JSR Corporation has been supplying an extensive range of products such as synthetic rubbers for car tyres, thermoplastic elastomers with the characteristics of both elastomers and plastics, and latex for paper coating. As part of its mid-term business plan “JSR20i9,” which started in April 2017, JSR Corporation is strengthening competitiveness for the future. It focuses on earnings drivers and profit expansion in SSBR, semiconductor materials and the Life Sciences Business.

The CASE mobility will influence the entire eco-system of the tyre industry. Requirements of tyres for the CASE mobility will be different from today, and raw material suppliers are now pushing themselves meet future demand. The tyres for the new mobility are expected to have high strength, wear resistance, with reduction of emissions. To meet these needs, the company used its proprietary synthesis technology to develop the new SBR with significantly improved mechanical strength compared to conventional SBR.  The new hydrogenated SSBR combines JSR’s unique polymerisation and hydrogenation technologies to control the number of unsaturated bonds in the material. “Through this process, it is possible to optimise the interactions among polymer molecules and minimise the stress produced in crosslinking. As a result, this new SBR has, not only approximately two times the mechanical strength of conventional SBR, but also exceeds the strength of natural rubber. Tyres using this new SBR as the tread compound rubber demonstrate more than 50 per cent better wear resistance along with low fuel consumption and grip performance compared to conventional SBR-equipped tyres,” said the company.

 “In the CASE, EV vehicle is heavier, that could also lead to higher abrasion that causes rubber microparticles pollution. This is the reason we are focusing on abrasion resistance in our polymer,’’ said Arai. Constant exposure to sunlight could reason for degradation of tyres, but the new hydrogenated SSBR prevents it, and also reduce the microplastic said Arai.

Being in production of synthetic rubber over 60 years, JSR Corporation has been a significant supplier of synthetic rubber solutions to global tyre companies.  Since JSR Corporation focuses on materials solutions, it has achieved a great deal of success with various tyres. JSR’s core technology is continuously improving polymerisation with its solid foundation of polymerisation technology, and the company’s polymer design already meets a wide variety of customer needs.

The company believes in speedy development and mass production. JSR works closely with its Tire Materials Technology Development Center at its Yokkaichi Plant to develop polymers, processes and establish mass-production technologies. It applies digital techniques for research and development and mass production technologies and utilises AI and big data to tackle improvements in speed and efficiency and achieve stable quality and mass production.  With technologically tailored solutions proposals, tyre manufacturers reduce tyre development time.

In the design and development analysis technologies, JSR uses its high-level analysis technologies to design and develop optimised materials tailored to each type of rubber compound.

Demand for low resistance tyres is growing by 10% every year, and JSR intends to cater to the demand with its functionalised SSBR solutions. According to Keisuke Miyoshi, managing director, JSR Elastomer Europe GmbH said, “The company provides the functionalised Solution SSBR that provides cutting edge technology and low rolling resistance. We plan to cater to the growing demand for low rolling resistance tyres across the globe. To cater to the growing demand for low rolling resistance tyres, the company has increased its production capacities of SSBR with plants in Japan, Thailand and Hungary.”

The total capacity of SSBR is around 220KT.

Being a supplier of a wide range of synthetic rubber solutions, JSR is into the production of a wide range of SSBR, from 1st generation to 5th generation. “Depending on the customer’s demand, we can supply different generation polymers,” said Miyoshi.

With its presence around the globe, JSR focuses on making products needed for the local requirement. The company runs a continuous product development programme based on its close communication with its customers globally.  “Japanese automakers are known for making fuel-efficient vehicles, and the same performance is also expected from tyre companies. While European automakers the required strong tyres, we leverage our technical expertise to make products suitable for the respective markets,” said Miyoshi.

JSR produces SSBR at three production sites, in Japan, Thailand and Hungary, which gives the company a unique logistical flexibility to support the global tyre industry. “We are the only synthetic rubber company which is spread globally in terms of synthetic rubber production and that gives us an edge over all our competitors. Customers may not find any difference in quality. Our strategic presence helps us to be more efficient in supplying products and service,” said Miyoshi

With six sales and technical offices in all major markets, the company promptly responds to tyre manufacturer requests timely

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Zeon Corporation broke ground on a multi-product research and prototyping complex at the Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on 16 October with a ceremony held beforehand to seek safety during construction. The company expects the complex to shorten the path from laboratory work to mass production for established and emerging businesses alike, making it central to its long-term growth strategy.

Set inside an existing building within the port's Research & Development Center area, the complex is slated to begin operating in January 2028. Its design aims to move products past the laboratory stage and into medium-scale sample output more quickly, clearing a bottleneck on the route to full-scale manufacturing.

Zeon's core production methods – polymerisation, hydrogenation, coagulation and drying – will be built into the complex, which is engineered to handle diverse manufacturing conditions and operating approaches. Beyond serving established and new businesses, the polymer design company envisions the site as a centre for technology development and a platform for rolling out new processes and operational, analytical, and measurement technologies within and beyond the company. It will eventually host development and prototyping work across a wide range of technologies, including contract prototypes commissioned by outside parties.

The Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port is the umbrella name for the site combining the neighbouring Kawasaki Plant and Research & Development Center. The label underscores the location's role in breaking new ground by merging innovation, research and development and production and casts the Kawasaki waterfront as a port that propels innovation. Once a co-creative innovation facility begins operating in December 2026, the two sites will function as one continuous operation, turning out ever more sophisticated products and production methods and reinforcing their standing as a launchpad for technology.

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Vipal Rubber has launched the VT290, a tread designed for truck drive axles used on motorways and paved roads, targeting regional and long-distance transport operations in Europe.

The product is available in widths of 240mm, 250mm, 260mm, 270mm and 280mm. It is designed to provide traction and stability on dry and wet roads, as well as in demanding conditions involving snow.

Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “The launch of the VT290 reinforces Vipal’s ongoing commitment to offering technologically advanced solutions suited to the specific characteristics of European roads and climate.” “We want to further consolidate our presence in the region, delivering a high value-added product that combines innovation, operational efficiency and safety,” he added.

The VT290 carries the M+S marking and 3PMSF certification. Its design includes side sipes and grooves intended to help remove snow and mud from the tread, improving grip on slippery surfaces.

The tread pattern is also designed to distribute engine torque more evenly, helping to reduce uneven wear. Tie bars between the tread blocks add structural stability, supporting vehicle control during driving.

Fabrício Nedeff, Commercial Manager of Vipal EMEA, said, “With the VT290, weare responding directly to the real needs of fleet operators and truck drivers, combining performance, adherence and efficiency in different driving conditions. [RS2.1]In addition to expanding options for our customers, the product strengthens business opportunities for our partners in the region,”

Vipal said the launch would expand its offering for retreaders, distributors and fleet operators in the European market.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) published its Monthly Natural Rubber Statistical Report for August 2026, noting firmer prices in several markets. Supply constraints, stable downstream demand and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty shaped the month. Renewed conflict and disruptions to major shipping routes added further pressure.

Physical prices for major grades moved in different directions. SMR-20 in Kuala Lumpur averaged USD 2.31 per kg, up 4.25 percent from July, while STR-20 in Bangkok rose 1.40 percent to USD 2.39 per kg. RSS-3 dropped 4.18 percent to USD 2.80 per kg, but RSS-4 in Kottayam gained 0.57 percent to USD 2.92 per kg. Latex-in-bulk fell 4.73 percent to USD 1.73 per kg. Brent crude averaged USD 91.08 per barrel, driven by concerns over possible restrictions on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East instability, which raised energy supply risks and strengthened the oil market risk premium.

On trade, China's imports climbed 3.39 percent month-on-month, while India fell 10.18 percent and Malaysia dropped 8.24 percent; Viet Nam rose 5.08 percent. Exports advanced 5.63 percent in Viet Nam but declined in Thailand (-5.24 percent), Indonesia (-5.36 percent), Malaysia (-1.48 percent) and Cambodia (-1.88 percent).

Global production is projected to rise 0.6 percent to 15.039 million tons in 2026 from 14.952 million tonnes in 2025, after revisions to Thailand's 2025 output and updated 2026 estimates for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Weather, including erratic rainfall and drier Southeast Asian conditions, affected output. August 2026 production was estimated at 1.396 million tonnes, down 4.51 percent from 1.462 million tonnes a year earlier. Demand is forecast to grow 0.4 percent to 15.356 million tonnes in 2026 from 15.301 million tonnes, with the largest consumption gains expected in China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Prospects depend on vehicle sales, tyre production, shipping conditions and weather-related supply disruptions, while steady EV-linked demand supported modest growth led by China and India. The ringgit traded between RM4.02 per USD and RM4.09 per USD, and the baht between 32.68 and 33.34. The SHFE January 2027 contract averaged 18,109 CNY per tonne, up 7.78 percent month-on-month, while the SGX November 2026 contract averaged USD 2.24 per kg, up 4.32 percent.

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Epsilon Carbon Pvt. Ltd., a global speciality carbon and carbon black manufacturer, has broadened its emissions accounting to include value chain impacts beyond its direct operations. The move advances measurement and management of Scope 3 emissions across its supply and distribution network, according to the company.

The initiative spans Epsilon Carbon’s integrated carbon complex in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. That site has a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum of speciality carbon and 215,000 TPA of carbon black. It combines carbon manufacturing with energy circularity efforts in one integrated ecosystem. The company assessed material Scope 3 categories under GHG Protocol guidelines.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect and arise from purchased goods and services, transportation, business activities and downstream product use where relevant. The assessment gives Epsilon Carbon clearer visibility into emissions outside its direct control and a foundation for spotting reduction opportunities. It builds on existing operational emissions and energy efficiency work.

The company previously reported a 98 percent Scope 2 reduction against its baseline year. A 17 MW captive power plant uses waste heat from carbon black operations, energy consumption intensity fell 6 percent from baseline, and 77 percent of energy needs came from waste heat recovery, avoiding over 89,000 tonnes of CO₂. Epsilon Carbon now emphasises supplier engagement, data transparency and circularity, aligning disclosures with global sustainability frameworks to track value chain emissions consistently and develop measurable reduction initiatives.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Carbon, said, “Meaningful climate action requires us to look beyond the boundaries of our operations and understand the impact of the entire value chain. Scope 3 measurement gives us greater visibility into the emissions and enables deeper engagement with our partners and suppliers. Building this visibility will help us make more informed decisions as we scale our operations and advance our decarbonization plans.”

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