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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Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) has unveiled an ambitious expansion and investment roadmap aimed at more than doubling its revenue to around INR 230 billion by FY30, backed by a cumulative capital expenditure of INR 68 billion.

The company said the investment programme would strengthen its leadership in the off-highway tyre (OHT) segment, expand carbon black capacity and accelerate its entry into India’s on-highway tyre market. The strategy forms part of BKT’s long-term plan to achieve an estimated 8 percent global market share in the OHT segment by FY30.

BKT has already announced INR 13 billion of capex for OHT tyres in August 2024 and an additional INR 35 billion investment in May 2025 for on-highway tyres, rubber tracks, carbon black and power plant expansion. The board has further approved INR 20 billion in additional capex to support capacity expansion, infrastructure development, AI-enabled automation and sustainability initiatives.

As part of the OHT expansion strategy, BKT said ongoing debottlenecking and capacity enhancement initiatives would raise OHT tyre capacity to 425,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA). The company is also expanding its dedicated rubber tracks manufacturing facility while strengthening its mining tyre portfolio.

In the carbon black business, the company is scaling up production to improve raw material integration and energy efficiency. BKT said Phase 1 capacity has already been increased to 265,000 MTPA along with a 24 MW cogeneration power plant, taking total cogeneration capacity at Bhuj to 64 MW. Phase 2 expansion, which will raise carbon black capacity to 360,000 MTPA, is expected to become operational in Q1 FY27.

The company is simultaneously building its on-highway tyre business in India through a modular approach focused initially on premium passenger car radial tyres and commercial vehicle radial tyres. Commercial vehicle radial tyres were pilot launched in Q4 FY26, while passenger car radial tyres are scheduled for pilot launch in Q3 FY27.

For FY26, BKT reported standalone revenue of INR 106.56 billion, while net profit stood at INR 12.22 billion. OHT sales volumes rose 1 percent year-on-year to 317,356 MT.

The company said the expansion programme is expected to enhance profitability through stronger operational integration, scalable infrastructure and an expanded product portfolio, with blended EBITDA margins projected in the 23–25 per cent range after full commercialisation of the new capacities.

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Continental has unveiled plans to build a highly automated finished-goods warehouse in Mount Vernon, Illinois, representing an investment of roughly USD 76 million. The new facility, which will cover an area larger than six American football fields and hold approximately 500,000 passenger car tyres, aims to address growing demand across North America while improving service levels and customer support. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, with operations expected to launch the following year.

The Mount Vernon location already holds the distinction of being Continental’s largest tyre production facility in United States and serves as a linchpin for its supply network throughout the Americas. Tyre manufacturing has been a constant at this site for over 50 years, dating back to its 1974 opening; Continental took ownership in 1987. Today, the vast campus – measuring more than 320,000 square metres – produces tyres for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles, churning out roughly 11.4 million units annually while employing over 3,500 people.

Continental continues to advance digitalisation and automation across its global manufacturing operations, which include 19 tyre plants in 16 countries. The company is prioritising new technologies, alternative materials, environmentally friendly production methods and ongoing improvements in logistics efficiency.

Tansu Işık, CEO, Continental Tires Americas, said, “Our new highly automated finished-goods warehouse underscores our growth ambitions in North America. The new facility will enhance our ability to serve customers with greater speed and flexibility while strengthening our overall distribution network in the region.”

Nik Pearce, Plant Manager of Continental’s Mount Vernon tyre plant, said, “This investment is a strong signal for the future of our Mount Vernon plant. It enhances our capabilities, further modernises our operations and makes our plant logistics more efficient. At the same time, it strengthens our operations at local level and creates new development opportunities for our employees.”

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CAMSO Construction has publicly confirmed its market entry readiness for United Kingdom and Ireland, representing the second stage of its broader European rollout. This follows the business’s initial success in Southern Europe after the RPG Group formally acquired the compact construction tyres and tracks division from Michelin in September 2025.

The move into UK and Irish markets aligns with CAMSO Construction’s deliberate phased growth strategy, transitioning from establishing a regional foothold to scaling operations in high-potential territories. The company now manages its own product distribution and has already taken delivery of its first shipment of construction tyres and tracks, now warehoused in UK. With a global leadership team, proprietary engineering capabilities and existing manufacturing infrastructure, the firm is positioned to offer performance-focused tyres and tracks designed for local construction demands.

Industry requirements in UK place a premium on machine uptime, durability and operational productivity. CAMSO Construction aims to function as a dependable technical partner, supported by cross-market expertise and a strong after-sales framework. Responsive service, comprehensive warranty programmes and a commitment to on-the-ground customer productivity form the core of its long-term partnership model for the region.

Amit Tolani, Director, CAMSO Construction, said, “Our entry into the UK & Ireland marks a significant milestone in our second wave of European expansion. CAMSO is already a premium and trusted brand across Europe, known for its proven performance and reliability. We are not just entering the market, we are investing to build a strong, scalable presence on the ground, backed by proven products, responsive service and a clear focus on delivering measurable value to our customers.”

Steffen Sahl, Director of Sales, said, “Success in the UK will come down to understanding local realities – dealer expectations, contractor demands and fleet uptime pressures. We have built our model around exactly that: the right product fit, backed by technical expertise and people who are close to the customer and quick to respond.”

James Noon, Head of Sales, Northern Europe, said, “The UK is one of Europe’s most strategically important compact construction markets. CAMSO Construction is a premium brand that contractors, dealers and OEMs already know and trust. The brand has strong affinity and proven product quality, with the lowest overall operating costs. Our goal is to further strengthen our leadership position by being closer to customers, faster in response and relentless in delivering measurable value on the ground.”

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Falken Motorsports has confirmed its lineup and strategy for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the centrepiece of the season. The Japanese tyre brand will compete with a teal and blue Porsche 911 GT3 R marked as car number 44, driven by a carefully selected international team. Klaus Bachler from Austria, Dutch racer Morris Schuring and German drivers Sven Müller and Tim Heinemann share the cockpit of the familiar teal and blue machine.

The team’s confidence stems from strong performances in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series opener. After a weather delay, Müller and Heinemann claimed an impressive second place overall, providing valuable data and momentum. Falken is prioritising driver stability, with Bachler remaining a core member since 2017 despite never having won the 24-hour race itself.

Schuring adds youthful ambition, having already secured an overall victory in last year’s season debut with Falken alongside Müller. Müller himself brings deep technical expertise and longevity, while Heinemann rounds out the squad as a proven fast man on the demanding Nordschleife. Other Falken tyre users include the Subaru WRX, an Opel Corsa, a BMW M4 GT4 and two SRS Team entries comprising a BMW 330i and a Toyota Supra.

Max Kruse Racing will enter five cars, including two Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II machines and three VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h vehicles. Among their drivers are former professional footballer Max Kruse and Fabian Vettel, the younger brother of former Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Falken has been a near-constant presence at the Nürburgring 24-hour race since 1999. The traditional Falken Drift Show takes place on Friday 15 May at 7:30 pm on the Müllenbachschleife. Away from the track, a darts show match between Max Hopp and Martin Schindler occurs on 16 May from noon to 1:00 pm, followed by autograph sessions.

The main race starts on Saturday 16 May at 3:00 pm, with live coverage available on RTL Nitro and the official 24h streaming platform. Falken Motorsports will also offer ongoing updates and behind-the-scenes material through its social media and digital channels.

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