BKT Lifts Carbon Black Capacity As Volumes Recover Amid Tariff Pressure
- By Sharad Matade
- February 14, 2026
Balkrishna Industries (BKT) reported a six percent rise in quarterly volumes and commissioned additional carbon black capacity, even as US tariffs and volatile commodity prices weighed on parts of its export business.
The company’s sales volumes rose to 80,620 metric tonnes in the quarter to December 2025, up six percent year on year and about 15 percent higher than the previous quarter. For the first nine months, volumes were 231,536 metric tonnes, down onepercent from a year earlier.
Standalone revenue for the quarter was INR 26.82 billion, up 4 per cent year on year, including a realised foreign exchange loss of Rs 470 million relating to sales. For the nine months, revenue was Rs 77.62 billion, broadly flat, including a realised forex loss of Rs 1.17 billion.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were Rs 6.05 billion for the quarter, with a margin of 22.5 percent. For the nine months, EBITDA was INR 17.6 billion, down 11 percent year on year, with a margin of 22.7 percent. Profit after tax for the quarter was INR 3.75 billion, and INR 9.27 billion for the nine-month period.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT, said the “geopolitical and macroeconomic environment continues to remain challenged and the situation with U.S. tariffs remain unchanged”.
In the US, sales momentum improved sequentially after a weak second quarter. Poddar said the group had regained some momentum by sharing the tariff burden with distributors. “Because of our strong brand positioning and quality and some major chunk of the tariffs to be shared between us and our channel partners, we have been able to gain some of the momentum that we had lost in the Q2,” he said.
He declined to quantify the impact of tariffs on margins, but confirmed that costs were being shared. Channel inventory in the US and Europe was “at par at where it should be”.
India remained the strongest market, supported by lower goods and services tax rates and favourable monsoon conditions. The domestic portfolio is split roughly 60 percent industrial and construction tyres and 40 percent agricultural tyres. Higher India contribution has a “slightly lower” average selling price, Poddar said, but margins have remained broadly stable.
In Europe, demand improved sequentially as earlier destocking eased. The European Union Deforestation Regulation, originally due to take effect from January 2026, has been deferred by one year. Madhusudan Bajaj, Senior President and Chief Financial Officer, said the current import duty into Europe is four percent, though the impact of the proposed free trade agreement with the EU is not yet clear.
Freight costs were about 5 percent of revenue in the quarter and are expected to remain in that range.
On raw materials, Bajaj said oil and natural rubber prices were moving higher, but it was “too early to say what will be the impact”. The average euro rate in the quarter was about INR 97.
Capital expenditure remains elevated. The company has spent about INR 22 billion in the first nine months of the financial year and expects total spending of roughly INR 25–26 billion in FY2026, with the balance of committed projects to be completed in the following year.
During the quarter, BKT commissioned a new carbon black line, taking total capacity to 265,000 metric tonnes per annum. The incremental capacity is intended for external sales rather than captive consumption. Carbon black accounted for less than 10 percent of revenue in the quarter, with margins expected to align with industry averages.
ZAFCO Appoints Tyre Industry Veteran Hee Se Ahn To Board As Independent Director
- By TT News
- February 13, 2026
ZAFCO, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of automotive tyres, batteries and lubricants, has strengthened its corporate governance with the addition of Hee Se Ahn to its Board as an Independent Director, effective 1 January 2026. Bringing over three decades of specialised industry experience, Ahn is recognised for his extensive leadership in the global tyre sector.
His professional background is deeply rooted in international commerce, with significant achievements in overseas sales, strategic marketing and high-level management across key markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Prior to this appointment, his career included senior roles such as Executive Vice President at Nexen Tire and Managing Director at Hankook Tire, based in Seoul. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in fostering international expansion and enhancing market positions while leading diverse, cross-regional teams, solidifying his status as a respected figure in the industry.
Zafar Hussain, Executive Director, ZAFCO Group, said, “We are pleased to welcome Hee Se Ahn to the Board of ZAFCO. His extensive international experience in sales, marketing and regional leadership will bring valuable perspectives to the company. His deep understanding of the global tyre industry will be a strong asset to both the Board and the management team.”
Amir Abbas, Executive Director, ZAFCO Group, said, “We are delighted to welcome Hee Se Ahn to the ZAFCO Board. He brings with him a global business mindset and rich insights into leadership and international business transformation. We look forward to his contributions as we continue to strengthen our global presence.”
Nokian Tyres Sets 2029 Targets With €2 Bln Sales Goal And Tighter Debt Ceiling
- By Sharad Matade
- February 13, 2026
Nokian Tyres has approved an updated strategy and financial targets through to the end of 2029, setting a net sales objective of €1.8 billion–€2 billion and outlining measures to strengthen profitability and reduce leverage.
The Finnish tyre maker said it would prioritise sustainable, value-driven growth following what it described as the most significant transformation in its history.
“Over the past years, Nokian Tyres has navigated the most significant transformations in its history. This period has been a complete strategic reset as we rebuilt the new Nokian Tyres platform. As we now enter the next phase of our development, we will refocus on sustainable, value-driven growth. This positions us to take better control of the unpredictable also in the future and will reduce our exposure to geopolitical risks,” said President And Chief Executive Paolo Pompei.
Under the revised targets, the company aims for segments EBITDA of more than 24 percent and segments operating profit above 15 percent. It also intends to keep net debt to segments EBITDA below 2.
Nokian Tyres will continue to use segments EBITDA as its primary profitability metric and has defined a range for net sales rather than a single figure.
The group reiterated its dividend policy, targeting distribution of at least 50 percent of net earnings.
Strategically, Nokian Tyres said it would focus on its core segments. In passenger car tyres, it aims to maintain a market-leading position in winter tyres and deliver above-market growth in the all-season and all-weather categories. In heavy tyres, it is targeting above-market growth in agricultural and forestry tyres.
Vianor will continue to serve as a European sales and service channel for both passenger car and heavy tyres.
The company said market trends including electrification, a growing car parc, increasing rim sizes and rising demand for winter tyres support development in its chosen segments.
“Our updated financial targets set a clear direction for the future and reflect our ambition to create sustainable value for our shareholders. Profitability improvement will be driven both by volume growth and by more than EUR 100 million coming from targeted performance initiatives. While maintaining strong performance in the Nordics, we aim to accelerate growth in North America and Central Europe. We will prioritize value creation through premium positioning, improved product mix and disciplined cost and operational efficiency,” Pompei said.
Carter’s Tyre Service Names Rob Watson CEO As Mike Hollier Prepares For Retirement
- By TT News
- February 12, 2026
Carter’s Tyre Service has announced that Rob Watson will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer, adding this responsibility to his existing position as CEO of NTAW NZ. His appointment marks a significant development for the company, drawing on deep experience gained across New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Known for driving performance improvement and strengthening customer relationships, Watson brings a proven ability to lead service-oriented organisations. His focus will be on enhancing operational performance, supporting customers and empowering teams to maintain consistent service standards nationwide.
This leadership transition coincides with the forthcoming retirement of Mike Hollier in April. Hollier will remain actively involved in the coming months to facilitate a seamless handover. The company has acknowledged his valuable leadership and lasting contribution throughout his time with Carter’s Tyre Service.
Falken’s AZENIS FK520 Outperforms Rivals As Best Value Choice In 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test
- By TT News
- February 12, 2026
Falken’s AZENIS FK520 has earned a ‘highly recommended’ rating in the 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test, securing fourth place overall with 135 out of 170 points. Tested in the popular 225/40 R18 XL size, with an average price of EUR 87, the tyre stood out as the most affordable option among the top performers, underscoring its exceptional value for money. Customers seeking premium engineering without the premium price tag therefore find a compelling proposition in this model.
The ACE assessment placed particular emphasis on safety, where the AZENIS FK520 delivered standout results. It achieved the highest possible aquaplaning score, sharing top honours with two rival products and demonstrating assured stability on waterlogged roads. In dry handling exercises, the tyre impressed with precise steering response, robust lateral grip and high-speed stability. Its performance on wet surfaces was equally balanced and dependable, reinforcing its all‑round competence in challenging conditions.
Beyond its strong showing against established premium competitors, the Falken AZENIS FK520 also offers broad real‑world relevance. Available in widely used fitment sizes, it is especially well suited to compact cars - a segment that accounts for substantial sales volume across Europe. The ACE result confirms that this combination of safety, dynamic capability and accessible pricing makes the AZENIS FK520 a thoroughly convincing choice for drivers who refuse to compromise on either performance or affordability.
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