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.
•  

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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, a global price increase for all polymer products with effect from 1 April 2026. The price hike will range from USD 440 per MT to USD 700 per MT, or as individual contract terms permit, with the exact price change varying according to the polymer type and production location.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will apply to several key product categories, specifically including polymer dispersions, a variety of resins and dispersible polymer powders. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

The final scale of these price increases is not a fixed, across-the-board figure but will be determined by specific variables. It will largely depend on the original source of the product, with goods manufactured at the company’s European and Asian production sites being most affected. Furthermore, the terms outlined in existing customer contracts will also play a crucial role in defining the exact extent of the adjustment, ensuring a tailored approach to the implementation of this necessary price correction.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!