The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and Agridence Rubber Pte. Ltd (Agridence) entered a technical collaboration agreement for a pilot project to develop a digital platform for sustainable natural rubber.

This agreement signifies a significant milestone for the rubber industry, as it embraces digital traceability systems to enhance transparency and sustainability within the Malaysian natural rubber sector. 

The collaboration aims to create an integrated end-to-end trade and traceability system, streamlining the path towards regulatory compliance and sustainability ultimately delivering Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber (MSNR) to stakeholders. 

This one-year project commenced last month.

MRB has been actively digitising the domestic rubber supply chain through various initiatives, including the Rubber Transaction Authority Permit (PAT-G) for smallholders, RRIMniaga application for dealers, e-Rubber Processor (e-RP) for processors, and e-Rubber Manufacturer (e-RM) for manufacturers. This digitalisation forms a foundation for the partnership with Agridence, ensuring comprehensive visibility of natural rubber and advancing the MSNR initiative.

The government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities and MRB, is dedicated to enabling the Malaysian rubber industry to meet international sustainability standards aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030. MRB has undertaken several sustainable development initiatives across the industry value chain. The MSNR initiative, governed by the Malaysian Rubber Board (Incorporation) Act 1996 (Act 551), is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s sustainability framework for natural rubber. Malaysia is committed to strengthening collaborations with major rubber-producing nations through international platforms, emphasising the integration of production costs and sustainability factors in the rubber trade.

The pilot project between MRB and Agridence represents an innovative and collaborative venture, leveraging technology to facilitate extensive data sharing and the integration of digital traceability systems, which is crucial for meeting international sustainability requirements. Agridence and MRB will jointly establish a robust framework for seamless data sharing and integration. This framework will encompass traceability data spanning the entire rubber production process, from distribution to processing. The integrated data will be linked with the Agridence Rubber Platform, where physical natural rubber trades occur between Malaysian producers and buyers.

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In a landmark initiative to modernise rubber farming, the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), in partnership with Digital University of Kerala, has unveiled the Comprehensive Rubber Information System Platform (CRISP) mobile application. This innovative digital solution integrates advanced technologies with agricultural expertise to provide rubber growers with comprehensive, location-specific information at their fingertips.

The CRISP app offers a wealth of valuable features designed to enhance every aspect of rubber cultivation. Farmers can access detailed guidance on optimal farming practices including clone selection tailored to specific locations, scientific fertiliser recommendations and effective methods for controlling diseases and pests. The app also provides crucial knowledge about rubber tapping techniques and processing methods to maximise yield and quality.

Leveraging cutting-edge WebGIS technology, the platform delivers critical geospatial insights by identifying areas vulnerable to landslides and floods. This feature advises farmers on suitable agricultural practices while warning against risky operations in these sensitive zones, enabling better risk management and crop protection.

Beyond cultivation support, CRISP serves as a complete resource hub, offering information about Rubber Producers' Societies, Group Processing Centres, Rubber Board offices and nurseries across the country. Recognising the importance of market intelligence, the app now includes real-time updates on domestic and international prices for various rubber products such as sheet rubber, latex, cup lump and block rubber, benefiting both farmers and traders in making informed decisions.

By seamlessly combining Good Agricultural Practices with Information and Communication Technology, CRISP represents a significant leap forward in digital agriculture. The app bridges the gap between scientific research and practical farming, empowering India's rubber growers with knowledge to improve productivity, ensure sustainable practices and enhance profitability.

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The Rubber Board will host a crucial awareness programme on the European Union's Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) for rubber product manufacturers in Kerala. Scheduled for 11 June 2025 in Ernakulam, this workshop will provide essential guidance on meeting new EU compliance requirements that take effect from 1 January 2026.

The programme will focus on three critical compliance areas: establishing transparent supply chain mapping, developing robust traceability systems and implementing accurate geo-mapping of rubber plantations. These measures are mandatory for rubber exporters seeking to obtain the Due Diligence Certificate required under EUDR. The regulation specifically prohibits placing any rubber products on the EU market that originate from land deforested after 31 December 2020.

To support industry compliance, the Rubber Board has initiated plantation geo-mapping and will maintain a secure, centralised database to store all collected information while ensuring complete data confidentiality. Manufacturers exporting natural rubber and rubber products to EU countries are strongly encouraged to prioritise attendance at this workshop, as the new regulations will significantly impact trade operations.

Interested participants can register through the Google Form available on the Rubber Board's official website. For additional details, stakeholders may contact the helpline at 8301 952290. This initiative represents a proactive step by the Rubber Board to prepare Kerala's rubber industry for upcoming regulatory changes and maintain uninterrupted access to the important European market.

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Pyrum Innovations AG and Thermo Lysi SA have entered into a significant engineering contract worth EUR 2.2 million, marking a pivotal step in their collaboration. This agreement represents Pyrum’s first engineering contract following the granting of a construction permit for a new pyrolysis-based waste recycling plant in Greece.

The detailed engineering phase is now underway and is expected to take approximately six months to complete. Concurrently, Thermo Lysi SA is actively engaged in financing discussions, including potential EU funding that could offset a portion of the project’s total costs. Both companies have opted to proceed with engineering work even before finalising financing arrangements to ensure efficient project progression.

Earlier in January 2025, Thermo Lysi secured regulatory approval to construct the Pyrum recycling facility. Once engineering is finalised, Archirodon, a prominent international Greek construction firm, will adjust the technical documentation to comply with local regulations. The plant will be situated in the Livanates region, roughly 140 kilometres north of Athens.

As part of the joint venture, Pyrum intends to acquire a 15 percent equity stake in the project company. Pending successful financing and planning, preparatory work for the plant is anticipated to commence later in 2025. This initiative underscores Pyrum’s strategic expansion into international markets while leveraging partnerships to deploy its pyrolysis technology.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “We are delighted that the project in Greece is moving to the next phase. It is a significant step and we are proud that our technology will help to relieve the burden on the Greek waste tyre disposal system.”

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The fourth edition of the Recircle Awards, recognising sustainable innovation in the global tyre retreading and recycling sectors, announced its winners during a ceremony at Autopromotec 2025 recently.

The awards, organised by Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazines, received over 4,000 legitimate votes through their website, reflecting growing industry interest in sustainable practices.

Bengt-Sture Ershag, founder of Scandinavian Enviro Systems, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in The Tyre Recycling Sector. “I’m honoured to receive this award and grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to my field,” Ershag said, crediting colleagues and mentors for their support throughout his career.

The winners in the 22 categories of the 2025 Recircle Awards are as follows:

• Best Company Director: Haarjeev Kandhari (Vaculug)
• Best Retreading Accessory and Consumables Supplier: VM Rubber
• Best Retreading Equipment Supplier: Italmatic
• Best Retreading Industry Innovation: Italmatic: Crater Tire CT 4.0 Double Skiving Robot
• Best Tread Rubber Supplier: Marangoni
• Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier: Eco Green Equipment
• Best Tyre Recycling Innovation: Regom: ELT Sorting Technology
• Business Breakthrough Award: Rover Research
• Circular Economy Award: Liberty Tire and Walmart
• Employee of the Year: Leonardo Oliveira (Vipal Rubber)
• Retreader of the Year Award: Marangoni
• Spirit of Retreading Award: 633 Tyres
• Tyre Recycler of the Year Award: Genan
• Women’s Award for the Tyre Retreading Sector: Christina Guth (AZUR Network)
• Women’s Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector: Ifedolapo Runsewe (Freee Recycle)
• Industry Achievement Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector: SDAB for the creation of the End-of-Life Tyre Research Portal
• Tyre Industry Education Award: Univipal
• Spirit of Tyre Recycling Award: Freee Recycle
• Tyre Pyrolysis Award: Bolder Industries
• Spirit of Tread Rubber Manufacturing Award: Galgo
• Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Retreading Sector: Mario Marangoni
• Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector: Bengt-Sture Ershag

Mario Marangoni, Chairman of Marangoni Holding S.p.A., was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award. He described the honour as acknowledging “a journey that began in the climate of sanctions and autarchy of the Second World War and led to the introduction of recycling and reuse of tyre retreading.”

This year’s edition introduced two new categories specifically recognising women’s contributions to the sector, part of efforts to make the awards more inclusive.

David Wilson, Chairman of the Nominations Committee and editor of the organising magazines, said the voting numbers demonstrate growing sector interest in environmental innovation. “We hope these awards will continue to contribute to promoting green business and raising awareness about the circular economy,” Wilson stated.

The awards aim to highlight sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services within the tyre retreading and recycling industries, with Autopromotec serving as the primary sponsor.

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