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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Infiniteria, the tyre recycling joint venture backed by Scandinavian Enviro Systems, Antin Infrastructure Partners and Michelin, has named Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as its new chief executive as the company moves into a phase of industrial expansion.

Ryttberg-Wallgren, who has taken up the role on 1 December, succeeds Stefano Madeddu. She most recently served as chief growth officer at Stegra, a Swedish green steel venture. Her earlier career includes senior positions at PIAB, Yara International, Sandvik and Sapa, giving her broad experience in scaling industrial operations internationally.

The appointment signals a shift in leadership priorities at Infiniteria, with an emphasis on what the company describes as “industrial logic and value creation”. Announcing the move, Anand Jagannathan, senior partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners’ NextGen strategy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as CEO of Infiniteria. She offers a strong combination of Swedish industrial experience, a track-record in international expansion and strong sustainability credentials, all of which are highly relevant for Infiniteria and the journey ahead of us.”

Enviro is developing a full-scale tyre recycling plant near Uddevalla on Sweden’s west coast, expected to be Infiniteria’s inaugural site. The venture aims to build additional facilities across Europe to process end-of-life tyres using Enviro’s patented pyrolysis technology, which breaks down materials for reuse in industrial applications. The partners say the process will support circular production models and reduce carbon emissions in sectors heavily reliant on fossil-derived inputs.

The expansion plans place Infiniteria among several European initiatives seeking to commercialise advanced recycling technologies as regulators push for higher material recovery rates and lower industrial emissions.

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The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers will recognise two long-serving leaders at its annual meeting next year. Dr Elizabeth Delzell will receive the IISRP General Award, while Dr Irina Yurovska will be presented with the organisation’s Technical Award. Both honours will be given on 15 April 2026 at the group’s 66th Annual General Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Dr Delzell is an epidemiologist whose research has shaped global understanding of chemical exposure in industrial settings. She earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University before holding academic posts at Duke University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over three decades, she published more than 200 papers and led work funded by IISRP and several major companies and agencies.

Her landmark study in the North American synthetic rubber industry identified 1,3-butadiene as a cause of human leukaemia. The finding influenced national and international rules on chemical safety. Her research also linked synthetic rubber work to bladder cancer and helped assess cancer risks from styrene exposure.

Dr Yurovska, the recipient of the Technical Award, has held leadership roles across the tyre, rubber and chemicals sectors. She trained as a chemist and engineer in the former Soviet Union and later completed a PhD in polymer physics and mechanics. After moving to the United States in 1991, she worked at Teknor Apex, Precix, Cabot Corporation, SI Group and Himadri, rising to Global Vice President of Technical Service.

She holds more than 80 patents and has published widely on polymer compounding, rubber additives and testing methods. Her work has informed advances in rubber technology used across the global industry. She now runs YIGlobal, a consulting company based in Texas, and remains active in the ACS Rubber Division.

The IISRP said both award recipients have made long-lasting contributions to science and the synthetic rubber industry. The organisation highlighted their influence on regulation, product development and talent mentoring across several decades.

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Nokian Tyres has named Formula 1 legend Kimi Räikkönen as its newest brand ambassador. This strategic partnership unites two Finnish powerhouses celebrated for excelling under extreme pressure. The company, a world expert in tyres for harsh conditions, aligns perfectly with Räikkönen, the famously cool and accomplished champion known as ‘The Iceman’.

For Nokian, this collaboration is a move to significantly amplify its international recognition. The brand gains a universally respected figure whose persona embodies the resilience and high performance intrinsic to its products. Räikkönen, whose celebrated career includes 21 Grand Prix victories and a World Championship, brings immense credibility and a global following.

Räikkönen notes a personal connection to the iconic Finnish brand, remembering it from his earliest days in motorsport. In his role, he will actively promote Nokian Tyres' capabilities to a worldwide audience, helping to convey their expertise in mastering the most demanding driving conditions on the planet.

Räikkönen said, “Perfect match, great to start working with Nokian Tyres, a brand I remember from the days when my parents drove me to karting tracks, before I even had a driver's license. In my opinion Nokian Tyres is an iconic Finnish brand, I'm excited to start spreading the good news about the great tyres to the world.”

Tiina Frazer, VP for Brand, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres, said, “Some collaborations just make sense, and this is one of them. Kimi Räikkönen and Nokian Tyres share the same DNA: Finnish roots, uncompromising performance and the ability to thrive under pressure. Both are built for extremes – whether it’s conquering the racetrack or navigating roads in changing conditions and harsh weather.”

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Bridgestone will introduce two new premium passenger car tyres in Japan next year, expanding its Potenza line as demand grows for products that offer both high performance and everyday usability. The company said it will release the Potenza RE-71RZ and Potenza Adrenalin RE005 in February 2026, with 61 and 40 sizes available respectively.

The RE-71RZ is positioned as a high-grip tyre for drivers who want strong performance on both circuits and public roads. Bridgestone said the model delivers faster lap times and better handling than its predecessor, the RE-71RS. At the Tsukuba Circuit 2000, the company recorded a 1.2% improvement in lap time compared with the previous model.

Professional drivers Masahiro Sasaki and Yuji Tachikawa supported the development work. Sasaki said, “As its strong point, ‘POTENZA RE-71RZ’ achieves a high level of performance in both grip and controllability. It delivers improved dry and wet performance for street use, while also achieving faster lap times and better wear resistance on the circuit. This tire delivers high performance in various situations, making it enjoyable and easy to handle for both everyday driving and circuit use.”

Tachikawa added, “This tire is designed for easy handling, allowing anyone to experience precise control along with excellent grip. The tire is focused on quick warm-up for immediate, high-grip performance as well as reliable wet grip, resulting in a well-balanced tire suitable for various driving conditions.”

Bridgestone said the RE-71RZ uses a new compound developed with motorsport know-how and its NanoPro-Tech technology, as well as a redesigned tread pattern and structure aimed at improving grip and wear resistance.

The Potenza Adrenalin RE005 targets a broader range of vehicles, including everyday passenger cars. It is intended for drivers seeking sharper handling in daily use while maintaining fuel efficiency and ride comfort. All 40 sizes meet the “A” grade for wet performance under Japan’s tyre standards, and 19 sizes also achieve an “A” grade for rolling resistance.

The company said the tyre offers stable handling at higher speeds, cornering confidence and better wet braking, supported by upgraded compounds, an A-shaped tread motif and structural changes that reduce energy loss.

Both products are expected to be sold in overseas markets after their launch in Japan.

Bridgestone said the new tyres reflect its long-running approach of using technologies developed in motorsport to improve products for road use. The company added that the Potenza brand will continue to support “safe and enjoyable car and motorsports culture” as part of its long-term E8 Commitment.

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