According to a new study by Report Ocean, the rubber processing chemicals market size is expected to reach USD 7.97 billion by 2028. That’s very close to Finorchem’s vision of being in the lead in chemical supplies to the tyre industry by 2030. We talk to the rubber processing chemicals manufacturer about the Acmechem-Merchem merger, how India can be at the forefront of the tyre industry and how quality speaks for everything.

In spite of Covid, tyre companies have come up with a lot of investments; green field projects are taking place and expansion has been happening. For the next 10 years, tyre organisations are talking about the growth of the domestic industry, which was seven to eight percent earlier. Plus, we can’t forget about the export market and another industry along with the tyre sector – the automobile sector. Along with the rubber industry, rubber chemical consumption will also grow.

One such company that believes it is in the right place at the moment, with all that’s going on across the world and because of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, is Finorchem, a leading manufacturer of rubber processing chemicals in the APAC region. Speaking in this context, Kishor Katkar, Director – Sales & Technical Services, Finorchem, says, “The supply chain is disturbed, and with the Acmechem and Merchem merger, we now have a wide range of rubber chemicals. We are ready to support the rubber industry with sustainable quality products from the rubber plant.”

The Acmechem-Merchem merger
Further sharing information on the Acmechem and Merchem merger, Rishabh Holani, Director, Finorchem, asserts that Acmechem is originally into a lot of speciality rubber chemicals and Merchem was more into mainstream rubber chemicals. “So the merger was a perfect fit in the synergy for us as we were already in the chemical field with specialised products,” he points out and goes on, “But with the merger with Merchem and the new entity named Finorchem, we have also entered mainstream rubber chemicals, catering to a wider range of customers that are using these mainstream chemicals. Hence, this fits well within our portfolio which didn’t exist. So it has opened up a lot of opportunities for our company, in both India and the world.”

So, is it true that the future is of collaborations and mergers? We can’t help asking, to which Holani answers with a yes. He further explains, “That’s because a lot of consolidation is happening across the industries. So it was a good synergistic move for us to get involved in mergers.”

Why R&D is important
Finorchem is paying rapt attention to how it is flourishing in its R&D department. Dr Raj B Durairaj, Director of R&D, Finorchem, has been in the R&D of the chemical industry for at least 45 years and joined Finorchem about three months ago. “I have been involved with a lot of R&D activities in the last 45 years. So my products developed in the US and China are well known throughout the world,” Dr Durairaj tells us.

                       Rishabh Holani, Director, Finorchem
  

He further goes on to enlighten us that his concept is that any growth of a company depends on the strength of the R&D. “Hence, we want to put the infrastructure in such a way that our R&D can develop not only in the final product but from scratch,” he shares and continues, “We want to produce our own raw material so that we can develop the final product that is of high quality for our customers’ needs. If we do that, then we don’t need to depend on countries like China, or even Europe. With our knowledge in the chemical and rubber industry, we can develop advanced technologies. Right now, we are planning to develop advanced technologies in order to meet the challenges of the tyre industry, like rolling resistance, wet grip and dry grip. And those concepts are put in our developments.”

The company’s vision
It is just the beginning, definitely. Finorchem’s vision is that by 2030 it will be the dominant player in India, not only to supply raw materials for the Indian tyre industry but around the globe. So it is the right time where the company is putting its infrastructure in the manufacturing sector, R&D and the pilot plant facilities. With this, it plans on being at the forefront of chemical supplies to the tyre industry by 2030.

China’s impact on the tyre industry
Speaking of lands like China and Europe, China is still struggling with Covid and so is its tyre industry. China plays a huge role in the rubber chemical space; 70 percent of the supply comes from China, and it has impacted the whole industry because of the lockdowns that have taken place, Holani mentions. “However, we have made strategic moves in delinking ourselves from China and have strategically sourced our raw material partners and suppliers from different regions, whether it be India, the US, Europe or Japan,” he tells us.

Therefore, Finorchem was much more insulated from this entire tyre chaos that was taking place in China. This has helped the company in expanding its range while China was facing these difficult times.

However, the cost element needs to be taken into account. Today’s market situations are very volatile, and in some situations, China is much more expensive when even compared to countries like Europe or the US. Hence, the cost factor depends on situation to situation.

Shedding more light on this, Katkar elaborates, “We are talking about the China plus one policy, which even Japan is talking about. They have shifted their manufacturing base, so our tyre industry, as well as non-tyre industries, has really understood that over-dependence on China is going to fail miserably in the supply chain issue. With that, Finorchem is in the right position to supply locally, with quality and an economical product.”

Putting across his view, Holani adds, “In today’s industry, price is not the only factor. In fact, supply security has become a major question for every tyre industry and they are working towards the security of raw materials for themselves. This also happens to be one of the learnings from the Covid pandemic, which is why people are not going today for prices alone – they are making more strategic moves while selecting their raw materials supplier.”

                       Dr Raj B Durairaj, Director of R&D, Finorchem

 
How India is at an advantage
While China was a major exporter of tyres to the US, this developed market is also looking for a sustainable second source, and India is the best second source, Katkar informs us. “We are already exporting 30 percent, which will eventually increase. Therefore, it is not only the raw material; if the industry wants to export, it will obviously require the raw material and rubber chemical, which is a major factor,” he avers.

Katkar goes on to mention that the major production of off-road tyres was in China. But now we see India bucking up, too. That’s because these are not very huge in volume and are specialised. “India can take up a major role after China,” he says and adds, “Initially, we were talking about quality tyres. But our tyre industry has really come up well to match European legislations, the tyre labelling etc. so that they can export passenger cars as well as truck tyres. And when talking about exports in the automobile industry, our tyres will also go well with OEMs.”

Reaching the hotshots
Finorchem already has a presence of almost 20-30 percent in the export market and is looking to grow that further in light of the problems present in China. “Everybody is looking at India as an alternate option in the China plus one policy, and we are definitely going to encash on that opportunity. The entire world is our market now, and we are certainly trying to make an impact in the global space,” Holani puts across.

Katkar further remarks that global tyre companies are already there in India in terms of footprint. So when they use Finorchem’s products locally and when the approval comes (which are global approvals), it automatically makes Finorchem flexible to supply to their global plant as well.

However, the bottom line is that foreign companies, like Michelin, are quality-conscious companies. Dr Durairaj states that their company’s goal is that if they can develop a quality product, with a high- performance product and the infrastructure that they are building in their R&D, then they can develop the chemical, test it, take it to the big players and convince them that, technically, theirs is a technologically driven company. Therefore, convincing them will definitely lead to their using it.

Giving an example, Dr Durairaj pronounces, “My product that I invented in the US is well known globally. The product has set the benchmark for all the tyre industries across the globe. Likewise, I want to do the same at Finorchem – developing a new chemical, which we have already started working on. For example, carbon black coupling agent is a new concept for our company. But we have already started developing that kind of a chemical. Every tyre industry is looking for that kind of a chemical so that it improves the magic triangle in the tyre. Likewise, if the chemical works, then not only can we get the patents to protect Indian technology, but at the same time, we can convince the big tyre players like Bridgestone, Michelin etc. to try to consider our chemicals in their tyre foundations. Thus, quality speaks for everything, which is our goal.

Going a little deeper, Katkar tells us, “The global organisations usually take a little time. Once they know that a company gives quality, they don’t go for just one quality product; they talk about the quality system. Once they are convinced that the company is a quality system, they may take a little time for the approval. But once the approval comes, it is through. In fact, we are already supplying to Goodyear and Continental that come under the first six in company ratings globally.”

Challenges to deal with
With every vision and strategy, the share of challenges is inevitable. Holani says that for Finorchem, the challenges are what everyone is facing. For example, there’s supply security. Like we know, China controls almost 70 percent of the market, and sourcing raw materials from other strategic sources can be very challenging, which is due to the supply and logistics constraints that the company has seen due to Covid.

“But I think that Covid has really prepared us for seeing the worst and how we can channel ourselves even in these difficult phases. So not only us but the entire industry is prepared to meet these challenges,” Holani further expresses and adds, “It won’t happen overnight, of course. It will take a lot of time, maybe decades. Thus, we are working in that direction, especially in the direction of Atmanirbhar Bharat. We are trying to develop raw materials in-house, go local and become self-sufficient.”

Room to manoeuvre
The Covid pandemic, despite the losses it brought to the world, taught it a lot, too, including the tyre and other industries associated with it. While going global is important, being significant locally is as pivotal. It’s important that the Indian tyre and rubber chemicals industries spot the prospects various scenarios in the world bring them and strategise accordingly. Where cost alone won’t play a crucial role, the truly effective factor that will vanguard the industry is quality. And that comes with being opportune, investing in R&D and being judicious about making available exactly what the customer is looking for.

 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.

The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.

The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.

The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!