It was only many years later that we learnt about the atrocities and the inhuman ways the natives of the Amazon Valley were subjected to by the white barons to develop exporting of natural rubber to Europe to provide the main raw material for the automotive tyre industry which was gradually evolving in to a flourishing industry. The inventing of synthetic rubber in the late 1940s and the development of SBR  due to the short supply of natural rubber from the colonies  in the East to cater for the growing demand for tyres used in the military vehicles during the Second World War and the Korean War is another episode of beyond the border commercial endeavours.

Although the word ‘globalisation’ was coined by Theodore Levitt in 1983 through an article ‘Globalisation of Markets’ which appeared in the Harvard Business Review  (May-June 1983), I feel that we should go way back in the annals of history to get an understanding of the term. This knowledge may not look attractive to the modern business world. Nevertheless, the sociologists and others of similar disciplines will certainly find such knowledge useful in comprehending the modern day socio-economic woes.

Origins of globalisation may possibly be traced back to early human migrations, presumably from the Olduvai George Gorge, a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Human migration is the movement of people from one place to another, particularly different countries, with the intent of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location. It typically involves movement over long distances. The driving motive, namely seeking dominance over fellow men and exploiting the natural environment to achieve success, does not seem to have changed over the millions of years.

The emergence of the great civilisations, e.g. Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and their subsequent decline can be attributed to globalisation. Similarly, the invasions and cross-border military conquests of historical fame (or notoriety) such as that of Alexander the Great and colonisation by the West for the exploitation of natural wealth in Asia, Africa and South America reveals an ugly facet of globalisation.

The Silk Route interlinking East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe, on the other hand, was central to the economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions form 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.

The industrialisation and expansion of business and commerce across countries during the past 300-plus years was fuelled by the four industrial revolutions, or waves as some prefer to identify them, namely steam power, conveyor system, computers and digitalisation. The process is continuing to the unforeseeable future with new knowledge and innovations fuelling the globalisation.

The multifaceted nature of globalisation has commonly been identified into eight types as shown below:

•           Political Globalisation

•           Social Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Technological Globalisation

•           Financial Globalisation

•           Cultural Globalisation

•           Economic Globalisation

•           Geographical Globalisation

My intention is not to delve in to a discussion about the pros and cons of globalisation, which has been comprehensively documented, but to highlight on some key aspects from this part of the world, especially of the Asian subcontinent.

Knowledge dissemination across border, in my view, is the single most important factor associated with globalisation. This appears common to all the above types of globalisation. The dissemination of the Buddhist doctrine by the great Emperor Asoka to countries spreading from the far East to the Central Asia and Middle East including the present Sri Lanka during 3rd century BCE is one of the earliest recorded instances of globalisation.

Countries with long histories going back to 3,000 to 4,000-plus years, such as India, China and Sri Lanka, possessed a vast knowledge base ingrained in the social consciousness. This appears to have significantly influenced the philosophical and intellectual thought of the Greek and Persian periods. Unfortunately, a major part of this knowledge has been eroded through the influence of the West, which started around the 16th century. One good example of this knowledge found in the ancient irrigation knowledge of Sri Lanka is the engineering  marvel of a gradient of 1 inch per mile in an ancient canal about 87 km long,  built to connect two man-made reservoirs in the 5th century AD. Similarly, India and Sri Lanka possessed a vast indigenous knowledge base in medicine, astrology, architecture, agriculture, irrigation and astrology, and it is somewhat unfortunate that this knowledge has not been adequately globalised. The only significant inroads are seen in tourism. But that too are based on the western norms.

On the other hand, we have acquired a vast knowledge from the industrialised countries on modern management thoughts and technologies which have enabled industrialisation and improvement in living conditions of the populace. In this era of interdependency, a country cannot afford to ignore the technologies which are necessary to maintain a suitable level of competitiveness internationally. However, if this is accomplished at the expense of ignoring the inherent social and cultural foundations, the long-term adverse consequences would be disastrous and unimaginable.

The adverse long-term consequences of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and the global addiction to pharmaceuticals are already seen physically and socially in practically all the countries, especially the so called underdeveloped or developing countries.

The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the irreversible effects of global warming are two examples of globalisation which are affecting the mere sustenance  of mankind.

A country can immensely benefit by striving for stars through adopting modern technologies. However, the absolute importance of a strong base cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Back to a strong base and reinforcing the base lies at the core of sustainable development.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi echoing from the past reaffirm this plain truth in no uncertain terms.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”

“What's past is prologue," a quote from William Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ presumes that though history is written, the future is anyone's to decide – with the knowledge gleaned from the past. (TT)

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Continental has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 independent European summer tyre tests, securing 13 outright wins and 19 podium finishes across 24 evaluations conducted by leading automotive publications and mobility organisations. The results span a diverse range of tyre segments and test conditions, reinforcing the German manufacturer’s reputation for consistent top-tier performance.

The company’s tyres excelled particularly in braking, wet grip and overall balance, showing reliability across vehicle classes from sustainable products to ultra-high-performance applications. Independent testers repeatedly highlighted Continental’s strong braking performance, high levels of wet adhesion and well-rounded driving behaviour, confirming its premium ambitions.

Among the standout achievements, the PremiumContact 7 was named overall winner in the Auto Zeitung UHP summer tyre test, praised for its balanced wet and dry handling. The SportContact 7 claimed first place in the Auto Bild sportscars UHP test, recognised for precise handling and shortest braking distances. Meanwhile, the UltraContact NXT achieved a leading position in the AvD summer tyre test, proving that sustainability-focused designs can deliver strong core safety performance.

Continuous development in tread design, compound technologies and tyre construction underpins these results, allowing a blend of safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. The 2026 test season ultimately demonstrates Continental’s ability to deliver reliable top-level results across a broad portfolio and a wide range of independent evaluations.

Andreas Schlenke, Tire Expert at Continental, said, “These results confirm the consistency of our product performance across different segments and test conditions. They show that our focus on braking, wet grip and overall balance translates directly into strong results in independent testing.”

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Hankook Tire is supplying its Ventus F200 racing tyre to the HWA EVO.R sedan, competing in the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, taking place from 14 to 17 May in Germany. Serving as the Official Technology Partner of HWA AG, Hankook is providing technical assistance throughout the race weekend with the Ventus F200 fitted to the HWA EVO.R in the open SP-X class for high-performance tuned vehicles. The racing slick is engineered for dry conditions and aims to deliver stable performance under extreme endurance racing demands.

Recognised globally in motorsport, the Ventus F200 incorporates advanced compound technologies that enhance driving performance and achieve roughly a 10 percent weight reduction over its predecessor. The tyre offers strong grip, high-speed stability and precise handling under demanding race conditions. HWA AG, founded by former Mercedes-AMG Co‑Founder Hans Werner Aufrecht, is a noted global motorsport engineering company specialising in high‑performance vehicle development.

This collaboration expands an existing strategic partnership, following Hankook’s original equipment tyre supply for the limited‑production HWA EVO last year. Hankook currently provides several ultra‑high‑performance OE products for that model, including the Ventus evo Z, Ventus evo and Winter i*cept evo3. Moving forward, Hankook plans to strengthen its premium brand competitiveness by deepening cooperation with HWA AG in both OE and motorsport sectors.

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has secured a place on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class (DJ BIC) Korea Index for three years running, marking consistent recognition from the S&P Global benchmark for corporate sustainability. This index, released by a major global financial information provider, is known as a highly trusted gauge of ESG performance. Membership is limited to the top 30 percent of companies per industry, drawn from the two hundred largest listed firms in South Korea by market value.

In a related achievement, the company also appeared in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2026 for the second straight year. The latest assessment reviewed over 9,200 businesses across 59 industries worldwide, and HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS earned a Yearbook Member designation by placing within the top fifteen percent of its global industry.

To drive these results, the firm has built an ESG framework on four pillars: Zero Fatality for safety, Zero Emission for carbon reduction, Zero Waste for circular resource use and Zero Impact for stakeholder accountability. Senior management directly oversees a Sustainability Management Committee and specialised subcommittees, ensuring that ESG strategies are implemented across the entire organisation to boost corporate value.

Jim Jindal Lim, CEO, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS, said, “Our inclusion in DJ BIC Korea for three consecutive years and our second consecutive listing in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook demonstrate that HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has consistently implemented meaningful changes for sustainable management. We will continue strengthening our response to climate change and enhancing our corporate social responsibility.”

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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), attended the TRA & TLA Dinner 2026 on 8 May 2026. The high-profile gathering was jointly organised by the Thai Rubber Association (TRA) and the Thai Latex Association (TLA) at the Centara Grand at CentralWorld. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders from across the rubber and latex sectors to foster professional relationships and examine the shifting dynamics of the global natural rubber market.

The event served as a critical platform for Dr Angthong to engage in high-level discussions on market sustainability, trade relations and technological advancement. Particular attention was given to the long-term viability of rubber production, improving synergy between producers and exporters and the growing role of latex processing in the modern economy. His presence highlighted the ANRPC’s dedication to supporting member countries through close cooperation with national associations.

Thailand continues to hold a foundational position in the global natural rubber industry. The partnership between the TRA and TLA acts as a key driver of both innovation and regional stability, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts to navigate the evolving market landscape.

Dr Angthong said, "Events like the TRA & TLA Dinner are essential for maintaining the pulse of the industry. It is through these partnerships that we ensure the natural rubber sector remains resilient and forward-looking."

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