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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has urged UK motorists to adopt preventative habits after research showed drivers react emotionally rather than practically following near-misses. The findings reveal that 23 percent of drivers shouted, gestured or sounded their horn after a frightening moment, while only 11 percent checked their tyres and 22 percent did nothing at all and kept driving. The pattern is consistent across the country, highlighting a widespread action gap in which drivers neglect simple steps that could improve safety.

The organisation wants near-miss experiences to serve as prompts for vehicle checks. It is promoting its ACT checks, which begin with air pressure: drivers should verify tyre pressures at least monthly and before long journeys using an accurate gauge, since correct pressures optimise braking, fuel efficiency and tyre life while lowering failure risk. Condition comes next, with tyres regularly inspected for cuts, cracks, bulges and embedded objects; any visible damage should be assessed immediately by a tyre professional as it may signal structural problems.

Finally, tread depth should be checked. For passenger cars, the UK legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. Adequate tread is especially important on rural roads, where standing water and uneven surfaces can substantially raise the risk of aquaplaning and loss of control. TyreSafe's message encourages drivers to turn a scare into a safety check and act before reacting.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “A near-miss should be a warning sign – but too often it becomes a moment of frustration rather than reflection. Checking your tyres takes minutes, but it can make a critical difference in preventing the next incident. We need to move from reacting in the moment to acting in advance.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mitas has confirmed its participation in EIMA International 2026, a major agricultural machinery exhibition running from 10–14 November in Bologna, Italy. Visitors will find the company in Hall 14 at Booth B2, where it plans to display a range of tyre solutions tailored to contemporary farming needs and reflective of its know-how across machines, applications and operating environments.

The centrepiece of the exhibit is GRANTERRA, the newest member of the Mitas agricultural family. Engineered for high-horsepower tractors, the tyre merges a contemporary tread layout with VF PFO technology to achieve solid traction, stability and efficient field performance. Its broader footprint encourages even load distribution and curbs soil compaction, fitting the requirements of modern large-scale farming while embodying the brand's goal of merging power, reliability and effective field performance.

Alongside GRANTERRA, three other ranges will be on show. AGRITERRA ULTRA targets agricultural trailers, spreaders and slurry tankers, blending high load capacity with durability and stability for demanding transport work in fields and on roads, with a large footprint and rounded shoulders that help protect soil and grassland. HCM provides versatile year-round performance for municipal tractors, road maintenance equipment and telehandlers across varied surfaces. AC 85, built for modern row crop farming, supports spraying, fertilising and crop care while shielding plants and roots and will be displayed in a dual-mounting setup demonstrating a practical configuration for greater flotation and traction.

By taking part in EIMA International 2026, Mitas underscores its commitment to agricultural tyre expertise, product performance and the needs of professionals engaged in a broad array of farming applications.

Roberta D’Agnano, Global Marketing Director Mitas at Yokohama TWS, said, “EIMA is an important opportunity to meet customers and partners from across the agricultural sector and showcase solutions developed around their everyday needs. With GRANTERRA, we expanded our portfolio for high-horsepower tractors with a solution that brings together traction, reliability and VF PFO technology. Alongside AGRITERRA ULTRA, HCM and AC85, it reflects the breadth of our expertise and our commitment to supporting agricultural professionals with tyre solutions suited to their everyday challenges.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy brought an environmental education session to seventh-graders at Tbilisi Public School No. 142, aiming to deepen young people's understanding of sustainable development and environmental protection. The meeting was designed to make abstract ecological concepts tangible for early adolescents.

Led by representatives of the two organisations, the session unfolded under the theme ‘A Sustainable Future: Environment, Transport and Energy’. Presentations and discussions covered waste management, responsible resource use, environmental protection and the value of renewable energy, giving students a broad picture of how these issues interconnect.

The interactive format included team activities through which students explored the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, learning what it is for and how it contributes to environmental protection. Participants also considered how ordinary daily choices can curb pollution and conserve resources. An environmental game and a hands-on activity reinforced the lessons, helping students link environmental concerns to their own lives, and each participant received a certificate and a small gift at the close.

Operating since 2022, Tegeta Green Planet ranks among Georgia's first authorised EPR organisations, advancing a circular economy by collecting and recycling waste tyres, waste oils and used batteries while helping reduce environmental harm and meet legal obligations. Environmental education for young people remains a priority for both organisations, which run school sessions on environmental protection, resource conservation and sustainable development.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH will hold Premium Partner status at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, running 24 October to 1 November at the Wiener Stadthalle, under a three-year term from 2026 to 2028 with an extension option, and holds exclusive tyre-category rights. DUNLOP Sports separately serves as Official Ball Partner. The event lets Dunlop Tyre Europe spread the ONE DUNLOP message, as trademark rights for DUNLOP tyres across Europe, North America and Oceania now sit once more under Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). A 25-square-metre stand will occupy the fan zone in the Wiener Stadthalle foyer.

The divisions have already collaborated at B2B events this year, including THE TIRE COLOGNE. At the Mondial de l'Auto in Paris, held 12 to 18 October, the DUNLOP brand joined DUNLOP Sports colleagues to display tyres, motorsport heritage and tennis, padel and squash racquets across 105 square metres. Vienna marks the first time both appear together at a sporting tournament.

Premium Partner status brings strong visibility. Television coverage includes Micro Wings, LED side banners, Close Calls and the ‘New Balls Please’ activation. Dunlop Tyre Europe also features at the ceremonial coin toss, in the tournament magazine, in the fan zone and via ‘Daily Highlights presented by Dunlop’. Hospitality packages at the Wiener Stadthalle and Marx Halle await customers and partners, with invitations to the Pro-Am tournament and official press conference.

At the DUNLOP stand, visitors can guess how many tennis balls sit inside a racing tyre, entering via iPad and a digital landing page, with newsletter sign-up optional. A set of tyres is the prize, and souvenir photos in a DUNLOP-branded frame can be downloaded via QR code. The brand and SRI trace their heritage to 1909, when Dunlop Far East was founded in Kobe. After a partner organisation held passenger car tyre rights in several markets, those rights were reacquired in 2025 and Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH launched in early 2026, reuniting the brand under SRI. The goal is restoring DUNLOP among the world's leading, most innovative tyre makers.

Dennis Wilstermann, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Tyre Europe, said, “Through our Premium Partnership with the Erste Bank Open and with our colleagues from DUNLOP Sports serving as the tournament’s Official Ball Partner, we are appearing together at a sporting event for the first time, following successful collaborations in the B2B sector and at the Paris motor show. The dynamic environment of professional tennis and the world-class performances regularly seen on court provide the ideal stage for combining activation activities for DUNLOP Tyres and DUNLOP Sports. We work closely with DUNLOP Sports and our parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries in Japan, to unlock the full potential of the global ONE DUNLOP strategy.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!