The ERJ reports that the European Union has begun the process of withdrawing from the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), raising questions about the future funding and direction of the Singapore-based organization.

The development was discussed during RubberCon 2026, held in Paris on April 28-29, where Tyres Europe Secretary General Adam McCarthy stated that EU member states had granted the European Commission permission to initiate the withdrawal process.

Europe is understood to be the largest financial contributor to the IRSG, making the potential exit a significant development for the international rubber industry body.

Concerns raised over IRSG future

Speaking during the event, McCarthy said the move creates uncertainty around the future role of the organization and highlighted the need for what he described as a broader “rubber strategy for Europe.”

The International Rubber Study Group was established in 1944 as an intergovernmental organization focused on improving transparency and cooperation across the global rubber industry.

The organization currently provides market statistics, industry analysis, conferences, working groups, and technical discussions covering both natural and synthetic rubber sectors.

Current member governments listed by the organization include Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, the European Union, India, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

The IRSG has been headquartered in Singapore since 2008 after previously operating from London.

Potential implications for the rubber and tire sectors

The possible withdrawal comes at a time when the global rubber industry is facing increasing pressure related to sustainability, supply chain transparency, circular economy requirements, and environmental regulation.

Industry organizations and manufacturers are increasingly focused on areas including sustainable natural rubber sourcing, tire recycling, recovered materials, and emissions reduction across the value chain.

Within the tire and rubber sectors, growing attention is also being placed on advanced recycling technologies such as pyrolysis, which can recover materials including recovered carbon black (rCB), tire-derived oil, recovered steel, and pyrolysis char from end-of-life tires.

At the same time, demand for traceable and certified sustainable materials continues to increase across global supply chains.

Funding uncertainty for global rubber cooperation

The EU’s reported withdrawal could create financial challenges for the IRSG due to Europe’s role as a major contributor to the organization’s funding structure.

The organization has historically served as a platform for international cooperation on rubber market data, industry dialogue, and technical research involving both governments and industry stakeholders.

The United States previously ended funding for its participation in the IRSG in 2011.

At this stage, the IRSG has not publicly commented on the reported development.

The situation is likely to be closely monitored by stakeholders across the global tire, rubber recycling, and specialty materials industries as the sector continues adapting to changing regulatory and sustainability priorities.

To read the full article, navigate to the website of the European Rubber Journal.