Speaking about the plant, Reddy said, “We planned to set up the plant in late 2018. Before the first wave of Coronavirus, we started off with construction, but our work was stalled due to the subsequent lockdown. Now the manufacturing unit has been fully constructed, but we can’t start operations due to Odisha being under lockdown. Once things normalise, we will start production.”

The plant is expected to have a monthly production of 500 units of 1200x24 size tyres used for Volvo truck-like vehicles.

The new plant will cater to the mining industry situated in Odisha. The company has already been serving the mining industry in the region for the last 24 years. “A lot of people from Andhra Pradesh are involved in the mining business in Odisha. We are taking indigenous machinery from Coimbatore, which will ensure an optimum cost for the tyres,” said Reddy.

The company’s customer base comprises VPR, BGR, Sainik Mining, etc.  It has also started trade relations with Linde India. Fortune Tire Tech also plans to offer management services to its customers as well.

Fortune Tire Tech is the first-of-its-kind company in India to retread tubeless, radial and bias tyres, complying with European and American environmental standards.

The Odisha plant is equipped with the latest machinery imported from Germany and Italy. Fortune Tire is the first company in India to use shearography for retreading tyres. However, speaking on the viability in deploying modern machinery, Reddy explained, “Due to being a model plant, the investment for the plant is high. However, the plant is not viable for the Indian perception. But as a passionate retreader for the last 25 years, we have made the investment. The challenge is the Indian customers compare my product quality with roadside retreaders. Global retreading machinery leaders have also set up plants in the country, but unfortunately, could not succeed in this market so far. The people interested in investing in machinery get demoralised as the output cost is more than the local products. It is a problem for everyone.”

Commenting on the Indian government’s move to open its indigenous mining to private players, he said, “Retreading is famous in the mining industry across the globe—everyone banks on it. It is a key change in the tyre space. It is viable for everybody.”

Reddy has been in the retreading business since1995, but he started on a larger scale in 2012 with his first manufacturing plant in Hyderabad. “I was associated with Vamshi Rubber Limited since 1995 as a franchisee. That time we would roll out 800 units per month in Telangana. It was a small unit. I know the chairman of the firm very well. So, in one of our discussions, I placed the idea of a model plant in India. After that, we set on a tour of Europe and eventually, with the help of Mereddy Ramesh Reddy, chairman of Vamshi Rubber, we laid out our first plant in Hyderabad in 2012. After its success, we started our second plant in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, in 2016. And now we have set our eyes on Odisha. But due to the pandemic, there is a delay in commencing operations,” said Reddy.

Fortune Tire Tech’s Hyderabad plant has a capacity of 4,000 tyres, but it is rolling out 1,300-1,400 tyres per month in the lockdown. On the other hand, the MP plant produces 500 units per month, but currently, it is producing 250 tyres per month.

Commenting on the retreading space in India, the veteran opined, “The market is outstanding, but the sector is unorganised. You cannot compete in an unorganised sector. Around 80 percent of the market is unorganised. We have appealed to the government to license players in this sector, but nothing has been done so far. Between 2016 and 2018, many Chinese tyres were imported into the Indian market which crunched to the tyre retreaders . But now, the current import duty has reduced the flow of Chinese tyres here. The government should show its support to the industry as we come under 18 percent GST slab. Due to this, transporters and other logistic support have to incur heavy losses. We appealed to the government through our association, but nothing came of it. We should come under the 5 percent GST slab.”

According to Reddy, fleet owners mow are more concerned about maintaining their old tyres than buying new ones and looking for retreading tyres to reduce the cost per kilometre. “Chinese tyres are use and throw tyres and can be used temporarily. They are not viable in the long run, and retreading of these tyres is not viable. Major Indian tyre companies have come into the retreading space, but none of them, including the government, have perceived that this industry can be eco-friendly,” said Reddy.

Drawing a comparison on tyre retreading awareness between India and European countries, Reddy opined, “In European countries, every retreader has to have a licence and label their tyres. We have demanded the government to bring the same practices to India. Because once we have labelling on retreaded tyres, the unorganised sector will come to an end. But it is not happening in India.”

He concluded the conversation by saying, “We have no future plans yet. We are looking at the second Covid wave. Future prospect for the space is good, but we have to see how it unfolds after the pandemic and what effect does Coronavirus have on it.” (TT)

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has initiated a pilot study in collaboration with the Greater Paris Sanitation Authority (SIAAP) and the sustainability consultancy ERM to assess the potential of wastewater treatment plants to remove tyre and road wear particles. The research is being conducted at the Valenton wastewater treatment facility near Paris, which ranks as Europe’s second-largest plant and features advanced treatment technologies representative of modern municipal systems. This investigation is scheduled to continue through 2026.

In numerous urban centres globally, stormwater and road runoff are channelled into wastewater systems prior to being discharged into natural waterways. A clearer understanding of how effectively these treatment processes capture TRWP could guide the broader adoption of optimised wastewater management practices. Currently, systematic data quantifying the removal of these particles within treatment plants remains scarce, and this project aims to generate comprehensive, end-to-end evidence to bridge that knowledge deficit.

The study represents TIP’s first real-world application of a priority mitigation strategy identified in its white paper on addressing tire and road wear particles. Over the coming months, researchers will collect and analyse samples from key stages of the Valenton plant’s treatment cycle using advanced pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The findings are expected to estimate the total removal efficiency across the entire process and will be submitted to a scientific journal, with publication anticipated in early 2027.

The scientific understanding of TRWP is complicated by a lack of standardised methodologies, the variable nature of the particles and their transformation products, and the diverse environmental pathways they traverse. In response, TIP and its member companies have committed to advancing research on quantification, characterisation, environmental migration and potential impacts while collaborating with value-chain stakeholders to support science-based interventions. A 2024 TIP publication reviewed over 50 mitigation measures and prioritised nine based on upstream and downstream potential, employing a prevention, containment and removal framework.

That review also concluded that no single measure has been proven effective specifically for TRWP and that on-ground validation is essential. Moreover, the paper stressed that no universal solution exists, requiring coordinated, large-scale implementation across multiple actors, including the tyre, road construction and automotive sectors, as well as municipal authorities, academia and other public and private entities. The Valenton pilot thus marks TIP’s inaugural effort to test wastewater management’s real-world efficacy, uniting diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in this critical research.

Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “This pilot is an important step in going beyond understanding the subject in the laboratory to field-based evidence. We expect to identify best practices that can be applied far beyond this project, supporting TIP’s ambition to support science-based mitigation.”

Sabrina Guérin, Head of Innovation Department, SIAAP, said, “As the public authority responsible for wastewater treatment in the Paris region, SIAAP is committed to emerging science that protects waterways. By taking part in this TIP study, we will gain an early, science-based view of TRWP movement in solid waste. The findings can help inform and accompany future treatment planning and readiness for upcoming regulatory requirements.”

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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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