Dr Sawar Dhanania, Chairman of the Rubber Board, expressed optimism about the growth in both production and consumption of natural rubber (NR) in the Indian plantation sector. At the 185th meeting in Kottayam, he acknowledged the challenges such as price volatility, climate change, market issues, and labour shortage. Dr Dhanania emphasized the need for grassroots-level solutions to ensure sustainability and profitability.
“The efforts of the Rubber Board and the timely interference in disease control, adoption of rubber holdings for harvesting, formation of Rubber Tapper Groups (RTGs), etc., have resulted in the augmentation of NR production in the country. But, many challenges, including volatilities in rubber prices, climate change, market issues, labour shortage, etc., continue in the rubber sector. We need to find suitable solutions at the grassroots level to make the plantation sector more sustainable and profitable. In the present scenario, Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPSs) need further improvement in their governance and activities to face the various challenges in the rubber plantation sector. RPSs should become self-sufficient in their activities. The concept of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in the RPS sector is a viable suggestion to experiment with in the coming days, Dr Dhanania said.

M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, provided an overview of the Indian NR sector. He reported an 8.3 percent growth in NR production, totalling 839,000 tonnes in 2022-23, with an average yield increase to 1,482 kg/ha. Domestic NR consumption reached a record high of 1,350,000 tonnes, reflecting a 9 percent increase from the previous year. The auto tyre sector saw a 4.8 percent growth, while the general rubber goods sector experienced a substantial 20.4 percent growth.

Auto-tyre manufacturing accounted for 70.3 percent of NR consumption in 2022-23. Projections for 2023-24 estimate NR production at 875,000 tonnes and consumption at 1400,000 tonnes. The Board commended the Union Government for increasing the import duty on compounded rubber to align with NR.

Additionally, the Committee recommended ensuring that the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme of the State Government reaches all small growers. The Rubber Board held meetings covering Staff Affairs, Strengthening of RPSs, and Research and development.

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Tana Oy, a Finnish environmental technology company specialising in manufacturing mobile solid waste shredders, screens and landfill compactors, has strengthened its footprint in Taiwan by appointing Infinity Services Co., Ltd. as its official agent. This partnership is set to improve service and engineering support throughout the region. Infinity Services brings a highly skilled management and technical team with extensive experience in environmental and recycling equipment operations.

With Tana already established in Taiwan for several years, Infinity Services will now provide reliable local support for the existing fleet of machines, ensuring customers benefit from enhanced technical expertise. This move underscores Tana’s long-term dedication to the Taiwanese market, offering faster response times and comprehensive after-sales service, thereby reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering superior customer care and operational efficiency in the region

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The Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR) has released a revised Green Paper examining tyre circularity across Europe. This document explores the benefits of extending tyre life through retreading, repair and reprofiling, alongside mechanical and chemical recycling. It illustrates how circular economy principles can advance climate goals, preserve resources and strengthen industrial competitiveness.

The paper presents targeted appeals to political leaders, stressing the urgency of adapting legal structures to unlock current potential. It echoes the European Court of Auditors regarding robust recycling markets, which depend on consistent enforcement and dependable funding. Christina Guth, coordinator of the AZuR network, frames the tyre circular economy as a demonstration of sustainable practice, where environmental protection and economic activity reinforce one another.

The paper acknowledges the Clean Industrial Deal as constructive, yet argues circularity must occupy a more central position. Products must be conceived from the beginning with reuse and recycling in mind if materials are to remain in circulation. This gains urgency as the mobility sector expands, bringing increased tyre waste. A functioning circular system for tyres presents an avenue for reconciling ecological pressures with economic development.

The initiative coordinated by AZuR unites more than 80 organisations spanning industry, small business and research. In Germany, over half of the more than half a million tonnes of annual tyre waste is cycled back into use, with collected materials evaluated by certified operators.

Despite existing capabilities, the paper asserts political engagement remains insufficient. It enumerates requests for governing bodies, including support for repair enterprises, binding sustainability benchmarks and inclusion of retreaded options in public procurement. Another element involves cultivating a European market for premium recycled substances.

The paper also advocates for clear regulations regarding novel recycling methods and for recycled content to be granted equivalent status to virgin materials. Such measures are presented as essential for protecting investment in sustainable innovation.

Broader European trends indicate circular systems are increasingly viewed as integral to a resilient industrial approach. Advanced recovery infrastructure aids climate objectives and underpins material security. The European Court of Auditors has called for reinforced policy conditions that enable recycling economies to thrive, highlighting consistent rule application and stable financing for recovered materials.

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Hankook Tire, the official tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), concluded its participation in the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya, which took place in Naivasha, Kenya, with the event wrapping up on 15 March 2026. The challenging terrain of the Kenyan savanna provided a rigorous test for Hankook’s specialised equipment. Throughout the rally, the company provided its Dynapro R213 tyre, engineered specifically for severe off-road conditions. This extreme all-terrain tyre was available in Hard and Soft compounds and featured a robust casing structure alongside an optimised tread design. These characteristics ensured reliable grip and accurate steering response despite the demands of high-speed rallying.

A key development was the introduction of an upgraded soft gravel tyre at this event. It delivered superior traction on wet and slippery sections while retaining its structural integrity amidst the unpredictable conditions. The rally unfolded across the rugged landscapes of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley, where competitors faced sharp rocks, deep sand and treacherous fesh-fesh dust. Fluctuating weather further compounded the difficulty, making consistent tyre performance critical for drivers to reach the finish line. Ultimately, Toyota Gazoo Racing's Takamoto Katsuta emerged victorious after four gruelling days, reinforcing the event's reputation as one of the season's most demanding.

Looking ahead, the championship moves to Europe for its fourth round, the WRC Croatia Rally 2026, scheduled from 9 to 12 April 2026 along the Adriatic coast. Returning to the WRC calendar after being part of the European Championship in 2025, the rally has generated significant interest with its redesigned route that navigates both coastal and mountainous terrain. For this event, Hankook will supply its Ventus Z215 and Z210 tyres, high-performance tarmac compounds designed to meet the rigorous demands of the course. These tyres have previously proven their effectiveness in similar environments, such as during the 2025 Rally Islas Canarias, where coastal and mountainous stages demanded exceptional vehicle control and tyre resilience.

Since taking over as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes in 2025, Hankook has leveraged data from its involvement in over 70 global motorsport championships. The company applies these race-proven insights to advance its ultra-high-performance tyre technology, continually reinforcing its leadership in the field.

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Flexsys, a global speciality chemicals and materials technology company, has announced an increase in regional prices for Insoluble Sulphur products with effect from 23 March 2026.

The price increase schedule is as follows:

• Asia: USD 0.60 per kg
• Europe: EUR 0.45 per kg
• North America: USD 0.40 per kg
• Latin America: USD 0.40 per kg

The driving forces behind these significant pricing actions are multifaceted, rooted in substantial disruptions to global supply chains. These disruptions are largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has had a cascading effect on logistics. Compounding this issue are the sharply rising costs associated with transportation and essential raw materials.

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