India’s automotive testing sector is dramatically transforming as it races to bridge the gap with global standards while confronting distinctive local challenges. In an extensive interview with Tyre Trends, two industry leaders discuss how India is navigating this critical transition period in its automotive evolution.

Dominic Cundy, Managing Director of Automotive Testing Expos at UKi Media & Events, and Sagar Bendre, Head of Crash Barrier Testing at NATRAX (National Automotive Test Tracks), provide detailed insights into the current state and future trajectory of India’s automotive testing landscape.

UNIQUE CHALLENGES

India’s diverse and extreme climate creates unique testing requirements that set it apart from other major automotive markets. “India’s extreme weather variations, including high temperatures, monsoons and dust-heavy environments, and a wide range of road quality require testing protocols tailored to these unique challenges. OEMs do develop a vehicle considering all these conditions,” Bendre explains.

The pressure to maintain affordability while meeting increasingly stringent standards presents another layer of complexity. “The Indian market’s focus on affordable vehicles puts pressure on manufacturers to minimise testing costs while maintaining compliance with stringent safety and emission standards,” says Bendre.

This balancing act between cost and compliance has become increasingly challenging as India adopts stricter safety and emissions standards.

The gap between India’s testing capabilities and those of other major automotive nations stems from multiple factors. Bendre notes that specialised facilities for advanced testing remain limited compared to developed markets. “India lacks sufficient facilities for advanced crash testing, real driving emissions (RDE), EV battery safety and autonomous vehicle testing, which are more established in developed countries,” reveals Bendre.

This infrastructure gap has historical roots. “India’s focus on automotive testing infrastructure began relatively recently compared to countries like Germany, US and Japan, which have decades of advanced R&D and testing experience,” Bendre explains. The rapid pace of regulatory changes has further complicated the situation as testing facilities struggle to meet new requirements.

MARKET EVOLUTION AND INDUSTRY RESPONSE

The growth of India’s automotive testing sector is reflected in the expanding scope of industry events such as the Automotive Testing Expo India. Cundy provides perspective on this evolution: “When the show (Automotive Testing Expo India) was first launched in 2010, it attracted 72 exhibitors and 2,173 visitors. This contrasts with the 2023 figures, with 153 exhibitors and 5,138 visitors.”

This growth reflects not just increased market size but also growing technological sophistication. To maintain relevance, industry events have had to evolve rapidly. “We maintain constant communication with suppliers to learn about their latest offerings and innovations and encourage exhibitors to prioritise showcasing their newest products during the event. We also partner with industry leaders, influencers and innovators in the region,” Cundy explains.

The Automotive Testing Expo India organiser partners with startups and emerging brands, which are typically at the cutting edge of innovation and offer the latest products. In addition, their knowledge partner, ARAI, offers valuable insights into the current market demands and challenges.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE IMPACT

The transition to electric vehicles is driving significant changes in testing requirements. Bendre outlines how testing facilities are adapting to this shift, noting increased emphasis on battery safety, thermal management and charging infrastructure compatibility.

Major manufacturers are making significant moves in this space. Cundy highlights recent developments: “Mahindra’s EV initiative includes launching five new EVs on a new platform called INGLO. They are partnering with VW, which is supplying components. Skoda is currently undertaking a big initiative in India, which includes the development of new vehicles in the country.”

SAFETY STANDARDS AND TESTING EVOLUTION

Road safety remains a critical concern driving testing requirements. “There is a big push in India to improve road safety, with Bharat NCAP 2023 launching, because there are still high numbers of road deaths despite advances in technology,” Cundy notes. The limited availability of crash testing facilities has historically forced manufacturers to send vehicles abroad for testing, adding time and expense to the development process.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Government support is crucial in advancing testing capabilities. “Government initiatives like the NATRAX project and private investments will enhance the availability of state-of-the-art testing facilities across the country. NATRAX is developing all future testing, such as ADAS, EV performance, road safety furniture, crash barriers, crash cushions etc.,” Bendre explains.

The implementation of new regulations is driving further development. Bendre points to the implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS6) and upcoming updates like BS6.2 as key factors increasing demand for sophisticated emissions testing capabilities.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

The industry is increasingly embracing digital solutions to enhance testing efficiency. “The use of digital twins, simulation tools and AI-driven predictive testing is reducing time and costs for physical prototypes,” Bendre notes. This technological integration is helping bridge the gap between testing requirements and available physical infrastructure.

A critical challenge facing the sector is the shortage of skilled professionals. “A shortage of skilled professionals trained in advanced testing methodologies, particularly for EVs and connected vehicles, hinders the growth of India’s testing ecosystem,” Bendre acknowledges. However, he sees this changing through partnerships with global testing agencies and investments in workforce training, which will help bridge expertise gaps and elevate India’s standing as a global automotive testing hub.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has named Sangwoo Ryu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ryu possesses over 25 years of leadership in finance and operations within international markets. He is currently the CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd, a former Kraton spin-off now under DL Chemical, where he initially served as Chief Financial Officer starting in February 2020. He assumed the Cariflex CEO role in April 2025 following the promotion of its former CEO, Prakash Kolluri, to President of Kraton's Polymer business.

Ryu’s deep expertise in financial strategy, investment controls and operational planning is expected to strengthen Kraton’s standing as a reliable leader in global Pine Chemical and Polymers markets. In his new position, he will collaborate with Kraton’s Executive Leadership, Board of Directors and Cariflex Leadership to guide strategic decisions and operational excellence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustained growth and organisational stability.

Ryu said, “I want to express my gratitude towards the members of the Board of Directors and the Kraton Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication to Kraton’s success. I’m looking forward to leading Kraton into the next era of excellence, building upon the strong foundations and principles set forth in our vision and values.”

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As part of its strategic growth into Central Europe, FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, a global leader in recycling equipment manufacturing, has established a new sales partnership in Germany. The company has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its representative for the region to drive the promotion and implementation of its recycling systems. Jerschl’s extensive expertise, built over two decades with prominent firms like BHS, Eldan and Vecoplan, encompasses a deep understanding of diverse waste streams such as tyre, cable, municipal solid waste and e-waste.

This collaboration, initially targeting Germany, Austria and adjacent countries, is designed to be flexible and scalable. Its primary aim is to cultivate a strong project pipeline and solidify FORNNAX’s regional footprint. The partnership extends beyond sales to include comprehensive technical support, with Jerschl’s team providing vital value-added services like installation, maintenance and spare parts assistance. This local service framework is intended to ensure efficient project execution, minimise operational downtime and elevate customer satisfaction.

By leveraging Jerschl’s profound market insight and established networks, FORNNAX seeks to accelerate the adoption of its high-performance shredding and pre-processing technologies. The move underscores the company’s global strategy of embedding local expertise within key markets, which it deems crucial for developing technically sound solutions tailored to specific regional waste challenges. This initiative reinforces FORNNAX’s dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship, advancing its mission to deliver sustainable recycling solutions worldwide.

Jerschl said, “I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art technology; it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey. We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to 10 years.”

Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, FORNNAX, said, “We see tremendous potential in the Central European market. Partnering with someone as experienced and well established as Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally.”

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Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Fernley H. Banbury Award, one of the rubber industry’s highest international honours, presented by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). This award annually recognises outstanding scientific and technological contributions to the field.

The award commemorates the inventor of the internal mixer and highlights sustainable innovations in production technology, instrumentation, process control and the development of processing methods for rubber and similar materials. Dr Nijman’s career exemplifies such innovation, having significantly advanced rubber rheology, pioneered new mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies and modernised the production of silica compounds for the tyre industry.

His work has effectively bridged the gap between scientific research and industrial application. Notably, in the 1990s at Vredestein, he introduced novel mixing technologies and multiplex extrusion to tyre manufacturing. He also contributed to pioneering processes for silica compound processing, foundational to technologies like Michelin’s ‘Green Tyre’. Furthermore, his rheology-based designs for extruder screws and flow channels have helped shape enduring industrial standards.

Dr Nijman, who joined KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2017, brings decades of expertise from previous roles at Apollo Tyres Ltd and Vredestein Banden BV. His ongoing collaborations with the German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK) and the University of Twente have also profoundly influenced his approach. KraussMaffei Extrusion itself is globally recognised for its tyre technology, building on longstanding Berstorff expertise to deliver advanced extrusion solutions for treads, sidewalls, innerliners and other components, as well as high-performance multiplex and calender systems.

The award acknowledges not only his specific technical achievements but also his distinguished career and lasting impact on rubber processing. The official presentation will be held in September 2026 during the Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, US.

Dr Nijman said, “It is a great honour for me to receive the Fernley H. Banbury Award. This recognition confirms the importance of the close connection between research and industrial practice in rubber processing and motivates me to continue to drive forward innovative solutions for our industry.”

Ralf Benack, Managing Director, KraussMaffei Extrusion, said, "We warmly congratulate Dr Nijman on this outstanding award. With his in-depth knowledge, many years of experience and tireless dedication, he has had a decisive influence on the rubber and tyre industry and has further developed our technologies in a targeted manner. This recognition is more than deserved. We are very proud to have Dr Nijman in our team!"

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Michelin has appointed James Dimmock as its new Commercial Communications Manager for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Based at the company's Stoke-on-Trent headquarters, he will report to the Northern European Communications team. In this capacity, Dimmock will oversee all commercial communications, including public relations, social media and influencer partnerships.

His mandate involves crafting the brand's commercial narrative, fostering stronger connections with media and content creators and producing innovative digital content to support the brand's growth. He brings more than two decades of extensive experience with Michelin to the role, having held various senior marketing and communications positions both internationally and domestically. His most recent role was as Social Media and Influencer Manager. He will now lead these efforts locally while integrating with the broader communications team.

John Howe, Managing Director, Michelin UK, said, “James has already made a significant contribution to Michelin communications activity in the UK & ROI. His deep understanding of our business and products, combined with his strategic and creative approach, makes him ideally placed to lead our commercial communications as we continue to evolve our brand.”

Dimmock said, “I am excited to be taking on this new role at Michelin. It is a privilege to continue building on the work we have already achieved and to help drive the next phase of our commercial communications strategy across the UK & ROI.”

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