamic testing of developments, process optimisations and new methods without physical prototypes, enabling resource-conserving, data-driven improvements for individual tyres or complete recycling and retreading plants.

Siemens’ digital solutions also support precise planning and efficient operation of tyre recycling and retreading facilities for all vehicle types, as well as data-driven tyre tracking for transparent lifecycle documentation. Through this partnership, AZuR demonstrates that transforming the tyre industry depends on the interplay of technology, data and cooperation.

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Linglong Tire has expanded its commercial vehicle portfolio with the introduction of the Linglong Dura Master Van, a new tyre designed specifically for light trucks, vans and motorhomes. This latest addition to the Linglong Master product family emphasises high mileage, low rolling resistance and enhanced driving characteristics. A specialised version, the Dura Master Van e, has been developed to meet the unique requirements of original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry.

The Dura Master Van features a robust new construction and an optimised tread design with a wider contact surface, delivering significantly higher mileage than its two predecessors, the Green-Max Van and Green-Max Van HP. An innovative tread compound reduces rolling resistance, translating into meaningful cost savings for commercial users. The reinforced carcass enhances load capacity for fully laden vehicles, while new sipe technology combined with a silica-based compound shortens wet braking distances and improves handling on both wet and dry roads.

Production of both the Dura Master Van and the Dura Master Van e is exclusively taking place at Linglong’s advanced tyre factory in Zrenjanin, Serbia, with immediate availability. A total of 29 sizes ranging from 12 to 17 inches will be delivered starting in spring 2026 and will reach retail stores thereafter. The Dura Master Van e, offered in two 16-inch sizes, will be supplied directly to OEMs following individual manufacturer approvals.

Development of the new tyres was led by Linglong’s European Development Center in Hanover, with testing conducted at the Idiada test track in Spain and the company’s own Sino Asia proving ground in China. Looking ahead, Linglong will further expand its van tire lineup in fall 2026 with the introduction of the Dura Master Van 4S, a new all-season tread pattern specifically engineered for light commercial vehicles.

Wencheng Liu, Head of Product Management, Linglong Tire, said, "With the Linglong Dura Master Van, we are expanding our range in the light commercial vehicle sector and offering a high-performance solution for businesses as well as private households. The tyre combines high mileage with safety and efficiency – crucial factors for cost-conscious families and entrepreneurs who use their vehicles every day."

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Tegeta Green Planet, under the leadership of CEO Shalva Akhvlediani, has positioned Georgia as a notable participant in Europe’s circular economy ecosystem through its strong engagement at the 31st annual conference of the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA). The event served as a key platform where Akhvlediani presented Georgia’s approach to converting waste materials into valuable industrial resources, marking a significant step for the country’s environmental strategy.

The involvement of Georgia at the Brussel-based conference highlighted the strategic importance of RECSOL LLC, a collaborative venture aimed at establishing modern tyre recycling facilities in Georgia that comply with European Union standards. This project is designed to bridge local industrial needs with internationally recognized environmental and technological benchmarks, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable development.

ETRA’s 2026 gathering took place amid rapidly tightening environmental regulations across Europe, including new sustainability targets and the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks. In this context, Akhvlediani’s presentation took on added significance, positioning Georgia alongside European nations that are actively shifting from conventional waste management towards integrated circular economy models. The focus moved beyond simple tyre recycling to creating interconnected systems for material reuse.

A central theme of the address was the transformation of end-of-life tyres into high-quality secondary raw materials such as rubber granules, powders, steel and textile components. Advances in recycling technology now allow these materials to serve industrial value chains more effectively, though Akhvlediani emphasised that processing alone is insufficient without stable demand and integration into manufacturing. This is where RECSOL LLC plays an intermediary role, ensuring uniform output that meets European specifications.

Tegeta Holding, through its Tegeta Green Planet division, has made circular economy strategy a priority, with RECSOL LLC as a core initiative. The planned recycling factory is intended to serve both domestic and export markets, aligning with European technological and environmental standards while remaining scalable for future growth. This industrial capacity positions Georgia as a potential bridge between Europe and the Caucasus region, attracting foreign investment and creating regional supply chains for recycled goods.

Regulatory harmonisation was another key point raised at ETRA 2026, particularly regarding emission controls, energy management, product certification and reporting systems. Akhvlediani also highlighted downstream applications such as rubberised asphalt, which offers enhanced road durability, lower maintenance costs, reduced noise and improved safety. Using recycled materials in infrastructure development would allow Georgia to turn waste into a driver of economic and environmental progress.

Looking beyond the conference, attention is now shifting to implementation, including finalising engineering designs, securing investment and linking suppliers with end users. The 2026 ETRA meeting marked a pivotal moment for Georgia’s industrial and environmental ambitions, with Akhvlediani, Tegeta Holding, Tegeta Green Planet and RECSOL LLC collectively steering the country towards becoming a contributing partner in Europe’s circular economy.

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