Four Japanese organisations announced a joint venture to develop advanced recycling technology for used tyres, aiming to produce environmentally friendly carbon black with properties matching virgin materials.

Tokai Carbon Co., Bridgestone Corporation, Kyushu University and Okayama University will collaborate on converting recovered carbon black from end-of-life tyres into eco Carbon Black (eCB), targeting performance levels equivalent to petroleum-derived materials.

The project, selected by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation in December 2024, aims to establish a demonstration plant capable of producing 5,000 tonnes of eCB annually by 2032.

The initiative addresses growing environmental concerns in tyre manufacturing, as traditional carbon black production relies heavily on petroleum and coal.

Bridgestone will evaluate the rubber properties and conduct practical tyre testing, while the universities will focus on research and development of special polymers and composites.

The project is part of Japan's broader Green Innovation Fund Project, supporting the country's transition toward carbon neutrality and circular economy goals.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) is advancing Thailand’s agricultural digital transformation through its homegrown platform, the Sri Trang Friends application. Launched in 2019 with the vision of providing a comprehensive digital tool for rubber farmers, the platform has since evolved to serve a broader agricultural community, including palm growers. It is designed to streamline access to information, services and various support mechanisms, creating a direct link between the company, farmers and supply chain participants.

A key recent development is the introduction of the Friends Shop feature and the Friends Point rewards system. This enhancement integrates local merchants from communities nationwide into the application, allowing farmers to conduct convenient transactions while helping to lower their daily expenses. The points accumulated can be used as cash equivalents or exchanged for a wide range of benefits, including essential goods and services, thereby stimulating local economic activity. The platform’s utility has also been extended to Sri Trang Group employees and the general public, who can now earn and redeem points for discounts or payments at participating outlets such as supermarkets, fuel stations and coffee shops. This expansion ensures the app delivers practical, lifestyle-oriented advantages to a wider user base.

According to Executive Director Vitchaphol Sincharoenkul, the application was originally conceived under the concept of ‘One App, Complete Services for Rubber Farmers’ to strengthen farmer engagement, improve coordination efficiency and ensure fully traceable and transparent produce trading. Beyond these operational goals, it also opens new marketing channels for local communities and fosters deeper collaboration across the agricultural value chain. The company is actively broadening its network of partners to diversify the benefits and merchant options available to users.

Currently, the Sri Trang Friends platform has attracted over 150,000 registered users, with more than 40 community merchants across various regions either already onboard or preparing to join. This growth underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging a Thai-developed digital solution to empower modern farmers, reinforce local economies and drive sustainable long-term progress within the nation’s agricultural sector.

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Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd (HSCL) has officially launched commercial production at its new 70,000 metric tonne per annum speciality carbon black line in Mahistikry, West Bengal. This brownfield expansion elevates the company’s total carbon black manufacturing capacity to 250,000 MTPA, with 130,000 MTPA specifically dedicated to speciality grades at this single location. As a result, the Mahistikry facility now holds the distinction of being the largest site in the world for speciality carbon black production.

The development represents a pivotal achievement in the company’s strategic roadmap, solidifying its global standing in the advanced materials sector. By significantly increasing its speciality portfolio, the company is better positioned to meet the rigorous demands of high-value industries such as plastics, inks, paints and coatings. The project integrates cutting-edge process technology with stringent quality controls and energy-efficient systems, ensuring that premium-grade products are consistently delivered to an international client base.

Financially, the new capacity is set to positively influence revenue streams and bolster margins over the coming years. The expanded scale not only enhances operational efficiency and supply chain dependability but also accelerates the company’s ability to innovate and respond to market shifts. As worldwide demand increasingly favours tailored, high-performance carbon solutions, this enhanced infrastructure provides a distinct competitive edge through improved agility and product development capabilities.

Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said, “The commencement of commercial operations of our 70,000 MTPA Speciality Carbon Black line at Mahistikry marks the beginning of the next phase of growth in our advanced carbon materials journey. With this expansion, Mahistikry becomes the world’s largest single-location Speciality Carbon Black facility, with a capacity of 130,000 MTPA. This milestone significantly enhances our production capabilities and positions us strongly to capture rising global demand in premium, application-specific segments such as plastics, inks, paints, coatings and other specialised industries. We remain committed to disciplined expansion, operational excellence, sustainability and delivering high-performance solutions that create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

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Solvay has announced that it will optimise the soda ash production capacity at its Torrelavega site in Spain from 600 kilotonnes to 420 kilotonnes, effective from the third quarter of 2026 and pending the required consultation process. This decision is a direct response to ongoing global oversupply and persistently high energy and carbon costs in Europe.

By optimising its operational level, the company aims to strengthen the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of its remaining production at the facility. The Torrelavega site will continue to serve regional customers by focusing on soda ash and premium sodium bicarbonate, with supply guaranteed through both local operations and Solvay’s global network. Importantly, sodium bicarbonate production will remain unaffected.

This adjustment also supports the company’s commitment to the energy transition, including a major biomass initiative designed to significantly reduce coal usage at the site. As a result of the capacity reduction, a net decrease of up to 77 positions is expected. Solvay is committed to managing this transition responsibly and will engage closely with employee representatives to develop socially supportive solutions and measures for those impacted.

Etienne Galan, President of Solvay Soda Ash & Derivatives, said, “Solvay is taking decisive steps to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of its soda ash operations. Soda ash is critical for essential applications, and Solvay remains firmly committed to the business. We are strategically investing now to cement our competitiveness for decades to come, including the deployment of carbon neutral soda ash processes as part of our energy transition roadmap. At the same time, we urgently need the regulatory framework to align with our industrial reality and the investments that are needed for this transformation.”

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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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