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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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has officially extended its exclusive tyre supplier and technical partnership with Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) for the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). This renewed agreement will remain in force until the year 2031, continuing a collaboration that dates back to the very first season of the championship in 1996.

For nearly three decades, DUNLOP has worked alongside TWMR as the designated official tyre partner, helping to shape what is now Asia’s premier road racing series. Their joint efforts have consistently focused on delivering fair competition and world-class technical standards, ensuring that the championship remains a benchmark for motorcycle racing in the region.

Under the renewed contract, DUNLOP will supply high-performance racing tyres across all classes and provide comprehensive on-site technical support at every circuit. This long-term commitment reflects the deep trust between both organisations and their shared ambition to advance motorsports throughout Asia.

Ron Hogg, Promotion Director, TWMR, said, “I am delighted that we will be able to continue our partnership with DUNLOP through 2031. A collaboration spanning 30 years is a truly rare milestone and a testament to the unwavering passion both companies share for the development of motorsports in Asia. We are extremely proud of the strong relationship we have built over the years. As the championship continues to grow, we look forward to achieving even greater success together with DUNLOP for the future of motorsports in Asia.”

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Continental has responded to the changing landscape of modern gravel riding by adding a new 50 mm version of its Dubnital tyre to its product range. This tyre model first proved itself in fast paced cross country racing, where it became known for combining impressive rolling speed with dependable handling. Before this launch, gravel riders had already embraced the larger 55 mm Dubnital, and this slimmer 50 mm option now allows Continental to better serve those competing on increasingly aggressive and technical gravel courses.

Designed for surfaces ranging from dry to damp, including rocky trails, hardpack and medium loose dirt, the Dubnital 50 mm features a carefully arranged tread. Its smooth centre section keeps straight line riding efficient, while the raised shoulder knobs dig in to deliver strong braking traction and steady cornering when the ground turns rough or unpredictable. The tyre also incorporates Continental’s latest Tubeless Ready and hookless compatible designs, ensuring it works properly with current wheel systems without sacrificing the control or performance the Dubnital name stands for.

As gravel race routes become faster, rougher and more complex, this new 50 mm tyre is quickly becoming a top choice for cyclists seeking a genuine balance between speed, stability and toughness. For cross country and down country riding, the Dubnital remains a quick option for light mixed terrain and hardpack surfaces. But for gravel applications specifically, the 50 mm size unlocks a more aggressive setup, giving riders the confidence to handle tougher courses and unpredictable trail conditions.

Rosa Klöser, 2024 Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 winner and Continental Tires ambassador, said, “For me, the Dubnital 50 mm is one of the most anticipated tyres in gravel right now. Considering the clearance of most gravel bikes, adding a 50 mm Dubnital will make a lot of gravel fans very happy – including myself. The tyre inspires a huge amount of confidence, especially in corners where you can really maximise your speed thanks to its incredible grip and braking control. But what stands out for me is its versatility – it’s not just for technical gravel! It’s a fast, reliable all-rounder for riders who want extra comfort, grip and durability without sacrificing speed.”

Alexander Haenke, MTB and Gravel Product Manager, Continental Tires, said, “With the introduction of the Dubnital 50 mm, we are removing the boundaries between mountain biking and gravel once and for all. The Dubnital already surpassed its predecessor, the Race King, and now confidently straddles the line between the gravel and MTB segments. In this 50 mm dimension, it hits a distinct sweet spot for technically demanding off‑road races such as Traka, The Rift or Badlands. The Dubnital 50 mm delivers its well‑proven off‑road performance paired with low rolling resistance, high puncture protection and low weight — a trend born in the racing scene, now available to everyone.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced a standout performance for its ADVAN global flagship brand tyres during Round 3 of the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in Germany, which took place on 11 April 2026. A vehicle equipped with these tyres claimed the overall victory, while another ADVAN-shod car secured third place. The success of both entries was driven by the superior grip and durability of Yokohama Rubber’s racing tyres, which proved essential on one of the world’s most demanding circuits.

The winning car, the No. 77 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, was entered by BMW M Motorsport and operated by Schubert Motorsport. Featuring a striking Red in Black ADVAN livery, the car began the race from the front row. Following an early pit stop after lap six, it took the lead by the end of lap eight. From that point forward, the team maintained flawless control and a consistently fast pace, supported by well-timed pit stops, ultimately crossing the finish line roughly 21 seconds ahead of the runner up.

The third-place finisher was the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3, entered by Haupt Racing Team. Despite starting from the 19th position, the car steadily advanced through the field to join the No. 77 BMW on the podium, highlighting the competitive edge provided by ADVAN tyres across different vehicles and teams.

The NLS is an annual endurance series held at the Nürburgring, featuring 10 races in 2026 with the final round scheduled for October. This year marks Yokohama Rubber’s first partnership with BMW M Motorsport in nearly 40 years, while the company continues its third consecutive season with Haupt Racing Team and maintains a longstanding collaboration with KONDO RACING. As the tyre partner for these three top teams, Yokohama Rubber is aiming for further NLS victories and has set its sights on an overall win at the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hour Race in May.

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has expressed deep frustration over the federal government’s failure to act on bureaucratic relief proposals. Association President Michael Klein noted that over the last three years, German industry has enthusiastically submitted concrete ideas to reduce red tape, including 250 top proposals recently put forward by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Despite this engagement, the government’s current implementation efforts are more than disappointing.

Klein’s criticism follows a response from the Federal Ministry for the Environment regarding faster permitting procedures under the Federal Immission Control Act. Back in 2023, the BDI had proposed simplifying the legally mandated seven plus three month process for industrial plant permits, specifically by ending the need for continuous updates to application documents. The ministry’s suggestion to introduce inter agency expert opinions as an acceleration measure is seen by Klein as a joke. Under existing law, consulted authorities already have two months to comment; if they fail, the permitting authority can order an expert opinion at the defaulting body’s expense. The ministry claims this 2024 regulation sufficiently addresses the industry’s request.

Klein argues that bringing in third party experts instead of making timely decisions creates new delays and uncertainty over costs. Even if the negligent authority is meant to pay, taxpayers ultimately foot the bill. This single issue, while seemingly minor in the broader struggle against bureaucracy, reveals the authorities’ mindset and a profound administrative lack of understanding. Since the BDI’s 2023 proposals, German industry has had to hire 325,000 additional employees just to cope with new bureaucratic demands from Brussels and Berlin.

Klein concluded that these figures speak for themselves, calling on Merz to take immediate action. He also warned that further burdening struggling companies and industrial peace with a half-baked proposal for a voluntary energy bonus is definitely not helpful. The message is clear: bureaucratic overload threatens industry survival, and real relief cannot wait.

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