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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The Vredestein Comtrac 2+ has been named the overall winner in the latest summer tyre test by Promobil, Germany’s leading motorhome magazine. The assessment focused on high-demand driving scenarios, with the tyre earning particular recognition for its short stopping distances on both wet and dry pavement.

The test evaluated seven leading summer tyres in size 225/75 R 16 C 121 R on a Fiat Ducato-based motorhome. All competitors were C-type products for vans and campers. The Comtrac 2+ recorded the best wet braking performance at 27 metres from 80 kmph and the highest aquaplaning resistance speed of 93.5 kmph. In dry conditions, it again led the field with a shortest braking distance of 41.1 metres, securing the test winner accolade.

Launched in late 2025, the Comtrac 2+ is available in 21 sizes for 15- to 17-inch rims, including XL load-rated versions. Its wet weather capability comes from a highly dispersible silica filler and a tread pattern designed to expel water. A durable construction, strengthened bead area for stability under load, and reinforced sidewalls for wear resistance contribute to its longevity and handling performance.

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “This latest independent test confirms the Comtrac 2+ is one of the leading C-type summer tyres on the market. Tyre development requires a careful balance of characteristics, and this result shows that we have created a summer product that is an ideal choice for motorhomes operating in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.”

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has received a ruling from the Gothenburg District Court regarding its ongoing company reorganisation process. The court decided that the reorganisation, which the company has been undergoing, will continue rather than be terminated.

This legal determination follows a request submitted to the court that sought an end to the restructuring proceedings. In response to that request, Enviro had already provided its own statement  to the District Court arguing for the continuation of the process. With the court’s latest decision now formally issued, the company is permitted to move forward with its planned measures without disruption.

Enviro has expressed a positive view of the court’s ruling, seeing it as an endorsement that allows the firm to persist with the necessary actions aimed at securing a long-term and sustainable business operation.

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Michelin India has opened a new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) store in Jodhpur through a partnership with Sushil Tyres. Located on Chopasani Road, the facility expands the French tyre giant’s retail footprint across Rajasthan while offering premium tyre solutions to local motorists.

Spanning 1,800 square feet, the outlet features Michelin’s full range of passenger car tyres alongside modern wheel alignment and balancing equipment. The inauguration was led by Prashant Sharma, Michelin India’s National Sales Director, with the site designed to deliver a premium and convenient service experience.

Jodhpur, known as the Blue City and a fast-growing commercial hub in Rajasthan, benefits from a strong tourism economy and rising numbers of premium vehicle owners. Sushil Tyres, a trusted local name since 1984, brings over four decades of aftermarket expertise, making the collaboration a blend of global technology and deep community knowledge focused on safety, durability and performance.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said: “Jodhpur represents a key market in Michelin's growth strategy for the region. The city's rapidly evolving mobility landscape, driven by growing infrastructure and a rising base of premium vehicle owners, makes it an important hub for our retail expansion. The launch of our new Michelin Tyres & Services Store in Jodhpur reinforces our commitment to expanding our network and ensuring greater accessibility to Michelin's premium products and services. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers”

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Bridgestone India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, has introduced a new brand campaign titled ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’. The initiative centres on the often-overlooked role of tyres as the sole critical contact point between a vehicle and the road. While every car is designed with a specific performance level in mind, the campaign argues that a vehicle can only realise its true potential when equipped with the appropriate tyres.

According to the campaign, tyres influence control, safety, confidence and driving smoothness far more than most drivers realise. Even the most well-engineered car delivers an incomplete experience without proper tyre fitment. Bridgestone positions its products as the key to unlocking a vehicle’s full capabilities, allowing drivers to feel a tangible difference on every journey. Over the past 30 years, Bridgestone India has focused on technology, manufacturing excellence, innovation and quality to build products that stand apart.

A key highlight of the campaign is the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry standards without compromise. Bridgestone tyres offer benefits including better grip, stronger braking, smoother handling, lower road noise, improved fuel efficiency and longer tyre life. Drawing inspiration from nature, the campaign features animals such as the mountain goat, cheetah and rhino to symbolise grip, speed, strength and control in challenging terrains. This creative approach mirrors how Bridgestone tyres are engineered to perform across India’s diverse road and driving conditions.

The campaign serves as a reminder that while every car has built-in potential, the right tyres bring it to life. Promoted across multiple platforms nationwide, the initiative reinforces Bridgestone India’s long-standing promise of performance, safety and reliability for every driver.

Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director – Sales and Marketing, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone has been a trusted name for Indian consumers, and that trust has come from consistently delivering safe, high-quality products and a superior driving experience. Our customers have experienced the Bridgestone difference over the years – whether in better control, smoother rides or long-lasting performance. ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’ is a campaign people will instantly relate to because it reflects something they have already felt. With this campaign, we want to take that experience to a larger audience and help more people understand how the right tyre fitment can completely transform the way a car performs.”

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