The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has said in its latest monthly natural rubber (NR) report that the global NR production is set to increase only marginally in 2025 after a 3.5 percent year-on-year increase last year.

The total NR output is expected to be 14.897 million tonnes this year, up only 0.3 percent from the 14.855 million tonnes recorded in 2024, according to the projection. Specifically, it was anticipated that Indonesia would record a significant decline in output as a result of a switch from rubber to other crops, particularly palm oil and a reduction in tapped area. It is anticipated that Indonesian output will drop by over 10 percent annually to 2,041 million tonnes.

Malaysia's output is expected to drop 4.2 percent to 370,000 tonnes in 2025 as a result of ageing rubber trees and a shift to other commodities. Despite its larger objective of growing the nation's NR sector by 2030, Vietnam, the third-largest producer in the globe, is expected to witness a 1.3 percent drop in output to 1.280 million tonnes. China anticipates a six percent increase in production to 933,000 tonnes, while other NR-producing nations are expected to boost output. Production in the rest of the world, which includes non-ANRPC members and African producers, is predicted to rise by 3.5 percent this year to 3.293 million tonnes.

It is projected that ANRPC members' overall production would drop little from 81 percent in 2023 to 79 percent in 2024 and 2025. This change is a result of higher production, especially in Laos and Côte d'Ivoire, which are becoming important players in the natural rubber market. 'Planting and re-export' is a new initiative by Chinese enterprises that is intended to greatly increase output in the Myanmar-Laos border region.

The association predicts that NR consumption will increase 1.8 percent year to 15.625 million tonnes. According to the monthly report, the updated demand forecasts for China and non-ANRPC members for three years in a row have an impact on this moderate rise. The anticipated 110 percent increase in demand to 122,000 tonnes by Cambodia, a significant location for new tyre projects in recent months, is especially noteworthy. Demand is expected to rise by 2.5 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively, to 7.163 million tonnes and 1.5 million tonnes in China and India, the two largest NR users in the world, with 46 percent and 10 percent of the global market share.

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Zeon Corporation and Visolis Inc. have formalised their partnership by signing a binding term sheet, marking a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation of bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This collaboration, which now moves from technology verification towards project implementation, is built upon the progress made since their initial memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and the subsequent joint feasibility study announced in April 2025. Bio-based isoprene monomer serves as an essential component in the production of synthetic rubbers and various other materials, while SAF is increasingly recognised as a critical next-generation fuel for reducing carbon emissions within the aviation industry.

The newly established term sheet outlines a foundational agreement on the key elements required for a final investment decision. These include defining the business structure and the respective roles of each company, establishing technology and development strategies and advancing detailed engineering for the proposed production facility. Furthermore, the agreement covers the evaluation of potential sites, the process for engaging with suppliers, securing necessary regulatory approvals and planning the financing pathway.

The envisioned facility is set to commence commercial-scale output after successfully demonstrating mass production capabilities for biomass-based isoprene and SAF, utilising Visolis’ proprietary technology. Both companies are now committed to expediting the path to full-scale production and ensuring a steady supply of these sustainable products to the global market.

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Zeon Corporation has deepened its commitment to digital chemistry through a strategic investment and partnership with Chemify Limited, secured via its corporate venture arm Zeon Ventures Inc. Chemify, a growth-stage UK enterprise, is reshaping molecular research by integrating digital tools with automated laboratory systems. Its proprietary Chemputation technology translates molecular targets into executable chemical code, which operates directly on robotic platforms to complete integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze cycles without manual intervention. This closed-loop automation allows Chemify to explore previously inaccessible areas of chemical space while reducing the timeline from concept to synthesized compound by up to tenfold.

A cornerstone of Chemify’s capability is its recently inaugurated Chemifarm in Glasgow – one of the most sophisticated automated facilities in the world for molecular design and construction. The facility enables accelerated iteration and autonomous synthesis of novel small molecules, converting chemical code into tangible compounds with unprecedented efficiency. These advances are critical for developing functional, synthesisable molecules that can contribute solutions to urgent global issues spanning public health, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Zeon has been at the forefront of adopting digital methodologies in chemical R&D, recognising their transformative potential from an early stage. This investment is positioned to strengthen Zeon’s internal digital chemistry efforts and catalyse the invention of novel materials capable of addressing complex societal needs. The move aligns with Zeon’s STAGE30 corporate strategy, which targets a rise in revenue contribution from four key growth sectors – Mobility, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Green Transformation – to 48 percent by fiscal 2028. By backing pioneering enterprises and cultivating advanced materials, Zeon continues to advance its dual vision of a sustainable planet and a secure, progressive society.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced the opening of an application window for financial aid for sulphur dusting to combat powdery mildew disease in rubber plantations for the year 2026. The scheme is open to all Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) operating in both traditional and non-traditional growing regions.

From 10 to 20 February 2026, eligible societies must submit their applications online through the 'ServicePlus' portal on the official Rubber Board website. Societies requiring help with the submission process are advised to contact their nearest Rubber Board regional office or field station, or to consult the board's website for further guidance.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has welcomed the official recognition by French authorities on 17 January 2026, which classifies tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a legitimate raw material for the chemical sector. This pivotal regulatory milestone for pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres substantially enhances the product’s integration into established chemical value chains. It also provides greater predictability for future purchase and partnership frameworks, thereby accelerating the development of industrial material cycles.

For Pyrum, which processes scrap tyres through pyrolysis to recover pyrolysis oil, industrial carbon black and steel, this decision underscores the critical need for standardised and reliable regulatory conditions. Such clarity is fundamental for scaling investments, production volumes and supply chains, particularly as the chemical industry and circular economy converge. The establishment of clear product categories is essential to ramp up the market for high-quality recycled raw materials.

The company remains committed to tracking further developments in France and the wider European dialogue regarding the classification and application of recycled feedstocks. Pyrum’s overarching objective is to expand industrial-scale recycling solutions for scrap tyres. This regulatory progress directly supports the company’s mission to secure long-term, quality-assured supply agreements with partners across the chemical industry, thereby advancing a more sustainable and circular economic model.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The decision in France is an important step for the industrial use of pyrolysis oil from waste tyres. It supports a trend that we are seeing in many markets, where the chemical industry is seeking reliable, technologically robust and clearly classified alternative raw materials.”

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