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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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) is among three finalists for the Innovation Award of the German Mobility Industry 2026 in the Product/Project category. An expert jury spanning academia, specialist media and all sectors of the mobility industry nominated the cross-industry network for its holistic approach to the tire circular economy. Organised by the German Society for Traffic Sciences (DVWG), the award honours innovative, practical and transferable solutions for tomorrow's mobility. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on 17 November 2026 in Frankfurt's Paulskirche.

The network's goal is to keep tyres and their valuable raw materials in the economic cycle for as long as possible. AZuR connects companies from the tyre industry, tyre retail, remanufacturing and recycling with science and research and partners jointly develop and promote sustainable solutions along the entire tyre value chain. Priority goes to extending service life through proper maintenance, repair, retreading and refurbishing, with material recovery and reuse through recycling reserved for tyres that can no longer be used. Roughly 535,000 tonnes of used tyres arise in Germany alone each year, underscoring the importance of longer tyre life and intelligent use of existing resources.

The jury highlighted the finalists' systemic approach, recognising that innovation stems not only from new technologies but also from intelligently interconnecting existing solutions and actors. Joining AZuR in the final are BiciBus-Deutschland, which runs guided bike rides for schoolchildren, and radbox.nrw, a digital platform for safe bicycle parking. Beyond innovative character, the jury deemed it especially crucial that the nominated solutions are already successfully applied and transferable to other areas.

The finalist placement underscores the AZuR network's significance for a resource-efficient mobility economy, as converting linear value chains into closed material cycles demands collaboration among manufacturers, retailers, service providers, recycling companies, research institutions and users. AZuR links these stakeholders, fosters knowledge transfer, initiates research projects and pushes for wider practical use of sustainable tire solutions, so the nomination also honours its partners' shared commitment to longer tyre life, retrofitting and high-quality recycling. Awarded for the sixth time in 2026, the honour also includes a personality prize and a special Mobility Design award, with the ceremony held on the eve of the German Mobility Congress.

Prof Knut Ringat, Chairman of the Jury, said, “Innovation doesn’t always have to be the next big technology. All three finalists combine individual solutions into a system that makes mobility easier, more sustainable and more accessible – and that achieves more than the sum of its parts."

Prof Dr Jan Ninnemann, President of the DVWG and member of the jury, said, “All three finalists are already working in practice. We were also convinced that their approaches are not limited to a single location but can be adopted by other schools, municipalities or companies as well."

Anna-Maria Guth, Network Coordinator, AZuR, said, “The nomination is a great recognition for our entire network and shows that the tyre circular economy is an important driver of innovation for sustainable mobility. Together with our partners, we are committed to using tyres longer through remanufacturing, conserving valuable resources and closing the loop.”

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Partnership targets passenger car radial tyres, with new plant planned and joint venture agreement due by 2030.

Balkrishna Industries (BKT), the Indian maker of off-highway tyres, has agreed to establish a 50:50 joint venture with Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli to manufacture passenger car tyres in India, as both companies seek to expand their presence in the market.

BKT and Pirelli signed a framework agreement on Thursday setting out the proposed venture’s structure and timelines, alongside separate agreements covering tyre manufacturing and technical support, according to a stock exchange filing by BKT.

The proposed joint venture will manufacture passenger car radial (PCR) tyres under the Pirelli and BKT brands and establish a new manufacturing plant in India. The partners intend to share the venture’s manufacturing capacity equally, with each nominating two directors to a four-member board and the chairmanship rotating between them.

The joint venture agreement is yet to be signed. The companies have agreed to incorporate the venture by December 31 2030, subject to the fulfilment or waiver of specified conditions.

Under an interim offtake agreement, BKT will manufacture Pirelli-branded passenger car tyres at its existing plant in Bhuj, Gujarat, using Pirelli’s specifications and know-how. Pirelli and its affiliates will purchase the tyres, with pricing based on actual raw material costs plus conversion costs. Payments will be made in rupees for domestic supplies and euros for exports.

The agreement includes a minimum annual purchasing commitment from Pirelli, matched by a corresponding capacity commitment from BKT. The arrangement is expected to remain in force until the joint venture becomes operational and can meet Pirelli’s demand. Otherwise, it will continue until December 31 2031, subject to a possible extension by mutual agreement.

The partnership also provides for Pirelli to supply technical support for testing BKT-branded tyres, including products for sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and two-wheelers. The services will use Pirelli’s testing facilities outside India, with BKT paying fees in euros under an agreed pricing schedule.

For Pirelli, which the filing says currently has a commercial presence in India, the venture represents a step towards strengthening its position in a market with growing demand for higher-value tyres. The company reported consolidated revenue of approximately €6.78bn for the year ended December 2025.

For BKT, the agreement offers a route into the passenger car tyre segment beyond its established business, potentially opening opportunities in domestic and international markets.

The agreements also contain restrictions on competing arrangements. While the framework agreement remains in force, neither company may enter a joint venture or similar arrangement with a third party in India to manufacture car, light truck, motorcycle or bicycle tyres, although wholly owned plants are excluded. Under the offtake agreement, BKT cannot manufacture comparable or competing passenger car tyres for third parties, but remains free to develop and sell its own BKT-branded products.

The proposed joint venture’s completion remains subject to the conditions specified in the agreements. The companies have not disclosed a financial value for the transaction or the proposed plant’s investment cost in the filing.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is set to appear at the IRC2026 AICHI Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition, a four-day gathering running 3–6 November at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture. Held in tandem with the International Rubber Conference 2026, which convenes rubber and elastomer scientists and engineers from across the globe, the event carries the theme ‘Future Rubber Technology toward Sustainability’.

Yokohama Rubber's own display, billed as ‘Yokohama's Technology Supporting a Sustainable Society’, will spotlight innovations embedded in tyres and industrial goods that tackle societal challenges through diminished environmental footprints, stronger safety and cost efficiency and lighter labour burdens.

On the tyre front, visitors will encounter the iceGUARD 8 for passenger cars and the newly launched iceGUARD 8 SUV, introduced in September. Explanations will cover the tread patterns and the AQUA BUSTER naturally derived, highly absorbent compound responsible for grip on frozen roads. Racing fans will note ADVAN tyres built from renewable and recycled feedstocks and supplied to Japan's SUPER FORMULA Championship, alongside a BluEarth-GT AE51 prototype incorporating biomass-derived butadiene rubber. The company will also outline R&D balancing performance retention with greater sustainable material uptake and reduced petroleum dependence in synthetic rubber.

Industrial offerings include the Smart Belt, a conveyor belt carrying embedded RFID tags, together with maintenance support services that harvest wear and temperature readings to recommend upkeep approaches and belt specs matched to operating conditions – enhancing safety while trimming inspection and maintenance effort. Cutaway samples will reveal automotive air-conditioning hose construction using lightweight resin liquid piping and marine hose architecture underpinning safe seaborne crude and petroleum product transport.

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Pirelli has confirmed its tyre compound choices for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, selecting the C2 as Hard, the C3 as Medium and the C4 as Soft. This marks a return to a familiar combination after the 2025 experiment that introduced an additional step between the Hard and Medium compounds. Last year the C1 served as the hardest available tyre but was unused in the race, with teams preferring one-stop strategies built around the softer C3 and C4 options. The Austin round opens a triple-header on the American continent that also includes Mexico City and São Paulo, and it stands as the second of three United States-based events this season ahead of Las Vegas.

The weekend reverts to the traditional format without a Sprint, giving teams three free practice sessions to refine car balance and set-ups on a circuit that does not demand extreme compromises. The 5.513-kilometre COTA layout blends high-speed corners, rapid direction changes and slower sections requiring strong traction, so competitiveness depends on pairing straight-line speed with efficient aerodynamic load through technical passages. From a tyre perspective, the track loads both axles: the fast corners of the first sector stress the front tyres, while the acceleration zones out of slow corners in the third sector generate thermal degradation primarily at the rear.

The asphalt is not especially abrasive, and a section between Turns 9 and 11 was resurfaced earlier this year, though ageing across the remainder of the circuit contributes to significant wear. Tyre wear rather than graining could therefore prove decisive, as several tyres reached very high wear values at last year's event. Strategically, the C2 Hard could favour long stints in what is likely a one-stop race, though typically high Texan temperatures may increase degradation and open alternative approaches. Medium-Soft was last year's most popular strategy, used by 13 drivers, with Charles Leclerc the lone podium finisher to start on Softs.

Austin has hosted the United States Grand Prix 13 times, though the event's total history spans 46 editions across six circuits; Lewis Hamilton leads with six victories, one shy of Michael Schumacher's record, and Ferrari holds the constructors' mark with 11 wins. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America season, supplied by Pirelli for the first time, concludes at COTA during the Grand Prix weekend, with Tyler Maxson leading the Mobil Pro standings by 27 points after Road Atlanta, though Aaron Jeansonne remains in contention with two races and bonus points available. Pirelli Design has also created a special podium cap by designer Denis Dekovic, featuring a star pattern inspired by the American flag alongside cacti and rattlesnakes as Texan desert symbols.

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