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.

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Ecolomondo Corporation, a leading Canadian innovator in sustainable scrap tyre recycling technology, has engaged August Brown, LLC as an independent risk advisor. This appointment supports the planning stages for a new facility in Shamrock, Texas. The firm will conduct a validation of the project's business plan and risk management approach, a step taken in preparation for marketing the green bond that will finance the development.

The proposed Texas site will feature a six-reactor plant, replicating the company’s proprietary, modular Thermal Decomposition Process (TDP) technology currently operating at its Hawkesbury, Ontario, facility but with triple capacity. This expansion follows the successful commercialisation of Ecolomondo’s proprietary TDP technology. Local support has been secured through the Shamrock Economic Development Corporation, along with a 136-acre industrial site and long-term feedstock agreements intended to supply ongoing operations.

August Brown's role will begin with a comprehensive feasibility study examining business, market and financial risks. A subsequent phase will focus on engineering, technology validation and project execution risks. This independent review process aims to improve transparency and strengthen confidence among potential bondholders and project partners. The project represents the next phase in the company's growth strategy, replicating its proven modular technology on a larger scale.

Eliot Sorella, Executive Chairman, Ecolomondo, said, “Independent validation of our technology, projected operations and financial model for our planned Shamrock Facility is an essential step that resonates strongly with investors, lenders and potential joint-venture partners.”

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The Wacker Group is showcasing two new silicone-based impact modifiers, GENIOPERL W37 and GENIOPERL W38, at the JEC World composites exhibition. These additives are engineered to enhance the mechanical properties of thermosetting resins such as epoxies and vinyl esters. Their specialised molecular structure, built on functional silicone, facilitates a distinct phase separation within the resin matrix. This process creates tiny elastomeric domains that increase toughness and help prevent composite materials from fracturing under stress. Sustainability was a key consideration in their design, leading to a notably reduced cyclics content. Both modifiers disperse readily with simple mixing equipment, maintain their effectiveness even at low concentrations and do not compromise the material’s inherent strength, viscosity or thermal resistance. The company is located at booth 5N142 at JEC World, taking place in Paris from 10 to 12 March 2026.

GENIOPERL W37 is specifically formulated to boost impact resistance in low-temperature environments. It is recommended for use at concentrations between two and eight percent by weight, a level at which it has minimal impact on the resin’s viscosity or the cured product’s glass transition temperature. Achieving optimal dispersion requires processing temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius. Similarly, GENIOPERL W38 also improves impact strength at very low temperatures when used within the same dosage range. It offers the added benefit of containing anti-foaming agents, making it particularly suitable for casting processes conducted under reduced pressure.

A third major highlight at the Wacker booth will be POWERSIL Resin 710, a silicone compound developed for components that must endure extreme heat. This material can be processed using compression moulding, pressure gelation or injection moulding. Parts manufactured from it meet the criteria for thermal class R, signifying their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures reaching 220 degrees Celsius. As an alternative to high-performance polymers like PTFE and PEEK, POWERSIL Resin 710 provides excellent electrical insulation, mechanical strength and UV stability. It is solvent-free, has a low viscosity for easier processing and is available in both peroxide-curing and catalyst-curing versions.

Wacker’s exhibition will also feature a range of other specialised products for the composites industry. These include SILRES silicone resins for enhancing electrical insulation and flame retardancy, HDK pyrogenic silica for precise rheology control, VINNAPAS low-profile additives to reduce shrinkage and GENIOSIL organofunctional silanes for promoting adhesion and treating fillers and fibres.

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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has formally committed to the Science Based Target Initiative for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Reduction towards Net Zero (Phase 3), organised by Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Eco-Energy, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University. This declaration positions the company among 16 leading Thai organisations committed to embedding scientifically validated climate targets throughout their operations and supply networks.

STA has established a target to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 23 percent by 2030, using 2024 as its reference point, with the ultimate ambition of reaching net zero by 2050. These goals directly support the international objective of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Beyond direct emissions, the company is enhancing its rubber and teak plantations to function as carbon sinks, generating certified credits while supplying raw materials. This strategy aligns with its net zero pathway and responds to the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which promotes heightened corporate environmental accountability.

By embracing this initiative, STA underscores its vision of evolving into a low-carbon, fully integrated natural rubber enterprise. The company aims to reconcile commercial growth with ecological and social stewardship, thereby aiding Thailand’s wider shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

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Solvay has entered into an official partnership with the Belgian Rugby Federation, marking the beginning of a collaboration founded on mutual principles and a unified goal: uniting communities and fostering human development. This alliance naturally extends from the company's enduring philosophy, established over 160 years ago by its founder Ernest Solvay. His humanistic ideals, emphasising education, inclusivity and communal strength as the foundations of progress, continue to drive the organisation's sustainability framework and its commitment to making a worldwide positive impact.

The sport of rugby embodies these same values through its inherent focus on trust, collective effort and perseverance. These attributes empower individuals while simultaneously forging a stronger, unified entity. Through this new role, Solvay will provide backing to the men's national teams, including the Rugby 7s side, the under-20 squads and the refereeing community. This support is designed to enhance accessibility and growth opportunities within the sport for young athletes and local clubs.

Beyond the field, this initiative will allow international Solvay teams to unite around key matches, reinforcing bonds with local stakeholders and cultivating a collective sense of mission. This partnership reinforces a conviction held since the company's inception: that human advancement is a shared endeavour, gaining true strength and momentum when people come together.

Philippe Kehren, CEO, Solvay, said, “Rugby expresses a belief that Solvay holds deeply: people go further when they move forward together, the only ‘en avant’ that is allowed. This partnership celebrates Solvay’s heritage while opening new possibilities for connection – bringing colleagues and communities together around the world, especially when the national team competes abroad.”

Michiel Leysen, President, Belgian Rugby Federation, said, “The Belgian Rugby Federation is honoured to welcome Solvay as its official partner. This partnership will help expand the reach of rugby and inspire new generations of players.”

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