Chinese tyre manufacturer Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd (ZC Rubber) will inject 3.93 billion yuan ($541.3 million) of proceeds from its February initial public offering into wholly owned subsidiaries to fund expansion projects across its production network.

The company’s board approved the deployment of the raised capital through a combination of loans and equity injections to five subsidiaries, according to a regulatory filing. The move represents the full utilisation of net proceeds from ZC Rubber’s IPO, which raised 4.07 billion yuan through the issuance of 87.4 million A-shares at 46.50 yuan each.

Hangzhou Chaoyang Rubber Co Ltd, the group’s largest subsidiary by funding allocation, will receive up to 1.7 billion yuan in loan financing to support its high-performance radial tyre green 5G digital factory project. The facility represents ZC Rubber’s largest single investment among the five planned initiatives.

The company will also provide 850 million yuan to Zhongce Rubber (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. for upgrades in the high-end green tyre industry. At the same time, Zhongce Rubber (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will receive an equivalent amount through a direct capital injection to expand its radial tyre manufacturing capabilities.

Smaller allocations include 352.68 million yuan to Hangzhou Zhongce Qingquan Industrial Co., Ltd. for the production of all-steel radial truck tyres and 180 million yuan to Zhongce Rubber (Jiande) Co., Ltd. for the expansion of its workshop at the JianDe facility.

The funding deployment marks a revision to Zhongce’s original IPO prospectus, which had earmarked 4.85 billion yuan across the five projects. The company has adjusted its plans to align with the actual net proceeds available after deducting underwriting fees and other costs.

Interest rates on subsidiary loans will be benchmarked against comparable bank lending rates, with early repayment options available. The company stated that the funding structure would facilitate project execution while maintaining regulatory compliance through designated account supervision.

Zhongce received approval from China’s securities regulator for its IPO on 26 February, marking the completion of a listing process that positioned the company amongst China’s leading tyre manufacturers seeking to expand production capacity and technological capabilities.

The subsidiary funding initiative received backing from CITIC Securities, the company’s listing sponsor, and external auditors, with both parties indicating no objections to the proposed capital deployment structure.

ZC Rubber's shares have traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since its February debut, with the company targeting enhanced production efficiency and market positioning through its post-IPO investment programme.

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Michelin has expanded its retail network in Rajasthan by opening a new Michelin Tyres & Services outlet in Bikaner. The facility results from a partnership with Bhagwati Tyres and is situated on Jaipur Road near the Khatu Shyam Temple. This location is intended to improve regional access to the company’s premium tyre products and advanced automotive care.

The 7,000-square-foot establishment functions as a contemporary mobility hub with customer-focused infrastructure. Shoppers can find high-end tyres for passenger cars and two-wheelers, while on-site technicians provide wheel alignment, balancing and nitrogen inflation. The official opening ceremony featured Annu Mehla, the North and East B2C regional sales head, alongside representatives from Bhagwati Tyres.

Bhagwati Motors Nokha Private Limited has operated in Rajasthan since 2006 and possesses more than 20 years of local market experience. The firm has made substantial investments in spacious retail spaces to elevate the tyre buying experience. Through its collaboration with Michelin, the enterprise seeks to offer tyre solutions that emphasise safety, longevity and strong performance, thereby aiding the region’s automotive sector.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, “As mobility aspirations continue to evolve across India, we are seeing growing demand for premium products and high-quality automotive services beyond traditional metropolitan markets. Bikaner represents an important growth market for Michelin in Rajasthan, driven by increasing vehicle ownership and a rising appreciation for performance and safety. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers.”

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LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd, a prominent Sri Lankan manufacturer and exporter of high-quality industrial solid tyres, has announced the recent appointment of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chinthaka Wegapitiya, as Sectoral Head for Rubber Tyres and Accessories. This prestigious designation was conferred by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.

The appointment underscores Wegapitiya’s leadership and dedication to advancing the nation’s export capabilities. In his new capacity, he is expected to tackle sector-specific challenges, promote collaborative efforts and drive strategic initiatives aimed at boosting the global competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s rubber tyre export industry. The company expressed confidence in his ability to excel in this important national role while anticipating continued progress for the sector.

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Apollo Tyres, the Lead Sponsor of the Indian National Cricket Teams, has launched a new campaign extending its ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ ethos to spotlight the Women in Blue. The initiative shifts focus from celebrated victories to the lesser‑seen, demanding journeys of female cricketers before they gained national recognition.

A newly released cinematic film captures the solitary and challenging paths of Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemima, Shafali and Renuka, set to an original soundtrack. It highlights formative struggles such as a young Shafali cutting her hair to join boys’ academies, Harmanpreet defying deep‑rooted conventions, Smriti drawing inspiration from her brother, Jemimah practicing with boys and Renuka enduring long commutes to training.

The digital‑first campaign will be amplified across YouTube and Meta, supported by localised digital out‑of‑home, influencer collaborations and interactive social media activations. The rollout targets cricket enthusiasts through a comprehensive distribution strategy across high‑impact digital touchpoints.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ has always been about celebrating the journey alongside the destination. As we carry this philosophy forward, with immense pride we share the untold stories of our Women in Blue. Their journeys, filled with courage and conviction, are a source of inspiration for the entire country. This campaign is a tribute to their unwavering spirit and our commitment to championing the values of perseverance and excellence, reflecting the same passion and respect we hold for all of Indian cricket.”

Simran Kanwar said, “Our vision was to create a film that felt distinct and deeply personal to the experiences of Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemima, Shafali and Renuka. While it stems from the same ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ ethos, the storytelling is uniquely tailored to reflect their individual struggles and triumphs. Through intimate storytelling and an emotionally driven soundtrack, we wanted audiences to connect with the heart behind women's cricket in India, powerfully reminding millions of young women across the nation that their journeys matter.”

Udyan Ghai, Group Head, Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This is not about replicating a formula; this campaign is a heartfelt extension of our core belief. The cultural momentum behind women’s cricket is undeniable, and we wanted to honour that by ensuring our storytelling was authentic and deeply connected to their unique experiences. With this chapter of ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’, we are engaging audiences with stories of resilience that resonate universally, reinforcing that every journey to the top deserves to be celebrated with equal passion.”

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Pirelli will deploy its full range of tyre compounds across the upcoming Austrian and British Grand Prix races. For the Red Bull Ring event in Spielberg, teams gain access to the three softest mixtures in the range, designated C3, C4 and C5. The Silverstone race, however, sees a return to the hardest trio of C1, C2 and C3 compounds.

The Austrian circuit features the fewest corners and shortest lap time on the Formula One calendar, with heavy braking and acceleration zones. These characteristics generate predominantly thermal degradation in the tyres, while lateral loads on the axles remain low. Despite the track’s old and highly abrasive surface, pure tyre wear is not considered a decisive factor.

Silverstone adopts the Sprint weekend format this year and ranks among the longest circuits, dominated by high-speed corners that produce extreme lateral forces comparable to Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps. Consequently, the front axle endures the highest stress, with the left-front tyre wearing more quickly due to the abundance of right-hand turns.

Pirelli serves as the title sponsor for the British Grand Prix weekend, a distinction it also holds for the Italian Grand Prix. This association links the manufacturer’s name with two of the most frequently held historic events in the Formula One World Championship.

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