Sibur, a Russian petrochemical company, has updated the organisational model of its plastics and rubber business.

The company has decided to divide its plastics, elastomers and organic synthesis divisions into two separate business units. It believes that the new organisational model will offer more potential for development. Both the units will be supervised by Sergey Komyshan, Executive Director and Management Board member of Sibur.

Member of the Management Board and Managing Director Alexander Petrov will head the company's Plastics and Organic Synthesis Division. The unit will have a total capacity of about three mtpa (million tonnes per annum) and will be further expanded to reduce the imports of medium-tonnage chemicals like MAN and DOTP. Additionally, the company plans to expand production of feedstock for high-margin products in the speciality chemical segment using this business.

Alexander Petrov, Head of the Plastics and Organic Synthesis Division, member of the Management Board and Managing Director, Sibur, said, “Our aim is to considerably scale up our business by relying on medium-tonnage chemicals projects focused on import substitution. An important part of that will be securing the right set of projects to make use of monomers from the new Nizhnekamskneftekhim cracker and benefit from the integration of processes of SIBUR’s traditional supply chain and its new asset perimeter. Another goal for us is to increase the presence of our products in the construction industry, partly by expanding our range of grades and partly by offering customers new solutions and replacing traditional construction materials with polymers.”

Timur Shigabutadinov will head the company's Synthetic Rubber Division. With a total capacity of about 1.2 mtpa, the unit was established as a result of a three-fold increase in the rubber business to focus on providing operational improvements in rubber production facilities.

Timur Shigabutdinov, Head of the Synthetic Rubbers Division, member of the Management Board and Managing Director, Sibur, said, “The combined company boasts an unrivalled portfolio of synthetic rubbers. Our priority is to respond to customer needs by further growing the business using the expertise under our belt, cutting-edge R&D assets and access to the latest technologies. Once all the investment projects are completed, these initiatives will make SIBUR one of the world's Top 5 synthetic rubber producers.” (TT)

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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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