The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. and Zeon Corporation have decided to work together to build a bench facility to showcase technologies for efficiently making butadiene from ethanol made from plant-based and other sustainable sources. Zeon's Tokuyama Plant in Sunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, will house the plant, which is expected to start up in 2026. It will make it possible to produce a specific quantity of butadiene and make it easier to gather the many types of data needed to develop mass manufacturing.

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) chose two research and development themes in 2022 for its project, ‘Development of Technology for Producing Raw Materials for Plastics Using CO2 and Other Sources’, which is one of the Green Innovation Fund Projects of NEDO. This initiative is in line with one of those themes. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), National University Corporation Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology) and the national research and development agency RIKEN are working together to develop two technologies that will allow for the highly efficient production of butadiene and isoprene from plant-based and other sustainable materials in the 2030s. Zeon and Yokohama Rubber are working towards the social implementation of these technologies. The bench facility to be installed at the Zeon plant is part of initiatives based on the theme ‘Highly Efficient Butadiene Synthesis Using Ethanol’.

The experiment at the new bench facility will show how to use a very effective catalyst to turn ethanol made from plant-based and other sustainable materials into butadiene. This will be the first stage in establishing the technology's use for the large-scale manufacturing of synthetic rubber from plant-based and other sustainable ingredients. From the butadiene produced at the bench facility, Zeon will create a prototype polybutadiene rubber (butadiene rubber). Yokohama Rubber will use the butadiene rubber to create prototype tyres and test the tyres' performance to gather information for a larger-scale technology demonstration.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) released its April 2026 report, highlighting rising prices despite lower production. Output fell 2.59 percent year-on-year due to the seasonal wintering period, dry weather across South and Southeast Asia and El Niño concerns. Brent crude surged to USD 117.29 per barrel, up 13.72 percent from March, driven by Middle East disruptions, which boosted centrifuged latex valuations.

Physical prices rose across all major grades. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur increased 4.61 percent to USD 2.13 per kilogramme, while STR-20 in Bangkok climbed 3.53 percent to USD 2.27. RSS-3 in Bangkok jumped 8.10 percent to USD 2.77, and RSS-4 in Kottayam rose 6.53 percent to USD 2.50. Centrifuged latex in Kuala Lumpur gained 12.47 percent to USD 1.93 per kilogramme. Futures markets remained firm, with the Shanghai Futures Exchange September 2026 contract averaging CNY 17,009 per tonne.

For 2026, global production is projected at 15.322 million tonnes, up 2.2 percent, with upward revisions for China and Malaysia. Consumption is forecast to grow 1.3 percent to 15.550 million tonnes, driven by electric vehicle production and recovery in rubber goods. In April alone, estimated output was 772,000 tonnes, while consumption reached 1,235,000 tonnes, a 2.3 percent annual rise.

Trade patterns diverged sharply. China’s imports fell 13.35 percent to 538,200 tonnes due to high inventories, while India’s imports surged 38.79 percent on strong manufacturing demand. Thailand’s exports contracted 4.28 percent to 378,000 tonnes, but Cambodia’s exports soared 106.49 percent. The Malaysian ringgit strengthened to near 3.96 against the US dollar, while the Thai baht stabilised around 3.07 after volatile trading.

The macroeconomic environment remained tense, with US-China trade friction, the Middle East conflict and the US Federal Reserve holding interest rates at 3.50 to 3.75 percent. The near-term outlook for natural rubber is cautiously positive but subject to heightened volatility.

The ANRPC reaffirmed its commitment to objective analysis for the sustainable development of the natural rubber sector. Member governments and stakeholders were encouraged to use the report’s findings for evidence-based policies.

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Indorama Advanced Oxides, a subsidiary of Indorama Corporation, has successfully restarted production at Huelva facility in Spain, achieving its first tonne of Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) output. The plant, which has an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, represents the company’s strategic entry into the global titanium dioxide market. This milestone follows Indorama’s recent completion of the site acquisition from Venator P&A Spain.

The restart marks a crucial step in returning the facility to full operation after the acquisition, ensuring continued supply of the essential white pigment to customers across Europe and global markets. The Huelva team demonstrated strong collaboration and safe execution in resuming activities. This white pigment remains critical for the European paints, coatings and plastics industries.

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Synthos, recognised as Europe’s foremost synthetic rubber producer and a global leader in solution styrene butadiene rubber, has secured the EcoVadis Gold Medal once again. The company, also a top European manufacturer of expanded polystyrene, continues to rank among the world’s most sustainable businesses.

The 2026 assessment placed Synthos in the 97th percentile, with its highest marks received in labour rights, human rights, ethics and environmental stewardship. This achievement underscores steady advancement across multiple sustainability fronts and highlights a sustained dedication to responsible expansion and continuous innovation.

EcoVadis operates as a premier global evaluator of corporate sustainability, judging firms on environmental impact, social responsibility, ethical conduct and supply chain management using international standards. The Gold Medal’s annual renewal demands that Synthos consistently remain within the top three percent of all rated companies worldwide.

This recognition affirms that Synthos’ sustainability measures are both persistent and methodical. The company supports its long-range climate and circular economy goals through participation in the UN Global Compact and reporting aligned with ESRS and GRI standards. Synthos will keep leveraging EcoVadis feedback to refine future priorities and advance its ongoing sustainability journey.

Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk, CEO, Synthos, said, “Receiving the EcoVadis Gold Medal again confirms the importance of sustainability within our strategy and the commitment of Synthos teams across all locations. While we are proud of this achievement, we also see sustainability as a continuous journey. It is embedded in how we innovate, how we operate, and how we create value for our customers, employees, partners and communities. This recognition encourages us to continue strengthening our ambitions and driving further progress.”

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The Rubber Board Statistics Consultative Panel reviewed the performance of India’s natural rubber sector during its 29th meeting at the Rubber Board Headquarters in Kottayam. The panel, which includes representatives from small and large growers, producers’ societies, dealers, processors and tyre manufacturers, examined key indicators such as production, consumption, imports and exports. India remains the sixth-largest natural rubber producer globally.

Indian natural rubber production grew by 3.4 percent in the 2025-26 period, rising to 905,000 tonnes from 875,000 tonnes the previous year. Favourable weather across major rubber-growing regions increased tapping days and productivity. Board initiatives like rain guarding, self-tapping, scientific practices, skill programmes and disease control supported output, while Kerala’s Rubber Production Incentive Scheme also encouraged continued tapping.

Domestic natural rubber prices strengthened, renewing grower interest in tapping. Prices that rose sharply in 2024–25 showed relative stability in 2025–26, narrowing the gap with international rates. The trend continued into early 2026, with RSS-4 peaking at INR 262 per kg on 14 May. Meanwhile, total natural rubber demand rose 1.2 percent, though the auto tyre sector, accounting for nearly 64 percent of consumption, declined by 4.0 percent. The general rubber goods sector posted robust growth instead.

The panel noted a 16.7 percent decline in natural rubber imports, falling to 459,000 tonnes from 551,000 tonnes. However, imports of compounded rubber under HS Code 4005 increased significantly, reaching 349,000 tonnes from 245,000 tonnes in the previous year. Consumption of natural rubber rose 1.2 percent to 1,427,000 tonnes from 1,410,000 tonnes in 2024-25.

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