Search Results

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) says its outlook of global natural rubber has improved further this month based on the preliminary updates given by Member Governments up to November 2021. Although the production in most producing countries is affected by adverse weather this month, the global production of NR is expected to grow by 2.1% to 13.882 million tonnes. The outlook on global demand remains positive with expansion by 8.7% to 14.076 million. The favorable market fundamental brought positive sentiments to the NR market.

Industry officials in India told Reuters that natural rubber output is expected to increase 15 percent during 2017-2018. This is expected to be the highest price in almost 4 years. Also, higher prices make farmers commence using trees abandoned before. Notwithstanding, natural rubber price rally appears to be bad news for tire manufacturers as it cuts down profits. And to stay afloat, the businesses may pass those hits on to customers.

The association reports that the world consumption of NR fell 19.6%, year-over-year, during the first quarter of 2020, as per the preliminary estimates and forecasts of individual countries. The consumption anticipated during the second quarter is down 1.5% compared with the same quarter a year ago. At the same time, the world production of NR increased by 1.8%, year-over-year, during the first quarter of 2020, according to preliminary estimates and forecasts of individual countries. The production anticipated during the second quarter is up 3.6% compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Researchers from the University of Arizona are collaborating with Bridgestone Americas Inc. to develop a sustainable and resilient variety of natural rubber. The project focuses on guayule, a perennial shrub that can be grown in the arid conditions of the U.S. Southwest. The five-year, $70 million project, with $35 million funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an equal match from Bridgestone, aims to transition growers from traditional crops to guayule. Partners in the project include the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Colorado State University, regional growers, and OpenET, a public-private partnership for responsible water management. Bridgestone has been working with guayule since 2012 and plans to expand its farm in Eloy to 20,000 acres, with a long-term goal of cultivating guayule on around 100,000 acres across the Southwest.

Continental and Security Matters (SMX), an innovative tech platform specializing in digital tracking using unalterable chemical-based barcodes, have succeeded for the first time in verifying beyond doubt a marker substance for natural rubber in a tire, and thus throughout the entire production process. The dedicated marker technology, which both companies optimized for use in natural rubber, is designed to create greater transparency along the entire value chain of tires and technical rubber products from Continental. Provided with special security features, the use of the marker substances enables the invisible marking of natural rubber with information on its geographical origin.

In Continental’s recent press release, the tire manufacturer made a very positive announcement related to sustainability. Now that Claus Petschick heads new Sustainability department, sustainable management is expected to become an integral part of Continental’s “Vision 2030” strategy program. Besides, the company will continue engaging in consistent research and development of new technologies, alternative materials and environmentally friendly production processes in the tire sector.

International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) announced the press release for the collaboration with Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) to support research on sustainability in the rubber industry. The collaboration involves: - Research on Impact of Climate Change on the rubber industry - Developing a white paper based on the IRSG statistical model - Further collaborations in the pipeline to track traceability and sustainability in the rubber supply chain.

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is organizing its 13th Annual Rubber Conference, Opening Session of 45th ANRPC Assembly and 6th ANRPC Public-Private Meet at Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati, India on 9 and 10 October 2023 (Monday and Tuesday). This event is hosted by the Rubber Board of India, Government of India. The one-day conference, with the theme “Natural Rubber Industry: Challenges and Policy Options in the 21st Century”, will provide an international meeting point and a platform for meaningful interactions and networking among rubber industry players, policy makers, researchers, and commodity analysts across countries.

The recent news from Continental – a prominent tire manufacturer – proves that the industry is expected to becoming more sustainable which, in turn, will affect tire recycling industry as well. In late June 2020, Continental received the Red Dot Design Award for Urban Taraxagum – bicycle tires made from dandelion rubber. Moreover, the tire manufacturer recently made a very positive announcement related to sustainability. Now that Claus Petschick heads new Sustainability department, sustainable management is expected to become an integral part of Continental’s “Vision 2030” strategy program. Besides, the company will continue engaging in consistent research and development of new technologies, alternative materials and environmentally friendly production processes in the tire sector.