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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Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres emerged as the central strategic battleground in the LMGT3 class during the FIA World Endurance Championship’s season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The Italian circuit’s notably smooth asphalt led to unexpectedly low tyre degradation across the six-hour race, which allowed teams to experiment with varied tactical plans rather than following a single, predictable approach. Under this season’s increased tyre allocation rules, teams enjoyed greater flexibility, although not every squad chose to use its full supply.

The performance and consistency of the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium compound proved decisive, with most teams minimising pit lane time by double- or triple-stinting their tyres. However, a minority of competitors opted for a contrasting strategy, fitting fresher Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres more frequently. Crucially, the durability of the Medium compound ensured that both approaches remained competitive, resulting in a wide array of live strategies unfolding simultaneously across the LMGT3 field.

The FIA World Endurance Championship resumes with the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps from 7 to 9 May 2026. Over the same weekend, Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres have also been in action at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as at Donington Park for the British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Programme Manager, said, “In the first half of the race, we saw several teams double stinting the unloaded left-hand side, but changing their right-hand side tyres at every stop. But as the race progressed, some teams began to double-stint both sides. This meant that teams that had only changed the right-hand side at the previous stop were onto their third stint with the left-hand tyres. Across the field, we saw some teams stop as little as five times during the race, and some as many as eight, emphasising the range of different strategies teams employed.”

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Bridgestone has reaffirmed its partnership with the Sporting Bears Motor Club by sponsoring the Golden Dream Rides competition for another year, with proceeds benefiting multiple children’s charities. The initiative builds on a collaboration first established in 2023 and underscores the company’s dedication to community-focused causes. Through this sponsorship, Bridgestone covers competition costs while also contributing directly to charitable funds.

The Sporting Bears Dream Rides offer passengers an exceptional opportunity to ride in classic or supercars in exchange for a donation, with every penny going to chosen children’s charities. Club members generously donate their vehicles, volunteer their time and cover personal expenses, ensuring that 100 percent of each donation supports those in need. To date, the club has provided more than 85,000 Dream Rides and raised over GBP 4 million, benefiting more than 400 children’s charities across the UK since its formation in 1989.

The Golden Dream Ride competition invites anyone who has engaged with Sporting Bears to share a photograph of their favourite moment with the club via official social media channels. Each month, one winner receives a Golden Dream Ride voucher redeemable for any available dream ride car at any Sporting Bears event nationwide. Beyond the contest, Bridgestone and Sporting Bears are promoting road safety as part of Bridgestone’s ‘Be a Road Safety Hero’ campaign, with volunteers conducting public tyre‑safety checks.

Sporting Bears recently announced its historic fundraising milestone at the Practical Classics Restoration Show in Birmingham. While the club is known for its presence at major events such as the two NEC classic car shows, Carfest and the British Motor Show, it also participates in more than 60 other events throughout the season. Bridgestone’s ongoing support helps sustain these activities and the broader mission of safer roads for all.

Clare Stephens, PR and Social Media Lead for Sporting Bears, said, “Our Dream Rides are all about creating unforgettable experiences while raising vital funds for children’s charities. Bridgestone’s support covers the cost of the competition, which ensures that even more money goes directly to the charities we support.”

Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager from Bridgestone, said, “We’re incredibly proud to support Sporting Bears and their Golden Dream Rides concept. It’s a fantastic initiative that brings together a passion for cars with a genuine opportunity to make a difference in local communities, whilst sharing vital tyre safety advice.”

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Apollo Tyres Ltd and Italdesign are set to mark over 25 years of collaborative tyre design at Milan Design Week, running from 20 to 26 April 2026. The partnership will display key co-creations, including the Vredestein Ultrac Sessenta and the latest Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 all season tyre, which is scheduled for a summer release.

The collaboration between the Italian design house and the Vredestein brand has now reached 27 years, beginning with the 1999 debut of the Vredestein Sportrac. Designed by renowned automobile stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Sportrac introduced an asymmetric pattern that boosted its sporty appearance, setting the stage for future projects blending aesthetics with high-performance engineering.

Launched in 2006, the Ultrac Sessenta was created by Italdesign to celebrate six decades of the Vredestein brand in Enschede, the Netherlands. The tyre’s name is Italian for the number 60, a tribute to its designers. It features a distinctive tread pattern that enhances performance and handling as an ultra-high-performance summer tyre.

The latest joint effort, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, goes on sale in June. This ultra-high-performance all-season tyre incorporates a sidewall design that portrays the seasons through a seamless mix of solid and void elements, with flowing graphics hinting at leaves, snow and rain. Its overarching Passage theme reflects seasonal cycles and travel through varied conditions, while visual references to water ripples, wind and motion underscore the tyre’s advanced all-season capability.

Udyan Ghai, Head of Marking, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The partnership with Italdesign has endured because we share the same ethos regarding the union of performance and aesthetics in modern product design. Both the Ultrac Sessenta and Quatrac Pro 2 demonstrate how tyre design can enhance not only function, but also visual identity.”

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.) has achieved a major milestone as its BLUE RESPONSE TG tyre secured first place in the overall ranking of a tyre test conducted by Auto Motor und Sport, a premier German automotive publication. This marks the first major test victory for the summer tyre since its market introduction.

The BLUE RESPONSE TG represents the inaugural Dunlop brand summer tyre developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries specifically for the European market following the company’s acquisition of the Dunlop brand trademark in Europe, United States and Australia. Auto Motor und Sport is widely recognised for its rigorous evaluation standards regarding vehicle performance and safety, making it a highly influential medium in European tyre assessments. The publication’s circulation and technical expertise command deep trust from both automotive experts and enthusiasts.

Securing the top overall ranking in this test demonstrates the advanced technology and high level of refinement embedded in the BLUE RESPONSE TG. For safety-conscious consumers and those prioritising driving performance in the European market, the assessment results are expected to serve as a crucial reference for purchase decisions.

During the test, the BLUE RESPONSE TG in size 195/55R16 was fitted to vehicles including the Hyundai i20 and INSTER. The tyre earned high marks for delivering balanced wet and dry road performance. On wet surfaces, it stood out for grip and braking distance, while on dry roads, it excelled in handling and braking. These combined strengths led to the tyre’s overall victory. The BLUE RESPONSE TG is engineered to achieve both high-level safety and dynamic traveling performance.

Markus Bögner, President of DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “I am really delighted that the first DUNLOP tyre we designed for the European market received the highest rating in the assessment by a trusted magazine with a long history. The assessment results we obtained this time will provide a tailwind for the DUNLOP tyre business in Europe, which started on a full scale in January. We will continue to provide ‘Experiences that exceed expectations’, which is one of the brand value propositions of DUNLOP, for more customers.”

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