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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Prinx Chengshan showcased its latest off-the-road tyre innovations at the 16th China (Guangrao) International Rubber Tire & Auto Parts Expo (Guangrao Tire Expo), which opened on 15 May. The event has established itself as one of China’s largest and most influential professional exhibitions in the rubber and tyre industry, focusing on uniting global tyre resources and fostering collaborative innovation and high-quality development.

The manufacturer’s exhibition focused on the Chengshan brand’s lineup of all-steel OTR and agricultural radial tyres. For heavy mining applications, the ET05/ET05A/ET16/ET17 wide-body dump truck tyres with deep transverse grooves offer strong traction on soft, uneven surfaces while preventing slippage. An all-terrain crane tyre, EC01, featured a non-directional tread and sidewall heat dissipation holes, balancing grip with temperature control for smooth travel between paved and unpaved roads. The ELD11/ELD12 loader tyres emphasised wear resistance and load stability under extreme conditions, and the ESM01 underground scraper tyre featured an ultra-cut-resistant compound to protect against sharp rocks in tunnel and mine settings.

Agricultural needs were addressed with the TX600 radial tyre, built for tractors operating on expanding modern farms. Large central tread blocks and flexible sidewalls support stable high-speed transit, while reinforced base structures and puncture-resistant materials allow for continuous work in fields containing crop straw and gravel.

Responding to growing OTR demand, Prinx Chengshan has accelerated its high-end product development to support domestic substitution in large machinery. A new green intelligent factory, representing an investment exceeding RMB 1.1 billion (approximately USD 161.75 million) across over 100,000 square metres, began operations in 2025 with the rollout of its first tyre. The facility is designed to produce 84,000 all-steel OTR tyres and 10,000 giant tyres annually for mines, construction sites, ports, airports, agriculture and industrial use.

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Triangle Tyre convened its 2026 Asia-Pacific Dealer Conference and EV tyre launch in Bangkok, Thailand, on 12–13 May. Under an innovation and technology banner, the company introduced its new EV tyre range for the Asia-Pacific market, engineered for new energy vehicles. The launch aims to support the new energy mobility sector, reinforce Southeast Asian footprint, and sharpen global competitive edge. The gathering drew key dealers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE and Pakistan.

Asia Pacific General Manager Zhang Mingquan reviewed 2025 performance and detailed the 2026 regional strategy, stressing market-focused, customised solutions for diverse road conditions. Triangle Tyre plans to refine products and services, deepen end-market penetration and lift competitiveness.

As new energy vehicle adoption surges, demand is rising for quiet, wear-resistant, low rolling resistance and high-load tyres. Triangle Tyre unveiled its next-generation NEV-specific E-Travel series and The Journey series TL706. Passenger tyre and sales teams conducted Southeast Asian research for local adaptation before launch.

Sales Director Yang Na presented the company’s innovation platform and intelligent production capabilities. She highlighted three advantages of the new EV tyres: extended range via proprietary compound and lightweight design, ultra-quiet performance through optimised tread patterns and sound-absorbing technology and enhanced safety from reinforced carcass strength and superior grip.

Regional dealers praised the new tyres’ performance and discussed future plans with Triangle’s teams, reaching agreement on deepening partnerships across ASEAN. Dealers reaffirmed commitment to delivering high-quality EV tyres to Southeast Asian consumers. The Bangkok event marked a major step in Triangle Tyre’s shift towards the new energy tyre market. The company will build on this momentum to deepen Asia-Pacific presence and drive sustainable regional growth.

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is at the centre of a new industrial paradigm, as a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for the Federation of German Industries (BDI) confirms that the circular economy is becoming a decisive competitive factor for Germany. The analysis projects that circular gross value added could more than double from roughly EUR 60 billion (approximately USD 69.60 billion) today to up to EUR 125 billion (approximately USD 144.95 billion) annually by 2045, cumulatively unlocking an additional EUR 880 billion (USD 1.02 trillion) in value creation. AZuR interprets these findings as validation that recycling, reuse and extended product life cycles directly strengthen climate protection, supply security and industrial competitiveness.

A practical model of this transition already exists in the tyre recycling sector, where Germany generates around 50 million used tyres each year. Through professional repair, retreading and regrooving, many of these tyres could remain in use significantly longer before being mechanically or chemically recycled. AZuR actively champions keeping tyres and their raw materials in circulation across Europe, with the clear goals of avoiding waste, lowering CO₂ emissions, conserving natural resources and securing secondary raw materials for industry.

The effectiveness of extending tyre lifespan is illustrated by commercial vehicle retreading, which can increase mileage by up to 25 percent. According to an AZuR and DBU study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, retreading saves over 60 percent of CO₂ emissions, roughly two-thirds of raw materials and about 50 percent of the energy compared to new tyre production. Tyres no longer suitable for retreading are then mechanically processed into rubber granulate or chemically recycled via pyrolysis and devulcanisation, yielding valuable secondary materials for construction and new tyre products.

With more than 80 partners across the entire value chain, AZuR networks industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, science and recycling technology to develop concrete circular solutions. The BCG and BDI study thus confirms that the circular economy is not merely an environmental policy issue but a crucial growth driver for Germany’s industrial future, a role that AZuR believes the tire industry is uniquely positioned to lead.

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DUNLOP has entered the Italian Rally Championship this season with former Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen at the wheel. Backed by parent company Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Kovalainen competes alongside his longstanding co-driver Patric Öhman for Gino Scuderia in a Citroën C3 Rally2 fitted with DUNLOP DIREZZA 201R and 301R racing tyres.

DUNLOP’s involvement in the championship forms a key part of its global motorsport strategy, offering ideal conditions for tyre development under real-world competitive pressure. The variety of asphalt surfaces encountered provides valuable data on performance, durability and vehicle dynamics, helping transfer insights into future road tyre advancements. Kovalainen, drawing on extensive experience from Formula 1 and international rallying, has been closely involved in high-performance tyre development and will use his technical feedback to support DUNLOP’s rally tyre evolution.

As Italy’s premier rally series and one of Europe’s most demanding asphalt championships, the CIAR features seven closed-road rounds known for high speeds, technically challenging stages and extreme demands on drivers, cars and tyres. The series regularly attracts competitors from the World Rally Championship and European Rally Championship, reinforcing its reputation as a tough and respected battleground.

With two rounds completed, the season began in Tuscany in March with a 12th-place finish. A mechanical issue ended their challenge in Sicily on 14–16 May, but the duo returns to contest the championship on 4–6 June in Verona, followed by events in Rome, Alba and Cassino before the finale in Sanremo. The programme strengthens DUNLOP’s European motorsport presence and boosts brand visibility, underscoring its ambition to combine technological progress with top-level sporting performance.

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