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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Birla Tyre has launched a new brand identity featuring a redesigned logo and corporate website, marking a major step in its transformation journey under new ownership. The company, now backed by a consortium led by Dalmia Bharat Refractories (DBRL) as Resolution Applicant, and strategic partner Himadri Speciality Chemical (HSCL), aims to position itself as a premium, high-performance and future-ready brand.

The company plans to roll out a multi-platform marketing campaign and focus on re-entering key markets, expanding distribution and strengthening its product portfolio.

The refreshed identity reflects Birla Tyre’s renewed focus on speed, innovation and excellence. The new logo includes a custom wordmark symbolising forward motion and a tiger motif – called ‘Tyger’ – representing power, agility and leadership. The blue and orange colour scheme signifies trust and optimism.

Anurag Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, “This rebranding is more than merely a visual transformation; it is a reaffirmation of our dedication to purposeful development and progress.” 

Dr Chandra Narain Maheswari, Whole Time Director & CEO, Dalmia Bharat Refractories, said, “Our new logo encapsulates the essence of Birla Tyre, which is founded on four fundamental pillars: a legacy that motivates boldness, a product line that is prepared for the future, an unwavering commitment to continuous innovation and a oneness with world around us. As this new identity signals Birla Tyre’s readiness to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry with energy, innovation, and purpose.”

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  - Kumarswamy CE June 19, 2025 06:52 AM

  That is good news…but what about public shares which were purchased before insolvency?? Will they be reallocated under new brand ?

  Reply

The 2025 Rally of Poland commenced amid an atmosphere of mourning following the tragic death of Italian motorsport driver Matteo Doretto in a racing accident.

The 81st edition of Europe's second-oldest rally competition, taking place across the challenging gravel roads of the Masurian Lakes region from June 13-15, has been overshadowed by the loss of the rising Italian talent.

"His loss is a tragedy that deeply saddens us," said Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. "On behalf of Pirelli, I would like to extend our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Despite the sombre mood, 63 crews took to the start line for what remains one of the European Rally Championship's most demanding events. Notable competitors include Jon Armstrong driving a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta, alongside Jos Verstappen and Andrea Mabellini, both piloting Skoda Fabias fitted with Pirelli tyres.

The rally features 14 special stages covering 190.40 timed kilometres across terrain known for its technical difficulty. The Masurian Lakes route presents drivers with uneven, often sandy roads where grip proves elusive even for experienced competitors.

"It's a very difficult and high speed rally, where attention to detail is very important," commented Testoni. "With every car passage the terrain gets rougher, forming deep ruts that can challenge even the most experienced drivers."

Weather conditions are forecast to remain dry, though organisers caution that conditions can change rapidly on such challenging terrain.

The rally serves as the third round of this season's ERC Fiesta Rally3 trophy, for which Pirelli provides exclusive tyre supply. Competing crews have access to three variants from Pirelli's Scorpion gravel range: the K4A hard compound, the K6A soft compound designated as the prime choice for this event, and the K8B supersoft option.

Regulations permit each crew to utilise 16 tyres total, including those selected for qualifying sessions. Trophy category vehicles will run on Scorpion 175/70-15 specifications in both K4 hard and K6 soft compounds.

Rally Poland's reputation for difficulty stems from its unique surface characteristics, where the sandy base becomes increasingly rutted as more vehicles traverse each stage. The deteriorating conditions throughout the weekend create an additional strategic element as crews must balance speed with mechanical preservation.

The event's location in the Masurian Lakes region, known for its natural beauty, provides a stark contrast to the intense competition unfolding on its roads. The rally has maintained its position as a crucial championship round despite the technical challenges it presents to both drivers and machinery.

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UK-based tyre safety watchdog TyreSafe has welcomed the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)’s announcement highlighting Britain’s fast lane position for self-driving vehicles.

While the safety watchdog has acknowledged the potential the technology holds for enhancing road safety and reducing collisions, it maintains a caution towards the effectiveness and safety benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – and by extension, fully autonomous vehicles. This it shared are intrinsically linked to the fundamental safety and maintenance of a vehicle’s tyres.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are incredibly optimistic about the future of mobility and the significant strides being made in self-driving technology. Anything that has the potential to save lives and dramatically reduce serious collisions on our roads is something TyreSafe wholeheartedly supports.”

“However, it is crucial to remember that even the most sophisticated ADAS systems rely on optimal vehicle performance, and tyres are the sole point of contact between the vehicle and the road. Without sound tyre safety management – ensuring correct pressure, tread depth, and condition – the integrity and performance of these advanced systems can be severely compromised,” said Lovatt.

He highlighted the persistent issues that is seen among current vehicle owners, when it comes to proper tyre maintenance. 

“For many years, tyres have consistently been identified as the primary cause of MOT failures for vehicles up to seven years old. This underscores a widespread complacency regarding tyre safety that we must collectively address,” he added.

As per the latest statistics, over 35 percent of MOT failures were attributed to previous tyre-related advisories, which translates to 768,410 drivers ignoring warnings and subsequently failed their next MOT due to tyre issues. The trend of vehicles failing MOTs on wheel and tyre-related advisories is unfortunately increasing, indicating a growing disregard for these critical safety components.

“The promise of self-driving vehicles is immense, but their safety cannot be fully realised if the foundational elements are neglected. As we move towards a more autonomous future, the importance of tyres – their condition and correct maintenance – becomes even more paramount. TyreSafe urges all stakeholders, from manufacturers to policymakers and drivers, to recognise that tyre safety is not just an advisory; it is a non-negotiable prerequisite for safe, efficient, and technologically advanced motoring,” concluded Lovatt.

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Vaculug has announced the appointment of Darren C. as the company’s Regional Operations Manager for the West, overseeing key areas including Manchester, Birmingham and Wales. Darren brings with him extensive experience, knowledge and skillset and will be a valuable asset to the team, said the company.

Marcus Kirkness, Fleet Operations Manager at Vaculug, said, “These are truly exciting times at Vaculug. We’re incredibly pleased to have Darren join our team. His knowledge of the tyre industry, combined with his experience in managing customer fleets and delivering top-tier customer service, will be instrumental as we continue to expand our customer base. Darren’s expertise ensures we remain agile in addressing challenges and fulfilling our commitments swiftly and effectively."

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