JK Tyre Launches India’s First Precision Tire Buffing & Grinding Machine at NATRAX

In a major boost to India’s tire testing and road safety capabilities, JK Tyre & Industries has commissioned the country’s first precision tire buffing and grinding machine at NATRAX, the national automotive testing and certification facility located in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The addition marks a critical advancement in India’s ability to scientifically evaluate tire performance, especially in worn conditions—a key factor in reducing road accidents.

The machine was formally inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director of JK Tyre, and Dr. Manish Jaiswal, Director of NATRAX, alongside senior officials from the automotive and testing industry. The event underscores an ongoing collaboration between JK Tyre and NATRAX to elevate the standards of tire safety research and validation in India.

Enabling Global-Standard Worn Tire Testing

This newly installed machine adheres to ECE R117, an international regulation that measures the wet braking capability of tires worn close to the legal tread depth limit of 1.6 mm. Globally, worn tire behavior is considered a crucial determinant of real-world safety, yet India has lacked specialized infrastructure to replicate these conditions with precision—until now.

The machine will be primarily used to prepare uniformly worn tire samples across all major categories:

• C1: Passenger vehicles
• C2: Light commercial vehicles
• C3: Heavy trucks and buses

With these samples, NATRAX can perform WGWT (Wet Grip on Worn Tire) testing—an evaluation increasingly adopted by global regulators and OEMs. The technology will allow India to conduct more comprehensive performance assessments across every vehicle segment, bringing domestic testing practices closer to international norms.

JK Tyre Strengthens R&D and Safety Efforts

Describing the installation as a landmark moment, Dr. Singhania said the machine represents JK Tyre’s commitment to innovation and to supporting India’s ambition of building world-class automotive testing capabilities. “This initiative reinforces our leadership in tire technology and our dedication to enhancing safety through advanced engineering,” he noted during the ceremony.

The company has been steadily expanding its research footprint at NATRAX. Alongside the new machine, JK Tyre already operates two specialized workshops at the facility and employs a skilled team of testing professionals. The infrastructure includes a skid trailer, steering robot, noise measurement systems, and an extensive fleet of vehicles to conduct dynamic performance testing.

A Milestone for India’s Road Safety Framework

Experts say the availability of precision worn-tire testing within India will significantly strengthen regulatory decision-making, OEM validation programs, and consumer awareness about tire safety. It also reduces dependence on international facilities, bringing down testing costs and accelerating product development cycles for Indian manufacturers.

With this installation, JK Tyre and NATRAX have taken a pivotal step in aligning India’s tire safety ecosystem with global benchmarks—ushering in a new era of scientific evaluation and enhanced road safety.