Like its peers, the Sri Lankan rubber industry has been hard hit by the COVID 19. However, the pandemics will bring some opportunities to the sector, believes Ravi Dadlani, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP), and MD of CEAT Kelani Holdings. “The demand for PPE is high and will be sustained in time to come until COVID 19 is no longer a pandemic. Especially gloves and other wearables made of rubber will be a good area for the Sri Lankan rubber industry to focus on,” says Dadlani an interview with Tyre Trends.

How do you see the impact of COVID 19 on Sri Lanka’s rubber industry?

Sri Lanka, like all exporting countries, have been largely impacted. The shutdown has caused a tremendous loss both in terms of production and the subsequent shut down of countries resulting in the cancellation of orders widely across the tyre industry. We are concerned that the impact fully on the industry is still to be realised. We will, once the supply chain and the related industries come back online, be able to quantify the extent of the impact. We are however positive that the Sri Lanka rubber industry is poised to benefit from the need arising from the COVID 19 impact. Especially the demand for PPE is high and will be sustained in time to come until COVID 19 is no longer a pandemic. Especially gloves and other wearables made of rubber will be a good area for the Sri Lankan rubber industry to focus on. Also, the government suspension of importing of tyres is poised to increase demand for domestic manufacturers of tyres at least in the short term, which will be a boost to the local rubber industry. Impact on the loss of exports and the timings of the opening of overseas markets would be critical at this point. 

The rubber industry has always been the country’s one of the main sectors and exporters. Do you think that the industry currently is being explored to its fullest potential?

There is a lot of potential for rubber in Sri Lanka. The need to increase the production of rubber through productivity improvements and the need to extend the rubber growing acreage is critical at this time. We have leading manufacturers of international repute and strong local manufacturers catering to export markets both in the tyre and gloves segments. 

The country also has the potential to enter new markets and customer segments with new products. There is more that needs to be done in terms of R&D and technological collaborations to enter high-value rubber-based product segments. With major global brands producing in Sri Lanka, we have a greater ability to increase trading activity and improve international sales as a regional hub for the industry.

What kind of support do you expect from the government and industry-related bodies for the long term?

Firstly, the rubber sector was the first to benefit from the priority given by the government initiative to commence operations. The sector benefited by the fast track approval to be classified as an essential sector. We expect the government to continue to have consistency when it comes to policy matters. We are also seeing a strong support base coming in terms of the Board of Investment and the Export Development Board for the rubber cluster. We need to fast track the planned policy-based approach of increasing rubber production in the country through the rubber master plan, with incentives if need be for plantations to spearhead this initiative. Also, research and development on rubber yield increase, all-weather rubber tapping techniques need to be introduced with governments thrust towards increasing rubber production.

There should also be incentives for exporters to invest in high-value rubber product manufacturing. We expect the government to educate the smallholders with international best practices to manage the rubber crop for better yield and output through RDD & RRI as key government institutions. The industry prefers to buy more local rubber, but there is a shortfall every year vs the demand. We also need to drive the public-private partnership research & development and must invest more in laboratory and testing facilities to provide certifications that are required for the export markets within Sri Lanka. The Government will also need to look at domestic supply chain inefficiencies which may hold back on the growth potential of the industry.

When we talk about tyres, how does the Sri Lankan tyre industry make its mark globally, especially in the solid tyre segment?

Absolutely it does. Sri Lanka is considered market leaders in certain categories of the solid tyre export segment. There are the numbers of global and local companies operating out of Sri Lanka holding a good foothold in the global solid tyre market. The global rubber industry is worth around USD 400 billion, out of which 65% is the tyre industry, given this, we have a market that we can increase our supply of both off road and on-road tyres, Sri Lanka has aggressively ventured into the global pneumatic agriculture, Off-road and industrial tyre segment which is estimated at USD 44b. We are confident that this position of strength will be maintained in the future, too in these segments. 

What are the challenges for tyre and rubber goods, especially for small and medium enterprises?

Key is the availability of rubber at consistent prices at the right quantities throughout the year. Currently, the industry is hampered with weather-related shortfalls in production coupled with plantations moving away from rubber and more profitable ventures depleting the total output. We consume 140,000 MT, and the local production is at 75,000 MT. Addressing these two areas will result in a stable supply of rubber for industries. It is very important that SMEs adopt technology and increase productivity and production to cater to the demand for rubber. 

END

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A new bio-based cut & chip resin for the most demanding applications.

NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is SI Group’s latest advancement in bio-based performance resins designed to significantly improve cut and chip resistance in high-severity rubber applications. With approximately 75 percent bio-based content, this innovative material delivers on sustainability targets while exceeding the performance typically associated with petroleum-derived resins, making it a strong choice for applications such as OTR tyres in mining, construction and agriculture, mining conveyor belts, rubber tracks and mill linings.

Cut and chip resistance is a complex set of material behaviours, including static mechanical strength, dynamic response under deformation and ability to withstand sharp impacts and abrasive environments. In demanding applications such as mining or agriculture, materials must tolerate repeated high-strain loading and resist the initiation and propagation of tears. NaugaShield™ BIO-TR 30 was developed precisely to meet these conditions, demonstrating notably low dynamic heat buildup and excellent tear strength – characteristics closely tied to enhanced cut and chip resistance and long-term durability under cyclical loads.

To evaluate its performance, NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 was benchmarked in an Off-road Rib Tread formulation against two widely used industry references: a gum rosin/semi-aromatic C5/C9 resin combination and a styrenated DCPD resin. All materials were tested at an equal loading of 10 phr to provide a direct and unbiased comparison. Under these conditions, the bio-based resin consistently outperformed both alternatives, offering a stronger balance of reinforcing behaviour, improved tear propagation resistance and superior resistance to thermal degradation during dynamic flexing. Further improvements were achievable by reducing the amount of free extender oil in the compound, underscoring the resin’s adaptability in formulation design and its ability to unlock even greater performance when optimised.

These laboratory indicators were corroborated through extended Coesfeld Cut & Chip testing (see chart), in which compounds were subjected to up to 3,000 cycles at 200 rpm under a 200N applied force. Formulations containing NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 exhibited substantially lower mass loss and maintained tread surface integrity more effectively than the hydrocarbon and gum rosin-based-benchmarks. The performance advantage was even more pronounced in compounds adjusted for lower free oil content, confirming that the resin can be tailored to meet the durability requirements of the most challenging operating conditions.

The strong performance of NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 in OTR tread compounds can be readily transferred to other rubber goods that encounter similar wear mechanisms. Applications such as mining belts, agricultural and construction tracks or mill linings benefit from the resin’s ability to reinforce the rubber matrix, reduce crack growth under repeated impact and maintain structural cohesion under high-strain deformation. This versatility allows manufacturers to integrate a 75 percent bio-based resin that supports sustainability by reducing fossil-based content and helping end products last longer while maintaining – and often improving – operational performance across multiple product lines.

NaugaShield BIO-TR 30 is currently available in commercial quantities, enabling compounders and manufacturers to move directly from laboratory evaluation to pilot- and production-scale trials.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd. marked its 100th anniversary on 24 June 2026, with a commemorative ceremony at the Tokyo International Forum. The company live-streamed the event to its domestic and overseas locations, enabling employees worldwide to join the celebration simultaneously and strengthening the Group's collective spirit.

The speciality chemical company expressed deep appreciation to its stakeholders and predecessors for their enduring support throughout the century. Leaders also reaffirmed the organisation's determination to pursue new challenges collaboratively as it embarks on its next hundred years.

Hitoshi Kawahara, President, Kuraray Co., Ltd.

President Hitoshi Kawahara called for uniting values across diverse countries, regions, languages and cultures during this pivotal moment. He advocated for realising ‘One Kuraray’ by actively connecting people, technologies and knowledge beyond conventional organisational and business boundaries to co-create fresh value.

Kuraray originated in 1926 in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, with the commercial production of synthetic rayon. Over the past century, the company built its reputation on distinctive technologies, including PVA fiber, PVOH resin, CLARINO man-made leather and EVAL EVOH resin, guided by its mission to achieve what no other company can for people and the planet. Today, Kuraray operates across 32 countries and regions. The company now views its centennial as a launching point for tackling social challenges through innovation and for unlocking new possibilities in the years ahead.

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Cabot Corporation has once again achieved the top-tier platinum designation from EcoVadis, maintaining this elite status for six consecutive years. This accomplishment secures the company’s place among the global elite, as only one percent of all businesses scrutinised by the rating agency receive this highest mark. The outcome reflects the firm's sustained emphasis on driving tangible environmental and social advancements while upholding rigorous disclosure standards across its operational network.

The assessment framework employed by EcoVadis examines more than 150,000 entities worldwide, spanning numerous sectors and geographies, with evaluations rooted in established sustainability benchmarks. Cabot registered its most significant annual performance jump this cycle, with a five-point increase in its cumulative score, driven largely by enhanced results in the ethical conduct segment. Additionally, the company retained its exceptional standing in both environmental stewardship and workforce rights, securing the maximum possible recognition in those two critical areas.

With EcoVadis consistently tightening its evaluation parameters to mirror emerging global norms, Cabot has responded by intensifying its own internal sustainability measures. The organisation has concentrated on elevating operational effectiveness and data visibility, ensuring its practices remain responsive to the increasingly stringent expectations of stakeholders and rating bodies alike.

Underpinning this trajectory is a deeply ingrained organisational culture focused on iterative refinement and long-term value creation. By persistently elevating its sustainability agenda, Cabot reinforces its reputation as a proactive industry participant, dedicated to aligning corporate performance with broader societal and environmental objectives.

Jennifer Chittick, Senior Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) and Government Affairs; Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “We are encouraged by this year’s EcoVadis results, which reflect meaningful progress across our sustainability programme and our largest year-over-year score increase to date. These results demonstrate how greater transparency, stronger cross-functional collaboration and disciplined execution are helping us strengthen how we operate while advancing progress toward our 2030 sustainability goals.”

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Nokian Tyres has secured a position among TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2026, claiming the 100th spot on a prestigious roster of 750 global enterprises. The annual compilation, produced in partnership with the research firm Statista, recognises organisations demonstrating exceptional environmental and social performance after a comprehensive evaluation of thousands of candidates worldwide.

The selection process weighed verified sustainability credentials, including active participation in the UN Global Compact and Science Based Targets initiative-approved emission reduction goals. Assessment also incorporated third-party ratings from entities like CDP and MSCI, alongside rigorous scrutiny of each company’s transparent operations, ethical governance and overall commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, ultimately distinguishing Nokian Tyres for its holistic approach to corporate accountability.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “This is a great acknowledgment of our long-term sustainability work and motivates us to keep improving. We want to enable drivers to make more sustainable tyre choices without compromising on performance. Renewable and recycled materials and lower rolling resistance help cut tyre lifecycle emissions, while rigorously tested tyres improve grip and safety, especially in demanding weather conditions. Proactive sustainability measures also benefit our customers: responsible sourcing reduces risks, and innovative, high-performing tyres with lower environmental footprint make it possible for our customers to offer higher-value solutions to their own clients.”

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