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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Vittoria has unveiled The Quest, a 25-minute technical documentary that grants unprecedented access to its factories, laboratories and production lines. The film meticulously answers what defines a world-class bicycle tyre by examining every facet of the Corsa PRO, the brand’s premier road racing tyre trusted by top WorldTour teams. From raw material sourcing and premium cotton casing construction to advanced compound development, the film chronicles the tyre’s complete journey.

Extensive laboratory testing and real-world validation alongside professional squads are featured, alongside the human expertise driving the process. The documentary also follows the tyre from natural rubber to test tracks and ultimately to the tarmac of cycling’s most prestigious races. Created for enthusiasts seeking deeper understanding over traditional advertising, the content reflects a growing consumer appetite for educational, long-form narratives.

Now available on Vittoria’s official YouTube channel, the film aligns with modern viewing habits on smart TVs and connected home platforms. By sharing the passion and knowledge behind each Corsa PRO, Vittoria responds to evolving rider trends with meaningful storytelling that respects viewers’ intelligence and time.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has achieved the highest possible rating in the latest CDP Supplier Engagement Assessment, securing an ‘A’ score for its climate-related collaboration with vendors. This recognition from the global environmental disclosure organisation places the tyre manufacturer in the leadership tier for its supply chain emissions management.

The CDP evaluation scrutinises how corporations involve suppliers in climate strategy, focusing on emissions targets, Scope 3 greenhouse gases and cooperative initiatives. Goodyear’s top-tier score underscores its systematic approach to integrating environmental performance into procurement and partnership frameworks.

Central to this achievement is the company’s focus on value-chain emissions, supporting formal climate commitments. The firm has established science-based milestones for 2030 and a net-zero ambition for 2050. Goodyear initiated a supplier programme in 2023, mandating science-based target-setting, renewable energy adoption and transparent progress reporting from raw material providers.

The engagement strategy includes impact analyses by material type, customised development roadmaps and performance evaluations. Through structured assessments, Goodyear deepens understanding of vendor sustainability, identifies improvement areas and fosters collaboration on shared climate objectives throughout the production ecosystem.

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BKT Tires’ Waluj Plant has secured two Gold Awards for Manufacturing Innovation at the Quality Circle Forum of India’s TQM Convention 2026, hosted at the Quality Circle Excellence Centre in Pune. The recognition came in the Case Study presentation segment, where the plant’s entries stood out among a competitive field.

The awards were selected from a pool of 132 case studies, presented by 481 participants representing 38 different organisations. This achievement highlights the Waluj facility’s technical proficiency and its sustained focus on problem-solving, process optimisation and employee-driven improvements. The twin honours reflect the teams’ persistent dedication and ingenuity, reinforcing the plant’s reputation for operational resilience and manufacturing excellence.

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading independent tyre safety charity, has significantly expanded its industry backing with the formal addition of Dunlop and Falken to its roster of official supporters. The move arrives at a crucial juncture, as road safety advocates push for greater public awareness amid rising concerns over vehicle maintenance standards across the country.

Both brands bring considerable market weight to the charity, holding influential positions across premium, performance, SUV and light commercial vehicle categories throughout UK and Europe. Their entry into the TyreSafe fold does more than simply increase membership numbers; it injects fresh technical perspective and broadens the demographic of motorists who can be reached through co-branded safety messaging. This development coincides with the rollout of Britain’s first comprehensive road safety strategy in over a decade, a period in which industry-wide cooperation has become increasingly vital.

Practical benefits for everyday drivers are expected to emerge quickly, as the partnership enables larger-scale distribution of educational content on tyre care fundamentals such as proper inflation, tread evaluation and defect recognition. Beyond public awareness, the alliance creates a framework for joint research ventures and information exchange, potentially yielding richer data on accident causation and tyre performance under varied conditions. These insights are likely to inform future campaign designs and help address gaps in current road safety knowledge.

The collaboration reinforces a growing consensus within the automotive sector that preventable road incidents demand unified responses rather than isolated efforts. TyreSafe will coordinate closely with its new partners on targeted initiatives spanning driver education, industry engagement and policy advocacy. By combining the charity’s strategic oversight with the commercial reach and engineering expertise of Dunlop and Falken, the group aims to foster lasting behavioural shifts among motorists, ultimately contributing to a measurable decline in tyre-related casualties on UK roads.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome both DUNLOP and FALKEN to TyreSafe. Their decision to join TyreSafe demonstrates a clear commitment to road safety. This is significant not only for TyreSafe, but for road users. The more leading manufacturers we can bring together around a shared vision for safer roads, the greater our ability to influence behaviour, share expertise, generate evidence and deliver life-saving safety messages. The publication of the Government’s new national Road Safety Strategy has created a renewed focus on casualty reduction across UK. Achieving those ambitious goals will require genuine collaboration between industry, government, enforcement and road safety organisations, and we are excited to have DUNLOP and FALKEN joining us on that journey.”

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe and FALKEN Tyres Europe, said, “We are delighted to join TyreSafe and become part of an organisation that has played such an important role in improving tyre safety awareness across UK for more than two decades. At DUNLOP and FALKEN, safety, innovation and performance are at the heart of everything we do. As manufacturers, we recognise that delivering world-class products is only part of the equation; helping road users understand the importance of tyre maintenance and vehicle safety is equally important. TyreSafe has built a strong reputation for bringing together industry, enforcement, government and road safety partners to drive meaningful change, and we are proud to be joining that community. We believe that by working collaboratively and sharing expertise, we can help raise awareness of the vital role tyres play in keeping people safe on the roads. We look forward to supporting TyreSafe’s mission and contributing to initiatives that encourage safer journeys for road users across UK.”

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