Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber’s new policy framework, which was approved in the recently general assembly, will provide a clear framework for GPSNR company members to establish/ update supply chain commitments through their natural rubber purchasing policies.

It covers specifies key commitment details to no deforestation/conversion/degradation, upholding human rights, supply chain transparency and monitoring and reporting.

Members who joined GPSNR before the GPSNR General Assembly 2020 will be expected to have policies or other documents aligned with these requirements within 6 months after adoption by the General Assembly. Members who join after the GPSNR General Assembly 2020 will be expected to align with these policies within 6 months of joining GPSNR.

aModeled around the Platform’s 12 Principles of Sustainable Natural Rubber, the new policy framework sets out eight overarching themes that include commitments to legal compliance, community livelihoods, healthy, functioning ecosystems (including no deforestation), and respecting all human rights.

“This is a tremendous milestone for the Platform and for the natural rubber industry. In just under two years, GPSNR members developed and approved concrete policy commitments for companies to integrate into their sustainable natural rubber policies. Today, and despite the challenges we all faced during this global pandemic, GPSNR members send a signal to the world about their commitment to achieving a fair, equitable and environmentally sound future” said GPSNR Director Stefano Savi.

Around 85% of the world’s natural rubber is produced by smallholders. In order to transform a sector that is primarily reliant on smallholder producers, GPSNR is embracing smallholder inclusivity and a concept of shared responsibility through the establishment of a Shared Responsibility Working Group, which will identify how the responsibilities and costs of implementation can be equitably distributed across all stakeholder categories, with the understanding that smallholders should not carry the burden of a higher cost to implement sustainability activities in complying with the policy or implementation guidance to be developed.

“Smallholders are a crucial link in the natural rubber value chain, and they have a key role to play in driving awareness on-the-ground and setting the global agenda for sustainable natural rubber” remarked Director Savi.

This year, GPSNR welcomed 28 smallholder members from seven rubber-producing countries. These smallholders now constitute a newly approved standalone category and play an equal role in decision-making within GPSNR alongside the other four categories: producers, processors, and traders; tire manufacturers and other natural rubber makers/buyers; car manufacturers, other downstream users and financial institutions; and civil society.

GPSNR’s virtual General Assembly drew more than 120 attendees, including members of the Platform, partners and invited guests. In addition to voting on resolutions, GPSNR members also elected representatives to the 2020-2021 Executive Committee, which comprises representatives from each of the membership categories. And for the first time, three newly elected smallholder producers with diverse geographical backgrounds will participate in Executive Committee discussions and decision-making.

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Every day, tyre recyclers face the same challenge: processing more tyres while maintaining sorting quality, protecting equipment and meeting increasing traceability requirements. Every misidentified tyre represents lost value. Every hidden contaminant can lead to costly downtime. Every manual operation limits productivity.

As tyre volumes continue to grow worldwide, the question is no longer whether tyre sorting should be automated. It is how quickly operators can adopt technologies that make their facilities more efficient, more reliable and more profitable.

As a specialist in intelligent tyre identification, sorting and traceability solutions, REGOM is actively contributing to this transformation through technologies designed to help recyclers process more tyres, improve sorting quality and gain better visibility over their operations.

Through artificial intelligence, advanced inspection technologies and digital traceability, the company is helping transform end-of-life tyres from a waste stream into a valuable resource.

SMARTER TYRE SORTING THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

For decades, tyre sorting relied heavily on manual inspections performed by experienced operators. While this approach remains valuable, it can be time-consuming and difficult to scale as tyre volumes continue to increase.

To address these challenges, REGOM has developed intelligent tyre identification technologies capable of automatically reading and analysing tyres in just a few seconds. Powered by artificial intelligence and advanced image recognition, these systems capture and process tyre information in real time, generating reliable data that can immediately be used by operators.

The benefits are significant. Automated identification increases processing capacity through a continuous production flow and automatic evacuation rates of up to 25 percent. It improves sorting consistency, with customers reporting grading quality improvements of up to 3 percent while reducing the risk of human error. By automating repetitive identification and sorting tasks, operators can focus on higher-value activities. Every tyre is identified in just 2.5 seconds and enriched with detailed product data, creating a fully traceable digital record from collection to grading and reporting. This structured database supports regulatory compliance, operational monitoring and data-driven decision-making while preparing facilities for future traceability requirements.

Importantly, artificial intelligence is not designed to replace operators. Instead, it helps redefine their role by automating repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on activities that require experience, expertise and decision-making. This shift supports higher productivity while creating greater value from human involvement throughout the sorting process.

As the industry continues to evolve, AI-driven sorting is becoming an essential component of modern tyre recycling facilities.

While artificial intelligence enables faster and more reliable identification, another challenge remains: Detecting contaminants hidden in whole tyre or shreds flows.

Some metallic objects or other contaminants not visible during standard inspections may end up in the flow of shreds or whole end-of-life tyres. Once these contaminants enter shredders, pyrolysis units or downstream processing equipment, they can cause costly damage, unplanned maintenance and production downtime.

To address this issue, REGOM has been investing for several years in the development of innovative X-Ray inspection technologies. This new machine aims to detect hidden contaminants before tyres enter critical processing stages. By identifying potential risks at an early stage, operators can better protect their equipment and avoid costly interruptions.

If your shredder or downstream equipment has already suffered unexpected downtime due to hidden contaminants, you already know the consequences: production stops, maintenance costs increase and valuable processing time is lost.

The challenge is that many contaminants remain invisible during traditional inspections and are only discovered once they have reached critical equipment.

This is where X-Ray technology can make a significant difference. By detecting hidden metallic objects and other contaminants before tyres enter shredders, pyrolysis units or other processing equipment, operators can reduce risks, protect critical assets and maintain smoother operations.

The benefits extend throughout the entire recycling process: lower maintenance costs, improved equipment availability, increased operational reliability and ultimately higher productivity.

“The X-Ray solution we are developing directly addresses our customers’ need to automate their operations, making them more reliable and consistent in an increasingly challenging labour market.

The X-Ray solution we are developing directly addresses our customers’ need to automate their operations, making them more reliable and consistent in an increasingly challenging labour market. This inspection system also helps mitigate a growing risk: fires caused by the increasing number of batteries found in end-of-life tyres. By reducing operational costs while ensuring consistent production, this solution delivers significant operational benefits and enhances overall efficiency,” says Arthur Wagner – CEO, REGOM.

TURNING DATA INTO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

One of the most significant transformations occurring within the tyre recycling industry is the growing importance of data.

Historically, large quantities of operational information remained unavailable or underutilised. Today, advanced sorting technologies generate valuable data that can be used to improve decision-making across the entire facility.

By combining artificial intelligence, automated identification and digital traceability, operators gain a clearer understanding of incoming tyre flows and sorting performance. This information supports regulatory compliance, facilitates reporting and provides greater transparency throughout the recycling process.

More importantly, data enables continuous improvement. Facilities can identify trends, optimise workflows and make more informed investment decisions based on objective operational insights.

The result is a more efficient, more transparent and more resilient recycling operation.

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TYRE RECYCLING IN INDIA

India is one of the world’s most dynamic markets for tyre recycling and resource recovery. As the sector continues to grow, operators face the same challenges seen across the globe: increasing volumes, higher performance expectations and a growing need for traceability.

Recognising this opportunity, REGOM has partnered with PLANNEX to support the deployment of advanced tyre sorting technologies throughout the Indian market.

By combining REGOM’s expertise in intelligent tyre sorting and traceability with PLANNEX’s strong local presence and industry knowledge, the partnership aims to provide Indian recyclers with access to innovative solutions designed to improve productivity, sorting quality and operational performance.

Together, REGOM and PLANNEX share a common vision: helping recyclers unlock greater value from every tyre while supporting the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable circular economy.

THE FUTURE OF TYRE RECYCLING

The future of tyre recycling is not simply about processing larger quantities of tyres. It is about understanding each tyre better, managing resources more effectively and extracting maximum value from every material entering the recycling stream.

Through artificial intelligence, advanced inspection technologies and data-driven decision-making, REGOM is contributing to this transformation by helping operators build safer, smarter and more efficient recycling facilities.

The challenge is no longer simply to process more tyres. The challenge is to extract more value from every tyre entering the recycling stream.

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In mixing room, rotor seal oil is chronically contaminated by carbon black, oxidation products, metal wear debris and mechanical impurities. During the vulcanisation process, hydraulic oil frequently suffers from contamination and system malfunctions caused by the ingress of moisture and particulates, as well as the formation of sludge and varnish. When oil shifts from a protective medium for equipment to a source of operational risk, profits are continuously – and often invisibly – drained away.

For a typical tyre factory, oil-related expenditures can reach millions of dollars annually. However, industrial waste oil should not be viewed merely as hazardous waste awaiting disposal. Through TMSI’s advanced oil purification and regeneration technologies, contaminated oil can be purified, regenerated and reintroduced into the production cycle – transforming it from a one-time consumable into a recyclable production resource that delivers quantifiable, sustainable value.

MIXER SEAL OIL REGENERATION: 90% OFF-LINE RECYCLING

Seal oil in internal mixer rotors suffers from severe contamination and rapid consumption. Traditional filtration methods struggle to simultaneously address oxides, acidic substances, mechanical impurities and micro-contaminants. Centred on patented electro-sorption and micron-level precision filtration technologies, the TMSI regeneration system selectively captures polar contaminants. It transforms waste oil into reusable, regenerated oil while maximising the retention of the base oil’s active components.

The system enables 90 percent off-line recycling of waste oil, with a processing capacity of 1.5 tonnes per 8-hour batch. Calculations for a typical project – such as a tyre manufacturer generating 240 tonnes of waste seal oil annually – show potential comprehensive annual savings of approximately USD 280,000 and a payback period of less than one year. Furthermore, the use of clean oil minimises scratching on sealing surfaces, prevents sticking caused by gum deposits and reduces wear on critical components, thereby lowering the risks of leakage, downtime and quality fluctuations.

HYDRAULIC OIL PURIFICATION: NO SHUTDOWN, NO OIL CHANGE, 100% CLOSED-LOOP ONLINE PURIFICATION

The core value of hydraulic oil purification is not only to extend the life of the oil but also to prevent maintenance from interrupting production. The TMSI hydraulic oil online circulation purification system is connected to the hydraulic station in a bypass mode and continuously removes moisture, particulate matter, sludge, paint film and oxidised pollutants during equipment operation, allowing the hydraulic oil to recover its performance in a closed-loop cycle, instead of waiting until the oil is out of control before shutting down for oil changes.

The system flow rate covers 30 L/h to 150 L/h, adapting to different tank volumes; after purification, the moisture can be reduced to less than 0.03 percent, and the cleanliness is better than NAS level 8 and can be further improved to approximately NAS level 7 in actual applications. Under normal circumstances, the hydraulic oil change interval is about 1–2 years; when contamination increases, it may be shortened to 3–6 months. Online purification not only reduces the purchase of new oil and the disposal of hazardous waste but also helps reduce the risk of valve core sticking, lagging action, hydraulic cylinder corrosion and internal leakage, ensures the stability of the mould closing force of the vulcanising machine and the consistency of the vulcanisation quality and allows equipment management to shift from post-repair to pre-protection.

PATENTED COMPOSITE FILTER ELEMENT: ENHANCING THE PURIFICATION CAPABILITIES OF EXISTING SYSTEMS

For hydraulic systems already in operation, the TMSI patented composite filter element offers a streamlined, rapid upgrade path. Designed to fit existing system interfaces, it enables an immediate boost in fluid purification performance – enhancing the equipment’s ability to remove water and impurities while improving acid values – simply through a direct replacement of the filter element.

Leveraging material modification and structural optimisation, the composite filter element achieves multi-stage purification within a single unit. It offers filtration precision ranging from 0.5 to 30 μm and consistently maintains oil moisture levels below 300 ppm through recirculating purification. Its high dirt-holding and water-absorbing structure extends service life; under standard operating conditions, the replacement interval reaches six months or longer, allowing existing equipment to achieve superior, long-lasting fluid management capabilities with minimal investment.

FROM HAZARDOUS WASTE COST TO CIRCULAR ASSET: REDEFINING THE VALUE OF INDUSTRIAL OIL

From North America to Latin America and from Asia to Europe, TMSI’s oil purification solutions are consistently proving stability, adaptability and long-term operational value for more and more manufacturers.

TMSI is transforming industrial oil consumption from the traditional ‘consume-replace-dispose’ model to a circular ‘purify-regenerate-reuse’ model, an approach successfully implemented in the tyre industry.

When waste oil ceases to be merely a cost item on a hazardous waste list and instead becomes a circular asset – capable of being purified, re-evaluated and reintroduced into the production system – fluid management shifts from a routine maintenance task to a strategic factor directly impacting consumable costs, downtime losses, investment payback periods and ESG performance. Returning waste oil to the production line represents more than just an upgrade in oil purification; it paves a new path for tyre factories towards lean, low-carbon and highly resilient operations.

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Sustainability has become critical for the tyre industry due to its heavy reliance on fossil-based raw materials, significant carbon footprint across the product lifecycle and the massive volume of end-of-life tyres generated annually. Shifting towards renewable, bio-based and recycled materials helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, minimise microplastic pollution from tyre wear and address regulatory and consumer demands for greener mobility solutions. Without accelerated innovation, the industry risks falling short of global climate targets while facing supply chain vulnerabilities and reputational challenges.

The global tyre market is valued at around USD 290 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 299 billion in 2026 as per MarkNtel. It is projected to attain USD 387 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.39 percent during 2026–2032. Interestingly, the Passenger Car segment leads the global tyre market with approximately 42 percent of total demand. Radial tyres dominate the global tyre market with around 88 percent share. Furthermore, Asia-Pacific holds the largest regional share at approximately 37 percent.

In an exclusive interaction with Tyre Trends, C Harimohan, Head of Corporate R&D (Materials and Compounding) at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT), shares his views on the tyre industry’s push towards true sustainability. He highlights the technical, economic and regulatory hurdles that lie ahead as the sector targets ambitious 2050 goals.

THE SUSTAINABILITY IMPERATIVE

It is no secret that the tyre industry is undergoing a profound shift, be it managing raw material supply chain, sustainability targets and geopolitical challenges, among others.

“See, I think we are undergoing a very special kind of scenario now,” Harimohan observes. While the core manufacturing process and raw material mixes have remained relatively stable, sustainability has moved from a ‘fashion word’ of a decade ago to a serious business priority.

“In the last two to three years, or let us say three to five years, we have started taking it more seriously because almost all the companies have declared that by 2050, 100 percent of the raw materials would be either renewable or recycled,” he says.

This target, however, comes with limited current visibility on delivery. Today, roughly 65 to 70 percent of tyre raw materials are derived from fossil sources, primarily crude oil.

“Around 30 percent only comes from the natural rubber; the remaining major part becomes a synthetic rubber, carbon black and almost all the chemicals which are derived from crude,” he explains. The central challenge is transforming these fossil-dependent components into renewable or recycled alternatives.

Recycling, though not new, presents its own limitations. “When you devulcanise the rubber, the kind of strength it has got originally, it is dropping drastically,” Harimohan notes.

“So it is not a 100 percent one-to-one substitution of the original compound or raw materials what you have. So you cannot go beyond a level,” he shares. This creates an inherent performance compromise that undermines the very idea of sustainability if safety and durability suffer.

BALANCING PERFORMANCE, QUALITY AND PRICE

The trade-off between sustainability, performance and cost emerges as one of the industry’s most pressing dilemmas. Harimohan poses the critical question, “What about trade-off between performance, quality as well as price? Because you could have the best recycled tyre, but if it does not perform as per consumer expectations or as per what is expected from its non-sustainable tyre or what people are used to, what are the challenges that have taken place?”

Even a near-100 percent sustainable tyre remains commercially unviable at present. “I can conceptually make a close to 100 percent, if not 100 percent, you can say a sustainable tyre which is produced from only renewable or recycled materials. But then it has to be at least three to four times the cost or the price would be three to four times what it is today. But then there has to be somebody who will pay for it,” he says.

Harimohan further explains that without external pressure, market adoption will be slow. “Unless and until it is enforced by a regulatory or by government, I do not think it is going to happen.”

He believes, “Even if we can market it as sustainable tyre, unless and until there is somebody who can pay for it, I think it is not going to happen.” Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about ongoing innovation.

“Most of us, almost all the R&Ds across the world are working towards it, how to make it more and more towards that 100 percent level, but at the same time without having a damage to the performance and almost at the same price you should be able to sell it,” says the executive. He anticipates meaningful progress over the next decade or two.

SUPPLY CHAIN PRESSURES AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Geopolitical tensions have added further complexity to an already intricate global supply chain. A single tyre incorporates ‘at least 60 to 70 different raw materials’ sourced from around the world. “All the geopolitical situations are affecting significantly on all the procurement, the supply chains are getting affected and it is affecting the whole production, supply of the tyre,” Harimohan confirms. “Tyre is no different. It is getting affected.”

On the question of segment-wise adoption, he sees OEM-driven momentum leading the way. “This is happening in almost across the segments, but I feel this is a bit more driven by the OEMs. So I think it may be the PCR segment which should be moving a little far ahead of others or even the two-wheeler would be going a little ahead of other segments,” he says, noting slower progress expected in off-highway and OTR applications.

Responding to a query on new trends in the industry, Harimohan acknowledges there lies huge potential for disruptive technologies. “I feel something will come to gradually replace the tyres. Like airless tyre could be one of the examples, there can be flat tracks coming,” he remarks.

Despite the industry’s traditional inertia, he believes change is inevitable, “Even though tyre is more of like a traditional and there is a lot of inertia to change, but I think going forward, there should be or there would be something which could potentially replace tyre all together. I mean, I think we should hope for that.”

The path to a fully sustainable tyre industry is neither simple nor short, but Harimohan’s insights reveal a sector actively confronting difficult trade-offs.

With continued R&D focus and potential regulatory support, the promise of high-performance, affordable and truly green tyres is still some decades away from becoming a reality.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for June 2026, documenting a period of price resilience within the sector. This stability persisted despite seasonal supply improvements and firm downstream demand, set against a backdrop of significant geopolitical friction and macroeconomic volatility. The month of July presented a starkly different energy landscape compared to June, as renewed regional conflicts and major shipping route disruptions replaced the brief period of stability following the provisional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalation in Middle Eastern tensions exerted considerable upward pressure on global energy markets. Brent crude oil averaged approximately USD 83.76 per barrel in July, with the spot price surging to USD 96.95 per barrel by the end of the month. This sharp increase was primarily attributed to fears of potential restrictions on oil shipments through the strategic waterway, amplifying supply risks and embedding a higher risk premium within oil pricing structures.

Physical natural rubber prices exhibited divergent trends across major grades during the month. The Kuala Lumpur market saw SMR-20 average USD 2.22 per kilogramme, representing a month-on-month decline, while STR-20 in Bangkok followed a similar downward trajectory. RSS-3 also registered a decrease, contrasting with RSS-4, which posted a notable gain. Latex-in-bulk prices softened over the same period. Trade flows showed mixed results, as Chinese imports contracted, while significant import growth was recorded for India, Viet Nam and Malaysia. On the export front, shipments from Thailand, Viet Nam and Malaysia advanced, whereas Cambodia and Indonesia experienced moderate declines.

For the full year 2026, the ANRPC projects global production to expand by over two percent to reach 15.279 million tonnes, driven primarily by anticipated increases in Thailand, China, India and Malaysia. However, on a monthly comparative basis, July 2026 production is estimated to be over five percent lower than the same month in the previous year, though seasonal recovery is expected in key producer nations. Global demand is forecast to grow modestly by 0.4 percent for the year, with consumption in July rising year-on-year, supported by robust tyre manufacturing and electric vehicle-related demand, as well as a strong manufacturing performance and record auto sales in India.

Currency valuations saw the Malaysian ringgit and Thai baht trade within defined ranges against the US dollar. Futures markets reflected the mixed sentiment, with the SHFE September 2026 contract averaging 16,802.61 CNY per tonne, while the SGX September 2026 contract averaged USD 2.14 per kilogramme, both registering month-on-month declines. The overall data suggests a market navigating the complex interplay of supply recovery, shifting trade dynamics and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.

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