A major new academic and industry reference, Sustainable Materials for Rubber and Allied Industries, has been released by CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. The 724-page volume brings together science, technology, policy and industrial practice to explore how one of the world’s most essential material sectors is transitioning towards sustainability.

The rubber industry plays a critical role in mobility, healthcare, defence, infrastructure and consumer products. Yet, for decades, most rubber compounds have relied on fossil-based feedstocks and additives. As the world confronts the realities of climate change, resource depletion and waste accumulation, the industry now finds itself at the centre of global discussions on sustainability and circularity.

This book addresses that challenge directly, not as a philosophical concept but as a practical and scientific journey. It examines the material, processing and policy transitions required to build a sustainable future for rubber and tyre manufacturing.

What the Book Contains

Structured across fourteen detailed chapters, the volume covers:

• Foundations of Sustainability and Circularity — explaining environmental, social and economic drivers shaping modern material science.
• Natural Rubber — explored as the industry's most significant renewable resource, along with sustainability challenges in cultivation and processing.
• Bio-Based and Sustainable Synthetic Rubbers — highlighting advances in monomers and green polymer chemistry.
• Sustainable Fillers, Fibres and Reinforcements — including biomass-derived fillers, recycled fibres and improved steel cord systems.
• Curing Systems, Antidegradants, Resins and Processing Aids — re-examined through environmental performance, toxicity and lifecycle impact.
• Thermoplastic Elastomers and Thermoplastic Vulcanisates — offering recyclable and energy-efficient solutions for multiple applications.
• Recycling, Devulcanisation and Circular Economy Models — reviewing the state of the art and emerging industrial-scale technologies.
• Global Regulation and Policy — outlining responsibility frameworks and sustainability compliance trends.

Throughout the book, laboratory research, practical industrial experience, and case-study insights are blended to provide a realistic and applicable reference for scientists, engineers, educators, sustainability strategists, and manufacturing leaders. The work recognises the progress already made by leading manufacturers while setting a scientific and technological roadmap for the years ahead.

The message is clear: sustainability is not merely a direction for the rubber industry — it is its future operating principle.

Short Note About the Authors

The book is authored by five recognised leaders in rubber science and sustainability:

• Professor Anil K. Bhowmick
• A globally respected polymer scientist and Research Professor at the University of Houston, formerly Professor of Eminence at IIT Kharagpur and founder of IIT Patna. He has over 600 research publications, multiple patents, numerous international awards and a distinguished record of advancing rubber science worldwide.
• Dr Rabindra Mukhopadhyay
• Director & Chief Executive of HASETRI and Director (R&D) at JK Tyre. With more than 45 years of industrial leadership, he is known for his contributions to reverse engineering, sustainable materials, circular economy practices and technology development in tyres and elastomers.
• Dr Jagannath Chanda
• Senior Research Scientist at HASETRI, specialising in sustainable composites, failure analysis and structure–property relationships, with significant contributions to academic literature and industrial innovation.
• Dr Barun Kumar Samui
• Principal Scientist at HASETRI with extensive industry experience in reinforcement textiles, composite materials and the performance optimisation of rubber products.
• Dr Riya Koley
• Postdoctoral Fellow at Polytechnique Montréal with research expertise in polymer chemistry, green additives, elastomer processing and nanomaterial-enhanced sustainable rubber systems.

Together, the authors bridge academic excellence, industrial experience and long-term engagement with global sustainability efforts — making this book both authoritative and practical for the future of the rubber and allied industries.

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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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