India
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) supports steps India is taking towards stricter waste tyre import rules. In light of the UK’s status as one of the primary exporters of end-of-life tyres to India, TRA secretary general, Peter Taylor OBE, has called for the government to “finally act to update the out of date and failing UK regulatory framework.”
The UK’s exportation of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) is coming under further scrutiny considering the current crisis in the Red Sea, which is disrupting shipments to the Indian subcontinent, a typical route for many the country’s ELT arisings. Research reveals that this might total as much as 300,000 tonnes of ELTs. With the economic feasibility of these exports under threat, the Tyre Recovery Association is asking for governmental support in promoting the utilisation of currently dormant capacity to process ELTs within the country. The positive case for this is that useful materials can be extracted from ELTs, supporting the country’s circular economy with the residual value offered by proper processing. Meanwhile, the TRA adds, the country would also be doing the right thing in not allowing ELTs to become a highly pollutive issue for authorities in the Indian subcontinent, where UK waste supports unethical, dangerous, and illegal businesses.
Birla Carbon has announced new greenfield projects in India and Thailand. The facilities will be respectively located in Niadupet, Andhra Pradesh and Rayong and each will have an initial capacity of 120 kMT when they become operational in 2025. Birla Carbon will develop the sites with an eye to expanding both to 240 kMT in the future.
The Tyre Recovery Association has warned of a potential increase in damage to the environment around the UK as a result of disruption to a popular shipping route. The Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea will likely mean an increase in distance and time for vessels navigating the popular route between Europe and Asia, meaning costs will inevitably increase. The TRA says 75 per cent of the UK’s waste tyres are exported to the Indian subcontinent where there is evidence of pollutive dumping of baled waste tyres, a situation the TRA has described as “environmental colonialism”. Commenting on the emerging situation, the association is scathing about the UK government’s “apathy” about tackling the market’s waste tyres sustainably without depending on exports. With shipping costs are more than doubling, the TRA cites precedence that suggests rogue operators are likely to resort increasingly to illegal storage or fly tipping within the UK, as exporters are unwilling to cover the increased costs for collectors.
Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer and Tyre Research Institute (HASETRI) has become the world’s first accredited Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP) for Rolling Resistance Tests by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The unique certification has been awarded according to ISO 17043:2010 standards for C1 (passenger car tyres), C2 (light truck tyres), and C3 (heavy truck tyres) tests.
Bringing together 500+ exhibitors from 12 countries, the fifth edition of ACMA Automechanika New Delhi is geared to fill its 25,000 square metre show floor. The three-day expo is scheduled to hit the ground from 1 – 3 February 2024 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi with a robust display of the latest innovations. This will be the first physical edition of the event post-COVID-19.
JK Tyre & Industries Limited has successfully concluded a 5-billion-rupee (£47.474 million; 55 million euros; US$60.125 million) Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). The QIP was priced at 345 rupees per share (including a premium of 343 per share with face value of 2 rupees per share). According JK Tyre, the QIP received an “overwhelming response” from “marquee investors including Indian mutual funds, insurance companies and foreign institutional investors”.
India’s JK Tyre & Industries Limited has successfully concluded its fund-raising plans of Rs 5 billion (£47.2 million) by way of Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). The tyre maker will utilise funds gained through the QIP for capital expenditure projects and to strengthen its balance sheet.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the environmental regulatory body in India’s Maharashtra state, has permitted Ceat Ltd. to restart operations at its Bhandup plant. It issued directions to this effect on 13 November 2023; these allow the tyre maker to resume production in Bhandup provided it complies with “certain conditions”. Notifying the BSE and National Stock Exchange of India of this development, Ceat does not mention specific details of these conditions but confirms it is “taking necessary steps” to fulfil them.
The environmental regulatory body in India’s Maharashtra state has ordered tyre maker Ceat Ltd to pause operations at one of its plants. In notifications supplied to the BSE and National Stock Exchange of India, Ceat reports that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board told it to “close down operations” at the Bhandup factory in the suburbs of Mumbai. According to Ceat, the Board’s correspondence of 4 November 2023 claims “certain alleged violations of the pollution control norms.”
TVS Srichakra Ltd. intends to expand its commercial activities in the USA and will drive growth in this market by acquiring the business of Super Grip Corporation. A legal entity for this purpose, SG Acquisition Corporation, was registered in the state of Michigan on 5 September 2023, and the Indian tyre maker’s Board of Directors authorised an overseas direct investment of US$10 million on 20 October 2023.
UK distributor for Ascenso Tyres, BAB Distribution – part of the Bush Tyres group – recently took key Ascenso dealer partners North Devon Tyres and Redpath Tyres to India to visit the Ascenso factory and offices in Bharuch and Mumbai.
Apollo Tyres Ltd has inaugurated its second Vredestein-branded retail outlet in India at Arihant Tyres, outside DB City Mall in Bhopal, central India, which is also a hub for other premium tyre brands. The outlet was inaugurated by Rajesh Dahiya, vice president, Sales and Service, Apollo Tyres Ltd along with Ashok Jain Pitalia, Proprietor, Arihant Tyres, in the presence of car and bike enthusiasts from the region.
The Deming Prize Committee has awarded its 2023 Deming Grand Prize to Ceat Ltd. The Indian firm is the first tyre maker in the world to gain this top Deming accolade, which is awarded for ongoing excellence in Total Quality Management (TQM).
Production at the Apollo Tyres Ltd. OTR tyre factory in Limda, India has “fully resumed” after being stopped by industrial action, the tyre maker reported on 24 September. Apollo Tyres had announced on 20 September that tyre making at the Limda plant in had stopped due to “certain concerns amongst shop floor employees” relating to the renewal of a long-term settlement agreement.
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