Reshaping India’s Roadmap for a Greener Future

Fossil fuel-based vehicles are a big pollution problem in India. In fact, air pollution alone causes the early deaths of over 2 million Indians each year. Tyres, which are essential to vehicles, are a great source of air pollution. They release harmful substances like tiny particles and chemicals into the air. The car industry is growing fast in India, causing more environmental stress. Nowadays, the Indian government is trying to encourage eco-friendly transportation, and making environmentally friendly tyres is an integral part of their plan.
 

There are several reasons why sustainable tyres are essential for India:

• They can help to reduce air pollution. Sustainable tyres emit fewer harmful pollutants than traditional tyres, which can help to improve air quality and lower respiratory problems.

 

• Sustainable tyres can help to conserve resources. Conventional tyres are made from petroleum-based materials, which are finite resources. On the flip side, sustainable tyres are manufactured using renewable and recycled materials, aiding in diminishing our dependence on fossil fuels.

 

• Sustainable tyres can help to improve fuel efficiency.

Tyres with low rolling resistance can help vehicles travel longer on a single fuel tank. This can save drivers money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many different sustainable tyre technologies are being developed off-late in producing tyres worldwide. Some of the most promising technologies include:

Use Of Natural Rubber:

Natural rubber is a renewable resource that is extracted from rubber trees. It is a good choice for tyres because it is durable and offers a good grip. For example, Continental Tyres uses natural rubber in its EcoContact 6 tyres sold in India. These tyres provide the same or even better performance than traditional tyres while reducing rolling resistance and emissions. Similarly, Apollo Tyres uses natural rubber in its Amazer tyres, also sold in India. These tyres are designed for fuel efficiency and offer good grip and handling.
 

Overall, natural rubber is a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice for tyres. It is a good option for Indian consumers who are looking for tyres that are both durable and environmentally friendly.

Utilising Recycled Rubber:

Recycled rubber is made from old tyres that have been shredded and reused. It is a sustainable alternative to virgin rubber. It is a good choice for tyres because it is durable, offers a good grip, and can also help to reduce air pollution.
 

Recycled rubber helps to conserve resources by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. It also reduces air pollution by preventing the emission of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. In addition, recycled rubber is cost-effective and available from various manufacturers. For example, Continental Tyres uses recycled rubber in its UltraContact NXT tyres, offering the same or even better performance than traditional tyres while reducing rolling resistance and emissions. Michelin uses recycled rubber in its Energy Saver+ tyres, which help to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Pirelli uses recycled rubber in its P Zero tyres, designed for high-performance vehicles and offers excellent grip and handling.

Bio-Based Materials: Bio-based materials are made from plants or other organic sources. Some examples of bio-based materials used in tyres include rice husk ash, corn starch, and sunflower oil. For instance, Apollo Tyres‘ Amazer tyres use rice husk ash in their tread compound to improve the durability and grip of the tyres. MRF’s ZLX tyres use cornstarch in their sidewalls to reduce the weight of the tyres and improve their fuel efficiency. CEAT’s Radial tyres use sunflower oil in their tread compound to enhance the tyres’ grip on wet surfaces.

These are just a few examples of how bio-based materials are used in India’s tyres. As the demand for sustainable tyres grows, we will likely see even more Indian companies using bio-based materials in their tyres in the future.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, bio-based materials can also help reduce tyres’ environmental impact. For example, rice husk ash is a byproduct of the rice milling industry, so using it in tyres helps to reduce waste. Cornstarch is biodegradable, so it can help reduce the number of tyres in landfills. And sunflower oil is a renewable resource, so using it in tyres helps to reduce our reliance on petroleum.

Overall, bio-based materials are a promising new technology for the tyre industry. They offer many advantages over petroleum-based materials, including their sustainability and environmental benefits. As the demand for sustainable tyres grows, we will likely see even more bio-based materials used in tyres.

The Indian market is a significant opportunity for developing and adopting sustainable tyres. The government of India is committed to promoting sustainable transportation, which drives demand for sustainable tyres. Many Indian companies are developing and manufacturing sustainable tyres. Some of the leading companies include Apollo Tyres, MRF, and CEAT. These companies invest in research and development to create new sustainable tyre technologies.

Adopting sustainable tyres is still in its early stages in India but proliferating. As more and more people become aware of the environmental benefits of sustainable tyres, the demand for these tyres is expected to grow.

Here are some of the challenges and opportunities for the adoption of sustainable tyres in India:

Challenges In The Way Of Adoption Of Sustainable Tyres In India:

High Raw Material Cost: Sustainable tyres are often more expensive than traditional tyres. This is due to the higher cost of raw materials and the cost of research and development. Being a price-sensitive market, it is challenging to succeed with this approach in India.

Lack Of Awareness: There still needs to be more awareness about the environmental benefits of sustainable tyres among consumers in India. Although awareness has increased in the last few years, it must still be satisfactory. Being cost-sensitive, most consumers hardly consider the environmental impact of tyres on the environment.

Lack Of Infrastructure: There needs to be more infrastructure for the recycling and disposal of sustainable tyres across the country. The facilities for recycling and disposal are limited, requiring the government’s attention to improve the infrastructure issue. The government has started giving help, but it will take some time before we see its impact. 

Opportunities For The Adoption Of Sustainable Tyres In India:

Growing Demand: The demand for sustainable tyres is growing gradually in India. Due to the increasing awareness of environmental issues and the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable transportation.

Government Support: The government of India has started supporting the development and adoption of sustainable tyres. This includes providing subsidies for research and development and setting standards for using sustainable materials in tyres.

Technological Advancements: There are continuous technological advancements in the field of sustainable tyres, which are making them more affordable and accessible.

Overall, the future of sustainable tyres in India is bright. The government’s support, the growing demand, and technological advancements contribute to adopting sustainable tyres in the country. The process is slow, but it will gain momentum towards achieving a sustainable future sooner or later.