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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KraussMaffei has appointed Xinting Ren as Managing Director of its extrusion business, effective 1 September, 2026, combining the role with his existing leadership of the group’s China operations.

Ren succeeds Ralf Benack, who left the company at his own request on 31^st August , ending a tenure of about two years.

The company said the dual appointment is intended to strengthen integration between its extrusion activities and international operations.

Ren has led KraussMaffei China for the past three years, overseeing cross-technology activities in the Chinese market. Before joining the group, he held several management roles in the chemical industry, including Assistant General Manager at KraussMaffei Company Limited, now operating as Sinochem Equipment Technology Qingdao Co., and most recently served as general manager of Shanxi China Coal Pingshuo Energy Chemical Co., Ltd.

Benack took over leadership of KraussMaffei Extrusion in 2024 and was responsible for the group’s global extrusion business. During his tenure, the company focused on operational processes and customer orientation, reducing delivery times and further developing the Technology Center at its Laatzen site.

The facility now offers 26 pilot lines for development and customer projects, and the company said it also expanded its extrusion technology portfolio.

From September, responsibility for the extrusion business and management of the China business will be combined under Ren’s leadership.

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Nokian Tyres plc has introduced a new premium summer tyre, the Powerproof E, designed for Central and Southern European markets, with A-class ratings in all three European Union tyre label categories across its full range.

The company said the tyre achieves top grades for rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise, reflecting a development approach aimed at balancing efficiency, safety and comfort within a single product.

“Whether the priority is maximizing range and efficiency or achieving confidence and comfort in wet conditions, drivers should not have to compromise on safety. The new Nokian Tyres Powerproof E is designed to deliver outstanding performance in the areas that matter most to drivers,” said Tommi Alhola, Senior Vice-President for Passenger Car tyres in Central Europe.

Samu Lepistö, development manager at the company, added: “Achieving A-class ratings in all three EU tire label categories across the entire range is a significant result. These characteristics are all important to today's drivers yet improving one can often affect another. Nokian Tyres Powerproof E was developed to deliver balanced performance across all three areas.”

The tyre incorporates what the company calls Motion Control Technology, combining tread design, compound development and structural engineering to support efficiency and wet-weather performance.

Depending on size, between 40.9 percent and 42.8 percent of the tyre’s material content consists of recycled and renewable inputs, including rice husk ash, recycled carbon black and recycled steel.

Production takes place at the group’s factory in Oradea, Romania, which opened in 2024 and operates with zero direct carbon dioxide emissions, powered by renewable energy.

The Powerproof E is designed for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and crossover vehicles, including electric, hybrid and internal combustion models. It will be available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 inches for the 2027 summer season in Central and Southern Europe.

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Continental Tire Canada has appointed Frank Buntinx as its new Managing Director, effective 17 August 2026. In this executive capacity, he assumes comprehensive oversight of the organisation’s entire Canadian tyre portfolio, which encompasses passenger and light truck vehicles, commercial truck lines and specialised tyre segments. His leadership will guide the strategic direction and operational performance across these diverse business units.

A native of Belgium, Buntinx brings over two decades of tenure with Continental, having commenced his career there in 2003 within logistics and supply chain management. Over the years, he has accumulated a broad commercial skillset through successive roles in marketing, pricing strategy, business analytics, fleet operations and sales. His professional trajectory later elevated him to senior leadership positions in the Benelux region, where he directed marketing efforts and subsequently headed Fleet Solutions and Truck Tires, thereby acquiring multifaceted management expertise.

This transatlantic appointment signifies a pivotal career transition for Buntinx, offering him the chance to infuse the Canadian market with an international vantage point. His arrival is anticipated to bolster Continental’s regional presence, leveraging his extensive cross-functional background to navigate the complexities of the domestic tyre industry and drive organisational growth.

“I am truly excited to join Continental Tire Canada and begin this new chapter. Continental has built a strong business and reputation in the Canadian market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to build on that success, strengthening Continental's position while supporting the growth and success of our customers,” said Buntinx.

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which operates the Dunlop brand, will discontinue the supply of karting tyres by the end of 2027 as part of a strategic review of its business and allocation of management resources.

The company said it would continue supplying products to existing customers until December 31, 2027.

Dunlop has produced karting tyres since 1976, supplying products homologated by the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA), under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as well as tyres accredited by the Japan Automobile Federation.

The company said its products had supported a wide range of users, from recreational drivers to young drivers aiming to compete at higher levels, and had contributed to the development of karting participation.

It added that the decision followed a review of its medium- to long-term management strategy and changes in the business environment.

The group said it would continue to contribute to motorsport activities, while expressing appreciation to customers and organisations that had supported its karting tyre business.

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