India Needs To Increase NR Cultivation Area: Rubber Board Chairman
- By Sharad Matade
- August 19, 2022
India needs to increase the area under rubber cultivation on a war footing to meet the domestic demand, reduce the dependence on imports, and restrict the outgo of foreign exchange, urged Dr Sawar Dhanania, Chairman, Rubber Board.
NR production in India will not be sufficient to meet the consumer industry's demands as consumption is expected to reach 1500,000 tonnes by 2025-26. Imports presently meet the production-consumption gap, and that involves a huge amount of foreign exchange outgo, said Dr Dhanania during his presidential address at the 181st meeting of the Rubber Board held at Kottayam.
As per Dr K N Raghavan IRS, Executive Director, NR production in the country improved to 775,000 tonnes during 2021-22 compared to 715,000 tonnes during 2020-21, recording a growth of 8.4 percent compared to an increase of 0.4 percent registered during the previous year. An increase in yield, tappable area and area tapped during the year contributed to the rise in NR production.
India is already exploring non-traditional areas, including North East and traditional regions, to increase rubber cultivation. The
Board has identified a vast stretch of land in North East and West Bengal for rubber cultivation.
Under the'NE-MITRA project, ATMA and Rubber Board signed an MOU to develop 2 lakh hectares of rubber plantations in North East India with an approved outlay of INR 10 billion and spend INR one billion for quality improvement of rubber produced. Meantime, the efforts for extra income generating activities like beekeeping, intercropping etc., should be continued. Dr Raghavan added that promoting the rubber wood industry and carbon trading is the need of the hour to make a green environment and bring sustainability to the rubber sector.
The area under rubber during 2021-22 was 826,660 ha. Though the tappable area under rubber was 718,800 ha during 2021-22, only 526,500 ha (73.2 percent) has contributed to the NR production during the year. The average yield, measured in terms of production per hectare of the tapped area increased to 1,472 kg/ha in 2021-22 from 1,442 kg/ha in the previous year.
India consumed 1,238,000 MT of NR in 2021-22, an increase of 12.9 percent from 1,096,410 MT consumed in 2020-21. The auto tyre sector registered 15.9 percent growth during 2021-22, against 3.2 percent recorded during 2020-21. At the same time, the general rubber goods sector registered 5.6 percent growth during 2021-22 compared to a high negative growth of 16.4 percent recorded during 2020-21. Auto-tyre manufacturing sector accounted for 73.1 percent of the total quantity of NR consumed in the country during 2021-22. The projection of NR production and consumption for 2022-23 is 850,000 tonnes and 1290,000 tonnes, respectively.
Import of NR increased to 546,369 tonnes during 2021-22 compared to 410,478 tonnes during 2020-21. 60 percent of the import was through duty paid channel. 87.5 percent of import was in the form of block rubber. The primary reason for importing huge quantities of this commodity is the gap between the quantity of NR produced within the country and that required by the consuming industry.
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30: A New Bio-Based Cut & Chip Resin For The Most Demanding Applications
- By TT Bureau
- July 16, 2026
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is SI Group’s latest advancement in bio-based performance resins designed to significantly improve cut and chip
resistance in high-severity rubber applications. With approximately 75 percent bio-based content, this innovative material delivers on sustainability targets while exceeding the performance typically associated with petroleum-derived resins, making it a strong choice for applications such as OTR tyres in mining, construction and agriculture, mining conveyor belts, rubber tracks and mill linings.
Cut and chip resistance is a complex set of material behaviours, including static mechanical strength, dynamic response under deformation and ability to withstand sharp impacts and abrasive environments. In demanding applications such as mining or agriculture, materials
must tolerate repeated high-strain loading and resist the initiation and propagation of tears. NaugaShield™ BIOTR 30 was developed precisely to meet these conditions, demonstrating notably low dynamic heat buildup and excellent tear strength – characteristics closely tied to enhanced cut and chip resistance and long-term durability under cyclical loads.
To evaluate its performance, NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 was benchmarked in an Off-road Rib Tread formulation against two widely used industry references: a gum rosin/ semi-aromatic C5/C9 resin combination and a styrenated DCPD resin. All materials were tested at an equal loading of 10 phr to provide a direct and unbiased comparison. Under these conditions, the bio-based resin consistently outperformed both alternatives, offering a stronger balance of reinforcing behaviour, improved tear propagation resistance and superior resistance to thermal degradation during dynamic flexing. Further improvements were achievable by reducing the amount of free extender oil in the compound, underscoring the resin’s adaptability in formulation design and its ability to unlock even greater performance when optimised.
These laboratory indicators were corroborated through extended Coesfeld Cut & Chip testing (see chart), in which compounds were subjected to up to 3,000 cycles at 200 rpm under a 200N applied force. Formulations containing NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 exhibited substantially lower mass loss and maintained tread surface integrity more effectively than the hydrocarbon and gum rosin-based-benchmarks. The performance advantage was even more pronounced in compounds adjusted for lower free oil content, confirming that the resin can be tailored to meet the durability requirements of the most challenging operating conditions.
The strong performance of NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 in OTR tread compounds can be readily transferred to other rubber goods that encounter similar wear mechanisms. Applications such as mining belts, agricultural and construction tracks or mill linings benefit from the resin’s ability to reinforce the rubber matrix, reduce crack growth under repeated impact and maintain structural cohesion under high-strain deformation. This versatility allows manufacturers to integrate a 75 percent bio-based resin that supports sustainability by reducing fossil-based content and helping end products last longer while maintaining – and often improving – operational performance across multiple product lines.
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is currently available in commercial quantities, enabling compounders and manufacturers to move directly from laboratory evaluation to pilot- and production-scale trials.
ANRPC Hosts PEFC Delegation To Advance Sustainable Natural Rubber Practices
- By TT News
- July 16, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) hosted a high-level delegation from PEFC International at its headquarters on 9 July 2026. The visiting team, led by Remco van Merm, engaged in strategic talks with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his senior staff, marking a significant moment for inter-organisational collaboration.
The discussions provided a critical forum for exchanging perspectives on ongoing global initiatives and the shifting sustainability dynamics affecting the natural rubber sector. With mounting market pressures regarding environmental stewardship and social accountability, the conversation centred on harnessing joint efforts to fast-track the implementation of responsible practices throughout the entire production and distribution network.
Both organisations underscored the necessity of strengthened coordination among all industry participants to secure a robust and enduring future for natural rubber. The dialogue culminated in a shared pledge to deepen cooperation, with the goal of cultivating a more transparent and ecologically sound value chain. This mutual commitment is expected to deliver tangible benefits across the board, reinforcing the industry's capacity to meet emerging global standards.
Natural Rubber Project Nears 200,000-Hectare Target In North-East India
- By TT News
- July 15, 2026
Natural Rubber (NR) plantations developed under Project INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) have reached 179,376 hectares across north-east India after the completion of planting for the 2025-26 financial year, bringing the initiative close to its original target of 200,000 hectares.
Launched in the 2021-22 financial year, the project has established new NR plantations across 113 districts in the region over the past five years. According to the project partners, this represents the country's largest expansion of natural rubber plantations achieved within such a period.
Project INROAD is funded by tyre manufacturers Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre and MRF, and is implemented by the Rubber Board of India. It is described as the first initiative of its kind in which the Indian tyre industry directly supports the development of rubber plantations.
"Despite several operational challenges including Covid-induced disruptions in the beginning, nearly 90% of the ambitious target of 2 lakh hectares of new plantation has been achieved under Project INROAD during the last five years. Beyond plantation expansion, the project has also made significant progress in strengthening local nurseries and building grower capacities — a testament to the collaborative efforts of the tyre industry and the Rubber Board," said Mohan Kurian, chairman of Project INROAD.
The project has distributed a record 83m quality planting materials during the five-year period. It has focused on supporting resource-constrained communities in the designated states, particularly small and marginal farmers, most of whom own less than one hectare of land. More than 200,000 beneficiaries have been supported through the initiative, with the project aiming to improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic development.
Project INROAD has also expanded nursery infrastructure across the region. More than 200 nurseries are supplying high-yielding planting materials to growers, while new and improved rubber clones suited to the north-east's agro-climatic conditions are being distributed through the programme.
"With plantations reaching a critical stage, the next component of the project — development of supporting infrastructure such as model smokehouses and dissemination of improved practices among rubber growers — is progressing well under the INROAD Skilling and Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive (iSPEED) initiative," Kurian added.
Under the iSPEED initiative, infrastructure development is intended to improve the quality of rubber produced by farmers through value addition at source. The programme also plans to roll out large-scale digital and in-person training for growers, supported by newly developed training materials that are ready for release.
Epsilon Carbon Becomes First Indian Carbon Black Manufacturer To Secure BIS Certification
- By TT News
- July 15, 2026
Epsilon Carbon, a leading global manufacturer of carbon black, speciality carbon and coal tar downstream products, has achieved a significant industry milestone by becoming the first carbon black manufacturer in India to secure certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This recognition, granted under the applicable Indian Standards, establishes a new benchmark for quality compliance within the domestic carbon black sector. The achievement distinguishes Epsilon Carbon as a pioneer in adhering to the nation's stringent regulatory framework for industrial materials.
The certification was awarded after an exhaustive evaluation of the company’s operational protocols, including its manufacturing workflows, quality management frameworks and product testing laboratories. This accomplishment is the culmination of prolonged and strategic investments aimed at refining process consistency, upgrading workforce expertise and standardising production methodologies. Consequently, the company is now exceptionally equipped to address the escalating requirements of tyre manufacturers, rubber product fabricators and various ancillary industries that demand rigorously vetted raw materials.
For Epsilon Carbon’s clientele, this official endorsement provides heightened confidence regarding product uniformity and regulatory adherence, a crucial factor as supply chains become increasingly scrutinised in both domestic and international markets. This development not only reinforces the company’s stature amid India’s transition towards a quality-centric industrial landscape but also advances its long-term vision of securing a global reputation as a premier supplier of high-performance carbon-based materials.
Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, "This certification is an important milestone in our manufacturing journey. I congratulate our teams for the dedication that made this possible. It gives our customers greater confidence in our products, and it pushes us to keep raising the bar for what Indian manufacturing can deliver."
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