Pirelli Partners with India’s BKT to Produce Up to 800,000 Tyres Annually by 2030

BHUJ — Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli has entered into a strategic partnership with India’s Balkrishna Industries (BKT) to manufacture premium passenger car tyres in India, with production targeted at up to 800,000 Pirelli-branded tyres annually by 2030.

Under the agreement announced on October 22, BKT will manufacture the tyres at its upcoming facility in Bhuj, Gujarat, following Pirelli’s technical specifications and quality standards. Production is expected to begin in the next financial year.

Proposed 50:50 joint venture

The partnership also envisages a second phase involving a proposed 50:50 joint venture between the two companies, subject to the fulfilment of agreed conditions.

The proposed venture would establish a dedicated facility for high-value passenger car tyres under both the Pirelli and BKT brands, serving customers in India and international markets. The companies have not yet disclosed the investment amount, planned production capacity or detailed timetable for the proposed facility.

Targeting growth in India’s car market

The agreement comes as manufacturers look to benefit from rising demand for premium vehicles and tyres in India. The companies expect car registrations to grow by 5–7% annually between 2025 and 2030 and estimate that the premium passenger car tyre market could expand nearly fivefold over the same period.

For BKT, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand beyond its established off-highway tyre business into passenger car tyres. For Pirelli, it provides a route to local manufacturing in one of the world’s major automotive markets.

The agreement combines Pirelli’s premium tyre technology with BKT’s manufacturing capabilities in India. It could also create opportunities for domestic production, technical cooperation and exports as the partnership develops.