The global tyre industry faced significant hurdles in 2024, with geopolitical tensions, wars and economic uncertainties contributing to a year of near stagnation. The ongoing conflict in Russia has posed challenges to the global economy and, by extension, the tyre industry. Many companies, including machinery manufacturers, have had to navigate the complexities of operating in.

As hopes rise for a resolution to the conflict in 2025, Marangoni Meccanica is cautiously optimistic about resuming full-scale operations in the region. A peaceful resolution would unlock significant opportunities, allowing for the revival of trade and investment in this strategically important market.

Another focus about 2025 is referred to Donald Trump’s re-election, which could present unique opportunities also for the tyre market, particularly if his administration focuses on bolstering manufacturing and infrastructure development in the United States. Policies encouraging domestic production and investment in industries like automotive manufacturing may drive demand for tyres, especially for commercial vehicles, agricultural and construction equipment. Additionally, potential tariffs on imported goods could incentivise the growth of local tyre manufacturers, fostering innovation and creating a more competitive landscape. These factors could create a dynamic environment for the tyre industry to expand and adapt.

In addition, as 2025 begins, signs of recovery are emerging. This recovery is particularly evident in markets where tyre manufacturers are resuming investments in advanced machinery to meet growing demand.

A leading company in the tyre-building machinery sector, Marangoni Meccanica, is capitalising on this revival by aligning its offerings with the evolving needs of its clients. Its cutting-edge, automated systems are designed to enhance production efficiency and product quality, providing much-needed support to tyre manufacturers eager to rebound.

BRIGHT PROSPECTS IN THE INDIAN MARKET

India, one of the fastest-growing automotive markets, is presenting immense opportunities for tyre manufacturers and their equipment suppliers. With a booming middle class and increasing vehicle ownership, the demand for high-quality tyres is on the rise.

Recognising this potential, Marangoni Meccanica is strengthening its presence in India through collaborations with local partners, enhanced customer service and tailored solutions for the unique requirements of the Indian market. This includes developing versatile machinery that can accommodate a wide range of tyre types, from agricultural to industrial vehicles.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

To bolster its position in the international market, Marangoni Meccanica is actively pursuing strategic partnerships. These alliances focus on sharing technological expertise, expanding distribution networks and codeveloping solutions that address specific industry challenges.

Such collaborations not only enable the company to penetrate new markets but also provide a competitive edge in established ones. By pooling resources and expertise, the company is setting new benchmarks for innovation and service excellence.

STRENGTHENING R&D BY LATE 2025

Innovation remains at the heart of the company’s growth strategy. By the end of 2025, the company plans to significantly enhance its Research and Development (R&D) capabilities. This initiative will focus on:

Sustainability: Developing eco-friendly machinery that minimises energy consumption and waste.

Automation and AI: Introducing smart systems for predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring.

Customisation: Creating modular designs to cater to the diverse needs of global customers. This renewed focus on R&D will ensure the company remains at the forefront of technological advancements, addressing emerging trends and challenges in the tyre-building sector.

CONCLUSION

As the tyre industry emerges from a difficult 2024, Marangoni Meccanica is seizing the moment with strategic initiatives tailored to global recovery. From capitalising on growth in India to forging international partnerships and investing in future-ready technologies, the company is well-positioned to thrive in an evolving market landscape. With resilience and innovation at its core, it aims not only to support the recovery of its customers but also to lead the industry into a new era of efficiency and sustainability.

Francesco Motta is the Chief Executive Officer at Marangoni Meccanica.

Titan International, a major global manufacturer of wheels and tyres for off-highway equipment, has secured expanded production rights for the Goodyear brand across multiple segments while renewing its existing farm tyre licensing agreement.

The deal extends Titan’s Goodyear brand manufacturing rights to include light construction, industrial, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), lawn and garden and golf tyre categories, significantly broadening the company's market reach.

The Illinois-based firm will continue to produce agricultural tyres under the Goodyear Farm Tyres brand, maintaining its presence in a sector where it manufactures products ranging from small implement tyres to the massive Goodyear Optitrac LSW1400/30R46, which features the company's proprietary Low Sidewall Technology.

"We are excited to expand our rights into new segments, as this positions us to serve our customers better and seize emerging market opportunities. Our research and product development teams are already working on new tyre designs incorporating innovative tyre technologies for the lawn and garden segment," said Paul Reitz, President & CEO of Titan International, Inc. "In addition to our newly acquired rights, we are reaffirming our commitment to the farm tyres segment, a vital part of our business."

Industry analysts note the expansion comes as demand for specialised off-highway tyres remains robust across construction, agriculture and recreational sectors despite broader economic headwinds.

Strategic growth initiative

The licensing expansion aligns with Titan's strategy to offer comprehensive wheel and tyre solutions across forestry, powersports, outdoor power equipment, agricultural, earthmoving, and light construction markets throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania.

The company did not disclose the financial terms of the licensing agreement with Goodyear.

Titan International has manufactured Goodyear-branded farm tyres since 2005, when it acquired Goodyear's North American farm tyre business. It has gradually expanded these rights to other regions, including Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and Australia.

Targets International Expansion With Robust Fy25 Performance

CEAT Ltd, the RPG Group’s flagship tyre company, reported a capital outlay of INR 9–10 billion  for FY2025–26, keeping with its capacity expansion strategy and global integration. This follows a strong FY25 performance of record revenues and double-digit growth across segments despite headwinds in overseas markets.

The business ended FY25 with consolidated revenue of INR 132.18 billion, up 10.6 percent year on year, and Q4 revenue at INR34.21 billion, up 14.3 percent compared to the corresponding quarter previous year. The standalone full-year EBITDA was INR 15 billion, and the Q4 operating margins improved by more than 100 basis points sequentially at 11.5 percent.

"We incurred capex of INR 9.46 billion in FY25 and expect a similar investment of INR 9–1.0 billion in FY26," said Kumar Subbiah, Chief Financial Officer of CEAT. “Our focus will remain on expanding capacities, particularly at the Ambarnath and Chennai facilities, and funding the integration of the recently acquired Camso compact construction business.”

In FY25, CEAT depreciated assets amounting to INR11.40 billion. Much of its FY26 capex will also fund equipment modernisation and normal maintenance at its Sri Lankan operations under Camso, putting a cost estimate of INR1-1.25 billion a year over the next two years.

The Camso acquisition, which is effective from Q2 FY26, is likely to significantly enhance CEAT's global presence. "Integration work has started in full acceleration," said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO. “Initial focus will be on customer retention and business continuity, with consolidation expected to double Camso’s current capacity utilisation over the medium term.”

Despite international uncertainties, CEAT renewed its medium-term global growth forecast. Exports are expected to form 25–26 percent of the revenue post-Camso integration. Turbulence still exists in Latin America and North America due to tariff policies and exchange rate weakness. CEAT, however, has reported consistent performance in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

CEAT also indicated a likely raw material cost stabilisation in Q1 FY26, potentially softening by Q2, to support its margin growth initiatives. The gross margin was 37.5 percent in Q4 FY25, and the target was above 40 percent in the near term.

Banerjee signaled ongoing activity in electrification, premiumisation, and digitalisation. "With our technology outlays and new product introductions, we are hopeful of sustaining 20–25 percent market share in electric vehicle segments," he asserted.

The debt levels of the company are under control. The gross debt as of 31 March 2025 was INR 19.28 billion with a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.3x and debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44x. Subbiah added that CEAT's strong cash generation will allow it to finance both organic and inorganic growth without materially diluting leverage metrics.

Black Swan Graphene Inc. (Black Swan) has appointed Jobin George as Technical Sales Manager for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region with immediate effect. This significant move, which supports Black Swan's worldwide commercial team as it promotes adoption of its graphene-enhanced products, follows Dan Roadcap’s appointment as Head of Technical Sales and Business Development.

George has an MBA from ICFAI University in India, a Post Graduate Diploma from the Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology in India and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He brings with him more than 20 years of global expertise in project management, business development and technical sales. George has had positions at Sands International Plastics and Sojitz Corporation in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Aquapak Polymers and H-Pack Global Ltd.

Simon Marcotte, President and Chief Executive Officer, Black Swan Graphene, said, “The addition of Jobin to our commercial team marks another important milestone in our global expansion strategy. His international experience, particularly in the EMEA region, and his proven ability to translate technical capability into commercial success make him an ideal fit as we continue scaling our graphene business.”

George said, “Black Swan is positioned at the forefront of advanced materials innovation. The opportunity to contribute to the adoption of such a transformative technology across the EMEA region is tremendously exciting. I look forward to engaging with our existing customers and partners, along with exploring opportunities for new clients as well, to showcase the performance and value of Black Swan’s graphene solutions.”

The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has appointed Stephanie Mull as its Executive Director.

Mull will spearhead the organisation's initiatives to promote innovation and invest in the circular tyre economy, expand the market for end-of-life tyres and support studies to fill in the gaps in the sustainability and tyre recycling supply chain in her new role at TRF. Mull brings a wealth of experience in the sustainability field and a broad understanding of fleet management and decarbonisation, including converting fleets to electric and alternative fuel vehicles. In her role as PepsiCo's Sustainability Senior Manager, she oversaw major electrification projects, obtained grant money and spearheaded efforts to lower Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions throughout Pepsi and Frito-Lay's North American fleets. Mull oversaw the local government's efforts to upgrade municipal vehicles to greener technology and volunteered to help the Red Cross electrify its fleet.

Anne Forristall Luke, TRF Board President, said, “Stephanie Mull brings the passion, in-depth expertise and history of excellence that will drive TRF and its partners to achieve critical tyre recycling and reclamation milestones. We are thrilled to have her join the Foundation as we advance tyre sustainability while tackling the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Mull said, “I’m honoured to join the Tire Recycling Foundation and support its sustainability mission to achieve 100 percent end-of-life tyre circularity. TRF is a vital nexus of expertise and leadership, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders in developing tyre recycling solutions that pave the way for a more sustainable future.” 

The Tire Recycling Foundation is dedicated to achieving 100 percent circularity for end-of-life tires by advancing innovation, building partnerships and supporting scalable recycling and reclamation solutions. Consisting of 15 global industry leaders with expertise in the manufacturing, recycling and transportation industries, TRF’s Board primarily focuses on the acceleration and adoption of emerging end-of-life tyre market technologies like rubber-modified asphalt (RMA).