Bansal Wire Industries, India’s largest stainless steel wire manufacturing company, is charting a dynamic course in the Indian tyre market with innovative solutions aimed at enhancing performance and sustainability. Leveraging its expertise in the automotive sector, the company is introducing advanced steel cords and bead wire products designed to improve tyre efficiency, rolling resistance and fuel economy.

Bansal Wire Industries is optimistic on capitalising on the growth of the Indian tyre market as tyre makers endeavour to offer more efficient rubber wheels. The Delhi-based conglomerate is planning to introduce products within its tyre-industry portfolio that will improve performance. The company already caters to the automobile industry with products spanning outer and inner spring, circlips and washer categories.

Speaking to Tyre Trends on upcoming products, Managing Director Pranav Bansal iterated, “Our modern manufacturing setup enhances product performance; this is particularly in line with current industry trends as we move towards producing super tension and super tensile plus steel cord products. These innovations are expected to improve rolling resistance and reduce tyre weight, both of which contribute to better fuel efficiency and performance. We are actively embracing complete digitalisation and bringing more automation into our processes, helping us increase efficiency and ensure product consistency.”

He added, “We pride ourselves in being the only Indian company manufacturing steel cord for the PCR and TBR sectors with offerings in normal tensile, high tensile and super tensile (ST). Additionally, we have expanded our bead wire manufacturing capabilities with facilities in both South and North India and we continue to explore innovations to serve the evolving needs of the tyre industry.”

Alluding to the reason behind expanding into the tyre industry, he noted, “Our expansion into the tyre industry is driven by the increasing demands of durable, high-quality materials and products, as supported by industry research reports done by Invest India, among others. By diversifying our product portfolio, we aim to meet this demand for efficient materials. By focusing on high-quality steel cords and bead wires, we help improve tyre performance, which in turn enhances vehicle stability, handling and safety, especially under challenging road conditions.”

“The Indian tyre industry has witnessed a significant growth over the past few years, which is driven by an exponential increase in production, domestic sales, exports and overall revenue. An integral growth factor in this is the increase in the ownership of vehicles, which further aids the tyre industry. Additionally, the surge in demand for tyres for trucks and buses, fuelled by expanding mobility and industrialisation, has given a boost to the sector,” he added.

The company caters to over 5,000 customers, offering more than 4,000 different wire products across industries such as automotive, infrastructure and consumer durables. While its primary market is India, the manufacturer also exports products to over 50 countries. The US and Europe are among its largest markets, where it continues to see significant demand for products.

Industry talk

Bansal mentioned that the increasing demand in the automotive industry, domestically, presents tremendous opportunities for the company. “Our high-performing products allow us to constantly evolve. However, challenges like fluctuating raw material prices as well as the changing regulatory requirements could impact. Expansion internationally, specifically in regions like the US and Europe, provides significant opportunities, but geo-political risks and trade regulations could challenge the operations on a global level,” he noted.

Alluding to the strategies implemented by the company to meet the growing demands, he iterated, “In the automotive and tyre industry, collaboration with stakeholders is key to driving innovation and meeting the growing demand for high-quality wire products. We focus on building strong partnerships with manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions to align our solutions with industry needs. Regular engagement through industry forums, trade shows and feedback mechanisms allow us to understand evolving requirements and deliver solutions that enhance performance, safety and sustainability. By participating in joint development projects, sharing technical expertise and staying updated on emerging trends, we ensure our products remain at the forefront of technological advancements.”

Quality and sustainability

The company has manufacturing facilities for bead wire in both South and North India. The production capacity at its South India facility is 50 kilotonnes per year, and at the North India facility, it is 30 kilotonnes per year. Additionally, it has a pilot manufacturing site for steel cords in North India, which currently has a production capacity of 20 kilotonnes per year. The company plans to gradually scale up this capacity to meet the growing demand of the tyre industry. 

Commenting on quality measures implemented to derive industry-grade materials, he explained, “We are committed to ensuring the highest product quality and will soon be the only company in India with dedicated in-house research and development wing for both steel cord and bead wire. Our research and development facility spans 12,000 square feet and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to drive innovation. To achieve 'First Time Right' production, we have conducted extensive gap analyses of our processes and implemented all necessary improvements. Additionally, our manufacturing facilities are equipped with cutting-edge machinery, all integrated with a complete digital interface to capture real-time data, ensuring the highest standards in production and quality.”

The company also puts focus in the principles of circularity with several initiatives. “Sustainability is a core focus area for us and we are addressing it in several ways. Our use of renewable energy has reached 70 percent in some of our plants and we are dedicatedly moving towards water positivity in many of our facilities. We are exploring the use of green steel in both our steel cord and bead wire products. To further reduce our environmental impact, we are investing in energy-efficient machinery and continuously seeking ways to minimise emissions across our operations,” said Bansal.

Future course

According to Bansal, the company is anticipating several key trends that will influence its business, including a strong focus on product innovation to enhance performance and quality. “We are committed to show resilience to maintain operational stability in dynamic markets. We work dedicatedly to improve the customer experience through feedback and satisfaction while also fostering diversity and inclusion within our workplace culture. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility remain priorities, alongside embracing technological advances to optimise our operations and product offerings for the future. These trends will guide our growth and ensure we stay ahead in a competitive market,” explained Bansal.

Besides, the company is also focused on significant growth opportunities through the establishment of new facilities and capacity expansions. “Our new manufacturing site in North India for both steel cord and bead wire has a current steel cord capacity of 20 kilotonnes per year with plans to scale it to 200 kilotonnes per year over the next five years. In bead wire, we now have two new state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in South and North India with a combined production capacity of 80 kilotonnes per year, ensuring that we are well positioned to meet the increasing demand from our customers in the coming years,” concluded Bansal.

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This coming summer, Apollo Tyres will introduce the new Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, an ultra-high-performance all-season tyre distinguished by a sidewall created in partnership with the celebrated Italian design house, Italdesign. Engineered and manufactured entirely in Europe, the Quatrac Pro 2 represents a significant advancement in the all-season category, featuring a completely new internal structure, the use of advanced materials and a sophisticated directional tread pattern. These technical elements combine to deliver superior performance, while the tyre’s aesthetic has been developed to visually communicate this capability.

The design of the sidewall, a collaborative effort between Italdesign and Vredestein, is conceived around the theme of ‘Passage’. This concept captures the cyclical nature of the changing seasons, portraying them as a fluid interaction of positive and negative space. The graphics incorporate flowing forms that subtly suggest natural elements such as foliage, precipitation and the movement of air and water. This visual language is intended to reflect the tyre’s versatility, hinting at its ability to transition seamlessly from dry, warm roads to cold, snow-covered surfaces. The result is a distinctive visual signature that reinforces Vredestein’s premium market standing and makes the tyre instantly recognisable, translating its all-weather competence into an expressive design.

This launch marks another milestone in a 27-year design partnership between Apollo Tyres and Italdesign, a relationship that has previously produced notable models like the Sportrac in 1999 and the Ultrac Pro in 2024. The Quatrac Pro 2 continues this tradition of merging advanced engineering with distinguished Italian styling to create a product that stands out. Apollo Tyres’ research supports the importance of this focus on aesthetics, revealing that a considerable number of European driving enthusiasts prioritise tyre design. The study found that 43 percent of respondents find conventional tyres unappealing and would prefer a more distinctive sidewall design, confirming consumer appetite for products that enhance a vehicle’s overall look.

Positioned as a versatile, performance-oriented option, the Quatrac Pro 2 is engineered for a wide array of vehicles, including sports cars, high-performance saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs. It is also built to meet the specific demands of modern hybrid and electric vehicles, offering reduced noise and rolling resistance alongside a robust construction capable of handling increased weight while maintaining responsive handling. With this launch, Vredestein reinforces its long-established leadership in the all-season sector, a market it has helped shape since the early 1990s, and continues to offer the most extensive range of all-season tyres available.

Enrico Lago, Industrial Design Team Leader at Italdesign, said, “The theme of ‘Passage’ suggests a continuous path, where each season is a distinct yet interconnected stage, allowing for personal interpretation of the present moment. In this way, ‘Passage’ invites reflection on life’s transient nature and how we navigate through time. Much like when we design a car, we see the sidewall of a Vredestein tyre as a blank canvas to bring character to a high-performance product. We have enjoyed more than 25 years of close collaboration with the Vredestein brand, and the insights gained from each project have laid the foundation for the next. The Quatrac Pro 2 marks another important chapter in this story.” 

Udyan Ghai, Group Head – Marketing, Apollo Tyres, said, “The tyre balances advanced engineering with expressive design, reinforcing the Vredestein brand’s reputation for innovation and style. We’re proud of our longstanding relationship with Italdesign and it is extremely rewarding to bring to market something that is genuinely unique, perfectly aligned with the tyre’s all-season capabilities.”

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In 2026, Cabot Corporation reported improved environmental performance in its latest disclosure to CDP, reinforcing a multi-year trend of progress across climate and water stewardship.

The company received an A- rating for Water Security and a B rating for Climate Change in CDP’s 2025 assessment. The Water Security score marks an improvement from a B in 2024, exceeding both global and industry averages, while the Climate Change rating was maintained year on year, alongside improvements in subcategories such as climate risk disclosure, value chain engagement and industry collaboration.

CDP evaluated more than 24,800 companies globally in 2025, covering roughly two-thirds of global market capitalisation, using a scoring scale ranging from D (Disclosure) to A (Leadership).

Cabot positions the results as validation of a long-term sustainability strategy anchored in transparency, operational discipline and continuous improvement. As Jaimee Farrin, Senior Director, Global Sustainability at Cabot Corporation, explains: “Through our commitment to operate responsibly, conserve resources and develop innovative performance materials, we will be relentless in our pursuit of solving sustainability challenges and achieving our net zero ambition.”

Transparent reporting remains a central pillar of this approach. Farrin notes that CDP is one of the environmental and governance disclosure platforms Cabot prioritises, both for reporting and for evaluating performance. She adds, “As part of our ongoing efforts, we are dedicated to transparent reporting, including our climate actions, opportunities and progress.”

CLIMATE CHANGE

On climate change, Cabot has set a 2030 goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15 percent through process innovation. To progress towards this target, the company is pursuing a comprehensive strategy encompassing renewable energy transition over time, efficiency improvements, investment in breakthrough decarbonisation technologies and the use of alternative feedstocks and advanced energy recovery solutions.

One of the company’s most prominent climate-related innovations is its regenerated carbon technology, developed under the EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform. Farrin highlights the role this technology plays in advancing circularity in the tyre industry. She says, “Cabot’s regenerated carbon technology is one of the innovative strategies the company is leveraging to reduce its environmental impact.”

Reclaimed carbon, produced through the pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres, has historically been limited to very low loadings (<10%) in rubber applications due to poor reinforcing properties. Farrin explains that Cabot’s patented regeneration technology addresses this limitation by improving surface characteristics, enabling tyre manufacturers to use higher levels of reclaimed carbon with performance comparable to virgin carbon black.

“Today, we have demonstrated that the technology enables the use of reclaimed carbon content up to 30 percent; however, as we look forward, we are continuously evaluating ways to increase sustainable content while delivering in-rubber performance,” explains Farrin.

Energy efficiency and recovery also form a critical part of Cabot’s climate strategy. The company has implemented energy recovery systems at many facilities worldwide, including 13 reinforcing carbon plants, capturing and reusing heat generated during production to offset electricity and steam typically supplied by the grid and natural gas combustion.

Farrin underlines the strategic significance of these systems, noting, “This opportunity has influenced Cabot’s strategy as we have recently unveiled a new 2030 energy goal – to export 250 percent of the energy Cabot imports, reconfirming the importance of driving even further improvements in the years ahead.”

Beyond direct operations, Cabot continues to strengthen collaboration across its value chain. The company uses Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to substantiate

sustainability benefit claims and is actively working with the International Carbon Black Association to support the standardisation of PCFs across the industry. In parallel, Cabot is engaging with tyre customers to explore joint approaches to improving product life-cycle impacts.

WATER SECURITY

Water stewardship has emerged as a defining area of progress. All Cabot sites globally are expected to identify and pursue water conservation opportunities aligned with local risk conditions. These measures include reducing water consumption in production processes, reusing and recycling water, harvesting rainwater and sourcing grey water from external providers where feasible.

The company-wide focus on annual water balance and risk assessments, enhanced data collection and targeted investment has delivered measurable results. As Farrin notes, these efforts contributed directly to the improvement in Cabot’s CDP Water Security score from B in 2024 to A- in 2025.

At the operational level, Cabot’s reinforcing carbons facility in Altamira, Mexico, has implemented improvements to the recovery and reuse of treated water and identified opportunities to optimise scrubber water discharge, reducing future water consumption in production.

Looking ahead, Cabot has set a 2030 water goal to reduce freshwater withdrawal intensity by 10 percent at sites located in water-stressed areas. Farrin emphasises the broader implications of this focus. She says, “Focusing on freshwater withdrawal in water-stressed areas is crucial to sustaining ecosystems, minimising business risks from operational disruptions and allowing sustainable development for communities.”

Further water conservation and wastewater recycling projects are currently under evaluation across Cabot’s global network to support this target.

Summarising the company’s progress, Farrin concludes: “We are proud of the progress we have made in advancing our sustainability strategy and remain steadfast to our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, transparency and continuous improvement.”

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Indag Rubber Limited reported a sharp rise in quarterly profit, with improved margins offsetting modest revenue growth.

The Indian retreading materials manufacturer said revenue for the three months to 31 December 2025 rose five percent year on year to INR 587 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) more than doubled to INR 60 million. Net profit increased to INR 34 million from INR 8 million a year earlier.

For the first nine months of the financial year, revenue declined 10 percent to INR 1.62 billion, reflecting lower volumes in the state transport undertaking (STU) segment in the June quarter. However, EBITDA rose 24 per cent to INR 161 million and net profit increased 30 percent to INR 88 million.

Vijay Shrinivas, Chief Executive of Indag Rubber Limited, said: “I am happy to share that we have continued to maintain our margin improvement trajectory and also delivered revenue growth during Q3FY26. The revenue growth was primarily driven by both aftermarket and STU business, which witnessed a rebound in volumes. On the profitability front, EBITDA margins improved by ~550 bps YoY to 10.1 percent. This improvement was driven by a better product mix, cost optimisation, and gradual easing of raw material costs.”

“The macro environment continues to improve with Union Budget FY27 raising public capex to INR 12,200 billion, including INR3,100 billion for Roads & Highways, directly supporting freight movement and retreading demand. The recent India-US and India-EU trade agreements have further eased global uncertainty, strengthening the outlook for domestic logistics activity. We remain confident in our ability to sustain the positive momentum in the business. With improving demand fundamentals, a strengthening margin profile, and supportive industry tailwinds, we believe we are well-positioned to deliver consistent and profitable growth while maintaining a close watch on raw material prices and global developments,” says Shrinivas.

Indag Rubber Limited manufactures precured tread rubber and retreading materials from its plant in Himachal Pradesh, with annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes.

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Alliance has launched Agri Nova, a next-generation R-1 bias agricultural tyre designed for light-to-medium duty tractors.

The tyre is intended to meet varied farming requirements, including traction, driving comfort and durability, and is offered in 60 sizes and 111 SKUs spanning rim diameters from 12 to 42 inches. It is compatible with both two-wheel drive and mechanical front-wheel assist tractors and is available in tubeless and tube-type configurations.

Dyutiman Chattopadhyay, Chief Technology Officer at Yokohama-ATG, said: “At Alliance, we are deeply invested in building innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers. The launch of Agri Nova is a testament to our commitment to deliver state-of-the-art tractor tyres that unlock high-performance in the field and on road alike.”

The Agri Nova features a three-angle lug design with a higher lug count than its predecessor, angular tie bars and integrated mud breakers intended to support self-cleaning and stability. A square lug profile and wider tread aim to improve contact pressure distribution and reduce soil compaction, according to the company.

Trent Wallin, Vice-President of Sales for North America at Yokohama-ATG, said: “As a next-generation R-1 bias tyre, Agri Nova is built to withstand demanding conditions, reduce downtime, and deliver dependable performance over time. The product development and design engineering behind this tyre are truly exciting; pushing boundaries in a segment where such focused innovation is rare for a bias tyre. We believe our customers deserve the best-performing product in every segment and design category. This launch reflects our deep commitment to customer-centricity and to helping American farmers maximize every season and every investment.”

The tyre carries a seven-year warranty.

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