The Rubber Board will host a crucial awareness programme on the European Union's Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) for rubber product manufacturers in Kerala. Scheduled for 11 June 2025 in Ernakulam, this workshop will provide essential guidance on meeting new EU compliance requirements that take effect from 1 January 2026.

The programme will focus on three critical compliance areas: establishing transparent supply chain mapping, developing robust traceability systems and implementing accurate geo-mapping of rubber plantations. These measures are mandatory for rubber exporters seeking to obtain the Due Diligence Certificate required under EUDR. The regulation specifically prohibits placing any rubber products on the EU market that originate from land deforested after 31 December 2020.

To support industry compliance, the Rubber Board has initiated plantation geo-mapping and will maintain a secure, centralised database to store all collected information while ensuring complete data confidentiality. Manufacturers exporting natural rubber and rubber products to EU countries are strongly encouraged to prioritise attendance at this workshop, as the new regulations will significantly impact trade operations.

Interested participants can register through the Google Form available on the Rubber Board's official website. For additional details, stakeholders may contact the helpline at 8301 952290. This initiative represents a proactive step by the Rubber Board to prepare Kerala's rubber industry for upcoming regulatory changes and maintain uninterrupted access to the important European market.

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Kraton Corporation, a global leader in speciality polymers and renewable biomaterials, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, Innovating with Purpose. The report outlines the company’s advancements in climate action, circular product solutions and supply chain sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to a greener future.

Key achievements include a 41 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2014, a 35 percent decrease in emissions intensity and maintaining EcoVadis’ Platinum rating for the fourth straight year. Kraton also received the 2024 Nitto Supplier Sustainability Award and conducted a Double Materiality Assessment to refine its ESG strategy.

Operational milestones feature a USD 35 million upgrade to its Florida biorefinery, expanded lifecycle assessment (LCA) data covering 90 percent of its product portfolio and a new data excellence programme to enhance ESG transparency.

Aligned with GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact and TCFD frameworks, the report emphasises Kraton’s sustainability pillars: Reliable Partnerships, Planetary Stewardship and Empowering People. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to responsible innovation and measurable environmental progress.

Marcello Boldrini, CEO, Kraton, said, “2024 marked a pivotal year in Kraton’s sustainability journey. We turned ambition into action, significantly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 41 percent from our 2014 baseline and earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year. We accelerated our decarbonisation strategy, advanced biobased innovation and partnered with customers such as WJ Group and Henkel to help address global sustainability challenges. As demand for sustainable chemicals grows, our focus remains on developing the right solutions, fostering strong partnerships and cultivating the culture necessary to lead this transformation responsibly and competitively.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraton, said, “We have established new processes to scale credible, data-driven sustainability across our business. In 2024, we enhanced our ESG reporting through a data harmonisation programme and completed a Double Materiality Assessment to better align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We also expanded our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to cover almost 90 percent of our product portfolio, providing customers with greater transparency into the environmental impact of our products. These efforts reinforce our ability to identify where we can make the most impact and support more informed, strategic decision-making.”

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The German rubber industry is undergoing significant shifts, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) in its mid-2025 economic report. While order trends show improvement for the first time in years, domestic production continues to struggle, reflecting broader structural challenges.

High energy costs, excessive bureaucracy and rising labour expenses remain persistent hurdles, particularly for globally competitive firms. Although rising orders may boost annual sales slightly compared to 2024, domestic output is expected to decline by one percent. Many companies are relocating production abroad due to Germany’s worsening cost disadvantages.

The federal government’s ‘investment booster’ initiative has failed to inspire confidence, with only 27 percent of industry leaders anticipating positive effects. wdk President Michael Klein described this as an alarming sign, emphasising that businesses lack faith in current economic policies. He urged immediate relief measures rather than delayed solutions.

Klein also stressed the need for inclusive policymaking, criticising the government’s focus on large corporations while neglecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He warned that without targeted support for these critical players, Germany risks losing its status as a key industrial hub for the rubber sector. The call for urgent action highlights growing concerns over the industry’s future viability in the country.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd., a global leader in speciality chemical, fibre and resin production, has unveiled its newly redesigned corporate website. This renewal aligns with the company’s ongoing five-year medium-term management plan, PASSION 2026 (2022–2026), and supports its Digital Transformation (DX) Vision to enhance competitiveness, foster continuous evolution and operate as a digitally adept global enterprise. As part of its customer experience (CX) reform, the updated website features several key improvements.

The domains for the Japanese (kuraray.co.jp) and English (kuraray.com) pages have been consolidated under a single URL, kuraray.com. The redesign prioritises improved readability and usability across devices, including smartphones and tablets. Additionally, Kuraray has strengthened web accessibility, ensuring seamless access for all users, regardless of ability, age or browsing environment.

Looking ahead, Kuraray plans to integrate key domestic and international Group websites under the kuraray.com domain, reinforcing its ‘One Kuraray’ initiative for unified global communication.

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HANWA THAILAND CO., LTD., a subsidiary of Japan’s HANWA CO., LTD., has acquired a partial stake in PYRO ENERGIE CO., LTD., a Thailand-based company specialising in tyre pyrolysis recycling. This strategic move addresses the persistent global issue of end-of-life tyres and manufacturing defects, which often lead to environmental harm through illegal disposal or landfill accumulation. While HANWA Group already supplies tyre chips as an eco-friendly fuel source to Japanese industries, pyrolysis has emerged as a preferred recycling solution in global markets.

The pyrolysis process thermally decomposes waste tyres in an oxygen-deprived environment, yielding reusable materials like pyrolysis oil and carbon residue. These outputs serve as valuable fuel alternatives or raw materials for tyre production and other industrial uses, advancing decarbonisation goals. By partnering with PYRO, HANWA seeks to enhance the commercial viability of pyrolysis-derived products and establish an international supply chain in cooperation with tyre manufacturers. The resulting materials will support the chemical, synthetic rubber and tyre industries, promoting a circular economy.

Both HANWA and HANWA THAILAND hold ‘ISCC PLUS’ and ‘ISCC EU’ certifications, underscoring their commitment to sustainable practices. The group remains dedicated to expanding its portfolio of certified recycled and biomass products, reinforcing its role in building a decarbonised future.

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