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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Zeon Corporation has announced a strategic investment to expand production capacity for dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) at its GPI plant, located within the Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. The initiative will raise DCPD output by roughly 20 percent from current levels. DCPD serves as the primary raw material for Cyclo-Olefin Polymers and COP optical film, which are central to the company’s C5 business and its growth trajectory. The new facility will secure a stable DCPD supply without boosting production of piperylene or other commodity chemical materials while also utilising previously unused components to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Construction is set to begin in the second half of fiscal 2026, with completion scheduled for September 2028.

The Mizushima Plant, Zeon’s flagship facility, commenced operations in 1969 and is known for the GPI process (Geon Process of Isoprene), the company’s proprietary extractive distillation technology that isolates high-purity active components from C5 fractions in naphtha. Products from this process include isoprene, DCPD, piperylene and 2-butyne, which are used in synthetic rubbers, COP, petroleum resin and synthetic aroma chemicals.

Under the company’s STAGE30 medium-term business plan, Zeon has positioned COP and COP optical film as key growth drivers, anticipating steadily expanding demand. DCPD is also a raw material for other high-profit products such as RIM compounds. To meet rising demand without procuring additional C5 fractions, Zeon developed a technology that enables the use of previously unused feedstock components. This new process is expected to cut CO2 emissions more effectively than conventional extraction methods, supporting carbon neutrality goals.

Through STAGE30, Zeon is restructuring its portfolio via selection and concentration, and this latest investment aims to boost competitiveness while further expanding the C5 business. The company continues to address market needs and societal expectations, striving to contribute to more comfortable living standards worldwide.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched its first Apollo Rural Mobile Store, a new initiative aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and tyre access in rural India. The fully equipped mobile van was flagged off by company Vice President Rajesh Dahiya at a special event.

The customised vehicle travels to villages, allowing customers to explore and purchase tyres without long journeys. Stocked with a curated product range and staffed by trained representatives, the mobile store offers on‑the‑spot guidance on tyre selection, usage and maintenance. The first unit began operating in Pandavapura village, Mandya, Karnataka, with plans to deploy 25 such stores nationwide over the next 18 to 24 months.

The launch event also included a free health check‑up camp organised with the Apollo Tyres Foundation, underscoring the company’s community commitment. By combining convenience with expert support, the mobile store aims to empower rural customers to make informed decisions for safe and efficient vehicle operation.

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President – Commercial, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This initiative reflects our commitment to bridging access gaps in rural markets. By bringing our products and expertise directly to the customers’ doorstep, we aim to simplify the buying journey and ensure that even the most remote communities have access to the right mobility solutions.”

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Michelin has introduced a universal tyre digital twin, a software-driven innovation that converts real-time in-vehicle data into actionable recommendations for the vehicle or its driver. The system draws on 130 years of tyre physics expertise, combined with advanced mathematical modelling, artificial intelligence and data science algorithms. Its primary goal is to enhance road safety by enabling vehicles to anticipate their own behaviour and improve performance without relying on physical tyre sensors.

This digital twin functions as a dynamic virtual replica of any tyre, regardless of brand. It continuously analyses and predicts tyre conditions including pressure, wear, load, grip and driving environment by comparing them with live vehicle data. Rather than simply feeding information to the driver, the system directly interacts with embedded vehicle systems to optimise performance. It helps prevent aquaplaning, predict maximum grip, boost the effectiveness of ADAS functions such as ABS, monitor tyre pressure and detect overloading, allowing the vehicle to adapt braking distances by several metres and improve stability.

Drivers remain unaware of the system working behind the scenes, yet it delivers tangible benefits on every journey without requiring changes to driving habits. By supplying a continuous stream of reliable data, the digital twin also facilitates predictive maintenance, thereby extending tyre lifespan. Keeping tyres in optimal condition for longer reduces material use and mitigates the environmental impact associated with tyre lifecycles.

The Michelin solution is entirely software-enabled and uses existing in-vehicle data, requiring no additional tyre-mounted sensors. It is compatible with all tyre brands and models and can be fitted to passenger cars, trucks and self-driving shuttles. The digital twin acts as an embedded brain adapted to Software Defined Vehicle architectures, representing over 10 years of research and development secured by multiple patents and validated by millions of kilometres of testing.

With the SDV market valued at USD 213.5 billion in 2024 and projected to reach nearly USD 1,240 billion by 2030, Michelin is positioning itself as a pioneer and key partner for manufacturers transitioning to software-enabled vehicles. Major collaborations with Brembo, Hyundai, QNX, ETAS and Sonatus span fundamental research to industrial-scale integration. A recent partnership with Brembo demonstrated tangible benefits: integrating real-time tyre data into braking algorithms improved ABS performance, shortening braking distances by up to four metres and enhancing stability during hard braking.

Through its embedded digital twin, Michelin turns tyres into an invaluable data source to shape tomorrow’s mobility from within the vehicle’s data ecosystem. This breakthrough reinforces the Group’s longstanding commitment to road safety and is set to make Michelin a market leader in tyre digital twins, supporting the continuous enhancement of vehicle performance, features and user experience throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

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Kumho Tire USA has introduced the all-new Road Venture HT, an advanced all-season highway-terrain tyre designed for light trucks and SUVs. Engineered with innovative technology, this latest offering caters to drivers seeking dependable everyday performance. The tyre provides enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life, a smooth and quiet ride and is also compatible with electric vehicles.

Developed as a next-generation all-season product, the Road Venture HT features an optimised structural design and a new polymer compound with High Dispersible Micro Silica to boost wear resistance. This results in a 10 percent improvement in tread life over its predecessor. Additional technologies including 3D chamfers, integrated tie-bar noise reduction and reinforced polyester body plies help ensure a quiet ride, improved sidewall stiffness and better cornering stability.

For wet-road confidence, the tyre incorporates a high-grip resin and four wide circumferential grooves to evacuate water efficiently. Wider lateral shoulder grooves, multi-angle sipes and independent tread blocks with enhanced biting edges deliver superior traction and stability. A zigzag tread design and waved 3D interlocking sipes provide strong snow traction, earning the tyre Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. This sets a new benchmark as most all-season tyres lack true winter rating, making the Road Venture HT a uniquely versatile all-weather solution.

Kumho Tire USA conducted independent third-party testing against leading competitors, with results showing the Road Venture HT outperformed rivals in ride comfort, wet handling and dry and wet braking. Available starting in June in over 40 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, the tyre comes with a 75,000-mile (approximately 120,700 km) limited treadwear warranty for P-metric sizes and 50,000 miles (approximately 80,467 km) for LT-metric sizes. A road hazard warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee are also included.

Shawn Denlein, President – Sales and Marketing, Kumho Tire U.S.A., said, "With significant enhancements in structure, design and materials, the Road Venture HT delivers exceptional performance, durability and comfort so light truck and SUV vehicle owners can drive with confidence year-round. The HT is another example of KUMHO's commitment to performance without compromise, delivering premium-level products at a price point that offers outstanding value."

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