Amongst the various advancements in the automobile sector, the tyre manufacturing industry has also seen major transformations in terms of quality, versatility and efficiency, by swift adaptability to new changes and the adoption of new technologies as per the market requirements. From the cotton carcass to high-performance and durable radial tires, the technological progression has been unprecedented through the years.

With enhanced focus on product quality, production methodologies, growing exports, and acquisition of the new-age technologies, leading tyre manufacturing companies in India are not only giving healthy competition to its global peers but also strengthening the country’s overall economy.

Current scenario

Presently, there are around 40 companies listed in the country’s tyre manufacturing sector, which is mostly organized. The industry is the largest consumer of rubber components, with the natural rubber accounting to 80 per cent of the total consumption and synthetic rubber 20 per cent. Raw materials account for 70 per cent of the total production cost in the rubber industry.

The key factors impacting the demand and supply of high quality rubber in India include the level of overall industry activities, cost and credit availability, transportation costs, conditions of the road network, quality and the volume requirement, vehicle loading rules and regulations, radicalization and retreading and exports.

Most tyre manufacturing companies in India these days deal in six categories of market – original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) (significant for cars and jeeps), foreign exports, replacement market (mostly for tractors, motorcycles and mopeds), central government supplies, state transport undertakings and open retail markets.

Radialization

Radialization in the tyre industry is the transformation from the traditional tyres that uses nylon thread to radial tyres that uses steel wires. It is one of the key aspects in the Indian tyre manufacturing industry, which depicts the up-gradation of technology, the advancement and sophistication in the modern road development, new –age engineering of vehicles and the general growth of the economy.

At the present time, most cars on the Indian road run on radial tyres as it help boost the mileage significantly and save cost on fuel to up to 10 per cent. Other major benefits of radial tyres include flexible sidewall, less rolling resistance, softer rides because of the layout of the tyre’s plies, stable contact with the road surface, and steel belted nature providing tougher overall construction.

However, radialization in India has been taking off in a slower than expected pace due to unsuitability of roads for the bettered plying of radial tires, older vehicles with no suitable fitment geometry, buyers’ reluctance to pay high price and the increasing costs of the raw materials.

Electric vehicle (EV) tyres

Though very much similar to the tyres used in fossil fuel vehicles, the electric vehicle (EV) tyres are slightly different while it comes to the components used for manufacturing. With less rubber and other raw materials used while manufacturing, the EV tyres are generally 20 per cent lighter than their conventional counterpart. They face lesser rolling resistance, giving them longer operational life. The design and manufacturing of the EV tyre are also made differently considering that the EVs are comparatively heavier with the batteries increasing the weight significantly. (TT)

LANXESS, a specialty chemicals company, has successfully placed a six-year-tenor euro benchmark bond with a coupon of 0.0 percent in the European capital market.
The company, with about 14,800 employees in 33 countries, will use the funds to finance the planned acquisition of IFF, a US-based chemical company involved in microbial control.

The new bond is listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in denominations of EUR 1,000.

Michael Pontzen, CFO, LANXESS, said, “We have secured the first step of financing already quickly after the announcement of the acquisition of IFF Microbial Control and are happy about the very receptive reaction of the capital market to our offering.” (TT)

Goodyear has launched its new RT-3B bead-to-bead tread in US and Canada in sizes 20.5R25 and 23.5R25 for off-the-road (OTR) tyres.

The new retread provides all-around performance for loaders and graders. Joining the existing lineup of premium off-the-road Goodyear tyres, the retread provides up to 60 percent savings compared to a new tyre.

Used extensively in gruelling OTR applications, retreading helps extend the life of tyres while delivering high traction and minimal tread wear. Additionally, retreading promotes sustainability by reducing unnecessary waste.

The new Goodyear RT-3B is cured in a mould and press method to generate low heat through long hours of usage via its 115-level tread depth. Strongly cut-resistant in nature, the centerline lugs and open shoulder provides optimal traction.

Loic Ravasio, General Manager, Global and Americas OTR, Goodyear, said, “We are always focused on delivering high value and low cost of ownership to our OTR customers. The RT-3B is a substantial addition to our retread portfolio providing another great option for operators to help drive efficiency, reduce costs and protect the environment.” (TT)

Anshuman Singhania, Dy. Managing Director of JK Tyre, has been appointed managing director of the company, effective October 21,2020.

Anshuman Singhania joined the Company as an Executive and over the years has been deeply involved in various activities of the Company in different positions, said the company.

Singhania is also Vice Chairman of ATMA

He is a graduate from Oxford Brookes University, UK and an alumnus of London Business School. As a young leader, he started his career from the shop floor as an apprentice and has held several positions in Planning, Production, Product Development, Quality Control, Stores & Purchase, Finance as well as Sales & Marketing. Being a techno-savvy person, he has played a key role in implementing the latest technologies in the manufacturing process at JK Tyre.

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires recently held the groundbreaking and foundation stone unveiling ceremony of its new plant at Atchutapuram, Visakhapatnam - Andhra Pradesh, India.

In the online event, Masataka Yamaishi , President & Chairman of the Board, Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd broke the ground to commence construction work.

Yamaishi San unveiled the Foundation Stone virtually in the presence of Atao Kishi San: Chairman - ATC Tires Pvt. Ltd. and Managing Officer - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nitin Mantri – CEO and Anil Gupta – COO and the leadership team at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires.

The new plant will have a daily production capacity of 55 tons (rubber weight), with planned capital investment totalling US$165 million. The plant, which will be the company’s third plant in India, will manufacture its three brands ALLIANCE, GALAXY and PRIMEX brand tyres.

 Yokohama Off-Highway Tires currently has two tyre plants in India—the Dahej Plant in Gujarat and the Tirunelveli Plant in Tamil Nadu.