Rubber Board of India launched the Landslide Zonation Map of rubber plantations and the mobile app ‘RUBAC’ for rubber census in the country in a function held at Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII).

The MOU for the collaborative project of Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI) of Spices Board India, Digital University of Kerala and the Rubber Board for developing digitized soil fertility maps and online fertilizer recommendation for cardamom plantations in the lines of RuBSIS developed for rubber was also shared in the function. Prof. Saji Gopinath (Vice Chancellor, Digital University of Kerala), D. Sathiyan IFS (Chairman and Secretary, Spices Board India), M.D. Jessy (Director (Research) in-charge) and M.J. Lizy (Joint Director, Statistics and Planning Department, Rubber Board) spoke on the occasion.

The RRII has successfully delineated rubber plantations into low, medium and high landslide risk categories using satellite-derived maps of the distribution of rubber plantations in the State and the district-wise landslide susceptibility zones developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Based on this, Board can recommend growers to adopt good agricultural practices at a location according to its vulnerability to landslides as well as cultural operations that should not be undertaken to minimize the impact of landslides. The map is available at https://lsz.rubberboard.org.in

Rubber Board is conducting a nationwide census on rubber to prepare a comprehensive data base on rubber plantations and rubber growers with the help of mobile application. Reliable and timely statistics on new planting, replanting, actual area under rubber, level of adoption of recommended agro management practices, harvesting practices followed etc. are necessary for implementing rubber related development projects. The mobile app ‘RUBAC’ is developed by the Rubber Board in association with the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management and is expected to reduce the processing time considerably. The rubber census is proposed to be carried out on all rubber growing areas of the country in a phased manner. As the first phase of the programme, the census will start in Kottayam District of Kerala. (TT)

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WACKER has earned a distinguished ‘A’ rating in the 2025 CDP sustainability assessment for its climate protection management. This is Wacker’s third time in a row on the A list by the global environmental non-profit organisation. Beyond the climate category, WACKER maintained its strong standing in water security, again achieving an A- leadership rating. In the forests category, the company secured a B management-level score. These consistent results highlight WACKER’s ongoing commitment to holistic environmental responsibility and transparent reporting across all key sustainability areas.

The CDP, a globally respected non-profit formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, conducts the world’s premier environmental disclosure system. It annually evaluates thousands of organisations on behalf of investors, using a detailed questionnaire that spans climate change, water security and forests. Scores follow an A-to-F scale, with an A denoting exemplary performance and disclosure.

Among over 22,100 companies evaluated worldwide, WACKER’s top climate score places it in the premier tier. According to CDP, such a rating reflects comprehensive, high-quality data disclosure and robust transformation strategies.

Peter Gigler, Head of ESG at WACKER, said, “We have our sustainability performance independently audited by CDP every year, so we’re very pleased that we were able to maintain our top rating for the third time in a row.”

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Midas, Asia’s largest manufacturer of tyre retreading materials, has launched O-rings designed for off-the-road (OTR) tyres, aimed at delivering reliable sealing performance in demanding operating conditions.

The O-rings are manufactured using high-quality natural rubber and are formulated to improve physical properties and ensure dimensional stability. According to the company, the product has been tested over many years in harsh environments and is intended to provide consistent, trouble-free performance in OTR tyre applications.

Midas said only REACH-compliant raw materials are used in the manufacture of the O-rings, underscoring its adherence to safety, quality and international regulatory standards.

Founded 56 years ago, Midas supplies tyre retreading materials to customers in more than 60 countries. The company said the launch reflects its continued focus on developing performance-oriented solutions for the global tyre and retreading industry.

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Toyoda Gosei has successfully commercialised automotive weatherstrips using recycled rubber, starting with the new Toyota RAV4. This marks a significant breakthrough in a field where rubber has historically been difficult to reuse, often ending up incinerated instead of truly recycled. Unlike steel or plastic, rubber recycling requires devulcanisation, a complex process that traditionally weakens the material and leaves behind unpleasant odours.

Through dedicated refinement of its proprietary devulcanisation technology, the company has overcome these longstanding quality hurdles. The advancements have dramatically increased the usable proportion of recycled material in automotive parts from under five percent to 20 percent, an achievement honoured by a Toyota Motor Project Award.

Looking ahead, Toyoda Gosei aims to extend this technology beyond synthetic rubber to include natural rubber, which is used in far greater volumes. The broader corporate ambition is to collaborate with automakers and partners to establish a full circular system. This system would collect and regenerate rubber from end-of-life vehicles, positioning the company as an industry leader in enabling both decarbonisation and sustainable resource circulation.

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Pursuing its strategic goals for 2030, Michelin is actively extending its technological leadership into adjacent, high-value sectors. This expansion is being accelerated through two key acquisitions announced in recent months: Cooley Group and Tex Tech Industries. Both US-based companies are leaders in advanced materials, specialising in high-performance fabrics and coatings, and align strongly with Michelin’s own focus on innovation and quality while bringing complementary geographic and technical strengths.

Cooley Group, marking its centennial in 2026, excels in creating engineered polymer-coated fabrics. Its fully integrated production enables custom solutions for critical applications in healthcare, industrial containment and waterproofing. Similarly, Tex Tech Industries, with over a century of operation, designs and manufactures specialised textiles for extreme demands, including thermal protection systems for aerospace, fire-blocking aircraft interiors and advanced composite materials.

These strategic moves significantly bolster Michelin’s existing position in coated fabrics, notably through its European brand Orca. By integrating Cooley and Tex Tech, Michelin anticipates accelerating its global market reach and increasing the revenue of its Polymer Composite Solutions division by approximately 20 percent, equating to roughly USD 280 million. Given the growing scale of this business, Michelin intends to establish it as a dedicated reporting segment starting in 2026.

The acquisitions, slated for completion in the first half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals, will be transacted in cash, with financial terms currently undisclosed.

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