All industry leaders. One roof. One vision.

Around 400 stakeholders from the global tyre and rubber industry converged on Chennai for the third edition of the Global Tyre and Rubber Conference (GTRC), held over two days on 17 and 18 June 2026. Against a backdrop of geopolitical strain, an accelerating shift to electric vehicles and the steady thrust on artificial intelligence into every layer of manufacturing, the gathering offered an unusually candid read on where the sector stands – and how anxious and ambitious it has become about what comes next.

Mike Norman, Chief Commercial Officer of VMI Group, called it a special moment for the industry, pointing to geopolitical disruption, rising competition from China, regulatory upheaval, the EV transition and the arrival of AI as forces reshaping the business. “This is a special event for the tyre and rubber industry. The times are difficult and there are disruptions – geopolitical in nature – that are a matter of concern and underline the changing nature of the business,” he said, adding that “the technological advancements are creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and performance.”

CHANGE OF TYRE MANUFACTURING ERA

The conference’s most sweeping remarks came from Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA India and Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF, who argued that growth in the sector will not simply arrive – it must be built through bold investment, scientific rigour and the courage to transform, in step with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 ambitions.

Mammen’s central claim was structural: for more than a century, tyre engineering has rested on three pillars – durability, grip and cost. “That era is ending. The convergence of sustainability imperatives and autonomous, shared and electric vehicles megatrends are forcing a complete reimagination of what a tyre must be,” he said.

He argued that electric vehicles demand a fundamentally different tyre – one engineered for ultra-low rolling resistance to preserve range – and that this requirement collides with Indian road realities, where only about three percent of the network qualifies as national highway. That gap, he said, calls for India-specific innovation and a regulatory framework that does not trade away safety in the pursuit of sustainability.

Mammen went further, describing a future in which the tyre itself becomes intelligent. “The tyre of tomorrow will no longer be a passive mechanical component, it will be an intelligent system embedded with sensors, TPMS that will enable real-time tracking of pressure, temperature, wear, road friction, predictive maintenance and optimised fleet performance that saves lives,” he said, adding that unlocking this potential would depend on deep, sustained collaboration between OEMs and tyre manufacturers.

On the factory floor, Mammen said Industry 4.0, AI, IoT and digital twins are transforming tyre manufacturing through process optimisation and predictive quality control. He also highlighted the shift from steam-based curing to electric and induction systems, with green hydrogen emerging as a future option.

On raw materials, Mammen noted the growing need to reduce dependence on petroleum-derived inputs. He highlighted India’s natural rubber expansion, with four major tyre companies helping establish 200,000 hectares of plantations, alongside a broader push towards bio-based materials, recycled content and a circular economy.

Mammen also pointed to renewed interest in retreading and the need for more resilient, localised supply chains, including domestic production of advanced manufacturing equipment. He concluded that India’s tyre industry now has an opportunity to lead the sector’s next phase of transformation.

Peter Haan, Head of Global VM Tire at Siemens AG, a visionary tyre veteran who has played a transformative role in advancing automation, digitalisation and technological innovation in the global tyre industry, received the Tyre Trends Lifetime Contribution award. “I would like to thank my dear friends in the Indian tyre industry, my partners and customers because I learned over the years that it is all about partnership,” he said in accepting it.

SESSION ONE: BUSINESS & EMERGING TRENDS

The opening panel, moderated by Latha Chembrakalam, CEO of AutoAscend, brought together Mammen, Norman and Ian Wilson, CEO of HF Group.

Mammen described a tyre industry facing sustainability pressure, the EV transition and raw-material constraints simultaneously – a convergence upending the economics of a capital-intensive business, since EVs change the game entirely. Building new facilities takes time and heavy capital, he said, arguing for a balance between existing plants and advanced new ones, and realistic targets for green tyres given that EVs demand an entirely new specification, technology and material set. Staying close to markets matters amid geopolitical shifts, he added: global technology matters more than global manufacturing footprint, and sophistication in tyre machinery will require more data analysts, cybersecurity specialists and other skilled talent.

Norman described China as a non-legacy market that has become a major disruptor, forcing costly upgrades to technology and facilities. “We are taking a platform approach for our machines right from the development stage to ensure scalability and retrofitting,” he said. EV adoption, he noted, is outpacing the industry’s ability to keep up, though VMI’s machines already handle the lighter, tougher tyres EVs require; cell-style manufacturing may help, even if it complicates large-scale short runs, making flexibility and modularity essential. He warned that scarce skilled manpower will push more automation and, in turn, more complex machinery, and that legislation – fast-arriving – is being underestimated.

Wilson pointed to Chinese auto OEMs building greenfield facilities in Africa as a signal of changing demand. “Chinese auto OEMs are setting up greenfield facilities in Africa, indicating a demand and change for tyre makers,” he said, adding that “new tech developments like AI are set to enhance tyre development and production.” Replacing steam curing with electric systems, he added, could bring significant improvement, alongside attention to the energy efficiency of recyclability; lower rolling resistance in EV tyres is also reshaping how silica is used in compounding.

Sanjay Chatterjee, Director General of ATMA, used his address – ‘Indian Tyre Industry – Towards a Resilient and Atmanirbhar Tomorrow’ – to cite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that Indian tyre exports crossed INR 273.12 million in the last fiscal year despite headwinds, reaching more than 172 countries. “Robust tyre production and growth, natural rubber production, ERP regime and other regulations are driving Indian economic growth,” he said.

SESSION TWO: MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

Chaired by V K Misra, Technical Director of JK Tyre & Industries, this session opened with Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion posing a pointed question in his talk, ‘50 Years Of Tyre Component Extrusion: Did The Piggyback Multiplex Head Reach The End Of Life?’ He explained that multiplex and rollerhead lines use a piggyback configuration to produce roughly seven to eight components, but that drawbacks – limited flexibility, capped head pressure, hydraulic dependence, poor accessibility, an over-engineered locking concept and difficulty swapping heads – mean that “it is therefore necessary to question whether it has reached the end-of-life.”

Nicola Fedele, Managing Director and Board Member at Rodolfo Comerio, described calendering as “the heartbeat of tyre production,” adding: “There are innovations (friction-free lamination) and breakthroughs (less material use and fast change over time) in the global tyre market that is worth USD 256 billion.” He said eliminating the accumulator from the calendering process delivers superior quality control and a basis for automation.

Karsten Jung of Troester GmbH & Co. KG addressed EV mobility as a megatrend driving stiffer, higher-silica compounds. “An acquisition (SC OTOMASYON) made last year is helping push automation, involving an autobook system, truck tyre spraying line and more,” Jung said. Saravana Kumar S, Managing Director of Troester India, described the company’s regional push on extrusion performance. “Much regarding regional integration is being done in terms of extrusion performance, including refurbishment, retrofitting etc.,” the MD of Troester India said.

SESSION THREE: ADVANCEMENTS IN TYRE MANUFACTURING

Chaired by Ravin Kurian, Senior GM of Product Development at MRF, this session started with the presentation of Dr Robert Hula of Vipo a.s. on bead and apex solutions, which he called among the most important components in a tyre since its inception. “Precision manufacture as a new standard is paving way for intelligent bead manufacturing and predictive maintenance process with the use of greener materials,” he said.

Robert Thomas Irwin, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at The Steelastic Company, traced the industry’s evolution from bias to radial to EV to high-performance and premium tyres. “The shift from bias tyre to radial tyre to an EV tyre to a high-performance and premium tyre is creating a need to integrate extrusion tech with conventional calendaring,” he said, citing quicker changeovers, reduced work-in-process, better traceability and labour optimisation as benefits.

SESSION FOUR: GOING GREEN & SUSTAINABLE

This session, chaired by C Harimohan, Head of Corporate R&D (Materials and Compounding) at Yokohama OHT, opened with Colin Clarke of Schill+Seilacher (Struktol), Director – Technical Sales, Schill+Seilacher (Struktol) GmbH, who argued that emerging vehicle concepts, energy-efficiency demands and higher load-bearing requirements are driving major shifts in compounding formulations. “The use of resins is increasing relative to oils in certain applications and products such as Struktol VP 1831 are witnessing growing demand as they provide excellent Silica dispersion and superior metal release,” he said.

Ralph Boehm, Senior Manager, Kuraray Europe GmbH, described the company’s liquid rubber as “a reactive plasticiser that reduces Mooney viscosity while maintaining high quality and performance,” noting two new silane-modified butadiene rubber grades suited to silica-based tread compounds and truck-and-bus radial tyres for summer and winter use.

Dr Roberto Blanco Trillo, Global Business Development Manager, Allnex, discussed sustainable cord adhesion. “The Allnex Alvonol PN870 resin enhances rubber-brass adhesion and enables excellent cord adhesion without cobalt and resorcinol to be a truly sustainable solution,” he informed.

Srikanth Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Eonix, representing China’s Zenith Steel Group, described it as operator of the world’s largest steel-cord facility. “The Zenith Steel Group in China has the biggest steel cord facility in the world with continuous capex. It is highly competitive with strong economies of scale and focusing on efficiency through vertical integration, making steel cords. It is investing in highest level of automation, making steel cords through intelligent manufacturing encompassing six plants.”

DAY TWO, SESSION FIVE: AI INTEGRATION IN THE TYRE INDUSTRY

Dr Sujith S Nair, Vice President of R&D at CEAT’s Centre of Excellence, chaired this session. In his presentation on the subject ‘In the tyre market, evolution never stops’, Marcel Berkers, VP Global Sales Tyre & Rubber, VMI Group, framed technology evolution as fundamentally about smarter machines enabling efficient use of material and energy. “The practical approach of VMI is lowest cost-per-tyre within spec,” Berkers said.

Peter Haan argued that AI in the tyre industry still has considerable distance to travel, with challenges spanning shop-floor integration and scaling across visual quality inspection, anomaly and object detection, automation programming, process optimisation and predictive maintenance – challenges he said Siemens’ shop-floor AI industrial suite is designed to democratise and scale.

Harsh Vardhan, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Apollo Tyres, spoke on industrial AI’s path from automation to autonomy. “Continuous RoIs are being registered as humans and AI collaborate,” he said, adding that “AI is set to be a force multiplier in terms of business value, CFT collaboration process, governance fusion, AI and deep-tech diffusion, and RoI.” He noted Apollo has assembled a dedicated team to integrate and scale AI, with the real competition now centred on scale versus speed – measured in cycle-time reduction and energy savings.

SESSION SIX: THE ART OF TESTING

This session, chaired by Unnikrishnan P K, Global Head of R&D Tyre Testing at Apollo Tyres, featured Dr Shaun Immel of Ametek’s MicroPoise Measurement Systems on autonomous tyre-defect detection through X-ray image analysis. “The processing works in real plants with most X-ray machines using AI and deep learning to find defects and classify a tyre objectively,” he said, citing faster setup for new defect types, clearer colour-coded visualisation of tyre structure and improved air-bubble detection that lowers misclassification and cost.

Informing that his company has over 480 installations and offers offline profile inspection (with high precision for tyre companies using laser sensor), online profile inspection, extrusion (non-contact and high precision inspection suitable for tread) and width sensor for non-contact and high precision width measurement, Lubos Hodal, Head of Sales Department, Micro-Epsilon, said on the subject ‘New technology in tyre inspection’ that they also have mould inspection system for curing, avoiding noise and blind spots; letter completeness inspection during curing; final finishing solutions such as a central marking line, colour marks on sidewall and tread and retrofit programmes for PCR and TBR. Pragnesh Mori, Managing Director of Micro- Epsilon India, said, “We are designing measuring systems and software through our Indian assembly facility in Pune. The application team there works with the European team to develop new solutions.”

Michael Mueller, Senior Sales and Key Account Manager, ZF, addressed high-speed uniformity measurement and its bearing on quality and comfort in R&D and virtual tyre development. “High speed uniformity measurement marks a new trend in terms of comfort that includes typical HSU tests, the properties gained, the effect of speed ramp versus constant speeds, resonant frequency and different road conditions,” he said. He also said that ZF developed an advanced 2026 HSU solution accounting for tyre noise, vehicle weight, road conditions, user expectations and virtual simulation.

SESSION SEVEN: SUSTAINABILITY WAY FORWARD

Chaired by Dr Sarat Ghosh, Vice President of R&D and Technology at Birla Tyres, this session opened with Anil Nair of HF Group on electrical tyre curing. Curing demands are rising alongside tyre size, he said, and EV tyres in particular require low rolling resistance, spurring innovation. “The USP of electric curing is independent control, a key advantage in terms of de-coupling temperature from pressure. The electric curing press promises higher profit,” he said.

Aki Nurminen of Black Donuts spoke on manufacturing costs, describing cost as historically a unit-economics problem, now increasingly shaped by raw materials, maintenance, fixed costs and depreciation. “Boiling down to sustainability, cost and market reality where about 90 percent of the 600 tyre industries globally are over 19 years old, the implications in terms of automation or the lack of it, the lack of efficiency and how the new entrants are taking advantage of better tech that ensure lower costs are beginning to show up in an addressable market for tyres that is growing,” he said, noting Black Donuts’ Nemus bio-based pre-mix filler.

Priyank Potnis of Planex, the Indian partner of Regom, addressed circularity and traceability for end-of-life tyres. “Regom’s technology identifies tyre specs for end-of-life tyres, including automatic evacuation of a good tyre,” he said, adding that the company has developed two machines supporting traceability, circularity and ESG compliance amid the disposal of an estimated three million tonnes of end-of-life tyres under a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

SESSION EIGHT: PROCUREMENT UNDER PRESSURE

The closing panel, moderated by Chakravarthy, brought together Nikhil Puri, Senior Vice President of Direct Procurement at Yokohama, and Ramanan Balasubramanian Venkat, Vice President of Procurement at Ascenso Tyres, to discuss the pressures facing tyre-maker procurement teams.

“Retaining control over the supply chain remains a constant challenge, necessitating a need for pro-active engagement, both internally and externally, with various stakeholders to ensure agility and responsiveness,” Venkat said. AI and data-driven analytics increasingly shape procurement decisions, he added, though the open question is how much reliance those tools warrant given how quickly situations can shift in ways analytics may not anticipate. He described India’s tyre ecosystem as uniquely positioned given the investment underway, arguing the industry needs a long-term perspective, close collaboration and a supplier base both locally rooted and globally capable – while flagging the shortage of natural rubber as reason to accelerate adoption of greener, sustainable alternatives.

“Dividing into pre-Covid and post-Covid eras as supply chains underwent a real litmus test leading to a fundamental shift in mindset, forcing companies to go back to the drawing board and rethink their sourcing strategies, reliance on a sole supplier has been largely abandoned and new relationship built to enhance resilience,” Puri said. The ability to modify supply chains at short notice, he added, became a critical post-pandemic capability, driving regional diversification, stronger risk management and mapping of vendors’ own supply chains, with AI now positioned to take procurement further – including predicting disruptions such as weather events.

Puri also pointed to digital twins as improving understanding of container load capacity and logistics efficiency, and suggested AI combined with augmented reality could further improve warehouse operations. He framed India’s position as a sweet spot, backed by a young population and strong growth potential, pointing to the country’s diversification of crude-oil sourcing as an example of a broader ‘glocal’ strategy – one that includes friend-shoring, or sourcing from trusted, friendly nations to build more resilient supply chains.

Not only the conference delegates but GTRC also witnessed a significant increase in the exhibitors’ participation. The exhibition area consisted of 37 stalls, with some of the participating companies taking multiple booths and some of them sharing them with their overseas principles. The response was overwhelming and marked a surge over the last edition of the conference, cementing the GTRC as a global tyre event.

Conference chairman Tom Thomas closed proceedings by thanking speakers, delegates and stakeholders and acknowledged the event’s sponsors. The next edition of GTRC will be held on 23–24 June 2027 at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai, India.  

Tana Oy has announced the appointment of Allan Bartholin Jacobsen as its new Territory Business Manager, effective 1 September 2026. He will be responsible for advancing the company’s international sales efforts, specifically concentrating on enhancing partnerships with dealers, identifying new avenues for growth and providing dedicated support to customers within designated regions.

Bringing over three decades of expertise in international sales and business development, Jacobsen joins the Finnish company from Eggersmann GmbH, where he managed sales strategies for recycling equipment across Europe and international markets. His previous roles involved cultivating dealer networks, expanding into new territories and driving sales performance in regions spanning Scandinavia, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

This strategic hire underscores Tana’s ongoing commitment to bolstering its commercial operations and global outreach. The company continues to rely on its international dealer network to ensure localised service, deep market understanding and sustained operational benefits for waste management and recycling clients worldwide.

Gerd Schreier, VP – Sales, Marketing & Channel Development, Tana Oy, said, “Allan’s extensive industry knowledge, international experience, and proven ability to develop strong dealer partnerships make him a valuable addition to Tana. His experience in building markets and supporting distributors fits well with our ambition to grow closer to customers and create long-term value through our global dealer network.”

Jacobsen said, “I am excited to join Tana and become part of a company with a strong reputation for robust, intelligent waste management solutions. I look forward to working with Tana’s customers and dealers to support their business and help turn waste into value.”

Dunlop Tires North America (DTNA) has named Matt Futrelle as its new Associate Vice President for the Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) division, effective 1 August 2026. The executive will assume leadership over the company’s TBR operations, directing strategic planning and growth initiatives while reinforcing the organisation’s dedication to high-quality products and service across the North American market.

Futrelle joins the role with over two decades of experience within the automotive aftermarket sector, recognised for his capabilities in leadership, operational efficiency and commercial expansion. His professional history includes building effective teams, cultivating strong client partnerships and implementing strategic frameworks that produce consistent, long-term performance outcomes for the businesses he has served.

Darren Thomas, CEO and President, DTNA, said, “Matt's leadership experience, industry expertise and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. We are confident that his vision and customer-focused approach will help accelerate our growth in the TBR business and strengthen our position in the marketplace.”

Futrelle said, "I couldn't be more excited to join the Dunlop Tires North America team. We see significant opportunities to increase our participation in the North American Commercial Truck Tyre market bringing even more value to our commercial tire dealer and fleet partners. I am also happy to be a part of expanding the iconic Dunlop brand across North America. The brand holds a special place for me because I have such great memories growing up racing on Dunlop motocross tyres."

Myers Industries has agreed to sell its Myers Tire Supply North America business to Lion Equity Partners for USD 30 million, as the US manufacturer sharpens its focus on engineered materials and core industrial markets.

The transaction, which has been completed, is subject to customary post-closing adjustments for cash, debt, net working capital and transaction expenses. The definitive agreement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The divestment marks a step in Myers’ strategy to reposition itself as a manufacturer of engineered resin and composite products serving infrastructure, industrial, consumer, food and beverage, and vehicle markets.

Aaron Schapper, President and Chief Executive of Myers Industries, said: “The completion of this transaction is a defining step in our ongoing transformation. By sharpening our focus on our core specialty engineered products, we are better positioned to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.

“We also want to recognise the important role Myers Tire Supply has played throughout our history,” he added. “We are grateful for the dedication of the MTS team and the trusted relationships they have built with customers and the rest of the Myers team over many decades. We believe the business is well positioned for its next phase of growth under Lion Equity Partners’ ownership.”

Jim Levitas, Managing Partner at Lion Equity, said: “Myers Tire Supply has built a highly trusted brand through decades of exceptional service and commitment to its customers. We are excited to partner with the team to carry this legacy forward and support the company in its next chapter of growth.”

KeyBanc acted as exclusive financial adviser to Myers, while Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease served as legal adviser.

Founded in 1933, Myers Tire Supply distributes tools, equipment and supplies for the tyre, wheel and under-vehicle service industry across North America. The business employs 233 people, including 77 at its headquarters in Akron, Ohio, with the remainder working in sales roles and at four distribution centres.

Lion Equity Partners, based in Denver, focuses on corporate divestitures and special situations, aiming to create value through operational improvements, organic growth and acquisitions.

Myers Industries, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, manufactures plastic and metal products for a range of end markets, including consumer, vehicle, food and beverage, industrial and infrastructure.

PCBL Chemical Limited has appointed Rohit Maindwal as Chief & Executive Director – Specialty Blacks and designated him as a senior management personnel, effective 20 August, 2026.

Maindwal brings around 32 years of industry experience. He holds a BTech in chemical engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal. His previous roles include positions at Reliance Industries Limited and JBF RAK LLC, where he most recently served as Senior Executive Vice-President at Reliance Industries Limited.

The company said the appointment is in a full-time capacity, with the term not separately specified.