A proposed bill in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has ignited fierce opposition from the country’s tyre retreading sector, which sees the legislation as an ill-conceived and uninformed attack on an industry that plays a crucial role in the economy and sustainability efforts. The bill seeks to ban the use of retread tyres on buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways, a move that the industry argues is both impractical and detrimental.

Brazil is the world’s second-largest retread market, following only the United States. This achievement has been attributed to the reliability and quality of work carried out by retreaders, which has earned the market’s trust.

In September 2024, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to exercise a ban on the use of retread tyres in buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways. The Brazilian Association of Tyre Retreading (ABR) lashed out at the proposed draft, labelling it as ‘misguided and uninformed’.

Subsequently, ABR President and Federal Senator of Mato Grosso, Margareth Buzetti, told Tyre Trends, “The proposed bill focuses on retread tyres rather than broader factors such as overloading, poor road conditions or inadequate maintenance practices due to sheer misinformation on the part of the person who proposed the project. It is a simplistic and populist proposal that promises to increase road safety by fighting the wrong enemy. Tyres retreaded in Brazil undergo extremely rigorous inspections to ensure that they reach the transport companies safely and reliably.”

“We, as retreaders, meet Inmetro standards that define the technical requirements for tyre retreading, following the standards of excellence practiced in other countries. We are talking about large companies that have strict quality standards. We are in no way inferior to new tyres in terms of safety,” she added.

According to Buzetti, no reputable company would compromise on tyre safety as doing so could lead to financial losses from accidents and endanger lives. She also pointed out that the sector’s ability to generate approximately 300,000 direct and indirect jobs is a testament to the high quality of retreaded products.

Commenting on how the proposed bill might influence public perception about the sustainable practice, she noted, “The way it was proposed is terrible because it gives people the impression that retread tyres in Brazil are of poor quality and are responsible for road accidents. This is absurd misinformation. However, I do not see this issue as something that concerns the general population. Transport companies, which are the largest users of retread tyres, are aware of the reality.”

“Entities linked to both the reform and transportation sectors sent dozens of letters to the Chamber of Deputies against the proposed bill. We will continue this pressure in 2025,” she added.

The association plans to seek out the rapporteur and the author of the bill so that they understand the seriousness of the work carried out by the sector. “The right thing to do would be for the congressman to withdraw the bill he presented and file another one that focuses on combating illegally-made reforms or the poor-quality tyres that are imported from Asia without any control whatsoever. Then they will have our support. Otherwise, we will seek out partner congressmen to wage a real battle within the Chamber against the advancement of this absurd proposal,” contended Buzetti.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL

Buzetti noted that if the proposed bill was implemented, then the implications would be ‘catastrophic’. “If the bill were to become law, the long-term impact on Brazil’s tyre industry would be devastating. Companies are already struggling with the rising cost of raw materials due to increase in the Dollar-Brazilian Real exchange rates. Banning tyre retreading would further cripple the sector, leading to significant financial and operational challenges,” she said.

Currently, tyre retreading saves Brazil BRL 7 billion in transportation costs. If the proposed bill becomes law, which the ABR believes is unlikely and will actively oppose, it would effectively force transportation companies to buy only new tyres overnight, causing a massive rise in costs.

Alluding to the potential impact of this legislation on Brazil’s carbon neutrality and sustainability goals, Buzetti emphasised, “The sector was recently recognised by the Ministry of the Environment as an important asset in the circular economy. This was a milestone that we achieved at great cost, and the government is finally beginning to see our importance for environmental sustainability. I believe that 2025 will be the year in which we will be able to make even more progress on this issue. We cannot ignore the importance for the environment of a sector that retreads 14 million tyres per year.”

While the association can furnish data demonstrating the safety and reliability of Inmerto-certified retread tyres to battle the proposed bill, Buzetti, attacking the project makers, said, “Can the deputy who created the project present data that guarantees that the lack of safety on the roads is caused by retread tyres?”

Commenting on the bill’s impact on small and micro enterprises if implemented, Buzetti said, “Tyre retreading supports 300,000 jobs in Brazil today. It is a well-established market. Banning retreading would be like taking food off the table for thousands of Brazilians who rely on this sector.”

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

According to Buzetti, the legislative year ended with this bill being presented to the Chamber of Deputies’ Transport and Roads Committee and it did not receive any amendments within the statutory deadline. Now, in February, discussions on the proposal can begin and she highly doubts that it will move forward. As a senator, she will not participate in the votes in the Chamber but will personally go to the committee to talk to all the deputies to demonstrate the quality of tyre retreading in Brazil.

Speaking on the steps that the government should take to address any lingering safety concerns and prevent future proposals like this, in case the bill was withdrawn, Buzetti said, “Inspection of poor-quality tyres entering the country and incentives for tyre retreaders to continue operating within the law is a necessary step. I presented a bill that is currently pending in the Chamber of Deputies that provides tax exemption for tyre retreading companies, as a way of attracting them to formality.”

She also noted, “Instead of banning retread tyres, we could have greater oversight of imported tyres that enter Brazil illegally. We are talking about tyres that are so bad that they don’t even need to be refurbished. These should be a priority for parliamentarians. And, of course, improving road conditions and oversight of the rules that must be followed by transport companies (such as not exceeding the maximum load) are also important steps to increase road safety.”

The European replacement tyre market displayed mixed signals in the first quarter of 2025, with consumer tyres growing modestly while truck and agricultural segments contracted, according to data released by the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA).

Consumer tyre sales grew 3 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, continuing the recovery observed in the second half of 2024. The all-seasons segment emerged as the standout performer with a robust 14 percent growth, whilst winter tyres rose 5 percent. Summer tyres declined by 3 percent.

"In Consumer tyres, the recovery observed in the second half of 2024 (+8 percent) has continued in the first quarter of 2025. Volumes were close to those reached in the first quarter of 2019, before the impact of the pandemic," said Adam McCarthy, ETRMA's Secretary General.

The truck tyre segment, however, showed weakness with a 4 percent decline compared to Q1 2024 and remains 11 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Agricultural tyres mirrored this downward trend with a 4 percent reduction, whilst motorcycle and scooter tyres grew 7 percent against what the association described as "a relatively weak first quarter of 2024".

McCarthy attributed the truck segment's poor performance to "economic and political uncertainties" affecting the market.

The data reveals a striking trend in tyre imports, with passenger car and light truck tyre imports into Europe surging 12 percent in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This follows a 17 percent increase in 2024, with Chinese imports up 18 percent, Korean imports up 30 percent, and Indian imports up 34 percent.

Industry analysts suggest this import surge reflects both consumer cost pressures and production challenges facing European manufacturers.

"Pressure on household budgets has increased demand for low-cost imports whilst European tyre production costs, particularly for energy, have increased at a faster pace than in other regions," the ETRMA report noted.

In a separate trend, truck and bus tyre imports from outside Europe grew 8 percent in early 2025, with ASEAN countries now representing over 60 percent of imported volumes. Vietnam's share has grown significantly, accounting for over a quarter of imports in the period.

The association also highlighted that despite significant changes in mobility patterns, with car traffic yet to fully recover from pandemic lows, the total light vehicle fleet in Europe grew by 1.4 percent in 2024, adding more than 4 million vehicles. Light commercial vehicles showed stronger growth, driven by e-commerce and last-mile delivery expansion.

The report estimates that nearly 4.5 million tonnes of used tyres were generated across Europe in 2024, with only about 600,000 tonnes reused or retreaded.

Ralson Tire North America (RTNA) has made some strategic changes in its top management with an aim to strengthen its foundation for the future. The company has promoted Mark Roe to Vice President of Sales for the company. Roe previously served as Vice President – Sales (West) for the company. Apart from this, Christy Neito has been promoted to the role of Business Manager for RTNA.

According to the company, Roe will work closely with all RTNA sales managers to assign roles and coordinate execution, which will improve performance and focus throughout RTNA.

Neito has over 20 years of expertise in operational administration, bookkeeping and office management. She joined RTNA in 2023. Neito will be in charge of banking and accounting coordination, cash management, compliance and administrative assistance for HR services as part of her enlarged duties.

RTNA Senior Vice President Brian Sheehey, said, “Mark brings over three decades of rich experience in domestic and regional sales within the tyre industry and has been an integral part of RTNA since 2024. His deep industry expertise and leadership will be key drivers in strengthening our sales organisation.”

“Christy’s expertise and collaborative approach will be pivotal as we scale operations. We are confident that these changes will further propel RTNA’s growth trajectory and strengthen our foundations for the future,” added Sheehey.

Hyderabad-based manufacturer targets 2 million monthly units within five years

In recent years, Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres has proven to be a versatile and innovative player with ambitious strategic goals. From providing specialised rubber items to the Indian military to creating innovative solutions for the emerging electric vehicle segment, ARL Tyres has shown remarkable resilience since its inception as a family enterprise in 1983.

With production levels now crossing 150,000 units per month and ambitious goals to reach two million units per month in five years, ARL is placing itself at the cusp of conventional industrial manufacturing and future mobility solutions. Its recent appearance at the Ride Asia EV Expo showcased the company’s wide range of products and its dedication to supporting India’s developing transportation infrastructure with niche products such as Smart Tyres and terrain-specific Mud Master range.

Hyderabad-based ARL Tyres, a division of Agarwal Rubber Limited, recently showcased its products, including tyres and tubes, at the Ride Asia EV Expo held at Bharat Mandapam this year. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. It offers a comprehensive range of products, including tyres for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). It is also known for manufacturing Smart Tyres.

Growth Plans

The types of tyres being produced at this company include those for ultra-light trucks, two-wheelers, forklifts, tractors and light trucks. The company manufactures approximately 12,000 tyres daily at its production facility, selling across different areas of the country due to a 400-strong network of exclusive dealers.

According to Gautam Ghosh, Head-West Zone at ARL Tyres, “We are very optimistic about tyre sales in 2025 as there is tremendous potential in the EV sector. So far, in 2025, we have been averaging close to 150,000 units per month. Expect us to touch 0.2 to 0.25 million units a month by the end of this year.”

Continuing the expansion plan, the company intends to touch at least two million monthly units in five years. This growth is supported by its extensive network of exclusive dealers distributed across various regions of India.

Technical Expertise and Manufacturing Capabilities

In 2000, ARL Tyres gathered in-depth knowledge about all the major tyre technologies, manufacturing processes and industry standards. Apart from tyres, this ISO 9001:2015-certified company is also known for manufacturing high-quality flaps, envelopes, curing bags, bladders and butyl tubes.

Today, the company boasts an ultra-modern tube manufacturing unit that produces roughly 50,000 high-grade butyl rubber automotive tubes. While the range begins with two-wheeler sizes, it also extends to the aviation and OTR (Off-The-Road) sectors

Defence Sector Connection

Since 1996, ARL’s technical expertise in rubber has enabled it to supply tubes to the Indian defence sector. The durability and performance of its products have made ARL a preferred OEM supplier for the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited), and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).

Products for E3W Segment

For the electric three-wheeler market, which includes auto-rickshaws (passenger and commercial) and e-rickshaws, ARL offers both tube-type and tubeless tyres in sizes 4.00-12 and 4.50-12. The company markets two brands for this vehicle category: the Savera and the Xtreme.

According to the company, individuals should choose the Savera for its performance, safety, and durability on urban and semi-urban roads. Its non-skid Depth (NSD) ranges from 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm, which gives it good grip and safety. It would be useful as a passenger and cargo tyre.

On the other hand, ARL Xtreme is a tube-type tyre that optimises long-lasting performance, grip and safety on various roads. It differs from the Savera in terms of design and safety. Unlike the Savera, an NSD of 9mm is available here. Engineers at ARL have created a stylish design for the Xtreme that balances aesthetics and functionality with advanced technology.

Global Reach and Partnerships

Beyond the domestic market, ARL exports its products to more than 60 countries worldwide. Over the years, ARL Tyres has forged a few partnerships with top brands and continues to do so. For example, the company partnered with Chandu Champion, cheered India at the Paris Olympics through its ‘Jeet ki Aur’ campaign, and sponsored RCB during IPL 2025.

Innovative Offerings

Among its unique propositions, ARL offers OEM test drives with new tyres at specific locations, allowing auto manufacturers to fine-tune vehicle designs according to tyres and provide targeted inputs. It also sells Smart Tyres with scientific tread designs for efficient movement. The cross sipes on these tyres differ greatly from regular tyres and help grip wet and muddy surfaces. Instead of relying on vehicle technologies, these tyres are themselves available with real-time monitoring capabilities.

Company History and Client Base

ARL was founded as a family business in 1983 and became a tyre manufacturing company. Mobility companies such as Maa Luxmi India and Ferranza Electric Vehicle Private Limited, which were present at the Ride Asia Expo EV, are clients of ARL, as are the OEM manufacturers Omaha, Arel and Yakuza. While ARL’s trials for the Thukral Electric Bike have already commenced, the dispatches have not yet begun.

 

The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has promoted Stella Mathioudaki to Director, Product Stewardship & Sustainability of the association.

Mathioudaki has a PhD in Physics – Materials Science from Université de Namur and has been associated with ETRMA since November 2023, working in the capacity of Senior Manager – Materials Stewardship. Before joining ETRMA, she worked as Senior Chemicals Policy Consultant at Acumen Public Affairs. Mathioudaki will spearhead important projects on tyre sustainability, including recycling, retreading and the wider shift to a circular economy, in addition to supervising the industry's efforts on responsible material usage and regulatory compliance in her new position at ETRMA.