“BKT’s next phase of growth is focused on strengthening its position across specialised OffHighway Tyre applications while expanding its manufacturing and technological capabilities. Vision 2030 provides the framework for this growth, anchored around three pillars: strengthening the OffHighway Tyre business, expanding the Carbon Black business, and building presence in new tyre categories in India.”
1. BKT has built its identity around solving some of the toughest tyre problems in off-highway applications, where a tyre is expected to survive extreme loads, abrasive surfaces and long operating cycles. After years of working across construction, mining, agriculture and industrial applications, what has become the most difficult performance challenge to solve and where is the next breakthrough likely to come from?
In Off-highway tyre (OHT) applications, tyre performance is closely linked to the operating environment, with different applications placing varying demands on load capacity, durability, traction and heat management. This becomes particularly demanding in construction and mining, where tyres operate under high loads, abrasive terrains and extended duty cycles.
At BKT, we address these requirements through application-specific product development, combining material formulation, tread design and tyre construction with advanced R&D and testing. Our approach considers the machine, terrain and operating conditions together, enabling us to develop and refine solutions suited to the specific requirements of each application.
Looking ahead, the next opportunities are likely to come from continued advances in tyre technology, engineering and product development. The ability to optimise several performance characteristics simultaneously will be increasingly important as OHT applications become more demanding.
2.There is a subtle shift happening in the OTR market, customers are becoming less interested in the price of a tyre and more interested in how many productive hours it delivers before replacement. How is BKT measuring tyre performance today, and which parameters do you believe fleet operators should be paying far greater attention to when calculating tyre economics?
Tyre economics are increasingly being evaluated through the value a tyre delivers over its operating life, and not just through its initial purchase price alone. A meaningful assessment of tyre economics goes beyond the cost of replacement. It considers how effectively the tyre supports equipment utilization, operational continuity and overall lifecycle value.
For fleet operators, factors such as service life, equipment uptime, maintenance requirements, operating conditions and overall utilization are important considerations when assessing tyre performance. At BKT, our approach is centred on offering the right tyre for the right application, with each solution engineered to suit the specific machine, terrain and operating conditions. The right combination of product performance, service life and application suitability can contribute to greater equipment availability and more efficient operations.
3.One of BKT’s less visible advantages is its vertical integration, including captive carbon black production. With raw-material volatility becoming an important consideration for global tyre manufacturers, how much does this integration influence product consistency, cost competitiveness and the ability to develop specialised compounds?
Vertical integration provides BKT with greater control over critical elements of the manufacturing process. Carbon black is particularly significant, accounting for nearly 30% of a tyre’s composition. BKT established its own carbon black manufacturing facility at its flagship Bhuj plant, to strengthen the security and consistency of this critical input. The facility supports BKT’s internal tyre production while also supplying the external market, giving the company greater control over quality and supply reliability.
The integration of carbon black and tyre manufacturing at Bhuj strengthens operational efficiency and enables closer coordination between material inputs and tyre production. The facility operates as a zero-liquid-discharge plant with complete water recycling, reducing energy consumption by up to 70% and cutting more than two million kilograms of CO₂ each year.
This integrated ecosystem, complemented by in-house mould and drum manufacturing with R&D capabilities, help BKT exercise greater control across the product-development cycle. For specialized OHT applications, this provides a stronger foundation for maintaining consistency, responding to specific performance requirements and improving the efficiency of product development.
4.Construction and mining equipment itself is changing with higher payloads, larger machines, greater automation and increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Does this evolution require a fundamental rethink of the tyre, particularly when traction, rolling resistance, heat generation and durability can sometimes pull engineering decisions in opposite directions?
The evolution of construction and mining equipment is creating new opportunities for tyre technology to contribute to machine performance. As equipment becomes complex, with higher payloads and longer operating cycles, tyre engineering is increasingly focused on delivering the appropriate combination of load-bearing capability, stability, durability and consistent performance. This is creating greater relevance for advanced radial construction, particularly in applications where rolling resistance, heat dissipation and service life are important considerations. Radial technology can offer lower rolling resistance, improved fuel efficiency, longer tread life and enhanced heat management, supporting the requirements of increasingly productive equipment.
The emergence of newer equipment technologies is opening up opportunities for further product development. As electric machinery gains relevance, BKT has introduced e-ready solutions and is developing additional sizes to support the specific requirements of these applications.
5.Bauma CONEXPO India brings together the machines, technologies and suppliers that are shaping the next generation of construction and mining. What do you think the tyre industry needs to bring to that conversation today particularly when equipment manufacturers are moving towards larger, smarter and increasingly efficient machines?
The tyre industry has an increasingly important role to play in the broader equipment-development ecosystem. As machinery becomes more sophisticated, tyre requirements are increasingly linked to equipment architecture, operating cycles and application objectives.
This makes early engagement between tyre manufacturers and OEMs valuable. At BKT, collaboration with OEM partners provides an understanding of machinery requirements and field conditions, which informs the development of solutions suited to specific applications. The same approach is reflected in our participation at Bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2026, where we are showcasing application-specific tyre solutions developed for construction, mining, earthmoving, material handling and industrial applications.
BKT will showcase a broader portfolio designed for heavy loads, demanding operating environments and intensive duty cycles. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for customers, OEMs and industry stakeholders to engage with our technical experts and understand the engineering considerations behind these solutions.
The industry dialogue is increasingly centred on application expertise, technical support and the contribution of tyres to overall equipment performance. Bauma CONEXPO INDIA provides a valuable platform to bring these perspectives together, facilitating meaningful engagement between tyre manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and end users.
6.BKT has set its sights on reaching a 10% share of the global off-highway tyre market while continuing to expand capacity and move into specialised categories. What does the next phase of BKT’s growth look like beyond simply selling more tyres, and where do you want the company to establish a stronger technological or market leadership position by the end of this decade?
BKT’s next phase of growth is focused on strengthening its position across specialised Off-Highway Tyre applications while expanding its manufacturing and technological capabilities. Vision 2030 provides the framework for this growth, anchored around three pillars: strengthening the Off-Highway Tyre business, expanding the Carbon Black business, and building presence in new tyre categories in India. Together, these priorities support the company’s ambition to reach approximately INR 23,000 crore in revenue by FY2030.
The longer-term objective is to build on BKT’s established strengths and deepen its position as a global specialist in Off-Highway Tyres. Through this approach, BKT aims to be better positioned to address the requirements of the evolving industries and create sustained value for customers worldwide.