Rathi Group, a leader in pyrolysis and end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling, has achieved a significant milestone with its first export shipment of ISCC PLUS-certified pyrolysis oil. With over 12 years of industry expertise, the company continues to set benchmarks in sustainable recycling, innovation and circular economy practices.

This landmark export highlights Rathi Group’s ability to supply globally recognised, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. The company’s integrated operations – spanning ELT shredding, continuous pyrolysis, carbon black recovery and oil distillation – adhere to stringent international sustainability standards.

The ISCC PLUS certification underscores Rathi Group’s commitment to environmental responsibility, supply chain transparency and climate-conscious solutions. The accomplishment reflects the efforts of its dedicated team and partners, reinforcing the company’s mission to drive impactful change in sustainable tyre recycling.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Epsilon Carbon, a leading global manufacturer of carbon black, speciality carbon and coal tar downstream products, has achieved a significant industry milestone by becoming the first carbon black manufacturer in India to secure certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This recognition, granted under the applicable Indian Standards, establishes a new benchmark for quality compliance within the domestic carbon black sector. The achievement distinguishes Epsilon Carbon as a pioneer in adhering to the nation's stringent regulatory framework for industrial materials.

The certification was awarded after an exhaustive evaluation of the company’s operational protocols, including its manufacturing workflows, quality management frameworks and product testing laboratories. This accomplishment is the culmination of prolonged and strategic investments aimed at refining process consistency, upgrading workforce expertise and standardising production methodologies. Consequently, the company is now exceptionally equipped to address the escalating requirements of tyre manufacturers, rubber product fabricators and various ancillary industries that demand rigorously vetted raw materials.

For Epsilon Carbon’s clientele, this official endorsement provides heightened confidence regarding product uniformity and regulatory adherence, a crucial factor as supply chains become increasingly scrutinised in both domestic and international markets. This development not only reinforces the company’s stature amid India’s transition towards a quality-centric industrial landscape but also advances its long-term vision of securing a global reputation as a premier supplier of high-performance carbon-based materials.

Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said, "This certification is an important milestone in our manufacturing journey. I congratulate our teams for the dedication that made this possible. It gives our customers greater confidence in our products, and it pushes us to keep raising the bar for what Indian manufacturing can deliver."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bekaert has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with CITIC Special Steel, a prominent Chinese producer of specialised steel products. The partnership establishes a formal framework for technical collaboration aimed at addressing the viability of reintegrating steel reclaimed from scrap tyres into the production of new tyre reinforcement materials. The core objective is to determine whether end-of-life tyre steel can be effectively processed into wire rod suitable for manufacturing fresh reinforcement components.

The initiative merges CITIC Special Steel’s advanced capabilities in steelmaking and rod production with Bekaert’s specialised knowledge in tire reinforcement technologies. Together, the firms will conduct a technical assessment of material flows to gauge the feasibility of establishing more circular loops within the tyre manufacturing value chain. Their joint efforts will prioritise the examination of closed-loop steel usage on a significant scale.

This proof-of-concept endeavour is in its nascent stages and will concentrate on cooperative technical assessments, industrial-scale trials and exhaustive material analyses. The resulting data will clarify the technical, operational and financial consequences of integrating substantial proportions of circular steel. The programme seeks to ensure that any potential solutions adhere to the rigorous quality and performance benchmarks demanded by the sector while also mapping out future strategic directions.

The official signing ceremony occurred in Jiangyin, China, with delegations from both entities convening to deliberate on innovation and sustainability. As demand for eco-friendly alternatives intensifies across the automotive and materials sectors, this collaboration is designed to expand current knowledge and test technical limits. It represents a continuation of Bekaert’s wider sustainability agenda, which includes solutions like Dramix LoopTM, and reaffirms a mutual dedication to pioneering future industry standards through ecosystem-wide innovation.

Jim Dobson, SVP – Technology & Quality, Bekaert, said, "The transition towards more circular industries requires innovation and close collaboration throughout the value chain. Through this cooperation, we are bringing together complementary expertise to explore the technical feasibility of tyre-to-tyre circularity.”

Jiang Qiao, General Manager Sales Company, CITIC Special Steel, said, "We are pleased to deepen our relationship with Bekaert through this strategic cooperation. Together, we will explore how innovation in steelmaking and materials technology can help advance new approaches to circularity in tyre reinforcement applications."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Zeon Corporation has been included in three major ESG investment indices, marking its debut selection for the FTSE4Good Index, the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index and the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index. These benchmarks are administered by FTSE Russell and serve as key performance measures for enterprises with robust environmental, social and governance practices.

The FTSE JPX Blossom Japan and its Sector Relative counterpart are specifically utilised as reference points for the Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan, while the FTSE4Good Series holds international recognition for tracking leading global firms. FTSE Russell’s evaluation framework examines a broad spectrum of criteria, spanning climate action, ecological footprint reduction, supply chain integrity, human rights, workplace safety, governance structures and anti-bribery protocols.

Operating under a founding principle dedicated to environmental preservation and human welfare, Zeon perceives this acknowledgment as validation of its ongoing sustainability efforts. The company remains steadfast in advancing social contributions through its commercial operations and intends to persistently strengthen its long-term enterprise value.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!