The German speciality chemicals company recently inaugurated the first India Application Development Centre (IADC) in the country’s financial capital, reinforcing its commitment and outlook for the country. 

For Lanxess India, tyre industry accounts for almost 25 percent of its business, as against global average of around 10 percent. And the company’s management continues to be upbeat about the growth story for Indian tyre makers.

“India, from our point of view, will play a very important detrimental role (for Lanxess). Because when you want to grow your industry, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi clearly has as an ambition, you need the chemical industry and all their precursors. And if you want to help the Indian industry to further develop (new solutions), you need to have local application for local needs,” remarked Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of Lanxess.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the India Application Development Centre (IADC) in Thane, Mumbai, which also marks a significant commitment by the German chemical major for the country.

Lanxess is said to be the world’s largest supplier of rubber additives focusing on solutions around rubber chemicals, speciality chemicals and processing aids for the rubber industry. The company’s solutions find their way in high-performance rubber products such as tyres, treads, seals and even drive belts.

At present, Lanxess has established two production facilities in India – Jhagadia in Gujarat and Nagda in Madhya Pradesh. The tyre industry is primarily supported by Lanxess Rhein Chemie Additives Divisions, which manufactures Rhenogran and Rhenodiv at the Jhagadia facility. The company has invested over EUR 70 million in the Jhagadia facility, which not only supports the domestic customer base for Lanxess but also its customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has a longstanding presence in India, with representation from all 10 of its business units and a workforce of around 800 employees.

It comes as no surprise that Zachert sees India as a critical growth region for Lanxess, offering immense opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

INDIAN TYRE INDUSTRY A KEY GROWTH DRIVER

Globally, the automotive industry in particular is transitioning from being seen as a seller of products to a mobility solutions provider, what’s with new business models or service solutions.

Zachert sees that while the tyre market was consolidated for many years, it has started opening up in the last decade.

“The global tyre market has opened up, strongly driven by Chinese tyre manufacturers but also Indian tyre manufacturers. We have rising stars here in India. Mobility has always led to liberty and flexibility for mankind. This will be a trend that in the next 10-20 years is not going to vanish. Mobility will be important, which means the tyre industry is important. And therefore, I look positively at the tyre industry going forward, notably the one that is located here in India,” said an optimistic Zachert.

It is important to understand that the company has almost 25 percent of its business exposure to the Indian tyre segment, which could be amongst the highest for the company.

“For our group, the mobility exposure that we have worldwide as a company is 10 percent. We are over-proportionally present here in India, which is good and normal because the industry is expanding. The Indian tyre market is expanding not only locally but globally,” he said.

The recent setting up of IADC is part of Lanxess’ strategic focus on India as a key market and innovation hub. The strengthening of R&D will enable the company to enhance its ability to deliver high-value, specialised solutions tailored to local needs.

To begin with, the company has integrated expertise from two key businesses in India: Lubricant Additives (high-performance additives and additive systems, synthetic base fluids and ready-to-use lubricants) and Material Protection Products (antimicrobial, disinfection and preservation solutions). Going forward, the idea is to be present with all business units’ expertise at the IADC.

Namitesh Roy Choudhury, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Lanxess India, said, “By establishing the IADC, we are bringing our expertise closer to our Indian customers. This centre will not only support innovation but also strengthen our ability to address evolving market trends with speed and precision.”

For Lanxess India, the IADC aligns with its transformation journey towards a speciality chemicals company. The aim is to focus less on cyclical business areas and solutions for critical applications and move towards a partner for sustainable mobility or consumer protection. And the company sees India’s growing industrial base and expanding consumer markets as an ideal platform for driving such advancements.

SUPPORTING THE TYRE INDUSTRY

The production of the plain looking black tyre is more than just moulding of rubber; it is a complex process, which includes incorporating various raw materials and scientific steps to ensure that the tyres are built up to a particular specification. After all, tyres remain and are supposed to be the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road when in motion.

Lanxess, for its part, supplies solutions across mixing, batch-off, extrusion & tread marking, tyre inspection & repair, tyre curing, green tyre spraying and tyre building processes.

According to the company, a durable car tyre is the result of a complex manufacturing process in which the tyre is built-up from various rubber compounds and reinforcing materials. It explains that by using rubber chemicals and various fillers, the raw material rubber is turned into a high-performance product. This is because rubber is soft and not very durable until vulcanisation. By selecting the type of rubber, the crosslinking chemicals and additives required for the desired technical properties of the end-product, high-performance products such as tyres and other rubber products are created.

EUROPEAN COMPANIES TO STEP OUT OF PETROCHEMICALS

The chemicals industry has undergone a sea of change, especially given the evolving trend from geography-focused development to globalisation. For the last few years, there has been a growing pressure, especially given the focus on sustainability.

To support the sustainability drive, the company recently introduced Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, a next-generation rubber additive designed to help tyre manufacturers produce more durable and environmentally friendly tyres. The anti–degradant effectively protects tyres from the damaging effects of oxygen and heat while offering reduced environmental impact. Its low volatility and minimal migration tendency further enhance tyre performance and longevity, making it an optimal solution for modern, eco-conscious manufacturing.

The company claims that the Vulkanox HS Scopeblue boasts a carbon footprint more than 30 percent lower than its conventionally produced counterpart thanks to the use of bio-circular acetone and renewable energy in its production process. It is being currently manufactured at an ISCC PLUS-certified plant in Germany; this mass-balanced additive retains the same chemical structure as the original product, allowing tyre manufacturers to adopt it seamlessly without altering their existing production processes.

Zachert further said, “Times lead to change. The industry dynamics of chemicals has been adjusting to change for the last decade and will continue to see changes for the next decades. If I look into the next 10 years of the chemical industry, my personal prognosis is that you will see that the European chemical companies will more and more step out of petrochemicals and go upstream. And this is happening as we speak. My thesis also is that the European industry will focus more on niche polymers and speciality chemicals. The upstream and volume polymers will go elsewhere, where you have the raw materials and cheap energy. Countries that are destined to dominate these kinds of chemicals over the next 10 years, is the Middle East and the United States. Europe used to be the epicentre of chemicals 20-30 years ago from polymers to chemicals to pharmaceuticals.”

Then there is the shift from global supply chain to more of regional supply chain given the geopolitical situation.

“I see that with the current world with geopolitical tensions, the likelihood is high that we will go back to trade zones. And therefore, the global value chain in chemicals is one where many companies will have to rethink the global approach and turn towards a more regional approach,” added Zachert.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Epsilon Carbon has significantly expanded its manufacturing footprint with the formal activation of a new 300,000-tonne-per-annum speciality carbon plant in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. This latest addition brings the company’s aggregate production capacity in this segment to 600,000 tonnes annually, a development that elevates the firm to a leading position among domestic producers and reinforces India’s broader influence in the international speciality carbon market.

The new installation operates on a fully digitised manufacturing architecture, incorporating real-time process monitoring, automated quality controls and interconnected production systems. Such technological integration is intended to minimise operational variability, maximise throughput and provide overseas buyers with a stable and predictable supply base across multiple product categories.

Output from the Vijayanagar complex will encompass a wide array of coal-tar derivatives, including binder and impregnated pitches, refined naphthalene, anthracene and creosote oils and wash oil. These intermediates find application across a spectrum of heavy and light industries, ranging from primary aluminium and graphite electrode production to tyre compounding, pigment formulation, pharmaceutical synthesis and speciality construction materials.

Looking ahead, the company has outlined a trajectory towards further capacity enhancement, with a proposed integrated facility in Jharsuguda, Odisha, expected to push total speciality carbon output to one million tonnes per annum by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, the Karnataka plant has been configured with closed-loop water management, recycling all treated effluent internally, and derives its entire power requirement from a 17‑megawatt captive unit running on recycled process off-gases. Certifications such as Responsible Care, EcoVadis Silver and SA8000 attest to the company’s adherence to stringent safety, environmental and labour standards.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, "This expansion reflects India's growing capability to become a global supplier of speciality carbon materials. With 600,000 TPA of Speciality Carbon capacity, we are strengthening supply chain resilience for both domestic industries and international customers, particularly the global aluminium sector. As the world looks to diversify supply chains, Epsilon Carbon is proud to contribute to India's emergence as a reliable, sustainable and globally competitive manufacturing hub."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS participated in the China Composite Expo 2026 (CCE 2026), held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from 1 to 3 September. This annual event stands as Asia’s largest specialised exhibition for composite materials, drawing a significant global audience.

The company has been a consistent participant in CCE since 2013, leveraging the expo to progressively reinforce its foothold in the Asian market. At this year’s showcase, the strategic focus was on its portfolio of high-performance carbon fibre products, which are increasingly recognised as essential materials for advanced sectors including energy, mobility and aerospace due to their superior tensile strength and modulus.

Central to the presentation were actual samples of TANSOME, the company’s proprietary carbon fibre brand developed through in-house technologies. The exhibit featured a diverse range of applications, from mobility components like automotive wheels, hoods and brake discs to sporting goods such as hockey sticks and pickleball rackets, as well as high-pressure vessels for hydrogen and oxygen, drones and wire cores.

In parallel, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS emphasised its robust manufacturing capabilities and stable supply chain, supported by production bases in Korea, China and Vietnam. This strategy reinforces its standing as a leading global carbon fibre manufacturer. Notably, the company achieved a milestone in 2011 as the first in Korea to independently develop TANSOME, a material 4 times lighter and 10 times stronger than steel. This was followed by the 2022 launch of H3065, a T-1000-grade fibre with strength exceeding steel by over 14 times, designed for demanding aerospace applications.

Jin Dal Lim, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “This exhibition is an important opportunity to further strengthen strategic partnerships with global customers and demonstrate the outstanding technological capabilities of HS HYOSUNG’s carbon fibre. We will continue to build deeper trust in the global market based on world-class product quality and stable supply capabilities.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bekaert has taken a decisive step towards reshaping its operational footprint in Sardinia by securing a preliminary deal with Nuova Icom, a local engineering entity. The arrangement paves the way for the handover of the Macchiareddu premises and guarantees job continuity for the existing staff stationed there, subject to the final stipulations of the contract.

The decision stems from long-term turbulence in the tyre sector, which has steadily undermined the commercial viability of the plant's primary output. With tyre cord manufacturing struggling to remain profitable amidst evolving industry dynamics, the company concluded that a fundamental operational shift was unavoidable.

This initiative follows an extensive search for sustainable alternatives, emphasising regional employment preservation. Bekaert remains attuned to the social ramifications of the transition and pledges to engage transparently with all affected parties. The prospective ownership change is scheduled for completion by October 2026, pending regulatory clearances and the finalisation of employee consultations.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Every day, tyre recyclers face the same challenge: processing more tyres while maintaining sorting quality, protecting equipment and meeting increasing traceability requirements. Every misidentified tyre represents lost value. Every hidden contaminant can lead to costly downtime. Every manual operation limits productivity.

As tyre volumes continue to grow worldwide, the question is no longer whether tyre sorting should be automated. It is how quickly operators can adopt technologies that make their facilities more efficient, more reliable and more profitable.

As a specialist in intelligent tyre identification, sorting and traceability solutions, REGOM is actively contributing to this transformation through technologies designed to help recyclers process more tyres, improve sorting quality and gain better visibility over their operations.

Through artificial intelligence, advanced inspection technologies and digital traceability, the company is helping transform end-of-life tyres from a waste stream into a valuable resource.

SMARTER TYRE SORTING THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

For decades, tyre sorting relied heavily on manual inspections performed by experienced operators. While this approach remains valuable, it can be time-consuming and difficult to scale as tyre volumes continue to increase.

To address these challenges, REGOM has developed intelligent tyre identification technologies capable of automatically reading and analysing tyres in just a few seconds. Powered by artificial intelligence and advanced image recognition, these systems capture and process tyre information in real time, generating reliable data that can immediately be used by operators.

The benefits are significant. Automated identification increases processing capacity through a continuous production flow and automatic evacuation rates of up to 25 percent. It improves sorting consistency, with customers reporting grading quality improvements of up to 3 percent while reducing the risk of human error. By automating repetitive identification and sorting tasks, operators can focus on higher-value activities. Every tyre is identified in just 2.5 seconds and enriched with detailed product data, creating a fully traceable digital record from collection to grading and reporting. This structured database supports regulatory compliance, operational monitoring and data-driven decision-making while preparing facilities for future traceability requirements.

Importantly, artificial intelligence is not designed to replace operators. Instead, it helps redefine their role by automating repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on activities that require experience, expertise and decision-making. This shift supports higher productivity while creating greater value from human involvement throughout the sorting process.

As the industry continues to evolve, AI-driven sorting is becoming an essential component of modern tyre recycling facilities.

While artificial intelligence enables faster and more reliable identification, another challenge remains: Detecting contaminants hidden in whole tyre or shreds flows.

Some metallic objects or other contaminants not visible during standard inspections may end up in the flow of shreds or whole end-of-life tyres. Once these contaminants enter shredders, pyrolysis units or downstream processing equipment, they can cause costly damage, unplanned maintenance and production downtime.

To address this issue, REGOM has been investing for several years in the development of innovative X-Ray inspection technologies. This new machine aims to detect hidden contaminants before tyres enter critical processing stages. By identifying potential risks at an early stage, operators can better protect their equipment and avoid costly interruptions.

If your shredder or downstream equipment has already suffered unexpected downtime due to hidden contaminants, you already know the consequences: production stops, maintenance costs increase and valuable processing time is lost.

The challenge is that many contaminants remain invisible during traditional inspections and are only discovered once they have reached critical equipment.

This is where X-Ray technology can make a significant difference. By detecting hidden metallic objects and other contaminants before tyres enter shredders, pyrolysis units or other processing equipment, operators can reduce risks, protect critical assets and maintain smoother operations.

The benefits extend throughout the entire recycling process: lower maintenance costs, improved equipment availability, increased operational reliability and ultimately higher productivity.

“The X-Ray solution we are developing directly addresses our customers’ need to automate their operations, making them more reliable and consistent in an increasingly challenging labour market.

The X-Ray solution we are developing directly addresses our customers’ need to automate their operations, making them more reliable and consistent in an increasingly challenging labour market. This inspection system also helps mitigate a growing risk: fires caused by the increasing number of batteries found in end-of-life tyres. By reducing operational costs while ensuring consistent production, this solution delivers significant operational benefits and enhances overall efficiency,” says Arthur Wagner – CEO, REGOM.

TURNING DATA INTO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

One of the most significant transformations occurring within the tyre recycling industry is the growing importance of data.

Historically, large quantities of operational information remained unavailable or underutilised. Today, advanced sorting technologies generate valuable data that can be used to improve decision-making across the entire facility.

By combining artificial intelligence, automated identification and digital traceability, operators gain a clearer understanding of incoming tyre flows and sorting performance. This information supports regulatory compliance, facilitates reporting and provides greater transparency throughout the recycling process.

More importantly, data enables continuous improvement. Facilities can identify trends, optimise workflows and make more informed investment decisions based on objective operational insights.

The result is a more efficient, more transparent and more resilient recycling operation.

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TYRE RECYCLING IN INDIA

India is one of the world’s most dynamic markets for tyre recycling and resource recovery. As the sector continues to grow, operators face the same challenges seen across the globe: increasing volumes, higher performance expectations and a growing need for traceability.

Recognising this opportunity, REGOM has partnered with PLANNEX to support the deployment of advanced tyre sorting technologies throughout the Indian market.

By combining REGOM’s expertise in intelligent tyre sorting and traceability with PLANNEX’s strong local presence and industry knowledge, the partnership aims to provide Indian recyclers with access to innovative solutions designed to improve productivity, sorting quality and operational performance.

Together, REGOM and PLANNEX share a common vision: helping recyclers unlock greater value from every tyre while supporting the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable circular economy.

THE FUTURE OF TYRE RECYCLING

The future of tyre recycling is not simply about processing larger quantities of tyres. It is about understanding each tyre better, managing resources more effectively and extracting maximum value from every material entering the recycling stream.

Through artificial intelligence, advanced inspection technologies and data-driven decision-making, REGOM is contributing to this transformation by helping operators build safer, smarter and more efficient recycling facilities.

The challenge is no longer simply to process more tyres. The challenge is to extract more value from every tyre entering the recycling stream.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!