The Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products, together with the assistance of the Export Development Board, conducted a two- day virtual workshop on Advanced Technology/Smart Manufacturing For The Rubber Product Industry In Sri Lanka, in December 2020. Despite the fact that the country was just raising its head from the deleterious aftermath of the first and second waves of Covid -19, the participation was beyond all expectations, thus indicating the weightage placed in keeping abreast of modern trends and moving with times by the industry community and the professionals and I presume that this is the current trend throughout the world.

As a member of the organising committee of the event and more as a hands-on person of the technologists of the not so modern generation, I realised that I was a curious and a rather passive observer of the currently fast unfolding industry scenario. The array of topics presented by local as well as overseas experts on their respective specialties was impressive. They covered Smart Energy Monitoring, IOT Built Industry Automation, Big Data Processing and applications, Conditioned based Monitoring for Maintenance, 3D/4D Printing, Virtual Product Design and Testing, Finite Element Analysis, and Product Failure Analysis.

It made me guessing with fascination, how much the information utilisation scenario in the manufacturing industry has metamorphosed during the past few decades since the times of two great discoveries/inventions, of Charles Babbage and Arthur. C. Clarke, that paved way for the evolution of the Information and Communications revolution. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an extraordinarily talented scientist, mathematician, economist and engineer. He is best known today - as he was in his lifetime - for inventing two types of cogwheel calculating machines, the forerunners of the modern computers. It was Arthur C. Clarke. after the crest of World War II, from his base in Stratford-On-Avon, England, as a young officer in the Royal Air Force, who dabbled in science fiction writing, floated the idea of global communications satellites in a 1945 letter to the publication Wireless World. It will be of interest to learn that the latter made Sri Lanka his second home and contributed in no small way to the development of ICT and astronomy in our country during the sixties and seventies.

As I gathered, with my rather limited knowledge of ICT, that the common features, of the modern-day innovations are generating a vast amount of real time data on all key aspects of the value chain, and interfacing between the value adding activities. Automation and reducing the dependability on the human factor has been another significant trend. Another key driver has been the necessity for reliability, agility and robustness in delivering products and services to the customer in the ever-changing customer preferences, which are again fueled willfully through product promotion and creation of new needs through massive adverting campaigns and mass communications. Companies are increasingly embracing the innovative technologies, to enable business growth, wealth accumulation, contribution to the national economies, which has helped in achieving improved quality of life, particularly in the traditionally termed developed countries.

Right through his anthropogenic evolution, Homo Sapiens or the “thinking man” has been characterised by the use of his brain to find easier and faster ways of doing things, which was an absolutely vital advantage for his survival in the primitive hostile environment. Commencing with use of stone tools, discovery of fire, and iron, this trend has continued throughout the history of mankind. During the more recent period of the last three centuries, which culminated in the Industry 4.0, some key landmarks, which reflect the quest of the mankind to better lives, through increased and efficient resource utilisation can be identified.

Revolutions

This process began in Britain in the 18th century and from there spread to other parts of the world. Although used earlier by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularised by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain's economic development from 1760 to 1840. The first industrial revolution came with the advent of mechanisation, steam power and water power. This was followed by second industrial revolution which revolved around mass production and assembly lines using electricity. Henry Ford’s conveyor belt system was put into motion in December 1^st of 1913 in his Detroit manufacturing plant. Fully mechanised, or partially mechanised, assembly lines allowed Ford to offer a vehicle for a working family. One of his goals was to have a car that every family could own.

The car that every family would soon come to own was the Model T. His manufacturing plants would go on to produce over 15 million Model Ts and this is due almost entirely to his assembly line. In order to achieve a production of the Model T at such a high rate, he needed to break down the process of assembling the car to make it as efficient as possible to produce, while still being financially accessible.

The third industrial revolution came with electronics, IT systems and automation, which led to the fourth industrial revolution that is associated with cyber- physical systems. Some of the principles of which were the topics of the December Workshop. Generally speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including:

•  The internet of things (IoT)
• The industrial internet of things (IIoT)
• Cyber-physical systems (CPS)
• Smart manufacture
•  Smart factories
• Cloud computing
• Cognitive computing
• Artificial intelligence

This automation creates a manufacturing system whereby machines in factories are augmented with wireless connectivity and sensors to monitor and visualise an entire production process and make autonomous decisions. Wireless connectivity and the augmentation of machines will be greatly advanced with the full roll out of 5G

The fourth industrial revolution also relates to digital technologies that can create virtual versions of real-world installations, processes and applications. These can then be robustly tested to make cost-effective decentralised decisions. In short, this should allow for digital transformation and  for automated and autonomous manufacturing with joined-up systems that can cooperate with each other.

Black spots

It can thus be unanimously agreed that the emerging technologies have already resulted in tremendous benefits for mankind and that they have vast future potential in changing the entire human civilisation. While appreciating and accepting the usefulness of the technologies, I cannot refrain from contemplating on the black spots in the white cloth. The disadvantages of the digital technologies have been well documented throughout the world and some of these, include, data security, digital media manipulation, job insecurity, over reliance on gadgets, addiction, depersonalization, and social alienation, and stress related physical and mental illnesses and the list is not exhaustive. Diminishing of the human touch is considered by many, as a matter of grave concern, and its effect on the personal, ethical, family and social has already begun to reveal its dark side.

As an adaptive measure of the new normal mentality that followed the Covid-19 pandemic, “Social Distancing” intruded our day to day activates over the past one and half years. However, on thinking reflectively, it will be evident that Social Distancing actually had its beginnings in the first three industrial revolutions, while it got aggravated in the recent years. Dilemmas and debatable questions as to whether  dehumanisation is still progressing and what will be the outcome, if the current rate of rapid technology trend continues? These will become key challenges for the sociologists and sociopsychologists and the modern HR specialists. Prioritising automation and sub optimisation of the human resource, in the disguise of improving operational efficiency, as a business strategy of maintaining sustainability, could turn out to be short lived.

Over dependence on technology at the expense of losing the much-required human touch and interpersonal relationships, can be witnessed in many of the day-to-day activities, such as internet or online banking, bill payments, buying at super markets, home deliveries, and on-line webinars. I have personal experience of the short comings of on-line lecturing for students and on virtual workshops, which can only be utilised as a stop gap measure. As a person of the “old generation,” I find it an exhilarating experience to walk to the local bank, greet good morning to the staff, and having a friendly chat with the familiar cashier, while getting my transaction done. Some may equate such practices to lack of time management and productivity. Human interaction of this kind holds a special position in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which has rich religious and cultural heritages, and adopting the new technologies as a panacea for improving all the aspects of efficiency and productivity in an effort be stay competitive can only be a short-term strategy.

It was Robert Frost, the American poet (1874-1963), who once philosophically remarked, “don’t ever take fence down, until you know why it was put up”

Obsolescence due to ineffective use or total non -use which we witness with machinery and equipment, may be applicable to the humans as well. It is said that the human body has about one hundred, vestigial organs, including the appendix, which have become nonfunctional, during the evolutionary process as a result on non-use and obsolescence. (TT)

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Hankook Tire has entered a five-year partnership with Racing America, a US motorsports company, becoming the official tyre partner and exclusive racing tyre supplier for its major series from 2027 through 2031. The agreement was signed at Hankook’s Tennessee plant on 25 September local time.

Under the deal, Hankook will exclusively supply racing tyres to Racing America’s major series while collaborating on technical and engineering support, trackside services and joint marketing initiatives. The company will begin supporting Trans Am, a leading US road racing series, and International GT, a premium sports car racing series. It will also renew partnerships with Racing America’s Formula ladder series, which it has backed since 2019.

Trans Am, established in 1966, is a historic series featuring muscle cars with nearly six decades of competition. International GT showcases premium sports cars, while Racing America’s Formula ladder focuses on developing the next generation of formula drivers. Through the partnership, Hankook aims to display its racing tyre technology across North American motorsports and strengthen its premium brand position. Fan engagement will expand through exclusive tyre supply, technical and trackside support, event branding, digital and broadcast exposure and social media activities.

Globally, Hankook supplies racing tyres and supports teams at more than 70 motorsports events, including the FIA World Rally Championship. In North America, it continues expanding its premium presence through partnerships with major events such as the off-road racing event King of the Hammers.

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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), served as a panellist at the Economic Forum 2026, hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 25 September 2026 at the Imperial Lexis Hotel. The event, titled ‘Bridging the Two Borders: Elevating Thailand – Malaysia Resilient Value Chains in Halal and Rubber Industries’, gathered government agencies, industry players, chambers of commerce, academia and think-tanks from both nations. H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Thailand's Ambassador to Malaysia, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by opening remarks from YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, Malaysia's Minister of Economy.

Dr Angthong participated in Panel Session 2, titled ‘Strategic Partnership in Action: Advancing Thailand–Malaysia Sustainable Rubber Value Chain’, moderated by the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation. Fellow panellists represented the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Thai Eastern Group Holdings PCL, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority and the Malaysian Rubber Board. Discussions centred on upstream-downstream cooperation, border economic corridors, joint research and development, international standards compliance and safeguarding smallholders and grassroots stakeholders.

Dr Angthong outlined the natural rubber market landscape and challenges confronting ANRPC member nations, including sustainability and traceability demands in importing markets, price volatility and the imperative to increase value addition within producing countries.

“ANRPC welcomes cooperation among its member countries that supports a sustainable and resilient natural rubber sector. Regional dialogue of this kind helps members share experience on value addition, standards compliance and smallholder welfare. ANRPC will continue to support its members with statistics, market analysis and a platform for cooperation,” said Dr Angthong.

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Pirelli has confirmed the C2, C3 and C4 compounds as Hard, Medium and Soft for Formula 1’s return to Sepang International Circuit after a nine-year absence. The Malaysian venue replaces the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was not staged in April, and will test teams with machinery and tyres far removed from those used at the last race there in 2017.

Situated near Kuala Lumpur, the 5.543-kilometre circuit mixes long straights with high-speed corners, especially through the middle sector. Its medium energy demands place it in a severity range similar to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai, while ambient and track temperatures will make thermal degradation a central concern across the weekend.

Pirelli’s slightly more aggressive selection, compared with a more conservative harder trio, aims to broaden strategic options and narrow the gap between one-stop and two-stop approaches. Sepang’s abrasive surface is comparable in roughness to Bahrain, although grip is expected to be low on Friday before improving as the track evolves. Managing heat across both axles will be a principal difficulty.

The circuit has been modified in recent years, including resurfacing between Turns 6 and 12 in 2023 and further work around Turn 9. Additional levelling began in early September to remove asphalt irregularities, alongside cleaning to improve conditions. Pirelli engineers recently found the surface’s overall characteristics still closely matched those recorded in 2017.

Teams face a shortage of relevant data for the current car generation, making Friday practice unusually important for drivers familiarising themselves with a track many know only from simulators and for teams assessing balance and tyre behaviour. Afternoon thunderstorms, intense heat and high humidity could add further complexity, while Sepang hosts its 20th Grand Prix and remains a venue where Sebastian Vettel leads with four wins, Ferrari tops teams with seven and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the pole record.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) participated in CSCAP 2026, a regional forum on Accelerating Sustainable Consumption and Production for Climate Justice and Value Chain Resilience in Asia-Pacific. The event took place on 23–24 September 2026 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. ANRPC was represented by Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong upon the organisers' invitation.

The two-day forum was organised by AFMA, FeedUP@UN, Sustainism and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). It gathered policymakers, industry leaders, smallholder cooperatives, civil society organisations, climate scientists and development practitioners from across Asia-Pacific. Discussions centred on SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 15, emphasising links between high-level policy and practical implementation in natural rubber, coconut and sugarcane sectors.

Rubber figured heavily in the discussions. On day one, a high-level panel examined sustainable rubber and derivatives, traceability and deforestation-free supply chains, weighing how producing countries handle the EU Deforestation Regulation, cross-border compliance and national biodiversity frameworks from farm to tyre. Later sessions explored affordable monitoring, reporting and verification tools for smallholders, sustainability-linked finance and a rights-based approach to climate justice.

Dr Angthong shared ANRPC's perspective on conditions in producing countries, where smallholders account for the vast majority of global output. He emphasised that sustainability requirements must be paired with practical support, fair pricing and affordable traceability solutions. This, he argued, would ensure smallholders are not shut out of sustainable markets but instead benefit from the transition.

Dr Angthong said, “Natural rubber is the livelihood of millions of smallholder families across our member countries. The shift towards deforestation-free, low-carbon supply chains is an opportunity for our sector – but only if it is inclusive. CSCAP 2026 provided a valuable platform for producers, buyers, regulators and financiers to work together on solutions that are credible, affordable and fair to farmers. ANRPC will continue to serve as the voice of producing countries in shaping these solutions.”

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