James McGraw, former Managing Director and CEO of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP),  passed away on June 8th, 2020 in Houston, Texas.

The company extends its sincerest condolences to his family in this difficult time and expresses its enduring gratitude for his decades of leadership and inspiration. “We are deeply saddened by his loss,” said Juan Ramon Salinas, actual Managing Director & CEO of the IISRP.

“Jim was a visionary leader, who had a true passion for the Rubber Industry and an exceptional commitment to our Members. His energy, drive and leadership will be missed.” He was born on June 27, 1949 in Louisville, Kentucky. Jim graduated from Corydon Central High School in 1967. From 1972-78 he was a medic in the Indiana Army National Guard. In 1975 he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and in 1985 a MS is Engineering Management from the University of Louisville. Jim began his 40-year career in 1975 in Louisville as an American Synthetic Rubber Corporation (ASRC) and during his 23 years at ASRC Jim held various assignments all of which included compliance management. Jim McGraw served the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc. (IISRP) for 36 years, both as an IISRP chair and active committee member while employed by ASRC and subsequently as both Deputy and as Managing Director and CEO for over 17 years. Jim has tirelessly travelled the world to support current members and recruit new ones. During McGraw’s tenure, membership has expanded to include upstream companies affiliated with IISRP and agents and distributors. More recently, he added members from subsidiaries and joint ventures of producer members. Under his leadership, IISRP developed single-product manufacturing benchmarking exercises, the life cycle assessment project, and enhanced statistical exercises. His focus on the future led to the Strategic Direction Initiative, designed to take IISRP into the next decade. Jim’s passion for the industry throughout his career has been evident in his dedication to the mission of IISRP.

Jim managed complex, multi-year scientific research to meet members’ safety and health needs. This research, conducted at renowned international universities, was presented to agencies around the world through published Proceedings following periodic scientific symposia which McGraw organized. He began his transition into retirement in 2015 and was advisor to the IISRP Executive Committee. His publications include numerous proceedings of the IISRP’s annual general meetings and scientific proceedings of IISRP Symposia. Jim was recognized for the “Best Paper of the Year Award” by the Southern Rubber Group of the ACS Rubber Division. He was a keynote speaker at many industry international conferences during his career, all in furthering IISRP's members businesses. One of his greatest joys was traveling the world with his wife Pat, he also loved working on his family’s farm in Corydon, cooking, wood working, collecting HO scale trains, and restoring his 1966 Super Sport Chevelle. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia; mother, Alma; brothers, Mike, Roger, Tom; sister, Jeanie; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, James “Jack” McGraw.

The valedictory function of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act 1947 and the Rubber Grower’s Conference was inaugurated by Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, George Kurian at Mammen Mappillai Hall, Kottayam. The event also witnessed the rollout of iSNR, an eco-friendly and sustainable EUDR-compliant Indian Natural Rubber. The function was presided over by Member of the Legislative Assembly Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan. Other guests included Vice Chairman of the Rubber Board G. Anil Kumar and Rubber Board member N. Hari.

The technical session highlighted innovations and advancements in the rubber sector. Executive Director of the Rubber Board, M. Vasanthagesan, outlined the development of a digital platform aimed at connecting growers with agencies interested in adopting rubber plantations for harvesting. Director of TRST01, Manoj Vembu, detailed India’s preparedness to implement EUDR processes for natural rubber exporters, an area of significant importance. Dr Joby Joseph provided an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic impact of rubber on the country.

Two panel discussions addressed critical themes in the industry. The first session, titled ‘Handholding Stakeholders through Schemes & Policies’, was moderated by Chairperson and Managing Director of Kerala Rubber Limited Sheela Thomas. Panellists included Tomson Francis, Vincent V.A., Binu Mathew, A.J. Jose, B. Sreekumar and Chandralekha K.

The second session, focused on ‘Sustainable Farming Practices’, was moderated by Managing Director of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Dr James Jacob. Panellists included Dr Shaji Philip, Dr Mohammed Satik, Dr Ambily K.K., Mr Reju and Dr Phebe Joseph.

Awards were presented to organisations excelling in various categories on the ‘mRube’ platform during 2023-24. Balkrishna Industries was recognised in the tyre sector, while Rubfila International and Classic Industries and Exports were awarded in the non-tyre sector. Manimalayar Rubbers (P) won in the rubber dealer category and Lissy Rubbers received the latex processing sector award. Kavanar Latex was acknowledged in the rubber processor category.

Regional awards included Jalebasa RPS – North Tripura for the North Eastern Region and Puliyanam RPS for other areas. Loyalty awards were given to Ceyenar Associates and Soniya Rubbers, while innovation awards went to Thunchath Ezhuthachan Rubbers and Vembanadu Rubbers .

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including members of the Rubber Board, growers, labourers, technical experts, policymakers and other industry representatives, underscoring its significance in the Indian rubber sector’s journey toward innovation and sustainability.

Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) has confirmed the closure of its Prague plant, managed by subsidiary Yokohama TWS Czech Republic a.s., which focuses on the production and sale of cross-ply off-highway tyres (OHT) including those for agricultural machinery. Production from the facility will be redistributed across other YRC plants.

Yokohama TWS, a key subsidiary of the YRC group, is enacting measures to tackle challenges in the off-highway tyre sector. In response to market volatility and shifting customer preferences, the company is implementing a wide-reaching strategic programme aimed at enhancing efficiency, improving service delivery, and ensuring long-term competitiveness. This strategy centres on three core initiatives including increased investment in innovative, sustainable products and enhanced digitalisation to elevate customer service and the optimisation of its manufacturing footprint to bolster operational excellence and uphold a ‘local for local’ philosophy.

Under this strategy, Yokohama TWS will halt operations at the Prague facility by June 2025. The plant, part of YRC’s over 30 global manufacturing sites and in operation for over 90 years, has been hindered by inefficiencies stemming from an outdated production platform.

The company will coordinate with partner firms, suppliers and relevant stakeholders to manage the closure and will provide support to the 270 employees impacted.

YRC, a leading global producer of passenger car radial, truck and bus radial, and off-highway tyres, is headquartered in Japan. The group, already the world’s largest agricultural tyre manufacturer and second in industrial tyres, seeks to expand its OHT market share through strategic investments. The company continues to refine its manufacturing footprint to ensure sustainable profitability and future resilience. 

Bridgestone EMEA (Bridgestone) has launched the Ecopia Trailer to complement its line-up of flagship Ecopia long-haul tyre range equipped with ENLITEN technology.

The range provides decreased rolling resistance and improved wear life compared to its previous generation, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership across Steer, Drive and Trailer axles, while also contributing to significantly lowering CO2 emissions. Bridgestone Ecopia Steer, Drive and Trailer contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions by 3.2 percent, 6 percent and 5.6 percent every km travelled while the tyre is in operation due to the substantial fuel savings. Additionally, the Ecopia Steer, Drive and Trailer tyres have greatly improved their wear, resulting in a 38.4 percent, 10.8 percent and 20.4 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per kilometre during manufacturing.

Compared to its predecessor, the range offers a reduction in rolling resistance on all axles, with the Drive axle seeing an improvement of up to 12 percent. This makes it possible to achieve the highest fuel economy performance possible, earning an A-grade EU badge. Additionally, Bridgestone Ecopia provides improved mileage on all axles, with a 40 percent increase on the Steer axle (due to the inclusion of Spiral Belt Technology), a 6 percent increase on the Drive axle, and a 10 percent increase on the Trailer axle.

Waqqas Ahmad, Commercial Sales Director, Bridgestone EMEA, said, “Bridgestone Ecopia represents the future of long-haul transport. Efficient and innovative, our flagship long-haul tyre range is engineered to help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions – without compromising tyre performance levels. Now with the launch of Ecopia Trailer, our partners can maximise these benefits. For both fleet operations and the OEMs we work with, the complete Bridgestone Ecopia range is here to support your decarbonisation objectives, help you meet new and upcoming sustainability regulations and, at the same time, reduce your total cost of ownership.”

Bridgestone Ecopia Trailer will be available to the European market from February 2025.

CEAT Limited announced its unaudited results for the third quarter ending 31st December 2024. On a consolidated basis, revenue rose 11.4 percent year-on-year to INR 32,999 million, with an EBITDA margin of 10.5 percent and a net profit of INR 970 crore.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director Arnab Banerjee, said, “We witnessed strong year-on-year double-digit growth, driven by the replacement segment. While rising raw material costs impacted our margins, we progressively passed on part of the increase through price hikes in select categories during the quarter. Demand remains stable and our order book pipeline is robust across all segments. Raw material prices are expected to remain flat in Q4 and we anticipate the growth momentum to continue.”

On a standalone basis, CEAT reported revenue of INR 32,918 million, up 11.6 percent Y-o-Y with an EBITDA margin of 10.4 percent and a net profit of INR 960 million.

Commenting on the financials, Chief Financial Officer Kumar Subbiah said, “Gross margins were impacted during the quarter due to rising raw material costs. We managed to offset part of this through price increases and cost controls. Meanwhile, our capital expenditure for the quarter amounted to INR 2830 million, fully funded through internal accruals, ensuring that our debt levels remained stable.”