The global tyre industry is undergoing significant change. Geopolitical disruptions, increased sustainability requirements, supply chain shifts and the move to digital manufacturing are transforming an industry once focused on scale and efficiency. Additionally, electric mobility, smart factories and material innovation are redefining competition.

In this context, the Global Tyre & Rubber Conference (GTRC) 2026, organised by Tyre Trends and scheduled for 17–18 June in Chennai, is especially timely. More than a typical industry gathering, the conference serves as a strategic forum for business leaders, machinery suppliers, material scientists and technology specialists to shape the future of tyre manufacturing.

The timing is significant.

India’s tyre sector is rapidly evolving, driven by domestic demand, export growth and investment in advanced manufacturing. Chennai, a key hub for automotive and tyre production, is a fitting location for a conference focused on industrial transformation.

The conference will begin with an inaugural session that sets the context for these industry changes.

The opening address will be delivered by Mike Norman, Chief Commercial Officer of VMI, a leading supplier of technology for the manufacture of superior radial passenger vehicle, light truck, all-steel truck and bus tyres. As a leader in tyre manufacturing technology, Norman offers valuable insight into global manufacturing trends, highlighting the increasing importance of advanced machinery and digital systems for competitiveness.

A strategic dimension will be added by Arun Mammen, Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF, who will deliver the key address. Few voices are better placed to contextualise the present state of the Indian tyre industry. As manufacturers navigate shifting regulatory environments, sustainability expectations and global competitive pressures, Mammen’s perspective is expected to extend beyond immediate market conditions towards the structural evolution of the sector itself.

The ceremonial lighting of the lamp will formally inaugurate proceedings, but the conference’s real momentum begins with its first major business session.

The opening business session features a CXO panel of senior executives whose organisations have significant influence in manufacturing, technology and sustainability.

Moderated by Latha Chembrakalam, CEO of AutoAscend, the panel includes Anil Gupta (COO, Yokohama Off-Highway Tires), Arun Mammen, Mike Normann and Ian Wilson (Managing Director and Co-CEO, HF Group). This session is structured to address the key commercial challenges facing the industry, rather than serving as a routine executive discussion.

The panel will discuss how manufacturers are adjusting investments, localisation strategies and technology adoption in response to global changes. The focus is shifting from efficiency alone to building industrial resilience for future disruptions.

Sanjay Chatterjee, Director General of ATMA India, will complement this discussion with a presentation on industry growth, policy and institutional perspectives. His insights will be valuable for delegates interested in the regulatory and economic factors influencing future investments in India’s tyre sector.

If the opening sessions focus on commercial realities, the conference’s technical programme turns decisively towards manufacturing transformation.

Session II, chaired by V K Misra, Technical Director of JK Tyre, examines manufacturing excellence through the lens of process engineering and industrial innovation. The session begins with the presentation of Dr Gerard Nijman, Expert Sales Manager Tyre & Rubber, Krauss Maffei, who will present a paper titled ‘50 Years of Tyre Component Extrusion: Did the Piggyback Multiplex Head Reach its End of Life?’ The presentation will revisit the introduction of the piggyback co-extrusion concept nearly 50 years ago, which improved process capability, addressed OEM requirements and reduced scrap generation.

The technology enabled the co-extrusion of tyre components using up to seven rubber compounds and is now used in more than 95 percent of tread and sidewall production. Dr Nijman will also discuss the limitations of current multiplex heads and provide a preview of a new co-extrusion concept for tyre compounds.

Nicola Fedele Rodolfo, Managing Director and Board Member, Rodolfo Comerio, will speak on ‘Calendering – The Heart Beat of Tyre Production’. The presentation will trace Rodolfo Comerio’s role in calendaring technology for the global tyre and rubber industry, combining market perspectives, technical innovation, company heritage and future developments. The presentation concludes by underscoring the company’s 148-year legacy in the industry, from operating the first calender for Pirelli to supporting the next generation of tyre production technologies.

Karsten Jung, Director – Sales, Rubber Machinery Division, TROESTER GmbH & Co. KG, and Saravana Kumar S, Managing Director and Member, TROESTER India Pvt Ltd, will speak on ‘Robotics and Automation’. Jung will present the latest developments in automation and robotics solutions for the tyre industry while also addressing the impact of electric vehicle requirements on compound development. Drawing on testing conducted at TROESTER’s in-house laboratory, the presentation will highlight a newly adapted screw design developed to improve the processing of new EV compounds. Saravana Kumar will outline how regional service integration supports sustainable extrusion operations. Saravana Kumar’s presentation will focus on TROESTER India’s presence in Chennai and its customer support capabilities across engineering, technical service, spare parts and after-sales support, aimed at enabling faster response times and improved operational efficiency.

This progression towards advanced manufacturing continues in the third session which is on Advancements in Tyre Manufacturing.

Dr Róbert Hula, Sales & Marketing Manager, Vipo a.s., will present his paper titled ‘Bead and Apex Solutions for Advanced Tire Manufacturing’. The presentation will explore how changing tyre production requirements, including smaller batch sizes, frequent product changes and larger rim sizes, are increasing demand for more flexible manufacturing systems.

The presentation will highlight VIPO technologies such as the LIHEXAL 8 bead winding machine and advanced apexing systems, featuring real-time monitoring, AI-supported controls, MES integration and automated material handling. It will also introduce concepts such as sensor-ready bead production and digital optimisation of manufacturing lines, focusing on the role of bead and apex technologies in advanced tyre production.

Bob Irwin, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Steelastic, will give a paper presentation titled ‘Integrating Extrusion Technology with Conventional Calendering to Elevate Tire Manufacturing Efficiency’. The paper will explore the integration of Steelastic’s advanced extrusion-based systems with conventional calendering and cutting methods in tyre reinforcement manufacturing, with a particular focus on the APAC market.

The presentation will examine how combining these technologies can enhance production efficiency, flexibility, sustainability and quality across tyre manufacturing operations.

Session IV, chaired by C Harimohan of Yokohama Off Highway Tire, is Going Green and Sustainable. Colin Clarke, Director Technical Sales, Schill+Seilacher “Struktol” GmbH, will present a paper titled ‘From Evolution to Revolution – Functional Additive Chemistry Adapted to Extreme Processing Challenges’. The presentation will examine how process additives have evolved from general processing aids into targeted solutions addressing challenges such as silica dispersion, tack, green strength, mill release and compound-to-metal adhesion. Focusing on extreme silica-filled and resin-rich tyre compounds, the presentation will introduce a new functional additive technology designed to optimise mixer and mill release while maintaining silica dispersion, improved flow behaviour, enhanced green strength and tyre performance properties.

In his presentation titled ‘Innovative Silane Grafted Liquid Rubber for Tire Compounds’, Ralph Böhm, Senior Manager, Kuraray, will share his thoughts on the role of liquid rubbers, composed of isoprene, butadiene and styrene, in improving tyre processing and performance. The paper will highlight the latest study on functionalised liquid rubbers and their advantages in natural rubber and silica formulations, focusing on processability, balancing rolling resistance, abrasion and grip and supporting formulations for next-generation TBR and EV tyres with sustainability considerations.

In his presentation titled ‘Excellent Cord Adhesion Without Cobalt and Resorcinol – A Truly Sustainable Solution’, Dr Roberto Blanco Trillo, Global Business Development Manager, Allnex, will talk about emerging alternatives to conventional adhesion promoter systems used in tyre compounds. Dr Trillo will also talk on the challenges of eliminating resorcinol and cobalt salts from tyre formulations while maintaining vulcanisation speed, mechanical properties, cord adhesion and ageing performance. The presentation will highlight the development of resorcinol-free Novolak resins and a newly functionalised Novolak technology designed to deliver strong cord adhesion and ageing performance without the use of cobalt or resorcinol while also addressing environmental, toxicological and sustainability concerns.

As GTRC is known for providing networking opportunities, a Gala and entertainment night has been organised on the first day on the conference.

Day Two opens with one of the conference’s most contemporary themes.

Session V, explores emerging technologies and artificial intelligence within tyre manufacturing. The timing could hardly be more relevant.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed rapidly from experimental concept to industrial application. Predictive maintenance, intelligent inspection systems and data-driven production management are already altering factory operations across multiple industries.

Marcel Berkers, Vice President Global Sales Tire & Rubber at VMI, is expected to share his thoughts on how these technological shifts are redefining manufacturing systems. Yet the most anticipated discussion may come from Peter Haan, Head of Global VM Tire at Siemens AG, whose presentation addresses the simple utilisation of AI in tyre manufacturing.

Hann will explore the practical adoption of artificial intelligence in tyre manufacturing through his presentation titled ‘Simple Utilisation of AI in Tyre Manufacturing’. The presentation will focus on how AI can be implemented and utilised more easily in industrial environments, particularly at a time when many AI projects struggle to achieve their intended outcomes. Highlighting the shortage of AI-skilled expertise within the industry, Haan will also discuss the importance of enabling

NEW VENUE FOR A BIGGER GTRC

The decision to host GTRC 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre (CTC) reflects the conference’s growing scale and industry relevance. Following strong participation in the last two editions, organisers faced space constraints as GTRC evolved beyond a conventional conference into a major knowledge-sharing and networking platform for the global tyre and rubber industry.

Located in Nandambakkam and managed by the Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion Organisation (TNTPO), the Chennai Trade Centre offers modern convention and exhibition infrastructure with excellent connectivity to the airport and city transport networks. Its large, flexible facilities are designed to host international trade fairs and business events.

“The move to CTC also responds to industry demand. Many participating companies increasingly view GTRC not only as a forum for technical discussions but also as a platform to showcase innovations and technologies through exhibition booths. The venue’s integrated conference and exhibition facilities make it an ideal setting for GTRC’s next stage of growth,” said Antony Powath, President, Pin 365.

AI adoption by non-specialists. The presentation will also touch upon how AI can accelerate process optimisation in emerging areas such as electrical curing and tyre recycling.

The conference subsequently turns towards quality assurance through Session VI, chaired by UnniKrishnan P K, Global Head – R&D, Tyre Testing at Apollo Tyres.

Testing technologies increasingly determine both production quality and operational efficiency. As artificial intelligence gains traction across tyre manufacturing, autonomous inspection systems are emerging as a key area of innovation. At GTRC 2026, Dr Shaun M Immel of Micropoise will present the latest developments in autonomous tyre defect detection through X-ray image analysis. The paper will focus on advances in Autonomous Defect Recognition (ADR), highlighting a new software solution designed to streamline tyre X-ray inspection. Unlike conventional systems that rely on expensive master tyres and lengthy calibration procedures to achieve millimetre-level screening accuracy, the new approach eliminates these requirements. According to Micropoise, the technology significantly reduces the time and effort involved in creating and managing inspection recipes, cutting preparation times from hours to minutes. By integrating AI and Deep Learning (DL) techniques, the system enables more accurate autonomous tyre inspection and defect classification.

Lubos Hodal, Head of Sales Department at Micro-Epsilon, will present the company’s latest developments in tyre inspection systems. Hodal’s presentation will highlight offline profiling with compound measurement, online profiling with auto-correlation functionality, tyre letter inspection and tyre mould inspection technologies aimed at improving manufacturing accuracy and defect detection. Hodal will also underline Micro-Epsilon’s ‘Made in India’ approach, reflecting the growing role of localised manufacturing in supporting the tyre industry.

Michael Müller, Senior Sales and Key Account Manager at ZF, will present a technical paper titled ‘Tyre High Speed Uniformity Measurement – Interpretation Regarding Quality & Vehicle Comfort in R&D and Virtual Tyre Development’.

As tyre manufacturers increasingly rely on virtual development and advanced modelling techniques, accurate high-speed uniformity (HSU) measurement has become central to evaluating tyre performance, ride comfort and quality.

Müller’s presentation will examine the state of the art in HSU measurement and analysis, addressing how key tyre characteristics are incorporated into tyre modelling and comparing measurement approaches using speed ramps and constant speeds. The session will also explore the different machine types used for HSU measurement, including the influence of machine natural frequencies on measurement outcomes.

Further discussion will focus on typical HSU evaluations, the impact of varying road wheel surfaces and the available concepts for testing across different surfaces. The presentation will additionally highlight the tyre model parameters derived from HSU measurements and review both recent technological advances and ongoing developments shaping the future of high-speed tyre testing.

The session is expected to offer valuable insight into the evolving role of HSU measurement in tyre R&D, quality assurance and virtual tyre development.

With sustainability moving to the forefront of tyre manufacturing, curing technologies are under increasing scrutiny. Anil Nair, Director of Curing Press Sales for HF Group in India, will present ‘HF eCuring – The Next Level of Electrical Tyre Curing, in the final technical session. In his presentation, Nair will highlight how HF Group’s electrical curing technology could significantly reduce the curing room’s carbon footprint while delivering operational gains such as higher throughput, improved tyre quality, enhanced safety and lower maintenance costs. The presentation will also highlight the role of online condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in supporting long-term efficiency.

As the tyre industry accelerates its shift towards circularity, end-of-life tyre traceability is becoming increasingly important. Arthur Wagner, CEO, REGOM, will discuss how data-driven traceability solutions can improve transparency and efficiency across the recycling value chain. The presentation will tell how structured data and material flow tracking can support compliance, improve decision-making and enhance the quality of recovered materials, helping build a more circular tyre ecosystem.

Sustainable material innovation will also feature prominently at GTRC 2026, with Black Donuts presenting a novel approach to replacing fossil-based tyre components. Aki Nurminen from Black Donut will throw light on a new premix material combining natural rubber and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), a plant-derived reinforcement material. Designed to overcome compatibility challenges in tyre manufacturing, the technology promises improved usability while reducing reliance on carbon black and other fossil-based inputs.

The conference closes with a panel discussion that may ultimately prove its most candid conversation.

Moderated by Srikanth Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Eonix, the discussion on crisis, sustainability and the green transition brings together Nikhil Puri of Yokohama and procurement leaders from other tyre companies. Their conversation is expected to confront the difficult questions underpinning contemporary industry strategy: how manufacturers balance sustainability with cost realities, navigate geopolitical disruptions and maintain competitiveness amid rapidly changing technological and environmental expectations.

For the tyre industry, GTRC 2026 arrives not simply as another conference but as a reflection of an industry in transition. Chennai may provide the venue, but the themes under discussion – automation, circularity, artificial intelligence and manufacturing resilience – are unmistakably global.

WHAT INDUSTRY LEADERS SAY ABOUT GTRC PAST EDITIONS

“Over and above it, GTRC is a great networking opportunity.”

Satish Sharma, Senior President & Director – Business Development & Strategy, Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT)

“I loved the conference a lot, and I thank you, Antony, and the team. Looking forward to attending more conferences.”

Pravin Joshi, Vice President at Yokohama Off-Highway Tyre

“First, we are very happy to be here; it’s always good to be with our friends and customers for a couple of days. It gives us the opportunity to discuss in a very nice atmosphere. I also think the presentations are very good and high level. It helps us connect with our customers and understand their needs better so we can help them and support them even better. This year (2024) , a record number of people have come here, so all in all, it is very good.”

Harm Voortman, VMI Group

“I think it is a very interesting event to get to meet major role players from the Indian tyre industry in one room where they can see all the new developments and trends within the industry – having this conference once every two years is great, as developments take time.”

Warren Rudman, HF

“I like the interaction. The setup, speakers and high-quality audience are all good combinations.”

Erik Lapre, VMI

“On behalf of our company (Vipo), I would like to thank you for organising GTRC and for bringing some great people and topics related to the tyre industry. It is a unique place for networking. I recommend GTRC to everyone in the industry.”

Andrej Bencel, PhD, Vipo A.S.

“I would like to thank the team for hosting GTRC and bringing all the industry leaders together on a common platform. It is a great knowledge-sharing platform as well as a productive one. The topics covered on sustainability and AI are great and very useful. To be frank, it is the need of the hour.”

Vashni R, SRF Limited

“I thought it would be like any other conference, but it was beyond that, and I learned many things from GTRC. Not only the content but also the hospitality was very good. It was just perfect.”

Sahana, Assistant Manager R&D, Yokohama

KraussMaffei has appointed Xinting Ren as Managing Director of its extrusion business, effective 1 September, 2026, combining the role with his existing leadership of the group’s China operations.

Ren succeeds Ralf Benack, who left the company at his own request on 31^st August , ending a tenure of about two years.

The company said the dual appointment is intended to strengthen integration between its extrusion activities and international operations.

Ren has led KraussMaffei China for the past three years, overseeing cross-technology activities in the Chinese market. Before joining the group, he held several management roles in the chemical industry, including Assistant General Manager at KraussMaffei Company Limited, now operating as Sinochem Equipment Technology Qingdao Co., and most recently served as general manager of Shanxi China Coal Pingshuo Energy Chemical Co., Ltd.

Benack took over leadership of KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2024 and was responsible for the group’s global extrusion business. During his tenure, the company focused on operational processes and customer orientation, reducing delivery times and further developing the Technology Center at its Laatzen site.

The facility now offers 26 pilot lines for development and customer projects, and the company said it also expanded its extrusion technology portfolio.

From September, responsibility for the extrusion business and management of the China business will be combined under Ren’s leadership.

Nokian Tyres plc has introduced a new premium summer tyre, the Powerproof E, designed for Central and Southern European markets, with A-class ratings in all three European Union tyre label categories across its full range.

The company said the tyre achieves top grades for rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise, reflecting a development approach aimed at balancing efficiency, safety and comfort within a single product.

“Whether the priority is maximizing range and efficiency or achieving confidence and comfort in wet conditions, drivers should not have to compromise on safety. The new Nokian Tyres Powerproof E is designed to deliver outstanding performance in the areas that matter most to drivers,” said Tommi Alhola, Senior Vice-President for Passenger Car tyres in Central Europe.

Samu Lepistö, development manager at the company, added: “Achieving A-class ratings in all three EU tire label categories across the entire range is a significant result. These characteristics are all important to today's drivers yet improving one can often affect another. Nokian Tyres Powerproof E was developed to deliver balanced performance across all three areas.”

The tyre incorporates what the company calls Motion Control Technology, combining tread design, compound development and structural engineering to support efficiency and wet-weather performance.

Depending on size, between 40.9 percent and 42.8 percent of the tyre’s material content consists of recycled and renewable inputs, including rice husk ash, recycled carbon black and recycled steel.

Production takes place at the group’s factory in Oradea, Romania, which opened in 2024 and operates with zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, powered by renewable energy.

The Powerproof E is designed for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and crossover vehicles, including electric, hybrid and internal combustion models. It will be available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches for the 2027 summer season in Central and Southern Europe.

Continental Tire Canada has appointed Frank Buntinx as its new Managing Director, effective 17 August 2026. In this executive capacity, he assumes comprehensive oversight of the organisation’s entire Canadian tyre portfolio, which encompasses passenger and light truck vehicles, commercial truck lines and specialised tyre segments. His leadership will guide the strategic direction and operational performance across these diverse business units.

A native of Belgium, Buntinx brings over two decades of tenure with Continental, having commenced his career there in 2003 within logistics and supply chain management. Over the years, he has accumulated a broad commercial skillset through successive roles in marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, fleet operations and sales. His professional trajectory later elevated him to senior leadership positions in the Benelux region, where he directed marketing efforts and subsequently headed Fleet Solutions and Truck Tires, thereby acquiring multifaceted management expertise.

This transatlantic appointment signifies a pivotal career transition for Buntinx, offering him the chance to infuse the Canadian market with an international vantage point. His arrival is anticipated to bolster Continental’s regional presence, leveraging his extensive cross-functional background to navigate the complexities of the domestic tyre industry and drive organisational growth.

“I am truly excited to join Continental Tire Canada and begin this new chapter. Continental has built a strong business and reputation in the Canadian market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to build on that success, strengthening Continental's position while supporting the growth and success of our customers,” said Buntinx.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which operates the Dunlop brand, will discontinue the supply of karting tyres by the end of 2027 as part of a strategic review of its business and allocation of management resources.

The company said it would continue supplying products to existing customers until December 31, 2027.

Dunlop has produced karting tyres since 1976, supplying products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as well as tyres accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation.

The company said its products had supported a wide range of users, from recreational drivers to young drivers aiming to compete at higher levels, and had contributed to the development of karting participation.

It added that the decision followed a review of its medium- to long-term management strategy and changes in the business environment.

The group said it would continue to contribute to motorsport activities, while expressing appreciation to customers and organisations that had supported its karting tyre business.