Michelin North America has communicated its decision to gradually cease tyre production operations at the Ardmore facility by the end of 2025 or potentially sooner. The rubber-mixing operations at the Ardmore factory are anticipated to remain in operation.

This development will impact approximately 1,400 individuals associated with tyre manufacturing activities at the Ardmore site, excluding additional contractors. The facility has been dedicated to passenger tyre production since 1970, and output will transition gradually to Michelin’s other passenger-tyre plants in North America.

The North American passenger-vehicle market is undergoing rapid and significant transformations. Despite substantial investments made over the past five years to enhance technical capabilities and competitiveness, Michelin has determined that the Ardmore factory needs more capabilities to produce tyres at competitive costs, aligning with evolving market demands in the coming years. Further modernisation efforts at the Ardmore plant would negatively impact other sites in the U.S. network.

The decision is rooted in critical market conditions, including the prevalence of light trucks and crossover vehicles in North America, necessitating progressively larger tyre sizes. Additionally, the shift towards electric vehicles and customer demands for ongoing enhancements in rolling resistance and sustainable materials technologies have factored into the decision. These combined factors introduce significant complexity to the company’s product portfolio, requiring heightened industrial adaptability.

While specific phases of the wind-down are yet to be determined, operations at the Ardmore plant are expected to gradually decrease until mid-2024, when the initial wave of staffing reductions is anticipated. Subsequent reductions will occur in stages through 2025 as transition plans are finalised.

Michelin’s rubber-mixing operations at the Ardmore plant serve as a supply source for other factories in North America. Following the wind-down of tyre manufacturing activities, these rubber-mixing operations are projected to continue for the foreseeable future.

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Continental is redefining adventure riding for a new generation with the launch of the TKC 80², a complete re-imagining of its legendary TKC 80 tyre. After four decades, this isn't a simple update but a fundamental redesign crafted for today's powerful and heavy adventure motorcycles. It answers a clear call from riders who are increasingly drawn to uncharted paths, yet refuse to sacrifice performance on the journey there. The TKC 80² is engineered to be an uncompromising partner for this dual-purpose lifestyle.

Its performance begins with a cleverly engineered tread. The pattern uses larger, strategically shifted blocks that create more biting edges for superior grip in dirt, sand and gravel. This design also actively resists clogging, ensuring consistent performance where other tyres might pack up with mud. Stability is enhanced through a larger contact area, inspiring confidence whether carving a paved corner or navigating a rocky trail. The logic even extends to direction: the front tread is angled to dig in during braking, while the rear is designed in the opposite way to maximise acceleration traction without excessive digging.

Beneath the tread, a new carcass provides the backbone. It is specifically calibrated for a balanced 50/50 use, offering the robust stability needed for a loaded bike at high speeds or on demanding off-road sections while also improving ride comfort through optimised damping. An advanced rubber compound tackles the classic trade-off, delivering aggressive grip across diverse surfaces while also promising remarkable longevity and wear resistance. This is complemented by RainGrip technology, which instils confidence by maintaining secure handling when the weather turns cold and wet.

Built for epic journeys on every continent and backed by robust puncture protection, the TKC 80² is for those who ride without limits. To fit a broad spectrum of modern travel enduros from brands like BMW, KTM and Ducati, it will be produced in multiple sizes. With its distinct new sidewall icon, the Continental TKC 80² will be available at specialist retailers starting in Spring 2026.

Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “Our new flexible rubber compound adapts perfectly to the micro-roughness of the asphalt, providing excellent grip. At the same time, we’ve worked intensively to resolve the conflict between on- and off-road performance in the best possible way. The tyre tread combines maximum flexibility for safe wet grip with high block stiffness for stability and mechanical grip.”

Christoph Ettenhuber, Head of Business Field Motorcycle Tires at Continental, said, “With the TKC 80², we’re setting new standards in terms of versatility, robustness and off-road performance. The combination of innovative tread design, new rubber compound and optimised carcass offers adventure riders maximum safety, control and riding pleasure on a wide variety of terrains.”

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Bridgestone has confirmed a January 2026 launch for its new premium sports motorcycle tyre, the BATTLAX RACING STREET RS12, in North America. Developed under the concept ‘From Circuit to Street,’ this road-legal tyre is engineered to deliver the highest level of dry grip within the BATTLAX lineup by directly incorporating technologies refined in competitive racing.

The RS12 features a specialised compound derived from race tyre development, which works in concert with a newly designed tread pattern. This pattern’s optimised groove ratio enhances overall tyre rigidity and increases the contact area during cornering for superior grip. A significant innovation for the front tyre is the introduction of the HE-MS BELT structure, a technology previously reserved for top-tier global motorcycle races. This flexible belt system equalises contact pressure to provide a further boost in traction.

By integrating these endurance-racing technologies, the RS12 achieves comprehensive performance improvements on the circuit, with a primary focus on dry conditions. The result is a notable reduction in lap times compared to its predecessor, the RS11. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of its compound, pattern and structure ensures that the high grip level is consistently maintained over multiple laps, resisting performance degradation. This gives riders confidence and a more engaging experience across diverse riding scenarios, from aggressive sport riding on dry pavement to tackling winding roads and dedicated track days.

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 India's Rubber Board has donated floor cleaning equipment valued at Rs 10 lakh to Kottayam Medical College as part of the Central Government's cleanliness initiative.

The equipment, comprising a scrubber dryer floor cleaning machine and a vacuum cleaner, was handed over at a ceremony held at the medical college on Sunday.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, presented the equipment at a meeting presided over by V N Vasavan, Kerala's Minister for Co-operation, Ports and Devaswom.

The event, conducted under the Centre's 'Swachhata Action Plan', also recognised cleaning workers at the medical college.

Dr Varghese Punnoose, Principal of Kottayam Medical College, Dr T K Jayakumar, Superintendent of the institution, and Dr Binoi K Kurien, Secretary in-charge of the Rubber Board, addressed the gathering.

The Rubber Board, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, oversees development and regulation of India's rubber industry.

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Apollo Tyres’ Chennai Plant has formalised a multi-institutional partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed engineering colleges from Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. This strategic alliance is designed to fortify the nexus between industry and academia, with a focused objective of developing a robust, industry-ready talent pool to meet future sector demands. The collaboration represents a significant investment in the human capital pipeline, directly linking academic output with corporate needs.

The collaborating institutions in this forward-looking initiative are SASTRA University, SRM TRP Engineering College, JJ College Of Engineering & Technology, Ma'din Academy and Nilachal Polytechnic. The partnership’s framework encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at mutual development. For students, it provides a structured pathway to employment, including placement assurances during their final year and enhanced campus hiring opportunities. To bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, the programme will facilitate organised industry visits to Apollo’s manufacturing facility, offering students firsthand exposure to modern production processes. Complementing this, a series of expert-led sessions, technical lectures and seminars will be delivered by in-house professionals from Apollo Tyres, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry practices.

This symbiotic engagement yields significant strategic benefits for all stakeholders. Students gain invaluable industry awareness and confidence, while academic institutions enhance their curriculum's practical relevance. For Apollo Tyres, the initiative enables the early identification and nurturing of prospective talent, effectively streamlining recruitment and fostering a positive perception of manufacturing careers.

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