reTyre, a sustainable tyre manufacturer, will unveil the world’s first carbon-neutral tyre at Eurobike 2024. This innovative concept tyre is made entirely from reclaimed materials, showcasing reTyre’s commitment to reducing emissions and revolutionising sustainable tyre production.

Sustainable materials for a greener future

The carbon-neutral tyre incorporates several unique materials, each chosen for its minimal environmental impact. Algae, sourced through controlled harvesting of blooms, helps restore aquatic ecosystems by preventing eutrophication and methane release. Recycled para-aramid, obtained from used body armour, is broken down and repurposed for the tyre’s beads and puncture protection, promoting a closed-loop recycling system and incorporating renewable carbon. Locally sourced post-consumer recyclate (PCR) with a low carbon footprint further minimises environmental impact. Finally, recycled fish nets collected from oceans are used for the tyre casing, leading to a 49 percent reduction in emissions and a 15 percent decrease in energy use compared to virgin materials.

Friedemann Ohse, who is leading the Carbon-Neutral Tyre Project at reTyre, elaborates on the meticulous process behind achieving carbon neutrality: “The product carbon footprint of this tyre is based on our third-party verified LCA, including the end-of-life, which is how we measure all our products. Our production and transportation processes are optimised to have close to zero emissions. End-of-life is reduced to almost zero due to the recycling of the tyres. The algae used in the tyre has a negative CO2 equivalent, balancing any remaining emissions to achieve a net-zero impact. This way, we have a carbon-neutral product without using well-known shortcuts, such as carbon quotas, subsidies, or other non-product-related contributions.”

Global collaboration for sustainability

reTyre partners with suppliers worldwide to ensure the responsible sourcing of materials. The UN Ecosystem Restoration Programme supports algae harvesting from lakes and oceans across the globe.

Sustainable tyres without compromise

reTyre offers a comprehensive portfolio of 100 percent sustainable products, providing brands with high-quality, eco-friendly tyres. Bio-based and fully renewable materials, never before used in pneumatic tyres, significantly reduce emissions. Additionally, a third-party-verified life cycle assessment (LCA) confirms an 82 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional tyres.

Ohse continues: “This carbon-neutral tyre is at a concept stage, and it is a result of continuous innovation that shows what our unique manufacturing is capable of.”

Beyond innovation: a full range of sustainable options

Alongside the groundbreaking carbon-neutral tyre, reTyre will showcase its entire range of sustainable products, including the new City Range bicycle tyre models explicitly designed for urban riders. These tyres boast bio-based and sustainable materials utilising reusable plant-based elastomers, new tread patterns for enhanced performance and grip, and matching performance to standard tyres, ensuring a smooth, eco-friendly cycling experience. The City Range also features a low carbon footprint throughout production and the product lifecycle and is fully reusable, setting a new benchmark in tyre sustainability. For complete data transparency, reTyre provides comprehensive compliance and sustainability tracking information.

reTyre’s entire product range prioritises sustainability and reusability, a unique proposition in the tyre industry. This commitment ensures that every component can be fully recycled and repurposed, fostering a closed-loop system that benefits the environment.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a price increase of USD 220 per metric tonne, equivalent to USD 0.10 per pound, across all polymer products sold in North America. The affected lines include Kraton D SBS, Kraton D SIS and Kraton G SEBS/SEPS.

According to the company, the adjustment is necessary to offset significant and sustained increases in feedstocks, energy, logistics, process materials and other manufacturing costs. The increase will take effect on 1 December 2026 or as permitted by applicable contracts.

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Evonik, a global speciality chemicals company, has completed a EUR 52 million expansion of its silicone platform at the Essen Goldschmidtstrasse site in Germany, constructing a new production plant and a large tank farm. The facility raises output capacity for organomodified silicones, a core product group in the company’s global silicone network.

The Essen site operates as a central node in that network, closely tied to Evonik facilities in Geesthacht, Obernburg and Wittenburg in Germany, Pandino in Italy, Shanghai in China and Hopewell, Virginia, in the United States. The expansion strengthens the resilience of this international production system by lessening the need to ship intermediates and finished goods between locations.

Logistics infrastructure has been optimised to support more efficient operations. A new 150-metre pipe bridge links four production units and 15 manufacturing assets to the tank farm, which comprises five stainless-steel tanks, the tallest standing 24 metere and holding substantial quantities of key raw materials. The result is steadier production, more robust supply chains and reduced reliance on short-term deliveries. The tank farm has enlarged the Essen site from 32 to 35 hectares.

The project was executed with the site fully operational and despite constrained space, drawing on roughly 80 Evonik employees and over 230 contractors from 25 partner companies. Essen Goldschmidtstrasse also features in Evonik’s newly developed long-term plans, which assign a clear profile to each of six major production sites – Essen Goldschmidtstrasse, Marl, Wesseling, Darmstadt/Weiterstadt, Rheinfelden and Hanau – as guidelines for future development. Under this framework, Essen Goldschmidtstrasse is positioned as a centre of excellence for customer-specific formulations.

Lauren Kjeldsen, the Evonik Management Board member responsible for the Custom Solutions segment, to which the business belongs, said, “This expansion strengthens our silicone production platform, enhancing supply chain resilience and creating a strong foundation for profitable growth. This latest investment highlights the important role that our innovative German sites play in the success of our global operations.”

Roberto VilaKeller, head of the responsible Business Line Interface & Polyurethane Additives, said, “The investment in Essen strengthens our global production network and further enhances our ability to serve customers reliably around the world. It significantly expands our production capabilities, reduces potential bottlenecks and creates opportunities for future growth in attractive markets.”

Thomas Kufen, Mayor of Essen, said, “At a time when industrial investment is more important than ever, projects of this scale send a strong signal for Essen’s economy and the wider region. They secure high-quality jobs, strengthen competitiveness and demonstrate the international attractiveness of our city as an industrial hub.”

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for September 2026, a month marked by broad-based price gains. Firm fundamentals, constrained supply and steady downstream demand combined with geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty to lift prices. Renewed Middle East conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes weighed on sentiment, while energy markets were especially affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on transiting vessels, which raised risks to global energy supplies and strengthened the crude oil risk premium.

According to the report, physical prices for most major grades advanced. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.50/kg, up 7.96 percent month-on-month, and STR-20 in Bangkok rose 5.80 percent to USD 2.53/kg. RSS-3 in Bangkok slipped 0.30 percent to USD 2.79/kg, while RSS-4 in Kottayam eased 1.39 percent to USD 2.88/kg. Latex-in-bulk in Malaysia gained 3.60 percent to average USD 1.79/kg. Cautious tyre-manufacturer purchasing, limited to immediate needs after earlier increases, weighed on the RSS market. Latex drew support from tight supply, as persistent rainfall disrupted tapping and limited fresh and concentrated latex availability, while glove, healthcare and industrial demand held stable.

Trade flows diverged. China's imports grew 2.56 percent month-on-month, India's 11.36 percent and Malaysia's 17.85 percent, whereas Viet Nam's fell 3.40 percent. Exports rose 3.07 percent in Thailand, 7.30 percent in Malaysia and 1.91 percent in Cambodia, while Indonesia edged down 1.40 percent and Viet Nam recorded the steepest decline at 9.72 percent.

Global production is projected at 15.039 million tonnes in 2026, up 0.6 percent from 14.953 million tonnes in 2025, with September output estimated at 1.4 million tonnes. Uneven rainfall and elevated temperatures slowed supply recovery across Southeast Asia. Global demand is forecast to rise 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest volume increases among ANRPC member countries. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related disruptions, while expanding electric-vehicle markets in China, India and Europe support modest growth.

The ringgit traded between RM4.04 and RM4.10 per US dollar, and the baht between THB 32.89 and 33.55. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged CNY 19,070/tonne, up 5.3 percent month-on-month, and the SGX December 2026 contract averaged USD 2.41/kg, up 7.6 percent. Brent crude averaged USD 114.16 per barrel, a 25.3 percent monthly increase driven by geopolitical risks and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Birla Carbon, a leading global supplier of carbon materials, will exhibit at the International Rubber Conference (IRC) 2026, scheduled for 2–6 November in Nagoya, Japan, at Booth B. The company aims to address application-specific demands arising from the shift towards electric mobility, which places greater emphasis on tyre wear and energy efficiency while requiring automotive rubber components to balance durability with ride comfort.

A Very High Structure (VHS) lineup awaits manufacturers of passenger car, light truck, truck and bus tyres. These grades were engineered to meet electrification requirements and tightening standards such as Euro 7, delivering gains in tread wear, energy efficiency and tyre longevity.

Sustainability also features prominently. The company's Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Materials (SCM) and Sustainable Carbon Blacks (SCB) lines, which contain higher levels of recycled or bio-based material, are intended to help tyre makers pursue circularity targets. Their dependable quality and ability to be supplied at scale in large volumes make them viable for production use, and the Continua range carries ISCC PLUS certification.

Mechanical rubber goods round out the display. Grades aimed at bushings enhance mixing and dispersion, contributing to fatigue life and component durability, while formulations for mounts pair low hysteresis and low stiffness with reinforcement so that durable parts can be produced without sacrificing ride comfort. Drop-in grades for extrusion reduce defects, scrap and screen-pack changes while raising throughput and extending service life. Simulation and technical expertise help customers assess materials, and global production plus Asian capacity growth support long-term supply.

Amit Kumar, President – Asia, Birla Carbon, said, “Asia’s tyre and rubber manufacturers are shaping the next phase of mobility, and their material requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. As the clear leader in our industry, Birla Carbon aims to grow alongside our customers, combining application-focused innovation with dependable local supply. We see performance and circularity as priorities that must progress together. By expanding our capabilities in Asia and strengthening customer partnerships, we aim to help manufacturers meet evolving market needs and build greater long-term competitiveness.”

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