The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has entered its Golden Jubilee year, celebrating five decades of fostering growth in India’s tyre sector and its pivotal role in the nation’s economic progress.

Established in 1975, ATMA has grown into the premier industry body representing over 90 percent of the country’s tyre production, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of India’s industrial landscape.

Over the past 50 years, the Indian tyre industry has achieved remarkable milestones in production, exports, research and development (R&D) and innovation, setting benchmarks for emerging sectors globally. Today, India ranks among the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, producing more than 200 million tyres annually.

The industry’s self-sufficiency is a standout achievement. India boasts indigenous capabilities to manufacture a wide range of tyres, from moped tyres to massive off-the-road (OTR) tyres – a feat few countries can match. This self-reliance has not only strengthened the domestic market but also positioned India as a major global exporter. Indian-made tyres are now shipped to over 170 countries, including stringent markets like US and Europe. Annual tyre exports are valued at approximately INR 250 billion, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the industry’s revenue.

The tyre industry’s impact on job creation is substantial, supporting a vast value chain that spans rubber planters, tyre mechanics, manufacturers and dealerships. It sustains over one million natural rubber (NR) planters, as 75 percent of India’s NR production is consumed by tyre manufacturing. An additional million workers are engaged in tyre production, retreading, dealerships and repair services nationwide.

A groundbreaking initiative, the INROAD project, exemplifies the industry’s commitment to self-reliance. In collaboration with the Rubber Board, the tyre industry is funding large-scale NR plantations in Northeast India. This partnership marks the first global instance of a natural rubber-consuming industry (the tyre sector) partnering with government agencies to fund NR cultivation, potentially transforming India’s journey towards NR self-sufficiency.

India’s tyre industry is increasingly aligning with global standards in practices, product quality and R&D. The country now houses some of the world’s most advanced radial tyre manufacturing facilities. International vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) are launching leading brands in India equipped with Indian-made tyres, underscoring the industry’s quality and competitiveness. Five Indian tyre companies are now ranked among the world’s top 30, reflecting the sector’s growing influence in the global manufacturing ecosystem.

India’s strengths in tyre manufacturing are undeniable. A combination of seasoned entrepreneurship, skilled manpower and robust NR plantations positions the country as a potential global hub for tyre production.

The recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo highlighted the industry’s 50-year growth journey, showcasing its evolution into the ‘wheels of the nation’ through a series of banners arranged as a walkthrough.

Rajiv Budhraja, Director General ATMA, said, “I had the privilege of joining ATMA at a young age and have witnessed the growth of the industry from close quarters, especially after the economic liberalisation. It is gratifying to see the industry growing from a size of about INR 50 billion to INR 1,000 billion in the last three decades.”

“At this moment, I am full of gratitude to the industry leaders who have provided vision and direction to the industry and the association over all these years and to the untiring efforts of all those involved in the industry who have turned that vision into reality. Thanks are also due to publications like Tyre Trends (and its previous avatar of Tyre Asia) for chronicling this remarkable journey of the industry. Here’s to the unstoppable movement of wheels of the economy,” added Budhraja.

GREEN OFFICE, CLEANER FUTURE: HOW ATMA IS REIMAGINING WORKPLACE SUSTAINABILITY

In the heart of New Delhi’s bustling PHD House, ATMA is proving that office spaces can be more than just functional – they can be transformative environmental statements.

Under the leadership of Budhraja, ATMA has turned its headquarters into a verdant oasis that’s part workspace, part ecological experiment. The organisation has embraced a holistic approach to sustainability that goes beyond mere corporate rhetoric.

Not only do plants improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, but they also have been shown to reduce stress and increase focus. “Thus was born the idea to have a green workspace so as to boost productivity, creativity and overall well-being”, said Budhraja.

The office is now a living, breathing ecosystem where every square foot serves a purpose. Lush greenery isn’t just decorative – it’s a strategic tool for improving air quality, reducing stress and boosting employee productivity.

ATMA has implemented energy-efficient lighting systems that dramatically reduce power consumption across their office space. The organisation’s architectural design features strategically placed open areas that maximise natural sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.

By adopting a circular economy approach to waste management, ATMA transforms leftover food into nutrient-rich compost, which is then used to support the office’s green spaces, creating a closed-loop sustainability system.

The entire ATMA team is now actively engaged in maintaining this green space, turning sustainability from a corporate mandate into a shared cultural value.

It’s a small but significant step in an industry not typically associated with environmental innovation. By reimagining their workspace, ATMA is sending a powerful message: sustainability starts at home – or in this case, the office.

JK Tyre & Industries is aiming for double-digit revenue growth in FY2026, outpacing its forecast for single-digit expansion across the broader tyre industry. Managing Director Anshuman Singhania outlined the company’s ambitions during a post-earnings media call, underscoring confidence in demand recovery and strategic market positioning.

Q1 Performance Overview

For the first quarter of FY2026, JK Tyre reported revenue of INR 38.91 billion, with EBITDA at INR 4.24 billion, translating to a margin of 10 percent. Net profit stood at ₹1.55 billion — up 51 percent compared with the previous quarter, but down 21 percent YoY.

Singhania attributed the annual decline to muted original equipment (OE) demand, particularly in truck and bus radial (TBR) volumes, alongside higher raw material costs compared to the same period last year. He also highlighted an adverse impact from the company’s Tornel business in Mexico, which faced uncertainty due to tariffs on exports from Mexico to the United States, dampening volumes.

Resilience in Domestic and Export Markets

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “The growth momentum in domestic markets remained robust in Q1, with JK Tyre clocking a sales growth of 11 percent YoY, as contributed by a steady demand for our products in both replacement as well as OE segments, underscoring JK Tyre’s continued focus on core growth drivers and strengthening market presence.”

“Despite a challenging and uncertain macro-economic environment, exports of passenger car tyres witnessed a strong traction both on QoQ and YoY basis, signifying pull for our products and enhanced brand perception in the global markets,” said Dr Singhania.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Operational efficiencies and strategic pricing supported performance, even as natural rubber prices remained elevated. Subsidiaries Cavendish (India) and Tornel (Mexico) continued to contribute significantly to the group’s consolidated financials.

Regarding trade tensions between India and the US, Anshuman Singhania noted that exports from India to the US account for only around 3 percent of JK Tyre’s revenue and could be redirected to markets such as Mexico, Latin America, Brazil and the UAE if required. With zero tariffs in Mexico, JK Tyre can utilise its production base there to meet demand for both passenger and truck radials. The EU and UK, where JK Tyre holds a strong position in the TBR segment, also remain tariff-free.

Capacity expansion

The company’s INR 14 billion capital expenditure plan is progressing on schedule, covering passenger car radial (PCR), TBR and all-steel truck radial projects. For the year, investment is expected to total INR 9-10 billion, aimed at boosting production capacity by 30-40 percent.

A key driver for future profitability is the shift towards premium products. The share of 16-inch and above passenger car tyres in JK Tyre’s portfolio has grown from 18 percent in FY2020 to 25 percent in FY2025, with a target of 40-45 percent over the next two to three years. This change is being fuelled by rising SUV sales, larger rim sizes in entry-level cars and strong export demand.

The company has also developed a complete range of tyres for electric vehicles, spanning commercial truck radials, bus tyres, passenger radials and two/three-wheeler tyres  Major OEMs such as Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility and Tata Motors are sourcing these products, including for last-mile connectivity vehicles and newly launched EV buses.

Market Outlook

The replacement market has been a bright spot, with passenger radial volumes up 32 percent year-on-year and truck radial volumes growing in the high single digits. JK Tyre expects demand to strengthen in the second half of FY2026, supported by infrastructure development, a favourable monsoon, potential interest rate cuts, and improved consumer liquidity.

Anshuman Singhania stressed that the worst of raw material price pressures appear to be over, paving the way for margin improvement as the product mix shifts and capacity utilisation rises. With the small car segment’s gradual decline offset by growth in premium categories, JK Tyre remains confident in sustaining momentum.

“Overall, India is poised for growth,” Singhania concluded. “We see positives across the board — from infrastructure push to evolving consumer preferences — and we are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends.”

Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres as original equipment for BYD’s new SEALION 6 DM-i SUV, marking the Japanese manufacturer’s first OE partnership with the Chinese carmaker.

The SEALION 6 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV launched by BYD Company Ltd. this July, is being factory-fitted with 235/50R19 103V size ADVAN V61 tyres. The announcement comes as Yokohama seeks to grow its footprint in China’s fast-evolving electric and hybrid vehicle market.

The ADVAN V61 is part of Yokohama’s global flagship ADVAN range and is positioned as a premium SUV tyre. The company said the tyre “offers ADVAN’s hallmark premium-grade driving performance, along with a high-level balance of fuel and energy efficiency, handling stability, and quietness, achieving both comfortable city driving and long-distance touring for heavyweight SUVs.”

The SEALION 6 DM-i combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing up to 74kW with an electric motor generating 160kW. Buyers can choose between 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh blade battery options, offering electric driving ranges of 93km and 130km, respectively. All models come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems as standard, and the exterior design draws inspiration from the concept of “ocean aesthetics.”

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd said its subsidiary Dunlop Tyre Japan Ltd has completed a Japan Fair Trade Commission investigation into automotive all-season tyre sales after the regulator approved a commitment plan submitted by the unit.

The probe, which examined the subsidiary’s sales practices, concluded without the commission identifying any violation of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act, Sumitomo Rubber said in a statement.

Under Japan’s commitment procedures, companies can submit plans to address potential competition concerns without admitting wrongdoing, allowing them to resolve investigations while avoiding formal sanctions.

"We deeply apologise for the great trouble and anxiety that we have caused to all concerned, including our clients and business partners,” the tyre maker said.

Belgian steel wire maker Bekaert reported resilient first-half 2025 earnings as strong cash generation and cost control offset softer sales, but warned that tariffs and currency pressures are weighing on demand.

The company posted consolidated sales of €1.9 billion, down 5.2 percent year-on-year, with volumes declining 2.6 percent and price/mix effects stripping out a further 2.2 percent. Underlying EBIT slipped 16.2 percent to €171 million, delivering a margin of 8.8 percent compared with 9.9 percent a year earlier.

Free cash flow surged to €123 million from €43 million in the prior-year period, driven by a €135 million reduction in working capital and €21 million in cost savings as the company continued to streamline operations and rein in capex. Net debt fell to €327 million from €399 million despite a continuing €200 million share buyback programme, €74 million of which has been completed.

“We have continued to focus on what we can control best – cash flow and costs - and have significantly reduced overheads and working capital in H1 2025,” chief executive Yves Kerstens said. “Equally, I am very pleased with the hard work of our teams fighting for volumes in the current challenging markets.”

He added: “We are also taking further steps to make our business units more autonomous and agile. Therefore, I am very confident that we will come out of the current business environment stronger and more cost competitive than ever before.”

Bekaert said volumes were particularly strong in its Steel Wire Solutions and Rubber Reinforcement divisions in the United States and China, while European and Latin American demand lagged. Its Brazilian joint ventures delivered €24 million in net profit share, up from €20 million a year ago.

However, the group cautioned that growing trade tensions – including a rise in US steel tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent – and the weakening of the US dollar and Chinese yuan against the euro were eroding pricing power and softening orders.

“Following a period of resilience in Q2, the tariff uncertainty and weakening economic outlook has started to have an impact on demand,” Bekaert said.

The company now expects slightly lower full-year 2025 sales on a like-for-like basis, with an underlying EBIT margin of between 8.0 percent and 8.5 percent, down from 8.8 percent in the first half.