Birla Tyres, once a dominant name on Indian roads, is going a transformation under new ownership. Acquired by Himadri Speciality Chemicals and Dalmia Bharat Refractories, the iconic brand is being restructured to target emerging opportunities within electric vehicles and off-the-highway tyres, supported by strategic innovation and forward integration.

Birla Tyres ruled many Indian roads for over two decades till its fall in 2023. Born as a division of Kesoram Industries in 1991, the tyre maker collaborated with global giant Pirelli shortly after its inception for advanced tyre manufacturing technology.

It started production of truck and bus tyres from its Odisha plant in 1992, and later, between 1995 and 2000, went onto produce tyres across different vehicular categories including passenger, two-wheeler, commercial, farm and heavy earth-movers. 

The Kolkata-based manufacturer produced both radial and bias tyres and had a densely spread supply chain with over 170 sales depots within India and an international network across 17 countries during the helm of its operations.

Production capacities had risen to 15 million tyres with revenue crossing INR 200 billion, annually, until the second decade of the 21st century. The company that once held a moderate share in the Indian tyre market, competing with brands like MRF, Apollo Tyres, CEAT and JK Tyre, was now facing operational efficiencies leading to dwindling market share.

Hence, a new era heralded within the operations of one of the major homegrown tyre makers. Furthermore, the axe fell at the core of the entity in 2019 when Kesoram Industries demerged its tyre division into an independent entity called Birla Tyres Limited to focus exclusively on the tyre business.

Soon after, in 2021, financial crisis led the company to file for insolvency under the Indian Bankruptcy Code due to mounting debts and operational losses. Production slowed significantly with plants running below capacity. The company had incurred debt of over INR 100 billion by 2021, and in FY23, Birla Tyres’ reported a net loss of INR 370.7 million.

Between 2022-2023, the company made revival attempts as it sought investors, explored cost-cutting measures, focused on realigning its product portfolio, emphasising two-wheeler tyres and niche markets like electric vehicles, but to no avail.

Alas, in October, 2023, control of Birla Tyres was handed over to a consortium of Kolkata-based Himadri Speciality Chemicals and Dalmia Bharat Refractories.

The rebirth

According to media reports, Himadri Speciality Chemical and Dalmia Bharat Refractories jointly acquired Birla Tyres under India’s Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, approved by the National Company Law Tribunal. Birla Tyres faced insolvency due to mounting debt, including claims of INR 115.2 billion by financial creditors. The resolution plan proposed a payment of INR 3.16 billion to secured creditors against admitted claims of INR 109.7 billion.

The new owners aimed to revitalise Birla Tyres by leveraging its existing infrastructure, particularly at the Balasore plant in Odisha. While Himadri Speciality Chemicals planned to focus on passenger car tyres, including those for electric vehicles (EV), Dalmia Bharat Refractories proposed to oversee procurement and material supply.

The strategic partnership sought to re-establish Birla Tyres in niche markets, supported by Himadri’s expertise in carbon black production, which constitutes a significant cost component in tyre manufacturing.

Moreover, the consortium decided in November 2023 to invest INR 2.5 billion to operationalise the passenger car radial segment of the fallen giant.

Path forward

Over a year has passed since the controlling interests have been transferred, but the Indian tyre landscape eagerly awaits the resurgence of a much-loved brand. Speaking to Tyre Trends on the re-launching of Birla Tyres, Himadri Speciality Chemicals Managing Director Anurag Choudhary said, “We plan to initially continue producing Birla Tyres existing range but have outlined a strategic shift towards focusing on electric vehicle tyres in the long term. With the electric vehicle market rapidly expanding, the demand for specialised tyres designed to meet the unique requirements of EVs is expected to grow significantly. Additionally, we also aim to prioritise off-the-highway (OTR) tyres as part of our long-term vision, targeting key industrial and off-road sectors.”

Himadri Speciality Chemicals plans to start the manufacturing process from Birla Tyres’ plant in Balasore, which has with a capacity of 400 tyres per day. While the company acknowledges the growing potential of the EV market, it has not yet determined how much of this capacity will be allocated to EV tyre production. This decision will depend on finalising future plans and market strategies. 

Additionally, no capital expenditure plans have been finalised yet, but it was informed that the specialty chemicals company is considering the establishment of a dedicated supply chain to support the tyre operations.

Alluding to why a specialty chemicals company invested in acquiring a tyre company, Choudhary averred, “Our acquisition of Birla Tyres aligns with a long-standing strategy of forward integration. Historically, we have evolved by building on core processes, starting with coal tar distillation and progressing into areas such as oils, carbon black and eventually speciality black products.”

“This forward-thinking approach has also driven the development of special coal tar-derived materials for applications like anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, reflecting our commitment to innovation and research and development. The decision to acquire Birla Tyres is a natural extension of this strategy. Tyre production uses a significant proportion (almost 26 percent) of carbon black by volume, making it a logical step for the company to integrate downstream into the tyre manufacturing sector. This acquisition not only ensures a steady demand for its carbon black but also positions the company to leverage its expertise in specialty materials and innovation for future growth,” he added.

When asked about plans to introduce sustainable materials in the revival of Birla Tyres, the executive indicated that the company is steadfast in its plan to foster a circular economy and is exploring ways to enhance the reusability of existing materials including carbon black but emphasised that these efforts are still in the research and development phase.

Regarding competitiveness in the tyre market, he stated that the company is devising a comprehensive strategy. As for the challenges of entering the tyre industry, he acknowledged that being a newcomer brings a range of hurdles. However, he viewed these challenges as opportunities to innovate and carve a niche in the market.

Forward integration

Himadri Speciality Chemicals in also setting up a lithium-iron phosphate plant in Odisha to further its expansion into the automotive sector. Furthermore, it also sees growing demand for carbon black within the Indian market.

Commenting on opportunities in India's carbon black market, Choudhury highlighted, “Himadri is focusing heavily on speciality carbon black, a high-value segment with diverse applications. We have a current production capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes and plan to expand it to 130,000 metric tonnes, positioning us as the world’s fourth-largest producer in this niche. We are also focusing on speciality carbon black for EV tyres.”

When asked about the potential of recovered carbon black, he expressed doubts about its ability to replace virgin carbon black due to quality constraints. While the company supports sustainability under its ESG commitments and is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, recycled carbon black is expected to remain a small, complementary product in its portfolio. 

Speaking on the lithium-iron phosphate plant in Odisha, Choudhary mentioned that the first phase is designed to produce 40,000 metric tonnes, supporting 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery production. The project involves a capital expenditure of INR 113 billion and marks a significant step in Himadri’s strategy to support the EV and battery sectors. 

Moreover, he sees significant growth opportunities in the EV market, which he mentioned is at a critical inflection point, leading to exponential adoption. The company is investing in materials essential to the EV ecosystem. It has focused on developing key battery components such as cathodes and is conducting research on anodes, which together account for 65 percent of a lithium-ion cell’s cost.

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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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