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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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has concluded the seventh round of the 2026 season, FORUM8 Rally Japan. Held across the Aichi and Gifu regions, the competition saw Hankook provide its two specialised tarmac rally tyres: the Ventus Z215 for dry surfaces and the Ventus Z210 for damp conditions.

The rally consisted of 20 special stages covering 302.82 kilometres of challenging mountain asphalt. The route featured steep roads lined with cliffs, barriers and dense woodland, offering little room for error and demanding constant driver concentration. Due to the narrow layout with virtually no straight sections, maintaining stable line-holding and precise vehicle control became essential to avoid damage or retirement.

Fluctuating weather conditions, including mountain fog, localised rain and shifting surface temperatures, kept the road surface in constant change. In this environment, tyre performance proved critical, with the Ventus Z215 delivering strong cornering on dry highspeed sections and the Ventus Z210 providing drainage and reliable grip on damp stretches. The event drew intense local interest as the home round for Toyota GAZOO Racing, where Elfyn Evans claimed overall victory, his second win of the season. Evans now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 151 points, followed by teammate Takamoto Katsuta on 131.

The championship now moves to Round 8, the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, scheduled for 25 to 28 June in Loutraki. Known for its extreme mountain terrain and rough gravel surfaces with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, the event will test tyre durability and thermal stability. Since becoming the exclusive WRC tyre supplier for all classes in 2025, Hankook has integrated racing data from over 70 global championships into its research and development to advance its high-performance lineup.

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Comerio Ercole has concluded its participation at INDEX, the premier international nonwovens exhibition in Geneva. The event served as a vital platform to connect with global customers and industry professionals, reinforcing the company’s strong market foothold. Throughout the exhibition, the company showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions, drawing excellent feedback. The fair facilitated valuable idea exchanges, strengthened longstanding relationships and fostered new international ties, proving an inspiring experience for the entire team.

Parallel to industry engagements, Comerio Ercole is bolstering employee wellbeing through the WHP Lombardia programme. Since 2019, the company has joined this regional initiative following the World Health Organization model. Increasingly investing in environmental, social and governance initiatives, the company has introduced measures to improve health and safety. These efforts have earned renewed recognition as a health-promoting workplace, with programmes including healthy nutrition, physical activity groups, anti-smoking campaigns and sustainable mobility.

Separately, Comerio Ercole recently hosted Istituto Fermi students for an educational visit. The group toured production workshops, observing machinery construction firsthand. A particularly appreciated segment introduced virtual reality systems for training and machine support, where immersive simulations using Oculus headsets demonstrated how new technologies enhance learning and remote maintenance.

The meeting also covered the company’s history and sustainability efforts. For Comerio Ercole, such initiatives build connections with younger generations and inspire future professionals by sharing a passion for engineering excellence. The company extended thanks to the students and teachers for their enthusiasm.

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The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has recognised Michelin North America for a USD 5,000 donation made to the Tire Industry Scholarship programme. The scholarship initiative is administered in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and aims to support students pursuing higher education while strengthening the future workforce of the tire and automotive service industries.

Michelin’s contribution places it alongside a growing roster of industry donors, including Bridgestone Americas, Hankook Tire, Kumho Tire, Nitto Tire, Toyo Tire, VIP Tire, Yokohama Tire Corporation and the Tire Industry Association itself. Established with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, the Tire Industry Scholarship programme provides financial assistance to students and directly addresses workforce development needs within the tyre sector.

TIA continues to encourage companies throughout the tyre industry to support the scholarship fund, helping to expand educational opportunities for future students and secure a skilled talent pipeline for years to come.

Dick Gust, CEO, TIA, said, "We are grateful to Michelin for supporting the Tire Industry Scholarship programme and investing in the future of our industry. Scholarships like these help create opportunities for students while demonstrating our industry's commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, technicians and professionals. The success of this programme depends on industry participation. Every contribution helps us invest in the future of our workforce and create opportunities for students who may one day become the leaders of our industry."

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Pirelli is all set for the Monaco Grand Prix, a street circuit steeped in glamour and racing history since 1929. For this 3.337-kilometre layout with 19 tight corners, the Italian tyre manufacturer has selected the softest compounds in its range – C3, C4 and C5 – to provide maximum mechanical grip on the Principality’s unusually smooth asphalt surface.

The narrow carriageway follows regular urban traffic lanes, leaving virtually no run-off areas and placing safety barriers just centimetres from the racing line. Drivers frequently brush against these walls while pursuing the ideal trajectory, with average speeds the lowest of the Formula 1 season. In some sections, cars decelerate to roughly 50 kilometres per hour, making qualifying the most critical session of the weekend since overtaking is exceptionally rare.

Several sections of the track have been resurfaced for this edition, including between Turns 19 and 1, from Turn 7 to the tunnel entrance and at pit lane entry and exit. Although graining could appear, tyre behaviour is unlikely to be significantly affected because the Monaco circuit primarily subjects rubber to traction-related loads. Low degradation traditionally encourages a one-stop race strategy, though an experimental rule in 2024 forced two pit stops by requiring three different tyre sets. That regulation has since been abandoned.

Red flags and safety car periods frequently disrupt the race due to the high probability of barrier contact and the difficulty of recovering stricken cars. In 2024, an opening-lap red flag allowed all drivers to immediately fulfil the two-compound requirement, enabling a split strategy between Medium and Hard tyres for the remainder of the Grand Prix. The 2025 edition reintroduced a three-set rule, prompting most drivers to choose Medium-Hard combinations while six teams used all three compounds including the C6 Soft.

Now in its 72nd running in Monaco, the event has seen Ayrton Senna claim six victories, one more than Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher. McLaren remains the most successful constructor with 16 wins, followed by Ferrari on 10. Reflecting the Principality’s elegance, Pirelli has unveiled a special Podium Cap in deep red and champagne colours, designed by Denis Dekovic and available on the Pirelli e-commerce platform.

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