Rubber certainly has its role to play in forest landscapes across the world, with natural rubber plantations having risen as a substantial basis of deforestation. One element that addresses deforestation concerns is the correct certification of rubber – be it natural or synthetic. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally leading certification system, works with the objective of providing sustainability solutions for fully traceable and deforestation-free supply chains, inter alia involving the rubber industry. ISCC was one of the presenters at the Tire Technology Expo 2022 at Hannover, Germany, and Dr Jan M Henke, Director, ISCC, threw light on the nitty-gritty of certifications in the rubber industry, their clients in the tyre and rubber industry and more, in an interaction with Tyre Trends.

Can you tell us about your global sustainability scheme?
Our global sustainability and carbon certification scheme has certified companies in more than 100 countries. We certify entire supply chains from farms to plantations and forestry, and also the point of origin of waste and residues, biogenic and fossil waste. This is also covering rubber and natural rubber. Moreover, we cover biogenic waste and residues, including fossil waste, like carbon black, which is, again, used in the rubber industry. We also certify pyrolysis, where recycled mixed plastic waste can help produce synthetic rubber out of the pyrolysis oil. And we certify the entire supply chain, sustainability of raw material.

What is Meo’s role?
Meo initiated ISCC in a multi-stakeholder process a long time ago. It once was a Meo project and went on to become an operations and certification scheme. It was even recognised by the European Commission and some other authorities. It later got segregated from Meo, and ISCC is governed by the ISCC Association with more than 200 members.

So, what role does Meo play in this in case of certification?
Certification is always by independent, third-party certification bodies. ISCC is the standard development. Today’s ISCC was once a project of Meo. It then went on to become independent and operational, and was no longer a project but an individual entity running and further developing and improving the certification scheme.

The operations of the certification system, database, registration, qualification, training programme, integrity programme, the website and all the day-to-day business is done by ISCC. We are currently incorporating 45 certification bodies that are actually doing the on-site audits based on the ISCC standard.

Is ISCC recognised by the European Union?
Yes, it is being used in many sectors, like in bio energy, bio fuel, renewable transport fuels etc. In fact, ISCC is also recognised by the European Commission and by companies based on their sustainability standards and different industry initiatives.

Hence, ISCC is active on a really broad scale, covering different types of raw materials, natural rubber being one of them. We are also covering waste and residues for pyrolysis and their outputs. We then go to all the different end markets, which can be polymers, rubber, tyres, packaging, all types of plastic products, bio energy or any type of renewable fuels, aviation fuels, maritime fuels etc. This is global and is being used in more than 100 countries.

Tyre companies are talking about sustainability, but the larger part of the industry is of small stakeholders, especially in the natural rubber segment, where traceability and accountability are the main issues. How do you see this?
That’s a big challenge, especially in rubber production. At the cultivation level, there are a lot of small holders. There also exist large plantations that are easier to implement and certify. However, it’s definitely a bigger challenge with the small holders; it always depends on how well they are organised, whether there are certain structures, cooperatives or some central units.

Can you tell us about the certification of natural rubber?
The certification of natural rubber is definitely possible. Palm oil is maybe another example where the setup is quite similar sometimes. Also, with respect to the small holders, sometimes the companies are the same. Furthermore, we are very active in the palm oil sector with ISCC. We now also see a demand for natural rubber sustainability certification.

Is there a different process for getting certified in the rubber industry or is it a standard process?
It’s a standard process. It works on plantation. In fact, it works more or less the same as for palm plantations. But you certainly need to make sure that all the small holders reach a certain level, which is difficult. So starting out, bigger plantations may be easier because it’s easier for them to properly prepare for the certification audits. And then, you need to involve more farmers, step by step.

Who decides the standard process to get the certifications?
ISCC develops the standards and the requirements in the multi-stakeholder process. It then comes down to a company saying that it wants to become certified, use ISCC and also make certain claims and communications to its customers and stakeholders. They then reach out to a certification body, that is cooperating with ISCC. Following this, the certification body will do the audit on site – the third-party auditor will also make a decision on the issuance of the certificate.

Can tyre manufacturers get different certifications? For instance, one for natural rubber and another one for synthetic rubber? Or do they get one for all?
If tyre manufacturers source raw material for manufacturing from natural rubber but also synthetic rubber and everything under ISCC, then it’s one audit. Then the auditor would look into aspects of the volume of natural rubber being used that has been certified, although upstream. If one buys from certified suppliers and if the same auditors check, then aspects like the share of the certified synthetic rubber being used, the share of carbon black, etc. are taken into account. And finally, everything can be put together and a certain claim can be made.

Can tyre companies get a separate certificate for natural rubber?
Yes, they can. They can have separate certificates for natural and synthetic rubber both, or even of everything together. As for the final tyre, let’s say, if it’s 20 percent natural rubber and 20 percent synthetic rubber (40 percent of the tyre), then they can make certain sustainability claims on use of sustainable, circular materials etc.

What is the value of a certification?
It’s no deforestation – that’s key when it comes to natural rubber. When you certify, ‘no deforestation’ is the core requirement and deforestation is not allowed under ISCC. It is about additional environmental and social human rights criteria. This fits fine in this part of ISCC’s sustainability standard. And then it’s certainly about traceability in the supply chain, all the way in the end to the final tyre. And if this is established, then you can certainly make claims about the rubber or the final tyre, saying that it has been sustainably produced, based on sustainably sourced raw materials etc.

Plus, if you do this in a smart way, then you can actually cover the natural and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber and synthetic rubber are both very important parts of the final tyre. Both can be covered under ISCC.

Deforestation is a big issue, mainly in Southeast Asian and African countries. How difficult is it to keep an eye on that?
It’s not always easy to handle. Deforestation is not allowed under ISCC; there is a cut-off date of January 2008. If there was deforestation after January 2008, one cannot become certified. However, replanting or a change from palm to rubber is not considered as deforestation.

For example, if you have a palm plantation and if you cut it and plant rubber after 25 years, then that’s not deforestation. That’s just normal replanting.

Also, ISCC is certainly doing assessments, supported by remote sensing. Our core principle is no deforestation, which is very important to ISCC and its stakeholders. ISCC is not just us doing the operations in Cologne; there’s the ISCC Association for the multi-stakeholder dialogue. It has over 200 members from entire supply chains, industries, plantation companies, mineral oil, chemical companies, converters etc. We also have research organisations from different regions involved. In fact, also a number of non-governmental organisations are members of the ISCC Association.

The association meets annually and makes important strategic decisions and elects the ISCC Board. Due to the representation of the research sector and non-governmental organisations, there is quite a good balance of what people want and further development.

Can you tell us about the commercial benefits involved in having a certification?
There is a big value in it. It reduces sustainability risks for companies, helps to establish monitoring, protects the license to operate and has commercial value. For example, the OEMs ask for more sustainable products or lower greenhouse gas emissions. They all have climate neutrality commitments in place and need to start delivering step-by-step now; they need to show what are the activities that they are engaged in and how those improve sustainability in the overall supply chain. Here, ISCC certification can be used.

How do you maintain transparency in certification as a third party?
There is an annual audit. The certificate is valid for one year and then there is a re-certification. The company needs to provide evidence in every re-certification that the rules are being followed. And if they are not, a renewal of the certificates is not possible.

We certainly have quality management and training for companies and the auditors as well, who conduct on-site audits. What’s more, we have our own integrity programmes, where we send out our own auditors. These auditors work for ISCC and double-check the performance of the companies and the work of third-party auditors. Therefore, this integrity programme is key. We have the website where all the certificates are being published and the entire standard is public.

Do you help companies improve their sustainability supply chain?
No, we don’t consult. At ISCC, we are not involved in supporting the companies in order to improve. We have the standard and we conduct the training for companies. The preparation for the audit is not where ISCC is involved; it’s independent from that type of work. And the certification bodies are not allowed to consult in parallel either. ISCC is the independent standard that is used to certify that companies fulfil the sustainability requirements.

What are the other segments that you cover in the tyre industry?
It’s the entire supply chain. Petrochemical industries, tyre manufacturers etc. can all be covered. This also includes everything from plantations to the end product in the tyre industry.

Which is the easiest and the toughest one to certify?
All elements of the supply chain need to be covered.

This can sometimes be a challenge in the beginning, so as to convince your suppliers and also get certified. But, in truth, we have more than 6,000 certificates under ISCC. So there are already a lot of players that have valid certificates, and now this is starting to move into the space of rubber and tyre manufacturers.

Can you tell us about your clients in the rubber and tyre industry?
We have requests from many tyre producers right now. Some producers are certified already. Plus, we have requests for carbon black and first requests for natural rubber. We see the number of requests increasing, and we do have first certificates and first registrations from tyre producers. So we expect this to rise further as the industry needs to show compliance with their sustainability and climate neutrality commitments.

We see the entire tyre industry now targeting sustainability. So how do you find more opportunities and what’s your plan to get more client support?
ISCC started to get really further engaged in the rubber and tyre industry about a year ago; the industry has started understanding the standards, participating in ISCC trainings, joining our stakeholder events etc. Therefore, step by step, they got to know ISCC better and what it could do for them. They have now even started to get involved and do certifications, including reaching out all the way to the cultivation of natural rubber.

Are you going to focus on the Asian market?
Yes. In fact, we already have a few hundred certificates in Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries in the region. These markets are truly important. Our other key markets are North America and Europe, while we are also active in Africa and South America.

We are, eventually, trying to do more and convince people to become certified, show compliance to sustainability requirements, engage in a continuous improvement approach to become more sustainable and then allow manufacturers to really make claims.  

India’s tyre exports rose 16 percent year on year to INR 77 billion in the first quarter of FY2026–27, despite geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions and elevated input and logistics costs, according to the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), citing data from the Ministry of Commerce.

The April–June performance builds on a record export value of INR 273.12 billion in FY2025–26, indicating sustained external demand for Indian-manufactured tyres.

Passenger car radial (PCR) tyres led the growth, with export value increasing 21 percent during the quarter.

Arun Mammen, Chairman of ATMA, said: “The significant growth in tyre exports during the first quarter represents a strong start to the new financial year. It reflects the growing acceptance of Indian-manufactured tyres across discerning global markets and the sustained investments made by the industry in technology, capacity, product development and quality.”

Europe was a key growth driver, with exports to the region rising 25 percent to INR 30.03 billion in the quarter, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total tyre exports. The US remained the single largest export destination, contributing 16 percent of overall export value. Indian tyres are exported to more than 170 countries.

India’s global presence is also supported by tyres supplied as original equipment on vehicles manufactured domestically and exported worldwide.

ATMA said improved market access through trade agreements and supportive export policies could help the industry sustain momentum and strengthen India’s position as a global tyre manufacturing and export hub.

The Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI) recently announced the appointment of Professor (Dr) Abhijit Bandyopadhyay as its new Director. In a tete-a-tete with Tyre Trends, he delves into his top priorities and IRMRI’s roadmap under his leadership.

What will be your top priorities as the new director of IRMRI?

I have a list of four priorities. The first is to transform IRMRI from a testing and certification centre into an innovation hub that integrates research, technology development, scale-up engineering, innovation and commercialisation for the tyre and non-tyre rubber industries. The second priority is developing technologies for EV tyres. While automakers are using lightweight polymer composites and foams to offset battery weight, advancing EV tyre technology will remain a key focus.

Thirdly, to undertake autonomous research that benefits industry beyond traditional rubber compounds, covering plastics, rubber-plastic blends, advanced polymer systems and other emerging materials. Finally, internationalise IRMRI by establishing MoUs with global industries and academic institutions.

Sustainability and circularity are becoming central themes across industries. How do they fit into your vision for IRMRI?

Sustainability should not be viewed as a separate objective; it must be embedded in every project we undertake. Every technology we develop should inherently follow sustainable principles. The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has fundamentally changed the tyre industry’s responsibilities by making manufacturers accountable for the waste generated by their products.

This naturally increases the importance of reclaimed rubber, rubber crumb, recycling technologies and broader circular economy practices. Today, applications for reclaimed materials remain limited and expanding their use will become an important research area.

How will you strengthen collaboration between IRMRI, academia and industry?

IRMRI has always supported industry through its testing services but its contribution to research and development can become much stronger. At present, academia and industry operate with very different priorities. IRMRI is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap because it already has advanced facilities in Chennai, Thane and the Eastern Centre, with new centres coming up in Tripura and Delhi.

Building on existing collaborations at the Thane Centre, IRMRI should expand partnerships with universities, IITs and industry beyond rubber technology into areas such as mechanical engineering, machine design, sustainable rubber processing, simulation, modelling, artificial intelligence and other multidisciplinary fields to strengthen both its research capabilities and national stature.

What are the biggest challenges facing India’s rubber and tyre industry today?

The industry’s biggest challenge is sustainability, particularly recycling, devulcanisation and compliance with EPR. While significant progress has been made in developing rubber and polymer products across numerous industries, recycling remains a major technological hurdle.

The same challenge extends beyond rubber to composite materials. Although material development has advanced considerably, achieving efficient, commercially viable recyclability remains one of the industry’s greatest unresolved problems.

What do you expect to be the biggest challenges in your new role at IRMRI?

I have worked closely with industry for the past 16 years and almost all of my current research projects are industry-sponsored. I understand industrial expectations, priorities and ways of working, so adapting to the industry itself will not be difficult.

The real challenge will be transforming IRMRI from a testing institute into a research and innovation institute. Achieving this will require a clear roadmap, well-designed policies and systematic implementation with some trial and error along the way.

How do you see AI and digital technologies accelerating rubber materials research?

AI, simulation, modelling and digital engineering will become integral parts of IRMRI’s future development strategy rather than standalone initiatives. Artificial intelligence is fundamentally a form of data science. It involves developing computational models and predictive systems that help researchers analyse data more intelligently and efficiently.

Computation, simulation and modelling are becoming increasingly important. The tyre industry already relies heavily on these tools because modern tyre development would be almost impossible without them. However, the non-tyre rubber industry has not yet adopted them to the same extent. Simulation and modelling also contribute engineering efficiency, reducing development costs, optimise manpower deployment and enable better product design before physical prototypes are built.

How can IRMRI strengthen its testing capabilities to meet future industry requirements?

IRMRI already has strong testing facilities for existing technologies, but the rapid growth of electric vehicles makes specialised EV tyre testing an important priority.

We also need to evaluate whether current testing protocols adequately assess EV-specific requirements such as acoustic performance, vibration characteristics and other parameters beyond rolling resistance. Where gaps exist, IRMRI will develop new testing methodologies and standards tailored to EV tyres.

What emerging technologies and materials should IRMRI focus on in the coming years?

Sustainability and next-generation materials must be major priorities. As bio-composites and natural-material-based rubber products gain importance, standardised testing methods for many rubber-polymer bio-composites are still lacking. Developing reliable performance evaluation standards for these materials while strengthening capabilities in recycling, devulcanisation and circular economy technologies will help Indian manufacturers meet global quality standards.

Material innovations, particularly in solution-grade Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), will also require advanced testing, reinforcing IRMRI’s vision of becoming an innovation-driven institute.

How can IRMRI help Indian manufacturers meet global quality standards?

Helping Indian manufacturers meet increasingly demanding global quality and performance standards begins with addressing the industry’s biggest technological challenges, which is recycling, devulcanisation and circular economy requirements. If IRMRI can develop technologies in these areas, it will benefit both the rubber and non-rubber industries.

As an NABL-accredited institution, IRMRI also has a unique advantage over most universities, whose testing and certifications, while technically credible, are generally not accepted for commercial compliance. Now that IRMRI has been recognised as an institute, it will strengthen its independent certification capabilities and establish itself as a nationally and internationally respected authority for testing and certification.

Does India need stronger collaborative testing programmes?

Yes. India needs a more structured ecosystem that brings together research institutes, OEMs, raw material suppliers, manufacturers, universities and IITs throughout testing and product development. IRMRI should become the platform that connects academia’s knowledge-driven research with industry’s application- and product-oriented approach, accelerating innovation.

Internationally, this model has proven successful through industry-sponsored academic programmes that create a continuous pipeline of research, skilled talent and commercial innovation. India has some examples of such collaborations, but they remain scattered and should be expanded significantly.

How do you plan to change the industry’s perception of IRMRI?

One of my biggest objectives is to fundamentally change how both the tyre and non-tyre industries perceive IRMRI. Today, the institute is primarily viewed as a testing laboratory. Testing will always remain an essential function, but I want IRMRI to be recognised as much more than that.

My vision is for IRMRI to become an innovation hub where research, technology development, product innovation, industrial problem-solving, scale-up engineering, commercialisation, multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced materials research all come together. Changing that perception will take time, but we will build that bridge eventually.

What opportunities do you see for retreading technology?

Retreading has enormous potential but also significant technical challenges because it involves bonding a new tread to an already vulcanised tyre. While unvulcanised rubber is naturally tacky, vulcanisation removes this property, making two vulcanised surfaces difficult to bond.

Strong adhesion requires roughening both surfaces for mechanical anchorage followed by specialised adhesives and carefully controlled processing. Since India’s retreading industry remains fragmented, advancing retreading technology will be a key focus, particularly for its sustainability and resource conservation benefits.

Looking ahead, what will define the success of IRMRI?

Success, in my view, will not be measured by the number of tests conducted or certifications issued but by whether IRMRI becomes an innovation-driven institute. That means undertaking autonomous research, developing industry-focused technologies, strengthening academia-industry collaboration and more.

Indian manufacturers compete globally. Ultimately, I want IRMRI to be recognised not just as a testing centre but as one of India’s leading innovation hubs for rubber, polymers, advanced materials and sustainable industrial technologies.

Linglong Tire has confirmed its continued role as the Official Tyre Partner of Chelsea Football Club for the 2026/2027 campaign, a season that commenced with a 3-2 away victory for the Blues over Fulham FC. The renewed agreement ensures the brand’s prominent visibility throughout the upcoming fixtures.

As a Global Tyre Partner, Linglong’s branding will feature extensively on digital perimeter boards at Stamford Bridge during all Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup home matches, alongside additional placements on static partner boards and the club’s official website. The comprehensive sponsorship package also includes regular match tickets, VIP hospitality allocations, co-branding rights and deep integration into club media content. Furthermore, the partnership extends to Chelsea Women’s home games, with joint digital activations designed to strengthen fan engagement.

Initial social media contests on Linglong’s European channels have already launched, with winners set to attend the upcoming home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Founded in 1905, Chelsea stands as one of England’s most historic and decorated clubs, boasting over 30 major trophies, including six league titles, two UEFA Champions League crowns and a FIFA Club World Cup victory, underscoring the prestige of Linglong’s ongoing association.

Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has solidified its prominent status in mountain biking by securing a role as an Official Partner of Val di Sole Bikeland for the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The prestigious five-day competition is being held from 26 to 30 August 2026 at the Daolasa Arena in Commezzadura, a venue renowned as one of the sport’s most iconic global destinations.

The world championships will feature a comprehensive programme of elite racing, with world titles and the coveted rainbow jerseys on the line across multiple disciplines. Events will include Cross-country Olympic, Cross-country Short Track, the Team Relay, Downhill and E-MTB Cross-country, drawing the planet’s top riders to the Trentino valley for a week of high-stakes competition.

Beyond its partnership with the event, Vittoria’s deep-rooted commitment to the sport is evidenced by its long-term support of prominent national cycling federations. The brand currently backs the Italian Cycling Federation, USA Cycling, the Royal Dutch Cycling Union and the Japan Professional Cyclist Association, underlining its dedication to fostering mountain biking at the elite level. With these four national bodies and a roster of world-class athletes relying on its products, Vittoria is poised to be a central figure throughout the championships.

At the venue, Vittoria will operate a dedicated exhibition space in the heart of the action, offering athletes, media, industry insiders and fans a chance to explore its latest technological innovations and view the equipment used by top competitors. This presence reflects Vittoria’s enduring history in international racing and its ongoing investment in developing high-performance tyres and accessories for cyclists of all levels, from professional racers to dedicated amateurs across every cycling discipline.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, "Being part of the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships while also supporting some of the world's leading national cycling federations is a tremendous source of pride for us. Val di Sole is one of the true landmarks of international mountain biking and the perfect stage to celebrate our passion for this sport together with athletes, partners and fans from around the world."

Fabio Sacco, General Manager of Apt Val di Sole and Grandi Eventi Val di Sole, said, “The presence of an international brand such as Vittoria alongside the World Championships represents an important recognition for Val di Sole and for the work we have been carrying out for many years to promote and develop mountain biking. Collaborating with leading companies in the industry that share our vision and passion for this sport further strengthens the value of an event that will put Val di Sole and Trentino in the global spotlight. We are proud to welcome Vittoria to Daolasa di Commezzadura and to offer athletes, teams and fans an unforgettable experience in a region where mountain biking has become a fundamental part of its identity.”