On 5 December 2024, Kochi, Kerala, became the buzzing hub for the rubber industry as the three-day Rubber Con 2024 kicked off. The theme for the conference was ‘Sustainable Development In Rubber Industry: Challenges and Opportunities’. Building up to the event, a two-day pre-conference symposium focused on advanced tyre technology building.

For the first time, this prestigious event was hosted in Kerala, India’s heartland of natural rubber production. Over 850 delegates — ranging from MSMEs to giant corporates in the rubber, tyre, latex, recycling, materials, machinery and testing equipment segments — gathered to discuss, debate and envision the future of the rubber and tyre industry on both global and national scales.

Why Kerala?
The decision to host Rubber Con in Kerala was no coincidence. Kerala produces 90 percent of India’s natural rubber, making it a natural choice for such a landmark event. “Kochi, as the financial capital of Kerala, is the perfect place to have this conversation,” said P K Mohamed, former Chief of R&D at Apollo Tyres.

He added, “Today, the industry faces significant challenges like e-mobility, circularity and sustainability. Rising prices of natural rubber and petrochemicals are squeezing profit margins, and some companies are struggling to stay afloat.”

A key event highlight saw Mohamed being honoured with the prestigious Hancock Medal, recognising his lifetime contributions to the Indian and global tyre industry.

Rubber Demand: A vision for growth
During his address, Dr R Mukhopadhyay, Chairman of the Indian Rubber Institute (IRI), shared an optimistic outlook for India’s rubber industry. “By 2030, the country’s per capita rubber consumption is expected to grow from 1.3 kg to 2.5 kg. This growth will require not just increased production but also a skilled workforce to take full advantage of the opportunity,” he said.

Dr Mukhopadhyay also emphasised the role of IRI in supporting this transformation, particularly through education, research and skill-building programmes that meet international standards.

The sustainability challenge
Dr Tessy Thomas, Former Project Director of the Agni Missile and now Vice-Chancellor of Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, delivered a keynote as the Chief Guest. “Sustainability isn’t just a goal — it’s a necessity,” she said.

She addressed critical issues like deforestation, biodiversity loss and carbon emissions linked to rubber production. She also warned about the raw material shortages caused by climate change and geopolitical instability, urging the industry to act now.

Global expertise on display
The event featured over 90 technical presentations and 18 poster sessions from experts and delegates from India, Germany, Sri Lanka, South Korea, China, Italy, France, UK and US. Several speakers brought fresh insights to the table:

• Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries, joined virtually to emphasise the importance of innovation and collaboration in the rubber sector.
• Roopak Karnik, CEO of Mukand Bekaert Industries, discussed the evolution of rubber reinforcement with steel in a session titled The Transformational Journey of Rubber Reinforcement with Steel.
• Srikanth Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Eonix Management Solutions, presented his vision for Co-Creating a Sustainable Future.

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Gaurav Kumar has resigned as a whole-time director of Apollo Tyres, the Indian tyre manufacturer, after more than two decades with the company, though he will remain chief financial officer during a transition period.

The Gurugram-based company's board approved the resignation at a meeting on Thursday. Kumar steps down as a director, and consequently as a member of the risk management committee, with effect from the close of business the same day. The company said he had confirmed there was no material reason for his departure beyond that stated in his resignation letter.

Kumar will continue as chief financial officer for such period as is necessary to ensure a smooth transition, after which he will cease to be part of the company's senior management.

In his resignation letter, Kumar said: "It has been terrific to be part of the incredible journey at Apollo Tyres thus far. I have learned, and hopefully contributed in equal measure, and now seek to explore alternative and new challenges. I wish Apollo Tyres the very best for the journey ahead and will always be part of the Apollo Tyres Family." He added that he was grateful to Onkar Kanwar and Neeraj Kanwar for their support during his tenure of more than 22 years at the company.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, said: "Gaurav deserves kudos for the critical role he has played in the growth of Apollo Tyres, both in India and overseas, in the last twenty years. While we do regret losing him, we are conscious of his personal aspirations and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

The company said it was in the process of appointing a new chief financial officer.

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Shrader Tire & Oil (STO) has announced the appointment of Bob Feldbauer to the role of President, effective 1 August 2026. He will concurrently serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Joe Shrader maintains his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Feldbauer’s ascent follows his arrival at STO in early 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, a role built upon a robust industry resume. His prior engagements include a lengthy stint at the helm of Jack’s Tire & Oil in Utah and a substantial period with Michelin North America, where he handled sales and managerial assignments.

Under the new structure, Feldbauer’s purview widens to encompass both internal fleet management across 14 sites and outward-facing commercial development, including alliances and market expansion. With the founding family’s fourth generation now active within the firm, the succession plan reinforces the enduring principles established when the company opened in 1948.

Shrader said, “Bob has proven exactly what we hoped he would when we brought him on board – sharp operational instincts and a real drive to help this company grow. Putting him in the President seat lets us move faster on the growth plans we’ve been building towards.”

Feldbauer said, “It has been a fast year and a half at Shrader Tire & Oil. I have gained tremendous insight and valuable knowledge about our organisation’s structure, company culture and an understanding of our overall goals and commitments. One thing is clearly obvious – the commitment Shrader employees have to deliver the best customer experience each and every time. I appreciate this and look forward to supporting them as their President and COO.”

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Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has unveiled a brand installation at the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) T2 Elevated Road Underpass as the tyre manufacturer seeks to broaden its positioning beyond its traditional Off-Highway business and strengthen awareness of its expanding on-highway portfolio in India.

The 2,000 sq. ft. installation, inspired by the company's "Elevate Your Drive" philosophy, highlights BKT's portfolio across agriculture, construction, mining, earthmoving, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. The activation comes as the company expands its presence in India's two-wheeler and commercial vehicle tyre segments.

Designed to move beyond conventional outdoor advertising, the installation features nine illuminated tyre-shaped displays, each 8 feet in diameter, using the tyre itself as the central storytelling element. It opens with a large-format visual featuring BKT brand ambassador Ranveer Singh, followed by a sequence of displays illustrating the company's expanding mobility portfolio. The installation will remain at the airport for 24 months.

Mumbai International Airport handled a record 55.5 million passengers in 2025, providing the company with sustained visibility among business travellers and consumers.

"For BKT, innovation goes beyond product engineering; it extends to how we tell our story. This installation reflects a simple yet powerful idea: our tyre itself becomes the medium through which travellers experience the breadth of BKT's world. As we expand our presence across India's mobility landscape, it is important that consumers see BKT not through a single product category, but as a brand that supports movement across diverse terrains, applications and journeys. Mumbai Airport provides an ideal stage for us to express that transformation in a memorable and distinctive way," said Satish Sharma, Senior President & Director – Business Development and Strategy, BKT.

The installation was conceptualised by Infectious Advertising and uses immersive design, sequential storytelling and its airport location to showcase the company's wider mobility portfolio. According to BKT, the activation is intended to connect its established Off-Highway business with its growing presence in India's on-highway mobility market.

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Mumbai-headquartered leading carbon black manufacturer Epsilon Carbon has reported a 10 percent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions across its upstream transportation operations during FY2025–26. The reduction was achieved through the deployment of an electric and liquefied natural gas freight fleet.

An independent third party certified the emissions data. The reductions achieved in transport logistics equate to carbon absorption figures associated with approximately 29,000 trees. The verified figures allow supply chain partners to include these reductions within Scope 3 emissions reporting frameworks and environmental disclosures.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Decarbonising logistics is central to our climate strategy. What makes this milestone meaningful is that the results are independently verified with a 10 percent reduction in CO2e emissions within the upstream transportation category over a single financial year, driven by the adoption of electric and LNG fleets. These carbon reductions strengthen our own sustainability disclosures and those of our customers, and we intend to scale this model across our supply chain.”

Following Phase 1 operations, Epsilon Carbon intends to expand the number of electric and LNG vehicles in its transport fleet during FY 2026–27 to scale low-carbon freight transport across its supply chain network.

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