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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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has issued a stark warning, throwing its full support behind a recent open letter from the metal and electrical sectors that urges the Federal Government to implement immediate industrial reforms. Association President Michael Klein stressed that the current situation poses a fundamental threat to the nation’s industrial foundation, prosperity and the very fabric of its democratic society. He insisted that the time for half-measures has passed and that decisive action can no longer be postponed.

The association’s concerns are particularly acute for Germany’s rubber sector, a systemically important industry whose products are vital to strategic fields like healthcare, mobility, defence and infrastructure. According to Klein, mid-sized member companies are buckling under the weight of exorbitant energy costs, excessive bureaucratic red tape and aggressive competition from non-European rivals. He described the industry as being in a state of free fall, which jeopardises national self-sufficiency in several critical areas. To reverse this trend, the wdk is calling for the suspension of reporting duties, the abolition of the national emissions trading system to lower energy prices and robust measures to secure domestic markets.

These urgent appeals are underscored by the latest economic data for the first half of 2026, which paints a grim picture of the industry's trajectory. wdk chief economist Michael Berthel reported significant declines across all major indicators, with production dropping by 5.4 percent to 530,000 tonnes and the workforce shrinking by five percent to 57,200 employees. Revenue also took a substantial hit, falling by 4.1 percent to EUR 5.2 billion compared to the same period in 2025.

Berthel further cautioned that without a rapid improvement in the general operating conditions, the situation will only deteriorate further, leading to the permanent closure of more production facilities. The association’s leadership maintains that creating a level playing field in international competition is not merely an option but an absolute necessity for the survival of the rubber industry in Germany.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has unveiled a comprehensive rebranding initiative, introducing a new logo, an updated corporate design and a fully redesigned website. This strategic overhaul publicly reflects the company’s significant evolution in recent years across technological, entrepreneurial and international dimensions.

Central to the new identity is the guiding principle ‘Rethink Resources’, which encapsulates Pyrum’s shift in perspective towards viewing waste as a valuable raw material source. No longer positioning itself solely as a tyre recycler, the technology firm employs its proprietary thermolysis process to recover and reintegrate valuable resources into the production cycle. The refreshed brand imagery is designed to articulate this vision clearly while fostering a cohesive identity to support ongoing global expansion and technological scaling.

Visually, the transformation features a modern aesthetic with a clear design language intended to boost brand recognition internationally. The new website serves as a central hub, making the company’s technology and vision more accessible. This corporate identity will be phased into operations gradually, with existing materials replaced only during regular updates to align with sustainable resource management principles.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “Pyrum has evolved significantly in recent years. With our new brand identity, we want to make this evolution visible to the outside world as well. Our new brand identity is not a break from our previous identity, but rather the next logical step. ‘Rethink Resources’ perfectly captures what drives us: rethinking resources, tapping into new sources of raw materials with our technology and thereby making an important contribution to greater resource independence. Pyrum aims to be one of the first brands that comes to mind when it comes to resource resilience.”

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Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires) has introduced the Proxes G-Tour, a new grand touring all-season tyre engineered for premium CUVs, SUVs and passenger cars. Positioned as an ideal original equipment replacement, the tyre features a contemporary design that prioritises fuel and range efficiency across gasoline, hybrid and electric vehicles. Compared to ultra-high performance or standard touring alternatives, it delivers superior driving comfort through reduced road noise and low rolling resistance.

The tyre’s asymmetrical tread design and five-variable pitch pattern work in concert to minimise pattern noise while ensuring dependable traction on wet, dry and light-snow surfaces throughout its lifespan. Bevelled tread blocks enhance water evacuation to maximise road contact, while high-stiffness centre ribs and outside blocks, paired with an advanced compound and multi-wave sipes, balance ride comfort with robust wet and dry handling. These elements also provide firm grip and cornering stability, with the compound further promoting even wear and extended tread life.

Optimised for long-distance travel, the Proxes G-Tour offers a quiet, comfortable ride and is tailored for maximum fuel and range economy. The multi-wave sipes not only reduce irregular wear for increased durability but also contribute to a smooth, silent performance in diverse weather conditions. The tyre will be manufactured in more than 70 sizes and load/speed combinations, accommodating 16- to 22-inch wheel diameters with speed ratings of T, H, V and W.

Initial sizes are slated for September availability, with additional fitments rolling out through the end of the year. Key applications include vehicles from Audi, BMW, Lexus, Tesla, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Volkswagen. The Proxes G-Tour carries a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for T/H-rated versions and a 55,000-mile warranty for V/W-rated models, alongside the Toyo Tires No Regrets 45-Day or 500-Mile Trial Offer.

Cameron Parsons, Technical Field Manager and Business Development, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., said, "The Proxes G-Tour is an exciting addition to the Toyo Tires lineup and a new benchmark in our grand touring all-season category. Through our latest innovations in tyre construction and compound technology, the Proxes G-Tour delivers long tread life with confident wet and dry performance for everyday driving."

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Yokohama Tire has reinforced its commitment to adaptive motorsports by extending its partnership with the High Fives Foundation for a fourth straight year. Through this collaboration, the company supplies its GEOLANDAR truck and CUV/SUV tyres to the Return to Dirt programme, which empowers individuals with mobility impairments to navigate off-road environments using specialised vehicles and instruction.

The Return to Dirt initiative organises driving excursions across diverse landscapes, ranging from icy lakes to wooded trails. Participants manoeuvre modified Polaris RZRs equipped with hand controls and outfitted with Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003 SxS tyres, ensuring reliable traction in challenging conditions.

Professional off-road racer and Team Yokohama member Kristen Matlock attended a recent Return to Dirt gathering and described a profound personal impact. She arrived intending to motivate the adaptive athletes but left feeling transformed by their resilience and unwavering positivity. Matlock observed that the participants confronted obstacles with determination and authentic happiness, reshaping her understanding of strength and personal limitations.

Beyond outfitting the programme’s vehicle fleet, Yokohama supplies tyres for the foundation’s towing trucks and actively contributes to fundraising initiatives. The company involves its sales teams and customers in local High Fives events nationwide, broadening its support for the nonprofit’s mission.

Melissa Aguirre, Manager – Brand Marketing, Yokohama, said, “Yokohama fully supports and aligns with High Fives Foundation’s vision of creating a universal shift in adventure sports that expands what is possible for those who have faced life-changing injuries. We’re pleased to be a part of High Five’s athletes’ on- and off-road experiences through their Return to Dirt programme.”

Roy Tuscany, CEO and Founder, High Fives, said, “We value partnerships with like-minded brands and Yokohama is a brand that totally aligns with our core values. Yokohama supports the entire mission of the organisation and helps us achieve the vision of being the safety net of the outdoor sports community.”

Tim Burr, Program Manager, Return to Dirt, said, “Having Yokohama on-board lets us deliver experiences to our adaptive drivers that are unprecedented. We drive on ice with studs, access high mountain terrain in dirt and share desert experiences on rocks all thanks to Yokohama.”

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