GRP, an Indian rubber recycling company, reported a 20 percent year-over-year revenue growth for both Q3 and the first nine months of FY25, despite facing margin pressures from elevated raw material costs.

The company recorded total income of INR 1,327 million in Q3 FY25, with EBITDA margins holding steady at 9.8 percent. For the nine-month period, revenue reached INR 3,912 million, while EBITDA stood at INR 363 million.

"We achieved a 12 percent increase in volumes on a standalone basis, with Reclaim Rubber volumes growing nine percent despite subdued global tyre demand," said Harsh Gandhi, Managing Director of GRP Limited.

The company recognized INR 121 million in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) credits year-to-date, with an additional INR 180 million worth of credits valued at minimum support price still available for sale.

Expansion Plans

GRP is moving forward with its INR 2.5 billion expansion plan, having secured financing from French development finance institution Proparco. The company has also received shareholder approval to raise an additional INR 1.5 billion through a qualified institutional placement.

"We remain on track to commence operations for the first line of crumb rubber and continuous pyrolysis line by Q4 of this financial year," Gandhi stated, noting that INR 330 million has already been invested in the project.

Industry Developments

The expansion comes as major carbon black producers like Birla Carbon, Epsilon Carbon, and Phillips Carbon Black launch recovered carbon black products using tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO).

"With carbon black producers now actively sourcing TPO to produce their own grades of recovered carbon black, it allows us a new avenue for sale, which was maybe 6 to 8 months ago, was non-existent," Gandhi explained.

Future Outlook

The company expects margins to stabilize following recent raw material cost pressures, particularly in its synthetic rubber reclaim business. GRP's subsidiary focused on recycled polyolefins is gaining approvals from major brands ahead of new recycling regulations taking effect from April 2025.

"Once we do get into this business, there are a lot of synergies between the two businesses, and that will allow for the overall margin profile of the business to move towards mid-teens and even a little higher towards the high-teen EBITDA numbers for a consolidated level," Gandhi added.

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American tyre brand General Tire has released a new all-season tyre aimed at drivers who refuse to compromise between on-road precision and off-road toughness. The Grabber Cross A/S achieves this balance by marrying an unusually stiff tread pattern with a rubber mix explicitly formulated to resist cutting and chunking on harsh terrain.

For drivers who spend time on rocky or uneven terrain, the tyre’s hexagonal tread blocks deliver grip through sharp biting edges, while chamfered groove edges further boost off-road traction. A highly resistant crossover compound protects against tread damage on rough ground. Meanwhile, transverse and longitudinal sipes carved into the blocks provide wet and snowy road grip, and an open shoulder design rapidly channels water away to prevent aquaplaning. On dry roads, internal support elements between the blocks create an extra-stiff tread that distributes pressure evenly, allowing precise steering and sustained high-speed running without sacrificing mileage. Importantly, that stiffness does not come at the cost of comfort, as the tyre also delivers low rolling noise and a smooth ride.

Certified for winter use, the Grabber Cross A/S carries both the M+S marking and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, the latter being mandatory in Germany and France since 2024. General Tire offers the model in 44 sizes spanning 16 to 22 inches in diameter, with top speed approvals reaching 240 kmph depending on the size. The tyre fits a broad range of two- and four-wheel-drive vehicles, including popular SUVs such as the VW Tiguan, KIA Sorento, Ford Kuga, Mazda CX 90 and Volvo XC90. An ‘EV Compatible’ sidewall logo also confirms its readiness for electric vehicles.

The Grabber Cross A/S is now reaching dealer shelves and service centres. According to the EU tyre label, this all-season 4x4 tyre earns a rolling resistance rating of C or D, a wet grip score of C and a B classification for rolling noise – positioning it as a versatile option for SUV and EV owners who want one tyre for all seasons.

Matthias Bartz, Business Development Manager for General Tire in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said, "The Grabber Cross A/S is General Tire's entry into a new product segment. The tyre is designed for high speeds on fast roads but also offers excellent off-road performance in challenging terrain. With our extensive size portfolio, we can offer tyres for about 85 percent of the most popular crossover SUVs.”

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Portronics has launched a compact portable tyre inflator named the Vayu Nano, designed specifically to address the space constraints faced by bicycle and motorcycle commuters. Weighing just 185 grammes, the device easily fits into a jacket pocket, small bag or scooter storage compartment. Its matte-black finish and short 7.5-centimetre air hose make it suitable for two-wheelers and minor pressure top-ups rather than inflating car tyres from scratch.

The Vayu Nano delivers up to 120 PSI, sufficient for motorcycles requiring around 45 PSI, bicycles needing approximately 35 PSI and standard sports balls. It can fill a tyre from zero to 35 PSI in under five minutes. A digital display shows pressure in PSI or BAR alongside a battery indicator, while preset modes for various inflatables and a manual custom setting are included. An auto shut-off function stops the device once the target pressure is reached to prevent over-inflation.

Power comes from a dual 600 mAh battery setup with USB-C charging, allowing use with existing phone chargers or power banks. A built-in LED light features an SOS mode for low-light conditions. Priced at INR 4,999, the Vayu Nano is available at a launch price of INR 2,999. It comes with a 12-month warranty and can be purchased through the company’s website or at ecommerce websites and standard offline stores.

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Hankook Tire has secured the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for its Jiaxing Plant in Zhejiang Province, China. This globally recognised voluntary certification verifies the sustainability of bio-based and recycled materials while ensuring full supply chain transparency. The certification imposes strict verification standards across every stage, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to the final product output.

The Jiaxing facility’s achievement marks the company’s fourth ISCC PLUS certification. Hankook first earned the distinction for its Geumsan Plant in 2021, becoming the first in the tyre industry to do so. The Rácalmás Plant in Hungary followed in 2023, and the Daejeon Plant received certification in 2025. With this latest addition in China, Hankook has significantly expanded its sustainable manufacturing network across both Asia and Europe.

The Jiaxing Plant has enhanced its production capabilities by increasing the use of sustainable materials and optimising processes. It has established a stable system for products incorporating bio-based and recycled inputs, operating a quality management system based on the mass balance approach. Under its circular economy strategy named E.Circle, Hankook continues to raise the share of sustainable materials. For example, the iON evo tyre, supplied as original equipment for the Porsche Taycan, contains around 45 percent sustainable materials, while the iON GT for the European replacement market has raised that share to up to approximately 77 percent.

Hankook is also applying sustainable materials to tyres used in the FIA World Rally Championship and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, reinforcing its technology leadership in global motorsports. Through open innovation with global partners, the company is advancing low-carbon raw materials. Its sustainability efforts have earned it inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and the highest EcoVadis rating. Looking ahead, Hankook plans to transform the Jiaxing Plant into a key sustainable manufacturing hub in China while continuously upgrading production systems across its global facilities to strengthen supply chain sustainability and ESG competitiveness.

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Giti Tire has marked 26 consecutive years of global motorsport involvement, using high‑pressure racing environments as a live testing ground for engineering innovation and tyre durability. The company’s long‑term commitment spans professional circuits and extreme off‑road terrain, driven by the principle that true performance depends on control, confidence and stability rather than power alone.

Strength combined with intelligence defines the Giti brand, symbolised by the elephant. On the racetrack, this philosophy translates into continuous refinement of tyre performance through every corner and every surface challenge, turning competition into a real‑world technology laboratory.

Over the past 26 years, Giti has competed in a wide range of international disciplines. Since 2009, the company has been a regular participant in the Giti 4x4 Extreme Series, where gruelling off‑road conditions push endurance and durability to their limits. These experiences have directly advanced all‑terrain and SUV tyre technologies.

For the past decade, Giti has also taken part in the legendary Nürburgring endurance races in Germany, one of the world’s most punishing circuits. Insights gained there have improved high‑speed stability, heat management, grip and wet‑weather handling. Giti’s presence extends across Asia and Europe through partnerships with professional racing teams and technical specialists.

Motorsport serves Giti as a catalyst for safer and smarter consumer tyres. Every challenge from desert heat to ice, gravel and rugged terrain accelerates research into durability and high‑speed performance. Technologies proven in racing are later adapted for everyday drivers, reinforcing the company’s focus on sustainability and continuous improvement.

Looking ahead, Giti remains committed to investing in engineering and global racing partnerships as automotive electrification and mobility needs evolve. To commemorate the 26‑year milestone, the company has released a special video highlighting key moments and technological achievements, underscoring that its motorsport journey is not simply about winning races but about pushing boundaries with resilience and precision. Click here  to watch the video.

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