JK Tyre & Industries, a leading tyre manufacturer, has said that it has become India’s first tyre manufacturer and 16th Indian business to join RE100, a global initiative that is committed to 100 percent renewable electricity.

As part of its focus on sustainability, JK Tyre aims to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 50 percent by 2030, taking FY2019 as the base year. Furthermore, it also aims to go beyond just meeting the regulations and be more proactive towards reducing its overall carbon footprint.

The RE100 initiative is led by Climate Group, which aims to accelerate transition towards clean energy both through direct investments from its members, as well as by working with policymakers. Currently, it has over 400 members globally, who together account for generating revenue of more than USD 6.6 trillion. Its members represent 1.5 percent of global electricity consumption, more than the total annual demand of the United Kingdom.

Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre, said, “Our decision to join RE100 represents our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. Under the motto ‘today for tomorrow,’ we at JK Tyre believe that a sustainable future requires significant action today. As an environmentally conscious brand, energy efficiency and conservation remain at the top of our priority list. We take pride in joining world leaders in promoting this shift towards renewable energy and look forward to inspiring constructive change in the industry.”

Dr Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group, said, “JK Tyre’s decision to procure 100 percent renewable electricity for their operations by 2050 is a milestone commitment. It shows that renewable electricity can indeed be considered for large scale, intensive manufacturing needs. We welcome them into the RE100 network and look forward to working with them – and to their progress.”

It is interesting to note that JK Tyre has set a primary objective to incrementally increase the utilisation of renewable energy by 2-5 percent annually. At present, 40 percent of the company’s energy consumption uses renewable energy.

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Magna Tyres Group has appointed Ruud Leijtens as the new Sales Manager for Scandinavia. In this position, he will dedicate his efforts to expanding the company's network across the Scandinavian region.

Leijtens will focus on building strong partnerships with customers and creating new opportunities for the brand. The company considers his experience and energy a valuable addition to the team and looks forward to strengthening its commercial activities in Scandinavia with him on board to achieve its strategic goals for the market.

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The Indian Rubber Institute (IRI), a non-profit professional body focussing on the tyre and rubber industry, has officially announced its flagship biennial conference, ‘IRI-CON’26’. Scheduled to take place on 30th and 31st January 2026 at the Hotel Sayaji in Vadodara, Gujarat, the event serves as a critical junction for technocrats, researchers, and industry leaders to navigate the sector's rapidly evolving technological and sustainability priorities.

The choice of Vadodara as the host city underscores Gujarat’s status as a formidable powerhouse for elastomers and rubber manufacturing. The region serves as a strategic base for global and domestic tyre giants, including Apollo Tyres, CEAT, BKT, MRF and JK Tyre & Industries, while hosting a robust network of suppliers specialising in carbon black, silica, textiles and rubber chemicals.

Against this backdrop, the conference theme – ‘Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Developments in Rubber and Allied Industries’ – reflects an urgent industry-wide commitment to resource efficiency, circular economy principles and responsible manufacturing.

High-Profile Inauguration and Strategic Vision

The conference will commence with a high-powered inaugural session dedicated to global trends and strategic updates. This session features a line-up of some of the most influential figures in the Indian rubber ecosystem. Dr Sujith Nair, Chairman, IRI Gujarat and VP R&D, CEAT, will deliver the welcome speech.

V K Misra, Chairman of IRI and representative of JK Tyres & Industries, will open the proceedings with a vision for the institute’s role in future-proofing the industry. He will be joined by Vasantagesan, IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board and Dr R Mukhopadhyay, who will provide a comprehensive overview of global sustainability trends.

Further technical leadership will be provided by Renji Issac, Chairman of ITTAC and representative of CEAT and P K Mohamed, Emeritus Chairman of IRI. The academic foundation of the event is bolstered by the presence of Prof. Dr Kinshuk Naskar from IIT Kharagpur – the institute's long-term partner for technical certification – and Prof. Dr Sabu Thomas of MG University, ensuring a seamless bridge between cutting-edge research and industrial application.

Innovations in Green Chemistry and Circularity

The event will also dive deep into technical breakthroughs that are reshaping the tyre value chain. A significant focus will be placed on ‘Green Tyres’ and the reduction of environmental footprints. Key presentations will feature Bekaert Industries discussing advanced cord solutions for weight reduction, and CEAT showcasing the CIRCL90, a sustainable passenger car tyre.

The shift toward a circular economy is a recurring theme throughout the technical sessions. Epsilon Carbon and Rathi Group India (Capital Carbon) will present on the integration of recovered carbon black (rCB) and the importance of ASTM standards in ensuring market momentum for recycled materials. Meanwhile, Brisil Green Silica and Tata Chemicals are set to discuss the revolutionary transition of producing sustainable silica from agricultural waste, a move that highlights the industry's move away from traditional, energy-intensive sourcing.

A Collaborative Ecosystem

The conference serves as a global stage for a diverse array of companies, including Arlanxeo India, which will present eco-friendly elastomer solutions and Finorchem, focusing on enhancing compound performance through phenolic resin-silica coupling. Other notable participants include LANXESS, TUV Rheinland and TTRC, covering everything from bio-based additives to water-based vulcanising cements and rigorous certification standards.

As regulatory pressures and environmental expectations continue to intensify, IRI-CON’26 stands as a timely and vital forum. By aligning manufacturers, R&D specialists, and academia, the event is positioned to chart a sustainable growth pathway for India’s tyre and rubber ecosystem, ensuring it remains competitive on the global stage while meeting the highest standards of environmental stewardship.

The event will also celebrate the next generation of industry talent with a Best Student Presentation Award Ceremony on the final day.

All-in-all the event is a must-attend for industry professionals, R&D specialists and academics in the tyre and rubber industry. To register click here

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As 2026 begins, Fornnax enters a decisive phase of its growth, seeking to scale its operations globally after years of investment in engineering, innovation and sustainable recycling.

“Our 2026 strategy is driven by four key priorities,” said Jignesh Kundaria, Director and Chief Executive of Fornnax.

The first priority is global expansion. The company plans to strengthen its presence in Europe, Australia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, while continuing to grow in existing markets. By aligning closely with local regulations and customer requirements, Fornnax aims to position itself as a long-term partner for advanced recycling solutions.

A central milestone will be export-led global installations. In 2026, the company plans to commission Europe’s highest-capacity shredding line, a project intended to reinforce its focus on high-capacity recycling systems.

The second priority is product innovation and technology leadership. Innovation, the company says, underpins its ambition to become a global leader in recycling technology by 2030. The focus remains on solutions that are efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible.

Building on more than a decade in tyre recycling, Fornnax has expanded into additional applications including municipal solid waste, e-waste, cable and aluminium recycling. Several large projects are scheduled to become operational this year, including the installation of India’s largest e-waste and cable recycling line and the commissioning of a high-capacity municipal solid waste RDF recycling line.

“Sustainable growth must be scalable and profitable,” Kundaria said. In 2026, Fornnax expects to complete phase one of its capacity expansion with the establishment of what it describes as the world’s largest shredding equipment manufacturing facility. The 23-acre site is scheduled for completion in July 2026 and is intended to expand production capacity and support global deliveries.

Alongside manufacturing expansion, the company plans further efficiency gains across its supply chain and service operations, while strengthening its service network in India, Australia and Europe to improve response times and customer support.

The final priority is people and culture. “People remain the foundation of Fornnax’s success. We will continue to invest in talent, leadership development, and a culture built on ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement,” Kundaria said.

With sustainability positioned as a core principle, the company says its objective is to grow while supporting the circular economy and contributing to a cleaner future. Management describes 2026 as a defining year, shaped by global installations, diversified recycling applications and manufacturing expansion.

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PCBL Chemical Limited said it has appointed Sanjay Prabhakar Ghawghawe as Chief Manufacturing Operations and Executive Director, with effect from 5 January 2026.

In its disclosure, PCBL said that Ghawghawe’s appointment is on a full-time basis and does not carry a fixed term.

Ghawghawe brings about 29 years of industry experience, including roles at Owens Brockway, Hindustan Unilever, Reliance Petro Marketing, Asian Paints and Avery Dennison (India). His most recent position was Chief Manufacturing Operations at Pidilite Industries.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Nagpur University and a postgraduate diploma in business management from the Institute of Business Management and Research, Pune University. The company said there are no relationships between Ghawghawe and the directors of PCBL.

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