In what is a major development on a global scale, Michelin has joined Antin and Enviro to announce the construction of first end of life tyre-recycling plant in Sweden. 

The final investment decision for the construction of the used tyre recycling plant in cooperation with Antin and Enviro is expected to lead to the building of a series of plants in other locations across Europe as well. 

With Antin a majority shareholder of the joint venture, Michelin is a minority shareholder. Enviro has an option to become a significant minority shareholder.

The construction of the Swedish facility already under way, all the necessary environmental and building permits and authorisations have been obtained. The facility is expected to be operational during 2025.

The initial aim is to process approximately 35,000 tonnes of used tyres per annum. The facility would create up to 40 green jobs in the local community during its first phase.

Multi-year supply contracts    

In addition to obtaining financing for the construction of the facility, the cooperative venture has bagged a series of multi-year contracts regarding the supply of end-of-life-cycle tyres as well as recovered carbon black and pyrolysis oil.

In this context, Michelin is employing an approach of proactively supporting the development of used tyre recycling ecosystems. It is committed to collaborating on the future developments of the joint venture. For example, Michelin has signed a multi-year supply agreement regarding carbon black and pyrolysis oil. 

One million tonne

Planning to build factories throughout Europe to target a total annual recycling capacity of one million tonnes (of used tyres), the construction of the next facility will be undertaken after the Swedish become operational. 

Efforts would be made to ensure a rapid rollout of this technology with Antin and Enviro agreeing to a financing plan for the construction of factories across European continents.

The development comes against the backdrop of rising volume of discarded tyres that have reached the end of their life cycle. They are now annually amounting to 3.5 million tonnes within Europe. 

The joint venture facility will help to drive tyre recycling technology forward and recover carbon black and oils that may then be used in the manufacturing of tyres and in the petrochemical industry. 

“Michelin has strongly supported the creation of this joint venture between Enviro and Antin. The undertaking began in 2020 when Michelin became a shareholder in Enviro to support the maturation of this technology. Today, we are moving on to a new step with the finalization of the investment for the construction of this first factory in Sweden. The launch of this ambitious industrial program, which is expected to be developed on a European scale, perfectly echoes the strategic objectives of the Michelin Group to reach 100 percent renewable and recycled materials by 2050, reducing the overall environmental impact of its tires,” said Maude Portigliatti, High-tech Materials Business Director – Member of the Michelin Group Executive Committee.

“Antin is delighted to join Enviro and Michelin to announce approval for the construction of the first of several plants planned by the joint venture. We are excited to help create a fully circular platform which will restore end of life tires to its constituent raw materials that will be sustainably used over and over again. This is part of Antin NextGen’s strategy to focus on proven technologies that require substantial capital to scale.” Mentioned Anand Jagannathan, Antin Senior Partner.

“The plant in Uddevalla will be the joint venture’s first full-scale tire recycling plant and a first important step in our joint effort to create the world’s first large-scale tire recycling group. Together we will play a crucial role in the industrial transformation needed for a more sustainable future”, commented Alf Blomqvist, Chairman of Scandinavian Enviro Systems. 

Automotive Test Systems has inaugurated a new EV lab at Amrita Automotive Research and Technology Centre (AARTC), Coimbatore. The AARTC is part of Amrita University, with which Automotive Test Systems has a long standing association. In fact, the AARTC has completed 10 years of operation and has been supporting the industry and academia by helping them to conduct research on various domains including powertrain emission testing, RLDA, vehicle dynamics, NVH, ADAS etc. it has enabled the development of safer, sustainable and reliable products .
A grand affair, the inauguration of the new lab was done by Latha Chembrakalam, Vice President and Head of Technical Centre India, Continental Automotive (Bengaluru), Dr Rmdhas rumugam Sakunthalai, Director, GARC, Rajesh D, Vice President, Volvo Group Trucks Technology, and Bhaktha Keshavachar, CEO, CharaTechnologies.
The new lab houses a 48 kWh electric motor test bench, a battery test lab and a simulation lab as an extension of the existing facility.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the tech centre that Automotive Test Systems and Amrita University are already operating jointly, the inauguration of new lab saw delegates and guests from the industry and academia made it to Coimbatore. 
They also attended a two day workshop on sustainable mobility at the Amrita University, 
The entire CIR team of Amrita University led by Prof. Parameswaran attended the event. The mechanical engineering team led by Prof. Ramesh lend its support in organising the event.
The team of AARTC led by P.N. Prasad, Desigan Murugesan and Prof. Lakshmikanthan C contributed to the success of the event. 
State-of-the-art, the 160 kW test bench and chassis dynamometer in the lab are already being used extensively by the industry for testing and development of electric motors and motor controllers among other electric vehicle components, mentioned Ramanathan Srinivasan, Managing Director, Automotive Test Systems.
                    
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Novus Hi-Tech, a global leader in Driver Monitoring System (DMS), In-Cabin Sensing and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), is all set to unveil and implement its latest suite of safety solutions for mines, in compliance with Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), on the Eicher Pro 8035 XM mining trucks at the prestigious Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

Specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced in mining operations and other heavy-duty applications, the mining safety suite includes cutting-edge solutions like the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), an AI-based camera system that tracks driver behaviour in real-time to identify and notify drivers in the event of fatigue or inattention. Additionally, the suite features the Auto Dipper System, which automatically lowers headlights to low beam for maximum visibility while minimising glare for other road users, and the Proximity Warning System (PWS), an advanced RADAR system that provides real-time notifications regarding adjacent objects and vehicles.

Live product presentations and demonstrations showcasing how these patent-pending innovations improve operational safety, enhance regulatory compliance and mitigate risks in difficult mining environments will be part of the unveiling event, which will take place on 20 January 2025 at 11:30 am at OD1.1 in front of exhibition hall 2.

Anuj Kapuria, CEO & Founder, The Hi-Tech Group, said, "Our unwavering mission to help fleets achieve zero-accident operations through cutting-edge technologies is exemplified by the Hi-Tech Safe product suite, which has already prevented over 200,000 accidents. Today, we are thrilled to launch a pioneering safety solution specifically designed for mining operations, in partnership with Eicher Trucks and Buses, setting a new standard for operational safety and efficiency."

Leading motion technology company Schaeffler India is showcasing its cutting-edge mobility solutions at the Auto Expo Components Show 2025, a component of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, in New Delhi. This demonstrates the company's dedication to electrification, digitalisation and sustainable mobility that is suited to the particular requirements of the Indian market. From 18 to 21 January 2025, visitors may interact with the company's specialists and see its cutting-edge solutions at Hall-1, Booth: E5, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Schaeffler India's Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS) business will showcase a range of customer-focused services, market-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology. The solutions and technologies on display will show how the division is focusing to be the best partner for the evolving mobility ecosystem. It will include repair and service solutions for combustion engines, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles under its well-known brands INA, FAG, LuK, Schaeffler TruPower, and the service brand, REPXPERT.

The display of Schaeffler's cutting-edge automotive solutions, such as the 3-in-1 Electric Axle, which combines the power electronics, motor and gearbox for optimal EV performance, will be another highlight of the show. Furthermore, in partnership with Vitesco Technologies, a Schaeffler Group company, the exhibit will showcase the high-voltage axle drive (EMR4), sensors, controls and actuator solutions from the integrated portfolio. At The Auto Expo Components Show 2025, Schaeffler India reiterates its dedication to helping India's automotive transition.

Micah Shepard, President, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions Asia Pacific, said, “The automotive industry is undergoing rapid change which requires a continuous commitment towards innovation. As trends such as digitalisation and sustainability come into focus in the automotive industry, we are taking a holistic view of the mobility ecosystem to offer comprehensive solutions and create sustainable long-term value.”

Sharad Bhatia, President, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions India, said, “India’s diverse and growing mobility ecosystem demands innovative solutions that are both sustainable and reliable. At Schaeffler India, we combine our global expertise with localised engineering to deliver products that meet these needs. Backed by a robust distribution and supply chain network, our repair and service solutions from Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division offer value across the entire vehicle lifecycle, empowering customers and supporting India’s sustainable mobility ambitions.”

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) and XLRI Delhi-NCR showcased an early example of Indian automotive design at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. INDEA championed ‘Design in India’ by showing one of the first Indian design initiatives in the automotive space from the late-1970s – a testament to the can-do spirit of automotive start-ups in the country. 

Echoing the Prime Minister's vision of making India a global hub for innovation and sustainable development, and as a tribute to India’s automotive heritage, the booth showcased the Sipani Badal, a pioneering three-wheeled car from the late-1970s. The Badal, with its innovative-for-its-time fiberglass body and unique, individualistic design, represented a bold step in Indian automotive design when it was first unveiled almost five decades ago. Today, it serves as a reminder of the country’s long history of innovation and ingenuity, while highlighting INDEA’s mission to drive innovation and shape the future of mobility.

Visitors at the exhibition also had an opportunity to explore the creativity via the Wacom tablet. Using intuitive software, attendees explored the artistic potential by creating unique designs, which they could print and take home as personalized mementos. 

Reflecting on the event, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR Dr. K.S. Casimir said, “INDEA’s participation at the Expo highlighted our commitment to nurturing designers who not only innovate but also address the broader societal and environmental challenges of the future. INDEA, with its focus on design excellence, will prepare the students for the future of work. By nurturing creativity and fostering innovation, we are opening new avenues for education and equipping our graduates with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world."

INDEA Founder Avik Chattopadhyay added, “The Expo is more than an opportunity to showcase INDEA—it is about inspiring creativity and innovation. The exhibition showcases the remarkable synergy between tradition and innovation, as exemplified by the Sipani Badal and the cutting-edge designs on display. It's a testament to the ingenuity of the Indian spirit and a testament to the future of Indian automotive design."