In an exclusive interaction with Tyre Trends, Dr Manish Jaiswal, Director, National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX), shares the key developments taking place, how the organisation is supporting the domestic tyre industry, upcoming trends and future plans.

At present, what are the services that you’re providing for the tyre industry at NATRAX?

NATRAX is a proving ground where vehicles and all their components are tested on our various tracks. A proving ground is essentially a place where a vehicle must prove itself under various challenging terrains. It needs to test and certify itself, as well as support development activities. Our tracks cater to durability, acceleration, braking, noise, endurance, high speed, grip handling and wet-grip conditions.

Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the surface. Therefore, for vehicle dynamics testing, the tyre industry is a crucial component. NATRAX supports tyre industry in terms of the testing requirement for acceleration, braking, cornering, handling and noise.

What about homologation?

We support the tyre industry in various ways when it comes to homologation. One of the key activities is tyre labelling, in line with the new AIS 142 requirements. Every tyre must be labelled, similar to safety ratings. This labelling involves testing for rolling resistance, wet handling, wet grip and noise.

All these activities take place at NATRAX, making us the default agency for tyre labelling. We are also planning to procure a rolling resistance machine, which should arrive in a month or two. Once that happens, the entire set of tyre labelling activities will be conducted at NATRAX for both commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. This is one of our significant new developments.

What are the latest demands from the tyre industry?

We are in close contact with tyre manufacturers for various activities. One key demand is for wet handling and aquaplaning tests, for which they currently need to go abroad because such facility does not exist in India. Wet handling and aquaplaning on curves are critical safety features. For instance, when a thin film of water forms on the road, the tyre can lose its adhesion to the surface, so it’s vital to test grip in such conditions.

We are planning to build a special-purpose track for wet handling and aquaplaning and are requesting government funding for this. Once established, this will prevent the tyre industry from needing to go overseas for these tests.

Another growing concern is tyre wear and its environmental impact. Previously, emissions were only considered in terms of tailpipe emissions, but tyres also contribute to microplastic pollution and other wear particles that spread through road contact. We are collaborating closely with the tyre industry to find solutions – whether through a tyre wear machine or a specially designed track. This could become a major project, but we are committed to addressing this need.

Are you supporting tyre makers for their products designed for exports?

Tyre manufacturers often have to go to agencies in Japan and Germany for comfort testing. Developed markets have very different requirements because the driving conditions vary significantly from those in India. Comfort and ride quality are far more important in developed markets.

We are discussing how to address this need domestically. While it’s not an immediate concern, we must eventually ensure that the tyre industry can conduct 100 percent of their testing in India. Some tests, like those for snow and ice conditions, will always be challenging to replicate here due to cost and environmental factors. However, most other tests are within our long-term plans.

Has simulation reached a maturity level where it can replace physical testing?

Simulation has evolved significantly over the last 25–30 years, but we haven’t yet reached a point where it can fully replace physical testing. The complexities of vehicle systems – including OEM products, components, tyres, control systems, road conditions and driver behaviour – make complete reliance on simulation difficult.

India also faces challenges in developing high-fidelity simulation models. Accurate virtual replication requires the integration of confidential data from various partners, which is not easy to achieve. Nonetheless, we are planning for the future by developing the right simulation environment and infrastructure, such as high-fidelity simulators and virtual testing benches. This will help reduce dependence on track testing and streamline product development.

Do EV tyres require separate on-ground testing?

EV tyre testing largely follows the same procedures as conventional tyre testing, with standards remaining consistent across both types.

However, from a manufacturing and design perspective, EV tyres often use different materials and designs – including rubber, elastomers, fabric and steel – tailored to meet OEM requirements. These differences may eventually call for specific tests, but the current standards remain aligned.

In developed markets, there are separate summer and winter tyres. Do you think India needs this distinction?

Fortunately, India does not experience the extreme temperature variations seen in countries like the US, Canada or parts of Europe. In those regions, temperatures can range from 30 degrees Celsius to -10 degrees Celcius, necessitating different tyre types for safety and traction.

In India, extreme cold weather is limited to specific areas like Kashmir and only for brief periods. Given this, the added cost of maintaining separate summer and winter tyres is not justifiable.

What are NATRAX’s immediate investment plans?

While we have not worked out the exact figures, we are in the process of investing significantly (in 2025) in form of rolling resistance machine and upgradation of two-three tracks for tyre industry requirements. Our immediate future plans include significant investments for a new wet handling and aquaplaning track.

We maintain close communication with the tyre industry, prioritising their requirements to support their growth and development.

Which companies are you currently working with?

We collaborate with almost all Indian tyre manufacturers and are also engaging with multinational and global tyre brands. The goal is to develop their R&D ecosystems in India.

As international players shift their development activities to India, local testing becomes inevitable. This shift will allow NATRAX to play a crucial role in supporting their R&D and testing needs.

What is the lead time for tyre makers to approach NATRAX for testing, and how long does testing typically take?

Many tyre manufacturers have teams stationed at NATRAX around the clock, so there is no lead time. Testing happens daily.

If they have special requirements, they approach us and we are usually able to accommodate them. Approximately one-third of our track usage comes from the tyre industry. With our 50-kilometre proving ground – the largest in India and one of the largest globally – we operate at an entirely different scale.

As we expand our facilities for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and connected vehicle testing, even more tyre industry testing will take place at NATRAX. We aim to become the go-to solution for all tyre industry needs.

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ZC Rubber has received the Second Prize of China's State Science and Technology Progress Award for a project focused on high-performance tyre technologies and green intelligent manufacturing, developed jointly with Harbin Institute of Technology. The award recognises the project, titled Key Technologies and Green Intelligent Manufacturing of High-Performance Tires.

According to the company, ZC Rubber is the only Chinese tyre manufacturer to receive the State Science and Technology Progress Award at the Second Prize level or above during the past decade. The award is among China's highest state honours for scientific and technological innovation.

The company said the recognition reflects its investment in research and development and its efforts to integrate tyre development with intelligent manufacturing. In 2025, ZC Rubber invested RMB 1.54 billion in research and development, equivalent to 3.43 percent of annual revenue, according to its annual report.

The award recognises technologies that have moved beyond laboratory research into industrial application, linking high-performance tyre development with green and intelligent manufacturing processes.

Central to the company's research strategy are two proprietary technology platforms: the X-Tech System for truck and bus radial tyres and the Phecda Tech System for passenger car radial tyres. The platforms combine compound formulation, tyre structure design, process engineering, simulation, testing and intelligent manufacturing within a single development framework.

Rather than adapting an existing product architecture, the platforms define performance targets according to vehicle application, operating conditions and customer requirements before developing compounds, structures and manufacturing processes. ZC Rubber said this enables it to develop tyres for different duty cycles, climates, road conditions and regional requirements rather than using a standardised design.

Henry Shen, Senior Vice President of ZC Rubber, said: “Our objective is not simply to develop an individual material, tread pattern or manufacturing process. X-Tech and Phecda are complete development systems that connect user requirements with simulation, materials, tire engineering, manufacturing and validation. This award recognizes the direction we have pursued through sustained R&D investment.”

The company has applied the X-Tech and Phecda platforms across products developed for different regions. In Asia, the X-Tech System underpins the X-Elite truck tyre series. In Europe, it is used in the WESTLAKE Gen II commercial tyre range, while the Phecda Tech System supports passenger car tyres including the WESTLAKE ZuperAce Z-007 and GOODRIDE Solmax 1. Technologies from both platforms have also been applied across ARISUN's truck and passenger car tyre ranges in the Americas.

Shen said: “International markets do not have identical requirements. A tire developed for European highway fleets, Southeast Asian transport operations or passenger vehicles in the Americas must respond to different vehicles, roads, climates and customer priorities. Our technology platforms allow us to address those differences through a consistent and systematic development process.”

The company said the award-winning project incorporates green and intelligent manufacturing technologies intended to improve product consistency, production efficiency and energy performance. It added that the X-Tech and Phecda platforms will continue to support original equipment and replacement market product development across its WESTLAKE, GOODRIDE, ARISUN and other brands.

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The Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI) has officially announced the appointment of Professor (Dr) Abhijit Bandyopadhyay as its new Director. This decision marks a significant leadership transition for the institute, as it prepares to welcome a figure with extensive expertise in polymer science and rubber technology.

Professor Bandyopadhyay brings a distinguished academic and technical background to his new position. He currently serves as a full Professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Technology at the University of Calcutta and holds the role of Director, Technical at the South Asia Rubber and Polymers Park in West Bengal. His prior experience includes a tenure as Assistant Professor at the Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur, and he has recently been appointed as a Technical Consultant for Rubber products at Berzelius Materials Performance Inc. in the United Kingdom.

Stepping into his new role, the new Director is expected to prioritise research advancement, indigenisation of technologies and sustainable development within the rubber sector. The IRMRI leadership and members have expressed confidence in his visionary guidance, anticipating that his leadership will drive the institute toward greater innovation and research excellence in the coming years.

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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted laboratory recognition to M/s D. Banerjee Centre of Excellence (DBCOE), based at the JSS Technical Institutions Campus in Mysuru, Karnataka, for a three-year period from 8 July 2026 to 7 July 2029.

The recognition, issued under the BIS Laboratory Recognition Scheme (LRS), enables the centre to undertake testing activities in accordance with BIS requirements. The laboratory's details have been uploaded to the BIS Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), with sample receipt, testing and report generation to be managed through the online platform. The recognition remains subject to compliance with the provisions of the BIS LRS 2020.

Established by the Indian Institute of Rubber (IRI) in collaboration with JSS Technical Institutions, the centre is intended to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in polymer science and rubber technology while supporting research, testing, training and technology development for the tyre and wider rubber industry.

The facility has developed capabilities in material characterisation, wet chemistry and forensic failure analysis. Its laboratories can analyse raw materials including carbon black, rubber chemicals, elastomers, accelerators and antioxidants, while also supporting material specification development, plant audits and quality approvals. Plans are also in place to expand failure analysis services for manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

DBCOE also aims to support manufacturers adapting to changing automotive requirements, including electric vehicles, through research into advanced materials and sustainable alternatives. Its stated focus includes bio-based materials, tyre recycling, steel reuse and low-emission polymers, alongside technical support for regulatory compliance and homologation.

Alongside its testing infrastructure, the centre has established a training ecosystem for the rubber sector. It offers two flagship programmes: a Diploma in Rubber Technology for diploma holders and new recruits, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Rubber Technology for science and engineering graduates. Both programmes combine online theory modules with practical training and laboratory sessions at the Mysuru campus, with final examinations conducted by IIT Kharagpur.

The centre is also developing a series of short-duration industry courses covering mixing, compounding, extrusion, calendering, tyre building, moulding, retreading, footwear, conveyor belts and latex products. These programmes combine classroom instruction with practical demonstrations, testing methodologies and failure analysis.

According to the centre, more than 40 industry experts contribute to its training programmes. Several tyre manufacturers, including Apollo Tyres, Yokohama, BKT and JK Tyre, recognise completion of the diploma programme as part of their employee development initiatives.

The centre primarily serves the tyre industry but also aims to support non-tyre rubber manufacturers, particularly MSMEs that lack access to advanced testing facilities and technical expertise. Through consultancy, training and laboratory services, it seeks to improve technical capability, product quality and compliance across the broader rubber sector.

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Elkem ASA, a global leader in advanced silicon-based materials, has announced the appointment of Dag Teigland as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 3 August 2026. The board’s decision coincides with the departure of Helge Aasen, who will step down after leading the company since 2009 to take on the role of Chairman of the Board.

Bringing more than two decades of industrial and investment expertise, Teigland currently serves as executive chairman of Tekna Holding ASA, a firm known for advanced metal powders. His career includes senior executive positions at Tinfos AS and Holta Invest AS, where he managed an active investment platform. Previously, he held multiple leadership roles at Elkem from 1998 to 2002, culminating as Managing Director for the chrome business area, providing him with direct familiarity with the company’s operations.

Marianne E Johnsen, Interim Chair of the Board of Elkem, said, “The Board is pleased to appoint Dag Teigland as CEO of Elkem. He brings deep industrial expertise and a proven track record of driving development and transformation. With his background spanning both international industrial operations and investment environments, Dag is well suited to lead Elkem into its next phase of growth and development.

“At the same time, the Board would like to thank Helge Aasen for his strong leadership and significant contribution to Elkem over many years. During his tenure, Elkem has strengthened its strategic position, expanded its global footprint and developed world-leading positions in silicon, ferrosilicon, foundry alloys and carbon solutions. Helge has also led Elkem through major portfolio and financing measures, including the divestment of the Silicones division. We are very pleased that he will continue to contribute to the company’s development as chairperson of the board.”

Teigland said, “It is a great honour to return to Elkem and take on the role of chief executive officer. Elkem is a company with a strong industrial heritage and a leading position within its respective segments. I look forward to working with the Board, the Elkem leadership team and colleagues worldwide to build on this foundation, accelerate sustainable growth, advance safety and innovation and ensure that Elkem continues to supply the strategic materials needed for a cleaner, smarter and more resilient future.”

Aasen said, “It has been a privilege to lead Elkem as CEO over the past 17 years. I am proud of what the organisation has accomplished during this period and confident that the company is well positioned for long-term, sustainable value creation. I look forward to continuing to support Elkem in my new role as chairperson of the board and to work closely with Dag in the transition.”

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