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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Michelin has inaugurated PolMixLab, a new associated research laboratory (LabCom), on 22 April 2026, in collaboration with the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University. The primary objective of the joint initiative is to invent the rubber of the future by accelerating innovation in polymer materials for multiple industrial uses. The partnership leverages the combined scientific and industrial expertise of all parties to balance performance, durability, and energy efficiency.

Against a backdrop of ecological transition and rising industrial demands, polymer materials like elastomers are a critical research frontier. Their applications span automotive, aeronautics, healthcare and construction, requiring continuous improvements in durability, recyclability, energy sobriety and advanced functionality. To address these challenges, research teams from the Polymer Materials Engineering Laboratory – representing the CNRS, INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University – have joined forces with Michelin to develop next-generation polymer materials.

Academic and industrial researchers will pursue three main goals over the course of four years. The first involves reducing manufacturing energy for elastomers through digital simulation and improved blend quality. The second focuses on creating new elastomers that exceed current performance limits via innovative structures. The third aims to boost environmental performance by integrating short-loop recycling directly into the polymer formulation phase. The resulting rubbers are intended for strategic applications in mobility, medical devices, aeronautics and high-performance industrial equipment.

PolMixLab represents a structural initiative rooted in Michelin’s 130 years of materials science expertise, spanning chemistry, material transformation, composite design and use-case knowledge from basic research to industrialization. The laboratory marks the 10th active associated research laboratory between the CNRS and Michelin, underscoring a long-term commitment to reducing carbon footprints, extending material lifespans and optimising performance for contemporary industrial and environmental needs.

Mehdi Gmar, Chief Innovation Officer, CNRS, said, “The CNRS is pleased with the creation of PolMixLab, a new associated research laboratory with Michelin, a leading partner with which it has a longstanding relation of trust since the 1990s, one that is structured by a framework-agreement renewed multiple times and nearly forty collaborations each year. This associated research laboratory, which also includes INSA Lyon, Lyon 1 University and Jean Monnet University, marks a new stage in this cooperation by developing polymer materials that offer higher performance, and are more recyclable and sober in energy.”

Christophe Moriceau, VP – Advanced Research, Michelin Group, said, “With PolMixLab, Michelin is strengthening its ability to anticipate and accompany major industrial and environmental issues connected to materials. By combining our unparalleled expertise in materials science and polymer composites with the academic excellence of our partners, we strive to invent rubbers that offer higher performance and are more durable and sober in energy. This research indeed includes the development of materials from biosourced resources, as well as control over material life cycle assessment, with a view to creating innovative solutions offering reduced environmental impact in the service of mobility, along with numerous industrial applications beyond tyres.”

Bruno Lina, President, Lyon 1 University, said, “PolMixLab illustrates the capacity of Lyon 1 University to develop structural research partnerships where scientific excellence meets industrial and environmental issues. By mobilising our expertise in materials science alongside our academic partners and Michelin, we help develop innovative solutions for materials that offer higher performance and are more suitable for the uses of the future.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), is supporting Round 5 of the 2026 WRC season, Rally Islas Canarias, taking place from 23 to 26 April across Spain’s Canary Islands. For the event, Hankook is providing its Ventus Z215 and Ventus Z210 tarmac rally tyres, with the former engineered for precise handling on abrasive asphalt and the latter designed for wet-road traction and water evacuation.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Rally Islas Canarias returned as an official WRC round for the second consecutive year after joining the calendar for the first time the previous season. Based on Gran Canaria Island, home to the capital Las Palmas, the rally featured 18 special stages covering a competitive distance of 322.61 kilometres, all on asphalt. The opening day’s highlight was the Super Special Stage at the BP Ultimate - Circuito Islas Canarias, where drivers competed in a head-to-head time-attack format.

Regarded as one of the championship’s most iconic tarmac events, the rally is defined by the abrasive, high-grip asphalt and dramatic elevation changes of Gran Canaria’s volcanic terrain. While the consistent surface grip allows circuit-like, high-speed precision driving, it also subjects tyres to intense physical stress. Maintaining grip under high surface temperatures and adapting to unpredictable mountain weather is expected to make tyre performance a decisive factor in the rally’s outcome.

Since the 2025 season, Hankook has served as the exclusive tyre supplier for all WRC classes, reinforcing its role as a key technical partner in global motorsport. By leveraging data from top-tier series such as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the WRC, alongside advanced R&D infrastructure, Hankook continues to drive innovation in high-performance tyre technology while strengthening its global premium brand position.

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Continental is providing comprehensive tyre support to Royal Den Hartogh Logistics, a Dutch family-owned leader in container-based bulk transport for the chemical and food industries. With a history of collaboration exceeding 60 years, the tyre manufacturer now supplies professional tyre management and rolling resistance optimised tyres from the Conti Eco Gen 5 family to the logistics firm’s European fleet of over 900 vehicles.

Peter Rodenburg, Senior Technical Manager at Den Hartogh, has identified safety, costs and the energy transition as the biggest challenges in the company’s Europe wide operations. His assessment highlights the need for more fuel-efficient driving and emission reductions. Meanwhile, Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development for Bus and Truck Tires at Continental, notes that the fifth generation of the Conti Eco tyre family is specifically designed to address transport sector customer needs and Europe’s dynamic regulatory environment.

The vehicle fleet operates across Europe with the latest generation tyres, supported by Continental’s Pull Point tyre monitoring, breakdown analysis and cost evaluation. Rodenburg has confirmed that the Eco tyre’s optimisation for rolling resistance delivers significant benefits in fuel efficiency and overall performance. The Conti Eco HD 5 has demonstrated its value in both fuel economy and mileage while also performing reliably under varying road and weather conditions.

Rodenburg has reported that after one year of joint fleet monitoring, the first impression of tyre performance and wear is positive. The switch to this tyre, combined with other vehicle optimisations, has yielded measurable cost savings. He states that with the complete package in place, the company has seen significant improvements in average fuel consumption of up to eight percent, making the move to the Conti Eco HD 5 a positive decision.

Looking ahead, Rodenburg acknowledges that the energy transition is taking shape, though the speed of fleet electrification remains uncertain. He emphasises that energy is becoming more expensive and must be used as efficiently as possible, with rolling resistance and air resistance representing losses to be minimised. An optimal tyre, he concludes, brings measurable benefits at every stage of the fleet’s transformation, an area where the rolling resistance optimised Conti Eco Gen 5 excels in contributing to fleet optimisation.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been named the ‘Top Manufacturer of the Year for Summer Tires 2026’ by Auto Bild, one of Europe’s leading automotive publications. The accolade recognises the brand’s outstanding performance across the season’s independent tyre tests, marking the fourth time in five years that Goodyear has secured this top honour. Auto Bild’s award is based on aggregated results from its recent summer tyre comparisons, with Goodyear previously earning the same distinction in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Goodyear shared the leading position with Hankook Tire after outperforming several industry rivals. Auto Bild editors twice awarded the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 an ‘Exemplary’ rating, also naming it Eco Champion and Green Tire of the Year. Those distinctions highlight the tyre’s balanced capabilities in performance, efficiency and sustainability, reinforcing Goodyear’s ability to deliver consistent results in rigorous independent evaluations.

Beyond the flagship award, Goodyear’s summer tyre portfolio achieved multiple podium finishes and top recommendations during the 2026 testing season. Highlights include a first-place result in Mootori’s summer tyre test in Finland, as well as podium wins from Auto Zeitung, ADAC and Sport Auto. From safety-critical braking to efficiency-focused rolling resistance, Goodyear tyres continued to set benchmarks across Europe in independent assessments.

Jan-Piet Van Kesteren, Managing Director EMEA & Chief Sales Officer EMEA Consumer, Goodyear, said, “Being named ‘Top Manufacturer of the Year for Summer Tires’ once again by Auto Bild is a strong recognition of the consistent performance we are delivering across our tyre portfolio. Achieving this award four times in the past five years highlights the strength of our product lineup and our commitment to innovation to ensure that our high-quality tyres meet the evolving needs of drivers. At Goodyear, our ambition is to be #1 in tyres and service, and recognitions like this reinforces the progress we are making towards that goal. We remain focused on developing products that combine performance, safety and sustainability while continuing to deliver value to our customers and partners.”

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