The downward revision in the world supply outlook for 2020 is largely due to the scaling down of the outlook for Thailand and India, according to ANRPC. The outlook on the production of NR in Thailand has been scaled down by 332,000 tonnes to 4.478 million tonnes. The country’s revised outlook for 2020 represents a 7.7% decline from the previous year as against a 0.9% anticipated fall reported a month ago.

The harvesting and primary processing of rubber in Thailand are severely affected by acute shortage of labourers. The migrant labourers from neighbouring countries and those from other provinces within the country find it difficult to reach back and resume the various farm management activities including tapping and primary processing. Aggravating the situation, tropical storm ‘Noul’ damaged rubber plantations in several provinces of Thailand in the last week of September besides causing heavy rains, flash floods, and water run-offs.

In August, northern Thailand was hit by the tropical storm ‘Sinlaku’ causing flash floods in 18 northern provinces of the country. The loss in output arising from previous year’s incidence of a new fungal leaf disease is already factored in. Abnormal leaf fall resulting from fungal diseases usually impacts on the yield performance of the affected for two succeeding years.

In India, the production anticipated in 2020 has been scaled down by 42,000 tonnes to 668,000 tonnes, ANRPC study said. The revised outlook represents a 4.8% decline from the previous year as against a 1.1% anticipated increase reported a month ago. The country’s NR production sector is impacted by a burst in the number daily new cases of Covid-19 infections in the State of Kerala since the beginning of September and the abnormal leaf fall caused by the outbreak of Phytophthora leaf disease during July and August. It is reported that the incidence of abnormal leaf fall during this year is less severe compared to the previous year.

Demand fall

There has also been a fall in world consumption of NR by 11.7% y/y to 8.151 million tonnes during the first eight months of 2020 (Jan-Aug), as per preliminary estimates. Based on the revised estimates and forecasts, the world consumption outlook for the full year 2020 is marginally scaled up by 67,000 tonnes to 12.611 million tonnes by representing an 8.4% fall from the previous year. The outlook for 2020 as reported a month ago was 12.544 million tonnes by representing an 8.9% fall from the previous year.

China has marginally revised up its consumption outlook for 2020 in view of an observed earlier-than expected economic recovery and acceleration in growth. A survey conducted by Nikkei revealed that the growth has been more pronounced in the manufacturing sector. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved to 51.5 in September from 51.0 recorded in August and 51.3 anticipated for September, according to a survey conducted by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. The country’s automobile sector has made a major turnaround. The domestic retail sales of passenger vehicles, including minivans, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles, increased 7.4% y/y in September 2020, the third straight monthly gain. The domestic sales of passenger vehicles had increased 6.0% y/y in August 2020.

As per the revised outlook, China is anticipated to consume 5.055 million tonnes of NR during 2020, down 8.9% from the previous year. The country’s consumption outlook for 2020, as reported a month ago was 5.043 million tonnes, down 9.1% from the previous year.

India has scaled-up its consumption outlook for 2020 to 923,000 tonnes from 900,000 tonnes reported earlier in the year. Auto sales in India have made a U-turn. The domestic sales of passenger car increased 31.3% y/y in September 2020, the highest growth over the past 27 months. The trend reversal in passenger car is driven by preference for personal mobility during the pandemic, gradual opening up of markets, easing of supply-chains, labour availability, and excitement of new vehicle launches. The domestic sales of two-wheeler grew 12% y/y in September 2020, the highest growth over the past 21 months. Sales of tractor increased 16% y/y during the month, the highest growth over many years in the past.  The domestic sales of LVC (Light Commercial Vehicles) and M&HCV (Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles) declined by 3.0% each during the month, after double digit declines till August 2020.

Looking ahead, according to ANRPC, the world demand for NR will remain constrained by the uncertainties clouding the global economic recovery, acceleration in the number of new coronavirus cases, reintroduction of control measures and partial lockdowns across countries and a likely long delay in the mass availability of the vaccine. On the positive side, there are increased hopes of further fiscal aid in the US to keep its economy on track. The White House has reportedly raised its stimulus offer from the earlier proposed $1.0 trillion to $1.5 trillion, and further to $1.8 trillion, though that is still short of $2.2 trillion proposed by the Democrats.

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Giti Tire heads into the 2026 Nürburgring 24-Hour race from 14 to 17 May with a clear engineering mission, placing its tyres at the very centre of a live high-performance trial. The company treats the gruelling event not merely as a competition but as a decade‑long research platform where extreme track demands directly inform the durability and safety of everyday road tyres. What Giti learns on the Green Hell’s asphalt directly shapes its ultra‑high‑performance road tyres, enhancing handling precision and driver confidence worldwide.

The notorious Nordschleife, a 25‑kilometre maze of blind crests, 170 corners and volatile weather, serves as Giti’s primary outdoor laboratory. Unlike controlled indoor simulations, this circuit forces tyres to endure rapid temperature swings, sudden rain and sustained high‑speed loads, generating performance data that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

During the 24 hours of nonstop racing, Giti’s engineers systematically track how their compounds behave under relentless stress. They measure grip falloff, structural fatigue, wet‑weather response and heat dissipation lap after lap, turning every hour of darkness and every sudden shower into a learning opportunity for future tyre families.

Beyond technology, Giti has built a visible partnership with WS Racing and its all‑female ‘Girls Only – Ready to Rock the Green Hell’ campaign. The 2026 entry fields Carrie Schreiner, Janina Schall and Fabienne Wohlwend in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, while a separate Toyota Supra in the VT2‑RWD class continues developing emerging talents through the Girls Only Talent Pool.

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Continental has introduced a specialised tyre lineup for motorhomes as the camper season begins, addressing the unique technical demands of recreational vehicles. The company’s VanContact Camper tyre family includes two distinct models: the VanContact Ultra Camper for summer conditions and the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper as an all‑season alternative. Both products are engineered to handle the heavy weights, uneven axle loads, and long idle periods that typically challenge motorhome tyres.

Positioned as the flagship of the series, the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper targets users seeking maximum year‑round flexibility without the need for seasonal tyre changes. This all‑season tyre delivers reliable traction across diverse weather conditions while offering high mileage and efficient rolling performance. It is designed to serve equally well for spring season starts and continuous use throughout the year, making it a versatile solution for frequent travellers.

The reinforced carcass structure and high‑quality belt materials of the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper meet the Camping Pneu standard, which provides higher load capacities than conventional van tyres. From a technical perspective, Continental employs a robust tread design with thick rubber blocks, a protective abrasion rib, and stable sidewalls. A functional tread and sipe pattern, combined with an advanced rubber compound, promote even wear, low rolling resistance and dependable grip on changing road surfaces and in variable weather.

Alongside the all‑season version, the summer‑specific VanContact Ultra Camper remains available for warm‑weather optimisation. Continental emphasises that tyre condition at season start is critical, as extended inactivity, temperature swings and pressure fluctuations can compromise performance. The VanContact Camper family is positioned as a high‑durability solution for a safe and flexible start to the camping season and beyond.

Nicolas Jackisch, Product Manager – Van Tyres, Continental, said, “With the VanContact Camper tyre family, we take into account the load profiles and usage conditions of the motorhome segment. The VanContact A/S Ultra Camper stands for flexible all‑season performance and year‑round use, while the VanContact Ultra Camper is optimised for operation in warm temperatures. Both tyres are designed to deliver high load capacity, stability and safety.”

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Hankook Tire, in collaboration with Al Dobowi Tyre company, the official distributor of Hankook in UAE since 1978 under Al Dobowi Group, has announced a new sponsorship agreement with the Gulf County Championship, a community-based cricket league in the United Arab Emirates.

Starting from the 2026 season, Hankook will serve as a Division Sponsor for the league, which ranks among the UAE’s leading community cricket events. The championship features roughly 200 matches over three months, drawing more than 800 players across multiple divisions and primarily engaging the country’s South Asian community, where cricket holds strong cultural significance.

Through on-site branding and digital exposure via YouTube and social media, Hankook aims to boost brand awareness and customer engagement. Interactive programmes and promotional activities are planned to drive consumer conversion. Stellar Sports & Events organises the league.

Dae-hee Yun, Managing Director UAE, said, "This initiative marks an important step in expanding our customer and partner base across the UAE. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to further strengthen our sales competitiveness in the local market while reinforcing our premium brand positioning."

Waqas Faisal, General Manager, Al Dobowi Tyre Company, said, "Marking 50 years of presence in the UAE, this partnership is a significant milestone for Al Dobowi Group as the official distributor of Hankook Tires. Cricket plays a vital role in bringing communities together across the country, and the collaboration provides a strong platform for engaging with the local cricket community and strengthening our presence across the UAE, delivering results both on and off the field."

Rony James, General Manager, Stellar Sports & Events, said, "We are delighted to welcome Hankook Tire and Al Dobowi Group as key partners for the Gulf County Championship. This collaboration reflects the growing scale and professionalism of community cricket in the UAE. Our focus is to create a platform that delivers competitive cricket and meaningful brand engagement for our partners through on-ground and digital experiences."

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Tyres Europe has released its latest quarterly market update, prepared by the independent intelligence firm Astutus Research, which tracks tyre industry trends, mobility patterns and recovery and recycling efforts. The report provides fresh data on import shifts and used tyre generation across the EU27 plus United Kingdom.

Passenger car and light truck tyre imports into the region dropped by nearly 22 percent in January and February of 2026, a sharp reversal from the 26 percent increase seen in the first quarter of 2025. The total volume fell by 5.6 million units, driven largely by an 8.7-million-unit decline in Chinese shipments, which cut China’s market share from 74 to 52 percent. An ongoing European Union anti‑dumping investigation, with the potential for backdated duties, had encouraged heavy pre‑buying of Chinese tyres in 2025, peaking that September before accelerating into 2026. In response, ASEAN‑origin tyres, many from Chinese‑owned factories, tripled their share to 21 percent, led by Thailand and Vietnam, while Cambodia added nearly half a million units from a near‑zero base.

Truck and bus tyre imports from non‑European markets rose 24 percent over the same period. Thailand and Vietnam together increased shipments by 39 percent, lifting their combined share above 63 percent. Meanwhile, China’s position weakened as its volumes stagnated, and India emerged as the fourth largest source with a share exceeding five percent, pushing Egypt to fifth place ahead of Korea.

On sustainability, preliminary estimates from Astutus Research indicate that Europe generated approximately 4.4 million tonnes of used tyres in 2025, a figure essentially unchanged from the previous year. This overall stability hides divergent regional trends, with faster growth in Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, while larger Northern markets including the United Kingdom, Germany and France showed little or no increase. Replacement tyres account for more than 90 percent of used tyre tonnage, with the remainder coming from end‑of‑life vehicles.

Of the 4.4 million tonnes generated, around 0.6 million tonnes were reused as part‑worn tyres or retreaded. The term used tyres refers to all tyres removed from vehicles, while end‑of‑life tyres exclude those reused or retreaded. A decline in retreading has increased the share classified as end‑of‑life tyres, adding to volumes that require recovery or recycling.

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