Recovered carbon black is edging closer to mainstream adoption as ASTM International committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black develops a new ash content standard, D8621. The test promises to slash analysis times from 18 hours to just a few, a change that could reshape productivity and quality control for tyre makers and rCB producers. Yet the push for faster monitoring also exposes a bigger challenge, as standardisation alone will not guarantee industry-wide adoption. With high capital investment, scaling hurdles and safety considerations, the new method sits at the intersection of technical progress, economic pressure and the tyre industry’s sustainability ambitions.

The ASTM International’s recovered carbon black (rCB) D36 committee developed and published a new standard called D8621, which will improve productivity of tyre makers and also enhance production process monitoring abilities.

Speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends, ASTM D36 Chair and Director of rCB at Circtec, Pieter Ter Haar, said, “The D1506 method was developed for regular carbon black, which typically has an ash content of <1 percent. rCB typically has an ash content between 15 and 30 percent.”

The new standard promises to cut testing times from 18 hours to just a few. Commenting on this, he said, “This rCB-specific test method requires less material, and by operating the furnace at a higher temperature, the rate-of-reaction is optimised for rCB, resulting in the significant reduction in time. Since ash content is one of the important product specifications, reducing the time to obtain results is of great help in quality control of the production process of rCB.”

“The main benefit is the significant reduced time required to obtain ash content information of the rCB sample from a tailor-made test method. The future bias and precision study will have to show if the method also has an improved standard deviation,” he added.

CONSENSUS BUILDING

The method’s creation reflects the convergence of some of the industry’s biggest players. “This standard was created by the globally leading rCB, carbon black and tyre manufacturers who come together in the committee. We will actively try to promote the use of this method going forward both for producers and users,” said Ter Haar.

He argued that the proposed standard could reshape the economics of rCB production, particularly in terms of reducing waste or lowering costs as more process control will typically result in less waste and a quicker ability to adjust feedstock ratio’s when changes need to be made.

“This new method will also help tyre manufacturers analyse rCB faster and this will, however, not likely play a role in competitiveness compared to virgin carbon black,” he stated.

According to Ter Haar, the temperature of the muffle furnace has increased from 550 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius, which is an important consideration for the manufacturer using this method when it comes to safe execution of this method. Besides, he wasn’t aware of any other potential risks or limitations that need to be considered.

Alluding to how critical is standardisation in gaining wider adoption of rCB within tyre production supply chains from Circtec’s perspective, Ter Haar explained, “Standardisation will not be the silver bullet for better understanding of rCB or overcoming the initial adoption phase of rCB in rubber compounds. However, when it comes to consistent supply of rCB, relevant rCB-specific specifications are crucial.”

SUSTAINABILITY PUSH

ASTM Standard D8621 fits neatly into the tyre industry’s strategic pivot towards greener materials. According to Ter Haar, the new standard is part of the wider industry development of the rCB producers and adaptation to the needs and requirements of the tyre industry for adoption of new raw materials for the construction of tyres.

He pointed to high levels of capital deployment, the emergence of reputable producers across global regions and platforms like ASTM as proof that rCB is on track to become a cornerstone of tyre sustainability.

“There are very few sustainable raw material options available for the tyre industry that seem to be developing into mature industries,” the spokesperson noted, stressing that rCB is now positioned as a key strategic material for fulfilling long-term sustainability and circularity objectives.

Circtec itself is pushing hard to lead the charge. Later this year, the company will open its third European factory in the Netherlands. The facility, built to a scale comparable with regular carbon black plants, is expected to convert around six percent of all waste tyres in Europe into sustainable products once it reaches full capacity.

“We will continue to focus on the global expansion of Circtec and the development of the sector when it comes to regulatory compliance, technical knowledge and producing high-quality rCB at large industrial scale,” he said.

INDUSTRY RECEPTION

The new standard has already won the backing of the tyre industry. “The tyre industry was an active participant in the development and approval process of this new standard,” Ter Haar emphasised.

The benefit is straightforward, which is more precise quality control. “Any time one of the raw material suppliers can improve their quality control, this is welcomed. The main objective of any new standard is that the test method is technically relevant and improves the ability to test rCB’s characteristics that actually correlate to in-rubber performance,” he explained.

For producers, the efficiency gains are significant. At Circtec’s Netherlands plant, for instance, output is expected to reach 10 tonnes of rCB per hour. At these production rates, quick quality control test methods are crucial.

While faster process monitoring will primarily benefit producers with scaled up production capacity, Ter Haar noted that the standard is not necessarily designed to spark innovation in rCB applications beyond tyres such as plastics or coatings.

Crucially, adopting the new standard won’t require expensive technical upgrades. “The benefit of this method and aim during the development is that for most producers or end-users, there would not be a need for any new investments in equipment. This method is based on the use of an affordable ashing muffle furnace with the ability to heat to 700 degrees Celsius,” he said.

ADOPTION DYNAMICS

ASTM standards remain voluntary, but Ter Haar expects uptake to be swift given the operational advantages. “This new standard is a tool to improve the speed of quality control. It is up to the individual parties to adopt this or any other ASTM method. Due to the clear advantages of this method, I would expect both producers and users to welcome using this test method moving forward,” Ter Haar said.

The development also represents a milestone in a broader strategic roadmap. The ASTM committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black, formed eight years ago, initially issued guidance on which carbon black test methods could or should not be used.

“At the moment, most of the key product performance characteristics of rCB can be determined,” he observed, suggesting that D8621 could be a stepping stone towards a broader suite of rCB-specific standards on par with virgin carbon black testing.

As rCB moves into the mainstream, the combination of industrial-scale production, regulatory support and technical validation is setting the stage for what could become one of the tyre industry’s most significant sustainability transformations in decades.

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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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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for March 2026, revealing a market that turned external pressures into clear price gains. While February had hinted at shifting dynamics, March provided proof of the industry’s core strength, with prices rising across all major grades and trading hubs despite an unusually challenging global environment. A 3.4 percent drop in monthly output and a dramatic 42.51 percent spike in Brent crude prices allowed natural rubber to advance rather than retreat.

Benchmark grades recorded widespread increases. In Kuala Lumpur, SMR-20 reached an average of USD 2.04 per kilogramme, while Bangkok saw STR-20 climb to USD 2.20 and RSS-3 jump to USD 2.56 per kilogramme. Kottayam’s RSS-4 averaged USD 2.35, and centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur rose sharply to USD 1.72 per kilogramme. Futures markets echoed the trend, with Shanghai’s May contract averaging CNY 16,662 per tonne and Singapore’s June contract closing at USD 1.95 per kilogramme.

The supply situation tightened considerably. Global March production is forecast at 786,000 tonnes, with Thailand’s output falling to 164,000 tonnes as southern growing regions endured temperatures of 42 to 43 degrees Celsius and rainfall up to 69 percent below normal levels. These punishing conditions sent a clear message that the market can absorb demand without chaotic price swings, a sign of a maturing commodity sector.

Demand told a similarly positive story. China’s natural rubber consumption surged from 446,000 tonnes in February to 610,000 tonnes in March, supported by a manufacturing PMI of 50.4, a 74.4 percent monthly rise in vehicle output, and a 130 percent annual leap in new energy vehicle exports. Chinese imports jumped 39.03 percent month-on-month to 629,800 tonnes, while Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand boosted exports by 47.34 percent, 13.73 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively.

The oil market further strengthened natural rubber’s competitive edge. With Brent crude averaging over USD 101 per barrel and peaking at USD 126.69 on 31 March, synthetic rubber became significantly less cost-effective, giving tyre makers a strong incentive to favour natural rubber. Policy moves also bolstered confidence, including Malaysia’s replanting aid increase to RM 20,000 per hectare and a new Indonesian research partnership on high-yield rubber tree genetics.

Looking ahead to the second quarter, the market enters the seasonal low-yield period with firming demand. New energy vehicle growth across Asia, an elevated oil floor, replanting investments and tightening supply all point to constructive pricing. Risks like trade disputes, weather extremes and geopolitical tensions remain, but March data shows an industry turning uncertainty into opportunity.

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