JK Tyre & Industries, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country, has kicked off its annual JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Rally to the Valley 2025 from the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli, Mumbai.

The annual event presented by JK Tyre is organised by the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). This year's event saw participation from more than 300 women in around 100 cars. It is organised in the TSD (Time-Speed-Distance) format and offers an exciting motorsport experience that unites women from diverse backgrounds.

This year’s event was flagged off by Pooja Batra, acclaimed Indian actress and model, Praveen Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, JK Tyre & Industries and Nitin Dossa, Executive Chairman, WIAA.

Sanjay Sharma, Head – Corporate Communication & Motorsport, JK Tyre, said, "For over a decade, JK Tyre has been committed to breaking barriers and making motorsport more inclusive for women. The JK Tyre – WIAA Women’s Rally to Valley has grown into a marquee event that not only celebrates the spirit of motorsports but also amplifies important social causes. We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm among participants and look forward to concluding this rally in total control.”

The JK Tyre-WIAA Women’s Rally to the Valley 2025 saw participants raise awareness around various social causes such as road safety, women’s empowerment, sustainability, honouring women traffic police and the 'Save the Soil' movement.

Nitin Dossa, said, “The goal of the annual women’s rally is to advocate legislation and policies for women’ empowerment and for their working rights. We push for girl child education and fight against sexual harassment. Today’s woman is no longer a dependant soul. She is independent, self-reliant, and capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. These rallies have gained tremendous popularity and are now a matter of pride and keen interest for all automobile owners.”

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Bekaert expects market conditions to remain mixed into 2026, with subdued demand across construction, hydrogen, and some industrial segments, along with ongoing uncertainty about global trade policies and tariffs. However, strong order books in energy and utilities, especially in Europe and North America, and stable demand in selected automotive segments in China should help offset weaker end markets.

Management indicated that structural cost improvements and focus on cash generation position Bekaert to improve margins as volumes recover. The company will prioritise growth through innovation, acquisitions, and further optimisation toward higher-margin activities.

Bekaert reported resilient 2025 results driven by cost controls, portfolio restructuring, and strong cash generation, despite weaker end markets.

The group posted consolidated sales of €3.7bn for the year, down 6% on a reported basis, reflecting currency effects, lower pass-through of input costs, and the disposal of lower-margin businesses. Underlying earnings before interest and tax were €297m, with a margin of 8.0%, compared with 8.8% a year earlier.

Profitability was supported by structural cost reductions and operational efficiencies, including a €40m cut in overheads and €39m in production savings. However, the company booked €162m in one-off restructuring and impairment charges as it adjusted its footprint to weaker demand.

Cash generation remained a highlight, with free cash flow rising 63% to €314m. Net debt fell to €180m, leaving leverage at 0.4 times EBITDA, reflecting a stronger balance sheet and disciplined capital management.

Investment and capital allocation

Bekaert continued to deploy capital selectively to support growth and efficiency. Capital expenditure included investments to expand capacity in high-demand segments such as energy and utilities, especially in North America, as well as equipment upgrades across its global footprint.

R&D investment totaled €69m in 2025, targeting sustainable construction, energy transition, and advanced materials to back the innovation agenda.

Alongside organic investment, acquisitions remained central to strategy. The company acquired Twincon and Flexofibers to strengthen its position in sustainable construction, and announced in early 2026 an agreement to acquire two tyre cord plants from Bridgestone.

Portfolio restructuring and expansion

Bekaert accelerated its shift to higher-margin and growth markets by exiting commoditised businesses in Latin America, cutting the region’s sales share to about 4% from 18% in 2022.

At the same time, the company expanded into targeted segments, including sustainable construction, lifting and mooring, and energy transition. Strategic partnerships and innovation initiatives—including developments in hydrogen, low-carbon construction materials and advanced rope technologies—continue to underpin this repositioning.

Geographically, the group maintained a broad global footprint, with demand growth strongest in China and North America, particularly in energy infrastructure and automotive applications.

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Bulloch County, Georgia, is testing an innovative road foundation method that extends pavement life, lowers upkeep costs and reuses large volumes of scrap tyres. This pilot project is upgrading one of the county’s busiest dirt roads, Five Chop Road near Statesboro, with support from a state environmental grant.

The county partnered with Liberty Tire Recycling and Century Road Solutions to install mechanical concrete on a 0.58-mile (approximately 0.93 km) stretch. Funding comes from a USD 250,000 Tire Products Grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Mechanical concrete locks stone gravel into place using recycled tyre components. Scrap tyres are processed into honeycomb-like structures, laid along the roadbed and filled with aggregate, preventing shifting, erosion and potholes.

The surface remains flat with minimal upkeep. The technology has over 15 years of proven use on industrial and mining roads without follow up repairs. An estimated 200,000 recycled tyres have been reused in Georgia through this process. Reduced grading and resurfacing needs lower long-term costs. Bulloch County estimates paving one mile (approximately 1.61 km) of asphalt costs USD 1 million, whereas mechanical concrete can improve nearly two miles (approximately 3.22 km) for the same price.

County leaders will monitor durability before expanding use. A partnership with Georgia Southern University’s asphalt programme is being explored to independently study long-term performance. With 638 miles (approximately 1026.76 km) of dirt roads countywide, even modest maintenance savings would be substantial. If the technology proves effective, it will continue.

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Hankook Tyre Australia successfully participated as the official tyre supplier for the 2026 Bathurst 6 Hour, held from 3 to 5 April at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit. This role reinforced the company’s dedication to advanced tyre technology and high-performance motorsport. The primary endurance race took place on 5 April, lasting six demanding hours.

To support the event, Hankook Tyre Australia deployed its sophisticated motorsport tyre technology, specifically the Ventus TD semi-slick competition tyre. Engineered for rigorous track driving, this tyre provides exceptional dry grip, steady handling and improved longevity over long race stints. Its design focuses on durability, heat management and even load distribution for consistent wear.

The 2026 edition marked the 10th running of the Bathurst 6 Hour, featuring 69 cars across various classes. The challenging 6.2-kilometre Mount Panorama Circuit, with its high-speed sections, technical turns and steep elevation changes, solidified this event as Australia’s top production car endurance race.

The race itself was highly competitive and fluid, featuring numerous lead changes and tactical battles throughout the six hours. Victory went to Supercars driver Thomas Randle alongside Ben and Michael Kavich after a tight contest resolved only in the closing laps. In this demanding environment, the Ventus TD proved critical, offering stable grip and predictable handling over long stints to optimise race strategy, while its compound and tread design minimised wear and supported balanced load distribution under varying track conditions.

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Trelleborg Tires will exhibit at Intermodal South America 2026 from 14 to 16 April at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, Brazil, showcasing the XP1000 tyre for high-intensity material handling. The company will be at booth M023 and within the Smart Intralogistics area, reinforcing tyres’ role in automation and process optimisation. This presence highlights Trelleborg as a strategic partner where tyre solutions ensure stability and efficiency in data-driven operations.

Used on forklifts in warehouses, ports and industrial sites, the XP1000 delivers stability, durability and consistent performance to reduce interruptions. Its Pit Stop Line visual wear indicator signals replacement up to 100 hours in advance, enabling accurate maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime. Produced at the Feira de Santana plant in Brazil for domestic and South American markets, production rose 57.5 percent between 2024 and 2025, reflecting strong demand.

The tread design combines lightweight construction with recycled fibre compound, while the Pit Stop Line minimises waste, ensuring performance, material savings and lower environmental impact. Logistics operations are transforming through automation, electric fleets and data-driven management, key themes at Intermodal. In this context, tires directly impact operational stability and safety.

The Smart Intralogistics area focuses on automation and efficiency within warehouses and industrial facilities. Within this environment, the XP1000 helps reduce bottlenecks and maximise productivity. Trelleborg Tires is the only tyre manufacturer in this area, reinforcing tyre solutions as integral to modern intralogistics systems.

Marcelo Natalini, President, Yokohama TWS South America, said, "The modernisation of logistics operations requires components capable of keeping pace with the sector’s increasing demands for productivity and efficiency. Tyres play a key role in this context, directly contributing to operational reliability and continuity."

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