As the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) prepares for 2025 under a new administration and Congress, President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke shares insights into the industry’s priorities and recent achievements. From advancing sustainability through innovative research to advocating for updated regulations and expanding domestic retreading, USTMA is focused on driving economic growth, safety and environmental progress.

In this interview, Luke highlights the importance of collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders, detailing how the tyre industry is addressing key challenges while positioning itself as a leader in innovation and sustainability.

With a new president and Congress in place, the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is preparing for a potential shift in regulatory priorities and legislative focus. The incoming administration may initiate a regulatory pause to assess existing policies, a move USTMA sees as an opportunity for constructive engagement.

 “This offers the tyre industry an avenue to engage with fresh faces and perspectives within the administration and Congress, fostering a dialogue about the tyre industry’s key issues,” thinks Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “USTMA looks forward to collaborating with the new administration and Congress and the opportunity to highlight how smart, balanced policies can drive innovation, sustainability and growth within the US tyre manufacturing sector.”

USTMA anticipates collaborating with the new administration and Congress to advance initiatives that align with the industry’s priorities. “As the association looks to 2025, its efforts will continue to centre on three key themes: innovation, sustainability and safety,” adds Luke.

USTMA aims to build relationships and advance its advocacy objectives during the 119th Congress as the Trump administration takes office. However, Luke adds that the association cannot predict the new administration’s specific policies; it remains committed to advancing its legislative priorities. These include advocating for updated National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules on consumer tyre information and performance standards, modernising tyre testing regulations, addressing potential trade and tariff issues, expanding sustainability efforts and supporting domestic manufacturing job creation.

USTMA also intends to working directly with state governments to address policy and regulatory issues where state action may arise in response to perceived gaps in federal policies.

Looking back

The year 2024 was an active period for the US tyre industry, marked by significant progress advocating for several priorities focused on enhanced road safety, tyre innovation, environmental stewardship and domestic jobs in the manufacturing sector, as per Luke.

The US tyre manufacturing industry generates an annual economic impact of USD 170.6 billion and directly provides more than 291,000 jobs across manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors. Additionally, the sector supports over 510,000 jobs through supplier and induced activities, contributing to a total of more than 801,000 jobs nationwide.

“In 2024, despite challenges such as the ongoing impact of interest rate fluctuation and inflation, post-election and geopolitical uncertainty, the tyre industry remains resilient, continually adapting to market dynamics and technological advancements to sustain its vital role in the US economy,” said Luke.

Leadership and collaboration

Luke empathises on the importance of partnerships and leadership to drive progress. Luke adds, “Achieving meaningful progress on a complex and ambitious series of goals requires strong leadership and deep collaboration to succeed. We view 2025 as a year full of opportunities to build on a rich ecosystem of partnerships with stakeholders.”

USTMA has outlined several key areas of focus for the upcoming year. Chief among them are sustainability leadership, advancing innovation through research, collaborative policy and regulatory engagement, creating economic impact and working with a new administration and a new Congress in 2025.

Collaborative efforts

Luke stresses the organisation’s commitment to working with state and federal policymakers and stakeholders across the tyre recycling value chain.

Another major initiative is advancing innovation through research, particularly in the development of sustainable alternatives to 6PPD, a chemical widely used to preserve tyre performance. The 6PPD Alternatives Analysis Consortium, spearheaded by USTMA, will move into its second stage in 2025, evaluating potential effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

USTMA members use a chemical additive called 6PPD to help tyres resist degradation and cracking, which is crucial for driver and passenger safety. In December 2020, researchers from the University of Washington and the Washington Stormwater Center published a report identifying a transformation product of 6PPD, called 6PPD-quinone, which they concluded is toxic to coho salmon and may be contributing to urban runoff mortality syndrome in the species. Earlier studies had not identified this substance.

In response, USTMA led the formation of a more than 30-member consortium to work transparently and collaboratively with California regulators and stakeholders to find a potential alternative to 6PPD that would protect both motorists and the environment.

“That work, and our collaboration with federal and state regulators, legislators, researchers and other interested stakeholders, will continue in 2025,” adds Luke.

Retreading

Commercial tyre retreading offers significant opportunities to expand domestic manufacturing, create American jobs, and promote sustainability. Retreading benefits not only large manufacturers but also small, independent businesses. In the US, most retread facilities are small operations, employing between 10 and 60 workers, and are often located in smaller towns and rural communities.

“By promoting investments in tyre retreading, the tyre industry aims to strengthen these small businesses, enabling them to grow, hire more workers and play a vital role in their communities. Increased demand will help these shops thrive, ensuring their longevity and supporting local economies across the country,” says Luke.

USTMA has prioritised domestic manufacturing of retreaded tyre for commercial vehicles to boost sustainability and create American jobs. The retread sector, employing over 51,000 Americans, is the largest remanufacturing sector in the US; commercial tyre retreading offers an effective way to recycle tyres, providing numerous economic and environmental benefits. Beyond job creation, retreading reduces energy consumption, CO2 emissions, raw material usage and tyre disposal challenges.

“The US Congress has an opportunity to increase domestic retreaded tyre demand by requiring the use of these tyres in the federal fleet. USTMA will continue to advocate for expanding this crucial industry to create more well-paying jobs, allowing domestic workers to contribute to the local economy,” says Luke.

Recycling

USTMA is prioritising sustainable solutions for end-of-life tyres. For nearly three decades, the association has worked with stakeholders to promote tyre recycling and advocate for supportive regulations. “Our goal is that 100 percent of end-of-life tyres will enter sustainable, circular end-use markets. This remains a top focus area for us heading into 2025,” tells Luke.

Use of recycled tyres in road construction is increasing, according to USTMA’s 2023 End-of-Life Tire Management Report. The use of rubber-modified asphalt (RMA) has grown 17 percent since 2021. USTMA sees potential for further growth in this area, thanks to recent federal infrastructure legislation. “We continue to advocate for increased investment and expansion in these areas while also pushing for greater focus on domestic retreading of commercial tyres. Particularly, USTMA has called on Congress to fund research and demonstration projects using Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) in federal state and local construction projects,” says Luke.

As per Luke, shredded tyres can be used in various construction projects, including road embankments and stormwater systems. The association advocates for the use of RMA in federal road projects, citing its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits.

The Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative of the United States Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has been launched to expand markets for end-of-life tyre (ELT) and promote tyre recycling research.

The foundation aims to secure funding and allocate grants for research, education, intervention and demonstration projects addressing critical gaps in the US tyre recycling supply chain. A key focus is accelerating the adoption of RMA. Luke explains,” USTMA will continue to emphasise that collaborative efforts across the tyre recycling value chain must continue to fully eliminate illegal and abandoned tyre stockpiles and create sustainable, circular markets for ELTs, and this effort will be a focus of USTMA going forward.”

Smooth supply of NR

Natural rubber remains a key component in tyre production, but the industry is making strides in integrating modern, sustainable materials. USTMA continues to advocate for developing a domestic natural rubber supply, including alternatives like guayule, taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) or dandelion rubber. These efforts have already resulted in successful experimental tyres, highlighting the potential of these sustainable sources.

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Apollo Tyres Chairman Onkar S. Kanwar has said the company remains focused on disciplined execution, sustainability and long-term value creation as it navigates geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade dynamics and a challenging global business environment.

Addressing shareholders at the company's 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), Kanwar said FY26 had been a year that tested businesses worldwide, but Apollo Tyres had continued to strengthen its financial performance while investing for future growth.

"The future is not something we inherit. It is something we create through the choices we make every day," Kanwar told shareholders, quoting Mahatma Gandhi's observation that "The future depends on what we do in the present."

Apollo Tyres reported consolidated revenue of INR 284.71 billion for FY26, crossing the INR 280 billion milestone, while operating profit rose to INR 41.43 billion. Kanwar said the company's focus extended beyond financial performance to improving capital efficiency, operational discipline and profitable growth.

"Every important decision we take is driven by one simple question: Are we building a stronger company for tomorrow?" he said.

Kanwar also highlighted the company's efforts to strengthen the Apollo Tyres brand through its association with the Indian national cricket team, describing the partnership as one that reflected Apollo Tyres' values of resilience, determination and excellence rather than merely serving as a branding exercise.

Sustainability remained central to the company's strategy, he said, noting that Apollo Tyres' greenhouse gas emission reduction targets had been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reinforcing its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The company continued to expand the use of renewable energy while improving responsible sourcing and resource efficiency across its operations, Kanwar said. "Sustainability is no longer a separate agenda for Apollo Tyres; it has become an integral part of how we innovate, manufacture and grow."

Kanwar credited employees for the company's performance, describing their commitment and adaptability as the foundation of Apollo Tyres' continued progress. He also acknowledged the support of governments and institutions across the markets where the company operates.

He singled out Hungary as a key manufacturing base in Europe, saying Apollo Tyres' plant at Gyöngyöshalász reflected the benefits of long-term collaboration with the Hungarian government.

Looking ahead, Kanwar expressed confidence in the company's growth prospects, citing India's expanding market opportunities and Apollo Tyres' international manufacturing and distribution footprint.

"Uncertainty will always be a part of business, but organisations that remain true to their values, continue to innovate and invest responsibly will be best placed to succeed," he said.

Thanking shareholders, customers, dealers, suppliers, financial institutions and government partners for their continued support, Kanwar said Apollo Tyres remained committed to building "a company that is stronger, more resilient and more responsible with every passing year."

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CAMSO Construction and CEAT Specialty has announced the appointment of Jason Canning as Vice President & Head – International Sales for CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT business units. The executive will assume responsibility for steering the company’s worldwide sales strategy, accelerating international revenue expansion, and fortifying collaborations with original equipment manufacturers, distribution networks and end-users in pivotal global regions.

With a career spanning over two decades, Canning brings extensive commercial leadership experience garnered across the speciality tyre, industrial products and engineered materials industries. His professional track record is distinguished by consistent delivery of sustainable financial growth, the cultivation of high-performance international sales teams and the establishment of durable strategic alliances with major OEMs, channel partners and a diverse clientele across multiple continents.

This strategic hire underscores the organisation’s ongoing commitment to securing premier global talent in support of its ambitious international development objectives. The move also reaffirms the company’s dedication to providing customer-centric, premium-grade solutions on a worldwide scale, aligning with its broader vision for sustained market presence and operational excellence.

Canning said, "I am excited to join CAMSO Construction and CEAT OHT at such a pivotal time for the organisation. I look forward to leveraging my international experience to strengthen our global partnerships, expand our market presence and drive sustainable growth for the business."

Amit Tolani, Director, CAMSO Construction and Chief Executive, CEAT Specialty, said, " Jason's international experience and proven track record of building high-performing sales teams make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. His deep understanding of the OHT products landscape, along with strong OEM and channel relationships, will support our global expansion."

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ZC Rubber has held its first Indonesia Distributor Conference, bringing together around 140 representatives from the company, PT Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI) and its core Indonesian distributor network as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia.

The two-day event, held in Jakarta on July 23–24 under the theme "Gathering Momentum in Indonesia, Creating Success Together", focused on the company's manufacturing development in Indonesia, product planning for regional markets and closer collaboration with distributors.

Opening the conference, Henry Shen, Senior Vice President of Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), highlighted the progress of MTI since it was established nearly three years ago. According to the company, the Indonesian plant began production 289 days after construction started and produced its first one million tyres a further 282 days later.

"MTI is an important part of our long-term development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It gives us a stronger local manufacturing base, closer access to market demand and greater flexibility in serving both regional and international customers,” said Shen.

Located in Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, the 58.8-hectare facility is ZC Rubber's second overseas tyre plant. The company said Phase I has reached its planned production capacity, while Phase II has entered operation.

During the conference, Wang Xianning, Vice President of ZC Rubber and General Manager of MTI, outlined developments in production capacity, intelligent manufacturing and the plant's end-to-end quality control system.

Zhang Chunsheng, Deputy General Manager of ZC Rubber's Truck and Bus Tire Division and Director of its TBR and OTR Research Institute, presented the company's tyre technology roadmap and product development plans. These include refining products for Indonesia's road conditions, heavy rainfall, high temperatures and demanding commercial vehicle applications.

"Feedback from distributors, fleets and users in Indonesia is helping us refine products for local conditions, while ZC Rubber's global R&D platform allows those products to meet the requirements of wider regional and export markets," Zhang said.

Jeffrey Zhang, General Manager of ZC Rubber's International Business Department, and Justin Cui, Assistant General Manager of MTI, also presented localised product planning, marketing programmes and channel development strategies for the Indonesian market.

The conference included discussions with distributors covering product performance, customer demand and regional market conditions. The company said the feedback gathered would be incorporated into future product planning and market support.

ZC Rubber also announced the formation of an Indonesia Marketing Committee, comprising representatives from four national distributors. The committee will provide a forum for MTI and its partners to discuss product requirements, market developments and coordinated sales and marketing activities.

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SI Group has promoted Robert Kaiser to Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing, concurrently appointing him to the company’s Executive Leadership Team. The global developer and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions and chemical intermediates has tasked the executive with spearheading market-focused growth efforts and enhancing the synergy between client demands and the firm’s enduring strategic vision.

Kaiser’s elevation follows a distinguished tenure with the organisation that began in 2014, during which he assumed progressively significant roles in strategic marketing and business development. His contributions have been instrumental in refining the company’s product portfolio and market positioning, as well as fostering interdepartmental cooperation on pivotal expansion projects. His professional background also includes commercial leadership stints at AkzoNobel and Arizona Chemical, now part of Kraton Corporation.

The newly appointed Senior Vice President holds a Master of Business Administration from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. With his extensive commercial acumen, Kaiser is poised to drive alignment and execute the company’s long-term objectives in his new executive capacity.

David Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer, SI Group, said, "Robert has consistently demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our markets. His ability to turn information into actionable insight has been instrumental in strengthening our commercial organisation and advancing our strategic priorities. We look forward to the unique global perspective and market-centric lens he will bring to our Executive Leadership Team.” 

Kaiser said, “I am honoured to join the Executive Leadership Team. Our customers are navigating an increasingly complex business environment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role at a time when SI Group has the global footprint and strong foundation needed to create value for our customers and the markets we serve. I look forward to working with colleagues across SI Group to deepen customer relationships and continue advancing our commercial strategy.”

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