The WRS 2021, organised by IRSG (International Rubber Study Group) together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and co-hosted by the Association des Professionales du Caoutchou Naturelle de Côte d’Ivoire (APROMAC) the Fonds Interprofessionnel pour la Recherche et le Conseil Agricoles (FIRCA), was a prime opportunity for leaders, experts, government representatives and NGOs to discuss the current status of the rubber industry and explore the way forward to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. This year’s WRS featured the very timely theme, ‘Facing the Future: Inclusiveness, Sustainability and Growth for the Next Normal’.

The WRS 2021 was officially opened by HE M. Jerome Patrick Achi, Prime Minister, Government of Côte d’Ivoire, in recognition of the important role that Africa can play as an emerging producer of natural rubber. The event has highlighted that the rubber economy could be a formidable engine for the continent, creating jobs and transforming its economic and social prospects, and providing opportunities for the youth and women – real key drivers of sustainable growth, development and peace. 

The WRS 2021 witnessed 29 eminent speakers from all parts of the world, about 200 participants directly linked to the virtual platform and significant public participation in Côte d’Ivoire, where stakeholders in the rubber sector interacted in person during the event.  

Innovative ideas and approaches emerged during the summit to address the new challenges that can change the global pattern of production and consumption in the rubber sector, market and policy discussions on new approaches in business and life to turn the crisis into an opportunity from the lessons learnt. Discussions around the decarbonisation commitment of governments justifying sustainable and secure supply chains for raw materials were focussed on supply chain collaboration, ensuring that raw material efficiency, performance and traceability are dealt with holistically.

An important debate took place on the impact of climate change on natural rubber systems, which has potential economic, environmental and social risks, identifying a set of policy recommendations that could facilitate the work of all stakeholders in the rubber value chain.

The latest IPCC report , published in August 2021, has highlighted that human activity is changing the climate in an unprecedented and sometimes irreversible way. Actions on the adaptation of natural rubber systems to climate changes are urgently needed and further investigations into the potential contribution of rubber to climate change mitigation.

Work-based on scientific knowledge is the precondition to identifying correct pathways to preserve and support the growth and prosperity of the natural rubber economy worldwide. In this field, IRSG has had a leading role thanks to the support of important R&D organisations such as CIFOR/FTA, IRRDB and CIRAD.

In his closing remarks, Salvatore Pinizzotto, Secretary-General IRSG, has pointed out that the main common point that emerged during the World Rubber Summit is the need to formulate policies and put into place people-centred actions. “If we look at the natural rubber sector alone, it sustains 40 million people with their families around the globe with a supply chain generating more than USD 300 billion. Furthermore, about 90 percent of the total world natural rubber production is sourced by smallholders. 

“To build an inclusive and sustainable rubber community, we need to work at local, national and international level – there is not a ‘one-size-fits-all solution – putting in place innovative forms of cooperation across national borders and a variety of actors – governments, business, academia and civil society. Reduce poverty-establishing mechanisms that could provide  smallholders with an adequate income level, implement an effective technology transfer on the field and support education and training among farmers, especially young people and women. These are some of the policies needed to implement sustainability. Leveraging digital technology in farming and green finance options encouraging climate change adaptation are other key policies to assure emission reduction and social inclusion."

 In closing the World Rubber Summit 2021, the Honourable KobenanKouassiAdjourmani, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of Côte d’Ivoire, has strongly stated that Africa is completely committed to implementing sustainability practices in the rubber sector, making sure that all the rubber value chain is equitable, profitable and transparent.  

"Sustainability and circular economy are two aspects that we need to keep high on the agenda of all stakeholders in the rubber economy. We need to make sure that both natural and synthetic rubber sectors comply with the adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." (TT)

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Kumho Tire USA has initiated the Georgia Veterans Tire Assistance Program, building upon its recent alliance with the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation. This new effort will distribute certificates for complete sets of four replacement tyres to 50 financially struggling veterans throughout the state, amounting to 200 tyres with a total value exceeding USD 50,000.

The programme acknowledges that dependable vehicles are critical for veterans to reach jobs, medical facilities and daily essentials. By covering the expense of new tyres, the initiative aims to ensure that recipients can travel safely and without the burden of unexpected automotive costs.

Administration of the programme falls to the GVSF, which will handle applicant selection and the distribution of certificates over the course of the year. Those not chosen in a given round may have their applications reconsidered in subsequent quarters, provided they continue to meet the established criteria.

Eligible applicants must be Georgia residents who are US military veterans, own or routinely use the vehicle in question and hold a valid licence, insurance and registration. Proof of financial hardship and tyres deemed unsafe due to wear, age or damage are also required, with a 24-month restriction on prior assistance. This marks the inaugural project under the Kumho-GVSF partnership, reflecting the tyre manufacturer’s broader dedication to enhancing community safety and mobility.

Edmund Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, "When we announced our partnership with the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, our goal was to identify meaningful ways to support Georgia's veterans and their families. The Georgia Veterans Tire Assistance Program puts that commitment into action by helping veterans maintain reliable transportation for work, appointments, family commitments and everyday needs."

Joe Higgins, Board Chair, Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, said, "The Georgia Veterans Service Foundation is grateful to Kumho Tire for this generous donation to help Georgia veterans continue travelling safely and stay connected to their communities. These tyre certificates will provide meaningful assistance to veterans by improving mobility, safety and access to essential resources."

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Hankook Tire has formalised a new partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement and regional development in Nashville, the site of its North American headquarters. The collaboration centres on supporting the non-profit’s mission to provide year-round athletic training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

As a primary component of this alliance, Hankook Tire will sponsor and participate in the Music City Corporate Challenge, an Olympic-style event that unites Nashville-area companies in friendly sporting competition. The initiative fosters workplace wellness and camaraderie within the local business sector, ultimately culminating in the crowning of annual champions.

Further extending its support, the tyre manufacturer will also back the Unified Fore Joy Topgolf ProAm fundraising event. Scheduled for 18 September at four Tennessee locations – Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis – the golf fundraiser pairs corporate teams with Special Olympics athletes to generate direct financial support for programmes across the state.

Rob Williams, President, Hankook Tire America Corp, said, “We are excited to partner with Special Olympics Tennessee and participate in the Music City Corporate Challenge,”. “Collaboration is one of Hankook Tire’s core values, and this event provides a meaningful opportunity to connect with other businesses in Nashville while supporting Special Olympics Tennessee. We look forward to competing alongside our peers, underscoring our commitment to social programmes locally and growing together with the local community.”

Adam Germek, President & CEO, Special Olympics Tennessee, said, “Special Olympics Tennessee is thrilled to partner with the Hankook Tire team with both our Music City Corporate Challenge and Unified Fore Joy Topgolf ProAm fundraising events this year. Hankook Tire has an amazing culture of collaboration and philanthropy, and we are so grateful for Hankook Tire team’s support of Special Olympics athletes across our state.”

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Trelleborg Tires received the Best Agriculture Tyre honour at the 15th Prêmio Visão Agro Centro-Sul, a prominent agribusiness awards programme in Brazil. The ceremony took place in Piracicaba, São Paulo, on 14 July, with the accolade celebrating enterprises that drive progress in the nation’s agricultural sector through technological and solution-based contributions.

The distinction does not focus on a singular product but rather validates the overall field performance of Trelleborg’s tyre portfolio across diverse farming scenarios. Engineered specifically for Brazilian operational conditions, these tyres integrate sophisticated design with reliable on-ground results, securing trust among local farmers, contractors, dealers and original equipment manufacturers.

Brazil’s status as a leading global food producer demands constant productivity gains. Leveraging extensive experience in tyre engineering and cooperative relationships with OEMs and rural professionals, Trelleborg continues to deliver solutions tailored for the country’s primary crops. The Visão Agro Centro-Sul selection process combines technical analysis with sector-wide voting, reinforcing the award’s credibility as a key performance indicator in the industry.

Fabio Metidieri, Sales Director – Brazil, Trelleborg Tires, said, "Being recognised by professionals who work in the field every day is especially meaningful for us. This award reflects the confidence our customers place in our tyres after experiencing their performance in real operating conditions. It motivates us to continue developing tyre solutions that help customers maximise the performance of their machines and get more from every operation.”

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Pirelli has been named a ‘2026 Top Graduate Employer Brand’ in China by 51job, a leading domestic human resources firm. The recognition highlights the tyre manufacturer’s effectiveness in attracting top university talent, developing student skills and strengthening its overall employer reputation among young professionals.

Established in 2018, the award programme uses a dual-evaluation system that incorporates feedback from both corporate recruiters and student candidates to ensure impartiality. The 2026 cycle, themed ‘Without Boundaries’, judged participants on several criteria, including campus brand influence, graduate training structures, youth development culture, university partnership depth and compensation competitiveness. Pirelli’s selection underscores its strong resonance with emerging talent and validates its sustained investment in early-career recruitment.

The company operates a year-round campus engagement model, featuring recruitment drives in both spring and autumn that target engineering, business and design disciplines. Selection processes involve structured interviews, assessment centres and business case simulations. For the 2027 graduate cohort, Pirelli has opened positions across a wide array of functions, such as motorsports, research and development, quality, data analytics, production management, lean manufacturing, supply chain, electrical engineering and health, safety and environment.

New graduates enter a two-year induction known as the Warming Up @Pirelli programme, which is structured around four stages: an orientation to corporate culture and strategy, a functional deep-dive into company operations, practical tool acquisition and a reflective session to map future career paths. The initiative emphasises international exposure, cross-functional rotation, executive engagement, hands-on simulations and a round-the-clock digital resource library. Beyond onboarding, Pirelli maintains a global training architecture with four pillars – Professional Academies, School of Management, Global Activities and Local Education – offering continuous professional development across multiple fields while collaborating with top universities for localised, innovation-focused programmes.

Pirelli also champions an inclusive, equitable workplace, guided by the values of inclusion, enhancement and equal opportunity. Its global MORE welfare framework, centred on care for employees, their families and the community, delivers comprehensive health benefits, family support and volunteer engagement, reinforcing the company’s commitment to holistic people development and long-term career growth.

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