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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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has released its Monthly NR Statistical Report for December 2025, providing an overview of key developments in the global natural rubber sector.

As per the report, the natural rubber market is positioned in a strategic accumulation phase that belies superficial price indicators. A critical analysis reveals that while US Dollar-denominated prices showed a slight pullback, this was overwhelmingly due to the appreciation of the Thai Baht rather than a decline in intrinsic value. In Thailand, a key producing nation, local currency (THB) prices remained fundamentally firm, underscoring a resilient domestic price floor that continues to support the long-term upward trend.

This underlying market strength is concretely evidenced by price movements in Malaysia. During the reported period of consolidation, Malaysian SMR-20 prices increased by 2.08 percent and latex prices rose by 2.35 percent. These gains in a major producing hub directly contradict a bearish narrative and confirm that underlying global demand continues to outpace available supply. The current market behaviour is therefore characterized as a ‘cumulation pullback’, a necessary corrective foundation following earlier strong gains, designed to build liquidity before the next advance.

Fundamental data supports this outlook. Global natural rubber production for 2025 is anticipated to grow by a modest 1.4 percent. Although the latest demand figures show a marginal adjustment of -0.7 percent, overall market sentiment remains resilient, bolstered by clear recovery signals from the tyre industry. Critically, the market is now entering the seasonally tight ‘wintering’ period from February to May, when latex production naturally declines. The consolidation and strategic accumulation observed in December 2025 have thus established a solid platform. With supply set to contract and demand holding firm, all conditions are aligned for a sustained price rally as the market moves into early 2026.

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Effective 1 November 2025, the Kerala Government has increased the assured market support price for RSS IV grade rubber. Under the state's Rubber Production Incentive Scheme, the new rate is set at INR 200 per kilogramme, representing a rise from the previous INR 180.

To avail this benefit, rubber producers must first renew their enrolment in the incentive programme. This requires submitting a current land tax receipt accompanied by a self-declaration form. Subsequently, growers can have their verified sale invoices uploaded via their respective Rubber Producers’ Societies. The dedicated online portal for this process is now active for submissions.

The administration has instructed all Rubber Producer Societies to ensure the prompt and accurate uploading of these invoices for their registered members. Should any society experience technical problems or difficulties accessing the portal, immediate support is available by contacting the relevant Field Office or Regional Office for resolution.

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Birla Carbon, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality carbon materials, and Kennesaw State University (KSU) have expanded their enduring partnership with the launch of Birla Carbon India Study Abroad Program in January 2026. This programme, backed by a USD 184,000 contribution from the carbon materials manufacturer, will send undergraduate students from KSU’s College of Science and Mathematics to India for collaborative research. Participants will first develop their projects during the spring semester at KSU before travelling to the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Goa for summer work alongside local faculty and peers.

This endeavour builds upon nearly a decade of collaboration, which since 2014 has funded research opportunities for over 110 KSU students as Birla Carbon Scholars. In its inaugural year, the programme will facilitate hands-on research for up to 12 students, marking a significant evolution in the longstanding alliance between the university and the global company. The initiative is designed to provide immersive, cross-cultural scientific training, equipping students with global perspectives and advanced research skills crucial for their future careers in science and technology.

Sharing his thoughts about the program, Terence Norman, HR Head, Americas, Birla Carbon, said, “Birla Carbon is now in its 15th year of partnership with Kennesaw State University overall, and over the years, we have seen phenomenal growth and development opportunities for the students here in the College of Science and Mathematics. Our ongoing commitment is driven by a genuine belief in making a positive impact not only for the students who participate in this programme but also for the impact their solutions can have across major industries and society at large. Fifteen years mark not just a partnership but a shared journey of growth and discovery. Birla Carbon’s purpose is to ‘Share the Strength’, and Kennesaw State gives us an opportunity to do that first-hand.”

Kadian Callahan, Associate Dean for Student Success and Community Engagement, KSU – College of Science and Mathematics, said, “We’re excited to partner with Birla Carbon to bring this opportunity to our students. The college’s focus is on providing quality undergraduate research experience to students, and this programme allows students to take their work beyond campus and into an international research setting. Students can begin their research at Kennesaw State and continue it at BITS in India, working closely with faculty and peers at both institutions. That continuity strengthens their projects and creates opportunities for shared publications with KSU and BITS faculty and students.”

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Bekaert has achieved an industry milestone with Dramix Loop, its most sustainable steel fibre. This product is the first in its sector to be manufactured industrially using steel reclaimed from end-of-life tyres, creating a new benchmark for circular construction. It directly tackles a significant circularity challenge within the tyre industry by transforming discarded tyre cords into a high-performance resource. This innovative approach preserves the material’s inherent tensile strength while bypassing carbon-intensive reprocessing, resulting in a near-zero carbon footprint with an exceptionally low Global Warming Potential of only 0.0436 kg CO₂eq per kg.

The launch reinforces the longstanding leadership of the Dramix brand, which already offers concrete reinforcement solutions that substantially reduce material use and CO₂ emissions. Dramix Loop further advances this legacy, providing fibres with very low contamination and high tensile strength suitable for diverse applications, including industrial flooring, precast elements and ultra-high-performance concrete. Beyond performance, it supports major sustainability frameworks like LEED and BREEAM, aids in compliance with the EU Taxonomy and helps companies reduce their Scope 3 emissions, thereby assisting owners and developers in meeting critical environmental, social, and governance objectives.

Eric Peeters, Divisional CEO Sustainable Construction, said, “Just like our other Dramix products, Dramix Loop ticks all the boxes: safe, smart and sustainable. It’s less labour-intensive, reduces CO₂ up to 80 percent compared to traditional reinforcement and leverages our structural design capabilities. And the circular aspect adds even more value, because with end-of-life steel, the carbon footprint is close to zero.”

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