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.
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ANRPC Secretary-General Joins High-Level Thailand-Malaysia Dialogue To Bolster Rubber Sector Resilience
- By TT News
- July 18, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) confirmed the participation of its Secretary-General, Dr Suttipong Angthong, in a high-level dialogue held on 9 July 2026. The engagement took place during the official visit of Thailand's Prime Minister, His Excellency Anutin Charnvirakul, to Malaysia. Dr Angthong joined a prominent assembly that included the Prime Minister, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and various cabinet delegates from both nations.
The meeting also brought together representatives from international intergovernmental bodies and leading corporate figures from Thai and Malaysian industries. Given that both Thailand and Malaysia are founding members of the ANRPC and serve as cornerstones of the global natural rubber market, the session was deemed a crucial venue for harmonising regional strategies. It offered the ANRPC a platform to elevate sector-specific priorities within top-tier governmental discussions.
Through the facilitation of productive exchanges between policymakers and private-sector leaders, the ANRPC continues to foster cross-border collaboration, reinforce the stability of supply chains and advance sustainable growth initiatives. The organisation has reiterated its steadfast dedication to supporting its member states with professionalism and collaborative effort, aiming to secure the long-term vitality and resilience of the natural rubber industry across the region.
NaugaShield BIO-TR 30: A New Bio-Based Cut & Chip Resin For The Most Demanding Applications
- By TT Bureau
- July 16, 2026
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™ BIOTR 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.
ANRPC Hosts PEFC Delegation To Advance Sustainable Natural Rubber Practices
- By TT News
- July 16, 2026
The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) hosted a high-level delegation from PEFC International at its headquarters on 9 July 2026. The visiting team, led by Remco van Merm, engaged in strategic talks with ANRPC Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong and his senior staff, marking a significant moment for inter-organisational collaboration.
The discussions provided a critical forum for exchanging perspectives on ongoing global initiatives and the shifting sustainability dynamics affecting the natural rubber sector. With mounting market pressures regarding environmental stewardship and social accountability, the conversation centred on harnessing joint efforts to fast-track the implementation of responsible practices throughout the entire production and distribution network.
Both organisations underscored the necessity of strengthened coordination among all industry participants to secure a robust and enduring future for natural rubber. The dialogue culminated in a shared pledge to deepen cooperation, with the goal of cultivating a more transparent and ecologically sound value chain. This mutual commitment is expected to deliver tangible benefits across the board, reinforcing the industry's capacity to meet emerging global standards.
Natural Rubber Project Nears 200,000-Hectare Target In North-East India
- By TT News
- July 15, 2026
Natural Rubber (NR) plantations developed under Project INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) have reached 179,376 hectares across north-east India after the completion of planting for the 2025-26 financial year, bringing the initiative close to its original target of 200,000 hectares.
Launched in the 2021-22 financial year, the project has established new NR plantations across 113 districts in the region over the past five years. According to the project partners, this represents the country's largest expansion of natural rubber plantations achieved within such a period.
Project INROAD is funded by tyre manufacturers Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre and MRF, and is implemented by the Rubber Board of India. It is described as the first initiative of its kind in which the Indian tyre industry directly supports the development of rubber plantations.
"Despite several operational challenges including Covid-induced disruptions in the beginning, nearly 90% of the ambitious target of 2 lakh hectares of new plantation has been achieved under Project INROAD during the last five years. Beyond plantation expansion, the project has also made significant progress in strengthening local nurseries and building grower capacities — a testament to the collaborative efforts of the tyre industry and the Rubber Board," said Mohan Kurian, chairman of Project INROAD.
The project has distributed a record 83m quality planting materials during the five-year period. It has focused on supporting resource-constrained communities in the designated states, particularly small and marginal farmers, most of whom own less than one hectare of land. More than 200,000 beneficiaries have been supported through the initiative, with the project aiming to improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic development.
Project INROAD has also expanded nursery infrastructure across the region. More than 200 nurseries are supplying high-yielding planting materials to growers, while new and improved rubber clones suited to the north-east's agro-climatic conditions are being distributed through the programme.
"With plantations reaching a critical stage, the next component of the project — development of supporting infrastructure such as model smokehouses and dissemination of improved practices among rubber growers — is progressing well under the INROAD Skilling and Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive (iSPEED) initiative," Kurian added.
Under the iSPEED initiative, infrastructure development is intended to improve the quality of rubber produced by farmers through value addition at source. The programme also plans to roll out large-scale digital and in-person training for growers, supported by newly developed training materials that are ready for release.
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