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 AZuR Circular Tyre System has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award Products 2026 in the ‘Resources’ transformation category. This selection places the initiative among solutions deemed by the expert jury as pioneering for advancing a resource-conserving economy.

This circular economy model spans the entire tyre lifecycle, uniting industry partners, retailers, recycling specialists and academic institutions. The framework optimises tyre usage and guarantees high-quality raw material recovery. Repair, reprofiling and retreading prolong useful life, while tyres beyond repair undergo mechanical or chemical recycling to recover valuable secondary materials.

Rather than relying on a single technology, the system's distinctiveness lies in networking stakeholders across the value chain. The award's evaluation highlighted the system's ambition to extend product longevity, prevent waste and sustain raw material circulation, thereby reducing demand for virgin resources.

German market data for 2024 shows approximately 533,000 tonnes of used tyres generated, with 193,000 tonnes mechanically recycled and 20,000 tonnes retreaded. Research indicates retreaded tyre production can reduce CO₂ emissions by over 60 percent, lower raw material usage by two-thirds and cut energy consumption by 50 percent compared to new tyre manufacturing. Products from tyre granulate can save between 1.0 and 3.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of recycled material.

The nomination drives AZuR to advance Europe's tyre circular economy through extended lifespans, strengthened recycling and digitalisation. The 2026 award winners will be announced on 3 December in Düsseldorf.

Anna Maria Guth, AZuR network coordinator, said, “The nomination is a great recognition for all partners who are working together to further close the tyre cycle. It also shows that the circular economy can be particularly successful when companies, science and other stakeholders do not act in isolation but jointly develop solutions along the entire value chain.”

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Bridgestone has released research indicating that over 80 percent of UK motorists believe basic tyre knowledge should be mandatory for new drivers during learning and after passing their test. The survey found that 81 percent of respondents want new drivers to understand correct tyre pressures, tread depth regulations and tyre pressure monitoring systems. Additionally, 57 percent expressed support for graduated driving licences aimed at young motorists, reflecting broader calls for enhanced safeguards during early independent driving.

The findings also reveal strong public backing for more rigorous enforcement, with 67 percent of motorists advocating for tyre safety inspections during routine police traffic stops. Beyond individual owners, 76 percent of respondents asserted that employers should bear greater responsibility for ensuring tyres on all work-related vehicles are properly maintained. Furthermore, 78 percent called for dedicated tyre safety education to be introduced for young people before they reach driving age, underscoring a collective desire for preventative measures that begin well before a first lesson.

The survey results coincide with newly published Department for Transport data showing a significant deterioration in tyre-related road safety outcomes. The number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose by 19 percent year on year, from 169 casualties in 2024 to 201 in 2025. Overall, tyre-related incidents accounted for 667 casualties during 2025, a 14 percent rise from 585 the previous year, while collisions attributed to defective tyres climbed to 447.

This research builds upon Bridgestone’s 2025 study, which identified substantial backing for additional protective measures for novice drivers. Half of respondents supported displaying a recently passed sign for up to 12 months and limiting new drivers to one passenger during their first year, while 39 percent favoured a mandatory refresher course after passing the test and 21 percent endorsed restricting new drivers to a 50-mile radius from home for 6 to 12 months. The findings reinforce Bridgestone's Road Safety Hero campaign, promoting regular tyre checks as part of the company's broader E8 Commitment to enhance driver safety and sustainable mobility.

Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager, Bridgestone UK, said, “The latest findings reinforce our belief that tyre safety should play a far greater role in helping young drivers develop safe driving habits from day one. Despite tyres being the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, tyre maintenance remains one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle safety. We have seen some high-profile cases of preventable road fatalities due to defective tyres and we can’t stress the importance of knowing the tyre basics and carrying out some simple checks, which can be done in a matter of minutes.

“Learning to drive doesn't stop the day someone passes their test. Developing safe habits, including understanding how to check and maintain tyres, is an important part of becoming a confident and responsible driver. It's encouraging to see such strong public support for improving tyre safety education and ensuring motorists understand the importance of looking after the only part of the vehicle that actually touches the road. Simple checks can make a real difference to road safety, not only for new drivers but for everyone using our roads.”

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Continental has expanded its ContiTread portfolio with the launch of the ContiTread HDR 3 HT, a premium retread engineered for fleet applications requiring enhanced durability, operational efficiency and reliable all-season capability. The new offering is positioned to streamline fleet maintenance while delivering robust performance across diverse driving conditions.

The retread features a non-directional tread pattern that simplifies tyre rotation and reduces inventory complexity, directly supporting improved fleet uptime and more manageable maintenance schedules. This design choice reflects Continental’s focus on practical, fleet-friendly solutions that minimise operational friction.

Engineered for all-season confidence, the ContiTread HDR 3 HT provides dependable traction on icy and snowy surfaces, alongside stable handling in wet and dry environments, ensuring consistent year-round performance. The tyre also incorporates an advanced high-mileage compound formulated for regional services, promoting extended wear on both highway and local routes while enhancing resistance to cuts and chips to guard against road hazards.

Replacing the ContiTread HDW2 in all sizes except the 265, the HDR 3 HT is available in sizes 210, 220, 230 and 240 with a 27/32-inch tread depth. By combining efficiency, durability and versatile performance, Continental aims to help fleets maximize productivity and reduce overall operating costs.

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Egypt has taken a step towards establishing a USD 500 million tyre manufacturing complex in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, according to Daily News Egypt, following the signing of a letter of intent between the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) and China’s Zhongce Rubber Group.

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid and SCZONE Chairperson Mostafa Sheikhoun witnessed the signing, which sets out a framework to study the project’s feasibility and assess its technical and investment requirements.

The proposed development would span about 600,000 sq metres and be implemented in three phases. Around 95 per cent of production, comprising passenger car and truck tyres, would be directed towards export markets.

Farid, as per the report, said the agreement marked “an important step towards exploring the establishment of an integrated industrial project in the tyre sector”, adding that it reflects efforts to attract foreign direct investment, expand production and boost exports.

He said Egypt’s geographical position, infrastructure and logistics capabilities support access to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, strengthening its potential as a regional manufacturing hub.

Sheikhoun said the project aligns with SCZONE’s strategy to attract industrial investment and deepen local manufacturing, adding that the Sokhna Industrial Zone offers logistical advantages and access to global trade routes.

Shen Jinrong, Chairperson and General Manager of Zhongce Rubber Group, said the company plans to implement the project in three phases, with investments of about USD 500 million He added that around 95 percent of production would be exported as the group seeks to expand in regional and international markets.

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