JK Tyre Inaugurates India’s First Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine at NATRAX

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd has inaugurated India's first precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding machine for assessing wet grip on worn tyres at the National Automotive Test Tracks Academy (NATRAX) in Pithampur. The facility aims to support local evaluation of tyre performance near legal tread depth limits, reducing reliance on overseas testing.

The event was attended by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director of JK Tyre, along with Dr Manish Jaiswal, Director of NATRAX, and other officials. The machine adheres to ECE R117 regulations, which evaluate vehicle safety through wet braking tests on tyres worn to 1.6mm tread depth. 

It will prepare samples for C1 (passenger car), C2 (light commercial), and C3 (heavy truck/bus) categories, enabling comprehensive wet grip testing across vehicle types.

Dr Singhania claimed that the inauguration of this Precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine at NATRAX represents a step in advancing tyre testing and safety in India. The further siad that it supports the company’s efforts in technology and infrastructure development for vehicular safety.

This addition bolsters JK Tyre's testing capabilities at NATRAX, where the company has been involved since 2017. The setup includes two workshops, specialised equipment like a skid trailer, steering robot, and noise measurement systems, plus a fleet of test vehicles for handling, braking, wet grip, and noise assessments. The infrastructure aids homologation and product development.

JK Tyre, the flagship of the JK Organisation, ranks among the world's top 20 tyre manufacturers. It operates 11 facilities, nine in India and two in Mexico, producing around 35 million tyres annually. 

The company introduced radial tyre technology in India in 1977 and maintains a research centre in Mysore. It has received recognitions for ESG practices, including a 'Best in Class' rating and the British Safety Council's 'Sword of Honour' award. JK Tyre is also India's first tyre firm to join the RE100 initiative for renewable energy.

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