Ceat, a leading tyre manufacturer, has crafted custom-built tyres for Bujji, a massive 6-tonne futuristic car that will be featured in the upcoming sci-fi action film Kalki 2898AD. This project showcases Ceat states showcases its prowess to innovate and provide solutions for even the most futuristic and challenging automotive designs.

The Bujji vehicle manufactured by Mahindra and Jayem Motors, measures 6075 mm in length, 3380 mm in width, and 2186 mm in height. With a kerb weight of 6 tonnes, an impressive torque of 9800 nm and featuring a canopy and hubless wheels it required tyres that could complement its engineering capabilities.

The Ceat custom built tyres aligns with its vision of ‘Crafting for the Curious’ and underscores the brand’s dedication of enabling exploration across realms of time and boundaries.

These custom-built tyres are designed to handle both instant torque and cornering in off-road and on-road applications. They are claimed to have the lowest aspect ratio in the industry, that not just enhance the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal but also improves the braking ability due to their wider design and larger rim fitment. The block design with a circular support base ensures better traction and stability, while the special shoulder design is optimised for better cornering capabilities. Additionally, the steel-belted tyres provide superior stability and puncture resistance, crucial for the vehicle's high-performance demands.

Arnab Banerjee, MD & CEO, Ceat said, "The custom-built tyres for Bujji represent the pinnacle of our engineering capabilities. At Ceat, we pride ourselves on ‘Crafting for the Curious Minds’. We leveraged advanced materials and cutting-edge design principles to ensure that the tyres exceed the performance expectations for this unique vehicle. We are proud to have contributed to such a revolutionary project, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and excellence in tyre manufacturing."

Amit Tolani, Chief Executive of Ceat Specialty, said, "Collaborating on Bujji for Kalki 2898 AD was an incredible opportunity for us. It allowed us to push our boundaries and explore new technologies and materials. Dyutiman Chatterjee and his R&D team brought this vision to life, showcasing their creativity and engineering prowess. This project has set the stage for our future in tyre innovation. Our team and our tyres are truly Crafted for the Curious, driving us to explore uncharted territories and envision the future."

Nag Ashwin, the eminent filmmaker of Kalki 2898AD, said, "This car Bujji, is not just a prop; it's a character in the film. The dedication and expertise of Ceat in developing these tyres have brought a vision to life that is beyond our expectations.”

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Tyrewise, New Zealand’s regulated product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres, is inviting innovators, investors and change-makers to submit their best ideas to develop the market for recycled rubber. With substantial funding now available, this initiative aims to transform worn-out tyres into valuable products while driving economic growth.

The first grant funding round is now open for expressions of interest, running from 1 July to 29 July 2025. A total of USD 7 million will be distributed across three rounds within the financial year. Tyrewise has ambitious targets: recycling 80 percent of end-of-life tyres into new products by its fourth year and over 90 percent by its sixth year.

Eligible applicants include registered NZ businesses, research institutes and universities, preferably with at least 12 months of operation. Strong environmental, safety and financial performance will also be key considerations. This is a unique opportunity to advance sustainable innovation in tyre recycling.

Mark Gilbert, Chair of Auto Stewardship New Zealand that governs the Tyrewise scheme, said, “Tyrewise works with the whole industry to ensure tyres are collected for recycling or repurposing. The scheme is achieving a high collection rate and is now focussing on developing high-value, best use recycling and repurposing solutions for the tyres. To enable this goal, Tyrewise is providing contestable funding to help develop end markets for the recycled rubber material from tyres in New Zealand.”

Adele Rose, Tyrewise Scheme Managers, 3R Group, said, “Tyres are a versatile resource that can be turned into many products or used in a number of processes, such as roading, playground surfacing, as a substitute for aggregate or even earthquake-proofing buildings. The market in New Zealand isn’t currently big enough though to take all the recycled rubber from tyres which are collected, so the aim of the fund is to stimulate the development of new products and markets here. The fund is structured into three main ‘streams’ – research and development, emerging markets and community development. This allows funding to back projects across the spectrum of the typical phases of product development. This is a call for expressions of interest. Once we have assessed them, we will ask for a more formal, detailed application. Kiwis are innovators by nature, so we’re excited to see what ideas are out there to create a circular economy for tyres here at home.”

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Vikram Makar, Managing Director, Oriental Rubber Industries and Former President, All India Rubber Industries Association, passed away on 5 July 2025. 

The second-generation entrepreneur was instrumental in expanding Oriental Rubber’s presence not just in India but to over 50 countries globally, including North America, Europe, Australia, Southern Africa and the Middle East. Under his leadership, Oriental Rubber Industries became the leading exporter of conveyor belts from India.

The 62-year-old rubber industry veteran was vocal for India’s rubber MSME sector — passionate, insightful and deeply committed to seeing these small businesses thrive. 

Maker spoke with a rare blend of industry knowledge and empathy, underlining the human side of economic policies. He didn't just highlight the challenges; he offered practical recommendations.

Beyond policy, he exemplified leadership grounded in compassion, seeking systemic change with a sense of urgency and care. Makar’s legacy is one of actionable insight and unwavering belief in the resilience of India’s small enterprises.

Makar will be remembered not just as an expert voice in the rubber industry and finance, but as a thoughtful, empathetic leader.

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Bridgestone India has joined hands with Sagest (Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability) to launch the Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad Village, Madhya Pradesh. This women-led project improves nutrition, fosters livelihood possibilities and supports environmental sustainability. With the help of Bridgestone staff and locals, the orchard, which spans four acres, is home to more than 1,300 fruit trees of more than 15 species. It is grown using sustainable practices.

With a 96 percent survival rate in its first year, the project has enabled women to run a nursery with 1,000 saplings and turn garden waste into organic compost and insecticides, encouraging environmentally responsible farming and generating extra revenue. The ladies who are in charge of the orchard will have a reliable source of income once it is completely developed. By assisting households in growing 251 kitchen gardens, the programme also improves nutrition in Sulawad by guaranteeing that locals have access to fresh, homegrown produce. Frequent training sessions have improved environmental consciousness and community ownership.

This unique project demonstrates multi-stakeholder collaboration – Bridgestone and Sagest lead implementation, the local panchayat provided land, women manage daily operations and a nearby government school assists. By combining environmental conservation, rural development and women’s empowerment, the initiative serves as a replicable model for sustainable corporate-community partnerships.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “True sustainability goes beyond business – it’s about empowering communities and protecting the planet. This project shows how women-led, community-driven action can create long-term impact on nutrition, livelihoods and the environment. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope, resilience and a better future. This initiative beautifully demonstrates how community-driven, women-led environmental action can improve nutrition, generate income and protect the planet – all at the same time.”

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JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has announced the appointment of Sylvain Sagot as Director – Quality.

Sagot comes with over three decades of experience in quality assurance, process excellence and operational leadership in the automotive and tyre industry. A French national, he began his career as a Quality Engineer at Michelin Netherlands in 1991.

In 2004, he worked with Renault as a Supplier Development Consultant and went on to grow to the ranks of Supplier Performance Manager for the Renault Nissan Alliance. He also worked with Alstom and Gajah Tunggal, one of the biggest tyre manufacturers in Southeast Asia as QA General Manager & TBR Plant Head in Indonesia for over three years.

Sagot in his last role was the International Truck Trailer Quality & Product Safety Director at Carrier, where he spent over a decade.

JK Tyre & Industries believes that Sagot with deep expertise in supplier development, quality management systems, product safety, and OEM partnerships in large-scale manufacturing environments, will further strengthen its global operations.

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  - Jitendra Pancholi July 04, 2025 19:47 PM

  Best Wishes

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