BKT has announced that with its enhancement at Bhuj, it is aiming for an annual tyre production of 600,000 metric tonnes (MT). The company also envisages the achievement of two billion dollars in turnover in three years.

Bhuj from 201 to 2023
When the first tyre rolled off the Bhuj production line in 2012, the plant was located on an area of 123 hectares. Then it was a $500 million investment. Before starting the works, the desert landscape was completely arid. There was neither water nor electricity. But after the laying of many kilometres of drinking water pipes and power lines, the site grew with 126 hectares in 2016, 131 in 2019, 137 in 2021 and 258 in 2022. By the end of 2023, the forecast is to reach a total surface area of 323 hectares, of which 283 have already been acquired.

Better production and safety
BKT claims that Bhuj today sees more efficient machinery installed, with features that make it possible to work faster and more precisely. This increases the quantity of production and the quality of the finished product. This means, for example, that the amount of product discarded is reduced, increasing the sustainability of the manufacturing process and consequently reducing production costs. Occupational risks are also reduced and worker comfort improved.

Self-produced carbon black
A further strategic choice by BKT to enhance the Bhuj site was to invest in its own carbon black plant. The plant came into operation in 2017, when the first 65,000 MT/PA of hard grade carbon black was produced, the type of carbon black used specifically in tyre tread.  The following year, production increased from 65,000 to 110,000 MT and saw the addition of production of soft grade carbon black. This carbon black is used in the casing compound to improve its strength and durability, generating less heat. In 2021, total production of the two types of carbon black reached 138,000 MT per annum, while last year it rose to 165,600 MT per annum.

The goal for 2023 is 198,600 MT. In addition to this, the R&D department plans to add a third type of carbon black, the ‘specialty carbon black’. It is a type of carbon black with unique properties compared to that used in rubber compounds, such as high resistance to colouring, a high level of purity, a low ash level and very low level of PAHs, which make it suitable for use in specific applications, such as paints, plastics and inks.

Increasing production capacity
The expansion of the plant means an increase in production capacity. The operational logistics have also improved significantly. This has allowed the introduction of new specialist workers, as well as providing greater flexibility in production and storage flows. Speaking of work, the construction of new facilities also marked an improvement in employees' safety conditions, an aspect which BKT takes very seriously. The community that operates on the Bhuj site today is very large. At the end of December 2022, the number of people working there was 4,776.

The wellbeing of the BKT family
BKT dedicates a significant investment to the wellbeing of its community every year, through the expansion of the area housing the families of employees (now almost 1,000 people live there), in the care of their health and in the education of their children.

A good use of resources
Bhuj is also a model for the good use of resources. In 2013, the internal power plant was created to have a reliable and controlled source of electricity. Today, both solar panels and the cogeneration plant make it possible to self-produce energy. In 2022, the cogeneration plant was expanded from 20 MW to 40 MW. Projects are still underway to increase the power of self-produced renewable resources.

Water is also at the heart of BKT's path towards sustainability. Since 2019, the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) principle has been adopted. This means that no liquid waste is released outside the plant. All water used in the plant is treated, purified and reused. The objective of the ZLD principle is to conserve water resources, reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge and improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of the plant.

Carbon black production made more sustainable
The tyre manufacturer has also taken an approach to carbon black production to make the whole process more sustainable. The company has substituted bulk bag containers with mobile silos. This means that the tyre production plant receives the carbon plant with the aid of mobile silos transported pneumatically to the storage. This will make BKT save on packaging, i.e., 100,000 bulk bags in the next few years. The whole transportation system is also designed to reduce energy usage, consumption and quality. Every transfer system is controlled by weight and the energy used. The future goal is challenging – reducing energy consumption up to 70 percent. This translates in saving more than two million kilograms CO₂ emissions per year, which are comparable to 5,000 apartments of 100 square metres each.

At the same time, the gas used to manufacture carbon black is now ending up in a co-generation plant, able to reuse 75,000 cubic metres of gas per year. This means saving 215,000 MT of coal per year. 

Research opens up the future
BKT's R&D division was what allowed the Bhuj site to grow. Established in 2017, this hub develops both products and processes, to ensure the company can maintain its international leadership. Led by a specialist team of researchers and analysts, it remains an important and up-to-date research centre in the tyre sector.

Coming to testing, a special test track was inaugurated in 2017. With six different tracks, this circuit includes tracks for tyre performance tests in dry and wet conditions, an asphalt track and a sloping concrete track. Thanks to a wide variety of tests, many important characteristics such as traction, handling, comfort, soil compaction and more can be measured here because of high precision devices and instruments.

A concrete vision
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director at BKT, says, "People have asked me if all this was really necessary, so much in such a short time. The goals we set ourselves when we decided to open the Bhuj site were proportional to the financial solidity of the time, but above all, to a vision which is as great as it is concrete.”

He added, “Analysing the market and anticipating it with passion and foresight is what we have done all these years. Growth has always been in step with demand, not without – let me say it – courage and creativity, but never without our objectives and investments having solid foundations. Global tyre demand is growing and we see no signs of it slowing down over the next five years. This is a demand which started to rise during the 2020 pandemic, and which today is above pre-Covid levels. Will it be difficult? Will it be a challenge? Our vision is simple, which is why it is very concrete. The journey we started out on at Bhuj in 2012 was never a return journey, but one to prepare ourselves to discover the future."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has commenced 2026 by building upon its record-breaking previous year, which was distinguished by numerous victories and podium placements across its entire product portfolio and its innovative Cyber Tyre technology. This exceptional momentum is underscored by the remarkable performance of the recently launched summer Cinturato, a tyre engineered for premium sedans and CUVs that has rapidly established itself as a benchmark for safety, longevity and dynamic equilibrium. Having already secured two wins in 2025, the next-generation Cinturato has added two outright victories and three podium finishes in the opening months of 2026, excelling in six comparative tests conducted by leading European automotive publications and independent organisations.

The Cinturato's success story includes a premier position in a test by Tyre Reviews, where it was lauded as the best summer tyre of the year for its impeccable dry braking and precise steering feedback. It also achieved a triumph in evaluations by the Automobilclub von Deutschland, earning an ‘excellent’ rating and top marks in safety-critical areas like dry braking and aquaplaning resistance. Further reinforcing its technological sophistication, the tyre secured second place with a ‘Highly Recommended’ rating from the ADAC, which recognised its robust durability and diminished environmental footprint alongside its balanced handling.

Additional podium finishes came from Auto Zeitung, which praised the Cinturato as a tyre devoid of weaknesses for its safe handling and impressive mileage, and from Sweden's Vi Bilägare, which highlighted its agile nature and short stopping distances. The tyre's comprehensive capabilities were also affirmed by Auto Bild, where it progressed from a strong qualifying performance to the final round, impressing testers with its grip and balanced behaviour, especially on wet surfaces.

This outstanding beginning to the year for the Cinturato is part of a broader renewal of Pirelli's summer offerings, which recently welcomed the fifth-generation P Zero, the quintessential tyre for sports cars, and the third-generation Scorpion, the latest evolution designed to deliver safety and enduring performance for SUVs.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Prinx Chengshan, together with its brand Chengshan, participated in the 25th Heilongjiang Agricultural Machinery Exhibition in Harbin on 14 March 2026. The event served as a platform to advance the modernisation of China’s agricultural machinery sector and foster industry exchanges. In this context, the company displayed a comprehensive range of agricultural tyres tailored for tractors and combine harvesters.

For tractors, the company presented its agricultural radial tyre series. The TX600 model is engineered with robust tread blocks and a cut-resistant compound, ensuring stable handling during high-speed operations while offering strong defence against punctures. The TX700 features a reinforced carcass and belt structure, providing significant load capacity and superior traction to perform effectively in wet and uneven fields. Meanwhile, the TX800 incorporates a deep R-1W tread pattern and a specialised wear-resistant compound, supported by strengthened beads and shoulders. This design enhances resistance to damage from straw and stones, thereby extending tyre longevity. Addressing the needs of combine harvesters, the TX2000 model delivers a 20 percent increase in load capacity and excellent flexibility. Its low-pressure, wide-footprint design minimizes soil compaction, aligning agricultural efficiency with environmental sustainability.

Additionally, the company’s bias tyre offerings, the CSY90 and CSY93, were also showcased. These tyres feature a traditional herringbone tread pattern that ensures effective self-cleaning and robust traction. They maintain reliable performance in challenging terrains such as soft sand and muddy fields, while their durable construction supports continuous operation during peak farming periods.

With the global push towards agricultural modernisation and mechanisation, Prinx Chengshan has strategically expanded its off-the-road (OTR) tyre operations. A key milestone in this effort is the newly operational green smart factory for OTR tyres. With an investment exceeding RMB 1.1 billion (approximately USD 159.50 million) and spanning over 100,000 square metres, the facility is designed to produce 84,000 engineering tyres and 10,000 giant tyres annually. Serving diverse sectors including mining, construction and agriculture, this initiative enhances the company’s high-end product portfolio and promotes the sustainable advancement of China’s OTR tyre industry.

Looking ahead, Prinx Chengshan intends to uphold its integrated product and service approach. By advancing agricultural tyre technology, the company aims to support the evolution of agricultural machinery through intelligent and sustainable solutions, contributing to the sector’s continued progress.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tructyre has announced the appointment of Mark Holland as its new Operations Director, effective from April 2026. In this role, he will leverage his extensive background in managing large-scale mobile service operations to enhance support for fleet customers across all sizes.

Holland transitions to Tructyre from ATS Euromaster, where he spent nearly six years as Operations Director. His tenure there also included leadership positions such as Head of Mobile Operations, Head of Network Development and Area Operations Manager. Prior to joining ATS Euromaster in 2011, he served as Network Manager at Auto Windscreens, where he was responsible for overseeing the company’s mobile teams.

In his new capacity, Holland will oversee a 350-strong fleet of service vehicles, along with tooling, equipment, supply chain and distribution. He will also manage Tructyre’s 24/7 Customer Experience Centre in Gateshead, which handles over 11,000 calls each month. Tructyre specialises exclusively in mobile servicing for trucks, trailers, buses and coaches. Its operations are supported by a network of 40 depots across England, Wales and Scotland, supplemented by additional stocking points, ensuring technicians have round-the-clock access to the necessary fitments for both planned service work and roadside emergencies.

Holland said, “Tructyre is partway through a major investment in new systems, so it’s an exciting moment to be stepping into this role. These upgrades will streamline processes for both our technicians and colleagues within our Customer Experience Centre, enabling us to deliver an even faster, more efficient service for fleets. Few industries carry the responsibility that ours does, and the opportunity to help de‑risk Britain’s commercial vehicle fleets is one I take seriously. I’m looking forward to driving operational excellence in everything we do and ensuring our customers have complete confidence in their tyres.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, has been appointed to another term as Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA). This industry body represents India's automotive tyre sector at the national level. Meanwhile, Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director of Bridgestone India Private Limited, has assumed the role of Vice Chairman. In a separate leadership transition, Sanjay Chatterjee, formerly Assistant Director General, has been promoted to Director General of ATMA. He takes over from Rajiv Budhraja, who is set to retire on 31 March 2026.

Mammen’s educational background includes graduation from Madras Christian College and an MBA from Ashland University in United States. His professional development was significantly enhanced by extensive training with B F Goodrich Tire & Co. and Uniroyal Goodrich Tire & Co. during his time in US, an experience that proved highly beneficial in his subsequent career. He was appointed Managing Director of MRF Ltd in 2004 and later became Vice Chairman and Managing Director in 2017.

His initial tenure as ATMA Chairman began at a pivotal moment last year, coinciding with the organisation's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Established in 1975, ATMA stands as one of the country's most prominent national industry associations, representing an automotive tyre industry valued at over INR 1 trillion. The association's membership encompasses major Indian and international tyre manufacturers, who collectively account for more than 80 percent of India's total tyre production.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!