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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German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of functional additives for the manufacture of tyres and speciality rubbers. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by 15 to 50 percent.

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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Orion S.A., a global speciality chemicals company, has announced a global price increase for its portfolio of speciality carbon black. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 25 percent.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, the company is also implementing a variable surcharge on top of the base price increase. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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German chemical group WACKER has announced a price hike across its global polymers portfolio, responding directly to significant upheavals in international commodity markets triggered by the recent military conflict in the Middle East. This geopolitical instability has created pronounced distortions throughout the supply chain, leading to a sharp escalation in the costs of essential inputs. The company is experiencing substantially higher prices for crude oil and natural gas as well as for various other raw materials and logistics services.

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Cabot Corporation has announced a comprehensive global price adjustment for its portfolio of carbon black products. These changes, which are set to take effect immediately or as soon as individual contract terms permit, will see prices rise by up to 20 percent, with the exact percentage varying according to the specific product type and the regional market. This adjustment is not limited to the speciality carbons division; it will also be applied to the offerings from the company’s speciality compounds business.

In a strategic move to address persistent market volatility, Cabot is also implementing an ongoing surcharge on top of the base price increase. The company has indicated that this additional fee will be subject to regular and ongoing evaluation, allowing for adjustments that reflect the dynamic nature of current market conditions. The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation, energy and essential raw materials.

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