The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), representing nearly 60 percent of the industry’s value chain, has established a standardised assurance system. This system, which was agreed upon at a recent Extraordinary General Assembly, offers a step-by-step process for companies to implement and verify sustainable practices.

The assurance system is undergoing pilot testing with volunteer manufacturers and processors until August 2024. Simultaneously, three of the four mandatory elements are open for public consultation to gather feedback and refine the model. This feedback and insights from the pilots will be incorporated into the assurance model before being presented to members for review at the Annual General Assembly in October 2024. By 2025, all GPSNR members will be expected to utilise this standardised system.

“ Having a system that can verify and cross check the implementation of our members’ commitments has always been our overarching goal at GPSNR. With the voting in of the Assurance Model structure, our members have demonstrated their intent to deliver on their sustainability promises. I am especially proud of the multistakeholder nature with which the assurance model has been agreed upon, keeping in mind the practical position of each member category,” said Stefano Savi, GPSNR’s Platform Director. 

The core of the model comprises four mandatory elements:

• Assurance Assessment Checklist: This checklist outlines companies’ minimum requirements across all aspects of the GPSNR’s policy framework.
• Assurance Protocol: This protocol provides guidelines for external assessors evaluating companies’ adherence to the standards.
• Remediation Protocol: This protocol lays out actions and timelines for addressing any gaps identified by the assessors.
• Members’ Journey: This broad timeline outlines the steps companies must take to comply with the requirements.
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Furthermore, the model includes supplementary tools to support member implementation, such as a due diligence framework and national risk assessments.

GPSNR members will convene next week in Singapore to finalise the details within the Assurance Model checklist, including the minimum requirements, permissible claims based on compliance, pilot feedback analysis, and the protocol for third-party assessors.

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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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Cabot Corporation said it can now produce circular reinforcing carbons in the Asia-Pacific region after validating manufacturing capability at its plants in Cilegon, Indonesia, and Tianjin, China.

The materials are produced using tyre pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres and an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS mass-balance approach. With the addition of the two Asian sites, Cabot said it now has circular reinforcing carbon production capacity across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Tyre manufacturers are pursuing targets to increase sustainable material use in tyre production, with many aiming for 40 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050, the company said. Cabot’s circular reinforcing carbons are designed as a drop-in replacement for conventional carbon black, allowing manufacturers to increase sustainable content without affecting tyre performance.

Aatif Misbah, Vice-President and General Manager for sustainable solutions in Cabot’s reinforcement materials segment, said: “This achievement reflects our deep commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across Asia Pacific and globally. Scaling our circular reinforcing carbon capabilities helps strengthen our role as a trusted partner to the tire industry, while helping to drive meaningful sustainability progress. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting our customers’ evolving needs and helping enable a more sustainable future.”

Cabot’s facilities in Ville Platte, Louisiana; Mauá, Brazil; and Valasske Mezirici in the Czech Republic had previously demonstrated circular reinforcing carbon production capability. The products are ISCC PLUS-certified and marketed under the recovered category of Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform.

The company said it has 13 ISCC PLUS-certified sites supporting circular reinforcing carbon production across Asia, Europe and the Americas, along with two certified masterbatch and compounding sites in Europe.

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The Rathi Group has formalised a partnership with the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC) through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing technical collaboration on recovered carbon black (rCB). The agreement focuses on the responsible integration of rCB into tyre manufacturing, with an emphasis on detailed evaluation and enhancement of its material properties. This initiative will be driven through structured engagement between industry and academia, supported by ITTAC’s technical expertise.

The collaboration is facilitated by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and ITTAC, which have brought together leading technical experts, tyre manufacturers and research institutions on a unified platform. Their coordinated efforts are fostering a science-based approach to accelerate the assessment and adoption of circular materials within the tyre sector. This partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening industry–academia linkages to advance sustainable practices.

Through this alliance, the Rathi Group aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of tyre-to-tyre circularity. The joint initiative underscores a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that support environmental responsibility while maintaining technical performance standards in tyre applications.

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