Can you tell us about the background of Radhe Renewable Energy and what was the idea behind the development of the 100 MTPD  single reactor continuous pyrolysis plant?

During our travels around India 25 years ago, we used to find farmers burning the agricultural stubble and waste to clear the fields for the next sowing. This used to cause a lot of pollution. With our understanding of hydrocarbons, we decided to create resource out of this waste. We started Radhe Renewable Energy with the idea of creating green fuels from many types of wastes that caused pollution and were a big disposal issue then. Our initial projects were to convert agricultural waste into valuable briquettes which replaced conventional fossil fuels like coal and furnace oil.

Being a hardcore and focused waste-to-energy company, we understood the chemistry of biomass and the future potential of green fuel from biomass. We persisted to find ways to convert rural agricultural waste into wealth with green environment and for sustainable growth of rural India. Our creative and dedicated team moved forward to develop biomass gasification technology to replace fossil liquid fuel in process industries like ceramics, chemical and steel industries with the use of solid biomass briquettes. We were the first company to develop and manufacture industrial scale size biomass and coal gasification technology and replace complete liquid fuel from ceramic industries near Rajkot, India. This reduced the import dependency of coal as fuel. Our team understands the mindset of process industries. We continuously strive to develop technologies that are not only cutting edge but which also create value for the capital invested. We understand that the lifecycle cost is as important as the acquisition cost in India and the other Asian markets. Last but not least, we are completely dedicated to operational safety and sustainable solutions for our clients.

Radhe Renewable Energy has supplied more than 500 biomass and coal gasification technology plants to the various process industries with successful track record in synchronising clients’ processes with gasification. Over this period, our team has gained considerable experience working with big corporates of India (process houses like TATA chemical, H&R Johnson tiles, Somani, Vedanta group, Mahindra, Steel Ispat etc.). We also gained the experience of major process of steel, drying, fertilizer, petrochemical, food, pharma, rubber and mineral industries.

It was in the year 2006 that we started working on a project to convert waste tyres and municipal solid wastes into valuable products. We were the first amongst many who saw the potential of converting this waste into green fuels at that time. We already had lots of experience to convert biomass into char to get charcoal and gas with fast pyrolysis.

What kept you investing in and developing the continuous pyrolysis technology when everyone else was selling thousands of cheaper batch type plants in India?

Equipped with the vast experience that our team had of all process industries, we knew that we wanted to do a revolutionary work in this tyre pyrolysis field too. Hydrocarbon is a big subject. You must handle them properly with full safety, environmental concern, and efficient and stable operation. You cannot think for cheaper batch type technology. We just did not want to do what other small companies were involved in – basically, copying environmentally non-compliant batch type plants from China and selling it in India. The batch type plants were very unsafe to operate, leading to many fires and explosions. The smell and the gases released have affected thousands of people in the last 10 years of their operations across Indian towns and cities.  

We chose to take the higher road. We decided to develop and build the best technology plant that India will be proud of. It was an uphill task with huge work and investments involved. It took about three years for a lab scale trial plant to come up. We started scaling up later. It has taken us more than seven years to reach our patented full commercial scale 100 TPD single reactor continuous waste tyre pyrolysis plant.

We can proudly boast that we could perhaps be the only manufacturer to have the largest single reactor 100 TPD continuous plant running successfully for the last nine years. It is sometimes hard to believe that an Indian company can develop and deliver a global technology that can challenge the world in price and performance. The world is amazed with what they see when they understand our technology and offerings. Today, we can offer plants meeting European standards and compliances at about one-fourth of the cost of the European manufacturers. None of them have a 100 TPD show plant operating for as long as we have.

How was the journey in developing indigenous technology for upgrading Recovered Carbon Black (rCB)?

Since the last 25 years, we been working with hydrocarbons, and we know the importance of carbon in daily life. Conventional world is producing carbon black from firing of furnace oil with highly polluting industrial process. At present, the world has few options in making carbon black. These processes consume lots of natural resources and are polluting in nature. Carbon is backbone for many products like rubber, tyre, plastics, Bakelite, minerals, graphite, metal etc. With waste tyre pyrolysis process, we are deriving carbon free without use of any natural resources and without any polluting process. Our continuous pyrolysis process is completely environmentally friendly with almost zero discharge. This process also generates surplus energy for other applications. We understood the importance in upgrading the carbon char generated during the process and worked on it for the more than three years. We were finally able to develop the process to upgrade the rCB to commercial grades successfully. Our rCB is a much sought-after derivative in the Indian market and is being exported across the globe.

How do you evaluate the tyre industry in India? What makes you bet on the carbon black business?

The Indian tyre industry is on a phenomenal growth trajectory and is now very receptive to ideas on sustainability and reuse of recycled materials. We are in active dialogue with many rubber and tyre companies for exploring opportunities to work together with regards to the production and usage of our rCB,

Silica is being aggressively adopted by the tyre industry as a reinforcement material due to tightening of the safety and environmental norms? How will this, according to you, pose a challenge for the rCB industry?

Silica is a useful ingredient of tyre and rubber, which is also found in rCB. As silica is extensively being adopted by the tyre industry, we feel our rCB is absolutely apt for the tyre industry. This will meet both their objectives together – sustainability and reinforcement.

Could you highlight the production capabilities?

Currently, we have 750-800 MT/month rCB production capacity. In the next two years, we will have 300 percent of this capacity in India and about 400 percent of this capacity in the rest of the world. Our brand is Hi-Green carbon black.

Could you talk about the markets the company taps? Are you looking to tap new markets?

We have now opened our doors to companies wanting to set up tyre pyrolysis plants with carbon upgradation systems. The response is overwhelming. We have inquiries coming from all over the world. Initially, people were sceptical if we really had done what we say. They are impressed when they visit our facility. We are now in active dialogue with at least 5-6 companies across Europe and the USA. The future looks very bright.  

Do you think there is a need for further collaboration between CB producers and tyre companies?

Yes … definitely, this is a marriage that will last. Tyre companies will be able to complete the circular economy loop. It is a win-win for all.

What are your future plans?

To establish high capacity plants in highly aware European, US, UK and Australian markets and create an ecosystem for high quality tyre-derived oil and rCB. We have started the process to appoint channel partners in Europe and many other strategic markets. We will have our footprints in these markets in the next 24 months.

What are the challenges in the business?

Opportunities and challenges are two sides of the same coin. We always felt that most companies look at the path of least resistance and miss out on the major learning which leads to greatness.

We have built the technology on our own. We have had to invest into the development with our own resources. If we were in Europe or other first world countries, we would have had access to low-cost funding, especially for R&D.

The other challenges in India and other Asian markets are the ever-changing government norms. Quite often, we find that these environmental norms do not have any ground connect. The norms are often formed without proper evaluation of technology merits and guided by local sources. For example, waste tyres are still classified in the hazardous waste category. Strangely, coal and biomass does not classify as hazardous waste. We fail to understand the logic behind such norms. These matters hinder the growth of the right technologies.

Despite all these challenges, we have been able to make our mark in the country.We now look forward to setting our footprints across the globe. (TT)

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been selected as the official tyre supplier for the groundbreaking FIA Extreme H World Cup, the world's first hydrogen-powered motorsport series. The company will supply its GEOLANDAR brand of tyres for the championship, which is scheduled to commence next month in Saudi Arabia. The company will also continue to supply GEOLANDAR tyres for the Extreme E off-road electric vehicle series, which holds its final event on 4–5 October in Saudi Arabia.

Central to both the Extreme H and Extreme E series is a shared mission to advance sustainability and equality. The championships serve as dynamic platforms to promote environmental awareness and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies while also enforcing a strict mandate for gender parity by requiring each team to field one male and one female driver. The Extreme H series will feature eight international teams operating the Pioneer 25, a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell vehicle capable of generating 550 horsepower and accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.5 seconds. The global significance of this new championship is expected to draw a worldwide television audience across multiple continents.

As the predecessor to Extreme H, the Extreme E series utilised the high-performance all-electric Odyssey 21 vehicle. All teams competing in the new hydrogen series will also participate in this final Extreme E event, marking the conclusion of the electric championship as it transitions towards a hydrogen future.

In alignment with the environmental principles of these series, Yokohama Rubber will provide a specially developed prototype tyre based on its GEOLANDAR X-AT model. This tyre has been engineered with a significantly increased ratio of sustainable materials, comprising 38 percent renewable and recycled content. It has also been fortified with enhanced durability characteristics to withstand the unique demands of heavy hydrogen-powered and electric off-road racing vehicles.

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Hankook Tire is advancing its future mobility leadership through strategic open innovation and collaborative design projects. This effort was showcased at the company’s recent Design Innovation Day 2025, held at its Pangyo Technoplex headquarters. The event serves as a platform to present new solutions integrating sustainability, innovation and design while reinforcing partnerships with global technology leaders.

A major focus was the unveiling of two key outcomes from Hankook’s ongoing Design Innovation Project. The first was ‘Sustainable Concept Tyre’, an embodiment of the company’s ESG vision. Developed using advanced 3D printing technology, it is constructed from renewable and recycled materials. Its distinctive organic design was realised in collaboration with Harvestance using specialised engineering software.

The second reveal was the WheelBot 2, a multi-directional mobility platform developed with robotics startup CALMANTECH. This advanced robotic wheel system, equipped with tri-axial spherical tyres, demonstrates new possibilities for movement. Its potential was illustrated through a live demonstration of the PathCruizer, a two-seater pod concept powered by the WheelBot technology.

Beyond product reveals, the event highlighted Hankook’s commitment to knowledge sharing, featuring a presentation on 3D printing advancements from LG Electronics. These collaborations are central to Hankook’s strategy of strengthening its technology leadership. Since 2012, the company has partnered with world-renowned design universities and technology firms, consistently earning prestigious international design awards and solidifying the premium stature of its global brand.

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Indian tyre maker to pass full benefit of tax cuts to customers from 22 September

CEAT Limited said on Thursday it would reduce prices across its entire tyre range following the Indian government’s decision to cut goods and services tax (GST) rates on tyres, with the full benefit being passed on to customers.

The Mumbai-based tyre manufacturer said new prices would take effect from 22 September, covering commercial, agricultural, passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.

India’s 56th GST Council meeting approved significant reductions in tax rates for the tyre industry. GST on new pneumatic tyres was cut to 18% from 28%, whilst tractor tyres and tubes will attract a reduced rate of 5%.

“We thank the Government of India and the GST Council for their timely and progressive decision to rationalise tax rates in the tyre sector,” said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Limited.

“The reduced GST slabs will greatly benefit the tyre industry and consumers alike. Not only will it lower the cost of owning and operating a vehicle for customers across various segments, but by making tyres more affordable to replace, it will also make our roads safer.”

Banerjee added the move would “spur formalisation and greater compliance, while also fostering sustainable growth in the sector.”

The GST rate cuts represent a significant policy shift for India’s automotive sector, where high taxation has been a longstanding concern for manufacturers and consumers.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been officially recognised as a DX Certified Business Operator by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The designation, which was granted on 1 September 2025, identifies companies that are thoroughly prepared for digital transformation as outlined by the Digital Governance Code.

This certification acknowledges Yokohama Rubber's comprehensive strategy for digital transformation, which is built on three core objectives: advancing business strategy, contributing to sustainability and reinforcing its IT infrastructure. Central to this effort is the company's proprietary AI framework, HAICoLab (Humans and AI ColLaborate), which drives group-wide digital initiatives. These include improving productivity, innovating processes, developing digital talent and building a global cloud-based IT system. The certification confirms that the company's efforts not only meet METI's stringent criteria but also demonstrate appropriate disclosure of information to its stakeholders.

Moving forward, the company said it will continue to leverage data from its entire value chain to adapt to a dynamic business environment. The company aims to enhance customer value, pursue sustainable innovation and transform its corporate culture to strengthen its competitive position and ensure long-term growth.

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