As India’s industrial sector accelerates its shift towards cleaner energy, tyre manufacturers are emerging as a critical test case for integrating renewable power into continuous, high-load operations. In this conversation, Kuldeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director of CleanMax, outlines how demand from companies such as CEAT and Michelin is reshaping renewable procurement – from conventional solar contracts to hybrid, round-the-clock solutions – while positioning clean energy as both an operational necessity and a strategic lever for decarbonisation.

Industrial decarbonisation in India is entering a more operational phase, where renewable electricity is no longer a peripheral lever but an embedded component of manufacturing strategy. For CleanMax, this shift is most visible in energy-intensive sectors such as tyre manufacturing, where continuous processes, global supply-chain pressures and ESG commitments are converging to reshape how power is procured and consumed.

Kuldeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director of CleanMax, describes a market moving beyond cost arbitrage towards structural integration of clean energy. Demand from tyre manufacturers – long characterised by high, stable electricity loads – is now influencing both project design and procurement models, pushing developers towards hybrid and round-the-clock renewable solutions. 

Energy-intensive industries are increasingly prioritising renewable electricity to manage power costs and reduce operational emissions. Manufacturing sectors with continuous loads are particularly suited to long-term renewable procurement models such as group captive and open-access PPAs, which provide cost stability while supporting decarbonisation goals,” Jain says.

That demand is already translating into project pipelines. CleanMax’s collaboration with CEAT involves developing 59 MW of hybrid wind-solar capacity to supply renewable power to its Halol and Kanchipuram plants. Similarly, its engagement with Michelin includes an open-access solar power purchase agreement supporting operations at the company’s Chennai facility.

“These projects illustrate how large industrial consumers are integrating renewables into their long-term energy strategy. For instance, globally, the International Energy Agency has already noted that industrial electrification and renewable procurement will drive the next phase of the energy transition. Tyres are firmly in that wave,” Jain notes.

FROM INTERMITTENT SUPPLY TO ENGINEERED RELIABILITY

Tyre manufacturing presents a distinctive challenge for renewable integration. Plants operate continuous processes – mixing, curing and vulcanisation – that require stable baseload electricity and thermal energy. Traditional solar PPAs, while cost-effective, are inherently intermittent, limiting their suitability for such operations.

The industry is therefore evolving towards hybrid models that combine multiple renewable sources. “Hybrid projects are gaining traction because they smooth generation across the day, improving plant load factors,” Jain says. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, such hybrid systems are among the fastest-scaling formats for industrial decarbonisation.

“As a result, the industry is moving beyond single-source solar PPAs towards wind-solar hybrid projects and open-access group captive models that provide higher plant load factors and more balanced generation profiles across the day. Wind-solar hybrid is increasingly seen as the most practical and efficient pathway to scale renewable penetration in continuous manufacturing environments,” Jain explains.

This shift reflects a broader reframing of renewables – not as intermittent substitutes for fossil fuel power but as engineered systems tailored to industrial demand curves. The emphasis is on aligning generation profiles with consumption patterns, rather than expecting operations to adapt to variable supply.

SECTOR-SPECIFIC DECARBONISATION PATHWAYS

Not all heavy industries decarbonise along the same trajectory. Jain draws a clear distinction between tyre manufacturing and sectors such as cement or steel, where process emissions form a significant share of the carbon footprint.

“If you step back, industries don’t decarbonise in the same way because they don’t consume energy in the same way. A tyre plant is largely powered by electricity. So if you clean up the electricity, you’ve already addressed a meaningful part of its emissions,” he says.

However, the challenge lies in reliability. “These are continuous operations. They don’t switch off when the sun sets or the wind drops. That’s why hybrid becomes important, as a way of shaping energy to demand,” Jain adds.

“In case of cement or steel, a significant portion of emissions comes from how the product itself is made. So the shift we’re seeing is subtle but important. It’s about redesigning the energy profile itself so that clean energy isn’t intermittent in theory but dependable in practice,” he continues.

The implication is that electrification-driven sectors such as tyre manufacturing can achieve faster decarbonisation gains through renewable procurement, provided supply reliability is addressed through hybridisation and system design.

ESG, PRODUCT STRATEGY AND COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Renewable energy is also assuming a more strategic role within tyre companies’ ESG frameworks. What began as a cost-management exercise is increasingly tied to product innovation, sustainability reporting and global competitiveness.

“The conversation around renewable energy in the tyre industry has clearly evolved beyond cost optimisation. Many manufacturers are increasingly integrating renewable power into their broader ESG strategies and supply-chain decarbonisation commitments, particularly as global automotive OEMs push for lower-carbon sourcing across the value chain,” Jain says.

This transition is evident at the product level. CEAT’s launch of its SecuraDrive CIRCL tyre – produced with up to 90 percent sustainable materials – signals how manufacturers are aligning product design with sustainability objectives.

“Renewable electricity procurement helps reduce Scope 2 emissions and supports the development of lower-carbon products, which is becoming an important factor in both sustainability reporting and global competitiveness. As a result, renewable energy is now seen not only as a cost-management tool but also as a strategic lever for product decarbonisation and ESG positioning,” Jain explains.

TECHNOLOGY MIX AND OPERATIONAL ALIGNMENT

From a systems perspective, no single technology provides a complete solution. CleanMax advocates a portfolio approach that combines generation assets with digital tools and flexible contracting structures.

“A portfolio approach works best. For manufacturing operations with steady electricity demand, hybrid renewable systems combining solar and wind have proven effective, as the complementary generation profiles improve overall availability and plant load factors,” Jain says.

Digital energy management platforms play a supporting role by optimising dispatch and aligning supply with consumption patterns. Flexible procurement structures, including open-access and group captive models, further enhance adaptability across sites and regulatory regimes.

“In practice, hybrid setups combining solar and wind have proven effective because they smooth generation across the day and improve overall availability. That’s what makes renewable power usable at scale,” Jain adds.

The CEAT and Michelin projects exemplify this approach, integrating multiple procurement pathways – onsite solar, offsite generation and open-access PPAs – to increase renewable penetration without compromising operational stability.

POLICY VARIABILITY AND MULTI-LOCATION STRATEGIES

India’s regulatory landscape remains heterogeneous, with state-level policies shaping the feasibility and economics of renewable procurement. For tyre manufacturers operating across multiple locations, this creates both complexity and opportunity.

“Overall, the ecosystem is steadily evolving to support higher renewable penetration practically. Open-access mechanisms are becoming more aligned with industrial needs. Renewable procurement is naturally becoming more location-specific,” Jain says.

Different state frameworks enable companies to tailor their energy mix – combining onsite solar with offsite wind or solar depending on regional resource availability and regulatory incentives.

“In practice, this leads to more balanced and resilient energy portfolios. This is also where developers with experience across markets can add value by structuring solutions that are aligned to each site’s load profile, regulatory context and long-term cost objectives, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach,” Jain explains.

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND RISING EXPECTATIONS

Pressure from global automotive OEMs is accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in India’s tyre sector. As manufacturers integrate more deeply into international supply chains, emissions performance is becoming a criterion for sourcing decisions.

“As tyre manufacturers become more integrated with global OEM supply chains, expectations around emissions are becoming more defined. Renewable electricity is one of the more immediate ways to address this, especially for Scope 2 emissions,” Jain says.

“What we’re seeing is more about alignment – companies are adapting their energy mix to stay relevant in global markets, where sustainability is increasingly part of how sourcing decisions are made,” Jain says.

This dynamic is likely to intensify as OEMs tighten decarbonisation targets and extend accountability across their value chains, reinforcing the role of renewable energy in industrial competitiveness.

THE NEXT FRONTIER: TRACEABILITY AND CARBON MARKETS

As companies move towards net-zero targets, the focus is broadening beyond direct emissions to include value-chain impacts and verification mechanisms.

“Instruments such as renewable energy certificates and carbon markets help companies transparently account for the renewable electricity they procure. At the same time, there is growing focus on Scope 3 reporting as manufacturers work to address emissions across their broader value chains and align with global supply-chain decarbonisation expectations,” Jain says.

Traceability – ensuring that renewable energy claims are verifiable and auditable – is expected to become increasingly important, particularly for export-oriented manufacturers facing stringent disclosure requirements.

A DECADE OUTLOOK: ACHIEVABLE, BUT CONDITIONAL

Looking ahead, Jain is cautiously optimistic about the pace of renewable adoption in India’s tyre manufacturing sector. The fundamentals – declining costs, expanding capacity and supportive policy evolution – are largely in place.

“Over the next decade, higher renewable penetration in tyre manufacturing is well within reach, especially as clean power availability continues to expand. For electricity-led operations, increasing the share of renewable energy is already a practical pathway, not a distant target,” he says.

However, execution will hinge on system-level factors. “What will make the difference is how reliably this power can be integrated at scale – through consistent open-access frameworks, stronger grid alignment, and wider use of hybrid solutions that better match continuous industrial demand,” Jain says.

The trajectory is clear: renewable energy in tyre manufacturing is transitioning from opportunistic adoption to structural integration. For developers such as CleanMax, the challenge – and opportunity – lies in engineering solutions that convert intermittent resources into dependable industrial infrastructure.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. and dotData, Inc. have announced joint development an AI agent to help engineers form hypotheses, interpret findings and make decisions in manufacturing R&D. Before full deployment, the initiative will validate the agent's required capabilities and technical feasibility.

The solution combines technical documents such as design specifications and experimental reports with engineers' accumulated expertise and features extracted from measurement data via dotData's Signal Intelligence technology. It will provide insights tailored to each project's objectives, circumstances and constraints.

The agent is not meant to produce a single correct answer. Operating in a human-in-the-loop framework where engineers retain decision-making authority, it will present multiple possibilities, perspectives and risks to broaden thinking and support professional development.

Manufacturing R&D generates diverse data through experiments, simulations, production and evaluation. Developing hypotheses requires specialised knowledge and context. Since new technology R&D rarely has one predetermined answer, abductive reasoning plays a key role. AI can add value by using data and organisational knowledge to widen engineers' perspectives rather than replace judgment.

The agent will explore measurement and experimental data patterns beyond factors engineers previously identified, combining quantitative insights with design documents and expert knowledge to reveal difficult-to-spot relationships. It will offer input from materials, design, analysis, production and evaluation perspectives, challenge existing hypotheses and raise questions about alternative interpretations and conditions. Engineers will then test hypotheses and feed results back into further dialogue, guiding Signal Intelligence processes so non-specialists can explore data features as needed.

Yokohama Rubber has advanced HAICoLab since 2020, using dotData as a foundational technology in tyre design and rubber mixing. This joint development expands those efforts, with engineers interpreting and evaluating the agent's suggestions using their own expertise rather than accepting them unquestioningly. The companies aim to transform R&D processes while strengthening engineers' creativity and judgment, establishing a new model for human-AI collaboration in manufacturing R&D.

Motoji Fujita, Head of Research & Advanced Development Division, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., said, “Since 2020, we have conducted research and development under the HAICoLab framework, drawing on the complementary strengths of people and AI to create a collaborative environment. We believe AI agents will give engineers access to perspectives beyond their own experience and enable them to evaluate hypotheses from multiple angles. Through this development initiative, we aim to advance our R&D capabilities while supporting the continued growth of our engineers.”

Ryohei Fujimaki, CEO, dotData, Inc., said, “Success in manufacturing R&D depends heavily on an organisation’s ability to connect its proprietary data and knowledge with AI. The quantitative context generated from data through automated Signal Intelligence provides a foundation for AI agents to engage engineers in practical, data-driven discussions. Together with Yokohama Rubber, which has many years of experience in advanced data utilisation, we intend to establish standards for using AI in highly specialised business domains.”

Bridgestone Aircraft Tire (Europe), a Bridgestone Corporation subsidiary, has announced the deployment of its ‘easytrack’ tyre management system at SR Technics Spain SAU, the tyre and wheel maintenance hub of global maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) provider SR Technics. The scalable digital platform is accessible on desktop and mobile devices.

Designed for airlines and MROs, ‘easytrack’ manages inbound and outbound tyre and wheel flows across single- or multi-site operations. It delivers real-time identification, tracking and documentation throughout each asset’s lifecycle. The project follows the solution’s first airline implementation in 2025, becoming its second customer rollout and first MRO application.

MRO providers handle large tyre and wheel volumes for multiple airlines, complicating operations. ‘easytrack’ simplifies asset management and improves traceability, accuracy, safety and productivity. At SR Technics Spain SAU, it digitalised paper-based processes, cutting processing time by 45 percent, reducing data-entry and identification errors and improving flow management across Palma de Mallorca and Madrid.

From left: David Sautois, ‘easytrack’ Product Manager, Bridgestone Aircraft Tire (Europe) S.A.; Antonio Colella, General Manager, SR Technics Spain SAU; Jean-Philippe Minet, Managing Director, Bridgestone Aircraft Tire (Europe) S.A.; Eugenie Baradzina, Commercial Director, SR Technics Spain SAU.

The results stem from a Bridgestone and SR Technics Spain SAU co-creation initiative built on long-standing partnership. ‘easytrack’ was adapted to support tyre and wheel combinations for the hub’s wheel and brake operations. Bridgestone’s expansion of airline and MRO solutions aligns with its E8 Commitment, emphasising efficiency and ecology.

Antonio Colella, General Manager, SR Technics Spain SAU, said, "The successful implementation of easytrack is a significant achievement for SR Technics Spain SAU and our teams in Mallorca and Madrid. From the very beginning, the collaboration with Bridgestone was built on trust, openness and a shared vision for innovation. Together, we have developed a solution that not only improves efficiency and traceability but also creates lasting value for our operations. We are proud to be the first MRO in the world to adopt this technology and look forward to continuing this journey with Bridgestone Corporation.”

Jean-Philippe Minet, Managing Director, Bridgestone Aircraft Tire Europe, said, “I’d like to thank SR Technics for their trust and another fruitful collaboration with Bridgestone. What the teams have jointly achieved is remarkable: co-creating through efficient teamwork and customising the Bridgestone easytrack application to digitise SR Technics tyre and wheel tracking operations. This is a brilliant example of how Bridgestone amplifies the value created at our partners.”

Michelin Connected Fleet, a subsidiary of Michelin North America, has entered into a collaboration with Doran to integrate the latter’s tyre pressure monitoring hardware with its own Smart Predictive Tire solution. This combined offering is now accessible through the Platform Science Virtual Vehicle Marketplace, marking the first retail platform to host the integrated system.

The partnership merges Doran’s commercial tyre pressure and temperature monitors with Michelin’s predictive analytics software, creating a unified tyre management ecosystem. By fusing real-time sensor data with connected vehicle intelligence, the solution aims to enhance fleet visibility into tyre health, thereby enabling more informed maintenance scheduling and operational strategy. This development follows Michelin Connected Fleet’s recent launch of Smart Predictive Tire on the same marketplace, now broadening access to a fully bundled hardware-software package.

Utilising advanced data analytics, Smart Predictive Tire identifies emerging tyre issues through pressure and temperature readings, allowing fleets to pre-empt costly roadside failures and minimise unplanned downtime. Doran’s sensors supply the critical digital inputs that feed this predictive model, delivering comprehensive tyre oversight. The joint effort underscores both companies’ dedication to progressing connected fleet capabilities via synergistic hardware, software and data integration.

Willem Moore, President, Michelin Connected Fleet, said, "Doran provides the signal, and our Michelin Smart Leak algorithm helps translate tyre data into actionable insights that support informed maintenance decisions. By providing visibility into potential tyre conditions, fleets can evaluate issues sooner and take appropriate action based on their operational needs. Our focus is on delivering information that helps fleets manage their tyre assets more effectively and helps to support safe, efficient operations.”

Jim Samocki, President, Doran, said, “Fleets do not just need more data. They need accurate and reliable information that they can trust to reduce tyre-related repair and maintenance costs, improve uptime and keep vehicles operating safely. By combining Doran’s proven TPMS technology with Michelin’s Smart Predictive Tire solution, fleets can move beyond simply reacting to tyre issues and take a more proactive approach to tyre maintenance.”

Speaking to Tyre Trends, Salvador Espinosa Perez, spokesperson and executive representative at Renovacion Suarod, characterised Mexico’s tyre retreading industry as entering a period of greater maturity and heightened competition.

“On one side, commercial fleet operators are facing increasing pressure to reduce operating expenses while meeting corporate sustainability targets. Those trends have renewed interest in tyre retreading as fleets seek to maximise tyre life and reduce environmental impacts,” he stated.

At the same time, the industry continues to face structural challenges.

One of the most significant concerns, according to Espinosa, is competition from the informal sector, where quality standards may not always match those of established retreaders.

Another challenge comes from increasing imports of inexpensive tyres that are often manufactured for single-use applications and lack the structural integrity required for multiple retreading cycles.

“The formal market in Mexico is resilient and moving steadily towards complete technical professionalisation,” Espinosa said.

The company, an authorised retreader for Industrias de Hule Galgo, has more than five decades of experience, investments in advanced manufacturing technology and digital inspection systems that have positioned it as a long-term partner for commercial fleet operators rather than simply a tyre supplier.

“Our history is synonymous with evolution, consistency and leadership in the Mexican market,” said the executive.

DEMAND DRIVERS

Espinosa identified three primary factors supporting demand for retreaded commercial tyres in Mexico.

The first is the growing adoption of circular economy principles. Companies across multiple industries are increasingly seeking measurable ways to reduce environmental footprint. Retreading extends the useful life of tyre casings, reducing waste generation and lowering raw material consumption compared with manufacturing new tyres.

The second driver is cost efficiency. “Commercial tyres represent one of the largest operating expenses for transportation fleets. By extending casing life through multiple retreading cycles, fleet operators can significantly reduce their total cost of ownership, making retreading an increasingly attractive financial proposition,” divulged Espinosa.

The third driver is the rapid growth of nearshoring. As manufacturing investment and cross-border freight activity continue expanding across North America, trucking fleets require highly reliable tyre solutions that maximise vehicle uptime and minimise interruptions along transport routes.

According to him, these factors collectively are reshaping purchasing decisions throughout Mexico’s commercial transportation sector.

RETREADING FOCUS

Founded more than 50 years ago, the company was established with the objective of providing a sustainable and efficient mobility solution for Mexico’s transport sector. Over the decades, it has expanded its operations by investing in modern production technology, implementing stringent quality-control procedures and developing services tailored to the operational demands of Mexico’s commercial transport industry.

According to Espinosa, these investments have enabled the company to build long-term relationships with some of the country’s largest fleet operators.

“Today, we are not merely a supplier but an indispensable strategic partner for transport operators,” he said.

Renovacion Suarod specialises primarily in retreading commercial tyres used in heavy-duty freight transportation, passenger transport fleets and off-the-road (OTR) applications.

The company uses the cold retreading or precured process, which Espinosa described as the benchmark for high-performance commercial fleets.

Unlike processes that require rebuilding an entire tyre, cold retreading preserves the structural integrity of the original tyre casing while replacing only the worn tread. A pre-vulcanised tread is applied to the inspected casing before being cured in an autoclave under carefully controlled pressure and temperature.

According to the him, the process allows the retreaded tyre to deliver mileage comparable to that of a new tyre while maximising the value of the original casing.

The company’s primary production facility is located in Metepec in the State of Mexico, a location that Espinosa says provides efficient access to the country’s major logistics corridors.

He added that the location enables faster response times and more efficient deliveries to customers throughout central Mexico and other regions.

The Metepec plant is equipped with modern production equipment and infrastructure capable of processing substantial monthly tyre volumes. It also maintains sufficient operational flexibility to accommodate increases in demand from major corporate fleets without sacrificing technical precision or product quality.

BEYOND RETREADING

Renovacion Suarod attributes much of its competitive position to its status as an authorised retreader for Industrias de Hule Galgo.

The partnership allows the company to use rubber compounds specifically formulated to perform under Mexico’s diverse road and operating conditions.

Espinosa said the company has shifted from offering conventional retreading services to providing complete tyre lifecycle management.

Rather than selling a single retread, the objective is to maximise the economic value of every casing throughout its usable life while delivering the lowest possible cost-per-kilometre for fleet operators.

Commercial fleet operators are also becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they evaluate tyre performance. According to Espinosa, purchasing decisions are no longer based simply on obtaining the lowest acquisition price.

Operators also demand greater predictability in maintenance planning. Rather than reacting to tyre failures, fleet managers want to know precisely when maintenance will be required in order to avoid unplanned roadside breakdowns and improve operational efficiency.

Fuel economy has likewise become a growing priority. “Fleet operators increasingly expect retreaded tyres to meet low rolling resistance requirements that contribute to lower fuel consumption and reduced operating expenses,” noted Espinosa.

INNOVATION GIVES QUALITY

Innovation remains central to improving retread performance, according to Espinosa. The company continues developing tread patterns and rubber compounds designed to dissipate heat more effectively, reduce irregular tread wear and improve traction on wet road surfaces.

Process innovation has also become an important focus. Renovacion Suarod has invested in increasingly precise vulcanisation procedures to ensure consistent product quality throughout the retreading process.

In addition, the company employs advanced bonding cushion technologies designed to strengthen adhesion between the casing and the replacement tread.

According to Espinosa, these technologies are intended to eliminate the risk of tread separation while improving long-term reliability.

Digitalisation is also becoming an increasingly important component of tyre inspection, retreading and fleet management.

Espinosa said the transformation begins before production even starts. At the company’s Metepec facility, every tyre casing undergoes a comprehensive digital inspection to determine whether it is suitable for retreading.

The company uses advanced inspection equipment and specialised software capable of performing predictive diagnostics before the casing enters the buffing or vulcanisation stages.

These technologies identify internal defects including micro-separations that cannot be detected through conventional visual inspection.

The resulting structural data is then linked with fleet operating requirements, allowing technicians to determine whether a casing can safely continue through the retreading process.

According to Espinosa, the objective is to deliver retreaded tyres that eliminate roadside failures by ensuring only structurally sound casings enter production.

STANDING ISSUE

Among the industry’s biggest concerns is the growing presence of imported single-use or disposable tyres. According to Espinosa, many of these products lack the internal structural characteristics required for safe retreading.

Because they cannot undergo multiple service cycles, they ultimately increase the volume of waste tyres entering disposal systems while limiting the environmental benefits associated with the circular economy.

Another major obstacle is public perception. Espinosa said the industry must continue educating fleet operators and the broader market to dispel longstanding misconceptions that retreaded tyres are inherently less safe than new products.

He argued that premium tyre casings retreaded under strict manufacturing standards can achieve safety and performance levels comparable to new tyres.

The challenge, he said, is replacing outdated assumptions with measurable technical data demonstrating the reliability of professionally retreaded products.

EXPANSION THROUGH AUTOMATION

Looking ahead, Renovacion Suarod plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities while further integrating automation throughout its operations.

The company intends to increase operational capacity and deploy additional technologies that improve the precision of casing diagnostics.

It also plans to strengthen relationships with commercial fleets pursuing ‘zero carbon’ initiatives, reflecting the growing importance of sustainability within the transportation industry.

Espinosa said the long-term objective is to reinforce the company’s reputation as a provider of technologically advanced retreading solutions while maintaining high levels of reliability across Mexico’s road transport network.

For Renovacion Suarod, the future of tyre retreading lies at the intersection of economic efficiency, technological innovation and environmental responsibility.

As commercial fleets increasingly seek to reduce operating costs while meeting sustainability objectives, the company believes modern retreading has evolved into a strategic fleet management tool rather than simply a maintenance service.

“We are driven by the technical expertise and commitment to sustainability that define us. We do more than just retread tyres; we extend the return on your investment and safeguard the future of mobility in Mexico,” Espinosa said.