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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TyreSafe has entered into a new collaborative agreement with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), marking a unified effort to mitigate occupational road risks and enhance vehicle safety standards within United Kingdom's rail sector. This strategic alliance will see TyreSafe integrating its expertise with the RSSB’s Road Risk Group (RRG) to bolster safety protocols for rail employees, contractors and all personnel traveling on industry business.

The core objective of this partnership is to embed tyre safety education, awareness and best practices into the rail industry's operational framework. By doing so, the collaboration directly targets the hazards associated with work-related driving. This initiative comes as data reveals that road traffic collisions were responsible for 3 out of 10 workforce fatalities in the rail industry over the five-year period leading up to 2024, underscoring the critical need for enhanced risk management.

In response, the Road Risk Group is spearheading sector-wide improvements by fostering collaboration, sharing safety methodologies and refining safety reporting and analysis. The group is also championing behavioural and cultural shifts within organisations while actively promoting the Occupational Road Risk Management Charter. This partnership recognises that effective risk management encompasses not only driver conduct but also vehicle maintenance and overarching safety culture.

Through joint educational campaigns and resources, TyreSafe and RSSB will encourage rail organisations to prioritise tyre condition as a fundamental component of their road safety strategies. This initiative directly supports the broader objectives of the Rail Health and Safety Strategy, which has identified occupational road risk management as a key priority for safeguarding the industry's workforce.

Lucy Powell, Strategy Manager at RSSB, who approved the partnership, said, “Road risk continues to be one of the most significant safety challenges facing the rail industry beyond the railway boundary. Partnering with TyreSafe enables us to strengthen awareness of one of the most critical elements of vehicle safety. Through education, collaboration and the sharing of best practice, we can help organisations better manage occupational road risk and support our industry’s commitment to protecting everyone who drives for work.”

Caitriona O’Brien, Workforce Health and Safety Manager at Network Rail and Chair of the RSSB Road Risk Group, said, “The Road Risk Group is committed to championing a stronger focus on managing occupational road risk across the rail industry. Working with TyreSafe brings valuable expertise that complements our strategic objectives, helping organisations place greater emphasis on vehicle safety as part of a wider culture of safe driving. By working together, we can continue to reduce preventable incidents and improve outcomes for everyone travelling on work-related journeys.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to become an official partner of RSSB and to support the important work of the Road Risk Group. Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, yet they are often overlooked in fleet safety programmes. By working with RSSB, we can help embed tyre safety into occupational road risk management across the rail sector, ensuring that employees and contractors understand the vital role that properly maintained tyres play in preventing incidents and saving lives.”

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Yokohama Tire has renewed its environmental collaboration with the Surfrider Foundation’s North Orange County chapter through a recent coastal cleanup initiative at Seal Beach in Southern California. The joint effort resulted in the collection of dozens of refuse bags, with the total haul of hazardous waste exceeding 100 pounds (approximately 45.36 kg) removed from the local shoreline.

This beach restoration project represents the latest activity in a three-year partnership between the tyre manufacturer and the nonprofit organisation. The initiative falls under Yokohama’s broader corporate social responsibility framework known as the ‘Caring for our Communities’ programme, which coordinates various philanthropic endeavours.

Beyond the direct cleanup efforts, Yokohama continues to provide material support to the Surfrider chapter, including student club memberships, water quality testing kits, cigarette butt collection canisters and replacement equipment for harbour maintenance. The company maintains similar environmental partnerships with Tread Lightly! and the California State Parks Foundation alongside its ongoing work with Surfrider.

Alan Holtschneider, Senior Director of Marketing, Yokohama, said, “It’s been truly gratifying being a part of Surfrider Foundation’s North OC Chapter ongoing work to protect the environment, especially the beaches and oceans. We continue to volunteer on numerous projects with them, and the successful Seal Beach cleanup was another great example. It’s all part of Surfrider’s ongoing mission to protect and preserve the world’s ocean, waves and beaches for all to enjoy.”

George Manyak, longtime event coordinator for Surfrider Foundation North Orange County Chapter, said, “We really appreciate all the help Yokohama Tire has given us over the years. Their support has made a major impact on keeping our local beaches clean and safe for visitors to experience.”

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Nexen Tire America has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its Next Level Associate Dealer Program, introducing structural changes designed to accelerate dealer qualification and enhance reward accessibility. The revised initiative directly responds to dealer input by lowering purchase thresholds and creating new earning opportunities for participants at various stages of engagement with the brand.

Central to the updated framework is a substantial reduction in the quarterly Tier 1 qualification benchmark, which has been decreased by 40 percent from 100 units to 60 eligible tyres per quarter. Additionally, a new introductory earning bracket has been established for dealers purchasing between 1 and 59 qualifying units, granting them USD two per tyre. The programme’s annual True-Up mechanism has also been expanded, allowing dealers who achieve year-end tier qualifications to receive volume bonuses for previous quarters where they initially fell short, with the 2026 annual qualifier reduced to 320 units.

Given the midyear implementation, Nexen has instituted a transitional qualification schedule for 2026, applying the former 100-unit standard to the first two quarters while the new 60-unit tier takes effect for the third and fourth quarters. To commemorate the programme’s relaunch, a Triple Dollars promotion will run from 1 July through 13 September, significantly increasing per-tyre payouts on select patterns, including the N’Blue 4S2, AH5, GTX, HP, CT8, AH7, AH8, N’Fera Sport, N’Priz S, N’Fera AU7, Roadian ATX, Roadian HTX2 and Roadian MTX models.

Participants can monitor their qualifying purchases, tier progression and total earnings through the Next Level online dealer dashboard. Complete eligibility criteria and payout structures are available through Nexen Tire America sales representatives, who can provide detailed guidance on the revised program provisions.

John Hagan, Executive Vice President – Sales, Nexen Tire America, said, “We listened closely to our Next Level dealers, and they have spoken about wanting a programme that makes it easier to qualify and provides more opportunities to earn. These changes deliver on that feedback by opening the programme to more dealers, allowing them to qualify sooner and begin earning rewards faster. We believe the new programme will help dealers grow their business with Nexen and ultimately strengthen our dealer network long term.”

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FALKEN has released a new film titled ‘The Perfect Lap’, offering a gripping behind-the-scenes look at the team's recent campaign in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. The film arrives following the team's 27th participation in the legendary endurance event, which took place this past May. It meticulously documents the intense operational rhythm within the pit lane and the unforgiving nature of the Nordschleife circuit, set against one of the world's largest motorsport gatherings, attracting over 450,000 spectators.

The documentary underscores the challenge of the 24-hour race, where contenders must execute between 156 and 162 nearly perfect laps to secure victory. Created with automotive film specialists FORMAT67, the production team spent six days capturing footage on the treacherous track. The use of a U-Crane camera rig enabled dynamic tracking shots following the FALKEN Porsche directly on the tarmac, delivering authentic and high-quality visuals.

Emphasising traditional filmmaking, the entire project was executed without artificial intelligence, from location shoots through post-production. This commitment to conventional methods was a deliberate choice to enhance the film's genuine credibility and emotional resonance. The film portrays a team defined by relentless determination, returning annually to pursue ultimate triumph in this iconic race.

Debuting in 1999, the FALKEN Motorsport Team has evolved into a front-running force at the Green Hell. Its greatest achievement remains a podium finish with third place in 2015, and the recognisable Porsche 911 GT3 R continues to be a fan favourite. With a history of ‘Top 10’ finishes and high-profile drivers, the team carries immense ambition, using compelling track footage to tell stories fuelled by emotion and the harsh realities of endurance racing.

Dennis Wilstermann, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, which also includes the tyre brand FALKEN, said, “It was particularly important to us to give the film a classic, premium look while maintaining a timeless visual style. The film captures the unique atmosphere and intensity of the Nürburgring 24 Hours while also telling the story of a broader, recurring challenge in motorsport: the pursuit of the perfect lap.”

Evropi Dionysiadou, Brand Communications Specialist, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, and responsible for the production, said, “The concept behind the film is to symbolise precision, passion, teamwork and the relentless drive to extract the maximum performance time and time again – lap after lap, day and night. In this respect, endurance racing and our complex film productions have a great deal in common.”

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