Like every technology sector requires testing, so do the tyres that come with any vehicle. It is important that the tyres of a vehicle function smoothly on different roads and under all weather conditions. This results in tyre manufacturers conducting a number of vital tests to ensure that their tyres perform when the end user sits behind the wheel. Dr Dieter Barz, Director – Sales and Service, and Executive Board Member at Altracon, a company that provides tyre and material property testing solutions and configurations, throws light on tyre testing standards, how the Indian market is one of the major markets of the future for tyre testing and how the future is about sustainability.

What is the role of testing in tyre development as a whole?
When a customer buys a tyre, they, of course, have to be sure that the tyre is safe, comfortable to ride and not noisy. Therefore, tyre testing is essential.

The tyre is a very complex, built-up element. As for tyre testing in general, it is split up into several areas. For one, there’s subjective testing, like the feeling of driving a car, for instance. This would be the tyre performance.

Then there’s tyre measurement. When it comes to tyre measurement, it’s very important that during the development process, one proves that the tyre is fulfilling various standards. These standards are different for different countries – there are European, American, Japanese or Asian standards and so on. But on the whole, the tyre has to show that it is capable of fulfilling those standards. And that is the role of tyre testing.

What kind of regulation, according to you, will fuel more demand for testing businesses?
The future is about sustainability. Energy consumption is one of the most important factors and is influenced by a lot of things. If we look at compound development, we have to find compounds that have low rolling resistance and low damping in order to be energy efficient. So the focus on tyre testing will be in terms of sustainability and energy consumption, looking into the compounds and the complete tyre as well. These are two very important elements to look into.

Does the Asian market require different testing machines?
In general, no. You have different standards to prove, although the test machines are more or less the same. The software program that you run for the test is what stands.

Which is the most exciting market for Altracon right now?
As sustainability is a global project, there are no priority markets. However, we also see that India is developing very fast. Therefore, the demand for tyre testing, now and in the future, will be very high in India. Hence, India will definitely be a focus market in the future.

Can you elaborate more on this? What is Altracon’s scope in the Indian market?
Altracon is already very well known in the Indian market. In fact, we offer machines that directly suit the country’s requirements. Plus, along with our machines, we also provide tools that are sustainable. For example, we offer special energy management to operate the machine. Besides, we also offer machine programmes that help shorten development processes, thus enhancing sustainability by reducing manufacturing and testing efforts. This saves fuel and reduces emissions and pollution.

Can you tell us a bit about the services provided by Altracon? How do you make sure that your customers receive timely and the most effective service possible?
In the past, we have experienced that the online service we provide fulfils more than 90 percent of customer requirements. If there is any issue with the machine, we start a remote service via the internet in order to look into the machine and solve the problem along with the customer. We have a very fast response time and low costs as there is no travelling involved. We go out to the customer in person and fix the machine only if it is really needed.

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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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