The Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and Agridence Rubber Pte. Ltd (Agridence) entered a technical collaboration agreement for a pilot project to develop a digital platform for sustainable natural rubber.

This agreement signifies a significant milestone for the rubber industry, as it embraces digital traceability systems to enhance transparency and sustainability within the Malaysian natural rubber sector. 

The collaboration aims to create an integrated end-to-end trade and traceability system, streamlining the path towards regulatory compliance and sustainability ultimately delivering Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber (MSNR) to stakeholders. 

This one-year project commenced last month.

MRB has been actively digitising the domestic rubber supply chain through various initiatives, including the Rubber Transaction Authority Permit (PAT-G) for smallholders, RRIMniaga application for dealers, e-Rubber Processor (e-RP) for processors, and e-Rubber Manufacturer (e-RM) for manufacturers. This digitalisation forms a foundation for the partnership with Agridence, ensuring comprehensive visibility of natural rubber and advancing the MSNR initiative.

The government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities and MRB, is dedicated to enabling the Malaysian rubber industry to meet international sustainability standards aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030. MRB has undertaken several sustainable development initiatives across the industry value chain. The MSNR initiative, governed by the Malaysian Rubber Board (Incorporation) Act 1996 (Act 551), is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s sustainability framework for natural rubber. Malaysia is committed to strengthening collaborations with major rubber-producing nations through international platforms, emphasising the integration of production costs and sustainability factors in the rubber trade.

The pilot project between MRB and Agridence represents an innovative and collaborative venture, leveraging technology to facilitate extensive data sharing and the integration of digital traceability systems, which is crucial for meeting international sustainability requirements. Agridence and MRB will jointly establish a robust framework for seamless data sharing and integration. This framework will encompass traceability data spanning the entire rubber production process, from distribution to processing. The integrated data will be linked with the Agridence Rubber Platform, where physical natural rubber trades occur between Malaysian producers and buyers.

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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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