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)

Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has been selected once again to continue as a constituent of three internationally renowned environmental, social and governance (ESG) indexes: the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series and the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).

Bridgestone has been a part of the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for two years in a row since 2023, the DJSI World for three years in a row since 2022 and the FTSE4Good Index Series for seven years in a row from 2018. Bridgestone's specific Mid Term Business Plan (2024-2026) has been steadily implemented, putting sustainability at the centre of its operations. The company's 2020 vision and Mid-Long Term Business Strategy served as the foundation for the plan.

According to the company statement, “Setting forth the vision of ‘Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company’, Bridgestone links its business to the realisation of carbon neutrality, a circular economy and nature positivity across the entire value chain. From the ‘produce and sell’ phase and the ‘use’ of its products through to their ‘renewal’ to raw materials, Bridgestone aims to build a foundation for creating sustainability value.”

The following initiatives have contributed to Bridgestone's inclusion in these indexes:

• Contributing to a circular economy and attaining carbon neutrality by using ENLITEN technology to make tyres from recycled and renewable resources, using BCMA and switching to ‘Green & Smart’ manufacturing at Bridgestone locations to increase resource productivity and energy efficiency.
• Encouragement of nature positivity through initiatives for the sustainable use of water resources and natural rubber that are closely related to the commercial operations of the firm, including strengthening assistance for natural rubber smallholders.
• Strengthening of a thorough structure and procedure for human rights due diligence that aims to identify, mitigate, avoid and disclose human rights concerns.
• Visualisation and disclosure of the impact of social contribution actions that are in line with the global goals.

German automotive company and tyre major Continental has been added another feather to its cap with bagging the ‘Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ at this year’s Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence at this year’s Tire Technology Expo.

With this, Continental becomes the only tyre maker to have won two concurrent awards – Tire Manufacturer of the Year and Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing. The company’s Lousado facility in Portugal was also recognised for manufacturing tyres CO2-neutrally since last year.

Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research & Development, Continental Tires, said, "We are especially proud to be the only manufacturer to be honoured twice at the Tire Technology Awards in an extremely competitive field. Both awards highlight our strong commitment to sustainable tire development and manufacturing. In such a highly competitive market, this success demonstrates our innovative prowess and our ability to actively shape the future of the industry."

Interestingly, this also marks it the fourth time that the German company has bagged the Tire Manufacturer of the Year award. The awards took into consideration tyre makers globally and were evaluated by a jury of 27 independent industry experts.

Going forward, Continental has outlined its ambition to switch all of its tyre plants to fully carbon-neutral production processes by 2040 at the latest.

Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has appointed Jongseon Ahn and Sanghoon Lee as Executive Directors and new Co-CEOs, following a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors meeting held on 26 March.

Ahn will be in charge of Hankook Tire's global innovation, R&D, procurement, production and quality, while Lee will be in charge of global sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen the premium positioning of the company's unified global brand, Hankook, as well as the supply of original equipment (OE) tyres for new vehicles. In addition to the leadership nominations, shareholders approved all eight agenda items at the Annual General Meeting, including the approval of the consolidated financial accounts, partial revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and director appointments.

Ahn has extensive leadership expertise and a proven track record of advancing technology innovation in the operational holding firm, Hankook & Company. He oversaw general management and spearheaded innovative initiatives in 2021 while serving as COO of Hankook & Company and Head of ES (Energy Solution) Business Headquarters. He became the CEO in 2022 and oversaw the company's expansion of premium Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery sales into important international markets, which greatly increased profitability and strengthened the company's platform for long-term success.

Lee's vast worldwide leadership experience serves as the foundation for his profound understanding of marketing and global sales strategy. He has held important regional leadership positions in China and Europe since 2018, during which time he has played a crucial role in bolstering the company's premium brand positioning internationally and continuously promoting creative business performance, both of which have greatly increased revenue. At the conclusion of last year, he was nominated as Hankook Tire's Co-CEO due to his success and leadership.

Sri Lanka-based speciality tyre manufacturer GRI (Global Rubber Industries) has won the prestigious Material Handling Industry (MHI) Innovation Award for Best Innovation in Sustainability at ProMat 2025, held in Chicago, USA. The company’s premium plus ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has been honoured as the world’s most sustainable material handling tyre made with 93.5 percent sustainable materials.

This solid material handling tyre, which was designed and produced at GRI's state-of-the-art production facilities in Sri Lanka, combines energy-efficient production methods, environmentally friendly raw materials and outstanding performance to lessen its impact on the environment and increase productivity for companies all over the world. The award follows a thorough evaluation procedure in which the most innovative developments influencing the future of material handling were evaluated by a prestigious panel of industry executives, technical specialists and sustainability advocates. In addition to being a success for GRI, this result demonstrates Sri Lanka's increasing influence in the global manufacturing sector and reaffirms the nation's capacity for high-quality, sustainable production.

Prabhash Subasinghe, Managing Director, GRI, said, “This award is not just a recognition for GRI – it is a moment of pride for Sri Lanka, showcasing our ability to lead in sustainable industrial solutions. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT is a Sri Lankan innovation making a difference on the global stage, reinforcing our belief that sustainability is not an option – it is a responsibility. At GRI, we always think of the next generation and strive to grow for generations to come. We dedicate this achievement to the passionate and hardworking people of Sri Lanka, whose expertise and dedication made this possible.”