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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Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) has been named a Sustainability Yearbook Member in the Auto Components category for the first time. The recognition took place on 11 May 2026 at the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook Distinction Ceremony hosted by S&P Global at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, where Thai companies featured in the Sustainability Yearbook 2026 were celebrated. From over 9,200 firms assessed in the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), only 848 earned Yearbook membership.

STA’s inclusion highlights its strengths in the Social Dimension, particularly human rights, occupational health and safety and employee development. Environmentally, the company has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a short-term target of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions per product unit by 10 percent by 2026, compared to the 2021 baseline.

The S&P Global assessment reaffirms STA’s leadership in the integrated rubber industry under its Sri Trang Green Rubber vision. The company drives product quality while managing environmental, social, governance and emerging risks, thereby creating stakeholder value and strengthening trust among partners and consumers.

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American tyre brand General Tire has released a new all-season tyre aimed at drivers who refuse to compromise between on-road precision and off-road toughness. The Grabber Cross A/S achieves this balance by marrying an unusually stiff tread pattern with a rubber mix explicitly formulated to resist cutting and chunking on harsh terrain.

For drivers who spend time on rocky or uneven terrain, the tyre’s hexagonal tread blocks deliver grip through sharp biting edges, while chamfered groove edges further boost off-road traction. A highly resistant crossover compound protects against tread damage on rough ground. Meanwhile, transverse and longitudinal sipes carved into the blocks provide wet and snowy road grip, and an open shoulder design rapidly channels water away to prevent aquaplaning. On dry roads, internal support elements between the blocks create an extra-stiff tread that distributes pressure evenly, allowing precise steering and sustained high-speed running without sacrificing mileage. Importantly, that stiffness does not come at the cost of comfort, as the tyre also delivers low rolling noise and a smooth ride.

Certified for winter use, the Grabber Cross A/S carries both the M+S marking and the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, the latter being mandatory in Germany and France since 2024. General Tire offers the model in 44 sizes spanning 16 to 22 inches in diameter, with top speed approvals reaching 240 kmph depending on the size. The tyre fits a broad range of two- and four-wheel-drive vehicles, including popular SUVs such as the VW Tiguan, KIA Sorento, Ford Kuga, Mazda CX 90 and Volvo XC90. An ‘EV Compatible’ sidewall logo also confirms its readiness for electric vehicles.

The Grabber Cross A/S is now reaching dealer shelves and service centres. According to the EU tyre label, this all-season 4x4 tyre earns a rolling resistance rating of C or D, a wet grip score of C and a B classification for rolling noise – positioning it as a versatile option for SUV and EV owners who want one tyre for all seasons.

Matthias Bartz, Business Development Manager for General Tire in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said, "The Grabber Cross A/S is General Tire's entry into a new product segment. The tyre is designed for high speeds on fast roads but also offers excellent off-road performance in challenging terrain. With our extensive size portfolio, we can offer tyres for about 85 percent of the most popular crossover SUVs.”

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Portronics has launched a compact portable tyre inflator named the Vayu Nano, designed specifically to address the space constraints faced by bicycle and motorcycle commuters. Weighing just 185 grammes, the device easily fits into a jacket pocket, small bag or scooter storage compartment. Its matte-black finish and short 7.5-centimetre air hose make it suitable for two-wheelers and minor pressure top-ups rather than inflating car tyres from scratch.

The Vayu Nano delivers up to 120 PSI, sufficient for motorcycles requiring around 45 PSI, bicycles needing approximately 35 PSI and standard sports balls. It can fill a tyre from zero to 35 PSI in under five minutes. A digital display shows pressure in PSI or BAR alongside a battery indicator, while preset modes for various inflatables and a manual custom setting are included. An auto shut-off function stops the device once the target pressure is reached to prevent over-inflation.

Power comes from a dual 600 mAh battery setup with USB-C charging, allowing use with existing phone chargers or power banks. A built-in LED light features an SOS mode for low-light conditions. Priced at INR 4,999, the Vayu Nano is available at a launch price of INR 2,999. It comes with a 12-month warranty and can be purchased through the company’s website or at ecommerce websites and standard offline stores.

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Hankook Tire has secured the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for its Jiaxing Plant in Zhejiang Province, China. This globally recognised voluntary certification verifies the sustainability of bio-based and recycled materials while ensuring full supply chain transparency. The certification imposes strict verification standards across every stage, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to the final product output.

The Jiaxing facility’s achievement marks the company’s fourth ISCC PLUS certification. Hankook first earned the distinction for its Geumsan Plant in 2021, becoming the first in the tyre industry to do so. The Rácalmás Plant in Hungary followed in 2023, and the Daejeon Plant received certification in 2025. With this latest addition in China, Hankook has significantly expanded its sustainable manufacturing network across both Asia and Europe.

The Jiaxing Plant has enhanced its production capabilities by increasing the use of sustainable materials and optimising processes. It has established a stable system for products incorporating bio-based and recycled inputs, operating a quality management system based on the mass balance approach. Under its circular economy strategy named E.Circle, Hankook continues to raise the share of sustainable materials. For example, the iON evo tyre, supplied as original equipment for the Porsche Taycan, contains around 45 percent sustainable materials, while the iON GT for the European replacement market has raised that share to up to approximately 77 percent.

Hankook is also applying sustainable materials to tyres used in the FIA World Rally Championship and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, reinforcing its technology leadership in global motorsports. Through open innovation with global partners, the company is advancing low-carbon raw materials. Its sustainability efforts have earned it inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and the highest EcoVadis rating. Looking ahead, Hankook plans to transform the Jiaxing Plant into a key sustainable manufacturing hub in China while continuously upgrading production systems across its global facilities to strengthen supply chain sustainability and ESG competitiveness.

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