BKT enters new market segments

Last year, the Indian company Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), a leading manufacturer of tires for special equipment, announced that it will invest around $400 million in its development over three years and diversify its tire market assortment as part of its new strategy. In 2026, the company started implementing plans to enter new segments, and it was decided to start with tires for two-wheeled vehicles, which will soon be followed by tires for trucks and then for passenger cars.

In the motorcycle and scooter tire segment, the BKT Zenova line was presented, designed to provide increased comfort and optimal handling during daily use on city streets, and BKT Thyros, designed for use on both asphalt and off-road.

The tires are manufactured in India, and BKT notes that the technological processes meet the requirements of the IATF 16949:2016 standard, and tests for braking efficiency on wet and dry coatings, ride comfort, and handling were carried out at the NATRAX test site in Indore. All tires have passed certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The Zenova Street motorcycle tires have tread patterns with parabolic grooves, the ends of which are shaped like an arrowhead, designed, among other things, for rapid water drainage, while the chessboard-arranged lamellas increase the reliability of contact with the road in rainy weather, the profile has been optimized to improve grip when leaning, and a special rubber compound increases the durability of the tires, which is also facilitated by the uniform distribution of loads in the contact patch. In addition, thanks to the optimal stiffness of the cord and the elastic sidewalls of the tires, as the manufacturer claims, they effectively absorb shocks and improve the smoothness of the ride.

In turn, the Thyros Street tires for motorcycles have received tread patterns with zigzag longitudinal grooves and widely spaced blocks, designed to provide rapid self-cleaning from dirt and mud, while the design of the tread lugs and the rubber compound are designed to increase the service life of the tires and increase their resistance to cuts and punctures, and the reinforced carcass and shoulder areas increase the strength of the tires and improve their shock-absorbing properties.

For scooter owners, in particular, the Zenova Street Z1 tires are designed, the tread pattern of which includes connected grooves in the shoulder areas, improving handling on slippery surfaces, and a deep zigzag groove in the center, which drains water from the contact area with the road and increases resistance to lateral drift. In addition, the compound has been improved to increase wear resistance, and the design has been improved to improve ride comfort.

If the scooter is intended for use not only on paved surfaces, the Thyros Street R1 Scooter model is available, which has an identical tread pattern to the Thyros Street R1 motorcycle tire.

Starting from April 2026, BKT will begin to introduce truck tires to the market, and the first will be two lines: Milexpert for regional transportation and m.Loadexpert for mixed operating conditions, for example, for construction sites.

The Milexpert RG S tires for the steering axle have a tread pattern with stress-reducing lamellas and wide ribs, designed to improve stability, slow down wear, and increase comfort. As the manufacturer claims, thanks to the design of the ribs with serrated edges, a stable level of grip is ensured in any conditions, while the chosen rubber compound extends the service life of the tires, and special "windows" on the outside of the shoulder areas dissipate heat and also make the tires more durable.

The Milexpert RG D tires for the drive axle are designed with an increased contact patch and connected blocks, which increase their service life, while the zigzag grooves and reinforced blocks are designed to guarantee optimal traction in various conditions. In addition, the composition of the under-tread layer, the design of the sidewall, and the design of the narrow longitudinal grooves are optimized to reduce heat generation, increase the resource of the tires, and reduce rolling resistance.

The m.Loadexpert line currently includes the m.Loadexpert A and D tires (for all positions and the drive axle, respectively), which are both designed for efficient operation in difficult conditions and for use over a long period, which reduces equipment downtime and lowers operating costs. The tires for the drive axle also have a tread pattern with zigzag grooves, which increases traction, and a reinforced carcass, which provides the necessary carrying capacity, while the rubber compound has increased resistance to cuts.

According to Arvind Poddar, Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of BKT, the company's entry into new segments "is a natural continuation of our work to meet the changing needs of the Indian market with products developed for real operating conditions".

"We rely on our many years of experience and offer tires that provide a high level of safety, are reliable, and are available at an affordable price," he added. "Guided by our BKT motto - Growing Together, we strive to be a reliable partner for consumers, distributors, and dealers."

According to BKT's plans, by 2030, the company intends to increase its revenue to approximately $2.9 billion, which is 2.2 times more compared to the 2025 figure. The main part of the revenue (70%) BKT plans to receive on the special tire market, while the share of the truck, passenger car, and motorcycle tire segment, as expected, will account for 20% of the turnover, and the share of technical carbon production will be 10%.