Kraton Corporation, a global leader in speciality polymers and biobased solutions derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, ‘Innovating with Purpose’. The report showcases the company’s advancements in climate action, circular product innovation and value chain partnerships, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable solutions.

Key achievements include a 41 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2014 and a 35 percent decline in emissions intensity. Kraton also maintained its EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year and received the 2024 Nitto Supplier Sustainability Award. Strategic initiatives such as a Double Materiality Assessment and a USD 35 million investment in biorefinery upgrades at its Panama City facility further demonstrate Kraton’s sustainability leadership.

The company enhanced transparency by expanding life cycle assessment (LCA) data to cover nearly 90 percent of its product portfolio, helping customers evaluate environmental impacts. Additionally, Kraton launched a data excellence program to streamline ESG reporting and refine decarbonisation goals.

Aligned with GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact and TCFD frameworks, the report reflects Kraton’s sustainability pillars: Being Reliable Partners, Preserving Planet and Empowering People. These efforts underscore Kraton’s dedication to driving meaningful progress across its operations and industries.

Marcello Boldrini, Kraton Chief Executive Officer, said, “2024 marked a pivotal year in Kraton’s sustainability journey. We turned ambition into action, significantly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 41 percent from our 2014 baseline and earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year. We accelerated our decarbonisation strategy, advanced biobased innovation and partnered with customers such as WJ Group and Henkel to help address global sustainability challenges. As demand for sustainable chemicals grows, our focus remains on developing the right solutions, fostering strong partnerships and cultivating the culture necessary to lead this transformation responsibly and competitively.”

Rogier Roelen, Kraton Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “We have established new processes to scale credible, data-driven sustainability across our business. In 2024, we enhanced our ESG reporting through a data harmonisation programme and completed a Double Materiality Assessment to better align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We also expanded our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to cover almost 90 percent of our product portfolio, providing customers with greater transparency into the environmental impact of our products. These efforts reinforce our ability to identify where we can make the most impact and support more informed, strategic decision-making.”

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Sailun Group, a prominent player in the global tyre industry, has taken a leading role in advancing sustainable natural rubber practices. As a core raw material for tyre manufacturing, natural rubber requires ecological protection and a stable supply, both essential for the sector’s high-quality development. In 2025, the company, as a member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), initiated a project focused on sustainable livelihoods and ecological education for smallholders in eastern Thailand under the GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism.

This initiative unites strategic partners across the natural rubber value chain, including the Rubber Authority of Thailand’s Rayong office and Save the Children Thailand. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, the project aims to foster a more sustainable natural rubber ecosystem. Recently, Sailun Group invited GPSNR Chief Executive Officer Stefano Savi and his delegation to Thailand for a field visit to review the project’s interim achievements, reflecting the company’s ‘eco+’ sustainability strategy and its active role in global governance for sustainable natural rubber.

Eastern Thailand’s natural rubber industry supports millions of smallholder households, and the project directly addresses the needs of 500 such farmers. Targeted training programmes have been delivered on environmentally responsible tapping techniques and regulatory compliance, including guidance on the European Union Deforestation Regulation. An innovative consultation network comprising one central hub, eight fixed stations and five mobile units now provides ongoing support on policy interpretation and practical problem-solving.

A structured and replicable knowledge system has been developed, including training materials on low-impact tapping and compliance. Special emphasis is placed on encouraging women and young people to participate, promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer. During the visit, the delegation held technical discussions with Rayong officials on sustainable tapping and rubber tree management, inspected standardised production lines and logistics facilities and reviewed the consultation stations, praising the integrated technology, services and compliance support model.

To address challenges such as improper tapping and soil degradation, five GPSNR demonstration plots have been established. Smallholders receive free organic soil improvement packages and professional tapping tools, alongside systematic training on sustainable soil management. The delegation observed pH monitoring systems and noted improvements including reduced soil acidity and better growing conditions. Direct engagement with farmers provided insights into practical challenges, and the delegation commended the project’s pragmatic approach to strengthening ecological cultivation and long-term productivity.

Beyond livelihood improvements, the project prioritises education through infrastructure upgrades at three schools attended by rubber farmers’ children. In partnership with Save the Children Thailand, ecological education corners with tailored curricula and drawing competitions have been set up. A scholarship programme supports disadvantaged students. The delegation visited Rayong Guanghua School and Banraijandee School, reviewing improvements and awarding scholarships, while discussions explored future collaboration on integrating sustainable natural rubber development with children’s ecological education.

Since implementation began, notable interim results have been achieved across multiple rubber‑producing communities. Smallholders’ sustainable production capabilities have significantly improved, while more children engage with nature and understand the natural rubber industry. This dual‑impact model of economic empowerment and environmental stewardship guides future efforts. Sailun Group will continue leveraging its industry leadership and the GPSNR platform to deepen collaboration with partners, research institutions and non‑profits, contributing to biodiversity conservation, supply chain resilience and high‑quality sustainable development across the global tyre and natural rubber industries.

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Shin-Etsu Chemical has announced a sweeping price revision for its entire range of silicone products, effective for all shipments from 1 May 2026. The adjustment applies to every product handled by the company’s Silicone Division, with increases set at a minimum of 10 percent. Actual revision rates will vary depending on the specific product category.

The decision follows recent developments in the Middle East, which have triggered sharp surges in crude oil and naphtha prices. This has led to a steep rise in the cost of oil-derived raw materials. Additionally, Shin-Etsu Chemical is confronting higher expenses related to manufacturing energy, product containers, packaging materials and logistics, all of which have contributed to the need for a price correction.

Despite exhausting all possible internal measures to reduce manufacturing costs, the company concluded that these efforts alone cannot absorb the mounting cost pressures. Shin-Etsu Chemical is now committed to fully communicating the situation to its product users and securing their understanding of the necessary selling price revisions.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently participated in a Hari Raya Open House event. The gathering was organised by Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, which falls under the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities. This occasion allowed the ANRPC to connect with important figures within the natural rubber sector. By bringing together various industry partners, the open house successfully created an atmosphere of goodwill and strengthened existing relationships.

The ANRPC has conveyed its genuine gratitude to the event’s hosts for their warm reception and thoughtful organisation. The association acknowledged the importance of uniting stakeholders in such a meaningful celebration, which helps reinforce shared goals and collaborative spirit across the sector.

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ARLANXEO has officially opened its Innovation Center Asia (ICA) in Changzhou, China, transforming the former Regional Technical Center into a full-fledged Asian innovation hub. This upgrade significantly strengthens the company’s global research and development network, with a clear focus on serving the local Chinese market as well as broader regional needs. The expansion reflects ARLANXEO’s commitment to advancing performance elastomers through targeted regional investment.

Now boasting larger facilities, an expanded team and new laboratory equipment, the Innovation Center Asia is equipped to handle rubber compounding, processing, physical testing, chemical analysis, battery prototyping and more. A dedicated chemistry lab has been added to support the nearby HNBR plant and global HNBR research activities. Located alongside ARLANXEO’s EPDM and HNBR plants in Changzhou, the centre fosters close customer collaboration to address evolving market needs. It also works in tandem with the company’s Dormagen, Germany, innovation centre, jointly developing new testing methods, exploring advanced technologies and delivering innovative product solutions worldwide.

The inauguration event featured speeches from Herman Dikland, ARLANXEO’s Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, and Hong Sun, Managing Director of ARLANXEO China. Joining them at the ceremony were company representatives, key customers, local government officials and academic partners from various universities. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit and shared interest in driving innovation forward.

Herman Dikland, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “Innovation is a core driver of ARLANXEO’s sustainable growth, and China plays an important role in our global innovation ecosystem. This state-of-the-art laboratory facility puts us in an excellent position to advance our R&D capabilities and reinforce our market position. We look forward to driving frontier innovation together with our passionate and creative China team while bringing China-based innovation into solutions for global markets.”

Hong Sun, Managing Director, ARLANXEO China, said, “The inauguration of the Innovation Center Asia reflects our commitment to supporting the rapid transformation of China’s rubber industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. With growing demand for advanced materials and customised formulations, the new centre will further strengthen our proximity to customers, enhance our agility in meeting market needs and better support the upgrading of the entire rubber industry.”

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