JK Tyre & Industries has introduced India’s first Precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine (Wet Grip on Worn Tyre) at NATRAX, Pithampur. The installation marks a major stride towards enhancing national capabilities in tyre safety evaluation, particularly in assessing the performance of worn tyres.
The advanced machine adheres to ECE R117 standards, which mandate wet braking assessments for tyres nearing the legal tread limit of 1.6 mm. Its capabilities allow the preparation of worn tyre samples across C1 (passenger vehicles), C2 (light commercial vehicles), and C3 (heavy truck and bus) categories, enabling comprehensive Wet Grip on Worn Tyre (WGWT) testing within the country. This development strengthens India’s evaluation ecosystem across all major mobility segments.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, said,
“With the inauguration of the Precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine (Wet Grip on Worn Tyre) at NATRAX, JK Tyre has taken yet another step forward in advancing tyre testing and safety innovation in India. It reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, technology leadership, and enhancing vehicular safety through modern engineering and contribution to build world-class testing infrastructure.”
This addition further consolidates JK Tyre’s extensive testing framework, creating a fully integrated ecosystem for both product development and homologation. The company has been associated with NATRAX since 2017 and continues to utilise its cutting-edge facilities for handling, braking, wet grip, noise assessment, and other vehicle-level evaluations. JK Tyre has also established dedicated infrastructure at the centre, including two workshops, specialised equipment such as a skid trailer, steering robot, and noise measurement systems, supported by a fleet of test vehicles.
With its longstanding legacy of technology-driven excellence, JK Tyre continues to set new benchmarks in tyre engineering, reinforcing India’s position in the global mobility landscape.