The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has recently welcomed new members, including the Australian Tyre Industry Council (ATIC), the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA), and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) of India. These organizations join others like the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA), the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA), and more.

“We are pleased to welcome ATIC, ATMA and BTMA to our growing network,” said TIP Executive Director Larisa Kryachkova. “Tyre Trade Associations are instrumental to the realization of a sustainable tyre value-chain, and their regional expertise and insights are invaluable in understanding regulatory developments and offering global approaches to tyre lifecycle sustainability. TIP builds strength with an increasingly diverse membership that is united by a vision of a world in which the tyre value chain has a positive impact on people and the planet​.”

As Affiliate Members, these organizations collaborate with TIP to address global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues related to the tyre industry. However, they don’t participate in governing the project.

TIP, established in 2005, focuses on a science-driven and collaborative approach to sustainability in the tyre sector. In 2022, TIP renewed its commitment to sustainability, including a new mission, governance structure, and an effort to recruit additional members. The organization’s updated structure involves research, action, engagement, and communication, with projects focusing on tyre emissions, end-of-life tyre management, and sustainability assessments.

This expansion reflects TIP’s dedication to addressing global challenges and promoting sustainability in the tyre industry through research and collaborative efforts.

“Directors and Members of the Australian Tyre Industry Council are delighted that the cooperation, with WBCSD and TIP in particular, has finally been formalized. The challenges faced by the tyre industry are becoming increasingly complex and global in their nature and their potential solutions. We have always held TIP in the highest esteem as one of the most active organizations in this domain. Personally, I very much look forward to working with international colleagues and staff from TIP in our common pursuit of a strong and sustainable reality for our industry,” said Silvio de Denaro, Chairman of the Council, ATIC.

“The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), India, is excited to join TIP as an Affiliate Member. TIP’s work, with an enhanced focus on sustainability-driven topics of interest and relevance to the global tyre industry, such as end-of-life tyres and tyre abrasion, will provide an excellent platform for discussion and research on areas of common interest as well as for best-practice sharing among stakeholders. We look forward to being a part of TIP discussions to address key ESG challenges and issues faced by the global tyre industry,” said Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA.

“Informal ties between the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA) and TIP have been developing over recent years. We are delighted to enter a fuller and more structured relationship and look forward to the mutual benefits this will bring,” said Graham Wilson, Chief Executive, BTMA.

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Continental is redefining adventure riding for a new generation with the launch of the TKC 80², a complete re-imagining of its legendary TKC 80 tyre. After four decades, this isn't a simple update but a fundamental redesign crafted for today's powerful and heavy adventure motorcycles. It answers a clear call from riders who are increasingly drawn to uncharted paths, yet refuse to sacrifice performance on the journey there. The TKC 80² is engineered to be an uncompromising partner for this dual-purpose lifestyle.

Its performance begins with a cleverly engineered tread. The pattern uses larger, strategically shifted blocks that create more biting edges for superior grip in dirt, sand and gravel. This design also actively resists clogging, ensuring consistent performance where other tyres might pack up with mud. Stability is enhanced through a larger contact area, inspiring confidence whether carving a paved corner or navigating a rocky trail. The logic even extends to direction: the front tread is angled to dig in during braking, while the rear is designed in the opposite way to maximise acceleration traction without excessive digging.

Beneath the tread, a new carcass provides the backbone. It is specifically calibrated for a balanced 50/50 use, offering the robust stability needed for a loaded bike at high speeds or on demanding off-road sections while also improving ride comfort through optimised damping. An advanced rubber compound tackles the classic trade-off, delivering aggressive grip across diverse surfaces while also promising remarkable longevity and wear resistance. This is complemented by RainGrip technology, which instils confidence by maintaining secure handling when the weather turns cold and wet.

Built for epic journeys on every continent and backed by robust puncture protection, the TKC 80² is for those who ride without limits. To fit a broad spectrum of modern travel enduros from brands like BMW, KTM and Ducati, it will be produced in multiple sizes. With its distinct new sidewall icon, the Continental TKC 80² will be available at specialist retailers starting in Spring 2026.

Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “Our new flexible rubber compound adapts perfectly to the micro-roughness of the asphalt, providing excellent grip. At the same time, we’ve worked intensively to resolve the conflict between on- and off-road performance in the best possible way. The tyre tread combines maximum flexibility for safe wet grip with high block stiffness for stability and mechanical grip.”

Christoph Ettenhuber, Head of Business Field Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “With the TKC 80², we’re setting new standards in terms of versatility, robustness and off-road performance. The combination of innovative tread design, new rubber compound and optimised carcass offers adventure riders maximum safety, control and riding pleasure on a wide variety of terrains.”

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Bridgestone has confirmed a January 2026 launch for its new premium sports motorcycle tyre, the BATTLAX RACING STREET RS12, in North America. Developed under the concept ‘From Circuit to Street,’ this road-legal tyre is engineered to deliver the highest level of dry grip within the BATTLAX lineup by directly incorporating technologies refined in competitive racing.

The RS12 features a specialised compound derived from race tyre development, which works in concert with a newly designed tread pattern. This pattern’s optimised groove ratio enhances overall tyre rigidity and increases the contact area during cornering for superior grip. A significant innovation for the front tyre is the introduction of the HE-MS BELT structure, a technology previously reserved for top-tier global motorcycle races. This flexible belt system equalises contact pressure to provide a further boost in traction.

By integrating these endurance-racing technologies, the RS12 achieves comprehensive performance improvements on the circuit, with a primary focus on dry conditions. The result is a notable reduction in lap times compared to its predecessor, the RS11. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of its compound, pattern and structure ensures that the high grip level is consistently maintained over multiple laps, resisting performance degradation. This gives riders confidence and a more engaging experience across diverse riding scenarios, from aggressive sport riding on dry pavement to tackling winding roads and dedicated track days.

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 India's Rubber Board has donated floor cleaning equipment valued at Rs 10 lakh to Kottayam Medical College as part of the Central Government's cleanliness initiative.

The equipment, comprising a scrubber dryer floor cleaning machine and a vacuum cleaner, was handed over at a ceremony held at the medical college on Sunday.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, presented the equipment at a meeting presided over by V N Vasavan, Kerala's Minister for Co-operation, Ports and Devaswom.

The event, conducted under the Centre's 'Swachhata Action Plan', also recognised cleaning workers at the medical college.

Dr Varghese Punnoose, Principal of Kottayam Medical College, Dr T K Jayakumar, Superintendent of the institution, and Dr Binoi K Kurien, Secretary in-charge of the Rubber Board, addressed the gathering.

The Rubber Board, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, oversees development and regulation of India's rubber industry.

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Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant has formalised a multi-institutional partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed engineering colleges from Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. This strategic alliance is designed to fortify the nexus between industry and academia, with a focused objective of developing a robust, industry-ready talent pool to meet future sector demands. The collaboration represents a significant investment in the human capital pipeline, directly linking academic output with corporate needs.

The collaborating institutions in this forward-looking initiative are SASTRA University, SRM TRP Engineering College, JJ College Of Engineering & Technology, Ma'din Academy and Nilachal Polytechnic. The partnership’s framework encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at mutual development. For students, it provides a structured pathway to employment, including placement assurances during their final year and enhanced campus hiring opportunities. To bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, the programme will facilitate organised industry visits to Apollo’s manufacturing facility, offering students firsthand exposure to modern production processes. Complementing this, a series of expert-led sessions, technical lectures and seminars will be delivered by in-house professionals from Apollo Tyres, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry practices.

This symbiotic engagement yields significant strategic benefits for all stakeholders. Students gain invaluable industry awareness and confidence, while academic institutions enhance their curriculum's practical relevance. For Apollo Tyres, the initiative enables the early identification and nurturing of prospective talent, effectively streamlining recruitment and fostering a positive perception of manufacturing careers.

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