Sailun Group, a prominent player in the global tyre industry, has taken a leading role in advancing sustainable natural rubber practices. As a core raw material for tyre manufacturing, natural rubber requires ecological protection and a stable supply, both essential for the sector’s high-quality development. In 2025, the company, as a member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), initiated a project focused on sustainable livelihoods and ecological education for smallholders in eastern Thailand under the GPSNR Shared Investment Mechanism.

This initiative unites strategic partners across the natural rubber value chain, including the Rubber Authority of Thailand’s Rayong office and Save the Children Thailand. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, the project aims to foster a more sustainable natural rubber ecosystem. Recently, Sailun Group invited GPSNR Chief Executive Officer Stefano Savi and his delegation to Thailand for a field visit to review the project’s interim achievements, reflecting the company’s ‘eco+’ sustainability strategy and its active role in global governance for sustainable natural rubber.

Eastern Thailand’s natural rubber industry supports millions of smallholder households, and the project directly addresses the needs of 500 such farmers. Targeted training programmes have been delivered on environmentally responsible tapping techniques and regulatory compliance, including guidance on the European Union Deforestation Regulation. An innovative consultation network comprising one central hub, eight fixed stations and five mobile units now provides ongoing support on policy interpretation and practical problem-solving.

A structured and replicable knowledge system has been developed, including training materials on low-impact tapping and compliance. Special emphasis is placed on encouraging women and young people to participate, promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer. During the visit, the delegation held technical discussions with Rayong officials on sustainable tapping and rubber tree management, inspected standardised production lines and logistics facilities and reviewed the consultation stations, praising the integrated technology, services and compliance support model.

To address challenges such as improper tapping and soil degradation, five GPSNR demonstration plots have been established. Smallholders receive free organic soil improvement packages and professional tapping tools, alongside systematic training on sustainable soil management. The delegation observed pH monitoring systems and noted improvements including reduced soil acidity and better growing conditions. Direct engagement with farmers provided insights into practical challenges, and the delegation commended the project’s pragmatic approach to strengthening ecological cultivation and long-term productivity.

Beyond livelihood improvements, the project prioritises education through infrastructure upgrades at three schools attended by rubber farmers’ children. In partnership with Save the Children Thailand, ecological education corners with tailored curricula and drawing competitions have been set up. A scholarship programme supports disadvantaged students. The delegation visited Rayong Guanghua School and Banraijandee School, reviewing improvements and awarding scholarships, while discussions explored future collaboration on integrating sustainable natural rubber development with children’s ecological education.

Since implementation began, notable interim results have been achieved across multiple rubber‑producing communities. Smallholders’ sustainable production capabilities have significantly improved, while more children engage with nature and understand the natural rubber industry. This dual‑impact model of economic empowerment and environmental stewardship guides future efforts. Sailun Group will continue leveraging its industry leadership and the GPSNR platform to deepen collaboration with partners, research institutions and non‑profits, contributing to biodiversity conservation, supply chain resilience and high‑quality sustainable development across the global tyre and natural rubber industries.

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Zeon Corporation broke ground on a multi-product research and prototyping complex at the Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on 16 October with a ceremony held beforehand to seek safety during construction. The company expects the complex to shorten the path from laboratory work to mass production for established and emerging businesses alike, making it central to its long-term growth strategy.

Set inside an existing building within the port's Research & Development Center area, the complex is slated to begin operating in January 2028. Its design aims to move products past the laboratory stage and into medium-scale sample output more quickly, clearing a bottleneck on the route to full-scale manufacturing.

Zeon's core production methods – polymerisation, hydrogenation, coagulation and drying – will be built into the complex, which is engineered to handle diverse manufacturing conditions and operating approaches. Beyond serving established and new businesses, the polymer design company envisions the site as a centre for technology development and a platform for rolling out new processes and operational, analytical, and measurement technologies within and beyond the company. It will eventually host development and prototyping work across a wide range of technologies, including contract prototypes commissioned by outside parties.

The Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port is the umbrella name for the site combining the neighbouring Kawasaki Plant and Research & Development Center. The label underscores the location's role in breaking new ground by merging innovation, research and development and production and casts the Kawasaki waterfront as a port that propels innovation. Once a co-creative innovation facility begins operating in December 2026, the two sites will function as one continuous operation, turning out ever more sophisticated products and production methods and reinforcing their standing as a launchpad for technology.

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Vipal Rubber has launched the VT290, a tread designed for truck drive axles used on motorways and paved roads, targeting regional and long-distance transport operations in Europe.

The product is available in widths of 240mm, 250mm, 260mm, 270mm and 280mm. It is designed to provide traction and stability on dry and wet roads, as well as in demanding conditions involving snow.

Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “The launch of the VT290 reinforces Vipal’s ongoing commitment to offering technologically advanced solutions suited to the specific characteristics of European roads and climate.” “We want to further consolidate our presence in the region, delivering a high value-added product that combines innovation, operational efficiency and safety,” he added.

The VT290 carries the M+S marking and 3PMSF certification. Its design includes side sipes and grooves intended to help remove snow and mud from the tread, improving grip on slippery surfaces.

The tread pattern is also designed to distribute engine torque more evenly, helping to reduce uneven wear. Tie bars between the tread blocks add structural stability, supporting vehicle control during driving.

Fabrício Nedeff, Commercial Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “With the VT290, weare responding directly to the real needs of fleet operators and truck drivers, combining performance, adherence and efficiency in different driving conditions. [RS2.1]In addition to expanding options for our customers, the product strengthens business opportunities for our partners in the region,”

Vipal said the launch would expand its offering for retreaders, distributors and fleet operators in the European market.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026, noting firmer prices in several markets. Supply constraints, stable downstream demand and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty shaped the month. Renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes added further pressure.

Physical prices for major grades moved in different directions. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.31 per kg, up 4.25 percent from July, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 1.40 percent to USD 2.39 per kg. RSS-3 dropped 4.18 percent to USD 2.80 per kg, but RSS-4 in Kottayam gained 0.57 percent to USD 2.92 per kg. Latex-in-bulk fell 4.73 percent to USD 1.73 per kg. Brent crude averaged USD 91.08 per barrel, driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East instability, which raised energy supply risks and strengthened the oil market risk premium.

On trade, China's imports climbed 3.39 percent month-on-month, while India fell 10.18 percent and Malaysia dropped 8.24 percent; Viet Nam rose 5.08 percent. Exports advanced 5.63 percent in Viet Nam but declined in Thailand (-5.24 percent), Indonesia (-5.36 percent), Malaysia (-1.48 percent) and Cambodia (-1.88 percent).

Global production is projected to rise 0.6 percent to 15.039 million tons in 2026 from 14.952 million tonnes in 2025, after revisions to Thailand's 2025 output and updated 2026 estimates for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weather, including erratic rainfall and drier Southeast Asian conditions, affected output. August 2026 production was estimated at 1.396 million tonnes, down 4.51 percent from 1.462 million tonnes a year earlier. Demand is forecast to grow 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes in 2026 from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest consumption gains expected in China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related supply disruptions, while steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth led by China and India. The ringgit traded between RM4.02 per USD and RM4.09 per USD, and the baht between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY per tonne, up 7.78 percent month-on-month, while the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24 per kg, up 4.32 percent.

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Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd., a global speciality carbon and carbon black manufacturer, has broadened its emissions accounting to include value chain impacts beyond its direct operations. The move advances measurement and management of Scope 3 emissions across its supply and distribution network, according to the company.

The initiative spans Epsilon Carbon’s integrated carbon complex in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. That site has a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of speciality carbon and 215,000 TPA of carbon black. It combines carbon manufacturing with energy circularity efforts in one integrated ecosystem. The company assessed material Scope 3 categories under GHG Protocol guidelines.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect and arise from purchased goods and services, transportation, business activities and downstream product use where relevant. The assessment gives Epsilon Carbon clearer visibility into emissions outside its direct control and a foundation for spotting reduction opportunities. It builds on existing operational emissions and energy efficiency work.

The company previously reported a 98 percent Scope 2 reduction against its baseline year. A 17 MW captive power plant uses waste heat from carbon black operations, energy consumption intensity fell 6 percent from baseline, and 77 percent of energy needs came from waste heat recovery, avoiding over 89,000 tonnes of CO₂. Epsilon Carbon now emphasises supplier engagement, data transparency and circularity, aligning disclosures with global sustainability frameworks to track value chain emissions consistently and develop measurable reduction initiatives.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Meaningful climate action requires us to look beyond the boundaries of our operations and understand the impact of the entire value chain. Scope 3 measurement gives us greater visibility into the emissions and enables deeper engagement with our partners and suppliers. Building this visibility will help us make more informed decisions as we scale our operations and advance our decarbonization plans.”

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