- In July 2023, Sumitomo Rubber Group introduced a risk assessment tool in Singapore to promote sustainable natural rubber procurement. This tool covers ten natural rubber-producing countries, including key procurement regions
- In November 2022, the Rubber Industries Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) allocated USD 111 million for rubber replanting in Malaysia. The funding also aims to enhance productivity, marketing, new product initiatives, and entrepreneurship programs to boost rubber production
- In October 2022, Bridgestone Corporation expanded its rubber plantations in Southeast Asia with an investment of USD 26.7 million. This investment ensures a sustainable supply of natural rubber for tire production
- In April 2022, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and BioMADE. This program supports Ohio-based Farmed Materials in developing a domestic source of natural rubber from a specific species of dandelion
- In May 2021, The BMW Group India announced its plan to equip vehicles with tires made from certified sustainable natural rubber. This initiative promotes the wider adoption of natural rubber in tire manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
The major factors driving the growth of the natural rubber market include the rising demand from the automotive and healthcare sectors, increasing use in tire manufacturing and industrial applications, growing focus on sustainable and eco-friendly materials, expanding applications in gloves, footwear, and latex products, and continuous investments in advanced rubber processing technologies.
The major challenges in the natural rubber market include fluctuating raw material prices impacting production costs, environmental concerns related to deforestation and biodiversity loss, competition from synthetic rubber alternatives, supply chain disruptions due to climate change and geopolitical factors, labor shortages in key producing regions, and stringent government regulations affecting production and exports.
The RSS grade segment is expected to dominate the global natural rubber market, holding a major market share in 2025.
