What is your take on the two-wheeler tyre market in India, considering the current situation?

India is facing the heat of the most unprecedented crisis with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The automobile industry is witnessing a slump, resulting in a slowdown in the two-wheeler tyre market in India. However, the two wheeler demand in India remains strong in the long term, and we believe the current harsh time will pass soon. We are certain that once the lockdowns are lifted, two-wheelers could become the preferred mode of transportation for many, certainly which will be a boom for the two-wheeler tyre market.

Tyre companies are facing challenges on the manufacturing front due to restrictions being infused by the pandemic situation. How has the company aligned its manufacturing activities to the current situation and is taking care of its employees?

At Maxxis, the employee’s safety has been prioritised over business targets. There was a shutdown for a brief period. To ensure workforce well-being, we have been strictly conducting employee Health check-ups, including RT-PCR tests and compulsory vaccinations for all the staff. Also, we have always been following all government protocols of social distancing, limited workforce, operating in shifts and other safety measures for our employees. 

The manufacturing unit operates under the guidelines drawn by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Gujarat State Government. Currently, employees are working in shifts with full capacity workforce. We intend to augment production as per market demand and the lockdown situation in the country.

Management is also proactively sharing e-mailers with employees, channel partners on safety measures and positive quotes to spread the positive environment. 

Could you highlight the role of digitisation of Maxxis India’s plant in Gujarat and how is it helping in today’s time?

Maxxis lays excellent emphasis on digitisation. It gives us greater control and visibility into each step of the complex manufacturing process, reducing cost and waste and improving overall efficiency.

How does the company see Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 will be the key game changer for the Indian manufacturing sector. Industry 4.0 refers to leveraging cyber -physical domains in association with the latest technologies like AI, IoT, Cloud computing, AR, 3D printing, etc., to enhance productivity. Industry 4.0 is already influencing sectors like manufacturing, supply chain management, construction, shipping etc., and shall impact all the aspects of our day-to-day activities. It is truly considered to be a disruptive technology.

Maxxis has always worked extremely hard to implement this strategy into hardware (technology, equipment and machinery in our newly built facilities worldwide) and software (the production, management and quality methods that operate those facilities).

What about sustainability in manufacturing at the plant? 

As a socially responsible corporate, Maxxis has been continually assessing the environmental impact of its activities, products and services that forms the basis of its ‘Global Environmental Policy. 

Our Sanand facility boasts of one of the most effective water stewardship programmes in India. Its efficient Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) have accorded the plant its status of a ‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ facility. It discharges no liquid effluent into the surface water, effectively eliminating the environmental pollution associated with treatment. The process also uses wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse, thereby contributing to water conservation through a reduced freshwater intake. 

The manufacturing unit also has a unique peripheral trench for water conservation. It collects and stores rainwater and further discharges it into the ground through 22 recharge stations rather than completely running off.

On average, Maxxis India recycles around 2,000 cubic metres of water every month, and the residual water after recycling is further used for plantation and cleaning purposes. The increasing groundwater draft caters to its domestic and industrial requirements, rendering most of the unconfined aquifer zone dry.

Following are some of the measures for collection, storage, Handling, and disposal of waste at our Sanand unit:

• We have the Effluent treatment plants (ETP) and Sewage treatment plants (STP) in our facility to treat our wastewater. After treatment of wastewater – Sludge is generated from both plants. Considering the 3’R, we use the entire STP sludge for our in-house gardening purpose. And the sludge of ETP plant – we use to keep it in a scrap yard for getting dry and then we send it to TSDF (Transport Storage Disposal Facility) “Pollution control board’s Authorised waste management companies for landfilling.

• We also have a sound constructed facility of 1800sq.mt for collection, segregation, and storage of all type of waste.

• We are not only focusing on the safe disposal of Hazardous waste; being an ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certified Tyre manufacturer company, it’s our moral responsibility to ensure “End use” or “life-cycle prospective” of our products. We are only selling out the Tyres & other Rubber related to waste to Gujarat Pollution Control Board “Authorised Recyclers”. 

We have always been following consistently ethical standards for recycling to encourage a green environment.

How are you preparing for producing and marketing premium tyres?

Maxxis believes that quality speaks for everything, especially for the premium tyres market; no marketing or promotion activities can subdue how a user concludes the experience of using a premium product. We tapped into the market with Hornet 2.0 project with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India last year by supplying the Extramaxx (M6233/M6234) series. Extramaxx tyres use the world’s strongest Aramid Fibre, and the dual compound technology minimises rolling resistance while improving stability and tyre life. We have also plan to launch extension sizes for the Extramaxx series to cover all significant sports motorcycles running on Indian roads. We will soon launch more tyre series to cover different road applications for the cruising/touring market segment in the coming months.

How is the company widening the partnership with OEMs?

Maxxis has formidable strength in the OEMs market, where our quality and technology enable us to serve our OEM partners better. We have partnered with some of the world largest two-wheeler manufacturers- Hero Moto Corp, Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India Limited, Yamaha Motor India and Suzuki Motorcycles. We are fast expanding our portfolio as per new trends and market demand. 

Will Maxxis India open to cater to the Electric two-wheeler market, which is small but a fast-growing segment?

Maxxis Tyres stand for our steady commitment towards innovation, catering to the future mobility trends across segments. Last year, we launched the M922F, a special edge for tyre designs for electric two-wheelers. The new M922F tyres are built with specialised compound technology, which helped us in producing lighter tyres. This lighter weight in turn reduces energy consumption by five to ten per cent, enhancing the range of an electric two-wheeler.

We are one of the best EV 2W tyre manufacturers globally as we supply tyres to Gogoro in Taiwan and Niu in China; both are the pioneers in EV 2W globally. 

The company plans to have five more plants. Could you elaborate on how will they be technically advanced and cater to future demand?

We are one of the fastest-growing tyre companies in India with a long-term vision to achieve a 15 percent market share by 2026 and set up five manufacturing plants. Owning to the current pandemic situation in the country and keeping in mind the well-being of the employees, the complete utilisation of the existing plant capacity has been put on hold. 

We are evaluating the current market situation and will navigate our strategy as per the future condition.

What are the expansion plans for 2021 – 2022.

On the product front, Maxxis India has various line-up of tyres for sports bike with different applications for road and weather conditions which we will introduce in a very short time. We are evaluating the space of market for more product introduction. Currently, our portfolio covers 82% of market’s users’ scenario and we plan to raise it more than 90% this year.  

Also, The company made an investment of over $400 million in its Sanand plant in Gujarat. We currently employ workforce of 600+ people and are committed to extend manpower to 2000 within five years. Currently, we have used half of the land (106 acres) we got from the Gujarat government for the planned 60,000 units’ capacity. Owing to COVID-19 pandemic, we are carefully evaluating the situation this year and will take appropriate steps to realise our future plans, in the time to come. We have penetrated across all 29 states and eight Union Territories of India and opened an exclusive retail store in Goa to meet the growing demands of our customers.

We are working on new alignments and partnerships with new set of OEMs for the two-wheeler market as well as working on expanding our portfolio for the replacement market.

 (TT)

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TyreSafe has entered a new partnership with Staffordshire Police, reinforcing a joint commitment to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the county. The collaboration aims to highlight the critical role tyres play in protecting road users by encouraging simple, regular checks of pressure, tread depth and overall condition.

The value of this preventative approach was recently demonstrated during a multi-agency enforcement operation at the DVSA Vehicle Inspection Site in Doxey. Held on 25 August, Operation Doxey involved Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, DVSA, Datatag, the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and TyreSafe. Inspectors directed 30 vehicles into the site, covering leisure vehicles, towing vehicles, light commercial vehicles and goods vehicles.

Seven tyre and wheel-related defects, mechanical risks and pressure discrepancies were identified. These included a tyre cut through to the cord, which received an immediate prohibition notice, a tyre running roughly 30 percent below recommended pressure, an overweight light commercial vehicle with a nail embedded in a tyre and all four tyres underinflated, a significant rear axle pressure imbalance, a missing wheel nut and an 11-year-old tyre. Leisure vehicle owners generally showed good tread awareness, though pressure maintenance remained an issue, while commercial vehicles presented several preventable defects.

Staffordshire has one of UK’s statistically safest road networks, yet serious collisions remain a concern, particularly on single carriageways. Rural bends, changing speed limits and limited visibility add risk, while motorcyclists and vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected. Common factors include failing to look properly, misjudging speed or path and driving too fast or carelessly. TyreSafe now works with over 260 organisations, and this partnership encourages Staffordshire motorists to make tyre checks routine.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Staffordshire Police as a TyreSafe partner. While Staffordshire has a strong road safety record, every serious collision has potentially devastating consequences for those involved, their families and their communities. The recent Operation Doxey enforcement activity demonstrates exactly why preventative vehicle maintenance matters. Across just 30 vehicles, inspectors identified a number of serious tyre and wheel defects, including a tyre cut to the cord, significantly incorrect tyre pressures, an embedded nail, a missing wheel nut and a tyre that was 11 years old.

“These findings are a powerful reminder that problems are not always obvious from behind the wheel. Simple checks before a journey can help identify issues before they become a danger on the road. Different roads present different challenges, particularly rural and single carriageway roads where the consequences of losing control or being unable to stop safely can be especially severe. Road safety requires a collective effort, and partnerships such as this are incredibly important. By combining the reach and expertise of Staffordshire Police with TyreSafe’s specialist knowledge and campaigns, we can help more road users understand the simple but crucial role their tyres play in keeping themselves and others safe.”

Police Sergeant Adam Van de Sande, Staffordshire Road Crime – Proactive & Harm Reduction Team, said, “Keeping people safe on Staffordshire’s roads requires everyone to play their part. We are committed to working with partners to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our road network. Operation Doxey demonstrated the value of partnership working, with officers, vehicle examiners and road safety specialists able to identify a range of defects and safety issues before those vehicles continued their journeys.

“Vehicle safety is an important part of that responsibility, and tyres are fundamental to a vehicle’s ability to stop, steer and maintain grip. We are pleased to be working with TyreSafe to raise awareness and encourage motorists to make regular tyre checks part of their routine vehicle maintenance. Our message to road users is simple: don’t wait for something to go wrong. Take a few minutes to check your vehicle and make sure it is ready for the road.”

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The AZuR Network has been honoured with the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2026 in the C2C/Recycling category for its ‘Retreading: Climate Protection on Wheels’ project. The recognition highlights the network's efforts to expand tyre retreading across Germany and Europe, thereby extending the useful life of tyres. Retreading works by reusing a suitable used tyre casing and applying a fresh tread, keeping a substantial share of the original tyre in circulation.

A life cycle assessment commissioned by AZuR and carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT compared retreaded tyres with equivalent new ones. Under the conditions examined, producing a retreaded truck tyre generated roughly 135 kilogrammes less greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction exceeding 60 percent. The process also reuses considerable portions of the existing tyre casing, reinforcing its environmental advantages.

The jury underscored the project's scalability and its relevance to the industry. Official documentation further noted the political integration of the topic as a key strength, with the EU taxonomy confirmation in 2025 representing a tangible milestone. The award places AZuR among well-known companies and innovative projects, including a climate protection cooker initiative in Cameroon, a capsule-free coffee system and a mental health awareness campaign.

Knauf secured first place in the same category with its circular gypsum supply chain, while Schmitz Cargobull led the Mobility and Logistics Solutions category. Other first-place winners included DEKRA, Hansgrohe, Pfleiderer Germany and SBRS. Presented by DISQ with ntv and DUP UNTERNEHMER under Brigitte Zypries' patronage, the 2026 edition saw 433 nominations, with 46 organisations recognised across 19 categories on 17 September in Berlin.

Christina Guth, Network Coordinator, AZuR, said, “This award belongs to our entire network. Retreading only works when many stakeholders collaborate along the value chain – from certified end-of-life tyre recyclers, tyre manufacturers and retreaders to retailers and fleet operators, all the way to academia. The award highlights the potential of using high-quality tyres for longer and keeping their casings in circulation.”

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Birla Carbon will present its carbon black solutions at the Global Polymer Summit 2026, scheduled for 28–30 September at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The company will exhibit at Booth 417, targeting tyre and mechanical rubber goods (MRG) manufacturers seeking higher performance and reduced environmental impact.

The company’s portfolio spans tyre and MRG applications, addressing durability, strength, abrasion resistance and product life across tyres, belts, hoses, sealing systems and anti-vibration products. Birla Carbon will also feature Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), a circular carbon range with consistent quality and global availability and Continua Sustainable Carbon Black (SCB), produced from recycled or bio-based feedstocks.

Supported by extensive manufacturing, technical expertise and customer-focused teams across the Americas, Birla Carbon provides reliable volumes, responsive service and tailored solutions. Attendees can meet company experts at Booth 417 to explore its product portfolio, technical capabilities and sustainable offerings.

John Davidson, President – Americas & EMEA, Birla Carbon, said, “The tyre and mechanical rubber goods industries are at an important phase, where performance, supply resilience and sustainability must advance together. The next phase of growth will depend on stronger collaboration across the value chain and the ability to translate innovation into scalable, commercially viable solutions. At Birla Carbon, we are combining our manufacturing network, portfolio strength, technical expertise and regional capabilities to help customers navigate this transition and build more resilient and sustainable businesses.”

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Michelin has unveiled the X Multi Energy D2 tyre, developed to address the specific challenges of regional haul operations. Fleets in this segment face demanding roads, frequent stop-and-start cycles and escalating fuel expenses that affect both performance and profitability. By blending durability, fuel savings and Michelin’s established performance standards, the new tyre aims to boost fleet productivity while reducing overall operating costs.

The tyre features a revised tread pattern and a new tread compound to better resist tread damage caused by high-torque vehicles and stop-and-go regional driving. It is constructed on Michelin’s Duracore casing, which integrates Infinicoil and Powercoil technologies and benefits from a reinforced bead design known as Duracoil Technology. This casing is engineered to last up to one million miles and support as many as four retreads.

In the effort to curb fuel expenses, the X Multi Energy D2 improves rolling resistance by 9 percent over its predecessor, the Michelin X Multi Energy D tyre, and by 18 percent compared with leading competitors. It also enhances late-life traction, offering 10 percent better wet handling and 16 percent better snow starting traction when worn, giving drivers and operations managers greater confidence on varying roads.

For original equipment manufacturers, the tyre meets Greenhouse Gas standards and supports applicable vehicle carbon-reduction requirements. Designed for regional applications where traction, durability and fuel efficiency matter, it is available in 295/75R22.5 LRG and 11R22.5 LRG and LRH sizes, replacing the X Multi Energy D tyre in those sizes.

Yahn Heurlin, VP of B2B Marketing, Michelin North America, Inc., said, “Michelin is driven by a deep commitment to understanding the needs and challenges customers face every day. This customer-first mindset inspires the development of purpose-built solutions designed to address real-world pain points and help fleets operate more efficiently.”

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