Latest news with #Mammen
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Need to accelerate domestic Natural Rubber production: Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA
India's Natural rubber (NR) consumption is projected to reach 20 lakh tonnes by 2030 and there is a need to accelerate domestic production, Arun Mammen, Chairman Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), said. 'In FY25, domestic NR production stood at 8.7 lakh tonnes, while consumption was 14.1 lakh tonnes, resulting in a deficit of over 5 lakh tonnes,' he said in an interview. 'This underscores the need for sustained long-term investments in plantation development, tapping, and productivity enhancement,' Mr. Mammen said. Accelerating domestic natural rubber (NR) production is a national priority, given the strategic importance of NR to multiple sectors, especially the tyre industry. Bringing additional area under rubber cultivation—especially in non-traditional regions like the North East—is key. Several North Eastern state governments are proactively supporting this agenda, he said. Mr. Mammen pointed out in a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, the INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) project was launched by ATMA member companies (Apollo, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF) in collaboration with the Rubber Board of India. The project aims to develop two lakh hectares of new rubber plantations across the North East and West Bengal. Over 1.25 lakh hectares have been brought under cultivation in the first four years. ATMA member companies have committed ₹1,100 crore to the project, he said. A significant opportunity lies in improving production by tapping nearly 2 lakh hectares of untapped rubber plantations, including 1 lakh hectares in Kerala alone. Union Commerce & Industry Minister has recently emphasized this opportunity during stakeholder consultations in Kerala, Mr. Mammen said. Rubber trees take approximately six to seven years from plantation to tapping, Mr. Mammen said. He also pointed out inverted duty structure on NR is one of the key challenges. 'While tyres can be imported at concessional or zero duty rates under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), natural rubber—our primary raw material—attracts a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 25% or ₹30/kg (whichever is lower). This is among the highest globally and severely impacts cost competitiveness, particularly when global rubber prices are low. Addressing inverted duty structure is essential to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports of finished products,' he said. In the last three to four years alone, the industry has invested approximately ₹27,000 crore across greenfield and brownfield projects. As per a PwC Vision Document, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11–12% till 2047, Mr. Mammen said.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's tyre exports cross ₹25,000 crore in FY25 defying global headwinds
India's tyre industry continues to demonstrate robust performance on the export front, with outbound shipments surpassing ₹25,000 crore in FY25 despite global economic uncertainties, according to Ministry of Commerce data. Tyre exports rose 9 per cent year-on-year, climbing to ₹25,051 crore from ₹23,073 crore in the previous fiscal. As per the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), this growth comes amid persistent challenges such as volatile trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and disruptions in international supply chains. With an annual turnover nearing ₹1 lakh crore, the tyre industry ranks among India's most export-intensive manufacturing sectors. The growth in exports is being attributed to consistent investments in capacity expansion, improvements in manufacturing efficiency, and increased focus on innovation. Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA, credited the sector's resilience to its strategic expansion initiatives post the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Over the past 3–4 years, tyre manufacturers have collectively invested around ₹27,000 crore in both greenfield and brownfield projects. This underscores our long-term commitment to India's growth story,' he said. A recent industry outlook by PwC forecasts that the Indian tyre market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11–12 per cent until 2047, driven by a combination of rising domestic consumption, strong export demand, and technological advancement. 'Even though global macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain, India's domestic market offers a solid buffer, making us more resilient to external shocks,' Mammen added. Global footprint and key markets Indian tyre manufacturers currently export to over 170 countries, with the United States accounting for 17 per cent of the total export value—making it the largest market. Other key destinations include Germany (6 per cent), Brazil (5 per cent), the UAE (4 per cent), and France (4 per cent). Farm and Off-the-Road (OTR) tyres continue to dominate the export portfolio, together contributing close to 60 per cent of the total export value. Trade risks and market diversification Commenting on emerging trade policy concerns, particularly the prospect of tariff changes in the US, Mammen noted that the industry is closely monitoring developments. 'We are firm believers in equitable trade and remain committed to expanding into new markets to reduce dependency,' he said. Indian tyre brands have also been gaining international recognition. Four homegrown manufacturers—Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF—were recently ranked among the 'Top 15 Strongest Tyre Brands' globally by Brand Finance. Natural rubber: A critical bottleneck Despite the export momentum, industry stakeholders caution that access to natural rubber (NR) remains a key constraint. With nearly 40 per cent of the industry's NR needs being met through imports, limited domestic availability poses a long-term challenge. To mitigate this, the industry has launched Project INROAD in collaboration with the Rubber Board of India and under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Backed by ₹1,100 crore from four ATMA member companies, the initiative aims to expand rubber plantations by 2 lakh hectares and enhance infrastructure and skill development in rubber-growing regions. 'Even with these interventions, India will need significantly more NR to meet its projected demand of 20 lakh tonnes by 2030,' Mammen said. Notably, unlike global trends where synthetic rubber accounts for the majority of usage, Indian tyre manufacturing relies heavily on natural rubber, making up 60 per cent of total rubber consumption. According to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), India registered the highest CAGR in NR demand—6.15 per cent between 2020 and 2024—among all major rubber-producing and consuming countries. 'There's a pressing need to ramp up domestic NR production through focused, large-scale efforts,' Mammen emphasised.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
India's tyre exports rise 9% to ₹25,051 cr in FY25 despite global headwinds
Tyre exports from India grew 9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 25,051 crore in FY25 despite headwinds, including trade policy uncertainties and global supply chain disruptions, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association said on Wednesday. With nearly 40 per cent of the industry's natural rubber (NR) requirement met through imports due to limited domestic availability, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate domestic production through focused interventions to meet rising demand. India's tyre exports in 2024-25 increased by 9 per cent year-on-year, reaching Rs 25,051 crore compared to Rs 23,073 crore in the previous fiscal, ATMA said, citing data released by the Ministry of Commerce. With an estimated annual turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore and exports exceeding Rs 25,000 crore, the Indian tyre industry stands out as one of the few manufacturing sectors in the country with a high export-to-turnover ratio, it added. "The tyre industry has exhibited remarkable resilience and growth post the COVID-19 downturn. Over the past 3-4 years, tyre manufacturers have invested approximately Rs 27,000 crore across greenfield and brownfield projects, underscoring their strong belief in India's economic trajectory," ATMA Chairman Arun Mammen said. ATMA said Indian tyres are exported to over 170 countries, with a significant presence in the US, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The US remains the top export market, accounting for 17 per cent of exports by value, followed by Germany (6 per cent), Brazil (5 per cent), the UAE (4 per cent), and France (4 per cent). Segment-wise, farm/agricultural tyres and off-the-road (OTR) tyres dominate, together comprising nearly 60 per cent of the total tyre export value, it added. While India has significant potential to further enhance tyre exports through competitive pricing, quality assurance, branding initiatives, and greater alignment with international certifications and standards, ATMA said, ensuring adequate access to NR remains a critical prerequisite for scaling up production and exports. "Currently, nearly 40 per cent of the industry's NR requirement is met through imports due to limited domestic availability. Most of the domestically produced NR is absorbed by domestic consumers, leaving negligible volumes for export," it said. Mammen said India's tyre industry is unique in its heavy reliance on NR, which is a sustainable material. While globally, synthetic rubber makes up 60 per cent of tyre industry consumption, in India, 60 per cent of the rubber used is NR. "There is an urgent need to accelerate domestic NR production through focused interventions to meet the rising is expected to touch 20 lakh tonnes by 2030," he asserted. To address the gap, ATMA said the tyre industry, under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has partnered with the Rubber Board of India to launch Project INROAD. Backed by Rs 1,100 crore in funding from four leading ATMA member companies, the project aims to bring 2 lakh hectares under NR plantation while also providing infrastructure and skilling support in India's rubber-growing regions, it added. Despite these efforts, much more needs to be done to meet future NR demand, Mammen noted.
India.com
22-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet man, who spent nights on floor, has no business, then built Rs 600000000000 company, special connection to Virat Kohli
K. M. Mammen Mappillai faced many challenges in life. His family was doing a business but it couldn't sustain for a longer time. When the family incurred losses in business they didn't have a place to stay. He spent nights on the floor of his college in Madras (now Chennai). After several difficulties, he continued his education. After completing his studies, Mammen started his business on a small scale. He sold toy balloons on the streets of Madras. This simple start helped him to learn business tactics. During this time he was also working on smaller jobs. In 1946, Mammen established the Madras Rubber Factory (MRF). It was initially a small unit of manufacturing toy balloons. The money he earned from selling balloons he invested it in his new business. By 1952, Mammen found a new business idea of retreading old tires. He worked on this business which later became profitable. After this MRF entered into the tire industry. By 1961, MRF was operating in over 50% of the country's tire retreading market. The company launched its first tire factory, which was inaugurated by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. MRF's became a household name in India as business expanded. In 1992, KM Mammen Mappillai received the Padma Shri award for his contribution to Indian industry. MRF also has its association with cricket. They collaborated with cricketer Virat Kohli which helped MRF Tires which gave them popularity. KM Mammen Mappillai passed away in 2003, but his company still contributes to the industry. Now MRF is the largest tire manufacturer in India. Their market capitalization of Rs 59,478 crore.
India.com
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
Once sold balloons on streets of India, later built business empire worth Rs 59,334 crore, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar were his...., he was...
Inspirational journey of KM Mammen Mappillai: This is a story of a boy who was born into a Syrian Christian family in India and used to sell balloons on streets. After his family faced significant financial distress after their assets were seized, the boy decided to take the responsibility to himself. We are talking about KM Mammen Mappillai, the founding father of MRF and what special connection MRF has with Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Who is KM Mammen Mappillai? KM Mammen Mappillai founded MRF in Madras in the year 1946 when he started a small toy balloon manufacturing unit. However, with years of hard work and passion, he transformed MRF into a global brand. How MRF was founded! Mammen's actual success journey started in the year 1952 when he identified an opportunity in tyre retreading. For those unversed, tyre retreading is a process where the tread area of used tyres is refurbished, which led to a significant change in the entrepreneurial journey of Mammen. Taking inspiration from the concept, Mammen invested his earnings from the balloon business into manufacturing tread rubber, which ultimately made MRF the first Indian company to manufacture tread rubber. Biggest milestone in life of Mammen The biggest milestone in the life of Mammen and MRF came when MRF's first tyre factory was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. As a result of the immense success that the company was showing, MRF launched its IPO, entering the Indian stock market with a boom. As years passed by, MRF became a symbol of success and today, it is India's largest tyre manufacturer with a market capitalization of Rs 55,417 crore. Additionally, MRF also has a long-standing association with cricket. Earlier, Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, often called the 'God of Cricket' was its brand ambassador and as of today, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is its current brand ambassador.
