Bekaert has inaugurated its new India Concrete Expertise Centre, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advancing the concrete industry through innovative research and development of fibre-reinforced concrete applications, in its plant in Lonand, Maharashtra. Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, who is presiding over the Belgian Economic Mission to India, and members of the Bekaert Group Executive were present at the signing ceremony in New Delhi.

With its cutting-edge equipment, Bekaert's new concrete expertise centre is the first laboratory in the world to evaluate the use of steel fibres to strengthen spray concrete. It is anticipated that the project would have a major positive impact on the Indian and international building industries. The knowledge centre will hasten the development of high-performance, sustainable fibre-reinforced concrete solutions that will influence the future of building by encouraging cooperation and utilising cutting-edge technology. The official opening took place on 5 March in the presence of local officials.

Eric Peeters, Divisional CEO Sustainable Construction, Bekaert, said, “This concrete lab represents a major milestone in our commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the construction industry. It is a great honour to Bekaert that HRH Princess Astrid officially inaugurates our expertise centre during the Belgian Economic Mission to India.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

India’s tyre retreading industry has petitioned the government to slash goods and services tax (GST) rates from 18 percent to 5 percent on retreading services and materials, arguing the move would support environmental goals and the circular economy.

The Tyre Retreading Education Association (TREA), representing over 15 Indian retreading material manufacturers and retreaders serving approximately 10,000 retreaders nationwide, has written to authorities requesting the tax reduction across multiple product categories, including retreading services, retreaded tyres and retreading materials.

The industry body estimates India’s tyre retreading sector generates annual revenues of around INR 50 billion, with tread rubber manufacturing adding another INR 30 billion yearly. Last year, whilst 20,000,000 new truck tyres were sold domestically, approximately 80,00,000 truck tyres were retreaded, alongside smaller volumes of tractor, earthmover and car tyres.

“We are committed to educating and promoting retreading benefits: cost savings, safety, sustainability, and circular economy,” stated Karun Sanghi, Chairman of TREA, in the petition.

The request comes after recent GST amendments that reduced rates for new truck tyres from 28 percent to 18 percent, and cut levies on tractors, tractor tyres and tractor parts from 18 percent to 5 percent. However, conventional tread rubber used primarily for tractor tyres and retreading services for tractor tyres remain at the higher 18 per cent rate.

“We would request you to reduce the rate to five percent in line with other tractor products,” the association said, highlighting the inconsistency in tax treatment.

The industry argues that retreading aligns with government environmental priorities, pointing to the 2022 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for tyres introduced to reduce environmental impact. The Environment Ministry has recognised retreading as “a very important part of the circular economy on tyres” and continues developing disposal systems for end-of-life tyres.

The association drew parallels with other environmentally friendly sectors that enjoy preferential GST rates, noting that electric vehicles are taxed at five percent, whilst rates for various renewable energy devices and solar water heaters were also reduced to five percent.

“The government recognised the need to support environmentally friendly industries,” the petition stated, emphasising that retreading represents “a critical part of the circular economy of tyres” supported by both the Environment Ministry and Central Pollution Control Board.

The group argued that increased tyre retreading would help India achieve its zero carbon footprint targets by extending tyre lifecycles and reducing waste requiring disposal.

India’s tyre retreading industry serves as a cost-effective alternative to new tyres whilst supporting sustainability objectives through reduced raw material consumption and waste generation.

The association has offered to provide additional information and meet with government officials to discuss the proposal further.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has made history by becoming the first tyre manufacturer to receive the esteemed ADI Compasso d’Oro Award, one of the world’s most authoritative prizes in industrial design. The award was presented at a special 70th-anniversary ceremony during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The honouree was the Pirelli P Zero E, recognised in the Design for Mobility category for its innovative approach to sustainable performance.

This recognition aligns with the Expo’s theme, ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’, specifically under the pillar of ‘Connecting Lives’, which rewards products that combine advanced technology with reduced environmental impact. The P Zero E is the world’s first ultra-high-performance tyre to incorporate more than 55 percent recycled and bio-based materials. It represents a significant step forward in tyre design, merging technical excellence with circular economy principles without compromising safety or performance.

The tyre has achieved a triple A rating on the European tyre label for wet grip, rolling resistance and external noise – a rare distinction that underscores its balanced capabilities. It is particularly suited for electric and hybrid vehicles, incorporating Pirelli’s Elect technology that can extend vehicle range by up to 10 percent. It also includes the RunForward system, which allows drivers to continue their journey even after a puncture.

Developed using artificial intelligence and data-driven engineering across Pirelli’s global R&D network, the P Zero E stands as a symbol of next-generation mobility. It will be exhibited in the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka before joining the permanent collection of the ADI Design Museum in Milan.

This award continues Pirelli’s long-standing relationship with the Compasso d’Oro, which has previously acknowledged the company’s contributions to industrial and graphic design, further cementing its role as a pioneer at the intersection of technology, sustainability and design.

Piero Misani, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Pirelli, said, “This prestigious recognition celebrates Pirelli’s design excellence and the innovative scope of products like P Zero E, confirming the role of research and development as a driver of progress and sustainability. Our constant commitment in the field of R&D has made Pirelli a benchmark in the global industry for technological innovation and cutting-edge solutions for future tyre development, thanks to the use of new materials with reduced environmental impact and the increasingly widespread use of advanced artificial intelligence throughout every phase.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin strongly supports the ambition of the Euro 7 regulation and its introduction of particle emission limits for tyre wear, viewing it as a critical step towards sustainable mobility. The company emphasises, however, that the regulation's success hinges on employing a testing method that is both scientifically robust and representative of real-world conditions.

In its view, the only currently viable option is the real-world on-road test, a method developed transparently over six years with European authorities. Michelin considers this approach reliable and reproducible, providing accurate measurements of tyre abrasion under actual driving scenarios. The group expresses serious concerns regarding the alternative laboratory drum test, which it believes is not yet sufficiently developed. Michelin warns that this method's undefined parameters could allow for manipulation and may fail to reflect true emissions, thereby jeopardising the entire regulation's environmental and economic objectives.

This position is reinforced by the company’s proven track record in tyre innovation. Independent testing has shown that Michelin tyres emit significantly fewer particles than the average of other premium manufacturers, a result of decades of dedicated research and development in material science. The company has already demonstrated tangible progress, having reduced wear particle emissions across its product lines by five percent between 2015 and 2020.

Fully aligned with the goals of Euro 7, Michelin is preparing for timely compliance, with plans to adapt all new products by 2028 and its entire automotive range by 2030. The manufacturer believes that a stringent and reliable testing standard will not only protect the environment but also reward genuine innovation and ensure fair competition, validating the long-term investments made by companies committed to a cleaner future.

Florent Menegaux, Chairman, Michelin Group, said, “As Europe becomes aware of the need to support its industry without giving up on its environmental ambitions, the decisions on the Euro 7 tyre testing method perfectly illustrate the choices it faces: either to support innovation and stringency for the benefit of the environment, or to accept compromises that undermine the standard and penalise responsible stakeholders.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CHIMEI Group has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, marking the sixth consecutive year of its publication. This annual disclosure underscores the Group’s enduring commitment to operating transparently and reporting on its comprehensive performance beyond mere financial metrics. The report encompasses the activities of the parent company, CHIMEI Corporation, along with its key subsidiaries: Zhenjiang CHIMEI, Zhangzhou CHIMEI and Chilin Technology.

The document highlights numerous sustainability accomplishments from the past year. A flagship achievement is the global recognition of its ‘Fixing Flue Gas CO2 into Polycarbonate Resin’ technology, developed in collaboration with ITRI, which was honoured with a prestigious 2024 R&D 100 Award. This innovation signifies a major advancement in carbon capture and utilisation, establishing a new industry benchmark for circular economy practices and net-zero carbon technologies within the plastics sector. CHIMEI’s leadership in sustainable governance was further validated by international accolades, including the highest Platinum rating from EcoVadis and a top ‘A’ score on the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire.

Beyond technological and manufacturing advancements, the Group’s dedication to environmental and social engagement was exemplified by its ecological documentary, ‘Gifts of the Sun’, which received three awards at the Taipei Golden Eagle Micro Movie Festival.

A significant development accompanying the sustainability report is the official release of CHIMEI’s inaugural TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) Report. This demonstrates a deepened commitment to climate governance. Having progressively integrated the TCFD framework since 2021, the company has established a structured process for managing climate-related risks and opportunities. The report details its approach across the four core TCFD elements: governance, strategy, risk management and metrics & targets. To implement this effectively, a cross-functional working group was formed to conduct a thorough risk matrix analysis. This process identified and formulated response strategies for critical physical risks, such as flooding impacting operations, and transition risks, including the financial implications of carbon fees and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!