PIRELLI AND BKT SIGN AGREEMENT FOR PRODUCTION IN INDIA OF 800,000 PIRELLI BRANDED PREMIUM CAR TYRES BY 2030
THE AGREEMENT ALSO ENVISAGES THE CREATION OF A 50-50 JV FOR A PRODUCTION PLANT IN THE COUNTRY
THE AGREEMENT WILL ENABLE THE TWO COMPANIES TO CAPTURE THE GROWING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE INDIAN MARKET
TRONCHETTI: INDIA WILL HAVE A KEY ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
RAJIV PODDAR: BKT’S INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITIES, QUALITY STANDARDS AND LONG-STANDING EXPERTISE PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR PARTNERSHIPS OF THIS SCALE.
Milan/Mumbai, 22 October 2026 - Pirelli and Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) have signed a strategic agreement aimed at capturing the opportunities offered by the Indian car tyre market, one of the most dynamic and promising at the global level.
India is today one of the most attractive automotive markets in the world, with car registrations estimated to increase by 5-7% annually from 2025 to 2030 and a premium Car tyre market seen growing almost fivefold.
The partnership - which unites Pirelli’s high-end technological leadership with BKT’s local industrial positioning and strong presence – foresees a first phase based on an off-take agreement, through which BKT will produce, in one of its own newly constructed plants equipped with the most advanced technology, up to 800,000 Pirelli branded tyres by 2030 with Pirelli’s specific technological and quality standards.
This agreement paves the way for a second phase which envisages, subject to certain conditions, the creation of a 50-50 joint venture and the construction of a production plant dedicated to High Value car tyres, both with the Pirelli brand and the BKT brand to serve India and other international markets.
For Pirelli, with only a commercial presence in India at present, the agreement constitutes a significant step towards reinforcing its positioning in a Country characterized by great potential and growing demand for High Value tyres, the segment where Pirelli is focused.
For BKT, the agreement supports the company’s expansion into the passenger car tyre segment and is expected to create new opportunities in both domestic and international markets.
Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli, said: “India is taking an ever more central role in the evolution of the global automotive industry, thanks to the market’s growth, development of mobility and progressive strengthening of the Country’s industrial and technological competencies. The agreement with BKT, a first-class industrial partner with solid roots in India and a significant international presence, represents for Pirelli a strategic choice which will allow us to strengthen our position in a market among those with the greatest growth potential and to accompany its evolution, drawing on our competencies, innovation and positioning in the segments with the greatest value”.
Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) said: “This partnership brings together complementary strengths to capture the opportunities of a growing market while creating value for both companies”.
Andrea Casaluci, CEO of Pirelli, added: “We are confident that the collaboration between BKT, with its industrial excellence and knowledge of the market, and Pirelli, bringing innovative technologies and high-end positioning, will not only open new opportunities for both groups but will also contribute to the growing premiumization of the Indian tyre market. The outlook for the national automotive market, and especially for the partnership's premium products is very promising. And the time is right to catch that wave”.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), commented: “When a globally established brand such as Pirelli chooses BKT, it is a recognition of the manufacturing strength, quality and expertise we have built over decades. We are proud to bring our industrial scale to this partnership and to serve customers not only in India but also across our international markets. Pirelli’s technological leadership and BKT’s industrial capabilities provide together a strong foundation for lasting values.”
About Pirelli
Founded in Milan in 1872, Pirelli is today one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers and the only one fully focused on the Consumer market, with products and services for cars, motorbikes, and bicycles. Positioned at the top of the range in the High Value, Premium, and Prestige segments, the brand combines deep Italian roots with international scale, supported by 18 plants in 12 countries, a commercial network in over 160 countries, around 31,000 employees, and €6.8 billion in revenues in 2025. Driven by cutting-edge technology and sustainability, Pirelli invested 5.6% of its 2025 High Value revenues in R&D. Its flagship technology is Cyber™ Tyre, the world’s first system that collects data from sensors embedded in the tyre and communicates it in real time to the vehicle’s electronics, increasing safety, vehicle efficiency and supporting road infrastructure monitoring. Demonstrating its environmental leadership, Pirelli is also the world's first company to produce FSC-certified tyres using sustainable natural rubber and rayon, an achievement reflected in its top standings on global sustainability benchmarks like the Dow Jones Best-In-Class World and Europe indices. Pirelli’s legacy also extends into sports and culture. Competing in motorsports since 1907, the company is active in over 350 competitions and has been the exclusive Global Tyre Partner of Formula One™ since 2011, with a contract running through 2028. Beyond racing, Pirelli has published the iconic Pirelli Calendar since 1963, fosters design and lifestyle projects through Pirelli Design, manages the Pirelli HangarBicocca contemporary art space, and preserves its heritage and culture via Fondazione Pirelli.
About BKT
Established in 1987, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) is an Indian multinational and a leading Off-Highway tyre manufacturer headquartered in Mumbai. With a portfolio of over 3,600 specialized products for agriculture, industrial, construction, mining, earthmoving, and material handling applications, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. The company also manufactures rubber tracks for the agricultural and industrial sectors. Recently, BKT announced its entry into the Two-Wheeler, Passenger Car, and Commercial Vehicle segments for the Indian market. The company’s vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem is supported by in-house carbon black production and R&D centers focused on product innovation, performance, and application specific design. Driven by a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions, BKT continues to expand its global footprint while investing in advanced technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and next-generation mobility solutions. The company’s focus on developing high-performance products tailored to the evolving needs of its customers enables BKT to strengthen its position as a trusted partner across diverse markets and applications. Through continuous investment in research and development, operational excellence, and sustainable practices, BKT aims to create long-term value while supporting the changing demands of the global mobility industry.
For more information, visit www.bkt-tires.com