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)  

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”