Crunch in carbon black supply forces unplanned shutdowns, says tyre makers

Domestic demand-supply gap in the key input, which was 14% in 2016-17 has gone up to 20% in 2017-18

The crunch in domestic availability of carbon black is forcing the domestic tyre companies to take unplanned shutdowns in the recent past for want of this essential raw-material, according to tyre makers.

Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), whose members account for over 90 per cent of tyre production, in a representation to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has asked for facilitating easy import of the raw material to ride out the difficult phase having an adverse impact on tyre production in the country.

According to ATMA, factors that have led to the domestic deficit in Carbon Black taking a