Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd reported a sharp rise in profit for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, supported by margin expansion and accelerating investment across speciality carbon black capacity, export infrastructure and downstream materials.

The Kolkata-based speciality chemicals group said profit after tax for the nine months rose to INR 5.6 billion, exceeding the full-year profit recorded in FY25. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased to INR 7.3 billion, reflecting stronger operating leverage and a shift towards higher value-added products, despite softer revenue.

Revenue for the nine-month period stood at INR 33 billion, while total sales volumes increased by about three percent year on year to 428,572 tonnes. The company said its product mix remained focused on speciality and application-specific offerings, supporting profitability amid market volatility.

For the December quarter, consolidated EBITDA rose about 12 percent year on year to INR 2.5 billion, while profit after tax increased 36 percent to INR 1.9 billion, underlining continued margin improvement.

Investment-led expansion remains central to Himadri’s growth strategy. During the quarter, the company commenced trial production at its brownfield speciality carbon black expansion project at Mahistikry. Once fully operational, the project will increase total speciality carbon black capacity to 130,000 tonnes per annum, positioning Mahistikry as the world’s largest single-site facility for speciality carbon black. The project involves an estimated capital expenditure of INR 2.2 billion and is aimed at premium applications including plastics, inks, coatings and other niche segments.

Himadri also commissioned a high-temperature liquid coal tar pitch terminal at New Mangalore Port, creating a second export corridor alongside Haldia on India’s eastern coast. During the quarter, the company executed its first export shipment of 3,600 tonnes of liquid pitch to the Middle East. Management said the new terminal enhances logistics flexibility, reduces concentration risk and supports export-led growth in coal tar derivatives.

Beyond core expansions, the company continues to deploy capital across multiple growth platforms funded largely through internal accruals. These include forward integration into speciality chemicals such as anthraquinone and carbazole, with planned capital expenditure of INR 1.2 billion, as well as phased investments in lithium-ion battery materials, including a lithium iron phosphate cathode active material plant targeted for commissioning from FY27.

During the quarter ended 31 December 2025, upon receipt of INR 2.4 billion in balance consideration from promoters, Himadri allotted one crore equity shares to the promoters. Following the allotment, promoter shareholding increased to 52.5 per cent.

Commenting on the performance, Anurag Choudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, said the results reflected disciplined execution, operational efficiency and steady progress on strategic investments. He said the commissioning of new capacities marks the beginning of the company’s next phase of growth.

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The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has released the updated Product Category Rules (PCR) for tyres in collaboration with UL Environment. This revision establishes a more robust framework for measuring environmental performance and promotes consistent transparency throughout the tyre sector.

A Product Category Rule serves as a standardised guide for manufacturers to conduct lifecycle assessments and create Environmental Product Declarations that enable meaningful comparisons between similar products. Valid for the next five years, the revised PCR integrates current scientific findings, including enhanced methods for tracking greenhouse gas emissions. It reflects modern production realities such as the adoption of renewable energy in manufacturing plants and incorporates evolving vehicle technologies like improved fuel economy and alternative fuel sources. The update also mandates uniform reporting when new materials are introduced, simplifying the monitoring of sustainability advancements.

Independently adopted by the 10 member companies of the Tire Industry Project, which collectively account for 60 percent of global tyre production capacity, this fourth edition encourages wider voluntary implementation across the industry. Developed through collaboration among major manufacturers, the PCR standardises how environmental footprints are calculated from raw material extraction through disposal, ensuring comparability of Environmental Product Declarations. This comparability supports environmentally conscious purchasing decisions and fosters ongoing improvements in sustainability across the value chain.

Key enhancements include refined carbon footprint calculations addressing biogenic carbon, expanded applicability to all tyre categories including off-road and specialty tyres and greater regional accuracy by incorporating localised data on end-of-life tyre management, vehicle efficiency, energy mixes and payload considerations. The methodology now provides a clear hierarchy for assessing impacts in multi-product manufacturing environments, aligns impact indicators with the European Commission’s Environmental Footprint 3.1 framework and updates raw material datasets and emission factors for improved data quality.

UL Solutions, an independent safety science organization, collaborated closely on developing and publishing this updated PCR.

Dr Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “The updated PCR reflects years of collaboration and investment to advance sustainability across the tyre value chain. Our goal is to strengthen environmental reporting. With a common methodology, we support better industry-wide decision-making, turning ambition into positive environmental action.”

Ranee Valles, Director and General Manager – Product Sustainability, UL Solutions, said, “Transparent, standardised reporting enables manufacturers, regulators, fleet operators and consumers to make informed choices about the products they use or supply. Our collaboration with TIP reflects a shared commitment to credible, science-driven solutions, and we’re grateful for TIP’s leadership in advancing scientific rigour and industry alignment on environmental reporting.”

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Sun Auto Tire & Service, one of the largest independent tyre and automotive service providers in US, has expanded into Colorado by acquiring 23 locations from DAS Drive Automotive Services, marking its entry into the state. This move establishes a notable presence for the company in the greater Denver area while simultaneously enhancing its existing footprint in Arizona. As a result, the Sun Auto Network broadens its service coverage throughout the Southwest region.

With the integration of these locations into the network, customers will now benefit from an expanded suite of offerings. These include access to well-known national tyre brands, the implementation of digital vehicle inspections and an extended range of service capabilities. Furthermore, a nationwide warranty, supported by over 575 locations across the country, provides added assurance. The acquired shops will also tap into shared operational resources, benefit from advanced training initiatives and utilise integrated technology systems, all designed to ensure a uniform and high-quality experience for customers and support for technicians.

This strategic growth is in line with Sun Auto's overarching goal of sustainable expansion. The company prioritises partnerships with established operators who demonstrate a strong dedication to service excellence, the professional development of their teams, and deep-rooted community ties. Through this latest acquisition, the Sun Auto Network continues to extend access to dependable automotive care while reinforcing the communities and personnel fundamental to its ongoing success.

Chris Ripani, Chief Operations Officer, said, "We're excited to welcome these respected brands and their teams to the Sun Auto Network. Each of these businesses has built strong relationships in their communities by delivering dependable service and taking care of customers the right way. That commitment aligns perfectly with the values we look for in every partnership."

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has welcomed Essex Police as its newest road safety partner, furthering a joint effort to address the dangers posed by defective and unlawful tyres across one of UK’s most expansive and varied policing regions. As the largest non-metropolitan force in the country, Essex Police serves over 1.86 million residents, covering a diverse landscape that includes dense urban areas, vast agricultural regions, 400 miles (approximately 643.74 km) of coastline and key national assets such as Stansted Airport and the Port of Tilbury.

This partnership adds Essex Police to a nationwide network of more than 250 TyreSafe affiliates, all working collaboratively to reduce collisions stemming from tyre-related offences and neglected vehicle upkeep. The force’s Head of Roads Policing, Adam Pipe, characterised 2025 as exceptionally tragic due to a spike in road deaths. In response, enforcement was intensified, revealing a persistent pattern of tyre violations during checks.

Officers noted that tyre defects frequently appear on vehicles driven by individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This combination of risky behaviour and poor vehicle care significantly endangers others. During the winter anti-drink and drug driving initiative, Operation Limit, numerous tyre issues came to light. These included a vehicle stopped with four completely bald tyres, two of which showed exposed cords, leading to an immediate driving ban. A single day of action in Maldon uncovered eight construction and use offences, ranging from shallow tread to sidewall damage. At least one driver was reported for visible tyre cords, an offence that typically attracts fines and licence points. The Commercial Vehicle Unit also utilised thermal cameras and tread gauges during HGV inspections, finding that a considerable number of commercial vehicles required warnings or prohibitions for tyres nearing the legal limit.

These incidents highlight the widespread nature of the problem and the substantial threat it poses to everyone using Essex’s roads. Defective tyres are a major but avoidable hazard, contributing to diminished control, longer stopping distances and heightened danger in wet conditions. UK regulations mandate a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm for cars and vans and 1 mm for large goods vehicles and larger motorcycles. Tyres must also be free of significant damage and correctly rated for their vehicle. Offenders risk fines reaching GBP 2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

Inspector Steve Rooney, Roads Policing, Essex Police, said, “We are seeing first-hand just how many vehicles on our roads are being driven with tyres that are worn, defective or in an outright dangerous condition. The risk to the public is enormous, yet the fear of detection among offenders remains low. By partnering with TyreSafe, we aim to raise awareness, improve compliance and ultimately reduce avoidable harm on our roads.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Essex Police as a TyreSafe road safety partner. The scale and diversity of Essex’s road network – from urban centres to major freight routes – means the force plays a vital role in protecting millions of road users every day. Enforcement highlights the issue, but education and awareness are equally important. By working together, we can ensure more road users understand their legal responsibilities and the simple checks they can carry out to keep their tyres safe and roadworthy. Preventing tyre-related incidents is entirely achievable, and partnerships like this are key to reducing avoidable harm on our roads.”

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Tana Oy, a Finnish environmental technology company specialising in manufacturing mobile solid waste shredders, screens and landfill compactors, has strengthened its footprint in Taiwan by appointing Infinity Services Co., Ltd. as its official agent. This partnership is set to improve service and engineering support throughout the region. Infinity Services brings a highly skilled management and technical team with extensive experience in environmental and recycling equipment operations.

With Tana already established in Taiwan for several years, Infinity Services will now provide reliable local support for the existing fleet of machines, ensuring customers benefit from enhanced technical expertise. This move underscores Tana’s long-term dedication to the Taiwanese market, offering faster response times and comprehensive after-sales service, thereby reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering superior customer care and operational efficiency in the region

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