Making a tyre is an extensive process that includes everything from formulation to testing. With the advancement in software-defined technology, tyre testing is increasing within a simulated environment. However, as real as the rubber wheel is, its testing in real-world environment stands as imminent in future course despite the current trend of simulation.

Alluding to this, Black Donuts Head of Tyre and Material Development Ilkka Lehtoranta told Tyre Trends, “Alongside the advanced laboratory equipment and various simulation methods, real-world tyre testing remains essential now and in the future. Physical testing in diverse conditions is critical for final evaluation and validation. Real-world tyre testing will continue to play a significant role moving forward. At Black Donuts, we offer comprehensive tyre testing services through our subsidiary, BD Testing. This company specialises in outdoor testing to ensure that products perform reliably in all environments.”

Commenting on the role of simulation in tyre development, he said, “Simulation plays a critical role in tyre development, offering a proven and essential part of the design process. One key type of simulation is finite element analysis (FEA), a mathematical method used to model and simulate physical phenomena. FEA is widely employed across industrial sectors including tyre manufacturing to predict and validate design performance before creating physical prototypes.”

“For tyre development, simulation tools provide significant advantages. By conducting design verification and validation virtually, companies can reduce the need to produce experimental tyre, which saves raw materials and minimises waste. This approach not only supports environmental goals but also accelerates the development timeline, allowing for faster iterations and refinements. Black Donuts integrates various simulation methods into its development process, heavily relying on the results to optimise designs,” he added.

Testing facilities

The Finnish company offers comprehensive tyre testing services with a primary focus on outdoor testing rather than indoor facilities. While indoor testing facilities are widely available globally, including in Europe, Asia, India and North America, Black Donuts has chosen to concentrate on outdoor testing. The company leverages the expertise of skilled test engineers and drivers, who understand the nuances of environmental and external factors, to deliver dependable testing outcomes. 

“We operate a proving ground in northern Sweden, where winter tyres are tested under snowy and icy conditions. Additionally, we have a testing centre in Finland’s Tampere region, which serves as a hub for evaluating tyre properties across a range of conditions. The facilities enable grip testing on ice, snow, wet and dry surfaces; noise testing for internal and external evaluations; handling and comfort assessments; aquaplaning analysis and tailored tests developed to meet specific customer needs,” informed Lehtoranta.

He mentioned that test drivers are central to Black Donuts' outdoor testing process as their expertise in assessing tyre behaviour is critical for validating designs and providing feedback to engineers. This collaboration ensures the test results are seamlessly integrated into the design and development process, allowing engineers to refine tyre properties based on real-world performance insights. 

Winter testing is conducted during the colder months to utilise natural snow and ice conditions. While the company does not have an indoor snow-testing facility, it makes use of local resources such as ice halls for ice-related evaluations. For summer tyres, the focus shifts to testing grip, handling and noise levels under both dry and wet conditions. 

In addition to testing during tyre development, Black Donuts supports homologation and certification processes. Through its subsidiary, BD Testing, the company provides accredited testing services and official test reports required for certifications by authorities. This includes European homologation tests for snow and ice performance, as well as specialised assessments such as road wear impact evaluations for studded tyres in Scandinavian markets. 

The company also conducts internal testing to collect data, monitor market trends and benchmark tyre performance. “This continuous research helps us to identify industry standards and emerging trends, ensuring that our tyre development projects remain innovative and competitive,” averred Lehtoranta.

Industry peek

Black Donuts provides end-to-end solutions for the global tyre industry, catering to both manufacturing and tyre research and development needs. Its services cover tyre design and production, materials research and development, making the company a comprehensive partner for tyre manufacturers globally. Whether supporting the establishment of new tyre plants, upgrading existing facilities or offering specific technical expertise, it has a broad portfolio of engineering and technological solutions. 

In production, Black Donuts assists manufacturers with everything from setting up greenfield projects to improving brownfield facilities. For existing manufacturing lines, the company conducts thorough audits to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and quality issues. The focus often includes increasing automation, enhancing productivity, reducing manufacturing costs, improving quality, minimising scrap and waste and even reducing tyre weight. These solutions are tailored to meet the specific demands of the client. 

For greenfield projects, it offers turnkey solutions. These include site selection support, plant layout design, architectural planning, defining machinery specifications, automation strategies and utility calculations. During the execution phase, an on-site engineering team supervises construction, machinery installation, commissioning and the ramp-up of production processes. The company also trains operators, troubleshoots quality issues and supports clients in improving efficiency. The level of post-production support is flexible with options for ongoing assistance tailored to the client's needs. 

Alluding to how the design and production process differ across regions, the executive said, “The design and production processes themselves are generally consistent across regions. However, automation levels may vary based on factors like labour costs and plant location. European facilities, for instance, often require higher automation levels due to higher manpower costs, though automation is increasingly being adopted in Asia as well. This trend has significantly reduced manpower requirements in tyre manufacturing globally, driven by advancements in automation technologies.”

Research and development

In tyre development, significant trends include the growing demand for sustainability, increased automation in production processes and evolving design needs tailored to regional and market-specific conditions. Tyre materials development is a subset of tyre development but is critical due to its role in addressing environmental and performance challenges. Black Donuts works on both these aspects, helping clients innovate while navigating changing demands in the tyre industry.

The push for sustainability is the most pressing challenge in tyre material development. There is an increasing emphasis on replacing fossil-based materials with sustainable alternatives like bio-based and recycled raw materials. Black Donuts plays a pivotal role in identifying and testing new materials available in the market, integrating them into tyre compounds and ensuring its compatibility with production processes.

In addition to working with existing materials, Black Donuts has initiated its own research and development efforts to explore innovative, out-of-the-box sustainable solutions. These include new bio-based raw materials currently under internal development, which are expected to be launched soon.

On the tyre development front, it offers comprehensive services for creating new tyre lines across segments like passenger car radial (PCR), truck and bus radial (TBR) and off-the-road (OTR) tyres. The designs cater to various markets including Europe, US, Asia and Africa, ensuring optimal performance under different environmental and regulatory conditions.

Customisation for specific client needs, whether summer or winter tyres, and adapting designs to suit regional preferences are also part of the company's everyday operations.

Competitive edge

The rapid evolution of technology, automation and sustainability trends demands agility and adaptability. Black Donuts maintains an active presence in the market, staying updated on global developments by leveraging its extensive partner network, including machinery and raw material suppliers, to gather insights and anticipate emerging trends.

Alluding how the company selects partners, the executive revealed, “The partner selection process is fundamental to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions. Many members of our team have decades of experience and longstanding relationships with suppliers, which provide a solid foundation for selecting trusted partners. Besides, there are several factors that are taken into account to source new partners.”

One of the most crucial factors in selecting partners is the technological capability. Black Donuts prioritises partners that offer cutting-edge technologies, which can add value to both the company and its customers. It also carefully evaluates the ability of potential partners to deliver machinery, raw materials and components as promised. Moreover, the company seeks partners who share values of sustainability.

While Black Donuts draws on its established relationships with trusted suppliers, the company remains proactive in sourcing new partners and exploring the latest advancements in technology and materials.

Sustainability

The executive noted that in the next five years, the proportion of renewable or bio-based materials in tyre production is expected to remain relatively modest. “Currently, aside from natural rubber, which makes up around 20 percent of tyre materials, the use of other renewable materials is almost negligible. While the industry faces challenges in sourcing and incorporating bio-based and recycled raw materials, it is estimated that within five years, the share of such materials could reach 30-35 percent of the total tyre content,” said Lehtoranta.

Alluding to industry goals of incorporating 100 percent renewable materials in tyres by 2050, he noted, “Incorporating 100 percent renewable materials in tyres is possible, but it will require collective action across the entire industry. All stakeholders must align and collaborate towards this common goal. Many mid-sized and smaller companies may struggle with this transition on its own, which is where industry partners can offer valuable support. This is also why companies are increasingly focusing on researching and developing new bio-based raw materials in order to expand the availability of these alternatives in the market. However, scaling these innovations to a commercial level remains a challenge as many promising ideas have not yet been fully realised on a large scale,” informed the official.

He also noted that achieving sustainability in tyre production will undoubtedly require significant investment. A key challenge is that sustainable raw materials are currently more expensive than conventional alternatives. Unfortunately, many end consumers are not yet willing to pay a premium for tyres made with sustainable materials.

Market presence

Black Donuts has a presence on all continents. “We have a strong market footprint, serving a wide range of regions. For instance, of the 25 largest tyre manufacturers, 20 have been or are currently our customers. We also have upcoming projects across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa, highlighting our global reach and ongoing expansion,” said Lehtoranta.

He added, “In terms of revenue, our biggest business segment revolves around providing end-to-end solutions for tyre plants including services related to tyre factory setup and operations. This is the largest segment in terms of financial impact. Additionally, tyre and material development is another major part of our business contributing significantly to our overall revenue.”

North America is one of its largest markets, followed by Europe and Asia, though revenue distribution can vary year by year due to the nature of projects.

He also noted that regulations play a crucial role in driving the business. The regulation concerning studded tyres, for instance, which has been important in the European market. Winter tyre regulations, particularly the requirement for the snowflake symbol on tyres, are also significant, especially in Nordic countries.

Additionally, a newer regulation being prepared by the European Commission concerning tyre abrasion, which is becoming a more prominent issue due to sustainability concerns, is also slated to drive business.

Commenting on the same, the executive said, “Tyre abrasion, especially concerning microplastic emissions, has gained attention in Europe as tyres are recognised as a major contributor to microplastic pollution. The industry and authorities are now focusing on reducing this issue by improving tyre wear properties. The goal is to ensure that tyres generate less microplastic per kilometre driven. This is particularly relevant in regions with snowy and icy roads, where tyre performance and durability are critical.”

Furthermore, he highlighted that the difference between snow and ice significantly impacts tyre performance. Ice presents much lower friction than snow, which is why ice poses a more challenging driving condition. Tyres perform worse on ice, resulting in longer stopping distances. In regions with icy roads, like the Nordic countries, manufacturers often use studs to enhance grip on ice, improving safety by reducing braking distances.

Expansion and demand

The executive mentioned that the company is expanding in the Asian and North American markets. “While winter tyres are a big demand in these regions, it's important to note that winter tyre usage varies by region. In China, for example, there is a significant demand for winter tyres, particularly in colder regions, and Japan has a large market for them as well, with regulations encouraging its use. North America, especially in regions with harsh winters, also has a strong market for winter tyres,” said Lehtoranta.

“Despite the slowdown in the European market and concerns about the US market, we still see North America as a strong growth area for us. We haven't noticed any significant slowdown in our business there and the market remains promising. However, we also see great potential in Africa, where we are seeing a lot of investment activity,” he added.

Answering what factors led the company to explore avenues in Africa, he said, “Several factors are driving the growth potential in Africa. Currently, there is little local tyre manufacturing in the region and many countries are looking to establish local industries to boost the economies and create jobs. Additionally, Africa has significant natural resources including natural rubber and oil, which can be used to produce synthetic rubbers and other raw materials needed for tyre manufacturing. Local production would enable companies to add value by refining these raw materials into finished products like tyres, creating a more sustainable and profitable cycle.”

Commenting on future plans, he said, “Our focus will be on the entire tyre lifecycle, from raw materials to production, performance and ultimately, the end of life of the tyres. We are working on developing solutions that handle tyre disposal and recycling with the goal of creating a fully sustainable tyre manufacturing process. This approach would ensure that our products and services are environmentally friendly throughout the entire supply chain.”

Industry challenges

Tyre manufacturing factories often encounter several challenges when setting up greenfield and brownfield projects. One of the primary challenges is managing the project’s schedule and budget, ensuring that the project stays on track and within financial constraints. Another critical aspect is reaching the targeted capacity for the plant, which can be challenging given the complexities of large-scale projects.

Additionally, there are technological hurdles that the company must overcome, especially in terms of innovation and research. Developing new technologies and sustainable solutions for the industry is not an easy task and requires a long-term commitment.

In terms of business challenges, the company is focused on technological innovation and research. Developing cutting-edge technologies and creating sustainable solutions for tyre manufacturing is a key priority. However, this process is often time-consuming and requires significant effort.  This is where Black Donuts’ know-how and cutting-edge solutions come into play. The company is currently focused on pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the tyre industry, particularly regarding sustainability.

Regarding operations in India, the company is in the early stages of its expansion. Although it does not have a physical office in India yet, it has begun operations under the leadership of a technical director. The goal is to develop the business in India and gradually establish a technical centre that will focus on tyre simulation and other technical areas of tyre development.

The Chinese market is another area of focus. While it is not the largest market for the company, it remains an important one, with ongoing projects and customers in China. The company recognises that China is a significant player in the global tyre industry, and it continues to engage with the market, even though it is not the biggest revenue driver.

Additionally, the company is observing a trend where manufacturing is returning from Asia to local markets, a shift that began before the pandemic and has been accelerated by it. This trend is visible in regions like Africa, North America and Europe, where companies are establishing local production to mitigate supply chain issues and reduce reliance on distant markets. This shift represents a significant opportunity for the company to expand its operations and grow its presence in these regions.

PCBL Chemical Limited has appointed Rohit Maindwal as Chief & Executive Director – Specialty Blacks and designated him as a senior management personnel, effective 20 August, 2026.

Maindwal brings around 32 years of industry experience. He holds a BTech in chemical engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal. His previous roles include positions at Reliance Industries Limited and JBF RAK LLC, where he most recently served as Senior Executive Vice-President at Reliance Industries Limited.

The company said the appointment is in a full-time capacity, with the term not separately specified.

From software-defined architectures and virtual proving grounds to the evolving role of tyres and ADAS, the third Vehicle Dynamics Conference in Chennai captured an industry in rapid transition. Industry leaders examined the trade-offs, technological leaps and competitive pressures that will define the next decade of vehicle engineering in India.

It was on 16 June 2026 that the 3rd edition of the Vehicle Dynamics Conference took place at Chennai Trade Centre, bringing together close to 200 stakeholders from the auto industry across India and internationally and marking another milestone for automotive development.

The event focused on the rapid evolution taking place across vehicle engineering, focusing on safety, performance, ride and handling, efficiency and emerging technology developments.

Opening the conference, Tom Thomas, Conference Chairman, underlined the significant transformation gripping the automotive sector. In his welcome address, Thomas noted, “Advances in software-defined vehicles, simulation technologies, electrification, safety systems, connectivity and vehicle performance are redefining the future of mobility.”

Building upon this perspective, S K P Amarnath, Vice-President of R&D, Apollo Tyres, declared that the event had matured into a vital platform where the entire ecosystem is discussed, status quos are challenged and new ideas are exchanged.

“Multiple transformational forces are converging at the first time in auto industry’s history, creating a defining moment for mobility,” Amarnath stated in his opening address.

He emphasised that the industry stands united in creating safer, smarter, comfortable, and sustainable vehicles, observing, “The disruptions – connected, autonomous, electric and software-defined vehicles (SDVs) – are happening at a speed and scale never experienced before.”

Amarnath further described India’s remarkable rise as a global automotive hub that faces fresh competitive pressures from China and Eastern Europe. “The speed of change is fast and influencing key attributes like vehicle dynamics and energy management. OTAs are becoming common and vehicles are turning into a continuously evolving platform,” Amarnath explained.

Turning attention to hardware, he identified the tyre as the most neglected part of the vehicle despite being the only component in direct contact with the road surface.

Revealing that Renault engineers devoted extensive track time to tyre testing at the Madras Racing Circuit, Dr Vikraman explained, “The slip angle, slip ratio, steering response, ride comfort, cornering stiffness optimisation etc. were achieved on dot through thousands of tuning cycles.”

He outlined that three guiding principles – be clear, be sure and be clever – guided target setting, vehicle character creation, kinematics, simulation and real-world proving ground evaluations. He observed that while precise tuning makes a vehicle exceptional, ADAS has compounded the paradox regarding vehicle dynamics.

Dr Vikraman mentioned that to overcome regional road variations, Renault clever-engineered the Duster’s ADAS technology specifically for local conditions where regulations regarding speed humps and barricades are rarely enforced.

Asserting India’s growing importance, Dr Vikraman concluded, “Engineers are expected to solve complex problems with creative solutions. Indian engineers should be creative and disruptive. They should be also proud.”

In the session focused on software, simulation and NVH, Shiv Sikand, Co-Founder of Drako Tech, spoke on the future of self-driving connected vehicles. “The architecture necessary to deliver AI connectivity, ADAS and OTA has simply been too expensive to put into a mainstream vehicle programme,” Sikand noted.

“Drako architecture – founded specifically to eliminate that barrier – enables the addition of new features through a mere software push,” said Sikand, explaining that traditional vehicle designs are frozen when shipped, leaving engineering cycles four to six years old by the time cars reach consumers.

He mentioned, “Tesla proved what seemed impossible 10 years ago. It proved that a software-first vehicle architecture could deliver a better product at lower long-term cost. Chinese manufacturers took that lesson – specifically BYD – and industrialised it at scale.”

The executive explained that Drako’s DriveOS single-ECU platform replaces kilometres of wiring and dozens of isolated ECUs with a single USB backbone and commodity hardware, cutting cost, weight and carbon footprint.

During the panel discussion titled ‘Engineering in India for the World’, moderated by AutoAscend’s CEO Latha Chembrakalam, industry executives evaluated local development trends.

Manoj Aggarwal, Vice-President of Engineering at Maruti Suzuki India, observed that while central computing was once considered too costly, current focus centre’s entirely on software systems and exporting Indian products to Europe and Japan.

Aggarwal noted, “The ISO 26262 standard has been adopted and work is progressing on digital twins with Japan and Germany to deliver a global product. In vehicle dynamics, much work is taking place on virtualisation.” He added that Maruti Suzuki maintains a dedicated division to collaborate directly with startups.

Piyush Kende, Senior General Manager of Vehicle Integration at Tata Motors, emphasised that changing regulations and multi-fuel options are driving rapid engineering shifts. “SDVs are a new trend and are creating a need to work on them faster from India perspective,” Kende said, noting that Tata develops platforms in-house.

“Young engineers need to be pushed into innovation and IP creation. There is a gap regarding knowledge vis-à-vis real-world understanding,” he added and explained that regulatory frameworks encourage local engineering while global supply chain strategies protect against international disruptions.

Arjun Balasubramanian, Division Head of Product Development (PCR-OE) at Apollo Tyres, shared, “We are tackling geopolitical issues that add a different perspective to the supply chain, resources and engineering opportunities. We are also collaborating with academia regarding engineering, governance etc. We are also making patents and building technology.” He added that evolving tyre emission regulations require active academic and industrial research.

Ankur Sharma, Head of Platform Engineering at JSW MG Motor India, highlighted that vehicle development is no longer purely mechanical, remarking, “There’s AI at work.” Sharma explained that Indian testing includes unique local edge cases, stating, “We have had scenarios with a vehicle hitting a cow or vice versa as a test parameter that is unique to India. This could be applied to markets that face such a challenge.” He added that workforce availability and time-to-market demands make academic collaboration essential.

Addressing computer-aided engineering, Prajakta Khare, Technical Manager of Multibody Dynamics at Dassault Systemes, presented on Simulia Simpack.

L-R: Latha Chembrakalam, CEO, AutoAscend; Manoj Aggarwal, VP – Engineering, Maruti Suzuki India; Piyush Kende, Sr Gen Manager,

Vehicle Integration, Tata Motors; Ankur Sharma, Head – Platform Engineering, JSW MG Motor India and Hitesh Joshi, Head of Technology, Apollo Tyres.Your contribution played a pivotal role in making GTRC 2026 a resounding success. We deeply appreciate your trust and collaboration, and we look forward to welcoming you again as we continue to shape the future of the tyre industry together.

Khare noted, “Simulia Simpack is unique and delivers in terms of accuracy, efficiency, team automation and robustness, among others. In the face of challenges that include market pressure, complexity and diversity, this helps to do CAE led development, including in the area of vehicle dynamics.”

She added that Simulia resolves complex physical factors in software-defined vehicles, including high vehicle mass, regenerative braking, battery placement and tyre properties.

Dr Nagesh Poojary, Managing Director of IPG Automotive India, spoke on virtual validation ecosystems, warning that software recalls could cost the industry USD 30 billion to USD 35 billion in warranty expenses. “Doing real-world tests is not feasible while the need to test more is increasing,” Dr Poojary noted, explaining that continuous virtual validation under ISO 26262 enables manufacturers to handle software complexity efficiently.

In the safety and performance session moderated by Sharad Matade, Executive Editor of Motoring Trends, panellists examined two-wheeler engineering.

Vishwadev Muraleedharan, Head of Vehicle Dynamics at Simple Energy, pointed out that the rider constitutes 50 percent of total vehicle dynamics. “A technology like ABS is mandatory and there should be a clear line between the system intervening and not intruding in a two-wheeler,” Muraleedharan mentioned. He revealed that electric two-wheeler battery compartments form a critical structural part of the chassis and urged ground-up component design. He noted that Simple Energy utilises a mid-drive motor near the swingarm pivot to centralise mass near the centre of gravity.

Prithivi Raj S, Technical Manager of Vehicle Engineering at Raptee HV, agreed that two-wheeler packaging is complicated by high centre-of-gravity requirements. He suggested that Inertial Measurement Units could generate rider safety scores alongside managing ABS lean angles.

“We have engineered a huge battery box to get the Cente of Gravity (CG) right in terms of dynamics. The most underrated factor in ride and handling is tyre pressure. A tyre is not only for grip but also a significant part of the spring damper system,” Prithivi Raj averred, stressing that system interventions must not override driver control unpredictably.

In a panel on smart hardware and software moderated by Nilesh Wadhwa, Assistant Editor of Motoring Trends, Gopal Musale, Cluster Head of Digital Product Engineering at BMW TechWorks India, announced, “The use of software and hardware is at a point where more software will come in hereafter. Vehicle improvement is going to be closely linked to AI in the coming times and software updates will be over the air (OTA).”

Musale explained that BMW utilises digital twins and a six-degree-of-freedom simulator in Munich to evaluate vehicle behaviour virtually before building physical prototypes, saving significant time and testing costs.

Alexander Aydt, Senior Fellow for ADAS/AD Tooling at Vector Informatik, noted that AI accelerates code generation and object detection, such as identifying a child running behind a ball. However, Aydt emphasised, “Humans are still strong at predicting the unimaginable.” He added that software-defined architecture allows engineers to alter intrusive vehicle features with ease compared to rigid mechanical designs.

Darren Jeseritz, Senior Applications Engineer at MTS, presented on hybrid simulation and Model-in-the-Loop (mHiL) testing. Jeseritz explained that MTS hybrid simulation integrates physical hardware with virtual multibody models, enabling steering and suspension certification on virtual tracks before physical prototypes exist. He noted that four-corner systems allow for complete vehicle dynamics simulation in laboratory environments.

The commercial vehicle session, moderated by Bhushan Mhapralkar, Editor of Motoring Trends, addressed decarbonisation and efficiency. Rajaram Kumble, Section Manager at Volvo India, noted that Volvo evaluates safety for both occupants and pedestrians. He shared that systems like predictive cruise control deliver 5 to 7 percent efficiency gains, while Volvo Dynamic Steering reduces steering effort in heavy manoeuvres by up to 70 percent.

Ramakrishna Donakonda, Vice-President and Head of Powertrain and eDrives at Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India, contrasted European staggered regulations with India’s simultaneous regulatory deadlines, such as 2027 ADAS mandates.

Donakonda explained that OEMs prioritise scalable platforms, noting, “Ultimately, what is offered to the customer is what they want and at prices that are acceptable to them.” He added that commercial electric vehicle adoption remains governed by charging infrastructure availability.

M K Jain, Tyre Technologist at JK Tyre, observed that commercial vehicle technology is rapidly adopting passenger car innovations, including Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems and ‘Tyre-as-a-Service’ models. Jain noted that as per-kilometre payment models expand, tyre manufacturers are transitioning into ongoing tyre managers rather than pure hardware suppliers.

Concluding the technical presentations, Dhanasekar Venkatesan, Senior Principal Application Engineer at Cadence, highlighted that compressed launch timelines push teams towards zero-prototype development. Venkatesan explained that Cadence provides the MSC Adams multibody dynamics tool – a 50-year-old software used in space programmes – to accurately predict motion, forces, durability and vibration under complex Indian road conditions.

The third Vehicle Dynamics Conference demonstrated that vehicle engineering has transitioned into an integrated ecosystem where software, virtual simulation and mechanical design converge to shape the future of global mobility.

Around 400 stakeholders from the global tyre and rubber industry converged on Chennai for the third edition of the Global Tyre and Rubber Conference (GTRC), held over two days on 17 and 18 June 2026. Against a backdrop of geopolitical strain, an accelerating shift to electric vehicles and the steady thrust on artificial intelligence into every layer of manufacturing, the gathering offered an unusually candid read on where the sector stands – and how anxious and ambitious it has become about what comes next.

Mike Norman, Chief Commercial Officer of VMI Group, called it a special moment for the industry, pointing to geopolitical disruption, rising competition from China, regulatory upheaval, the EV transition and the arrival of AI as forces reshaping the business. “This is a special event for the tyre and rubber industry. The times are difficult and there are disruptions – geopolitical in nature – that are a matter of concern and underline the changing nature of the business,” he said, adding that “the technological advancements are creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and performance.”

CHANGE OF TYRE MANUFACTURING ERA

The conference’s most sweeping remarks came from Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA India and Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF, who argued that growth in the sector will not simply arrive – it must be built through bold investment, scientific rigour and the courage to transform, in step with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 ambitions.

Mammen’s central claim was structural: for more than a century, tyre engineering has rested on three pillars – durability, grip and cost. “That era is ending. The convergence of sustainability imperatives and autonomous, shared and electric vehicles megatrends are forcing a complete reimagination of what a tyre must be,” he said.

He argued that electric vehicles demand a fundamentally different tyre – one engineered for ultra-low rolling resistance to preserve range – and that this requirement collides with Indian road realities, where only about three percent of the network qualifies as national highway. That gap, he said, calls for India-specific innovation and a regulatory framework that does not trade away safety in the pursuit of sustainability.

Mammen went further, describing a future in which the tyre itself becomes intelligent. “The tyre of tomorrow will no longer be a passive mechanical component, it will be an intelligent system embedded with sensors, TPMS that will enable real-time tracking of pressure, temperature, wear, road friction, predictive maintenance and optimised fleet performance that saves lives,” he said, adding that unlocking this potential would depend on deep, sustained collaboration between OEMs and tyre manufacturers.

On the factory floor, Mammen said Industry 4.0, AI, IoT and digital twins are transforming tyre manufacturing through process optimisation and predictive quality control. He also highlighted the shift from steam-based curing to electric and induction systems, with green hydrogen emerging as a future option.

On raw materials, Mammen noted the growing need to reduce dependence on petroleum-derived inputs. He highlighted India’s natural rubber expansion, with four major tyre companies helping establish 200,000 hectares of plantations, alongside a broader push towards bio-based materials, recycled content and a circular economy.

Mammen also pointed to renewed interest in retreading and the need for more resilient, localised supply chains, including domestic production of advanced manufacturing equipment. He concluded that India’s tyre industry now has an opportunity to lead the sector’s next phase of transformation.

Peter Haan, Head of Global VM Tire at Siemens AG, a visionary tyre veteran who has played a transformative role in advancing automation, digitalisation and technological innovation in the global tyre industry, received the Tyre Trends Lifetime Contribution award. “I would like to thank my dear friends in the Indian tyre industry, my partners and customers because I learned over the years that it is all about partnership,” he said in accepting it.

SESSION ONE: BUSINESS & EMERGING TRENDS

The opening panel, moderated by Latha Chembrakalam, CEO of AutoAscend, brought together Mammen, Norman and Ian Wilson, CEO of HF Group.

Mammen described a tyre industry facing sustainability pressure, the EV transition and raw-material constraints simultaneously – a convergence upending the economics of a capital-intensive business, since EVs change the game entirely. Building new facilities takes time and heavy capital, he said, arguing for a balance between existing plants and advanced new ones, and realistic targets for green tyres given that EVs demand an entirely new specification, technology and material set. Staying close to markets matters amid geopolitical shifts, he added: global technology matters more than global manufacturing footprint, and sophistication in tyre machinery will require more data analysts, cybersecurity specialists and other skilled talent.

Norman described China as a non-legacy market that has become a major disruptor, forcing costly upgrades to technology and facilities. “We are taking a platform approach for our machines right from the development stage to ensure scalability and retrofitting,” he said. EV adoption, he noted, is outpacing the industry’s ability to keep up, though VMI’s machines already handle the lighter, tougher tyres EVs require; cell-style manufacturing may help, even if it complicates large-scale short runs, making flexibility and modularity essential. He warned that scarce skilled manpower will push more automation and, in turn, more complex machinery, and that legislation – fast-arriving – is being underestimated.

Wilson pointed to Chinese auto OEMs building greenfield facilities in Africa as a signal of changing demand. “Chinese auto OEMs are setting up greenfield facilities in Africa, indicating a demand and change for tyre makers,” he said, adding that “new tech developments like AI are set to enhance tyre development and production.” Replacing steam curing with electric systems, he added, could bring significant improvement, alongside attention to the energy efficiency of recyclability; lower rolling resistance in EV tyres is also reshaping how silica is used in compounding.

Sanjay Chatterjee, Director General of ATMA, used his address – ‘Indian Tyre Industry – Towards a Resilient and Atmanirbhar Tomorrow’ – to cite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that Indian tyre exports crossed INR 273.12 million in the last fiscal year despite headwinds, reaching more than 172 countries. “Robust tyre production and growth, natural rubber production, ERP regime and other regulations are driving Indian economic growth,” he said.

SESSION TWO: MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

Chaired by V K Misra, Technical Director of JK Tyre & Industries, this session opened with Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion posing a pointed question in his talk, ‘50 Years Of Tyre Component Extrusion: Did The Piggyback Multiplex Head Reach The End Of Life?’ He explained that multiplex and rollerhead lines use a piggyback configuration to produce roughly seven to eight components, but that drawbacks – limited flexibility, capped head pressure, hydraulic dependence, poor accessibility, an over-engineered locking concept and difficulty swapping heads – mean that “it is therefore necessary to question whether it has reached the end-of-life.”

Nicola Fedele, Managing Director and Board Member at Rodolfo Comerio, described calendering as “the heartbeat of tyre production,” adding: “There are innovations (friction-free lamination) and breakthroughs (less material use and fast change over time) in the global tyre market that is worth USD 256 billion.” He said eliminating the accumulator from the calendering process delivers superior quality control and a basis for automation.

Karsten Jung of Troester GmbH & Co. KG addressed EV mobility as a megatrend driving stiffer, higher-silica compounds. “An acquisition (SC OTOMASYON) made last year is helping push automation, involving an autobook system, truck tyre spraying line and more,” Jung said. Saravana Kumar S, Managing Director of Troester India, described the company’s regional push on extrusion performance. “Much regarding regional integration is being done in terms of extrusion performance, including refurbishment, retrofitting etc.,” the MD of Troester India said.

SESSION THREE: ADVANCEMENTS IN TYRE MANUFACTURING

Chaired by Ravin Kurian, Senior GM of Product Development at MRF, this session started with the presentation of Dr Robert Hula of Vipo a.s. on bead and apex solutions, which he called among the most important components in a tyre since its inception. “Precision manufacture as a new standard is paving way for intelligent bead manufacturing and predictive maintenance process with the use of greener materials,” he said.

Robert Thomas Irwin, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at The Steelastic Company, traced the industry’s evolution from bias to radial to EV to high-performance and premium tyres. “The shift from bias tyre to radial tyre to an EV tyre to a high-performance and premium tyre is creating a need to integrate extrusion tech with conventional calendaring,” he said, citing quicker changeovers, reduced work-in-process, better traceability and labour optimisation as benefits.

SESSION FOUR: GOING GREEN & SUSTAINABLE

This session, chaired by C Harimohan, Head of Corporate R&D (Materials and Compounding) at Yokohama OHT, opened with Colin Clarke of Schill+Seilacher (Struktol), Director – Technical Sales, Schill+Seilacher (Struktol) GmbH, who argued that emerging vehicle concepts, energy-efficiency demands and higher load-bearing requirements are driving major shifts in compounding formulations. “The use of resins is increasing relative to oils in certain applications and products such as Struktol VP 1831 are witnessing growing demand as they provide excellent Silica dispersion and superior metal release,” he said.

Ralph Boehm, Senior Manager, Kuraray Europe GmbH, described the company’s liquid rubber as “a reactive plasticiser that reduces Mooney viscosity while maintaining high quality and performance,” noting two new silane-modified butadiene rubber grades suited to silica-based tread compounds and truck-and-bus radial tyres for summer and winter use.

Dr Roberto Blanco Trillo, Global Business Development Manager, Allnex, discussed sustainable cord adhesion. “The Allnex Alvonol PN870 resin enhances rubber-brass adhesion and enables excellent cord adhesion without cobalt and resorcinol to be a truly sustainable solution,” he informed.

Srikanth Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Eonix, representing China’s Zenith Steel Group, described it as operator of the world’s largest steel-cord facility. “The Zenith Steel Group in China has the biggest steel cord facility in the world with continuous capex. It is highly competitive with strong economies of scale and focusing on efficiency through vertical integration, making steel cords. It is investing in highest level of automation, making steel cords through intelligent manufacturing encompassing six plants.”

DAY TWO, SESSION FIVE: AI INTEGRATION IN THE TYRE INDUSTRY

Dr Sujith S Nair, Vice President of R&D at CEAT’s Centre of Excellence, chaired this session. In his presentation on the subject ‘In the tyre market, evolution never stops’, Marcel Berkers, VP Global Sales Tyre & Rubber, VMI Group, framed technology evolution as fundamentally about smarter machines enabling efficient use of material and energy. “The practical approach of VMI is lowest cost-per-tyre within spec,” Berkers said.

Peter Haan argued that AI in the tyre industry still has considerable distance to travel, with challenges spanning shop-floor integration and scaling across visual quality inspection, anomaly and object detection, automation programming, process optimisation and predictive maintenance – challenges he said Siemens’ shop-floor AI industrial suite is designed to democratise and scale.

Harsh Vardhan, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Apollo Tyres, spoke on industrial AI’s path from automation to autonomy. “Continuous RoIs are being registered as humans and AI collaborate,” he said, adding that “AI is set to be a force multiplier in terms of business value, CFT collaboration process, governance fusion, AI and deep-tech diffusion, and RoI.” He noted Apollo has assembled a dedicated team to integrate and scale AI, with the real competition now centred on scale versus speed – measured in cycle-time reduction and energy savings.

SESSION SIX: THE ART OF TESTING

This session, chaired by Unnikrishnan P K, Global Head of R&D Tyre Testing at Apollo Tyres, featured Dr Shaun Immel of Ametek’s MicroPoise Measurement Systems on autonomous tyre-defect detection through X-ray image analysis. “The processing works in real plants with most X-ray machines using AI and deep learning to find defects and classify a tyre objectively,” he said, citing faster setup for new defect types, clearer colour-coded visualisation of tyre structure and improved air-bubble detection that lowers misclassification and cost.

Informing that his company has over 480 installations and offers offline profile inspection (with high precision for tyre companies using laser sensor), online profile inspection, extrusion (non-contact and high precision inspection suitable for tread) and width sensor for non-contact and high precision width measurement, Lubos Hodal, Head of Sales Department, Micro-Epsilon, said on the subject ‘New technology in tyre inspection’ that they also have mould inspection system for curing, avoiding noise and blind spots; letter completeness inspection during curing; final finishing solutions such as a central marking line, colour marks on sidewall and tread and retrofit programmes for PCR and TBR. Pragnesh Mori, Managing Director of Micro- Epsilon India, said, “We are designing measuring systems and software through our Indian assembly facility in Pune. The application team there works with the European team to develop new solutions.”

Michael Mueller, Senior Sales and Key Account Manager, ZF, addressed high-speed uniformity measurement and its bearing on quality and comfort in R&D and virtual tyre development. “High speed uniformity measurement marks a new trend in terms of comfort that includes typical HSU tests, the properties gained, the effect of speed ramp versus constant speeds, resonant frequency and different road conditions,” he said. He also said that ZF developed an advanced 2026 HSU solution accounting for tyre noise, vehicle weight, road conditions, user expectations and virtual simulation.

SESSION SEVEN: SUSTAINABILITY WAY FORWARD

Chaired by Dr Sarat Ghosh, Vice President of R&D and Technology at Birla Tyres, this session opened with Anil Nair of HF Group on electrical tyre curing. Curing demands are rising alongside tyre size, he said, and EV tyres in particular require low rolling resistance, spurring innovation. “The USP of electric curing is independent control, a key advantage in terms of de-coupling temperature from pressure. The electric curing press promises higher profit,” he said.

Aki Nurminen of Black Donuts spoke on manufacturing costs, describing cost as historically a unit-economics problem, now increasingly shaped by raw materials, maintenance, fixed costs and depreciation. “Boiling down to sustainability, cost and market reality where about 90 percent of the 600 tyre industries globally are over 19 years old, the implications in terms of automation or the lack of it, the lack of efficiency and how the new entrants are taking advantage of better tech that ensure lower costs are beginning to show up in an addressable market for tyres that is growing,” he said, noting Black Donuts’ Nemus bio-based pre-mix filler.

Priyank Potnis of Planex, the Indian partner of Regom, addressed circularity and traceability for end-of-life tyres. “Regom’s technology identifies tyre specs for end-of-life tyres, including automatic evacuation of a good tyre,” he said, adding that the company has developed two machines supporting traceability, circularity and ESG compliance amid the disposal of an estimated three million tonnes of end-of-life tyres under a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

SESSION EIGHT: PROCUREMENT UNDER PRESSURE

The closing panel, moderated by Chakravarthy, brought together Nikhil Puri, Senior Vice President of Direct Procurement at Yokohama, and Ramanan Balasubramanian Venkat, Vice President of Procurement at Ascenso Tyres, to discuss the pressures facing tyre-maker procurement teams.

“Retaining control over the supply chain remains a constant challenge, necessitating a need for pro-active engagement, both internally and externally, with various stakeholders to ensure agility and responsiveness,” Venkat said. AI and data-driven analytics increasingly shape procurement decisions, he added, though the open question is how much reliance those tools warrant given how quickly situations can shift in ways analytics may not anticipate. He described India’s tyre ecosystem as uniquely positioned given the investment underway, arguing the industry needs a long-term perspective, close collaboration and a supplier base both locally rooted and globally capable – while flagging the shortage of natural rubber as reason to accelerate adoption of greener, sustainable alternatives.

“Dividing into pre-Covid and post-Covid eras as supply chains underwent a real litmus test leading to a fundamental shift in mindset, forcing companies to go back to the drawing board and rethink their sourcing strategies, reliance on a sole supplier has been largely abandoned and new relationship built to enhance resilience,” Puri said. The ability to modify supply chains at short notice, he added, became a critical post-pandemic capability, driving regional diversification, stronger risk management and mapping of vendors’ own supply chains, with AI now positioned to take procurement further – including predicting disruptions such as weather events.

Puri also pointed to digital twins as improving understanding of container load capacity and logistics efficiency, and suggested AI combined with augmented reality could further improve warehouse operations. He framed India’s position as a sweet spot, backed by a young population and strong growth potential, pointing to the country’s diversification of crude-oil sourcing as an example of a broader ‘glocal’ strategy – one that includes friend-shoring, or sourcing from trusted, friendly nations to build more resilient supply chains.

Not only the conference delegates but GTRC also witnessed a significant increase in the exhibitors’ participation. The exhibition area consisted of 37 stalls, with some of the participating companies taking multiple booths and some of them sharing them with their overseas principles. The response was overwhelming and marked a surge over the last edition of the conference, cementing the GTRC as a global tyre event.

Conference chairman Tom Thomas closed proceedings by thanking speakers, delegates and stakeholders and acknowledged the event’s sponsors. The next edition of GTRC will be held on 23–24 June 2027 at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai, India.  

Toyo Tire Corporation will implement organisational changes and leadership reassignments from 1st  October  2026, as part of efforts to strengthen execution of its medium-term business plan.

The restructuring is designed to reinforce strategy execution under the direct supervision of the president, in line with priorities set out in the company’s Mid-Term ’26 Plan.

Under the changes, the Americas Sales Division will be elevated to the Americas Business Headquarters and placed directly under the president. The division’s sales department will be renamed the Americas Business Development Department and transferred to the new structure.

The company will also move its ESG Promotion Department from the Corporate Infrastructure Division to the Corporate Strategy Division to align sustainability initiatives more closely with business strategy. In addition, the investor relations department will shift to the Corporate Administration Division.

Toyo Tire Corporation confirmed changes to executive responsibilities, including the appointment of Tatsuo Mitsuhata as Senior Corporate Officer And Vice-President of the Americas Business Headquarters. He will also continue to serve as representative Director And Chief Executive of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. and President And Chief Executive of Toyo Tire North America OE Sales LLC.

Further personnel changes include Kunihiro Matsumoto becoming Deputy Division General Manager of the Corporate Administration Division, while Nobuo Yoshida will serve as General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Division.

Miho Okamoto and Junji Hirose will assume roles within the Corporate Strategy Division, overseeing ESG-related functions, while Hiroshi Ito will take responsibility for the investor relations department under the Corporate Administration Division.

Kenji Kubo has been appointed General Manager of the Americas Business Development Department.

Additional appointments include Misaki Nagao as General Manager of Quality Assurance Department No.1, while Wataru Matsumoto will assume the role of General Manager of the Commercial Tire Technical Service Department from November 1 2026.

At subsidiary level, Keiko Brockel will become President And Chief Executive of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., while Angelo Naval will be appointed President And Chief Executive of Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.