Yokohama Rubber has reported new findings from an international research programme aimed at combating leaf fall disease, a fungal infection that has disrupted natural rubber production in Indonesia, the world’s second-largest supplier.

The results were presented on 9 December at the fifth Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting held at Universitas Indonesia. The initiative, formally titled “Development of Complex Technologies for Prevention and Control of Rubber Tree Leaf Fall Diseases”, forms part of the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development, a scheme run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency with support from Japan’s foreign and education ministries.

The project brings together Japanese industry, government and academic institutions, including the national research agency RIKEN, with Indonesian partners. Its objective is to maintain output from smallholders, who account for more than 90 per cent of Indonesia’s natural rubber production. The programme is pursuing several approaches: pesticide-based disease control; the development of disease-resistant clones; and early detection using satellite and drone imagery.

Yokohama Rubber, which uses natural rubber as a principal raw material for tyres, has been involved since the project’s launch in 2020. The company began assessing pesticide effects on rubber quality in 2024, following a screening process. Field tests on large plantations have shown that correctly applied pesticides do not impair the properties of raw or vulcanised rubber. Yokohama Rubber is now contributing to research on how such treatments may affect smallholders.

The group said its “Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber” incorporates support for participants across the supply chain, including small-scale farmers. It expects its role in the project to aid the sustainable production of natural rubber and help stabilise smallholder incomes. Yokohama Rubber is also an official partner in a separate SATREPS initiative on using rubber seeds to develop environmentally focused products intended to mitigate global warming and plastic pollution.

Under its sustainability theme, “Caring for the Future”, the company has emphasised links between its commercial activities and broader environmental and social objectives.

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Tokyo Zairyo Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation, marked a significant milestone in November 2025 by establishing a new branch office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Following the completion of all necessary preparations, this location has now commenced full-scale operations. The move represents a deliberate effort to broaden the company’s commercial reach across the Indian market while simultaneously constructing an organizational structure capable of responding with greater agility to the evolving and increasingly diverse requirements of its customers.

This southern expansion comes approximately 15 years after the company first established its Indian subsidiary, Tokyo Zairyo (India) Pvt. Ltd., with an office in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2011. By positioning a second office in Chennai, the firm now operates a coordinated network spanning the northern and southern regions of the country. Close collaboration between the two locations is intended to strengthen information services and enhance user support, leveraging both internal capabilities and external partnerships to better serve Japanese automotive parts manufacturers and processors operating throughout India.

Through this dual-office structure, Tokyo Zairyo is poised to advance its core business of purchasing and selling a broad spectrum of materials, including rubber, resins and elastomers. The synchronised operations in Gurugram and Chennai enable the company to deliver more responsive support, ensuring that clients across the Indian automotive supply chain benefit from efficient service and a reliable supply of essential materials.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of Liquid Rubber products and ISOBAM alkaline water-soluble polymer. These changes, which are set to take effect on 16 April 2026, will see prices rise by at least USD 2 per kg.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue the supply of Liquid Rubber and ISOBAM amidst the volatile market conditions.

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German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its silicones product range, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for energy as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

To address this challenging economic landscape and offset the considerable burden of increased raw material and transportation expenses, the chemical group is implementing price adjustments effective 1 April 2026. The updated pricing will be communicated to the customers accordingly. This strategic move is essential for the company to maintain operational stability and continue delivering its products reliably amidst the volatile market conditions.

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB publ has signed a letter of intent with an undisclosed partner to explore the possibility of licensing its advanced tyre pyrolysis technology for deployment in North America.

The collaboration will focus on conducting a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the technical and commercial viability of establishing one or multiple facilities dedicated to processing end-of-life tyres using Enviro’s proprietary method. This study is designed to provide the potential licensee with the necessary insights to assess the prospects of entering into a long-term commercial arrangement and formal technology licensing agreement.

It is important to note that any definitive agreements will depend entirely on the study's outcomes and subsequent negotiations. At this stage, there is no guarantee that the evaluation will lead to binding commitments or that the proposed transaction will ultimately materialise.

Fredrik Aaben, CEO, Scandinavian Enviro Systems, said, “We continue to see strong international interest in Enviro’s technology, and this letter of intent is yet another proof of this.”

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