Covid 19 has impacted the global rubber sector, both big and small stakeholders, hard. This year’s edition of the World Rubber Summit will focus on redefining value chains.

“The summit will have two days of high-level presentations and interactive discussions on identifying pathways to redesign more resilient and sustainable value chains, both at the regional and global levels. It will also focus on the critical role that innovation and new technologies could play in mitigating the social, environmental and economic risks to which the rubber sector, like many others, is currently exposed. Visibility, transparency and data-sharing are critical for the 21st century supply chain,” says Salvatore Pinizzotto, Secretary-General, The International Rubber Study Group.

What would be the key focus for this year’s edition of WRS?

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) will organise the World Rubber Summit (WRS) in Singapore. The annual event will provide a unique and exclusive opportunity for global leaders to meet, share best practices and lay the foundations for future collaborations. The theme of the World Rubber Summit 2022 (WRS 2022) is ‘A Resilient, Digitalised and Sustainable Rubber Economy: Redefining Value Chains’. 

To be held between 24 and 26 May in Singapore at the ParkRoyal on Beach Road, WRS 2022 will be a hybrid event like the previous editions.

The summit will have two days of high-level presentations and interactive discussions on identifying pathways to redesign more resilient and sustainable value chains, both at the regional and global levels. It will also focus on the critical role that innovation and new technologies could play in mitigating the social, environmental and economic risks to which the rubber sector, like many others, is currently exposed. Visibility, transparency and data-sharing are critical for the 21st century supply chain.

I believe this is the time when companies and organisations in the rubber sector should rethink their business model as conditions are changing and new opportunities arise. This is a nique opportunity for all stakeholders involved in the natural and synthetic rubber economy to be innovative to foster resilience, adaptability and long term sustainability.

Furthermore, in their journey towards a net-zero economy, businesses need to redefine, execute and evolve decarbonisation and offsetting plans for scope 1 and 2 emissions and potentially expand those plans to include scope 3 emissions. Integrate climate-related factors into decision-making processes for strategy, finance and capital spending and consider leading actions with others in the rubber industry and/or in their ecosystem of investors, supply chains, customers and regulators. In particular, financial institutions will have an important role to play in supporting large-scale capital reallocation. On the other hand, governments and multilateral institutions could use existing and new policy, regulatory and fiscal tools to establish incentives, support vulnerable stakeholders and foster collective actions.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Enterprise Singapore, our strategic partner, for being this year, too, as every year when the event is organised in Singapore.Their inputs and contribution are very valuable and essential for IRSG. 

Also, this year I am pleased to announce that the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) Singapore’s Agri-Food Innovation Lab (SAIL) will join the World Rubber Summit 2022 as Knowledge Partner. This is the first time for IRSG to have such a significant collaboration. It follows the decision taken by IRSG to participate and contribute to SAIL’s activities as a partner.

Last year, the African region was the focus, and this year it is Latin America. Could you share some information on the Latin American rubber industry and its contribution to the global rubber industry?

The 26th of May, the third day of the WRS 2022, will be dedicated to an entirely virtual side event on the rubber sector in Latin America organised by IRSG together with APABOR and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Tecnologia del Caucho (SLTC). Latin America is an area of growing importance for the world rubber economy, and it could play a relevant strategic role in shortening supply chains and making them more reliable. There are two trends that, in my view, need to be fully considered when we speak about rubber in Latin America. Firstly, the rubber sector is rapidly expanding in Brazil and other countries in that region, such as Guatemala and Colombia. There is an essential trend towards greater integration of the Latin American natural rubber market. Secondly, this is a region where the push towards product innovation and value-added could create a diversified market by exploiting various niche markets in the manufacturing sector such as auto parts, medical industry and even environmental services. In IRSG, we think it is really important to bring to the attention of the general public new developments that are occurring in the rubber economy because it helps to support this process towards innovation and highlight the strategic role that rubber has in the world economy and for our day-by-day life. 

What are the main barriers to sustainable and inclusive growth in the rubber industry?

In the rubber economy, as in other sectors, we need to figure out effective forms of collaboration among stakeholders at local, national, regional and global levels to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. Such partnerships will be able to identify and prioritise actions on the ground without forgetting a certain degree of coherence among the various interventions planned. Of course, this is not easy, because we have several numbers of producing countries; most of the production of natural rubber comes from smallholders, and there are long and complex supply chains. On top of this, new challenges need to be addressed, such as the impact of climate changes on natural rubber systems, a topic that IRSG, together with other leading organisations in the rubber sector (IRRDB, CIFOR/FTA and CIRAD), has decided to investigate since June 2020 and that has produced as an outcome the publication of a policy paper in December 2021. In addressing these issues, we need to have a holistic sectorial approach, with each stakeholder really providing its own skills and support, listening to each other and finding common solutions. The goal is not to leave anyone behind, so we need to pay special attention to smallholders and SMEs that might find it difficult, sometimes impossible, to put in place any sustainable practice and/or initiative. Although some improvements over the years have been achieved, working in this direction has not been an easy process. The pace and scale of this transition mean that today’s organisations and institutions need to be revamped, and maybe new ones created to disseminate best practices, establish standards and tracking mechanisms, drive capital deployment at scale, manage uneven impacts and support further coordination efforts. IRSG will continue to collaborate with other organisations to genuinely ensure that rubber could become an inclusive and sustainable economy.

All major rubber consumers, especially tyre companies, are talking about traceability, transparency and data sharing. Is it really happening in the rubber industry when small stakeholders dominate the more significant portion of the industry?

This process will require coordination, a vast amount of capital and large scale actions on the ground. The stakeholders in the rubber economy have the responsibility to ensure that these three factors will play a synergic role in increasing transparency and dramatically improving traceability. Innovative tools are already available, and more will come in the future, but we need to guarantee the long term wellbeing of smallholders. They need cost-effective support to apply consistently sustainable agriculture practices, have easier access to the market, IT infrastructures and adequate/updated education.

In this World Rubber Summit, IRSG is collaborating with the NextGen Leaders Programme 2021. Could you outline the goal and mission of this initiative?

The NextGen Leaders Programme 2021 has been launched by the IRSG secretariat to create a platform for engaging several ambitious young professionals in the rubber sector in national, regional and international activities and events. The programme participants are invited to collaborate with IRSG’s global rubber dialogue, support the development of balanced policy frameworks and help shape solutions for tomorrow’s rubber economy. The NextGen Rubber Leaders community builds on creative ideas and innovative potential for the next generation to challenge conventional thinking and explore new strategies for the future of the whole rubber economy. It offers young professionals a unique opportunity for learning and development with exposure to critical issues in the rubber debate. Currently, there are 10 participants in the programme covering the whole rubber value chain and from various countries (Singapore, Thailand, Germany, Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Brazil). The World Rubber Summit 2022 will be the first opportunity for them to go public. They will provide their effective contribution to the dialogue on the future of the rubber sector. 

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Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

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Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

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Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.

The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.

The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.

The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.

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