The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., will continue to supply its ADVAN racing tyres as the control tyre for the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship for the next several years from 2023. Yokohama Rubber has been the control tyre supplier for Super Formula since 2016. From 2023, the company plans to supply racing tyres made from sustainable materials. Development of these tires will begin this year. 

The supply of racing tyres made from sustainable materials will be carried out in support of the Super Formula Next50 (SF NEXT50) project. The SF NEXT50 project is being promoted with the cooperation of various companies that share the common goal of creating a sustainable motorsports industry by responding to changes in the environment surrounding the automobile and motorsports industries, including the promotion of SDGs and carbon neutrality, the company said in a statement. 

In its development of racing tyres for SF NEXT50, Yokohama Rubber plans to use various naturally derived compounding agents, such as silica produced from rice husks, oil from oil palm fruit nuts, and orange peels. Rubber recycled from scrap tires also will be used. Yokohama Rubber plans to use sustainable materials that will not negatively affect racing car performance. The tyres will be tested during trial runs of the future formula racing car that will be conducted by JRP before and after each Super Formula race this year, with development of the 2023 control tire scheduled to be completed by the end of the Super Formula season. Yokohama Rubber will continue its development of sustainable racing tyres after 2023, with the aim of supplying control tires in 2025 that have a sustainable material content ratio of 35% or more without any sacrifice in sports performance, the release said. 

Yoshihisa Ueno, President of Japan Race Promotion, said, “We have worked closely with Yokohama Rubber, Inc., over the past several years to take Super Formala to another level. We are extremely pleased to take on new challenges with them, as part of the SF NEXT50 project. As we work towards the realization of carbon neutral, while at the same time developing racing tyres that place less of a burden on the environment, and from the perspective of our ‘driver’s first’ initiative, we ponder the question “what is the best tire solution for one of the top races in the world?” We hope it will be a big step forward by developing sustainable racing tires for the future of motorsport, as well as for the automotive industry on a whole, and from a promoter’s perspective, we also strive to increase both the overall image and value of SUPER FORMULA.” 

Masataka Yamaishi, Yokohama Rubber President and Chairman of the Board, said, “In support of JRP's SF NEXT50 concept for sustainable motorsports activities, Yokohama Rubber will continue to supply the control tires for SUPER FORMULA races from 2023 while also continuing our effort to develop racing tires that use sustainable materials. We regard this ESG activity as one of our business activities aimed at maximizing the sales ratio of high value-added products in our consumer tire business. Yokohama Rubber will be expanding its use of renewable and recyclable raw materials in the future, with the aim of using those materials in our tires without sacrificing the vehicles driving performance. Toward that end, we look forward to supporting SUPER FORMULA, Japan’s penultimate race series, and to developing and testing tires under the extreme conditions typical in the races.” (TT) 

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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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