The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) has entered its Golden Jubilee year, celebrating five decades of fostering growth in India’s tyre sector and its pivotal role in the nation’s economic progress.

Established in 1975, ATMA has grown into the premier industry body representing over 90 percent of the country’s tyre production, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of India’s industrial landscape.

Over the past 50 years, the Indian tyre industry has achieved remarkable milestones in production, exports, research and development (R&D) and innovation, setting benchmarks for emerging sectors globally. Today, India ranks among the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, producing more than 200 million tyres annually.

The industry’s self-sufficiency is a standout achievement. India boasts indigenous capabilities to manufacture a wide range of tyres, from moped tyres to massive off-the-road (OTR) tyres – a feat few countries can match. This self-reliance has not only strengthened the domestic market but also positioned India as a major global exporter. Indian-made tyres are now shipped to over 170 countries, including stringent markets like US and Europe. Annual tyre exports are valued at approximately INR 250 billion, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the industry’s revenue.

The tyre industry’s impact on job creation is substantial, supporting a vast value chain that spans rubber planters, tyre mechanics, manufacturers and dealerships. It sustains over one million natural rubber (NR) planters, as 75 percent of India’s NR production is consumed by tyre manufacturing. An additional million workers are engaged in tyre production, retreading, dealerships and repair services nationwide.

A groundbreaking initiative, the INROAD project, exemplifies the industry’s commitment to self-reliance. In collaboration with the Rubber Board, the tyre industry is funding large-scale NR plantations in Northeast India. This partnership marks the first global instance of a natural rubber-consuming industry (the tyre sector) partnering with government agencies to fund NR cultivation, potentially transforming India’s journey towards NR self-sufficiency.

India’s tyre industry is increasingly aligning with global standards in practices, product quality and R&D. The country now houses some of the world’s most advanced radial tyre manufacturing facilities. International vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) are launching leading brands in India equipped with Indian-made tyres, underscoring the industry’s quality and competitiveness. Five Indian tyre companies are now ranked among the world’s top 30, reflecting the sector’s growing influence in the global manufacturing ecosystem.

India’s strengths in tyre manufacturing are undeniable. A combination of seasoned entrepreneurship, skilled manpower and robust NR plantations positions the country as a potential global hub for tyre production.

The recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo highlighted the industry’s 50-year growth journey, showcasing its evolution into the ‘wheels of the nation’ through a series of banners arranged as a walkthrough.

Rajiv Budhraja, Director General ATMA, said, “I had the privilege of joining ATMA at a young age and have witnessed the growth of the industry from close quarters, especially after the economic liberalisation. It is gratifying to see the industry growing from a size of about INR 50 billion to INR 1,000 billion in the last three decades.”

“At this moment, I am full of gratitude to the industry leaders who have provided vision and direction to the industry and the association over all these years and to the untiring efforts of all those involved in the industry who have turned that vision into reality. Thanks are also due to publications like Tyre Trends (and its previous avatar of Tyre Asia) for chronicling this remarkable journey of the industry. Here’s to the unstoppable movement of wheels of the economy,” added Budhraja.

GREEN OFFICE, CLEANER FUTURE: HOW ATMA IS REIMAGINING WORKPLACE SUSTAINABILITY

In the heart of New Delhi’s bustling PHD House, ATMA is proving that office spaces can be more than just functional – they can be transformative environmental statements.

Under the leadership of Budhraja, ATMA has turned its headquarters into a verdant oasis that’s part workspace, part ecological experiment. The organisation has embraced a holistic approach to sustainability that goes beyond mere corporate rhetoric.

Not only do plants improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, but they also have been shown to reduce stress and increase focus. “Thus was born the idea to have a green workspace so as to boost productivity, creativity and overall well-being”, said Budhraja.

The office is now a living, breathing ecosystem where every square foot serves a purpose. Lush greenery isn’t just decorative – it’s a strategic tool for improving air quality, reducing stress and boosting employee productivity.

ATMA has implemented energy-efficient lighting systems that dramatically reduce power consumption across their office space. The organisation’s architectural design features strategically placed open areas that maximise natural sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.

By adopting a circular economy approach to waste management, ATMA transforms leftover food into nutrient-rich compost, which is then used to support the office’s green spaces, creating a closed-loop sustainability system.

The entire ATMA team is now actively engaged in maintaining this green space, turning sustainability from a corporate mandate into a shared cultural value.

It’s a small but significant step in an industry not typically associated with environmental innovation. By reimagining their workspace, ATMA is sending a powerful message: sustainability starts at home – or in this case, the office.

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Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries, has been awarded the 'CEO of the Year' by the Top Rankers Management Club. The accolade was presented at the 25th National Management Summit, held in New Delhi on 23 August 2025.

The award recognises Singhania’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision, which have been pivotal in steering the company toward sustained growth and innovation. Under his guidance, JK Tyre has reinforced its position as a leader in radial tyre technology, expanded its global presence and strengthened its dedication to sustainability and customer focus.

In his acceptance speech, Singhania expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am honoured to receive this recognition from the Top Rankers Management Club. This award reflects the collective commitment of the entire JK Tyre team, whose efforts continue to drive our progress. I would like to thank my colleagues, industry partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support in our journey of growth and transformation.”

He has been a key figure in modernising the company, leveraging new technologies and expanding its presence in both domestic and international markets. The 'CEO of the Year' award, presented by the Top Rankers Management Club, celebrates leaders who demonstrate a clear vision for organisational excellence and industry transformation.

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Hana Technologies, Inc. (Hana RFID) has strengthened its leadership in the Asian market with the appointment of industry veteran Jason Chang as Sales Director for Asia. Based in Shanghai, he will be responsible for managing key customer relationships and driving strategic growth throughout the region.

Chang brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, with over 15 years in the RFID sector following a successful career in IT. His proven track record includes significant tenures at leading firms like Xerafy, Stora Enso and Beontag. His accomplishments range from pioneering the development of innovative flexible anti-metal tags to launching groundbreaking RFID-based retail solutions that gained widespread adoption in China and Europe. He has also demonstrated a strong capacity for growth, most recently achieving remarkable business expansion in the APAC market.

This appointment is a strategic milestone for Hana RFID, underscoring its commitment to supporting global customers with high-performance technology and expert, on-the-ground leadership. This move highlights Hana RFID's focused strategy on deepening its regional support and providing partners with sophisticated RAIN RFID inlay and embeddable tag solutions, backed by local expertise.

Mike Hetric, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Hana RFID, said, “The appointment of Jason Chang is a significant step forward in improving local availability and supporting our key partners in Asia. Jason’s track record in driving innovation, his deep market knowledge and his commitment to customer success will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in this dynamic region.”

Chang said, “I’m excited to be part of the Hana RFID team, which is recognised in the market as both a key player and a trusted partner for an ever-growing network of label converters, service bureaus and system integrators. I look forward to working alongside our partners in Asia to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service.”

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Ralson Tire North America (RTNA) has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of two seasoned tyre industry professionals.

As per the new development, Billy Dorsey Jr has been appointed as Vice President of Sales – South and Jamie McSwaney has been appointed as Vice President of Sales – North. Both the new appointments bring a combined 45 years of tyre industry experience to the company.

Brian Sheehey, President, RTNA, said, “These additions signal our unwavering commitment to accelerating Ralson’s growth in the US and Canada. We’re building a leadership team that knows how to compete, win and deliver results. Their deep industry relationships and ability to execute will be instrumental as we continue to grow our footprint in the North American trucking industry.”

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Scandinavian tyre service provider Citira sees robust potential for premium tyres in the Nordic region, driven by seasonal demands and safety priorities. CEO David Boman highlights that premium tyres including Pirelli’s offerings hold a significant share in passenger car, light truck and truck tyre segments supported by harsh winter conditions that emphasise performance and reliability. Despite a slight recent decline amid broader economic pressures and rising price sensitivity, premium brands remain relevant. Citira’s new long-term partnership with Pirelli and acquisition of Dackia AB aims to consolidate and optimise premium tyre distribution across Sweden.

Scandinavian tyre service company Citira recently told Tyre Trends that Nordic countries have excellent potential for premium tyres during a discussion over its partnership with Italian tyre major Pirelli.

Speaking on the market potential, Chief Executive Officer David Boman said, “When it comes to the Nordic markets, Scandinavia in particular has a relatively high share of premium tyres across categories including passenger car, light truck and TBR segments. Compared to other global regions, the demand for premium tyres here is notably strong.

“One of the main reasons for this is the seasonal nature of our market. Winter tyres, in particular, drive a more premium-oriented approach because of the need for high performance and safety under harsh conditions. While we’ve observed a slight decline in the premium tyre share over the past few years, it still holds a significant portion of the market. This demand is closely tied to seasonal safety concerns, especially in winter, autumn and early spring. Drivers here prioritise safety and reliability, which naturally supports the continued relevance of premium brands like Pirelli.”

He noted that the decline is likely tied to broader financial challenges in the market, especially following the Covid period. Both consumers and companies have become more price-sensitive, making cost a bigger factor in purchase decisions.

As a result, there’s been a gradual increase in demand for lower-cost, imported non-European tyre brands, while the market share of European premium tyre brands has slightly decreased.

Pirelli and Citira have entered a long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing their market presence in Sweden. As part of the deal, Citira will acquire Dackia AB that has a network of 102 retail outlets from Pirelli.

In return, Pirelli and Dackia have signed a supply agreement extending to 2030, ensuring Pirelli remains the main tyre supplier. The transaction, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close by 2025. The partnership will boost Pirelli’s distribution and market coverage while supporting Citira’s goal of expanding a sustainable, flexible and high-quality customer service network.

THE PACT

Citira currently runs over 50 tyre shops and over five retreading units across Scandinavia and Poland. “Citira is actively working towards creating a more efficient and consolidated tyre market. While our current focus is primarily on the Scandinavian region, it’s not out of the question that we may consider expanding beyond this geographic perimeter in the future. This agreement is part of a broader industry trend where partnerships and acquisitions are used to enhance efficiency, strengthen distribution networks and provide end customers with better service coverage,” revealed Boman.

Nonetheless, the deal specifically pertains to the Swedish market, and as part of the regulatory process, Citira has conducted a market analysis to understand the potential implications on market share. However, the specifics of that study were said to be confidential and could not be disclosed prior to the official closing of the deal.

Explaining how this partnership will influence the supply chain of premium tyre in the Nordics, Boman said, “We do anticipate some changes, particularly within Citira. We operate a number of logistics centres, and this partnership presents an opportunity to optimise our overall supply chain setup. Enhancing logistics will be a key enabler of better service and responsiveness in premium tyre distribution.”

He added, “This particular deal is unlikely to have a direct or immediate impact on independent retailers or smaller distributors. More broadly, the Scandinavian tyre retail sector is undergoing consolidation. Several players are actively reshaping the competitive landscape and that trend could gradually influence the positioning of independents. But again, this specific acquisition is not a disruptive event in that context.”

Alluding to the current demand for replacement tyres, he said, “In general, the tyre market has proven to be quite non-cyclical. Even in challenging economic conditions, it tends to remain stable. That said, I believe we’re entering a phase where circularity and life-extension solutions will gain more momentum. We’re likely to see increased focus on services that extend tyre life, especially for larger fleets. This shift won’t just be driven by cost or fleet uptime concerns but increasingly by environmental responsibilities.”

THE BUSINESS

According to Boman, Pirelli represents a very minimal share of Citira’s overall sales, currently. However, the strategic partnership mainly revolves around Dackia and Pirelli, and the former is intended to become part of the Citira Group. “Moving forward, there is definitely an opportunity to deepen the collaboration with Pirelli and potentially grow their share within our overall brand mix,” added Boman.

Citira currently follows a multi-brand strategy and will continue with it even after closing of the deal. Besides, it is also involved in process and sales of retreaded TBR tyres and wheel rims.

“We operate a facility in Poland where we refurbish truck and bus rims. The process involves media blasting and repainting the rims to restore its appearance and functionality. The logic behind it is quite similar to retreading. In most cases, the structural integrity of the rim is still intact; it’s just the surface or aesthetics that degrade over time. By restoring these rims, we’re able to extend the life and reduce waste,” said Boman.

The company operates five retreading facilities collectively, located in Finland, Sweden and Poland. It uses both hot-cure and cold-cure retreading methods. Hot-cure is used in Poland and cold retreading in Finland and Sweden. Annually, it retreads around 160,000 tyres, averaging about 13,000 per month. While its current focus is on retreading, Citira is actively exploring expansion into tyre recycling as part of a broader push towards sustainability and circularity.

The company also manages tyre distribution for fleets across countries. Its circular tyre distribution approach involves not only delivering new tyres to customers but also collecting used tyre casings from them. These casings are then sent back to its retreading facilities, creating a closed-loop system. Besides, Citira has different suppliers across Europe for sourcing tyres for retreading.

MARKET WATCH

Citira sees a strong willingness in the market for consolidation and it has already engaged in several partnerships. Commenting on market challenges, Boman said, “One key challenge is the need for a player capable of driving consolidation at a larger scale. In the Scandinavian markets, this kind of brand-independent consolidation hasn’t really taken place over the last 10 to 15 years. Previously, consolidation efforts were primarily led by tyre manufacturers or affiliate networks players. However, consolidation has largely been on hold recently, leaving space for an independent actor to step in. We see that opportunity clearly and believe it is well received both by other market participants and customers. The challenge lies in successfully executing this consolidation while maintaining trust and delivering value across a diverse market.”

Commenting on the demand for retreading, he said, “The Scandinavian market has a long tradition of retreading heavy vehicle tyres. Currently, there is a growing shift towards pay-per-kilometre or tyre-as-a-service models, especially among large fleets like bus companies and hauliers. Notably, public tenders increasingly require a certain share of retreaded tyres, reflecting a strong environmental focus. Retreading extends the life of a tyre by reusing about 70 percent of its original material, making it a significant sustainability tool. The market share of retreaded tyres is gradually increasing with expectations that the retread market will grow faster than the new tyre market in the coming years.”

“The main challenges for the retreading industry lie in overcoming the longstanding perception that retreaded tyres are merely a low-cost option rather than an environmentally friendly and sustainable product. This is mostly prevalent is Scandinavia and it is crucial to shift this mindset by educating customers and the broader market about the true benefits of retreading. Moving away from a purely price-driven sales approach to one that highlights quality, durability and positive environmental impact remains a significant hurdle for the industry,” he added.

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