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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Kuraray Co., Ltd. marked its 100th anniversary on 24 June 2026, with a commemorative ceremony at the Tokyo International Forum. The company live-streamed the event to its domestic and overseas locations, enabling employees worldwide to join the celebration simultaneously and strengthening the Group's collective spirit.

The speciality chemical company expressed deep appreciation to its stakeholders and predecessors for their enduring support throughout the century. Leaders also reaffirmed the organisation's determination to pursue new challenges collaboratively as it embarks on its next hundred years.

Hitoshi Kawahara, President, Kuraray Co., Ltd.

President Hitoshi Kawahara called for uniting values across diverse countries, regions, languages and cultures during this pivotal moment. He advocated for realising ‘One Kuraray’ by actively connecting people, technologies and knowledge beyond conventional organisational and business boundaries to co-create fresh value.

Kuraray originated in 1926 in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, with the commercial production of synthetic rayon. Over the past century, the company built its reputation on distinctive technologies, including PVA fiber, PVOH resin, CLARINO man-made leather and EVAL EVOH resin, guided by its mission to achieve what no other company can for people and the planet. Today, Kuraray operates across 32 countries and regions. The company now views its centennial as a launching point for tackling social challenges through innovation and for unlocking new possibilities in the years ahead.

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Cabot Corporation has once again achieved the top-tier platinum designation from EcoVadis, maintaining this elite status for six consecutive years. This accomplishment secures the company’s place among the global elite, as only one percent of all businesses scrutinised by the rating agency receive this highest mark. The outcome reflects the firm's sustained emphasis on driving tangible environmental and social advancements while upholding rigorous disclosure standards across its operational network.

The assessment framework employed by EcoVadis examines more than 150,000 entities worldwide, spanning numerous sectors and geographies, with evaluations rooted in established sustainability benchmarks. Cabot registered its most significant annual performance jump this cycle, with a five-point increase in its cumulative score, driven largely by enhanced results in the ethical conduct segment. Additionally, the company retained its exceptional standing in both environmental stewardship and workforce rights, securing the maximum possible recognition in those two critical areas.

With EcoVadis consistently tightening its evaluation parameters to mirror emerging global norms, Cabot has responded by intensifying its own internal sustainability measures. The organisation has concentrated on elevating operational effectiveness and data visibility, ensuring its practices remain responsive to the increasingly stringent expectations of stakeholders and rating bodies alike.

Underpinning this trajectory is a deeply ingrained organisational culture focused on iterative refinement and long-term value creation. By persistently elevating its sustainability agenda, Cabot reinforces its reputation as a proactive industry participant, dedicated to aligning corporate performance with broader societal and environmental objectives.

Jennifer Chittick, Senior Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) and Government Affairs; Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “We are encouraged by this year’s EcoVadis results, which reflect meaningful progress across our sustainability programme and our largest year-over-year score increase to date. These results demonstrate how greater transparency, stronger cross-functional collaboration and disciplined execution are helping us strengthen how we operate while advancing progress toward our 2030 sustainability goals.”

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Nokian Tyres has secured a position among TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2026, claiming the 100th spot on a prestigious roster of 750 global enterprises. The annual compilation, produced in partnership with the research firm Statista, recognises organisations demonstrating exceptional environmental and social performance after a comprehensive evaluation of thousands of candidates worldwide.

The selection process weighed verified sustainability credentials, including active participation in the UN Global Compact and Science Based Targets initiative-approved emission reduction goals. Assessment also incorporated third-party ratings from entities like CDP and MSCI, alongside rigorous scrutiny of each company’s transparent operations, ethical governance and overall commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, ultimately distinguishing Nokian Tyres for its holistic approach to corporate accountability.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “This is a great acknowledgment of our long-term sustainability work and motivates us to keep improving. We want to enable drivers to make more sustainable tyre choices without compromising on performance. Renewable and recycled materials and lower rolling resistance help cut tyre lifecycle emissions, while rigorously tested tyres improve grip and safety, especially in demanding weather conditions. Proactive sustainability measures also benefit our customers: responsible sourcing reduces risks, and innovative, high-performing tyres with lower environmental footprint make it possible for our customers to offer higher-value solutions to their own clients.”

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Beratex, part of the Bernauer Group alongside Texpak, is positioning itself as a specialist partner to global tyre manufacturers at a time when efficiency demands, sustainability pressures and the technical requirements of electric mobility are reshaping the industry. In a sector often described as mature, the company argues that meaningful gains are still being unlocked – not through disruption but through materials innovation and process optimisation that deliver measurable improvements on the factory floor.

“Beratex and Texpak are both part of the Bernauer Group, which positions itself as a system supplier of specialised auxiliary and raw materials for the tyre and rubber industries. Beratex & Texpak sees itself as a trusted specialist partner to the global tyre industry, with a strong focus on high-performance product solutions. Our products help tyre manufacturers maintain stable, efficient and high-quality production processes across both PCR and TBR applications,” says Hanspeter Bernauer, Owner and CEO. “At the same time, building on our experience since 1972, we continue to expand our footprint in the tyre and rubber sector with complementary products such as low-melting EVA materials for mixing process and embossed PE films for single-use applications, which we distribute through our subsidiary Texpak.”

A key differentiator for Beratex is its vertically integrated production model, spanning from HDPE film supplied by its subsidiary Kunststoffwerk Lahr to in-house yarn production, weaving, heat-setting, hot-calandering, finishing and confectioning, allowing the company to manage the full value chain internally. In addition, its own hydropower generation plays an important role in ensuring supply reliability, efficiency and sustainability.

INCREMENTAL INNOVATION IN A MATURE INDUSTRY

Despite tyre manufacturing’s maturity, Bernauer sees ample scope for innovation – though largely incremental. “Even in a mature industry like tyre manufacturing, there is still considerable room for innovation. In our view, some of the most meaningful progress comes from better materials, more efficient processes and solutions that help customers reduce waste without compromising performance,” he says.

“Innovation does not always have to be disruptive. In many cases, the biggest improvements come from practical developments that make production more stable, cleaner and easier to automate. That is exactly where close cooperation between suppliers and manufacturers can create real value,” he adds.

FACTORY-FLOOR IMPACT AND CONSISTENCY

The operational impact of Bernauer Group’s solutions is most visible in production environments. Liner materials are engineered to stabilise the handling of uncured rubber and reduce variability.

“The most tangible benefits are seen directly on the production floor. Our liner solutions help improve handling reliability, reduce contamination risks and support a smoother, more consistent manufacturing process. As a result, customers benefit from fewer interruptions, lower material waste and more stable output,” Bernauer says.

Texpak’s EVA low-melting bags and films complement this by offering consistent processing behaviour, a defined melting point, consistent thickness, a reliable quality standard and integration into mixing processes.

“For tyre manufacturers, that means better process efficiency, improved product quality and more effective use of materials. In high-volume production, even small improvements in these areas can have a significant operational impact,” Bernauer says.

Consistency remains central to the value proposition. Bernauer notes that Beratex liners are designed to bring consistency and process reliability to high-volume tyre production, with PE and textile liners offering uniform gauges, controlled surface properties and reliable release performance, enabling uncured rubber components to be handled without deformation, contamination or unnecessary variability.

By reducing sticking, tearing and uneven release, these solutions support stable cycle times, smoother automation and lower rejection rates. “Another important advantage is the durability of our liners. Their long service life helps maintain stable conditions over extended production runs, reduces replacement frequency and contributes to overall efficiency on the factory floor,” he adds.

PRODUCTIVITY AND TOTAL VALUE

The company links these performance improvements directly to productivity metrics. “Our solutions can have a very direct impact on factory-floor productivity. When liners perform reliably, manufacturers experience fewer stoppages due to sticking, tearing, misfeeds or contamination. That helps keep line speeds stable and supports better throughput,” Bernauer says.

He explains that by adapting liner solutions to the specific requirements of a process, the company helps customers improve handling, reduce waste  and strengthen production control, contributing, in practice, to better overall equipment effectiveness and a more predictable manufacturing environment.

This underpins a broader emphasis on total value rather than initial price, reflecting the economics of high-volume manufacturing.

EVOLVING EXPECTATIONS: COST, PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Supplier expectations have shifted materially over the past decade. “Customer expectations have changed significantly over the last 10 years. In the past, the focus was often on price and basic functionality. Today, tyre manufacturers expect much more: reliable performance, process consistency, compatibility with automation and clear added value,” Bernauer says.

Sustainability is now central, with Bernauer noting that customers increasingly look for solutions that support material reduction, recyclability and a lower environmental impact while also expecting closer technical cooperation and more customised support – factors that have made supplier relationships significantly more strategic than before.

“Today, it is clearly a combination of all three,” he says, referring to cost, performance and sustainability. “Cost pressure remains important, but manufacturers also understand that performance and process reliability directly affect efficiency, quality and total production cost. The most attractive solutions are therefore the ones that combine cost efficiency, performance and sustainability rather than treating them as trade-offs.”

REGIONAL SHIFTS AND GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

The tyre industry’s geographic footprint continues to evolve. “Yes, we are seeing clear regional shifts in both demand and manufacturing. Capacity continues to move towards Asia and other cost-competitive regions, driven by local market growth, export opportunities and broader supply chain diversification,” Bernauer says.

At the same time, new regions are emerging. “We are also seeing increasing activity in regions that previously played a smaller role in the global landscape, including parts of Africa,” adds Bernauer.

This creates a dual requirement for suppliers: global consistency and local flexibility.

SUSTAINABILITY IN SOURCING AND PRODUCTION

Sustainability considerations are reshaping procurement decisions, with Bernauer noting that the biggest change is that sourcing decisions are no longer driven by price alone, as tyre manufacturers increasingly assess recyclability, material efficiency, carbon footprint and the overall environmental profile of their suppliers. There is also a growing focus on reducing waste through downgauging and the use of reusable materials.

“Beratex is very well positioned in this respect. We generate 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources through our own hydropower plants, and we can fully recycle all our production waste and reprocess it into new products,” he says.

EV-DRIVEN REQUIREMENTS

Electric vehicles are tightening manufacturing tolerances. According to Bernauer, the rise of electric vehicles is raising the bar for tyre manufacturers, with EV tyres typically requiring tighter dimensional precision, higher load-bearing performance and very consistent production conditions.

“For us, that means developing liner solutions with even greater surface consistency, controlled release behaviour and clean processing performance,” he says.

DIFFERENTIATION THROUGH DURABILITY

Durability and long-term performance are central to the company’s positioning. “What sets Beratex apart is that we combine proven product performance with a strong understanding of manufacturing realities. Our liner solutions are designed to deliver consistent quality, reliable release performance and exceptional durability, with customer references showing Beratex liners in use for over 15 years when properly handled,” Bernauer says.

Bernauer notes that with more than 135 million square metres of liner solutions supplied, the company’s track record demonstrates both long-term product performance and customer trust, adding that the focus remains on total value rather than just initial price.

REDUCING DEFECTS AND WASTE

At a functional level, the materials are designed to minimise defects. Bernauer explains that, in simple terms, the company’s materials help tyre manufacturers handle uncured rubber components cleanly and consistently. When release performance is stable and the liner behaves predictably, there is less risk of sticking, tearing or surface damage.

“Texpak EVA materials help reduce defects and waste in tyre production by offering consistent melting behaviour, uniform thickness and reliable quality,” Bernauer adds.

CHALLENGES AND OUTLOOK

The operating environment remains pressured. “One of the main challenges is the overall cost pressure in a highly competitive market,” Bernauer says, citing raw material volatility and supply chain disruptions. “Another challenge is meeting rising sustainability expectations while still delivering the functional performance customers require,” he adds.

Looking ahead, he identifies two key opportunity areas. “The first is advanced and more sustainable material solutions,” he says, pointing to the demand for recyclable and environmentally responsible products.

“The second is the ongoing shift towards higher-performance tyres, including EV-related applications, which require greater precision, cleanliness and process stability,” he adds.

For Bernauer Group, the approach remains consistent: deepen process integration, refine materials and deliver incremental improvements that scale across global tyre manufacturing.

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