FGV Rubber Industries Sdn Bhd (FGVRISB), part of FGV Holdings Berhad, a Malaysia based agri business, has appointed Rubber Heart Ltd as a European and North American representative to market its range of natural rubber products in these regions.

The partnership between FGV Rubber Industries and UK-based Rubber Heart Ltd will involve the marketing and sales of its various grades of high-quality Technically Specified Rubbers and other specialty NR-based materials.

FGV Rubber Industries is one of Malaysia’s top Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) producers with four factories throughout the country. It is also the sole producer of quality Green Rubbers ENR25, ENR50 and DPNR in Malaysia.

Syed Mahdhar Syed Hussain is the Chief Operating Officer of FGV Holdings Berhad’s Plantation Sector. A scientist by training, he has worked in the rubber and plantation industries for 35 years and is an expert in quality and sustainability.

“FGVRISB prides itself in being one of the leading NR producers in Malaysia and our initiative to expand our customer base in Europe and North America requires a representative who knows our products” says Syed. “This is why we have chosen to work with Rubber Heart and its two Directors, Gail Reader and David Cawthra, who have years of experience working with Malaysian companies and more importantly, an in depth knowledge of the technical and sustainable merits of our Green Rubbers, ENR and DPNR”.

David Cawthra comments, “We are looking forward to embarking on this partnership with FGVRISB and continue our long-standing relationship with the rubber industry in Malaysia. We admire FGVRISB’s vision and ambition to be a global leader in natural rubber processing offering the highest quality products through good manufacturing and eco-friendly practices. We are excited to be part of the team to bring its Green Rubbers to new markets.”

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The Rubber Board of India has announced the opening of an application window for financial aid for sulphur dusting to combat powdery mildew disease in rubber plantations for the year 2026. The scheme is open to all Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) operating in both traditional and non-traditional growing regions.

From 10 to 20 February 2026, eligible societies must submit their applications online through the 'ServicePlus' portal on the official Rubber Board website. Societies requiring help with the submission process are advised to contact their nearest Rubber Board regional office or field station, or to consult the board's website for further guidance.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has welcomed the official recognition by French authorities on 17 January 2026, which classifies tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a legitimate raw material for the chemical sector. This pivotal regulatory milestone for pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres substantially enhances the product’s integration into established chemical value chains. It also provides greater predictability for future purchase and partnership frameworks, thereby accelerating the development of industrial material cycles.

For Pyrum, which processes scrap tyres through pyrolysis to recover pyrolysis oil, industrial carbon black and steel, this decision underscores the critical need for standardised and reliable regulatory conditions. Such clarity is fundamental for scaling investments, production volumes and supply chains, particularly as the chemical industry and circular economy converge. The establishment of clear product categories is essential to ramp up the market for high-quality recycled raw materials.

The company remains committed to tracking further developments in France and the wider European dialogue regarding the classification and application of recycled feedstocks. Pyrum’s overarching objective is to expand industrial-scale recycling solutions for scrap tyres. This regulatory progress directly supports the company’s mission to secure long-term, quality-assured supply agreements with partners across the chemical industry, thereby advancing a more sustainable and circular economic model.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The decision in France is an important step for the industrial use of pyrolysis oil from waste tyres. It supports a trend that we are seeing in many markets, where the chemical industry is seeking reliable, technologically robust and clearly classified alternative raw materials.”

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In pursuit of its strategic vision, ‘Michelin in Motion 2030’, Michelin is expanding into high-value adjacent markets, including the development of its Polymer Composite Solutions. A key step in this growth is the acquisition of Flexitallic, a global leader in sealing solutions based in Houston, Texas. This move is set to substantially enhance Michelin’s sealing portfolio and extend its market access, particularly within the aftermarket sector.

Flexitallic serves critical industries such as energy and chemicals, providing high-performance gaskets, sheet products and specialty filler materials known for exceptional reliability and resistance in extreme, safety-critical environments. The company, which operates 17 facilities worldwide and employs about 1,200 people, reported sales of approximately USD 220 million in 2025.

The acquisition is a strong strategic fit, uniting two global organisations with a shared commitment to innovation and quality, thereby creating significant synergies for future growth. The transaction, for an undisclosed amount, will be fully financed from Michelin’s available cash. Subject to standard regulatory approvals and closing adjustments, it is anticipated to be finalised in the first half of 2026.

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Birla Carbon has inaugurated a dedicated production line at its Trecate, Italy facility, specifically engineered for the finishing and packaging of its Continua Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM). This industry-leading circular material is produced from end-of-life tyres, and the new line enables its manufacture in large, consistent volumes. This expansion directly strengthens long-term supply security for the company’s worldwide customer base.

The Continua SCM range, including the 8000 series for tyres, rubber goods and plastics, provides a scalable sustainable solution. It allows customers to increase recycled content while gaining functional benefits such as blending flexibility and lower homologation costs. Importantly, it delivers assured regulatory compliance and consistent quality, supporting industries in their transition toward enhanced product circularity and reduced environmental impact.

John Loudermilk, President and CEO, Birla Carbon, said, “This is a pivotal moment for Birla Carbon. Continua SCM represents the most consistent, high-quality, circular material in the carbon black industry today and replaces a portion of carbon black in most rubber and non-rubber applications. It also reflects cross-industry collaboration for sustainability, with raw material sourced from our partner Circtec’s newly launched tire pyrolysis facility in the Netherlands and finished and packed at our state of-the-art processing line in Trecate. The launch of this line is a key milestone in our ambition to put back into industry 300,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres annually by 2030, contributing to our aspiration to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

John Davidson, Chief Sales, Marketing and Sustainability Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “The launch of the Continua SCM processing line in Trecate ramps up the availability of our circular product portfolio for customers globally. Continua SCM enables our customers to increase the use of sustainable materials in their products while maintaining the performance standards they expect. This expansion reinforces our commitment to supporting customer sustainability goals at scale.”

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