Michelin, a leading tyre manufacturer has announced the winners of the Michelin AI Challenge, which it states is the first AI challenge in the sector.

The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and Startup India, with an aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the Indian AI startup ecosystem while exposing them to global best practices.

The award ceremony took place at IIT Delhi, with the presence of special guests Petros Sourmelis, Minister-Counsellor, Delegation of EU to India and Bhutan; Marie Khater, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, Embassy of France; Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group's Chief Data and AI Officer, and Shantanu Deshpande, MD, Michelin India.

From the 10 startups presenting their ideas Kogo.ai, Prophecy, and Zangoh.ai were recognised for their innovative contributions, learning opportunities to co-build on strategic projects and receive mentorship. 

The startups were evaluated by a team of Michelin’s AI data scientists, business leaders, product managers and developers. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between Michelin and DPIIT, aimed at fostering sustained innovation and entrepreneurship, while creating an enabling environment for startups to thrive.

Dr. Ambica Rajagopal said " The Michelin AI Startup Challenge is designed to identify and support innovative startups to build solutions using AI agents, LLMs, computer vision, and robotics to enhance manufacturing, product quality, road and pedestrian safety, and how to use AI in a responsible, explainable and ethical way. By leveraging LLMs and generative AI, we are not just automating workflows but enabling intelligent agents to discover optimal paths of action through complex choices. These AI systems are now able to generate insights from distributed knowledge, linking structured and unstructured data to build deeper models of customer behaviour. The potential to unlock creativity and innovation has never been greater.”

Shantanu Deshpande said, “At Michelin, our commitment to India is reflected in our decision to establish our AI headquarters in Pune and in our continued partnership with the government through initiatives like the MoU signed with DPIIT. We believe in the power of collaboration, where our global expertise and mentorship, combined with the government's scale and vision, create a win-win scenario. We sincerely extend our gratitude to DPIIT for their invaluable support in making this challenge a success."

Petros Sourmelis stated, “The AI Challenge is a novel initiative of Michelin that aims to expand Data and AI capabilities and bring innovation to the forefront. That it has received more than 200 applications from startups across the country speaks volumes about the interest this program and its themes have generated. I hope this will give a huge spur to industry linked innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.”

Marie Khater said; “The work and activities engaged by Michelin in India embodies the profound and concrete partnership that our two countries have on digital technologies. Not only is Michelin an industrial group, one of the leaders in tyre manufacturing but the company is deeply engaged in innovation and R&D, particularly in the digital space. I am really looking forward to seeing how we can build on existing initiatives from French and Indian companies like this one to find synergies and strengthen our bilateral ties on innovation, notably in the perspective of the Indo-French year of innovation in 2026.”

The Michelin AI Challenge, was a 12-week-long initiative and undertaken in multiple stages which included, outreach, applications, shortlisting and mentorship until September 2024, followed by the grand finale featuring the shortlisted startups.

The challenge saw over 106 startups applying from all over the country; around 60 percent startups from tier 1 cities and tier 2 cities applied, showcasing diverse and innovative AI solutions.

The top ten AI innovators from the AI Startup Challenge presented their projects at the demo day at IIT Delhi. The three winning teams were awarded paid pilot projects from Michelin, with funding of up to INR 500,000 each. Furthermore, these winners will gain access to global contracts and incubation support from Michelin leadership.

DPIIT has been proactively working towards mobilising startups in the manufacturing space, and to provide them with early-stage support necessary for their growth. It is building an initiative to bridge the gap between industry and startups, by supporting with setting-up of incubators and incubation programs led by the industry. The initiative aims to empower manufacturing startups with innovative technologies and sustainable practices, enabling them to become leaders in the global market through incubation supported by the industry.

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Bridgestone India announced the winners of the 5th Edition of its Mobility Social Impact Awards (MSIA) 2025 in Pune, celebrating organisations that use mobility for social good.

The top honour in the Road Safety Innovation and Excellence category went to ALERT (Amenity Lifeline Emergency Response Team) from Chennai for empowering over 450,000 citizens with emergency response skills. Safety Research Foundation (SRF), based in Pune, received a Jury Commendation for its BRACE Project, which transforms school zones with safety audits and infrastructure upgrades.

In the Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities category, The Association of People with Disability (APD), Bengaluru, won the top honour for its Rehab on Wheels initiative, which provides last-mile rehabilitation services.

The winners were presented with their awards by social worker Dr. Girish Kulkarni, founder of Snehalaya.

Hiroshi Yoshizane, Group President, Bridgestone Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said: “It is a privilege to honour these changemakers who are redefining mobility for social good. Their work reflects our shared commitment to building inclusive, safe, and empowered communities.”

Jeya Padmanaban, Founding Trustee, Safety Research Foundation (SRF), said, “We are truly honoured to receive the Jury Commendation at the Bridgestone Mobility Social Impact Awards 2025. The BRACE Project reflects our belief that road safety must begin at the community level, where awareness and infrastructure meet action. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue building safer environments for children and fostering a culture of responsibility and care on our roads.”

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Linglong Tire has announced the promotion of Alessio Iacovelli to Deputy Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, effective 1 September 2025. In this elevated role, Iacovelli will take on leadership of the regional sales team with a mandate to accelerate business development. His key objectives will include forging strategic alliances and implementing programmes to strengthen customer loyalty. Iacovelli will report directly to Lisa Zhao, the Director of Replacement Sales for Western Europe, and will collaborate with her to manage key markets, including Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain.

Iacovelli, who began his career with Goodyear and Nexen, first joined Linglong Tire at the end of 2022 as a Sales Manager. In that capacity, he demonstrated significant success in developing the Southern European aftermarket, where he expanded the brand's footprint, defined effective growth strategies and secured robust partnerships with distributors. This strategic appointment and the restructuring of the sales leadership underscore Linglong Tire's intensified focus on achieving its ambitious growth targets across the European continent.

Iacovelli said, "I am very pleased to have been promoted to Deputy Director Replacement Sales West Europe at Linglong Tire. We have fantastic products such as the Sport Master 4S and the Sport Master Winter, both successfully tested in the recently published tyre tests. We have a state-of-the-art development centre in Germany and a new tyre plant in Europe and are successful in original equipment – ideal conditions for achieving our ambitious goals together with my team and the colleagues in Hannover and continuing to grow, especially in Europe."

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German synthetic rubber maker ARLANXEO has launched consultations with worker representatives over the potential closure of its Port Jerome facility in France, citing persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness in the European chemicals industry.

The company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, had begun an information and consultation period with the Works Council at the site, located in northern France. A final decision on the closure will be taken after the mandatory consultation process concludes and approval is obtained from the French labour authorities, DREETS.

“The European chemical industry continues to face persistent weak demand and declining competitiveness driven by rising costs, unbalanced global markets, and increased regulatory pressure,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO chief executive.

“These conditions have generated a significant burden on the sector across the regional value chain. ARLANXEO has not been an exception to these challenges. The Port Jerome site has remained in a structurally loss-making position. Despite numerous improvement efforts, we do not foresee a viable path to a sustained structural improvement.”

The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by a potential closure, nor did it provide details on the facility’s production capacity or annual output.

Van Santbrink acknowledged the impact on workers, saying: “We recognise the impact a potential closure may have on our employees, and we regret the need to consider these steps. We will continue to treat all employees with respect. If we decide to cease operations at the site, we will do our utmost to assist in finding alternative solutions for all impacted employees. In addition, we intend to provide impacted employees with a social plan which reflects their valued contribution to ARLANXEO.”

The announcement adds to a growing list of European chemical producers struggling with high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and the United States.

ARLANXEO said it would work closely with all affected internal and external stakeholders to minimise the impact of the intended closure.

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Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.

In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.

Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.

Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”

“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.

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