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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TyreSafe has entered a new partnership with Staffordshire Police, reinforcing a joint commitment to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the county. The collaboration aims to highlight the critical role tyres play in protecting road users by encouraging simple, regular checks of pressure, tread depth and overall condition.

The value of this preventative approach was recently demonstrated during a multi-agency enforcement operation at the DVSA Vehicle Inspection Site in Doxey. Held on 25 August, Operation Doxey involved Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, DVSA, Datatag, the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and TyreSafe. Inspectors directed 30 vehicles into the site, covering leisure vehicles, towing vehicles, light commercial vehicles and goods vehicles.

Seven tyre and wheel-related defects, mechanical risks and pressure discrepancies were identified. These included a tyre cut through to the cord, which received an immediate prohibition notice, a tyre running roughly 30 percent below recommended pressure, an overweight light commercial vehicle with a nail embedded in a tyre and all four tyres underinflated, a significant rear axle pressure imbalance, a missing wheel nut and an 11-year-old tyre. Leisure vehicle owners generally showed good tread awareness, though pressure maintenance remained an issue, while commercial vehicles presented several preventable defects.

Staffordshire has one of UK’s statistically safest road networks, yet serious collisions remain a concern, particularly on single carriageways. Rural bends, changing speed limits and limited visibility add risk, while motorcyclists and vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected. Common factors include failing to look properly, misjudging speed or path and driving too fast or carelessly. TyreSafe now works with over 260 organisations, and this partnership encourages Staffordshire motorists to make tyre checks routine.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Staffordshire Police as a TyreSafe partner. While Staffordshire has a strong road safety record, every serious collision has potentially devastating consequences for those involved, their families and their communities. The recent Operation Doxey enforcement activity demonstrates exactly why preventative vehicle maintenance matters. Across just 30 vehicles, inspectors identified a number of serious tyre and wheel defects, including a tyre cut to the cord, significantly incorrect tyre pressures, an embedded nail, a missing wheel nut and a tyre that was 11 years old.

“These findings are a powerful reminder that problems are not always obvious from behind the wheel. Simple checks before a journey can help identify issues before they become a danger on the road. Different roads present different challenges, particularly rural and single carriageway roads where the consequences of losing control or being unable to stop safely can be especially severe. Road safety requires a collective effort, and partnerships such as this are incredibly important. By combining the reach and expertise of Staffordshire Police with TyreSafe’s specialist knowledge and campaigns, we can help more road users understand the simple but crucial role their tyres play in keeping themselves and others safe.”

Police Sergeant Adam Van de Sande, Staffordshire Road Crime – Proactive & Harm Reduction Team, said, “Keeping people safe on Staffordshire’s roads requires everyone to play their part. We are committed to working with partners to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our road network. Operation Doxey demonstrated the value of partnership working, with officers, vehicle examiners and road safety specialists able to identify a range of defects and safety issues before those vehicles continued their journeys.

“Vehicle safety is an important part of that responsibility, and tyres are fundamental to a vehicle’s ability to stop, steer and maintain grip. We are pleased to be working with TyreSafe to raise awareness and encourage motorists to make regular tyre checks part of their routine vehicle maintenance. Our message to road users is simple: don’t wait for something to go wrong. Take a few minutes to check your vehicle and make sure it is ready for the road.”

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The AZuR Network has been honoured with the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2026 in the C2C/Recycling category for its ‘Retreading: Climate Protection on Wheels’ project. The recognition highlights the network's efforts to expand tyre retreading across Germany and Europe, thereby extending the useful life of tyres. Retreading works by reusing a suitable used tyre casing and applying a fresh tread, keeping a substantial share of the original tyre in circulation.

A life cycle assessment commissioned by AZuR and carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT compared retreaded tyres with equivalent new ones. Under the conditions examined, producing a retreaded truck tyre generated roughly 135 kilogrammes less greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction exceeding 60 percent. The process also reuses considerable portions of the existing tyre casing, reinforcing its environmental advantages.

The jury underscored the project's scalability and its relevance to the industry. Official documentation further noted the political integration of the topic as a key strength, with the EU taxonomy confirmation in 2025 representing a tangible milestone. The award places AZuR among well-known companies and innovative projects, including a climate protection cooker initiative in Cameroon, a capsule-free coffee system and a mental health awareness campaign.

Knauf secured first place in the same category with its circular gypsum supply chain, while Schmitz Cargobull led the Mobility and Logistics Solutions category. Other first-place winners included DEKRA, Hansgrohe, Pfleiderer Germany and SBRS. Presented by DISQ with ntv and DUP UNTERNEHMER under Brigitte Zypries' patronage, the 2026 edition saw 433 nominations, with 46 organisations recognised across 19 categories on 17 September in Berlin.

Christina Guth, Network Coordinator, AZuR, said, “This award belongs to our entire network. Retreading only works when many stakeholders collaborate along the value chain – from certified end-of-life tyre recyclers, tyre manufacturers and retreaders to retailers and fleet operators, all the way to academia. The award highlights the potential of using high-quality tyres for longer and keeping their casings in circulation.”

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Birla Carbon will present its carbon black solutions at the Global Polymer Summit 2026, scheduled for 28–30 September at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The company will exhibit at Booth 417, targeting tyre and mechanical rubber goods (MRG) manufacturers seeking higher performance and reduced environmental impact.

The company’s portfolio spans tyre and MRG applications, addressing durability, strength, abrasion resistance and product life across tyres, belts, hoses, sealing systems and anti-vibration products. Birla Carbon will also feature Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), a circular carbon range with consistent quality and global availability and Continua Sustainable Carbon Black (SCB), produced from recycled or bio-based feedstocks.

Supported by extensive manufacturing, technical expertise and customer-focused teams across the Americas, Birla Carbon provides reliable volumes, responsive service and tailored solutions. Attendees can meet company experts at Booth 417 to explore its product portfolio, technical capabilities and sustainable offerings.

John Davidson, President – Americas & EMEA, Birla Carbon, said, “The tyre and mechanical rubber goods industries are at an important phase, where performance, supply resilience and sustainability must advance together. The next phase of growth will depend on stronger collaboration across the value chain and the ability to translate innovation into scalable, commercially viable solutions. At Birla Carbon, we are combining our manufacturing network, portfolio strength, technical expertise and regional capabilities to help customers navigate this transition and build more resilient and sustainable businesses.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X Multi Energy D2 tyre, developed to address the specific challenges of regional haul operations. Fleets in this segment face demanding roads, frequent stop-and-start cycles and escalating fuel expenses that affect both performance and profitability. By blending durability, fuel savings and Michelin’s established performance standards, the new tyre aims to boost fleet productivity while reducing overall operating costs.

The tyre features a revised tread pattern and a new tread compound to better resist tread damage caused by high-torque vehicles and stop-and-go regional driving. It is constructed on Michelin’s Duracore casing, which integrates Infinicoil and Powercoil technologies and benefits from a reinforced bead design known as Duracoil Technology. This casing is engineered to last up to one million miles and support as many as four retreads.

In the effort to curb fuel expenses, the X Multi Energy D2 improves rolling resistance by 9 percent over its predecessor, the Michelin X Multi Energy D tyre, and by 18 percent compared with leading competitors. It also enhances late-life traction, offering 10 percent better wet handling and 16 percent better snow starting traction when worn, giving drivers and operations managers greater confidence on varying roads.

For original equipment manufacturers, the tyre meets Greenhouse Gas standards and supports applicable vehicle carbon-reduction requirements. Designed for regional applications where traction, durability and fuel efficiency matter, it is available in 295/75R22.5 LRG and 11R22.5 LRG and LRH sizes, replacing the X Multi Energy D tyre in those sizes.

Yahn Heurlin, VP of B2B Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Michelin is driven by a deep commitment to understanding the needs and challenges customers face every day. This customer-first mindset inspires the development of purpose-built solutions designed to address real-world pain points and help fleets operate more efficiently.”

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