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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NEXEN TIRE has secured a place in the top 2 percent of companies globally in the 2026 ESG assessment conducted by EcoVadis, a sustainability rating agency headquartered in France. The achievement represents the third consecutive year the tyre manufacturer has earned a Gold Medal, improving from its top 3 percent ranking a year earlier. The company posted balanced scores across all four assessment categories, with environmental performance standing out as its strongest area.

Environmental management capabilities drew particular praise, including greenhouse gas emissions disclosure spanning all scopes and environmental management systems operating across global sites. NEXEN TIRE has committed to a Science Based Targets initiative-approved goal of cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 58.8 percent by 2034 relative to 2023 levels. Recognition also came for broadening labour and human rights management systems worldwide, while sustainable procurement efforts earned positive marks for supplier code of conduct revisions, supply chain ESG due diligence and ESG awareness training for procurement staff.

Ethics recorded the largest improvement among assessed areas. The company maintains policies and implementation systems addressing anti-corruption, conflict of interest prevention and information security, and its expanded information security activities across global sites drew a stronger evaluation this year. EcoVadis, established in 2007, has assessed over 150,000 companies in 185 countries, awarding Platinum to the top 1 percent, Gold to the top 5 percent, Silver to the top 15 percent and Bronze to the top 35 percent.

The rating carries commercial weight, as global automakers use EcoVadis assessments when selecting suppliers. With ESG performance requirements across supply chains intensifying, especially in Europe, the result is expected to strengthen NEXEN TIRE's competitive position in original equipment tyre supply.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Maintaining the Gold rating for three consecutive years indicates that our sustainability management system is functioning effectively. We will continue to improve our ESG management practices in a systematic manner and contribute to sustainable mobility.”

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has urged UK motorists to adopt preventative habits after research showed drivers react emotionally rather than practically following near-misses. The findings reveal that 23 percent of drivers shouted, gestured or sounded their horn after a frightening moment, while only 11 percent checked their tyres and 22 percent did nothing at all and kept driving. The pattern is consistent across the country, highlighting a widespread action gap in which drivers neglect simple steps that could improve safety.

The organisation wants near-miss experiences to serve as prompts for vehicle checks. It is promoting its ACT checks, which begin with air pressure: drivers should verify tyre pressures at least monthly and before long journeys using an accurate gauge, since correct pressures optimise braking, fuel efficiency and tyre life while lowering failure risk. Condition comes next, with tyres regularly inspected for cuts, cracks, bulges and embedded objects; any visible damage should be assessed immediately by a tyre professional as it may signal structural problems.

Finally, tread depth should be checked. For passenger cars, the UK legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. Adequate tread is especially important on rural roads, where standing water and uneven surfaces can substantially raise the risk of aquaplaning and loss of control. TyreSafe's message encourages drivers to turn a scare into a safety check and act before reacting.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “A near-miss should be a warning sign – but too often it becomes a moment of frustration rather than reflection. Checking your tyres takes minutes, but it can make a critical difference in preventing the next incident. We need to move from reacting in the moment to acting in advance.”

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Mitas has confirmed its participation in EIMA International 2026, a major agricultural machinery exhibition running from 10–14 November in Bologna, Italy. Visitors will find the company in Hall 14 at Booth B2, where it plans to display a range of tyre solutions tailored to contemporary farming needs and reflective of its know-how across machines, applications and operating environments.

The centrepiece of the exhibit is GRANTERRA, the newest member of the Mitas agricultural family. Engineered for high-horsepower tractors, the tyre merges a contemporary tread layout with VF PFO technology to achieve solid traction, stability and efficient field performance. Its broader footprint encourages even load distribution and curbs soil compaction, fitting the requirements of modern large-scale farming while embodying the brand's goal of merging power, reliability and effective field performance.

Alongside GRANTERRA, three other ranges will be on show. AGRITERRA ULTRA targets agricultural trailers, spreaders and slurry tankers, blending high load capacity with durability and stability for demanding transport work in fields and on roads, with a large footprint and rounded shoulders that help protect soil and grassland. HCM provides versatile year-round performance for municipal tractors, road maintenance equipment and telehandlers across varied surfaces. AC 85, built for modern row crop farming, supports spraying, fertilising and crop care while shielding plants and roots and will be displayed in a dual-mounting setup demonstrating a practical configuration for greater flotation and traction.

By taking part in EIMA International 2026, Mitas underscores its commitment to agricultural tyre expertise, product performance and the needs of professionals engaged in a broad array of farming applications.

Roberta D’Agnano, Global Marketing Director Mitas at Yokohama TWS, said, “EIMA is an important opportunity to meet customers and partners from across the agricultural sector and showcase solutions developed around their everyday needs. With GRANTERRA, we expanded our portfolio for high-horsepower tractors with a solution that brings together traction, reliability and VF PFO technology. Alongside AGRITERRA ULTRA, HCM and AC85, it reflects the breadth of our expertise and our commitment to supporting agricultural professionals with tyre solutions suited to their everyday challenges.”

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Tegeta Green Planet and Shine Energy brought an environmental education session to seventh-graders at Tbilisi Public School No. 142, aiming to deepen young people's understanding of sustainable development and environmental protection. The meeting was designed to make abstract ecological concepts tangible for early adolescents.

Led by representatives of the two organisations, the session unfolded under the theme ‘A Sustainable Future: Environment, Transport and Energy’. Presentations and discussions covered waste management, responsible resource use, environmental protection and the value of renewable energy, giving students a broad picture of how these issues interconnect.

The interactive format included team activities through which students explored the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, learning what it is for and how it contributes to environmental protection. Participants also considered how ordinary daily choices can curb pollution and conserve resources. An environmental game and a hands-on activity reinforced the lessons, helping students link environmental concerns to their own lives, and each participant received a certificate and a small gift at the close.

Operating since 2022, Tegeta Green Planet ranks among Georgia's first authorised EPR organisations, advancing a circular economy by collecting and recycling waste tyres, waste oils and used batteries while helping reduce environmental harm and meet legal obligations. Environmental education for young people remains a priority for both organisations, which run school sessions on environmental protection, resource conservation and sustainable development.

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