ARLANXEO has launched its ISCC PLUS-certified Keltan Eco rubber grades in India, responding to rising demand for sustainable materials in the world’s most populous nation.

The German-based performance elastomers manufacturer unveiled the portfolio through technical seminars and workshops, targeting automotive components, wires and cables applications where customers increasingly value environmental credentials.

The Keltan Eco range comprises Eco-B and Eco-BC grades derived from bio-based and bio-circular feedstocks, respectively, whilst maintaining identical physical and mechanical properties to conventional fossil fuel-based products. The materials offer resistance to oxygen, ozone, heat and radiation.

ARLANXEO employs a mass balance approach for certification, ensuring the volume of Eco-labelled products corresponds with sustainable source feedstock volumes. This methodology provides supply chain transparency and enables customers to verify sustainability claims in downstream applications.

“This new portfolio will help our customers seize sustainable growth opportunities in India and stay ahead amid industry transformation,” said Rupesh Shah, ARLANXEO India’s Managing Director and Regional Sales Head.

The company also showcased its Therban hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber speciality grades during the events, targeting original equipment manufacturers and component producers. Therban applications include air conditioning seals, timing belts, high-temperature gaskets for oil platforms and spacecraft components.

ARLANXEO operates as one of the world’s largest synthetic rubber producers with more than 10 production sites across eight countries and four research and development locations globally. The company serves automotive, tyre, electrical, construction and oil and gas sectors.

The Indian launch forms part of ARLANXEO’s broader strategy to expand sustainable product offerings across key growth markets. Additional ISCC PLUS-certified synthetic rubber grades will be introduced in India following the initial rollout.

India’s steady rubber consumption growth, driven by the automotive and infrastructure sectors, signals a significant opportunity for speciality chemical producers aiming for sustained market expansion. ARLANXEO is well-positioned to meet this demand, marking a decisive step toward a greener, more innovative rubber industry in India.

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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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ARLANXEO, a leading global producer of synthetic rubber, is significantly increasing its synthetic rubber production capabilities at its Brazilian facility in Triunfo. This strategic investment is designed to boost the plant's annual capacity by nearly one-quarter, a direct response to growing customer demand across Latin America and other international markets.

The initiative underscores the company's dedication to the region through a 'local-to-local' strategy, which aims to foster regional economic growth and sustainability. By enhancing local production, the company ensures a more balanced and secure global supply network. The expansion is scheduled to be operational in 2027, promising a more efficient and reliable supply chain for clients. The Triunfo plant is already recognised for its operational excellence and adherence to rigorous international quality and safety standards, a reputation this new project will further solidify.

Angelo Brazil, Chief Manufacturing Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “After a successful installation that increased capacity to 65kt at our polybutadiene plant, the response from our customers has been outstanding. We are now taking the next step and will further expand our capacity by 25 percent. This underscores our confidence in the Latin American market, and our commitment to providing reliable, high-quality products close to our customers. With strong performance, a well-run operation and a market with solid customer demand, we’re perfectly positioned for continued growth.”

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In a significant advancement for materials science, Shin-Etsu Chemical has pioneered a new class of thermoplastic silicone, effectively overcoming the longstanding recyclability challenges associated with conventional silicone rubber. This innovation is a core component of the company's Silicones Solution-Engineering initiative, which leverages sophisticated silicon chemistry. Traditional materials are broadly categorised as thermoplastics, which can be remelted and recycled, and thermosetting plastics, which undergo a permanent hardening process that prevents recycling. Standard silicone rubber falls into the latter, thermosetting category.

This newly engineered thermoplastic silicone, however, represents a paradigm shift. It retains the desirable soft texture of silicone but introduces a suite of previously unattainable properties. The material is not only fully recyclable due to its thermoplastic nature but also achieves a unique combination of high hardness and exceptional elasticity. Furthermore, its composition allows for excellent transparency and ease of colouring, as it requires no inorganic fillers like silica. From a manufacturing perspective, it offers excellent processability, suitable for standard plastic injection moulding and even formulation into solvent-based coatings for diverse applications.

The potential uses for this material are extensive and novel. It is expected to enable new applications in consumer electronics, such as soft-touch components for mobile devices and sports equipment, and in the medical field for protective coatings on caregiving devices. By offering a spectrum of properties from rubber-like elasticity to plastic-like rigidity, Shin-Etsu can provide highly customised solutions. The product is scheduled for its first public reference display at the 14th PLASTIC JAPAN exhibition, taking place at Makuhari Messe from 12 to 14 November 2025.

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