Vipal Rubber has been named as the official trophy sponsor for the 2023 Recircle Awards, the globally-facing industry awards event recognising sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services within the tyre retreading and recycling industries. The announcement was made by Valebridge Media Services (VMS).

As trophy sponsor, Vipal Rubber will receive a number of key promotional benefits provided by VMS and the awards official media partners, Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling, business journals for the tyre retreading and recycling sectors. These include video, emailing, website and social media benefits, key coverage in the post-awards supplement to be published by the media partners, press release support and a video podcast on Retreading Business’s popular Retreadcast.

The awards themselves, produced by Spanish design specialists, Neusus Upcycling, feature a twisted column of black crumb rubber derived from end-of-life tyres, supported by a base manufactured from recycled copper, and are in keeping with the sustainability goals of the Recircle Awards concept.

Leandro Rigon, International Business Director, Vipal Rubber, commented, “The whole concept of tyre retreading is about preventing tyres from being disposed of early in life and giving them multiple lives, instead of generating a premature waste. It also prevents the production of a whole new tyre to replace one that is still in a condition to give much of its potential. Whenever a tyre is retreaded, the use of natural resources allocated to produce a new unit is reduced to a third or even less, according to several studies. For us at Vipal, this is a massive contribution to the world’s circular economy, and we believe that the Recircle Awards is a strong vehicle to promote and recognise such a great activity, that still has much room to expand and contribute to our planet. Raising awareness for this activity is definitely a great step for taking good care of our home.”

David Wilson, Managing Director, Valebridge Media Services, said, “Vipal Rubber has been a major supporter of the Recircle Awards since the event’s launch in 2020, and we are delighted that the company has decided to become trophy sponsors of the 2023 awards. The support of major players like Vipal and our other partner/collaborators from within the tyre retreading and recycling industries is of vital importance in underlining the key contribution made by the tyre industry to the circular economy, and will continue to help cement the position of the Recircle Awards as the leading industry awards event for our sector.”

The 2023 Recircle Awards will be officially launched on 8 March, 2023 at Tyrexpo Asia in Singapore. The  winners will be announced during Futurmotive - Expo & Talks, the new event devoted to energy and ecology transition and new business models for the automotive industry, to be held from 16-18 November, 2023 in Bologna, Italy.

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Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (HSCL) has officially launched commercial production at its new 70,000 metric tonne per annum speciality carbon black line in Mahistikry, West Bengal. This brownfield expansion elevates the company’s total carbon black manufacturing capacity to 250,000 MTPA, with 130,000 MTPA specifically dedicated to speciality grades at this single location. As a result, the Mahistikry facility now holds the distinction of being the largest site in the world for speciality carbon black production.

The development represents a pivotal achievement in the company’s strategic roadmap, solidifying its global standing in the advanced materials sector. By significantly increasing its speciality portfolio, the company is better positioned to meet the rigorous demands of high-value industries such as plastics, inks, paints and coatings. The project integrates cutting-edge process technology with stringent quality controls and energy-efficient systems, ensuring that premium-grade products are consistently delivered to an international client base.

Financially, the new capacity is set to positively influence revenue streams and bolster margins over the coming years. The expanded scale not only enhances operational efficiency and supply chain dependability but also accelerates the company’s ability to innovate and respond to market shifts. As worldwide demand increasingly favours tailored, high-performance carbon solutions, this enhanced infrastructure provides a distinct competitive edge through improved agility and product development capabilities.

Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said, “The commencement of commercial operations of our 70,000 MTPA Speciality Carbon Black line at Mahistikry marks the beginning of the next phase of growth in our advanced carbon materials journey. With this expansion, Mahistikry becomes the world’s largest single-location Speciality Carbon Black facility, with a capacity of 130,000 MTPA. This milestone significantly enhances our production capabilities and positions us strongly to capture rising global demand in premium, application-specific segments such as plastics, inks, paints, coatings and other specialised industries. We remain committed to disciplined expansion, operational excellence, sustainability and delivering high-performance solutions that create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

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Solvay has announced that it will optimise the soda ash production capacity at its Torrelavega site in Spain from 600 kilotonnes to 420 kilotonnes, effective from the third quarter of 2026 and pending the required consultation process. This decision is a direct response to ongoing global oversupply and persistently high energy and carbon costs in Europe.

By optimising its operational level, the company aims to strengthen the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of its remaining production at the facility. The Torrelavega site will continue to serve regional customers by focusing on soda ash and premium sodium bicarbonate, with supply guaranteed through both local operations and Solvay’s global network. Importantly, sodium bicarbonate production will remain unaffected.

This adjustment also supports the company’s commitment to the energy transition, including a major biomass initiative designed to significantly reduce coal usage at the site. As a result of the capacity reduction, a net decrease of up to 77 positions is expected. Solvay is committed to managing this transition responsibly and will engage closely with employee representatives to develop socially supportive solutions and measures for those impacted.

Etienne Galan, President of Solvay Soda Ash & Derivatives, said, “Solvay is taking decisive steps to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of its soda ash operations. Soda ash is critical for essential applications, and Solvay remains firmly committed to the business. We are strategically investing now to cement our competitiveness for decades to come, including the deployment of carbon neutral soda ash processes as part of our energy transition roadmap. At the same time, we urgently need the regulatory framework to align with our industrial reality and the investments that are needed for this transformation.”

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Germany's rubber industry continues to face significant headwinds, with fresh data from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) revealing a persistent downturn. The figures show employment falling for the fifth year in a row, while production levels have declined for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring the sector's struggle to regain its footing.

The association attributes this stagnation to waning enthusiasm for German rubber goods in both domestic and international markets. Michael Berthel, wdk Chief Economist, described a fundamental shift in procurement behaviour, even within Germany. He noted that purchasing decisions are now driven almost exclusively by price, a stark departure from the historical emphasis on quality and reliability. This change has opened the door to intense international cost competition, placing immense pressure on Germany's medium-sized suppliers. Berthel highlighted that prohibitive domestic costs related to energy, bureaucracy, taxation and labour make it nearly impossible for these firms to compete effectively. Consequently, many are compelled to relocate their investments abroad as a necessary escape from these local burdens, even though their preference would be to maintain and revitalise their operations within Germany after years of strategic transformation.

Against this backdrop, wdk President Michael Klein issued an urgent appeal to the federal government. He acknowledged that the broader struggles of German industry are well documented but stressed the immediate need for decisive political intervention. Klein called for concrete measures to stimulate demand and bolster the nation's competitive edge within Europe without further delay. He warned against allowing the rubber sector to decline quietly, emphasising its critical role in essential areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, security and mobility.

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Punia Metox Private Limited has commenced production at a new manufacturing facility in Thottambedu, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with operations starting on 12 February 2026.

The plant has an initial production capacity of 12,000 tonnes a year. Its structural design allows capacity to be doubled within four to six months, providing scope for rapid scale-up as demand grows, the company said.

Punia Metox said the facility has been equipped with modern technology to support operational and energy efficiency, safety, sustainability and consistent product quality. The company added that the plant has been designed to enable smooth and seamless operations from the outset.

The expansion forms part of Punia Metox’s strategy to align capacity growth with customer requirements and strengthen its position as a long-term supply partner. The company said the new unit reflects its focus on customer satisfaction, ethical business practices and value-based growth.

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