Assuming nothing will be the same with COVID-19, all associated economic growth figures will be revised in the near future. The European tyre market was severely affected in the first quarter of 2020 and declined by around 20% in all segments, which is exactly the opposite of the previous forecast of achieving a total CAGR of 20% for the 2018-2022 period. It will not return to normal short-term trends and will certainly be revised.

With the global economic slowdown, the Chinese tyre market, with earlier growth of more than 6%, will no longer be mentioned in the coming years. The global pandemic has overshadowed the global economy, and the most important tyre manufacturers are only showing moderate optimism for 2020. The downward trends in demand in many international markets are therefore irreversible. When the entire industry is back on track and at the same time safe?

Tyre Industry will not return to normal short-term trends and all economic figures will certainly be revised.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the margins for industrial products were good. Many companies in industrialised countries have been looking for alternatives to invest in different parts of the world, and export rates have continuously helped them make enough money. So far, globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital for the countries of the Far East. China and Singapore, then Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia were the subject of foreign direct investment. Indonesia seems to lag behind the Philippines and Taiwan for foreign investors. Exceptionally, Japan and partially South Korea won in the early 1950s and 1960s and were more aware of the importance of technological culture. They managed to develop their own capital to invest in technological products. The tyre and rubber industry were two of the main companies.

Globalisation has prompted investors to tackle the underdeveloped eastern globe. The 1970s in this direction were the new way of investing a large amount of accumulated capital in Far East.   

Western automakers had also sparked interest in countries in the eastern world. This has helped investors to focus more on this part of the world. When investors were looking for new horizons to make more money, all supporting technologies came to these countries.

When we entered the 1990s, Glasnost began to influence Europe's socio-economic structure. The main European brands initially focused on Eastern Europe to invest in the main products. Foreign direct investment went to the Central and Eastern European countries. Major European brands in the tyre industry have acquired certain tyre factories. Some factories were opened late.

It is a difficult task to attract foreign direct investment. Many parameters need to be combined, including incentives, laws, rules, agencies and procedures to attract foreign investment. The Central and Eastern European countries spent a lot of time and effort and finally made it. Not only legislative issues, but also macroeconomic measures such as combating inflation, the goal of joining the euro area, setting competitive but sustainable tax rates and laying the foundation stone for companies that acquire applications for property permits, liberalisation of the labor market, privatisation of all areas of the economy finance, public services and telecommunications, as well as road and airport construction are different pieces of equipment than investors. Usually you look for them first.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres

The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are the first four countries to follow. Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia tend to attract foreign direct investment over time. In any case, they have all learned that low labour costs are not enough to attract foreign investment if the main attractive features are not realised.

When we reached 2000, the primary concerns of European and North American tyre manufacturers were attacks on poor quality tyres in the East and Far East regions. Instead of banning imports, the safety problems of tyres in this part of the world are highlighted and certain measures are taken to prevent the huge import channels of these branded tyres. ETRMA, the association of the largest tyre and rubber manufacturers, mainly followed the REACH restrictions of these companies. The media also supported user conscience. The tyre labeling is also the result of safety concerns. The European Commission and the White House have introduced additional anti-damping and additional countervailing duties on tyres made in the Far East. The cheaper tyres no longer had the opportunity to be rated well. Note, however, that companies in the Far East are now able to manufacture high-quality high-tech tyres and organise deliveries in the market.

At the other end of the world, many industries which invest mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent in 2015.

When the time came, the former Eastern Bloc countries began to join the EU. After 2010, Chinese and Far Eastern tyre manufacturers accelerated or invested in new factories in Eastern Europe. South Korea and China have started to have tyre factories in this region. Tyres manufactured in Europe or Eastern Europe indicate the Western European and US markets and are exempt from high customs taxes. They have set up a production line that is adapted to the requirements of European and American consumers.

When we reached the other side of the world in 2015, many industries with investments mainly in China initiated alternatives to return to the continent. Export tariff barriers and rising labor costs, state requirements for environmental legislation and industrial reforms do not keep foreign investors and local companies alive. The international climate and the atmosphere of the trade struggle between East and West also play a role in this latter trend. Today, investments in Eastern Europe in the countries of Asia and Western Europe continue. However, this is not a guarantee for the next few years.

Whatever the truth is or it is assumed that yesterday's reality will be opposite or different. Therefore, nothing will be similar or as expected. Companies that covered risks today and had tools today are luckier and will be successful tomorrow.

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The Indian Rubber Institute (IRI), a not-for-profit professional body focussing on the tyre and rubber industry, is set to host ‘IRI-CON’26’, a two-day conference aimed at addressing the sector’s evolving technological and sustainability priorities.

The event scheduled on 30^th January 2026, will be held in Vadodara, Gujarat, underscoring the state’s growing importance as a hub for elastomers and rubber-related manufacturing.

Led by eminent technocrats and industry leaders, IRI has played a pivotal role for decades in advancing technical education, skill development and professional excellence across the tyre and rubber value chain. A large proportion of technical professionals in these industries are lifetime members of the institute, contributing through voluntary service, knowledge sharing and technical engagement.

IRI has also been instrumental in training candidates for the DIRI and PGDIRI programmes, with examinations conducted by IIT Kharagpur since their inception.

The choice of Gujarat as the host state is significant. The region is home to major tyre manufacturers including Apollo Tyres, CEAT, BKT, MRF and JK Tyre, alongside key suppliers of carbon black, silica, textiles and rubber chemicals. Vadodara, in particular, has emerged as an important centre for rubber and allied industries, making it a strategic venue for the conference.

The theme of IRI-CON’26, ‘Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Developments in Rubber and Allied Industries,’ reflects the industry’s increasing focus on sustainability, resource efficiency and responsible manufacturing. The conference is expected to bring together professionals from manufacturing, R&D, academia and allied sectors, offering a platform for technical exchange, collaboration and dialogue on future-ready solutions.

With regulatory pressures, material innovations and environmental expectations reshaping the sector, IRI-CON’26 is positioned as a timely forum to align industry stakeholders on sustainable growth pathways for India’s tyre and rubber ecosystem.

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The Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) has confirmed Vijay K Misra as its new Chairman following a formal election. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 50 years in the tyre and rubber sector, Misra possesses extensive expertise in technology, product development, international collaborations and major greenfield projects.

His deep industry connections and proven leadership are anticipated to steer the IRI through its next period of growth and enhanced impact. The Institute also formally acknowledged Misra's pivotal role in founding the Dr D Banerjee Centre of Excellence in Mysuru, a premier hub for advanced training and industry-academia synergy.

Concurrently, sincere appreciation was extended to outgoing Chairman Dr R Mukhopadhyay for his valuable guidance, as he continues to support the Institute in the role of Chairman Emeritus.

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a forthcoming change to its representative leadership at a meeting on 25 December 2025, pending formal ratification at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for 26 March 2026.

The shift is part of a planned reorganisation of the company’s management framework effective from that date. Under the new structure, current Director and Senior Executive Officer Yasuaki Kuniyasu is slated to be appointed as the new Representative Director, President and CEO. Concurrently, the present President and CEO, Satoru Yamamoto, is expected to transition to the role of Representative Director and Chairperson of the Board.

Yasuaki Kuniyasu, aged 56, began his career with the company in April 1992. His tenure includes significant leadership roles, such as General Manager of the Tyre Technology Headquarters and, from January 2023, General Manager of the Corporate Management Planning & Administration Department. He has served as a Director and Senior Executive Officer since March 2023 and held 8,400 shares in the company as of 30 June 2025.

This planned succession aims to establish a renewed executive team to guide the company forward under its new governance model.

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Hankook Tire has secured a top-tier ‘A’ rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in Climate Change category for the second year in a row, affirming its status as a global leader in environmental stewardship. The CDP assessment is among the world’s most authoritative benchmarks for corporate sustainability, evaluating governance, emissions reduction and transparency. Hankook’s achievement reflects its comprehensive approach to managing climate impacts throughout its entire value chain, from raw materials to end-of-life tyre management.

This recognition is underpinned by a robust, long-term strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2023, the company’s near-term 2030 goals and its 2050 net-zero ambition were formally validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Governance is central to this progress, with a dedicated Board-level Climate Change Committee ensuring climate risks and opportunities are integrated into core business decisions and that reduction progress is meticulously tracked and disclosed.

Operationally, Hankook is transforming its global production towards sustainable systems. It pioneered the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS in the tyre industry at its Geumsan Plant in 2021, a milestone since extended to facilities in Hungary and Daejeon. This establishes a certified framework for manufacturing sustainable tyres across consumer, original equipment and motorsport segments.

Complementing these efforts, Hankook is driving material innovation through strategic partnerships. The company is collaborating with firms like ROTOBOOST and Solvay to develop next-generation, low-carbon materials such as turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. It is also engaging in national research consortia to scale promising carbon reduction technologies. These initiatives are part of Hankook’s broader circular economy vision, branded E.Circle, which focuses on reducing fossil fuel dependence, conserving natural resources and systematically cutting carbon emissions.

Hankook’s leadership has garnered significant external validation. It earned the highest environmental accreditation from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and was named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate how Hankook Tire is embedding sustainability into its corporate identity to build long-term value and industry-wide resilience.

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