The tyre industry is the largest part of the rubber manufacturing industry, infact it is so large that it is often classed as an industry in its own right. It absorbs well over two thirds of all natural rubber production and almost as large a proportion of synthetic rubber manufacture. In much of the innovation in the wider rubber industry both in terms of material and in terms of manufacturing emanates from the tyre industry. Light vehicle tyre and heavy truck and machinery tyre are both part of the tyre market but differ in their composition and manufacturing process. Hence light vehicle tyres are particularly passenger’s car tyre. Advances in tyre materials, tyre constructions and tyre manufacturing technology have led to new types of products and the development of new market segments. Tyre manufacturing technology has progressed in parallel with tyre construction technology so that tyres are now designed not only to meet specific performance targets, but also to enable improved 'manufacturability', i.e., more efficient, lower cost and more uniform production. Uses and Applications High performance tyres are designed for use at higher speeds, and more often, a more "sporty" driving style. They feature a softer rubber compound for improved traction, especially on high speed cornering. Tyres are used in large numbers on automobiles, truks, aircraft and bicycle. . Whole tyres have been used with considerable success to create artificial reefs and erosion barriers, sea-walls and off-coast breakwaters. In both sea and fresh water harbours, tyres are used as boat fenders, absorbing the shock from moving boats to protect the hulls and sea walls, particularly during storms. The use of whole, shredded, or granulated tyres in construction projects including the manufacture of noise absorbers for tram or rail lines, underlayments for roads, drainage areas, porous asphalt mix, among others. • All-terrain tyres are typically used on SUVs and for light trucks . Used tyres can be incinerated; they are an efficient fuel source for steam in the generation of electricity. High temperature burning means no black smoke, but keep in mind that some sulfur goes into a tyre rubber compound. It is converted to sulfur dioxide during incineration. Scrubbers are available for removal of this gas. Market Survey The Indian tyre industry has come of age with the manufacture of almost all types of tyres. The industry has an estimated turnover of close to Rs 200 bn. It is made up of 40 players with an installed capacity of 57.3 mn tyres. The industry claims a perceptible export market. The truck and bus segment is a major constituent (by value) of the tyre industry, accounting for over two-third of the total value of the industry. The upsurge in demand has generally helped the performance of tyre majors such as MRF, Apollo Tyres and Ceat. About two-thirds of the demand for truck tyres flows from the replacement market. The demand of tyres flows from three segments-original equipment manufacturers, re-placements and exports. Of the three, the replacement market is the primary source of demand, followed by the equipment manufacturers (OEM) segment and exports. The persistent pressure on the public transport system and an ever-growing urban middle class has resulted in a steady demand for two-wheelers and passenger cars. The motor cycle tyres increased by over 20%, while the tyres for scooters and mopeds witnessed a fall in production despite an increase in the production of scooters. Present Manufacturers Apollo Tyres Ltd. Balkrishna Industries Ltd. Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd. Ceat Ltd. Dunlop India Ltd. Falcon Tyres Ltd. Goodyear India Ltd. Goodyear South Asia Tyres Pvt. Ltd. Govind Rubber Ltd. J K Tyre & Inds. Ltd. Kesoram Industries Ltd. M R F Ltd. Malhotra Rubbers Ltd. Metro Tyres Ltd. Modi Tyres Co. Ltd. Modistone Ltd. Monotona Tyres Ltd. Pavan Tyres Ltd. [Merged] Poddar Tyres Ltd. Raam Tyres Ltd. Rado Tyres Ltd. Ralson (India) Ltd. Ralson Industries Ltd. S Kumars Tyre Mfg. Co. Ltd. Suntec Tyres Ltd. T V S Srichakra Ltd. Tariq Development & Leasing Pvt. Ltd. Vikrant Tyres Ltd. [Merged]