Cabot Corporation has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing the company's advancements in 2024 and introducing a new set of objectives for 2030. The report demonstrates significant momentum, with Cabot having already met 11 of its 15 sustainability targets for 2025 ahead of schedule and anticipating further progress on the remaining goals this year.

Notable achievements from the reporting period include a community investment of USD 10 million in its local operating areas and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by more than five percent, which surpassed the 2025 goal early. The company also reported its highest level of beneficial waste reuse in over six years, diverting significant material from landfills. In product innovation, Cabot launched the REPLASBLAK family, its first black masterbatches to receive International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS. Furthermore, the company reinforced its commitment to reducing plastic pellet loss by securing Operation Clean Sweep Europe certification for its two masterbatch facilities in Belgium.

Looking forward, Cabot has established a new framework of 2030 Sustainability Goals, shaped by a comprehensive materiality assessment conducted in 2024. This assessment involved extensive research, peer benchmarking and consultations with internal teams and external stakeholders to identify six priority areas. The resulting 2030 targets include a 15 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions intensity and a 20 percent absolute reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions. The goals also encompass ambitious energy and water management targets, such as exporting 250 percent of the energy the company imports and reducing freshwater withdrawal intensity by 10 percent at sites in water-stressed regions. Additional objectives focus on lowering the average product carbon footprint by five to 10 percent and achieving a 25 percent reduction in safety incident rates.

Developed in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the full 2025 Sustainability Report, which also supports Cabot's commitment to the United Nations Global Compact, is available for review on the company’s website.

Sean Keohane, President and CEO, Cabot Corporation, said, “Sustainability is central to who we are at Cabot and serves as the foundation for our purpose of creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. By leveraging advanced chemistry and innovation, we are supporting our customers in tackling complex sustainability challenges, all while working to minimise our own environmental impact across our global operations. I am immensely proud of the accomplishments our team has made to advance our sustainability priorities and look forward to building on this momentum with the launch of our new 2030 Sustainability Goals, aimed at generating positive, lasting impact for our customers, communities and the world.”

Jennifer Chittick, Senior Vice President – Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) and Chief Sustainability Officer, Cabot Corporation, said, “As a global leader in our industry, it is our responsibility to set forward-looking goals that challenge us to elevate our sustainability performance. Our 2030 Sustainability Goals are not just benchmarks, they are a strategic framework to guide how we innovate, operate and create long-term value for all our stakeholders. Achieving these goals will require cross-functional collaboration, creativity and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. Our ability to meet them will position Cabot as a differentiated leader in sustainability, both within the chemical industry and beyond.” 

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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