JK Tyre & Industries, a pioneer in tyre technology and testing innovation, has inaugurated India’s first precision Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine (Wet Grip on Worn Tyre) at NATRAX, Pithampur. The launch marks a major milestone in enhancing tyre safety and self-reliance in testing worn tyres within the country.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre, Dr. Manish Jaiswal, Director, NATRAX, and other dignitaries. The new facility reinforces the partnership between JK Tyre and NATRAX in developing advanced testing infrastructure for the automotive industry.

The new equipment complies with ECE R117 regulation, which assesses wet braking performance of tyres worn close to the legal tread depth limit of 1.6 mm. It enables preparation of worn tyre samples for C1 (passenger car), C2 (light commercial), and C3 (heavy truck/bus) categories, supporting Wet Grip on Worn Tyre (WGWT) testing at NATRAX. This will ensure comprehensive safety validation across all vehicle segments.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Raghupati Singhania 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 building world-class testing infrastructure.”

This installation adds to JK Tyre’s strong testing ecosystem that supports both homologation and new product development. The company has been associated with NATRAX since 2017, utilising its facilities for vehicle-level testing, including handling, braking, wet grip, and noise evaluation. JK Tyre has also established dedicated infrastructure at NATRAX, featuring two workshops, skilled teams, and advanced testing equipment such as a skid trailer, steering robot, and noise measurement systems, supported by a fleet of test vehicles.

With a proven legacy of technological leadership, JK Tyre continues to lead the way in tyre engineering and performance testing. The inauguration of India’s first Tyre Buffing and Grinding Machine (Wet Grip on Worn Tyre) reaffirms the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation, safety, and building self-reliant testing capabilities for the nation’s mobility future.