The International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO), the association of rubber societies from around the world and the organiser behind International Rubber Conference (IRC), sees India’s rubber industry booming over the last few decades. Tyre Trends recently caught up with Michael Clayton, Executive Chairman, IRCO, and Dr Matthew Thornton, Secretary General, IRCO, at the sidelines of Rubber Con 2024. Edited excerpts.

What is the underlying change you are seeing in the rubber conference globally?

Dr Thornton: I think the global rubber industry as a whole is facing similar challenges and bits. Rubber Con being a global conference, the themes have certainly changed over sort of the last 15 years and definitely we are seeing as we should, a trend and focus on sustainability, sustainable materials and sustainable practices.

What about India’s present and future role in the global rubber industry?

Clayton: I think it’s clear to see from the number of delegates at the three-day Rubber Con 2024 being nearly 1,000 that the Indian rubber sector is booming over the last 15 years. This is the third or fourth time we are in India for the IRCO event and plans are there for the future as well. Every time we come here, you can see the depth of the research that’s being done in India and the impact that that’s having globally on the international rubber sector.

Dr Thornton: I think with the population in India, the growth of the automobile sector, it’s (Indian rubber industry) got to be part of the global industry. As we move forward, it’s going to be a huge market for the rubber industry and a huge producer of rubber that goes into the automotive sector globally as well.

Given the disruption in natural rubber production and companies looking at alternative materials, will natural rubber lose its dominance?

Dr Thornton: I think natural rubber is going to play an important role, maybe more of an important role going forward. The move towards sustainability is something that we have seen over certainty in the last five years. Almost every conference now has a focus on sustainability, and being able to use natural rubber, as opposed to synthetic oil derived rubbers from fossil fuel sources, is going to play a key role. And certainly, using alternative feed stocks for natural rubber as well, like dandelion and guayule, is going to be important as well.

What is your take on repurpose, reuse or recycling of tyres?

Dr Thornton: In the UK and Europe, there’s a huge focus on recycling tyres, which I think will extend globally as well. Going forward, companies like Birla Carbon, who are part of Aditya Birla Group in India, are building plants in the Netherlands and investing EUR 100 million in a new facility in the Netherlands to recycle tyres into recovered carbon black and pyrolysis oils. I see that happening across Europe, in the UK, and I am sure going forward that will happen globally. We can’t just continue to leave old tyres in the environment; there have to be some kind of recovery mechanism. For producers and manufacturers, that is something that has to be high on their agenda and ensure that we don’t damage the environment or have an impact on the ecosystem for future generations.

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Falken’s AZENIS FK520 has earned a ‘highly recommended’ rating in the 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test, securing fourth place overall with 135 out of 170 points. Tested in the popular 225/40 R18 XL size, with an average price of EUR 87, the tyre stood out as the most affordable option among the top performers, underscoring its exceptional value for money. Customers seeking premium engineering without the premium price tag therefore find a compelling proposition in this model.

The ACE assessment placed particular emphasis on safety, where the AZENIS FK520 delivered standout results. It achieved the highest possible aquaplaning score, sharing top honours with two rival products and demonstrating assured stability on waterlogged roads. In dry handling exercises, the tyre impressed with precise steering response, robust lateral grip and high-speed stability. Its performance on wet surfaces was equally balanced and dependable, reinforcing its all‑round competence in challenging conditions.

Beyond its strong showing against established premium competitors, the Falken AZENIS FK520 also offers broad real‑world relevance. Available in widely used fitment sizes, it is especially well suited to compact cars - a segment that accounts for substantial sales volume across Europe. The ACE result confirms that this combination of safety, dynamic capability and accessible pricing makes the AZENIS FK520 a thoroughly convincing choice for drivers who refuse to compromise on either performance or affordability.

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Kumho Tyre UK Ltd is continuing to invest in its truck and bus tyre operations with the expansion of its sales leadership team. The company has promoted Tony McHugh to the role of Sales Director for the TBR division, having previously worked with the business on a consultancy basis. In a parallel move, industry veteran Stewart Little has been appointed as TBR Sales Manager.

Little brings over four decades of tyre industry expertise to the position. Beginning his career in 1983 at branch level, he has since built a comprehensive understanding of the commercial sector through hands-on experience in retail, wholesale, and sales management. Prior to joining Kumho, he spent eight years at Giti, where he served most recently as UK Sales Manager following a five-year period in wholesale. His career also includes a 26-year tenure at National Tyres, equipping him with deep operational insight.

McHugh’s elevation to Sales Director recognises his strategic input into Kumho’s truck tyre development and signals the company’s growing confidence in its TBR product range. Together, these changes reinforce Kumho’s commitment to strengthening its position in the commercial vehicle tyre market through both internal progression and targeted external recruitment.

Little said: “I am extremely proud to be joining Kumho Tyre. It is a brand with a well-established reputation as a premium mid-range manufacturer, offering reliable performance and outstanding value to both dealers and end users. Kumho is a name that needs very little introduction, and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success and enthusiasm of the team. Having spent my career working across all areas of the trade, I’m excited to bring that experience into the business at a time of such positive growth.”

Welcoming both announcements, Richard Lyons, Managing Director at Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Tony on his promotion to Sales Director (TBR) and to welcome Stewart to the Kumho team. These appointments demonstrate our ongoing investment in people as we continue to strengthen our position in the truck tyre market. Kumho now offers one of the most robust and competitive TBR ranges available, combining performance, durability and value. With Tony’s leadership and Stewart’s extensive industry experience, we are well positioned to support our customers and drive the next phase of growth for the brand.”

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Finorchem Limited, a notable player in the speciality chemicals sector, has announced a key leadership appointment aimed at strengthening its operational and technological capabilities. The company has named R B Vishwanath as the Business Head – Manufacturing & Technology, based at its Kolkata Head Office.

This strategic move brings over four decades of chemical process industry expertise to Finorchem, with a particular emphasis on the rubber chemicals segment where Vishwanath has contributed for more than 20 years. The appointment signals Finorchem's commitment to advancing its manufacturing excellence and technological innovation.

Vishwanath is a graduate of the University of Madras with professional training in Chemical Technology. He further honed his leadership skills by completing a Post Graduate Program in Chief Operating Officer from the University of Kent's Kent Business School, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management, Visakhapatnam (IIM-V).

His distinguished career began in 1986 at Parke Davis in the Process Development Lab. He later spent 15 impactful years at Resonance Specialties, rising to the position of General Manager – Operations. In this role, he was instrumental in piloting, commissioning, and managing advanced vapour phase catalytic continuous flow production units for Pyridines and higher homologous Pyridines.

Subsequent senior roles saw him drive operational excellence at Arch Pharmalabs Ltd. as Assistant Vice President – Operations, overseeing the manufacture of sophisticated products including lipid-lowering intermediates, BOC products using Diazomethane and organophosphorus chemicals. His journey in rubber chemicals deepened significantly from 2003 onwards with a pivotal stint at Merchem Limited, before he brought his expertise to Finorchem as Vice President & Site Head.

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Kraton Corporation, a leading global producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based chemicals derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has named Sangwoo Ryu as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ryu possesses over 25 years of leadership in finance and operations within international markets. He is currently the CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd, a former Kraton spin-off now under DL Chemical, where he initially served as Chief Financial Officer starting in February 2020. He assumed the Cariflex CEO role in April 2025 following the promotion of its former CEO, Prakash Kolluri, to President of Kraton's Polymer business.

Ryu’s deep expertise in financial strategy, investment controls and operational planning is expected to strengthen Kraton’s standing as a reliable leader in global Pine Chemical and Polymers markets. In his new position, he will collaborate with Kraton’s Executive Leadership, Board of Directors and Cariflex Leadership to guide strategic decisions and operational excellence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustained growth and organisational stability.

Ryu said, “I want to express my gratitude towards the members of the Board of Directors and the Kraton Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication to Kraton’s success. I’m looking forward to leading Kraton into the next era of excellence, building upon the strong foundations and principles set forth in our vision and values.”

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