JK Tyre is preparing for the future mobility demand, banking on its R&D and testing capabilities. The pioneer of radial tyre technology to green tyres in India, JK Tyre is in the process of launching new technologies from puncture-proof tyres to UUHP ( Ultra Ultra High Performance) and electric vehicles tyres for passenger cars and connected mobility solutions.

“If you look at the evolution of tyre technologies in India, today radialisation in the passenger car tyre segment has reached over 90 percent, while it is in the 50–55 percent range in the commercial tyres segment. In the next three to five years, the radialisation of commercial tyres will reach 65 to 70 percent. We will also see a fast transition from tube tyres to tubeless tyres in the country soon. New technologies such as smart tyres and puncture-proof tyres will pick up gradually segment-wise in India, catering to niche demand initially. As and when OEMs require these new technologies, our products will be readily available,” said Dr Rabindra Mukhopadhyay, director, R&D, JK Tyre & Industries,.

JK Tyre acquired Pune-based Treel Mobility. Today, JK Tyre is India’s only tyre company that indigenously manufactures Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) based on TREEL sensor technology for OE and OE replacement markets. Its smart tyres provide live data on tyre temperature, tyre pressure, tyre positions, locations, distance travelled and expected tyre life through its algorithm, thus capturing the full health of the tyres.

The company is pushing its smart tyre solutions in the replacement market, especially for fleet companies. “It’s all about the value for money. If the customers think this product is value for money, they will pay for it,” said Dr Mukhopadhyay. The company’s smart tyres are available in PCR, 2-wheeler, LCV and truck categories.

The company is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of automotive tyres, tubes and flaps. Today, the company has 12 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities – three plants in Mysuru; three plants in Haridwar; one plant each in Banmore (MP), Kankroli (Rajasthan) and Chennai, and three plants in Mexico. These plants manufacture around 32 million tyres per annum.

JK Tyre’s products comprise truck & bus radial and bias, passenger car radials, two- and three-wheeler tyres, LCV & SCV bias and radial, off-highway tyres (OTR and Farm), as well as speciality tyres for military and defence, industrial and farm applications besides racing tyres.

Products in Pipeline

The company will soon introduce new products catering to the demand of new requirements, and one of them is a puncture-proof tyre for cars. The puncture-proof tyre has an inner coat of a special rubber compound developed by the company that seals and heals the tyre immediately. As per the company, its puncture-proof tyre can sustain up to 300 punctures. It also enhances durability and does not allow fuel efficiency to drop.

Bias tyres will also remain the focus of JK Tyre to maintain its leading position in the commercial tyres segment. According to Dr Mukhopadhyay, though India is aggressively moving towards the radialisation of commercial tyres, bias tyres will remain in demand for the next 15-20 years owing to the road conditions and the benefits it provides. “For short-haul and within-the-city transportation, bias tyres are still preferred. Globally, bias tyres still own around 10 percent market, and India is one of the leading exporters of bias tyres,” said Dr Mukhopadhyay.

Tyres for EVs are expected to have lower rolling resistance, much lower tyre noise and high torque resistance with durability. JK Tyre has also developed new pattern series for electric scooters. For the scooter tyres, the company has a compound which has a 12 percent reduction in hysterias, leading to higher fuel saving and lower heat-related failures. JK Tyre is currently working with MG Motor to offer EV tyres on the passenger car tyre side. “We also have plans to offer electric passenger and light truck tyres,” added Dr Mukhopadhyay. 

JK Tyre has also developed the second generation of EV tyres for passenger cars, which can up to 13 to 14 k per KVH.

Though niche, the high-performance bikes and car segment is gaining traction in India, and JK Tyre is also eyeing the same segment. For premium, high-end luxury cars, for domestic and export, JK Tyre has developed Levitas Ultra, an ultra-high-performance tyre. The Levitas Ultra offers the best in class ride and handling, braking, comfort and noise level. The company will also bring out ‘H’ rated tyres designed for high-speed motorcycles, which can reach 210 kmph, focusing on a lower aspect ratio. The company has tested and validated the Levitas Ultra tyre for India and Europe. The company claims the Levitas Ultra tyre’s performance is tuned at a level better than the global brands in overall handling, performance, control, wet grip and noise. “We are also working on non-pneumatic tyres, but it will take time to develop,” added Dr Mukhopadhay.

R&D and Testing Capabilities

R&D has always been  an integrated focus of JK Tyres to bring new technologies. A few decades ago, almost all tyre companies in India collaborated with foreign tyre companies to get technologies. To reduce dependency on international companies, JK Tyre established India’s first independent elastomer and tyre research institute, Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer & Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI), in 1991 at Kankroli, Rajasthan. Today, HASETRI is one of the leading research institutes in Asia in rubber and tyre technology. HASETRI works in material characterisation, product characterisation, simulation, environmental analysis, calibration, consultancy and training.

In 2018, JK Tyre inaugurated its Global Technology Centre RPSCoE in Mysuru, bringing together the best in class facilities under one roof. The RPSCoE houses HASETRI and The JK Tyre Tech Centre. The company is ramping up its R&D and testing capabilities to meet future requirements. This year, the company has allocated a budget of INR 1.1 billion to procure equipment for tyre analysis. JK Tyre has already ordered the Flat-Trac CT Plus system, made by MTS, which is engineered to deliver highly accurate and repeatable measurements of tyre force and moment properties under steady-state and dynamic conditions. The machine, which costs over INR 500 million, has capabilities of steady-state force and moment measurement, dynamic force and moment measurement, sinusoidal radial deflection tests, simulation testing and effective rolling radius measurement. Another highlight of the centre is semi-anechoic chamber for noise, harshness and vibration measurement. JK Tyre was also the first tyre company in India to invest in a first-of-its-kind semi-anechoic chamber.

JK Tyre also has a centre of excellence at IIT Madras, a joint venture between the company and IIT Madras. Over the years, the company has developed many predictive technologies and other solutions at the centre. The IIT Madras centre has a virtual proving ground to have the actual performance for the tyres on a vehicle without having real tyres or vehicles. Various data for the vehicles and a tyre is fed into the software, and you can put data of any test track and drive the car with different speeds. The virtual proving ground helps the company generate various data to determine what kind of tyres is best suited for a particular vehicle.

For enhancing its door testing capabilities, JK Tyre is also establishing its wet grip testing capability. The company has bought a skid trailer used for on-road tyre characterisations- force & moment, rolling resistance dry and wet grip. Currently, it is at NATRiP, Indore.

Recently, HASETRI received accreditation from the prestigious National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for outdoor regulatory testing as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017. With this, HASETRI has become the first Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) recognised by DSIR, Government of India and an independent tyre testing and research institute in India to receive such accreditation from NABL.

Under the scope for outdoor testing, the accreditation includes testing for wet grip and coast-by noise for C1 (passenger) and C2 (light truck) category tyres as per ECE R117 method. The indoor tyre testing facilities for regulatory requirement like rolling resistance, endurance, dynamic growth etc. have already been accredited by NABL as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

JK tyre is exploring many possibilities on the material development front, one of which is mixing solid and liquid materials. “We are exploring possibilities of mixing natural rubber at the level of latex form with other solid materials. With this mixing process, we can save lots of energy consumption,” said Dr Mukhopadhyay. The company is working with different raw materials suppliers, especially synthetic rubber suppliers like SBR, to convert petrol-based materials to non-petrol based materials.

Reuse, retread and recycle are also focus of the company.  Currently, the company is using three percent recycled rubber in its new products. In the future, it targets to have 10 percent recycled rubber in the new products in the next five years. “However, a greater challenge is to have virgin rubber properties in the recycled rubber,” added Dr Mukhopadhyay.

JK Tyre is also targetting to increase its retread tyre volume . As of now, it is retreading 300 tonnes of used tyres per day, aiming to take it to 500 tonnes per day. (TT)

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Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

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Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

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Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.

The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.

The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.

The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.

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