M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director, Rubber Board, and P Vishnuraj IAS, Additional Project Director of the KERA Project and Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, handing over the signed MoU for the implementation of the KERA Project. Siju T, Rubber Production Commissioner (left), and Shyam Krishnan, Deputy Director Industries (right), are present.

The Rubber Board has entered into a Memorandum of Association (MoU) with the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers' Welfare for the implementation of the 'Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization' (KERA) project. This World Bank-supported initiative, spanning 2025 to 2029, aims to strengthen climate resilience and productivity in rubber and cardamom cultivation across Kerala.

The signing ceremony, held at the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kottayam, saw Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan (IRS) and Additional Project Director of KERA P Vishnuraj (IAS) formalise the partnership. A parallel agreement was signed with the Spices Board, represented by Director Dr Rema Shree A B, marking a collaborative effort to modernise Kerala's agricultural value chains. The event also featured the launch of a specialised training programme for officials involved in project implementation.

Under the KERA scheme, rubber farmers across six districts, namely Kottayam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram, will receive financial support of INR 75,000 per hectare for up to two hectares. Cardamom cultivators in Idukki district will benefit from enhanced assistance of INR 100,000 per hectare, similarly capped at two hectares per farmer. This financial intervention is designed to promote sustainable farming practices and improve climate adaptation capabilities.

The ceremony featured addresses from several key officials, including Rubber Production Commissioner Dr Siju T and Spices Board Director Dr Rema Shree A.B., who emphasised the project's potential to transform agricultural practices while addressing climate challenges. Dharmendra Das, Director Development in-charge of the Spices Board, highlighted the long-term advantages of adopting climate-resilient techniques. The proceedings commenced with a welcome address by Suresh C, KERA Procurement Officer, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shylaja K, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner.

The KERA project represents a significant step forward in Kerala's agricultural development, combining financial support with technical expertise to create more sustainable and productive farming systems. By focusing on two of the state's key crops, the initiative aims to establish a model for climate-resilient agriculture that could potentially be replicated across other regions and commodities.

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Shin-Etsu Chemical has announced a sweeping price revision for its entire range of silicone products, effective for all shipments from 1 May 2026. The adjustment applies to every product handled by the company’s Silicone Division, with increases set at a minimum of 10 percent. Actual revision rates will vary depending on the specific product category.

The decision follows recent developments in the Middle East, which have triggered sharp surges in crude oil and naphtha prices. This has led to a steep rise in the cost of oil-derived raw materials. Additionally, Shin-Etsu Chemical is confronting higher expenses related to manufacturing energy, product containers, packaging materials and logistics, all of which have contributed to the need for a price correction.

Despite exhausting all possible internal measures to reduce manufacturing costs, the company concluded that these efforts alone cannot absorb the mounting cost pressures. Shin-Etsu Chemical is now committed to fully communicating the situation to its product users and securing their understanding of the necessary selling price revisions.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) recently participated in a Hari Raya Open House event. The gathering was organised by Malaysia’s Rubber Development Division, which falls under the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities. This occasion allowed the ANRPC to connect with important figures within the natural rubber sector. By bringing together various industry partners, the open house successfully created an atmosphere of goodwill and strengthened existing relationships.

The ANRPC has conveyed its genuine gratitude to the event’s hosts for their warm reception and thoughtful organisation. The association acknowledged the importance of uniting stakeholders in such a meaningful celebration, which helps reinforce shared goals and collaborative spirit across the sector.

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ARLANXEO has officially opened its Innovation Center Asia (ICA) in Changzhou, China, transforming the former Regional Technical Center into a full-fledged Asian innovation hub. This upgrade significantly strengthens the company’s global research and development network, with a clear focus on serving the local Chinese market as well as broader regional needs. The expansion reflects ARLANXEO’s commitment to advancing performance elastomers through targeted regional investment.

Now boasting larger facilities, an expanded team and new laboratory equipment, the Innovation Center Asia is equipped to handle rubber compounding, processing, physical testing, chemical analysis, battery prototyping and more. A dedicated chemistry lab has been added to support the nearby HNBR plant and global HNBR research activities. Located alongside ARLANXEO’s EPDM and HNBR plants in Changzhou, the centre fosters close customer collaboration to address evolving market needs. It also works in tandem with the company’s Dormagen, Germany, innovation centre, jointly developing new testing methods, exploring advanced technologies and delivering innovative product solutions worldwide.

The inauguration event featured speeches from Herman Dikland, ARLANXEO’s Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, and Hong Sun, Managing Director of ARLANXEO China. Joining them at the ceremony were company representatives, key customers, local government officials and academic partners from various universities. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit and shared interest in driving innovation forward.

Herman Dikland, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “Innovation is a core driver of ARLANXEO’s sustainable growth, and China plays an important role in our global innovation ecosystem. This state-of-the-art laboratory facility puts us in an excellent position to advance our R&D capabilities and reinforce our market position. We look forward to driving frontier innovation together with our passionate and creative China team while bringing China-based innovation into solutions for global markets.”

Hong Sun, Managing Director, ARLANXEO China, said, “The inauguration of the Innovation Center Asia reflects our commitment to supporting the rapid transformation of China’s rubber industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. With growing demand for advanced materials and customised formulations, the new centre will further strengthen our proximity to customers, enhance our agility in meeting market needs and better support the upgrading of the entire rubber industry.”

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ARLANXEO has strengthened its role in the synthetic rubber industry by expanding its marketing and sales agreement for EPDM rubber produced by Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (PRC), a joint stock company formed under the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This new arrangement became effective in February 2026, granting ARLANXEO exclusive rights to market all EPDM grades coming from PRC’s facilities, which will continue to be sold under the Keltan KSA product name.

This extension of the Keltan KSA business highlights ARLANXEO’s dedicated commitment to the worldwide EPDM market. By combining the original Keltan line with the Keltan KSA portfolio, the company now offers customers a uniquely broad and comprehensive range of EPDM solutions, ensuring a more complete service across diverse applications.

John Sawaya, Chief Business Officer, ARLANXEO, said, “Through this expanded agreement, we are further enhancing ARLANXEO’s position as the global supplier for EPDM synthetic rubber.”

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