Pyrum Innovations AG has officially announced that it will break ground on its next wholly-owned recycling facility in Perl-Besch on 14 November 2025. This new facility is a landmark project for the company, designed to be its largest to date and more than double its existing recycling capacity by processing in excess of 22,000 tonnes of used tyres each year.

The financial framework for this expansion is already taking shape. The project is supported by a diversified funding strategy that includes drawing on a EUR 25 million credit line from BASF and a committed debt financing term sheet from a major European bank. Finalising the package is contingent upon an agreement with Saarland authorities regarding land costs. Crucially, securing the Perl-Besch financing will unlock access to further substantial funding, including a second loan tranche from BASF, paving the way for additional projects in the company's rollout plan.

From a technical and logistical perspective, the Perl-Besch plant will be a state-of-the-art operation. It will be constructed on a 25,000-square-metre site in the strategically important border triangle of Germany, France and Luxembourg. The integrated facility will comprise a shredder plant, three next-generation Pyrum reactors, its own power plant and a grinding and pelletising plant. Insights gained from the existing plant in Dillingen are being directly applied to optimise construction and commissioning, aiming for a faster ramp-up to full production. The site was selected for its superior logistical advantages, offering direct connections to the Moselle River, railway lines and a nearby motorway to efficiently manage material flows from across Europe.

This new facility is central to Pyrum's financial roadmap, with the company projecting it will reach break-even upon its commissioning in 2027. Achieving this milestone is anticipated to create significant momentum and provide a solid foundation for the accelerated rollout of the company's broader project pipeline.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “Now that all the legal formalities have finally been clarified – development plan, planning permission and access to the site – we can hardly wait for things to visibly get underway. In the background, planning is already well advanced: The site has been prepared, numerous plant components with long delivery times – so-called long leads – have been ordered and the architect’s tenders for the ground work are underway. During construction, we will also benefit from the experience we have gained from the expansion of our main plant in Dillingen, so we are planning to start production in Perl-Besch in 2027.”

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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