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 German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has issued a stark warning, throwing its full support behind a recent open letter from the metal and electrical sectors that urges the Federal Government to implement immediate industrial reforms. Association President Michael Klein stressed that the current situation poses a fundamental threat to the nation’s industrial foundation, prosperity and the very fabric of its democratic society. He insisted that the time for half-measures has passed and that decisive action can no longer be postponed.

The association’s concerns are particularly acute for Germany’s rubber sector, a systemically important industry whose products are vital to strategic fields like healthcare, mobility, defence and infrastructure. According to Klein, mid-sized member companies are buckling under the weight of exorbitant energy costs, excessive bureaucratic red tape and aggressive competition from non-European rivals. He described the industry as being in a state of free fall, which jeopardises national self-sufficiency in several critical areas. To reverse this trend, the wdk is calling for the suspension of reporting duties, the abolition of the national emissions trading system to lower energy prices and robust measures to secure domestic markets.

These urgent appeals are underscored by the latest economic data for the first half of 2026, which paints a grim picture of the industry's trajectory. wdk chief economist Michael Berthel reported significant declines across all major indicators, with production dropping by 5.4 percent to 530,000 tonnes and the workforce shrinking by five percent to 57,200 employees. Revenue also took a substantial hit, falling by 4.1 percent to EUR 5.2 billion compared to the same period in 2025.

Berthel further cautioned that without a rapid improvement in the general operating conditions, the situation will only deteriorate further, leading to the permanent closure of more production facilities. The association’s leadership maintains that creating a level playing field in international competition is not merely an option but an absolute necessity for the survival of the rubber industry in Germany.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has unveiled a comprehensive rebranding initiative, introducing a new logo, an updated corporate design and a fully redesigned website. This strategic overhaul publicly reflects the company’s significant evolution in recent years across technological, entrepreneurial and international dimensions.

Central to the new identity is the guiding principle ‘Rethink Resources’, which encapsulates Pyrum’s shift in perspective towards viewing waste as a valuable raw material source. No longer positioning itself solely as a tyre recycler, the technology firm employs its proprietary thermolysis process to recover and reintegrate valuable resources into the production cycle. The refreshed brand imagery is designed to articulate this vision clearly while fostering a cohesive identity to support ongoing global expansion and technological scaling.

Visually, the transformation features a modern aesthetic with a clear design language intended to boost brand recognition internationally. The new website serves as a central hub, making the company’s technology and vision more accessible. This corporate identity will be phased into operations gradually, with existing materials replaced only during regular updates to align with sustainable resource management principles.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “Pyrum has evolved significantly in recent years. With our new brand identity, we want to make this evolution visible to the outside world as well. Our new brand identity is not a break from our previous identity, but rather the next logical step. ‘Rethink Resources’ perfectly captures what drives us: rethinking resources, tapping into new sources of raw materials with our technology and thereby making an important contribution to greater resource independence. Pyrum aims to be one of the first brands that comes to mind when it comes to resource resilience.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires) has introduced the Proxes G-Tour, a new grand touring all-season tyre engineered for premium CUVs, SUVs and passenger cars. Positioned as an ideal original equipment replacement, the tyre features a contemporary design that prioritises fuel and range efficiency across gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles. Compared to ultra-high performance or standard touring alternatives, it delivers superior driving comfort through reduced road noise and low rolling resistance.

The tyre’s asymmetrical tread design and five-variable pitch pattern work in concert to minimise pattern noise while ensuring dependable traction on wet, dry and light-snow surfaces throughout its lifespan. Bevelled tread blocks enhance water evacuation to maximise road contact, while high-stiffness centre ribs and outside blocks, paired with an advanced compound and multi-wave sipes, balance ride comfort with robust wet and dry handling. These elements also provide firm grip and cornering stability, with the compound further promoting even wear and extended tread life.

Optimised for long-distance travel, the Proxes G-Tour offers a quiet, comfortable ride and is tailored for maximum fuel and range economy. The multi-wave sipes not only reduce irregular wear for increased durability but also contribute to a smooth, silent performance in diverse weather conditions. The tyre will be manufactured in more than 70 sizes and load/speed combinations, accommodating 16- to 22-inch wheel diameters with speed ratings of T, H, V and W.

Initial sizes are slated for September availability, with additional fitments rolling out through the end of the year. Key applications include vehicles from Audi, BMW, Lexus, Tesla, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Volkswagen. The Proxes G-Tour carries a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for T/H-rated versions and a 55,000-mile warranty for V/W-rated models, alongside the Toyo Tires No Regrets 45-Day or 500-Mile Trial Offer.

Cameron Parsons, Technical Field Manager and Business Development, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, "The Proxes G-Tour is an exciting addition to the Toyo Tires lineup and a new benchmark in our grand touring all-season category. Through our latest innovations in tyre construction and compound technology, the Proxes G-Tour delivers long tread life with confident wet and dry performance for everyday driving."

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Yokohama Tire has reinforced its commitment to adaptive motorsports by extending its partnership with the High Fives Foundation for a fourth straight year. Through this collaboration, the company supplies its GEOLANDAR truck and CUV/SUV tyres to the Return to Dirt programme, which empowers individuals with mobility impairments to navigate off-road environments using specialised vehicles and instruction.

The Return to Dirt initiative organises driving excursions across diverse landscapes, ranging from icy lakes to wooded trails. Participants manoeuvre modified Polaris RZRs equipped with hand controls and outfitted with Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 SxS tyres, ensuring reliable traction in challenging conditions.

Professional off-road racer and Team Yokohama member Kristen Matlock attended a recent Return to Dirt gathering and described a profound personal impact. She arrived intending to motivate the adaptive athletes but left feeling transformed by their resilience and unwavering positivity. Matlock observed that the participants confronted obstacles with determination and authentic happiness, reshaping her understanding of strength and personal limitations.

Beyond outfitting the programme’s vehicle fleet, Yokohama supplies tyres for the foundation’s towing trucks and actively contributes to fundraising initiatives. The company involves its sales teams and customers in local High Fives events nationwide, broadening its support for the nonprofit’s mission.

Melissa Aguirre, Manager – Brand Marketing, Yokohama, said, “Yokohama fully supports and aligns with High Fives Foundation’s vision of creating a universal shift in adventure sports that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing injuries. We’re pleased to be a part of High Five’s athletes’ on- and off-road experiences through their Return to Dirt programme.”

Roy Tuscany, CEO and Founder, High Fives, said, “We value partnerships with like-minded brands and Yokohama is a brand that totally aligns with our core values. Yokohama supports the entire mission of the organisation and helps us achieve the vision of being the safety net of the outdoor sports community.”

Tim Burr, Program Manager, Return to Dirt, said, “Having Yokohama on-board lets us deliver experiences to our adaptive drivers that are unprecedented. We drive on ice with studs, access high mountain terrain in dirt and share desert experiences on rocks all thanks to Yokohama.”

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