Rubber & Tire Industry in Numbers

The rubber and tire industry has seen a recent surge in natural rubber prices, which has left them ‘technically overbought.’ However, the El Nino weather pattern has continued to support prices, particularly for agricultural commodities such as rubber and palm oil, amid concerns over potential impacts on production and supply. The Rubber Trade Association of Europe (RTAE) has posted buyer/seller prices at 227.75/228.75 €c/kg for April 2027 shipments of TSR20. The industry has also seen various financial results reported over recent weeks, including Synthomer’s H1/26 sales of GBP954.3m, a 6.7% increase from the previous year. Other companies, such as Kumho Petrochemical and Sailun Group, have also reported increases in sales and earnings. Several projects have been reported, including Birla Carbon’s 120ktpa carbon black plant in Rayong, Thailand, and Linglong Group’s integrated site for manufacturing tires and conveyor belts in Egypt. Indian Oil Corp. has also announced plans for a new butadiene rubber plant in Panipat, India, with a target of year-end commissioning. Additionally, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has opened a new sealing products facility in Queretaro, Mexico, and Sailun Group is studying a ‘tire manufacturing hub’ in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.