MRF continues to lead the tyre industry with a strong focus on quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. With a presence in over 70 countries, MRF’s dominance spans across categories including commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, electric vehicles (EVs) and aircraft tyres. As India’s economic growth drives increased demand for commercial vehicles, MRF capitalises on this shift towards larger trucks and the expanding EV market. Additionally, the company’s technological prowess is evident in its supply of defence aircraft tyres. Despite challenges like rising rubber prices, MRF’s commitment to development and sustainable practices ensures its continued growth and global expansion.

MRF Vice Chairman and Managing Director Arun Mammen opined that India’s economic prosperity is leading to a demand for original equipment, which in turn is driving the volumes for commercial vehicle tyres upwards. Speaking to Tyre Trends on the sidelines of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Mammen noted, “The commercial vehicle tyre segment is primarily driven by OEM demand. India’s economic performance is increasing commercial activity, leading to a higher number of trucks being sold. A notable trend in this segment is the shift towards larger trucks. This shift is primarily due to improved road infrastructure. Additionally, these trends see tyre volumes grow even in the replacement market.”

He added, “Government policies over the last 5–6 years have also played a crucial role in shaping the industry. The transition from BS4 to BS6, changes in axle load norms and various other regulatory developments have influenced tyre design and performance requirements. We have remained ahead of these changes, ensuring our products fully comply with government guidelines.”

The company theme for this year at the expo was ‘Muscle in Motion’, which highlighted MRF’s leadership, technology, innovation and sustainability.

MRF has been a leader in the tyre industry for 37 years, covering all categories. The executive noted that while competition was close in some segments, the company continued to have a leading position in tractors, trucks, light commercial vehicles, commercial vehicles and three-wheeler tyre segments. Its market leadership was further reinforced by its financial performance in FY 2023-24 with turnover of over INR 250 billion.

The company is experiencing double-digit growth, particularly in the first half of CY25, while most of the industry had struggled to achieve similar momentum. “We have consistently grown across all tyre categories including infrastructure, farm, two-wheeler and truck tyres,” revealed Mammen.

“Our ability to maintain market dominance for nearly four decades is rooted in a simple yet powerful philosophy, which is quality, customer focus and continuous innovation. We prioritise understanding customer needs and delivering better-thanexpected performance. This relentless pursuit of excellence ensures that we provide the best value for money,” said the official.

EXPANDING PORTFOLIO

A recent media report mentioned that MRF is seeing significant progress in the EV tyre segment, covering both OEM supply and the replacement market.

Exuding confidence for its EV tyre portfolio with the evolving automobile space in India, Mammen noted, “We are actively innovating in this space and a great example is our new EV tyre, recently supplied to Mahindra for its latest EV launch. This tyre incorporates a unique foam technology that significantly reduces noise, offering a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, such advancements are crucial as EVs inherently produce less mechanical noise, making tyre noise reduction even more essential.”

He added, “Our tyres are fitted on several OEM vehicles including that of Maruti, Toyota, Honda and Bajaj models. The EV space will continue to grow as charging infrastructure improves, making electric mobility more convenient for consumers. While passenger vehicles and two-wheelers are currently leading the shift, we expect commercial vehicles to gradually follow suit as fleet operators gain confidence in battery technology and cost efficiency.”

Moreover, the company exclusively supplies tyres for Indian defence aircraft and helicopters with plans to expand the portfolio. Commenting on the same lines, Mammen revealed, “MRF supplies aircraft tyres to India’s defence forces including the Air Force and Navy. The majority of defence aircraft flying today are equipped with MRF tyres. The Indian Government does not import aircraft tyres unless we do not manufacture a specific type, further reinforcing our dominant position in this critical sector.”

MARKET TALK

MRF set up a new plant in Gujarat recently and ongoing expansions across multiple facilities are in process. Mammen noted that factories were continually being upgraded to meet evolving market demands. The company’s export business contributes between 10 to 12 percent in its total revenue, said Mammen.

The company currently exports to 70 countries worldwide. When asked about exploring new regions, the executive highlighted, “We are always looking for new opportunities for growth. A key example is our dominance in rally racing. We have been European champions for two years, beating multinational competitors, and in Asia Pacific, we have been rally champions for nine consecutive years. These victories highlight our engineering excellence and performance capabilities, opening doors to further expand our brand presence.”

Another trend within the Indian tyre market is Tyre-as-a-Service. Commenting on whether MRF plans to foray in the segment, he said, “Tyre-as- a-Service currently accounts for less than a single-digit percentage of the overall business. The limited adoption is due to challenging operating conditions. While some companies initially ventured into this space, many later exited due to difficulties in scaling the model. We continue to monitor this segment and will assess its potential for expansion in the future.”

TALKING ROADBLOCKS

The official identified the rising prices of rubber as one of the largest problems facing the tyre industry. Mammen explained that raw material costs account for about 70 percent of tyre production costs. As crude oil prices increase, the cost of production also rises, which is further impacted by fluctuations in the rupeedollar exchange rate.

“The price of natural rubber has remained high for a while and this is a challenge for many tyre manufacturers including us. India does not produce enough natural rubber to meet domestic demand, so we rely on imports to supplement local supply. This dependency on imports means we are exposed to fluctuations in global rubber prices, which can impact our overall cost structure,” said Mammen.

Despite the challenges, the company’s near-term research and development focus will involve both recycling raw materials and exploring green energy solutions such as energy and water recycling while also controlling wastage.

The company had made a Capex of over INR 21 billion in the previous financial year and nearly INR 7 billion in the first six months of the current financial year. These investments are directed towards areas with growth opportunities in truck, passenger and two-wheeler markets.

When asked about retail expansion, Mammen noted that there is always room for growth, both in expanding the dealer and retailer network and in online retail.

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Italian premium tyre manufacturer Pirelli has equipped the new McLaren W1 supercar with three bespoke tyre fitments made from more than 50 percent bio-based and recycled materials. This figure has been certified by the independent body Bureau Veritas.

Pirelli is the sole tyre supplier for the new model, which features a hybrid powertrain capable of delivering up to 1,275 PS and 1,340 Nm. The W1 has acceleration of zero to 300 kmph in less than 12.7 seconds and a top speed limited to 350 kmph.

The three new tyres – P Zero R, P Zero Trofeo RS and P Zero Winter 2 – were developed in collaboration with McLaren's R&D teams, starting in a virtual environment with driving simulation technology before progressing to physical tests. Testing locations included the Nardo circuit in southern Italy and the Idiada track in Spain.

The fitments cover every aspect of the supercar's use:

• P Zero R: Designed for daily driving.
• P Zero Trofeo RS: A track-biased tyre delivering high performance.
• P Zero Winter 2: Handles colder seasons.

All three tyres for the W1 will be produced at Pirelli’s plant in Settimo Torinese, Italy.

These bespoke P Zero tyres are the first supercar tyres to be made with over 50 percent bio-based and recycled materials. This is part of Pirelli’s industrial plan, which aims to launch the first tyres containing 80 percent of these materials by 2030. The company’s P Zero E, launched in 2023, was the first tyre on the market to contain more than 55 percent bio-based and recycled materials.

A logo identifies all Pirelli products containing at least 50 percent sustainable materials.

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Italian engineering firm Comerio Ercole S.p.A. said its participation at K2025 in Düsseldorf exceeded expectations, underscoring its reputation as a global leader in technological innovation and sustainable industrial development.

During the week-long plastics and rubber trade fair, Comerio Ercole’s booth became a major hub for international engagement, welcoming delegations from across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The company said visitors expressed “genuine and concrete interest” in its advanced technologies and long-term sustainability vision.

“The quantity and quality of specific requests received from clients and new contacts alike were truly remarkable,” Comerio Ercole said in a statement, adding that many inquiries related to “ambitious, tailor-made projects” that its R&D team has already begun studying.

The company also celebrated its 140th anniversary at the fair on 11 October , with organisers surprising the team with a commemorative cake — a gesture reserved for exhibitors marking milestone anniversaries.

“K2025 was a success: we return home inspired, proud and motivated to continue innovating for a more sustainable and dynamic industrial future,” the company said.

Separately, Comerio Ercole announced it had been recognised for the fifth consecutive year among Italy’s top-performing companies in sustainability, ranking in the Top 75 for Integrated Finance and the Top 100 for Sustainability Excellence 2025.

The Sustainability Award, presented recently at Borsa Italiana in Milan, honours companies that integrate ESG principles into their business strategies while turning environmental and social challenges into opportunities for innovation.

Representing the company at the ceremony were Olga Comerio, Board Member of Comerio 1885 Holding Società Benefit, and Riccardo Comerio, CEO of Comerio Ercole.

“We know there is still much to do, but we are committed every day to improving, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, responsible resource management and innovation for a greener future,” said Riccardo Comerio.

The event, attended by institutional and industry leaders, featured key partners including Kon Group, Elite Euronext Group, Altis Advisory, Università Cattolica, Open-es, Eni, BCG, Google Cloud, RepRisk, Azimut Italia and Forbes Italia.

Founded in 1885 and headquartered in Busto Arsizio, Italy, Comerio Ercole specialises in high-precision engineering solutions for the rubber and plastics industries, combining technological excellence with a strong commitment to sustainable industrial development.

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In a significant leadership transition, PCBL Chemical, a part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, has appointed Nilesh Koul as its Managing Director for a five-year term, effective immediately. The company's Board confirmed this appointment during its meeting on 3 November 2025 subject to final ratification by shareholders through a postal ballot. This change was prompted by the resignation of the former Managing Director, Kaushik Roy, who stepped down for personal reasons, effective from the same date. The Board emphasised that selecting Koul is a strategic step aimed at ensuring leadership continuity and driving the company's future growth.

Koul is an experienced leader with a career spanning 28 years across diverse sectors including metals, oil and gas, construction materials and FMCG. His professional background includes senior executive roles at prominent organisations such as Hindalco Industries, British Petroleum, Castrol India, LafargeHolcim and Pidilite Industries, where he managed international operations. His most recent position was Senior President and CEO of the Aluminium Downstream business at Hindalco Industries. Academically, he is a graduate of G B Pant University and an alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, and he also serves on the Board of the Aerospace India Association.

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Tire Rack is celebrating the induction of its co-founder and longtime CEO, Mike Joines, into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame. The company credits Joines' automotive passion as the foundational spark for its mission to transform the tyre industry. Under his leadership, Tire Rack pioneered one of the first e-commerce platforms for tyre retailing, fundamentally changing how consumers research and purchase tyres.

The company’s philosophy, established by Joines, centred on empowering customers through comprehensive information rather than just completing a sale. This customer-first approach was built upon providing detailed product reviews, performance testing data, side-by-side comparisons and expert guidance.

Tire Rack also acknowledges that Joines understood the critical role of its team, noting that the ingenuity and integrity of its employees have been the true driving force behind decades of innovation and sustained customer trust. The company honours Joines as an enthusiast, innovator and leader whose devotion remains a source of inspiration.

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