Recording one of the highest growths across sectors, tyre exports from India jumped 50 per cent to reach a historically high figure of INR 21,178 crore in FY 2021-22, according to the data from the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. In the previous year, tyre exports stood at just over INR 14,000 crore. 

In the last two financial years when international trade was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic, tyre exports from India have gone up by 70 per cent. 

Satish Sharma, Chairman, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), said, “The export performance bears testament to the ability of the Indian tyre industry to meet the rising expectations from India in the new geo-political scenario despite the odds of challenging times.” 

While farm/ agri and OTR/ industrial tyres have traditionally been the largest exported tyre categories from the country, truck & bus radial (TBR) tyre exports have been fast rising up the charts and have grown nearly 2.5 times in the last three years from INR 1,263 crore in FY19 to INR 3,095 crore in FY22. 

The new radial facilities set up by Indian tyre manufacturers vie with the best in the world in terms of technology helping the country notch up an impressive performance in exports, the release said, adding that India’s global standing as a reliable supplier of products has also been a
big positive. 

Sharma added, “The industry is vastly helped by the Atma Nirbhar policy of the government aimed at creating an enabling environment for growth of the industry. The curb on indiscriminate import of tyres has helped the industry increase size and scale of production and align with global supply chains.” 

Currently, Indian manufactured tyres are being exported to over 170 countries in the world including some of the most discerning markets in North America and Europe. The US continues to be the largest market for Indian tyres accounting for 19 per cent of total tyres exported from the country during the year. The top five export markets for Indian manufactured tyres in FY22 were US, Germany, Brazil, UK and France. 

The Tyre Industry has the potential of further doubling exports from India in the next 3-4 years. While supply chain disruption is a global concern affecting industries and will get streamlined in due course of time, certain roadblocks faced by the tyre industry domestically need to be addressed on priority to provide a fillip to the exports. These concerns pertain to accessing Natural Rubber (NR) the key raw material in which India is vastly deficient. For instance, tyre industry needs to adhere to pre-import conditions for NR import against (tyre) export obligation. This makes the operations very constrictive and affects export performance, the release pointed out. 

Growth in exports will benefit the entire Rubber value chain including a million tyre growers who are largely dependent on the growth of tyre industry, it added. (TT)  

As part of a strategic effort to increase its presence in the region's premium original equipment (OE) market, Kumho Tire has confirmed its plans to establish its first tyre production facility in Europe by 2027.

The company has shortlisted Poland, Serbia and Portugal as possible locations for the plant, which is projected to need an investment of more than KRW1 trillion (USD 705 million). The decision is closely linked to Kumho’s ambition to strengthen its partnerships with European automakers and was revealed by Kumho Tire CEO during the South Korean premiere of Kumho's new Ecsta Sport tyre line.

Kumho has recently secured OE supply contracts with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen Group. At the moment, Kumho runs eight tyre production plants in China, Vietnam, South Korea and the US. Its capacity to compete in the premium OE market, however, has come to be perceived as being constrained by the absence of a European production base. Through the benefits of local production, the new facility will improve response to European client requests, save freight costs and shorten delivery times, all of which will strengthen the company's partnerships.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.