The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, the apex body representing automotive tyre manufacturers in the country, has announced its new leadership structure.

The apex tyre body has elected Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF as the new Chairman of ATMA and Hiroshi Yoshizane, MD, Bridgestone India as the new Vice-Chairman of ATMA.

The appointment comes at a crucial juncture as ATMA celebrates 2025 as its Golden Jubilee year.

Mammen hold a graduate degree from the Madras Christian College and MBA from the Ashland University, US. He became the Managing Director of MRF in 2004 and Vice Chairman and Managing Director in 2017.

He believes that the Indian tyre industry should strive to be a major global manufacturer in the next decade and he will work on policy enablers to make the industry more competitive and technologically superior for meeting the needs of developed countries.

ATMA highlighted that given the global push towards carbon emission, there is a clear need to reduce carbon footprint in manufacturing and supply chain among others. The tyre industry on its part is already investing towards regenerative and recycled raw materials, along with using clean energy and reduction in water usage in manufacturing.

Furthermore, the INROAD Project as an industry initiative is expected to further add 200,000 hectares of new rubber plantation in the next two years.

“Over the next five years, focus needs to be given to upgradation of quality and training of the stakeholders,” added Mammen.

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Shandong Dawn Polymer Material Co., Ltd has agreed to acquire an 80 per cent stake in Ningbo SK Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd for RMB515.97m, as the Chinese polymer materials group seeks to extend its elastomer value chain and strengthen its EPDM rubber capabilities.

Dawn Polymer’s board approved the transaction on 10 December 2025. The company will use internal funds to purchase the stake from SK Geo Centric Investment Hong Kong Limited. Upon completion, Ningbo SK Synthetic Rubber will become a controlled subsidiary and be included in Dawn Polymer’s consolidated financial statements.

The acquisition is subject to shareholder approval but does not constitute a related-party transaction or a major asset restructuring under Shenzhen Stock Exchange rules, the company said.

To support stable operations following completion, certain patents, proprietary technologies and trademarks related to Ningbo SK’s products are expected to be transferred to Dawn Polymer by affiliates of the seller, SK Geo Centric Co., Ltd and/or SK Innovation Co., Ltd. The intellectual property transfer, which has not yet been finalised, is capped at RMB 64.7 m based on an assessment as of 30 June 2025.

Founded in 2012, Ningbo SK Synthetic Rubber is based in the Ningbo Petrochemical Economic and Technological Development Zone. It focuses on the production and sale of EPDM rubber, along with related technical services.

As of 30 June 2025, the company reported total assets of RMB783.0m and net assets of RMB343.8m. Revenue for the first half of 2025 was RMB568.5m, according to audited financial statements.

An asset-based valuation placed the company’s net asset value at RMB647.3m, representing an increase of 88.27 per cent over book value, primarily due to the revaluation of fixed and intangible assets.

Dawn Polymer said the acquisition would enhance its integrated “polymerisation–modification–application” industrial chain. EPDM rubber is a key raw material for the company’s dynamic vulcanisation products, and in-house production is expected to reduce reliance on external suppliers and improve supply chain resilience.

The company cautioned that the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and integration risks following completion.

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Doublestar Tires recently participated in Automechanika Dubai, presenting a range of products tailored to the specific demands of the Middle Eastern automotive aftermarket.

The company highlighted steady growth in regional demand for high-performance, wear-resistant tyres, driven by high ambient temperatures, desert terrain, the popularity of sport utility vehicles, and the increasing adoption of new energy vehicles.

At the exhibition, Doublestar showcased several specialised products, including desert all-terrain tyres, tyres developed for new-energy vehicles, and its NdGold truck and bus radial range.

The W01, designed for desert all-terrain vehicles, features a distinctive shoulder pattern intended to improve driving stability and safety. According to the company, its bionic wolf-claw tread design increases grip by 15 per cent while reducing rolling resistance, supporting off-road performance in demanding conditions.

Doublestar also presented the EV97, a passenger-car radial tyre explicitly developed for new-energy vehicles. The tyre is designed to accommodate the high-torque start-up characteristics of electric cars and incorporates a high-density belt layer and a reinforced crown belt layer. Its non-porous tread design is intended to balance appearance with safety performance.

In the commercial vehicle segment, the company introduced its NdGold truck and bus radial tyres. These use an ultra-wear-resistant compound designed to extend service life in high-temperature environments and improve overall vehicle safety.

Doublestar said its focus on differentiated and cost-effective products reflects its emphasis on innovation and supports its ambitions for further growth in global tyre markets.

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Continental has been re-elected as co-chair of the Tire Industry Project until 2029, extending its leadership role in the global tyre industry’s main sustainability forum.

The company said it would continue to contribute resources and technical expertise, particularly in tyre and road wear particles, end-of-life tyres, sustainability assessment methods and supply chain transparency.

The Tire Industry Project (TIP) brings together leading tyre manufacturers to address environmental and sustainability challenges across the sector.

The German tyre company has been involved since TIP’s founding in 2005.

“We are honoured to have been re-elected as Co-Chair. TIP fosters collaboration within the tyre industry, and beyond, with academia and other partners,” said Christian Kötz, Head of Continental Tires and a member of the executive board of Continental AG.

“Founded 20 years ago, TIP brings together the largest tyre makers to tackle complex overarching sustainability challenges – such as advancing scientific understanding of tyre wear emissions.”

“Continental takes its sustainability responsibilities seriously. This includes our active involvement in industry-wide associations. TIP is ideally suited to reinforce Continental´s ambitious sustainability agenda,” Kötz added.

Dr Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director of the Tire Industry Project, said Continental’s re-election reflected its long-standing engagement with the initiative.

“Continental has been committed to TIP since its foundation 20 years ago,” Kryachkova said. “Its re-election as Co-Chair is a testament to Continental’s strong expertise and spirit of cooperation.”

She said Continental would work alongside Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin, which together will help shape TIP’s strategic direction as co-chair companies.

Operating under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Tire Industry Project focuses on sustainability across the entire tyre lifecycle, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to use and end-of-life management.

TIP brings together 10 leading tyre companies that collectively represent more than 60 percent of global tyre production capacity.

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The year 2025 marked a significant chapter for VMI Group as it celebrated 80 years of operation, highlighting a landmark achievement for the international manufacturing firm. The company, which began as a modest workshop in Gelderland, Netherlands, has evolved into a worldwide operation serving the tyre, rubber and related industries across multiple continents.

The anniversary year was structured around the theme ‘Around the World in 80 Years’, featuring a series of celebratory events at major global facilities. Activities commenced with a virtual gathering connecting the entire organisation on 1 April. This was followed by large-scale in-person events in key locations including Yantai, China; Stow, United States; Itatiaia, Brazil; Leszno, Poland; and Vadodara, India. A particular highlight was a Family Day in Epe, Netherlands, which drew participation from over 3,000 employees and their family members.

The extensive campaign served not only to highlight the company's global scale but also to honour the collective contributions of its workforce. The celebrations were framed as a tribute to the employees and their families whose efforts over eight decades have shaped the company's unique and inclusive culture.

Underpinning the anniversary recognition is the company's longstanding commitment to innovation. Throughout its history, VMI has emphasised research and development, driving its growth with a continuous pipeline of new products designed for its global customer base.

Adding to the year’s milestones, VMI also received a gold EcoVadis award in 2025. This recognition underscores its standing as a leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility within the manufacturing sector.

Harm Voortman, CEO, VMI, said, “VMI is a global business, but we are also truly local in every country where we operate. We pride ourselves on being professional, rigorous and always working to the highest standards but also welcoming, open and friendly to everyone.”

Mike Norman, Chief Commercial Officer, VMI, said, “This great milestone has been reached and VMI is already looking forward to new challenges, new achievements and more celebrations- with innovation as the key to success in the future, just as it has been for the past 80 years.”

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