Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) said, based on the preliminary estimates, the outlook of world production of natural rubber (NR) is likely to fall 12.4%, year-on-year, to 897,000 tonnes in February 2021. However, the global NR consumption is estimated to recover at 47.5%, year-on-year, to 1.103 million tonnes during the same month too.

“As a result of this favourable market fundamental amid the seasonal wintering in most NR producing countries, it has supported the upward trend observed in average monthly prices across key physical markets during the reference month,” said ANRPC.

Crude oil prices in February 2021 which posted a 13.7% growth averaged at US$62.28 per barrel while comparing to January 2021. In the block rubber market, the average price of SMR-20 and STR-20 have recorded a 6.1% and 4.7% growth, respectively. The similar observation shared in the rubber sheets market where average price of RSS-3 in Bangkok recorded an increase of 3.6% to US$2.25 per kg and RSS-4 at Kottayam market averaged at US$2.14 per kg in February 2021 against last month.    

“Despite the global economic recovery is driven by the positive economic data in US and China, there are other efforts from regional economic cooperation which may boost the economic activities within the region such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considering of digital vaccine passport while European Union proposed to have Digital Green Pass to accommodate the safety movement around or within the region, respectively. However, people are still worrying about the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines to the fast-spreading variants such as United Kingdom, South African and Brazil to achieve herd immunity so that the world can revert to normalcy,” said the association.

 

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine chemicals, has unveiled a comprehensive new suite of long-term sustainability goals. These ambitious 2032 targets, which build upon the company's established record of environmental stewardship, focus on substantial reductions in carbon emissions, water consumption and waste generation. This initiative underscores Kraton's strategic commitment to fostering a sustainable business that delivers lasting value.

The new objectives were formulated following an extensive internal assessment of emissions and resource efficiency. This detailed evaluation included energy audits and site-specific reviews of water and waste, resulting in a robust framework designed to solidify Kraton's position as a leader in the transition toward a low-carbon and resource-conscious economy. By 2032, the company aims to achieve a 30 percent absolute reduction in its direct and indirect (Scope 1 & 2) greenhouse gas emissions, alongside a 30 percent intensity reduction in emissions from its supply chain (Scope 3.1). Further goals include a 10 percent intensity reduction in both water use and waste production.

This environmental strategy is intrinsically linked to Kraton's product innovation. The company is expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions, supported by lifecycle assessment data and third-party certifications like ISCC PLUS, to assist its customers in minimising their own environmental footprint. Kraton's dedication to corporate responsibility has been consistently recognised, evidenced by its receipt of the EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its ongoing advancement in sustainability management and performance.

Marcello Boldrini, Chief Executive Officer, Kraton, said “At Kraton, sustainability is the foundation of how we create value, innovate and lead for the future. These new long-term targets reflect our commitment to drive meaningful impact across our operations and value chain while supporting our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer & General Counsel, Kraton, said “Our new targets are designed to meet our customer expectations for transparency, innovation, upstream raw material decarbonisation and resource efficiency while maintaining the flexibility needed to support business growth. Kraton’s supplier engagement programme will be instrumental in achieving our goals, and we will continue to collaborate closely with our partners to drive progress together.”

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In a strategic move to bolster its international presence, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS is establishing a new production subsidiary in India. The company will invest USD 30 million to form HS Hyosung India Private Limited, located in the industrially significant state of Maharashtra. This region is an economic powerhouse within India, making it an ideal location for the new tyre cord manufacturing plant, which is scheduled to be operational by 2027.

This significant investment is a direct response to India's emergence as the world's third-largest automobile market. The country's ongoing infrastructure development and a rapidly expanding logistics sector are creating a surge in demand for tyres, and consequently, for the materials used to make them. By localising production, the company aims to build a more resilient supply chain, increase its market share and respond more dynamically to the needs of the Indian market. The facility, situated on a 230,000-sqm site in the Nagpur Industrial Complex, is planned not only for tyre cord production but also for future expansion into other product lines like airbag fabrics.

As the global leader in polyester tyre cord manufacturing for over two decades, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS commands approximately half of the worldwide market share. These cords are critical reinforcement components inside tyres, enhancing their safety, durability and overall performance. The company supports its market position with a global production and research network spanning Vietnam, China and United States. It is also actively innovating to meet new mobility demands, having created advanced products such as high-strength and high-modulus tyre cords tailored for electric vehicles, which has solidified its reputation with major tyre producers globally.

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According to a recent analysis by the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), an inter-governmental organisation composed of rubber producing and consuming stakeholders located in Singapore, India's rubber industry demonstrated robust performance in the first half of 2025. The sector saw demand for both natural and synthetic rubber continue to outpace supply. Natural rubber consumption grew by 2.1 percent against a 1.9 percent production increase. The synthetic rubber market expanded even more rapidly, with consumption rising 5.6 percent and production increasing 5.4 percent.

The automotive tyre industry remains the primary market force, consuming 62.8 percent of all natural rubber and 68.9 percent of synthetic rubber. This sustained demand from tyre manufacturers occurred alongside mixed vehicle sales figures. While passenger car sales experienced a slight decline of 0.1 percent, this was counterbalanced by healthy growth in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments, which increased by 0.9 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for September 2025, providing an overview of key developments in the global natural rubber sector.

The ANRPC Statistics and Information Committee (ISC) presented an updated perspective on the global supply-demand landscape for 2025 and examined updated 2024 statistics and growth rates during the October 2025 Annual Assembly Sessions. September saw price volatility and pressure as output increased while demand stayed low. However, tapping activities were limited in several producing regions due to rains and labour limitations, which contributed to a passive production rise that was not anticipated during the peak production season.

Global natural rubber (NR) output is expected to increase slightly by 1.3 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, according to recent reports from ANRPC member nations, after Indonesia's production base was revised downward. Concurrently, it is anticipated that NR demand would increase by 0.8 percent in 2025 due to an increase in Indonesia's consumer base. Although there were some indications of recovery in the tyre sector in a few countries, market mood remained divided.

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