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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Hankook Tire has strengthened its commitment to sustainable community development in Indonesia with the recent completion of a vital water infrastructure project. The company finalised and celebrated the installation of a modern water pump and storage tank system in Naga cipta Village, Bekasi, on 5 December. This initiative directly addresses severe local water shortages exacerbated by El Niño climate patterns, which have historically caused extreme drought, particularly impacting over 50 households in the village reliant on rainwater for daily needs. The project supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, aiming to secure reliable access to clean and safe water for communities surrounding Hankook’s Indonesia Plant.

The new infrastructure is poised to substantially elevate living standards for residents, including many Hankook employees, by eliminating costs previously associated with buying water and improving overall sanitary conditions. This follows another successful water project in Pasirranji Village, which has supplied roughly 2.8 million litres of clean water to more than 1,100 residents since August. Hankook’s broader corporate social responsibility strategy in Indonesia is deeply aligned with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent activities include enhancing public safety through LED streetlight installations for sustainable communities and supporting ecological balance by planting over 5,000 mangrove trees for forest restoration.

Beyond infrastructure, Hankook Tire fosters shared growth through ongoing local engagement. This includes annual tyre donations to public and private organisations to promote safer transport, alongside targeted support for education, healthcare services for vulnerable groups and direct charitable contributions. Through these multifaceted efforts, Hankook Tire continues to act as an active global corporate citizen, dedicated to fostering long-term wellbeing and resilience within Indonesian communities.

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Bridgestone Americas has concluded its annual ‘United by What Really Matters’ campaign, generating more than USD 2.4 million for United Way chapters in Nashville, Greater Cleveland and Summit & Medina. These critical funds will directly support essential local services in communities where Bridgestone operates.

Beyond the financial contribution, the campaign demonstrated a profound commitment to volunteerism. During a dedicated week last November, 61 percent of employees from the company’s key operational sites engaged in hands-on support. Their efforts included organising blood drives for the Red Cross, assembling food donations for local pantries and preparing hygiene kits for public school students.

This recent donation marks a significant milestone, as Bridgestone’s decade-long partnership with United Way has now surpassed USD 17 million in total contributions. This sustained support is made possible through multiple channels: direct employee donations, contributions from the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund and proceeds from the company’s annual charitable golf tournament. That tournament alone, a premier fundraising event for United Way, raised USD 1.35 million in 2025, underscoring the ongoing generosity of Bridgestone’s team and its partners.

Sara Correa, Chief Marketing Officer, Bridgestone Americas, said, “With this campaign, Bridgestone and our teammates can play a critical role in what really matters – making a lasting impact in the communities where we move, live, work and play. Our longstanding partnership with United Way continues to be a powerful tool for us to drive meaningful impact and build a better future together. Thank you to our teammates and partners for your generosity, which will help this holiday season bring joy and connection to all.”

Erica Mitchell, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Nashville, said, “Bridgestone’s generosity through its annual golf tournament and employee giving campaign is more than a donation – it’s an investment in people. Their commitment helps families access education, meet basic needs and build financial stability. Together, we’re proving that lasting change happens when we unite for what really matters.”

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Bridgestone India has inaugurated a new Bridgestone Select Store in Sector 101, Noida, strengthening its presence in Uttar Pradesh and North India. Operated by Tyre Shoppe India Pvt Ltd, this premium retail outlet was opened by Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director of Integrated Consumer Business at Bridgestone India. The store represents the company’s modern retail approach, moving beyond mere sales to provide comprehensive tyre and mobility solutions through advanced technology, expert advisory services and high-quality infrastructure.

Strategically situated near the Sector 101 Metro Station, this expansion highlights Bridgestone’s focus on enhancing its network in key growth markets. Customers will have access to the latest premium tyre offerings, including the Turanza 6i and the Dueler All-Terrain A/T002. The Turanza 6i incorporates Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technology, providing improved comfort, fuel efficiency, braking performance and longevity for both traditional and electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the Dueler All-Terrain A/T002 is built for diverse driving conditions, offering durability, strong traction and reliable control on various surfaces.

This launch underscores Bridgestone India’s ongoing commitment to broadening its customer reach and solidifying its role as a leader in safe and sustainable mobility solutions. By investing in such flagship stores, the company aims to deliver an elevated, customer-focused experience that prioritises safety, performance and driving comfort.

Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director – Integrated Consumer Business, Bridgestone India, said, “Uttar Pradesh is an important and fast-growing market for Bridgestone. The inauguration of our new Select Store in Noida is a significant step in strengthening our presence in North India and bringing our premium retail experience closer to customers. Through our Select Store format, we aim to deliver not only high-quality, technologically advanced tyres, but also a superior, end-to-end customer experience built on trust, safety and performance.”

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The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is actively seeking nominations to honour the exceptional bravery of commercial truck drivers. The programme, now in its 42nd year, recognises those who perform courageous acts that extend far beyond their typical job responsibilities to aid others and enhance public safety on North American highways.

To qualify for consideration, a nominee must hold a current Commercial Driver's License and drive an eligible vehicle, which includes long-haul trucks, vocational and infrastructure trucks and non-lifesaving emergency vehicles with rim sizes exceeding 19 inches. The incident must have taken place within the United States or Canada during the 2025 calendar year while the driver was officially on duty.

The nomination period remains open until 31 January 2026. Submissions require a detailed account of the event and are made through Goodyear’s dedicated online portal. Following a review of all entries, a panel of judges will evaluate the approved nominations to select one winner and up to two finalists. The grand prize winner will receive a cash award and a ride aboard the Goodyear Blimp, while the finalists will also be granted monetary prizes. The recipient of the award will be officially announced in early 2026.

Joe Stuglis, Vice President, Commercial Sales North America, Goodyear, said, "Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our roads and communities. For more than four decades, the Highway Hero Award has celebrated those who step up in critical moments to protect others. We're proud to continue this tradition and shine a spotlight on their inspiring stories."

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