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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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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