Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, is set to take part in PaintIndia 2026, scheduled from 19 to 21 February 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The company will be located at Booth L3 in Hall 4. At the exhibition, Birla Carbon will highlight its dedication to innovation tailored to specific applications, alongside its strengths in localised production and dependable supply chains, all aimed at supporting the paints and coatings sector with an extensive lineup of advanced carbon-based products.

A key focus will be the Raven line of speciality carbon blacks, engineered to address the shifting needs of modern coatings and inks in terms of performance, appearance and manufacturing efficiency. Visitors will encounter a variety of Raven grades designed to deliver exceptional blackness, precise tonal qualities and consistent results across multiple formulation types. Among these are solutions optimised for waterborne, solvent-based and powder coatings, such as the Raven 5000 Ultra, Raven 5100 Ultra and Raven 3500, which are known for their deep blue shades and reliable colour output.

The company will also present specialised grades developed for powder coatings and inks, including the Raven 1035 Powder, Raven 1185 Ultra Powder and Raven 1255 Powder. These products are part of a globally recognised portfolio of treated blacks now manufactured in India, offering reduced delivery times and greater supply stability along with superior performance characteristics. In addition, Birla Carbon will feature its broader range of advanced materials, which includes Nanocyl carbon nanotubes like the NC7000, Aquacyl and Epocyl, prized for their high electrical conductivity in various coating applications.

Conductex carbon blacks, noted for their ease of dispersion and strong conductive properties, will be presented as ideal for flooring coatings and primers. The Continua SCM line, a sustainable carbonaceous material, will also be on display, distinguished by its uniform quality, lower carbon footprint and elevated purity that meets food-contact standards and other rigorous requirements. Overall, Birla Carbon’s presence at PaintIndia 2026 will underscore its ongoing commitment to developing high-performance materials and solutions shaped by customer needs.

John Davidson, Chief Sales, Marketing & Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “PaintIndia 2026 provides an important platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and collaborate on the next phase of coatings development in India and globally. Birla Carbon formulations are being improved in multiple dimensions today. The focus is on helping formulators with new materials science solutions that deliver both performance and predictability, with higher purity levels suitable for food-contact compliance. We continue to advance responsible innovation through solutions such as Continua SCM, our sustainable carbonaceous material designed to support mitigated CO₂ emissions with consistent quality and supply security. And of course, we are delighted to offer a range of ‘Made in India’ high-performance grades fresh from our new facility in India.”

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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