M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director, Rubber Board, and P Vishnuraj IAS, Additional Project Director of the KERA Project and Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, handing over the signed MoU for the implementation of the KERA Project. Siju T, Rubber Production Commissioner (left), and Shyam Krishnan, Deputy Director Industries (right), are present.

The Rubber Board has entered into a Memorandum of Association (MoU) with the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers' Welfare for the implementation of the 'Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization' (KERA) project. This World Bank-supported initiative, spanning 2025 to 2029, aims to strengthen climate resilience and productivity in rubber and cardamom cultivation across Kerala.

The signing ceremony, held at the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kottayam, saw Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan (IRS) and Additional Project Director of KERA P Vishnuraj (IAS) formalise the partnership. A parallel agreement was signed with the Spices Board, represented by Director Dr Rema Shree A B, marking a collaborative effort to modernise Kerala's agricultural value chains. The event also featured the launch of a specialised training programme for officials involved in project implementation.

Under the KERA scheme, rubber farmers across six districts, namely Kottayam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram, will receive financial support of INR 75,000 per hectare for up to two hectares. Cardamom cultivators in Idukki district will benefit from enhanced assistance of INR 100,000 per hectare, similarly capped at two hectares per farmer. This financial intervention is designed to promote sustainable farming practices and improve climate adaptation capabilities.

The ceremony featured addresses from several key officials, including Rubber Production Commissioner Dr Siju T and Spices Board Director Dr Rema Shree A.B., who emphasised the project's potential to transform agricultural practices while addressing climate challenges. Dharmendra Das, Director Development in-charge of the Spices Board, highlighted the long-term advantages of adopting climate-resilient techniques. The proceedings commenced with a welcome address by Suresh C, KERA Procurement Officer, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shylaja K, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner.

The KERA project represents a significant step forward in Kerala's agricultural development, combining financial support with technical expertise to create more sustainable and productive farming systems. By focusing on two of the state's key crops, the initiative aims to establish a model for climate-resilient agriculture that could potentially be replicated across other regions and commodities.

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.

Pyrum Innovations AG and Thermo Lysi SA have entered into a significant engineering contract worth EUR 2.2 million, marking a pivotal step in their collaboration. This agreement represents Pyrum’s first engineering contract following the granting of a construction permit for a new pyrolysis-based waste recycling plant in Greece.

The detailed engineering phase is now underway and is expected to take approximately six months to complete. Concurrently, Thermo Lysi SA is actively engaged in financing discussions, including potential EU funding that could offset a portion of the project’s total costs. Both companies have opted to proceed with engineering work even before finalising financing arrangements to ensure efficient project progression.

Earlier in January 2025, Thermo Lysi secured regulatory approval to construct the Pyrum recycling facility. Once engineering is finalised, Archirodon, a prominent international Greek construction firm, will adjust the technical documentation to comply with local regulations. The plant will be situated in the Livanates region, roughly 140 kilometres north of Athens.

As part of the joint venture, Pyrum intends to acquire a 15 percent equity stake in the project company. Pending successful financing and planning, preparatory work for the plant is anticipated to commence later in 2025. This initiative underscores Pyrum’s strategic expansion into international markets while leveraging partnerships to deploy its pyrolysis technology.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “We are delighted that the project in Greece is moving to the next phase. It is a significant step and we are proud that our technology will help to relieve the burden on the Greek waste tyre disposal system.”

The fourth edition of the Recircle Awards, recognising sustainable innovation in the global tyre retreading and recycling sectors, announced its winners during a ceremony at Autopromotec 2025 recently.

The awards, organised by Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazines, received over 4,000 legitimate votes through their website, reflecting growing industry interest in sustainable practices.

Bengt-Sture Ershag, founder of Scandinavian Enviro Systems, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in The Tyre Recycling Sector. “I’m honoured to receive this award and grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to my field,” Ershag said, crediting colleagues and mentors for their support throughout his career.

The winners in the 22 categories of the 2025 Recircle Awards are as follows:

• Best Company Director: Haarjeev Kandhari (Vaculug)
• Best Retreading Accessory and Consumables Supplier: VM Rubber
• Best Retreading Equipment Supplier: Italmatic
• Best Retreading Industry Innovation: Italmatic: Crater Tire CT 4.0 Double Skiving Robot
• Best Tread Rubber Supplier: Marangoni
• Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier: Eco Green Equipment
• Best Tyre Recycling Innovation: Regom: ELT Sorting Technology
• Business Breakthrough Award: Rover Research
• Circular Economy Award: Liberty Tire and Walmart
• Employee of the Year: Leonardo Oliveira (Vipal Rubber)
• Retreader of the Year Award: Marangoni
• Spirit of Retreading Award: 633 Tyres
• Tyre Recycler of the Year Award: Genan
• Women’s Award for the Tyre Retreading Sector: Christina Guth (AZUR Network)
• Women’s Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector: Ifedolapo Runsewe (Freee Recycle)
• Industry Achievement Award for the Tyre Recycling Sector: SDAB for the creation of the End-of-Life Tyre Research Portal
• Tyre Industry Education Award: Univipal
• Spirit of Tyre Recycling Award: Freee Recycle
• Tyre Pyrolysis Award: Bolder Industries
• Spirit of Tread Rubber Manufacturing Award: Galgo
• Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Retreading Sector: Mario Marangoni
• Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector: Bengt-Sture Ershag

Mario Marangoni, Chairman of Marangoni Holding S.p.A., was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award. He described the honour as acknowledging “a journey that began in the climate of sanctions and autarchy of the Second World War and led to the introduction of recycling and reuse of tyre retreading.”

This year’s edition introduced two new categories specifically recognising women’s contributions to the sector, part of efforts to make the awards more inclusive.

David Wilson, Chairman of the Nominations Committee and editor of the organising magazines, said the voting numbers demonstrate growing sector interest in environmental innovation. “We hope these awards will continue to contribute to promoting green business and raising awareness about the circular economy,” Wilson stated.

The awards aim to highlight sustainable innovation, production processes, management and services within the tyre retreading and recycling industries, with Autopromotec serving as the primary sponsor.

Zeon Corporation announced plans to increase production of high-grade solution-polymerised styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR), a key material for fuel-efficient tyres, by upgrading facilities at its Singapore plant (Zeon Chemicals Singapore Pte Ltd, ZCS). This enhancement reinforces Zeon’s dual-site S-SBR supply system, complementing its existing production at the Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Japan.

The newly upgraded facility in Singapore has completed installation and will enter test production ahead of full-scale commercialisation in 2026. Once operational, Zeon’s combined annual S-SBR production capacity across both plants will reach 125,000 tonnes, with an increased focus on high-grade products that enhance tyre performance, improving wet grip, rolling resistance and abrasion resistance. This move aligns with Zeon’s goal to solidify its position as the global leader in high-performance S-SBR.

Zeon has been a pioneer in S-SBR since 1986, when it began production at its Tokuyama Plant, followed by the Singapore facility in 2013. S-SBR’s precisely controlled molecular structure not only boosts automotive fuel efficiency but also reduces microplastic pollution by minimising tyre wear dust, a critical factor in combating air pollution. Recognising these benefits, Zeon has certified S-SBR as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Contribution Product and continues to advance its development and global adoption.