Key speakers for the first edition included Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA; Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM; Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM; Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA; V K Misra, Past Chairman, ITTAC and Technical Director, J K Tyre & Industries; Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India; B V Shamsundara, Deputy Director (SHL), ARAI; Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF; Deepak Sawkar, Senior Advisor, Maruti Suzuki  and Harjeet Singh, Chairman, SIAM Two Wheeler Group and Executive Adviser – Technical, Hero Motocorp.

“Road safety and tyre are very closely related. Under the tri-series jointly organised with ATMA, the first series focuses on tyre and road safety, second on technology and environmental issues, and third on standards, regulations and sustainability,” said Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM.

“Tyres are the most critical safety component for a vehicle and road safety and are one of the highly regulated automotive components,” said Rajesh Menon, Director General, SIAM.

In his inaugural address, Anshuman Singhania, Chairman, ATMA and MD, JK Tyre & Industries , said, “Tyre industry in India has all along understood the need for safety and has been constantly upgrading for promoting sustainable mobility. It has been our consistent effort to ensure that tyres are central to all discussion about road safety, behavioural fuel efficiency, rider handling etc. Tyres are unfortunately one of the most neglected parts of vehicle, but awareness is now growing. Road safety revolves around 3Es – education, engineering and enforcement – and I would urge the industry to organise more such programmes to educate the wider audience.”

The guest of honour, Dr S S Gupta, Senior Development Officer – DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said, “This programme on awareness about tyre care and road safety is very timely and relevant. The issues related to the tyre industry are being taken care of continuously by the DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Various interventions have been initiated by the department, including the one on import policy which brought tyres from free import category to restricted category, giving a boost to the domestic industry. These initiatives will lead to Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while promoting local manufacturing of tyres.”

According to Rajiv Budhraja, Director General, ATMA, tyre has been the most regulated yet neglected auto component, and data substantiates that tyre care is lacking globally. These awareness and education initiatives will herald a new era of raising awareness and imparting education on the aspect of tyre safety through this tri lecture series, especially in this digital world.”

Sudershan Gusain, Senior Deputy General Manager, Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, said that 410 deaths per day happen due to road traffic accidents in India and many of these are attributed to neglected tyres. While he called for greater industry efforts to changing perception on tyre care through awareness, he encouraged all motorists to maintain their vehicle’s tyres by playing their PART – Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

Ravin Kurian, Chairman, ITTAC and Senior General Manager, MRF Ltd, spoke about safety, durability and failure analysis of tyres. He pointed out that rash driving, low inflation and potholes are considered to be the major reasons for quick wearing out of tyres and highlighted that road hazards, inflation pressure, tyre section height and structure are important parameters for understanding quality of tyres.

The interactive session held amongst speakers focused on the pivotal role of tyres in road safety, being the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road. The tri-series will continue its endeavours and organise the two remaining sessions on the topics: ‘Technology and Environmental Challenges’ on 24th September 2021 and ‘Regulation and Sustainability’ in October 2021, which will deliberate upon various aspects of tyre manufacturing, raw material sourcing, recycling, environmental, regulatory framework and sustainability. (TT)

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Hankook Tyre UK will exhibit on Stand B40 at RTX Scotland, which returns to Glasgow's SEC on 18–19 November 2026 after a successful 2025 debut. The two-day event brings the road transport industry together for innovation, expertise and networking, and Hankook will showcase its extensive portfolio of Hankook and Laufenn commercial vehicle tyres, designed to meet the evolving demands of today's transport operators.

Bigger than last year, the Glasgow show completes a three-market line-up alongside RTX's flagship Stoneleigh event and its Irish show, bringing the same truck-focused approach to audiences across the UK and Ireland. More than 80 exhibitors, from major truck manufacturers and trailer producers to tyre specialists and workshop suppliers, will take part, with over 7,000 visitors expected to explore developments, attend expert-led seminars, workshops and tech talks, and connect with key professionals.

At the heart of the stand, the SmartFlex range addresses regional and long-distance transport. The AL51 for steering and all-position duties and the DL51 for drive axles deliver up to 20 percent lower rolling resistance on long-haul routes than their predecessors, with consistent performance throughout service life, while the AH51 and DH51 offer dependable grip and braking for regional haulage. All can be regrooved and retreaded to maximise tyre life and cost efficiency. Hankook will also present the 315/80R22.5 Smart Work AM11+ for on- and off-road front-steer operations, the AM15+ all-position tyre, the TH31 all-season trailer tyre, the TH51 with Hidden Groove technology and the Vantra ST AS2 van tyre.

Laufenn, Hankook's associated brand, will display its growing commercial vehicle portfolio, including the Laufenn365 initiative, the LR01 and LR02 for on- and off-road applications, the LR53 drive tyre and the X Fit Van 4S. Drawing on Hankook's development expertise, Laufenn combines value, performance and full retreadability to help cost-conscious fleets manage operating costs and environmental impact. With solutions spanning heavy-duty regional haulage, long-distance transport, mixed-service operations and light commercial vehicles, Hankook's presence lets visitors explore products tailored to their needs and connect directly with the team.

James Misselbrook, UK Truck & Bus National Sales Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “RTX Scotland provides an excellent opportunity to connect with fleets, operators and industry partners, and we're excited to be returning for a second year. The event comes at a significant time for Hankook, as we showcase some of the first 385/65R22.5 trailer tyres produced at our new European TBR manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary. This major investment underlines our long-term commitment to the European market and reinforces our ability to deliver innovative, high-performance tyre solutions that help fleets maximise efficiency and profitability."

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Pirelli is all set for the winter season with its winter tyre range that is renewed over the past two years. The newly launched Scorpion Winter 3 joins the P Zero Winter 2 for high-performance cars and the Cinturato Winter 3 for saloons and crossovers. The range is available with Pirelli Elect technology for electric vehicles. Independent tests by European organisations have placed Pirelli winter tyres at the front in safety-related areas, while the Cinturato All Season SF3 has recorded four victories and six additional podium finishes.

Winter tyres or suitable equipment are required from 15 November to 15 April. Most winter driving occurs on dry and wet roads. Below 7°C, winter compounds offer more grip than summer compounds, and the tread pattern helps counter aquaplaning and generate traction on snow. Sidewall markings indicate capability: M+S identifies a product for challenging surfaces, while 3PMSF certifies testing in harsh conditions. An appropriate winter driving style includes increased safety distance, avoiding sudden acceleration and reducing brake use in favour of engine braking.

The Cinturato Winter 3 took first place in the 2026 ADAC winter tyre test in size 225/50 R17 against 16 models, earning a highly recommended rating with the best wet score and the highest assessment for driving safety. It won the AvD test in size 225/45 R17 against 15 tyres with a very good rating. It also finished first in the Auto Bild comparison in size 205/55 R16 on a Volkswagen Golf against 14 tyres with an exemplary rating. Podium finishes followed in tests by Auto Express, Auto Bild Allrad and Tyre Reviews, giving six podium finishes in seven tests, including three victories.

The Scorpion Winter 3 debuted with a victory in the alVolante comparison in size 235/60 R18 on an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, ranking first among six winter tyres. Its wet performance, shortest braking distance, fastest lap time and progressive reactions set it apart. It was judged consistent and predictable on snow and balanced on dry roads.

In the annual Auto Bild super comparative test, the P Zero Winter 2 finished on the podium with an exemplary rating, thanks to precise driving behaviour in wet and dry conditions and braking performance on both surfaces. The Cinturato Winter 3, Scorpion Winter 3 and P Zero Winter 2 are available with Pirelli Elect technology on dedicated fitments for Europe's electric vehicle fleet. Elect addresses low rolling resistance for range, acoustic comfort, longer tyre life, grip for immediate torque and a reinforced structure for battery weight.

All-season tyres suit drivers mainly in urban areas covering up to 20,000 km per year without frequent heavy snowfall. Higher mileage, regular mountain travel or high-performance cars generally call for winter tyres. The Cinturato All Season SF3 carries the 3PMSF marking and has four victories in comparisons by Auto Zeitung, Reifentester, Auto Express and Que Choisir, plus six additional podium finishes. The new Scorpion All Season SF3 extends the approach to SUVs.

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Nokian Tyres will withdraw its sponsorship of the 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship should Russia be permitted to compete, the company has confirmed. The decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that cleared Russian national teams to return to international ice hockey. Nokian Tyres stated that continuing the sponsorship under such circumstances would conflict with its values. Tiina Frazer, SVP of Brand, Marketing and Communications, explained that while the 2026 tournament cooperation proved highly successful, the company felt compelled to act on its principles regarding Russian participation.

The tyre manufacturer had been named an Official Sponsor for both the 2026 and 2027 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in late 2025. Its 2026 involvement included the ‘Carve the Corners’ contest, running from 6 February to 20 March, which offered fans in the United States and Canada a chance to win a trip to the tournament. The 2026 event, held from 15 to 31 May, featured 64 games with 16 top national teams competing for the title and stands as the world’s largest annual winter sports event.

Frazer said, “Our sponsorship agreement with the IIHF covers the 2026 and 2027 World Championships, and our cooperation around the 2026 tournament was very successful. However, under the current circumstances, continuing the sponsorship if Russia participates would not be aligned with our values. We have therefore decided to end our sponsorship of the 2027 World Championship should Russia be allowed to take part.”

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world's largest fully integrated natural rubber company, has been honoured at the Intelligent Industry Awards 2026, an accolade bestowed by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The award was formally received on 30 October 2026 at Bangkok's S31 Sukhumvit Hotel by Executive Director Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul, accompanied by Akarat Mattayangkul, Factory Manager of the Huai Nang Branch, and Poowanart Laoprasert, Factory Manager of the Loei Branch.

Three of the company's production sites earned recognition under the award. The Loei and Huai Nang branches in Trang Province were cited for their technically specified rubber (TSR) operations, while the Kanchanadit Branch in Surat Thani Province was acknowledged for latex production. Evaluators placed weight on technology deployments that yield demonstrable outcomes, alongside sustained organisational development spanning operational processes, personnel, energy and sustainability.

Research and development form a central pillar of STA's strategy, merging its natural rubber know-how with digital tools and artificial intelligence. Among its flagship efforts is the Sri Trang AI Machine (SAM), which harnesses AI to bolster analysis and decision-making in production. The company also runs an ‘AI Clinic’ that invites staff from every department to pitch ideas, exchange experiences and obtain expert advice on embedding AI in routine tasks, thereby streamlining workflows, aiding decisions and lifting operational efficiency while nurturing a culture of technological learning.

The accolade underscores STA's drive towards Industry 4.0 through digital adoption, automation, innovation, workforce development and prudent resource management. It represents a further milestone in Sri Trang Group's evolution, reinforcing its emphasis on technology, people and resource efficiency as it continues to champion the sustainable development of Thailand's rubber sector.

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