Therefore, transitioning to a green economy has sound economic and social justification. For governments, this transition would involve levelling the playing field for greener products by replacing harmful subsidies, reforming policies and redirecting public investment among others. In the private sector, this transition would involve responding to these policy reforms and incentives through increased financing and investment, skill building and innovation capacities to realise the opportunities arising from a green economy.

Automobile industry is one of the key sectors for economic growth, where sustainability is critical to ensure access to clean and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Particularly for the rubber industry, which is largely perceived as non-environmentally friendly, it is imperative to work towards adapting the green economy; largely through development of green technology and introduction of green manufacturing practices including resource decoupling - using less land, water, energy and materials to maintain economic growth and to reduce environmental impact.

Technology innovation remains a key priority. Some of the trends for automotive and tyre industries include, sustainable tyre through introduction of green material technology with further improvement in fuel efficiency (Rolling Resistance) Safety (Dry and Wet Traction), Durability (mileage) and Comfort (Noise, Vibration, Ride & Handling). Besides above, obtaining rubber material from biomass and recyclable avenues, greater use of modelling in performance prediction and tyre design, change in tyre design to tall and thin tires, especially to suit electric vehicles are of paramount importance towards the making of a green economy. In addition, technologies that include real time simulation, virtual proving ground, self-inflation technology, electrified rubber, sensor-based tyres for health assessment and fleet management can help save fuel, reduce operating cost including increased tyre life.

Use of simulation and predictive technology - Finite Element Analysis (FEA), service life prediction, etc. – are expected to contribute towards determining the reliability aspect of tyres. With the advent of high-end software, FEA tools are now extensively used for prediction of structural durability, aquaplaning, heat generation, process simulation and Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH). Advanced research is underway to understand the microscopic behaviour of polymer-filler interaction using new generation simulation techniques. This in turn would help to develop ultra-high-performance tyres with reduced hysteresis, improved safety and durability.

In line with the automobile industry, tyre Industry is also looking into possibilities of implementing smart manufacturing practices, which include Big Data-driven quality control, robot assisted production, self-driving logistics vehicles, production line simulation, smart supply network, predictive maintenance, machine as a service, self-organising production, additive manufacturing of complex parts and augmented work among others.

As vehicles directly impact the environment (air quality, noise levels etc.,) and tyres are integral to its functioning, a collaborative effort is required to bring about a change of thinking and a change of culture on pursuing green economy in the rubber industry.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has confirmed that its Annual Conference 2026 will take place on 23–24 November 2026 at the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G in Pattaya, Thailand. The gathering will adopt the theme ‘Building a Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Global Natural Rubber Industry’, reflecting the sector’s urgent need to address mounting pressures across the global value chain.

The two-day programme will feature five thematic sessions before a moderated panel discussion. These sessions will cover geopolitics and the Middle East conflict, climate change and its effects on production and productivity, supply-demand dynamics and price volatility, advancing sustainability beyond the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the implications of protectionist policies for trade and consumption. A 40-minute High-Level Roundtable on the Future of the Global Natural Rubber Industry will close the conference, focusing on strategic priorities, collaborative action and practical pathways towards long-term resilience and growth.

The global natural rubber industry stands at a critical juncture, with rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, flooding and climate-related diseases increasingly pressuring production and productivity. Geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, rising operating costs, narrowing margins and evolving sustainability requirements are adding further strain across the value chain, said the association.

As a renewable resource, natural rubber supports industrial development and sustainable value chains, yet it faces supply constraints, price volatility, declining productivity, tree diseases, rising costs and stringent ESG requirements. These challenges also present opportunities to strengthen competitiveness, enhance value addition, diversify markets and accelerate sustainable practices. With decarbonisation efforts advancing towards 2030 and regulations such as the EUDR reshaping market access, stakeholders must collaborate to build responsible, inclusive, transparent and viable supply chains. Innovation, investment, and sustainable finance will be vital for smallholders and SMEs, the association further added.

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Max Verstappen completed a flawless weekend at the Marina Bay street circuit by winning the Singapore Grand Prix, adding Sunday’s race to his earlier Sprint victory and both pole positions. The Red Bull driver managed his Pirelli Soft and Medium compounds across a one-stop strategy while the tyre supplier’s rubber proved central to the race’s varying tactics.

Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, with Kimi Antonelli third for Mercedes. The top three all began on Softs before switching to Mediums, but Leclerc and Antonelli exploited a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period on lap 39 to fit fresh Softs for a second stop.

Verstappen, by contrast, ignored the VSC window, completing 32 laps on his starting Softs before moving to Mediums and running them to the flag. Only Soft and Medium compounds featured throughout the race.

Antonelli extended his championship lead to 340 points, helped by teammate George Russell’s ninth-place finish. Russell sits second on 238, with Lewis Hamilton third on 229. Russell also recorded the longest Medium stint at 39 laps, while Hamilton, sixth, ran 44 laps on a single set of Softs.

Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli Motorsport Director, said, “As widely expected, regardless of the neutralisations, the one-stop strategy proved to be the most competitive, with the Soft-Medium combination emerging as the most effective option. The C5 was the star of the race, as it delivered very long stints while maintaining a strong level of performance and offering the advantage of greater grip than the other compounds available. Drivers who used it for around half the race only experienced a performance drop-off in the closing stages.

“The Hard tyre was not a strategically attractive option for the teams, as it offered less grip than the C4 which, despite being the softer compound, exhibited virtually no degradation, without providing any tangible advantages in a race already firmly geared towards a one-stop strategy. As a result, although the C3 has proven effective at other circuits, it was not selected by any driver in Singapore. Tyre degradation was in line with what we had already observed during free practice, and the visual condition of the tyres at the end of the stints was also very encouraging, even over the longest runs. Wear was manageable, although it required a degree of attention, particularly on the rear-right.”

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The DUNLOP Group has systematically organised its sustainable natural rubber procurement initiatives for the first time, centring on the previously announced group-wide Sustainable Natural Rubber Subcommittee. The company will promote these initiatives and accelerate related activities. Natural rubber remains a key raw material for the group, and its production depends heavily on smallholder farmers, meaning challenges tied to productivity, income and environmental and social issues directly affect stable and sustainable procurement.

A second phase of the Sustainable Natural Rubber project, supporting smallholder farmers in Indonesia, began in April 2026. The project was originally launched in 2022 by Sumitomo Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd., the group's natural rubber procurement subsidiary, together with PT. Hok Tong, a processing company owned by Halcyon Agri Corporation Ltd. In the first phase, improved productivity and earnings were confirmed for participating farmers. Phase 2 will continue support in Sumatra's Jambi region while extending coverage to Rantau Prapat in North Sumatra, aiming to assist roughly 1,740 farms cumulatively each year, with targets rising annually through April 2029.

During Phase 1, which ran from 2022 to 2025, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in Jambi received support. Yields increased by up to about 19 percent, and both productivity and profitability improved in the project areas. In Phase 2, lessons from that experience will inform expansion into Rantau Prapat, where similar supply chain risks exist. Follow-up training will also continue in Jambi, with technical guidance and agricultural supplies provided so that improved techniques are fully adopted and yields rise further.

The group has identified and assessed its business activities' dependence on and impact upon natural capital, along with related risks and opportunities, following the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures recommendations and the LEAP Approach, and has disclosed information accordingly. The newly established subcommittee has systematically categorized natural rubber risk mitigation measures using the Action Framework proposed by the Science Based Targets Network, linking identified risks and opportunities to business activities.

That framework organizes corporate actions addressing nature-related impacts into avoidance, reduction, restoration or regeneration and transformation. Through this structure, the group will clarify the roles of initiatives previously pursued separately, including risk assessment, farmer support and research and development, as well as measures needed going forward. The Farmer Support Project falls under the framework's reduction objective, with the aim of improving farmer productivity and profitability and thereby lowering risks in the natural rubber supply chain.

Phase 2 is scheduled to run from April 2026 to April 2029, covering Jambi and Rantau Prapat in Sumatra, Indonesia. Support targets 870 households in Jambi and 870 households in Rantau Prapat annually, delivered mainly through technical guidance and agricultural supply support. Indonesia ranks among the world's leading natural rubber producers, and Sumatra is one of its major production areas.

Dwi Sutrisno, Sustainability Manager, PT. Hok Tong Indonesia, said, “This Project is a valuable initiative that strengthens the knowledge, skills and capabilities of smallholder farmers while supporting higher productivity and more sustainable farming practices. As the implementing partner, PT. Hok Tong Indonesia is proud to contribute to this effort and to see the positive impact it brings to farmers and their communities.”

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Maxxis concluded the 2026 Championship Off-Road season with a dominant display at Glen Helen, where its sponsored drivers captured four class titles. The company’s tyre range proved decisive across the field, with competitors relying on RAZR AT, RAZR AT-S, SC-1 and Bravo AT-771 rubber. Jimmy Henderson, Connor Barry, Nick Byng and Jeb Bootle each secured 2026 championships in Pro 4, Pro Lite, Super Stock Truck and Pro SxS, respectively.

Henderson’s consistent weekend sealed the Pro 4 crown with 729 points on RAZR AT tyres. Mickey Thomas claimed third overall in the class, while Adrian ‘Wildman’ Cenni finished fourth. Thomas added second-place finishes in both Friday’s and Saturday’s races, with Cenni third on Friday and Henderson third on Saturday.

Barry enjoyed a flawless weekend in Pro Lite, winning both races on RAZR AT-S tyres to lock down the title with 777 points. Bootle, in his first season as a Maxxis athlete, took the Pro SxS championship with 733 points on SC-1 tyres, delivering the brand’s first-ever Pro SxS title in the series. He also won Saturday’s Pro SxS race and placed third in Friday’s Pro Stock event.

Byng secured his second consecutive Super Stock Truck championship and third career title, accumulating 604 points on Bravo AT-771 tyres. In Friday’s Pro Buggy race, Zac Drapkin won and Chaden Minder finished third, both running RAZR AT-S tyres.

Rossy De La Cruz, Maxxis’ sponsorship and sales specialist, said, “Closing out the season with multiple wins and championships is an incredible accomplishment for our Maxxis athletes. I’m extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and trust in Maxxis throughout the season. A huge thank you to Champ Off Road for another outstanding season and for providing an incredible platform for our athletes to compete at the highest level. We’re excited for what’s ahead in 2027.”

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