Pirelli and BKT sign an agreement to produce 800,000 tires in India by 2030

Pirelli and Indian manufacturer Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) have signed a strategic agreement to manufacture up to 800,000 passenger car tires under the Pirelli brand in India by 2030. The partnership aims to expand Pirelli’s presence in a high-growth-potential automotive market.

In the first stage, BKT will produce the tires at one of its newly built plants equipped with advanced technologies, in compliance with Pirelli’s technological and quality standards. The agreement could subsequently lead to the establishment of a joint venture equally owned by the two companies.

The second stage involves building a dedicated plant for premium passenger car tires, to be marketed under both the Pirelli and BKT brands. The facility would supply the Indian market and other international markets, provided the agreed conditions are met.

India is estimated to record annual growth of 5-7% in passenger car registrations between 2025 and 2030, while the premium tire market is forecast to grow nearly fivefold. Pirelli, which currently has only a commercial presence in India, operates a major plant in Slatina, Romania, inaugurated following an investment launched in 2004.