India is still catching up on radial tyre adoption

Rishi Raj Singh, Head - OEM, Asia Pacific, BKT Tires

What products have you showcased this year and why are they significant?

Excon is particularly important for us because construction and industrial applications form a key growth segment for BKT. This year, we have displayed mining tyres designed for 190-tonne dump trucks supplied to multinational OEMs globally. We have also showcased tyres for large loaders, which are widely used internationally but have limited penetration in India due to cost and supply-chain constraints. The point we wanted to highlight is that BKT is already a prominent global supplier for these applications, and very few tyre manufacturers in India are capable of producing such products.

You have also spoken about track solutions. Has manufacturing begun?

Manufacturing has already started, and the products are currently under validation. Once this process is complete, they will be released commercially. At this stage, it is still pre-market, but the intent is to expand our offering beyond tyres in a calibrated manner.

How do you see demand for OTR tyres evolving with India’s infrastructure push?

Infrastructure development is central to a growing economy. India is currently investing heavily in roads, ports, dams, railways and other large projects. This naturally drives demand for construction and mining equipment, and consequently for OTR tyres. From that perspective, the long-term demand fundamentals remain strong.

Construction equipment sales have seen some moderation. How has this impacted tyre demand?

The construction equipment market in 2025 has been relatively subdued, largely due to the transition to new emission norms. However, we expect this to normalise. Looking ahead to 2026, we anticipate a recovery, with equipment sales potentially growing by around 5 to 8 per cent, which should support tyre demand as well.

Are customers in India moving decisively towards radial tyres?

Globally, the transition to radial tyres has already taken place. In India, the shift is still underway, particularly in agriculture and certain construction equipment categories. Adoption is happening, but at a measured pace, influenced by cost considerations and operating practices.

What are customers prioritising today — fuel efficiency or tyre life?

Customers expect both. They want tyres that deliver longer life as well as better fuel efficiency. Ultimately, customers are looking for overall value in operation, rather than trade-offs between performance parameters.

“As infrastructure scales up, demand for large OTR tyres will increasingly be driven by mining and heavy-duty applications aligned with global specifications.”