India’s first Wet Grip on Worn Tyre Machine inaugurated by JK Tyre at NATRAX, Pithampur

In a move that further cements its position as a trailblazer in automotive safety and innovation, JK Tyre & Industrieshas unveiled India’s first-ever Precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine at the renowned NATRAX facility in Pithampur. This groundbreaking addition represents a significant step towards self-reliance in the performance evaluation of worn tyres, ultimately advancing tyre safety across the nation.

The unveiling ceremony was graced by the presence of prominent dignitaries, including Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director of JK Tyre, and Dr. Manish Jaiswal, Director of NATRAX, alongside other esteemed guests.

This cutting-edge machine, which is fully compliant with the ECE R117 regulation, plays a critical role in assessing vehicle safety by evaluating the wet braking performance of tyres that are worn down to the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm. The machine is designed to facilitate the preparation of tyre samples across a wide range of categories, including C1 (passenger car), C2 (light commercial vehicles), and C3 (heavy trucks and buses), thereby supporting WGWT (Wet Grip on Worn Tyre) testing at NATRAX. By doing so, it will enable thorough safety validation for vehicles of all segments, ensuring that worn tyres continue to meet the highest safety standards.

Dr. Raghupati Singhania, in his address at the event, remarked, “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 latest installation adds to JK Tyre’s robust testing infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to pioneering advancements in automotive safety. The company’s association with NATRAX, which dates back to 2017, has been integral to enhancing vehicle-level testing capabilities, ranging from handling, braking, and wet grip to noise evaluation. Moreover, JK Tyre has established dedicated infrastructure at NATRAX, including two state-of-the-art workshops, a team of experts, and cutting-edge equipment such as a skid trailer, steering robot, and noise measurement systems—all supported by a fleet of test vehicles.

Through its consistent focus on technological leadership, JK Tyre has been a forerunner in the development of next-generation products and testing capabilities that continue to push the boundaries of tyre engineering. With this new addition to its extensive R&D and testing portfolio, the company remains at the forefront of enhancing automotive safety and contributing to the nation’s growing global competitiveness in the automotive sector.