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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ZC Rubber showcased an extensive range of mining tyre solutions at the recently concluded Mining Indonesia 2026, highlighting key sizes such as 27.00R49, 24.00R35, 29.5R25 and 12.00R24 across its brand portfolio. The display featured over 10 specialised products designed for rigid dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, wide-body mining dump trucks and haulage trucks used in surface mines, underground operations and transportation.

The company’s decades of mining sector experience, product quality reputation and deep understanding of diverse equipment and harsh operating conditions drew significant attention from industry professionals throughout the exhibition. A standout exhibit was a field-proven 29.5R25 TUL400 tyre, its tread nearly worn smooth after extensive service on an articulated dump truck at an Indonesian nickel mine. It had accumulated over 3,000 operating hours without any quality-related issues, with the mine operator reporting field performance comparable to leading international brands.

The booth also presented 14.00R25, 16.00R25 and 23.5-25 TBR and loader tyres produced by MTI, ZC Rubber’s Indonesian subsidiary. This growing range of locally manufactured products underscores the company’s ongoing localization efforts and its capacity to serve regional markets more efficiently.

As ZC Rubber continues expanding global production capabilities, it will further reinforce its speciality tyre portfolio and uphold rigorous quality standards to better serve customers worldwide. Through sustained innovation and international collaboration, the company remains dedicated to providing reliable, one-stop specialty tyre solutions for demanding applications.

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Giti Tire deepened its engagement with football supporters across Southeast Asia by serving as an Official Supporter of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026. The company brought its brand directly to fans through match-day activations staged in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, using the tournament as a platform to move beyond conventional sponsorship visibility.

Under the banner ‘Engineered for Every Journey’, Giti created stadium experiences that invited supporters to actively participate in the campaign. These included branded touchpoints, interactive fan activities and the Giti Match Day Photo Contest, all designed to channel the energy of Southeast Asian football into the brand’s promise. The strategy emphasised participation, user-generated content and shareable moments rather than passive logo exposure.

The tournament itself demonstrated the scale of regional football passion. Across 28 matches, including two play-offs, stadium attendance totalled 365,949. Digital reach proved equally significant, with ASEAN United FC’s social channels generating roughly 914.3 million video views, supported by country-specific content for Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. More than 11 million live views were recorded on ASEAN United FC’s YouTube and Facebook channels for audiences outside ASEAN, China and Korea. The final in Vietnam, where the host nation lifted the trophy, drew 37.6 million viewers on VTV6, including 32.7 million live.

For Giti, the combination of stadium attendance, digital engagement and broadcast reach offered multiple avenues to connect with football audiences. The campaign also linked football’s demands for confidence and performance under pressure with the reliability drivers expect from tires engineered for varied journeys and conditions. By pairing a major regional platform with locally relevant activations, Giti communicated its positioning in an environment already charged with passion and engagement.

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Michelin has issued guidance for motorcyclists as autumn brings cooler starts and slicker roads, with the tyre maker urging riders to adapt both their machines and their habits to the shifting season. Sabrina Sabel, a product technician for motorcycle tyres at Michelin and a seasoned racing rider, outlined measures covering pressure checks, compound behaviour, tread design and off-season storage.

Falling temperatures and unpredictable surfaces alter how a bike responds, making the tyre’s rubber blend and groove pattern central to preserving grip and stability. According to Michelin, riders should verify tyre pressures on a regular basis and adhere strictly to the figures supplied by the motorcycle manufacturer, particularly before any extended journey.

Sabrina Sabel, Product Technician for motorcycle tyres at Michelin

Modern touring rubber is generally formulated to deliver dependable grip from the outset, so deliberately warming tyres is unnecessary for most riders in ordinary autumn conditions. Compounds rich in silica help a tyre generate traction quickly when temperatures drop while also aiding performance on wet asphalt. Sabel noted that she rides gently for the opening kilometres, letting the tyres warm evenly through smooth braking and acceleration with the bike held upright, avoiding undue stress on the rubber.

Cold grip refers to a tyre’s capacity to hold the road at lower temperatures, a quality shaped by its compound, which may combine silica with other ingredients to balance traction, longevity and wet-weather ability. Touring tyres typically cover a wide operating range, whereas sport tyres favour higher-temperature performance, meaning riders should consider their fitted rubber and temper their style accordingly on chilly days.

Wet conditions make tread design vital for keeping rubber in contact with the road. Grooves and channels clear water from the contact patch, so adequate tread depth matters as seasons shift. Michelin’s Road 6 employs Water-Evergrip Technology, whose progressively opening sipes maintain water evacuation as the tyre wears, supporting consistent wet performance. The M+S marking indicates mud and snow suitability, relevant for adventure riders in mountainous regions; the Anakee Adventure 2’s pattern displaces mud and water while aiding braking and cornering feedback. The best choice depends on the bike, riding style, routes and personal preference.

For those storing a motorcycle, tyre care continues after the riding season ends. Michelin advises checking pressures before storage, periodically shifting the bike to prevent prolonged pressure on one section, and keeping tyres in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, UV light, heat and chemicals such as petrol and solvents. For extended storage, manufacturer guidance on pressures and positioning should always be followed.

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ARLANXEO’s Changzhou EPDM facility in China has reached a cumulative production milestone of surpassing the one-million-tonne mark. The plant began operations in 2015 with a nameplate capacity of 160,000 metric tonnes per year and has steadily enhanced its manufacturing capabilities to serve evolving demand in the automotive, construction, infrastructure and industrial sectors.

The achievement stems from employee dedication and expertise, alongside the trust of customers and partners, and underscores ARLANXEO’s commitment to supplying high-quality Keltan EPDM solutions throughout China, Asia and globally. The company expressed appreciation to all contributors and said it looks forward to building on this foundation to create further value for customers and partners in the years ahead.

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