A proposed bill in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has ignited fierce opposition from the country’s tyre retreading sector, which sees the legislation as an ill-conceived and uninformed attack on an industry that plays a crucial role in the economy and sustainability efforts. The bill seeks to ban the use of retread tyres on buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways, a move that the industry argues is both impractical and detrimental.
Brazil is the world’s second-largest retread market, following only the United States. This achievement has been attributed to the reliability and quality of work carried out by retreaders, which has earned the market’s trust.
In September 2024, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to exercise a ban on the use of retread tyres in buses and trucks operating on state and federal highways. The Brazilian Association of Tyre Retreading (ABR) lashed out at the proposed draft, labelling it as ‘misguided and uninformed’.
Subsequently, ABR President and Federal Senator of Mato Grosso, Margareth Buzetti, told Tyre Trends, “The proposed bill focuses on retread tyres rather than broader factors such as overloading, poor road conditions or inadequate maintenance practices due to sheer misinformation on the part of the person who proposed the project. It is a simplistic and populist proposal that promises to increase road safety by fighting the wrong enemy. Tyres retreaded in Brazil undergo extremely rigorous inspections to ensure that they reach the transport companies safely and reliably.”
“We, as retreaders, meet Inmetro standards that define the technical requirements for tyre retreading, following the standards of excellence practiced in other countries. We are talking about large companies that have strict quality standards. We are in no way inferior to new tyres in terms of safety,” she added.
According to Buzetti, no reputable company would compromise on tyre safety as doing so could lead to financial losses from accidents and endanger lives. She also pointed out that the sector’s ability to generate approximately 300,000 direct and indirect jobs is a testament to the high quality of retreaded products.
Commenting on how the proposed bill might influence public perception about the sustainable practice, she noted, “The way it was proposed is terrible because it gives people the impression that retread tyres in Brazil are of poor quality and are responsible for road accidents. This is absurd misinformation. However, I do not see this issue as something that concerns the general population. Transport companies, which are the largest users of retread tyres, are aware of the reality.”
“Entities linked to both the reform and transportation sectors sent dozens of letters to the Chamber of Deputies against the proposed bill. We will continue this pressure in 2025,” she added.
The association plans to seek out the rapporteur and the author of the bill so that they understand the seriousness of the work carried out by the sector. “The right thing to do would be for the congressman to withdraw the bill he presented and file another one that focuses on combating illegally-made reforms or the poor-quality tyres that are imported from Asia without any control whatsoever. Then they will have our support. Otherwise, we will seek out partner congressmen to wage a real battle within the Chamber against the advancement of this absurd proposal,” contended Buzetti.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL
Buzetti noted that if the proposed bill was implemented, then the implications would be ‘catastrophic’. “If the bill were to become law, the long-term impact on Brazil’s tyre industry would be devastating. Companies are already struggling with the rising cost of raw materials due to increase in the Dollar-Brazilian Real exchange rates. Banning tyre retreading would further cripple the sector, leading to significant financial and operational challenges,” she said.
Currently, tyre retreading saves Brazil BRL 7 billion in transportation costs. If the proposed bill becomes law, which the ABR believes is unlikely and will actively oppose, it would effectively force transportation companies to buy only new tyres overnight, causing a massive rise in costs.
Alluding to the potential impact of this legislation on Brazil’s carbon neutrality and sustainability goals, Buzetti emphasised, “The sector was recently recognised by the Ministry of the Environment as an important asset in the circular economy. This was a milestone that we achieved at great cost, and the government is finally beginning to see our importance for environmental sustainability. I believe that 2025 will be the year in which we will be able to make even more progress on this issue. We cannot ignore the importance for the environment of a sector that retreads 14 million tyres per year.”
While the association can furnish data demonstrating the safety and reliability of Inmerto-certified retread tyres to battle the proposed bill, Buzetti, attacking the project makers, said, “Can the deputy who created the project present data that guarantees that the lack of safety on the roads is caused by retread tyres?”
Commenting on the bill’s impact on small and micro enterprises if implemented, Buzetti said, “Tyre retreading supports 300,000 jobs in Brazil today. It is a well-established market. Banning retreading would be like taking food off the table for thousands of Brazilians who rely on this sector.”
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
According to Buzetti, the legislative year ended with this bill being presented to the Chamber of Deputies’ Transport and Roads Committee and it did not receive any amendments within the statutory deadline. Now, in February, discussions on the proposal can begin and she highly doubts that it will move forward. As a senator, she will not participate in the votes in the Chamber but will personally go to the committee to talk to all the deputies to demonstrate the quality of tyre retreading in Brazil.
Speaking on the steps that the government should take to address any lingering safety concerns and prevent future proposals like this, in case the bill was withdrawn, Buzetti said, “Inspection of poor-quality tyres entering the country and incentives for tyre retreaders to continue operating within the law is a necessary step. I presented a bill that is currently pending in the Chamber of Deputies that provides tax exemption for tyre retreading companies, as a way of attracting them to formality.”
She also noted, “Instead of banning retread tyres, we could have greater oversight of imported tyres that enter Brazil illegally. We are talking about tyres that are so bad that they don’t even need to be refurbished. These should be a priority for parliamentarians. And, of course, improving road conditions and oversight of the rules that must be followed by transport companies (such as not exceeding the maximum load) are also important steps to increase road safety.”
TBC Veteran Greg Ortega Promoted To Lead Global Purchasing Strategy
- By TT News
- May 05, 2026
TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has elevated Greg Ortega to the role of Chief Purchasing Officer. The promotion places Ortega on the company’s executive team, where he will be responsible for global purchasing strategies and supplier relationships, reporting directly to President and CEO Don Byrd.
With a career at TBC spanning more than three decades beginning in 1996, Ortega brings over 30 years of experience in purchasing, merchandising, product marketing and sales. He most recently served as Group Vice President, overseeing consumer and commercial tyre procurement strategies while strengthening key supplier partnerships. His rise through progressive leadership roles underscores his long-standing impact on the organisation.
Ortega holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, San Bernardino, as well as advanced degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. He also earned two professional certifications from the Institute for Supply Management: Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity and Certified Professional in Supply Management.
Byrd said, “Greg’s tenure at TBC has given him in-depth knowledge of our business and industry, and in his new role, he will continue to strengthen our company by leading our integrated, enterprise-wide approach to purchasing. Greg has served a critical role in shaping key relationships to support our competitive advantage and positioned us for long-term growth.”
Maximilian Peter Succeeds Peter Summo As WACKER Polymers Head
- By TT News
- May 05, 2026
WACKER has announced a leadership change in its Polymers division, effective 1 May 2026. Maximilian Peter, a doctorate holder in chemical engineering and a company veteran since 2012, assumes the role of the head of Polymers division. His prior experience includes process development, Corporate Development and most recently Human Resources.
On the same date, outgoing Polymers head Peter Summo transitions to lead Sales & Distribution. Summo, who led the division for a decade, brings a business administration background and joined WACKER in 1995 after starting his career at Akzo Nobel. He has since served in multiple management roles.
Peter Summo
The restructuring places both executives in new senior positions, ensuring continuity in polymer operations while refreshing commercial leadership. Summo’s long tenure in the division gives way to Peter’s broader internal track record across engineering, strategy, and personnel functions.
Christian Hartel, CEO, WACKER, said, “With Maximilian Peter and Peter Summo, we are filling two key positions at WACKER with experienced colleagues who have already played a decisive role in using their expertise to shape the company. As head of the Polymers division, Maximilian Peter will continue to drive forward its regional expansion. Peter Summo will continue to forge ahead with WACKER’s market and customer focus and promote sales excellence throughout the company. I wish them both every success in their new roles and look forward to our continued collaboration going forward.”
Himadri Sharpens Tyre Ambitions With Investment-Led Revival And Expansion Plans
- By Sharad Matade
- May 04, 2026
Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd is positioning its tyre business as a key growth driver, backed by calibrated investment, product expansion and a long-term plan to scale operations across domestic and export markets.
The company’s re-entry into the tyre segment through the revival of Birla Tyres marks a strategic diversification beyond its core speciality chemicals and carbon materials business. In its first year of operations, the tyre division generated revenue of INR 1.87 billion, reflecting an early-stage but measured recovery.
Management has outlined an ambitious medium-term target to scale the business to around INR 30 billione in revenue over the next four years, signalling a significant ramp-up in capacity utilisation, distribution reach and product portfolio.
The investment strategy is deliberately phased. The company is prioritising product-market fit, channel expansion and brand repositioning before pursuing volume-led growth. It has already established a distribution base of 43 distributors and more than 1,000 dealers, providing a platform for scale.
“We are approaching the revival of our tyre business in a calibrated manner, focusing first on product-market fit, channel strength and brand positioning before scaling volumes,” said Anurag Choudhary, Chairman, Managing Director And Chief Executive.
At the product level, Himadri is strengthening its presence in agriculture and commercial vehicle segments, where brands such as KalaPatthar and Shaan+ are gaining traction. New launches, including AgriPlus and AgriWin tractor tyre series, are expected to support near-term growth.
Looking ahead, the company plans to expand into passenger car radial tyres, with commissioning targeted over the next 24 months. The strategy will focus on electric vehicle-specific tyres, leveraging Himadri’s expertise in carbon black chemistry to develop higher-performance products with improved durability and efficiency.
“Our objective is not merely to regain market presence, but to build a differentiated and competitive tyre business that can sustainably grow across domestic and select international markets,” Choudhary said.
Capacity expansion and production ramp-up will be aligned closely with demand visibility over the next 12–24 months. The company indicated that utilisation levels will increase progressively, supported by new product introductions across agriculture, mining and commercial vehicle segments.
Alongside manufacturing, Himadri is investing in process improvements and supply chain capabilities to ensure consistent quality as volumes scale. The broader objective is to build a differentiated tyre business rather than pursue rapid expansion at the cost of margins.
Management said the tyre division remains at an early stage but is expected to evolve into a meaningful contributor to overall growth in the coming years, complementing the company’s advanced materials and speciality chemicals portfolio.
CEAT Reports 23% Rise In Q4 Revenue As Margins Hold Steady
- By TT News
- May 04, 2026
CEAT Limited reported a 23 percent year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to INR 42.19 billion in the fourth quarter of the financial year ended 31 March 2026, with net profit of INR 2.44 billion and an EBITDA margin of 14.18 percent.
For the full year, the tyre maker posted consolidated revenue of INR 156.78 billion, up 18.6 percent, with net profit of INR 6.97 billion and an EBITDA margin of 13.16 percent.
CEAT Limited said the quarterly performance was supported by growth across segments, including its international business, despite geopolitical pressures.
Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & Chief Executive, said: “FY26 has been a strong year where we delivered robust growth in top line as well as in bottom line. We crossed an important milestone of INR 150 billion of revenue, accompanied by market share gains in replacement and OEMS. We successfully closed the CAMSO deal during the year.
“In Q4, we delivered high growth in all segments including international business, despite geopolitical tensions. Looking ahead, while there is a momentum on top line, we have short-term challenges on supply chain and costs due to steep increase raw material cost that we intent to mitigate through pricing and strong cost management. We intend to continue expanding our capacities in line with our growth plans.”
On a standalone basis, fourth-quarter revenue stood at INR 40.36 billion, up 18 percent year on year, with an EBITDA margin of 14.55 percent and net profit of INR 2.84 billion.
Kumar Subbiah, Chief Financial Officer, said: “In Q4, we improved operating margins by over 51 bps, driven by a sharper focus on operating efficiencies, scale and disciplined cost management. For the year, we delivered our highest-ever profit of INR 6.97 billion. “Our balance sheet continues to be strong and leverage ratios remain healthy to provide growth capital to the business. While gross debt has increased, we remain committed to maintaining a cautious leverage profile with adequate liquidity.
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