The valedictory function of Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act 1947 and the Rubber Grower’s Conference at Mammen Mappillai Hall, Kottayam will be inaugurated by George Kurian, honourable Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, on 16 January 2025. Members and officials of the Rubber Board, farmers, representatives of rubber stakeholders, labourers, technical experts, legislators and others will all be attending the event.

The occasion will be presided over by Member of Parliament Advocate K Francis George. Member of the Legislative Assembly Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan will be a special guest at the gathering. N Hari, a member of the Rubber Board; G. Anil Kumar, Vice Chairman of the Rubber Board and Bincy Sebastian, Chairman of the Kottayam Municipality, will offer congratulations at the meeting. Dr Jessy M D, Director of Research I/C; Dr T Siju, Rubber Production Commissioner and M Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, will also be present at the event.

In his presentation, Vasanthagesan will discuss the important subject of creating a digital platform that links growers and organisations interested in harvesting rubber plants in an unexplored region. A matter of great relevance, the preparedness of the EUDR process for Indian NR exporters, will be explained by Manoj Vembu, Director of TRST01, the Rubber Board's technology partner to implement EUDR in the nation. Additionally, panel discussions on ‘Handholding stakeholders through schemes & policies’ and ‘Sustainable farming practices’ will be held, which will be moderated by Sheela Thomas (Chairperson of Kerala Rubber Limited and former Chairman of the Rubber Board) and James Jacob (Managing Director, Plantation Corporation of Kerala), respectively.

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Goodyear India reported a decline in quarterly profit as softer demand and higher expenses offset modest revenue growth, while the company announced board changes and new senior management appointments.

The tyremaker’s standalone profit after tax fell to INR INR 134.7 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2025, down from INR 143.1 million in the same period last year, according to financial statements approved by the board.

Total income for the quarter edged up to INR 5.8441 billion from INR 5.6835 billion a year earlier, though margin pressures persisted.

Profit before tax for the quarter stood at INR 180.7 million , down from INR 195.1 million in the previous year, reflecting higher input costs and muted replacement demand. Performance in the half-year to September also trailed the prior period, with profit after tax at INR 317.6 million compared with INR 363.7 million last year.

Alongside the earnings announcement, Goodyear India disclosed several board changes. Varsha Chaudhary Jain tendered her resignation as Whole-Time Director, effective 31 December, citing personal reasons. Rajiv Lochan Jain will complete his second term as Independent Non-Executive Director on the same date.

The board has approved the appointment of Gajanan Vithal Gandhe as an Independent Non-Executive Director from 1 January 2026 for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval. The company stated that he “is not debarred from holding the office of a Director by virtue of any order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or any other Authority.”

Goodyear India also designated three senior executives as Key Managerial Personnel for determining material events under SEBI’s disclosure rules from 1 January: Arvind Bhandari, Chairman and Managing Director; Sandeep Garg, Whole-Time Director and CFO; and Anup Karnwal, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer.

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MRF, India’s largest tyre manufacturer, reported higher quarterly earnings as easing raw material prices offset the seasonal weakness in domestic demand, even as exports held up against tariff pressures.

The Chennai-based group said consolidated total income rose 7 percent year on year to INR 74.87 billion for the three months to 30 September, compared with INR 69.94 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated profit before tax increased to INR 6.99 billion from INR 6.31 billion, while net profit climbed to INR 5.26 billion from INR 4.71 billion.

The company attributed the improved bottom line to “softening of raw material prices”, according to a statement released after its board meeting on 14 November.

Sales in the second quarter are typically slower because of the monsoon season, a trend the company noted once again. Even so, original equipment demand “continued to have a strong double digit growth” and exports “performed well despite tariff issues”. MRF added that the government’s mid-quarter announcement of a reduction in goods and services tax had briefly damped replacement sales, though it expects the revised rate to support volume growth in subsequent quarters.

The board declared an interim dividend of INR 3 per share for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

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A significant knowledge gap exists among UK drivers regarding the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) in cold weather, according to a YouGov study commissioned by Michelin. With winter conditions setting in and EV adoption rising, the research indicates that more than half of motorists are unaware that their electric car might handle differently in the cold, and over a third confess to feeling nervous about operating one during winter.

This apprehension is compounded by a clear disparity between driver attitudes and their actual preparedness. An overwhelming majority of respondents, around 90 percent, acknowledge the importance of winter vehicle preparation, and 82 percent recognise the critical role tyres play in safety. However, behavioural data reveals a stark contrast, with only 11.7 percent currently using winter tyres. This suggests a widespread failure to translate awareness into actionable safety measures.

The core of the issue lies in a lack of specific understanding about EV dynamics. Twenty percent of those surveyed incorrectly believed electric cars are generally less safe in winter than traditional fuel vehicles. A prominent concern for 67 percent of drivers was losing control on ice or snow, highlighting the critical need for education on vehicle handling. This knowledge deficit is further evidenced by 43 percent of respondents expressing a desire for more guidance on safe EV operation.

Tyre performance is a fundamental aspect of winter safety that is often overlooked. Standard summer tyres begin to harden and lose grip at temperatures below 7°C. In contrast, winter and all-season tyres are engineered with specialised rubber and tread designs that stay flexible in the cold, providing superior traction, braking and stability on wet or icy roads. This is especially crucial for electric vehicles, which are often heavier and deliver instant torque, particularly in rear-wheel-drive models, requiring tyres designed to handle these specific characteristics to maintain stability and even protect driving range.

The survey ultimately underscores an urgent need for a concerted educational effort. Drivers are calling for car manufacturers, the government and retailers to take the lead in providing clear information to ensure safer winter driving for the growing number of electric vehicle users.

Joe Brammer, Technical Manager, Michelin UK, said, “Winter doesn’t just challenge drivers – it challenges their vehicles and tyres too. Cold weather can affect braking distances and grip for all cars, yet too many drivers still aren’t fitting tyres designed for these conditions. With more electric vehicles on the road than ever, its vital drivers understand how winter temperatures impact performance and safety as these cars can perform differently in winter compared to combustion vehicles. Choosing tyres built for cold weather or all-season use can make a real difference in maintaining control, confidence and protection on the road.

“It’s encouraging that drivers understand how important winter preparation is, but awareness needs to translate into action. Whether it’s checking tyre pressures, fitting winter-ready tyres, or booking a professional inspection, a few small steps can make winter driving safer and less stressful. It’s clear too that there is an opportunity for those selling, promoting and encouraging uptake of EVs to help equip drivers with the knowledge they need to stay safe on the roads.”

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In a strategic move to expand its French heavy-duty tyre operations, Ralson Tires Limited has announced a new alliance with the local firm Copadex. This collaboration, unveiled at the Solutrans 2025 event, aims to provide transport professionals across France with reliable, high-value products by merging Ralson’s manufacturing strength with Copadex’s extensive regional market knowledge.

The two companies share a common goal of achieving sustained growth and improving service within the transport industry. This partnership will enable Ralson to offer a comprehensive and tailored product range to meet specific local demands. By leveraging Copadex's established distribution network, Ralson anticipates a significant increase in its market penetration.

This European initiative follows Ralson’s recent foray into India’s heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) tyre market, marking a significant diversification from its established position in the bicycle tyre sector.

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