India’s Rubber Board has launched a competition seeking innovative solutions to automate rubber tapping, offering financial assistance of INR one million to develop the most promising ideas.

The initiative comes amid a growing shortage of skilled tappers, leaving numerous plantations across India’s rubber-growing regions untapped.

Interested parties can submit their proposals in sealed envelopes to the Assistant Secretary at the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kottayam before 5 May. A panel of experts from the rubber sector will evaluate the submissions and financial assistance will be awarded to selected projects.

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  - Mariya Siddique April 11, 2025 13:45 PM

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Members of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber gathered for the organisation’s seventh General Assembly, marking what it described as a pivotal year for accountability and member-led sustainability across the natural rubber value chain.

A key development in 2025 was the launch of GPSNR’s risk-based Assurance System, which sets sustainability expectations, introduces independent verification and aims to drive continuous improvement beyond regulatory compliance. The system was developed collaboratively over several years and is intended to provide a globally applicable framework for sustainability in the sector.

At the assembly, end-user companies reaffirmed their support for the Assurance System and agreed on a structured pathway towards full implementation within their category.

“This year marks a turning point for GPSNR,” said Stefano Savi, chief executive of GPSNR. “The Assurance System gives our members a shared and trusted foundation for demonstrating progress across the value chain.”

Members also reflected on the first year of the Shared Investment Mechanism, a model that allows manufacturers to share the costs of large-scale capacity-building projects. The initiative is intended to deliver long-term benefits for upstream participants, particularly smallholder producers.

“Sustainability cannot be achieved by one part of the value chain alone,” Savi said. “By investing together, our members are enabling more inclusive and impactful outcomes worldwide.”

Looking ahead to 2026, GPSNR said it would focus on supporting the implementation of the Assurance System through data collection, member learning programmes, and stakeholder dialogue, to ensure the framework reflects operational realities and different business models.

The assembly concluded with members reiterating their commitment to building more equitable, resilient and sustainable natural rubber supply chains.

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The Tire Recycling Foundation has opened nominations for its first Circle of Change Awards, aimed at recognising organisations, teams and individuals advancing innovation and sustainability across the tyre recycling sector.

Nominations opened on 15 December and will be accepted until 8 February  2026. The awards will honour contributions spanning tyre recycling technologies, end-use market development and leadership in circular economy practices.

“The Circle of Change Awards will serve as a powerful way to recognise national visionaries and changemakers who have shaped the trajectory of the full tyre recycling value chain over the past two decades,” said Anne Forristall Luke, president of the Tire Recycling Foundation board. “We are thrilled to recognise trailblazers making a lasting impact on end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling and the circular economy.”

Four award categories will be presented at the 10th Tire Recycling Conference, scheduled to take place in Denver, Colorado.

“By spotlighting the collective progress being made in tyre recycling, the Foundation hopes these inaugural awards will inspire and fuel accelerating momentum in exciting new markets for recycled tyres,” said Stephanie Mull, executive director of the Tire Recycling Foundation.

The Innovation in End-Use Technology Award will recognise technologies, products or processes that use recycled tyre rubber in new ways, with a focus on technological advancement, commercialisation and sustainability impact.

The Circular Economy Trailblazer Recognition, State Leadership in Tire Market Innovation category will honour state agencies or statewide programmes that demonstrate leadership and measurable impact in advancing tyre recycling within a circular economy framework.

The Market Development Excellence Award will recognise efforts to expand end-use markets for tyre-derived materials through education, policy, marketing or advocacy, with an emphasis on measurable market growth and long-term strategy.

The Value Chain Collaboration Award will acknowledge partnerships across the tyre recycling value chain that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, economics or environmental performance.

The foundation said organisations and individuals that have made significant contributions to tyre recycling or developed innovative solutions for tyre-derived materials are encouraged to apply. Award recipients will be allowed to showcase their achievements and inspire further progress across the sector.

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has called for enhanced policies to unlock the full potential of tyre recycling in Germany. While acknowledging the existing successes of the circular economy in this sector, Stephan Rau, Technical Director of wdk, emphasised that significant untapped opportunities remain. Last year alone, Germany generated 533,000 tonnes of used tyres, with nearly 70 percent kept in circulation through reuse, retreading and recycling. The wdk advocates for a stronger framework to improve these material flows and boost the market for recycled materials.

A central pillar of the wdk’s position is the demand for a modern, science-based evaluation of recycled rubber products. Over 200,000 tonnes of used tyres are processed annually into granules and rubber flour, vital secondary raw materials for sustainable manufacturing. However, Rau argues that their broader market success is hindered by outdated assessment methods. The association urgently recommends a risk-based approach that evaluates chemical ingredients based on their actual bioavailability and migration, rather than their mere presence. This perspective, now supported by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), necessitates establishing binding limit values determined through migration analysis to ensure both safety and commercial viability.

Furthermore, the wdk highlights a critical gap in the complete monitoring of tyre material flows. A notable proportion of used tyres exit Germany and Europe for processing, depriving domestic recyclers of valuable secondary raw materials. To address this leakage and strengthen the circular economy, Rau stresses the need for comprehensive tracking of all end-of-life tyres. The association’s commitment is reflected in its patronage of the Alliance for Future Tyres (AZuR), a European network of nearly 100 partners from industry, trade and science dedicated to advancing a sustainable tyre circular economy across all segments.

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Hi-Green Carbon Limited has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability operations by securing the prestigious ISCC EU Certification. This globally recognised endorsement highlights the company's adherence to rigorous international standards for environmental responsibility and supply chain integrity.

The certification verifies full compliance across the entire production process, from sourcing to delivery, emphasising traceability and operational transparency. It specifically validates the sustainable production of the company's key outputs, including recovered carbon black (rCB) and tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO). This accomplishment underscores Hi-Green Carbon’s commitment to circular economy principles and positions it as a leader in the production of sustainable industrial materials.

The company statement read: “This milestone not only strengthens our sustainability commitment but also deepens our collaboration with you, our valued clients and partners. With ISCC-certified products, you can have greater confidence in the environmental integrity and long-term sustainability of your supply chain, supporting your own green initiatives and carbon-reduction goals. We extend our sincere gratitude to our clients, partners, and team members for their consistent support and trust. Together, we are driving positive change and contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more circular future.”

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