Japan’s Zeon Corp has established a new research facility at its Zeon Chemicals Yonezawa site to develop plant-based production processes for synthetic rubber raw materials as it accelerates efforts to decarbonise its operations and support a circular economy.

The new lab will focus on advancing biofermentation and chemical reaction technologies to produce butadiene and isoprene—key building blocks for synthetic rubber—directly from plant-derived feedstocks.

“This facility will accelerate the development of biotechnology to produce butadiene and isoprene directly... to contribute to the realisation of a circular economy,” the Tokyo-based company said.

The initiative is part of Zeon’s “STAGE30” medium-term business plan, which includes a target to cut group-wide carbon dioxide emissions by 42 percent by fiscal 2030 from 2020 levels. The company has made “Promoting a transformation of monozukuri to realise carbon neutrality and a circular economy” its top strategic priority under the plan.

The research centre, completed on 23 May, spans 590.34 square metres and features laboratories with local exhaust ventilation alongside office and meeting spaces. Yamagata Prefecture partially funded it under its Business Location Promotion Subsidy Programme.

The project is also supported by Japan’s Green Innovation Fund, run by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which backs long-term industrial decarbonisation initiatives. Zeon is collaborating with Yokohama Rubber Co and several academic institutions on two key development themes, including the use of plant-based and sustainable materials for producing rubber intermediates.

Zeon said it aims to commercialise the technology for producing butadiene and isoprene from plant sources by 2034.

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Germany's rubber industry continues to face significant headwinds, with fresh data from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) revealing a persistent downturn. The figures show employment falling for the fifth year in a row, while production levels have declined for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring the sector's struggle to regain its footing.

The association attributes this stagnation to waning enthusiasm for German rubber goods in both domestic and international markets. Michael Berthel, wdk Chief Economist, described a fundamental shift in procurement behaviour, even within Germany. He noted that purchasing decisions are now driven almost exclusively by price, a stark departure from the historical emphasis on quality and reliability. This change has opened the door to intense international cost competition, placing immense pressure on Germany's medium-sized suppliers. Berthel highlighted that prohibitive domestic costs related to energy, bureaucracy, taxation and labour make it nearly impossible for these firms to compete effectively. Consequently, many are compelled to relocate their investments abroad as a necessary escape from these local burdens, even though their preference would be to maintain and revitalise their operations within Germany after years of strategic transformation.

Against this backdrop, wdk President Michael Klein issued an urgent appeal to the federal government. He acknowledged that the broader struggles of German industry are well documented but stressed the immediate need for decisive political intervention. Klein called for concrete measures to stimulate demand and bolster the nation's competitive edge within Europe without further delay. He warned against allowing the rubber sector to decline quietly, emphasising its critical role in essential areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, security and mobility.

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Punia Metox Private Limited has commenced production at a new manufacturing facility in Thottambedu, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with operations starting on 12 February 2026.

The plant has an initial production capacity of 12,000 tonnes a year. Its structural design allows capacity to be doubled within four to six months, providing scope for rapid scale-up as demand grows, the company said.

Punia Metox said the facility has been equipped with modern technology to support operational and energy efficiency, safety, sustainability and consistent product quality. The company added that the plant has been designed to enable smooth and seamless operations from the outset.

The expansion forms part of Punia Metox’s strategy to align capacity growth with customer requirements and strengthen its position as a long-term supply partner. The company said the new unit reflects its focus on customer satisfaction, ethical business practices and value-based growth.

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Cabot Corporation said it can now produce circular reinforcing carbons in the Asia-Pacific region after validating manufacturing capability at its plants in Cilegon, Indonesia, and Tianjin, China.

The materials are produced using tyre pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres and an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS mass-balance approach. With the addition of the two Asian sites, Cabot said it now has circular reinforcing carbon production capacity across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Tyre manufacturers are pursuing targets to increase sustainable material use in tyre production, with many aiming for 40 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050, the company said. Cabot’s circular reinforcing carbons are designed as a drop-in replacement for conventional carbon black, allowing manufacturers to increase sustainable content without affecting tyre performance.

Aatif Misbah, Vice-President and General Manager for sustainable solutions in Cabot’s reinforcement materials segment, said: “This achievement reflects our deep commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across Asia Pacific and globally. Scaling our circular reinforcing carbon capabilities helps strengthen our role as a trusted partner to the tire industry, while helping to drive meaningful sustainability progress. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting our customers’ evolving needs and helping enable a more sustainable future.”

Cabot’s facilities in Ville Platte, Louisiana; Mauá, Brazil; and Valasske Mezirici in the Czech Republic had previously demonstrated circular reinforcing carbon production capability. The products are ISCC PLUS-certified and marketed under the recovered category of Cabot’s EVOLVE Sustainable Solutions platform.

The company said it has 13 ISCC PLUS-certified sites supporting circular reinforcing carbon production across Asia, Europe and the Americas, along with two certified masterbatch and compounding sites in Europe.

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The Rathi Group has formalised a partnership with the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC) through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing technical collaboration on recovered carbon black (rCB). The agreement focuses on the responsible integration of rCB into tyre manufacturing, with an emphasis on detailed evaluation and enhancement of its material properties. This initiative will be driven through structured engagement between industry and academia, supported by ITTAC’s technical expertise.

The collaboration is facilitated by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and ITTAC, which have brought together leading technical experts, tyre manufacturers and research institutions on a unified platform. Their coordinated efforts are fostering a science-based approach to accelerate the assessment and adoption of circular materials within the tyre sector. This partnership is seen as a significant step in strengthening industry–academia linkages to advance sustainable practices.

Through this alliance, the Rathi Group aims to contribute to the evolving landscape of tyre-to-tyre circularity. The joint initiative underscores a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that support environmental responsibility while maintaining technical performance standards in tyre applications.

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