CMT Asks How Asian Industry Will Answer Price and Environmental Questions

The third Rubber & Tire Asia/China Markets conference will discuss how the Indian and Chinese/Asian markets should deal with escalating natural rubber prices, the need to reduce the so-called CO2 shock and other environmental issues. Some of companies represented included Lanxess, Michelin, The Thai Rubber Association, Bekaert, South China/Wanli Tires, Pouchen Corporation, and JK Tires. The conference will be held on 28-29 February in Bangkok, Thailand.

With natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber (SR) prices continuing to persist, Thailand remains the top global rubber producer, with India following closely behind. Meanwhile, the tyre industry remains the core application for butyl rubber, consuming 86 per cent of the global supply. It is estimated that by 2010, global annual tyre production will reach 1.7 billion, up from 1.4 billion in 2005. Most of that growth in Asia will come from South China/Wanli Tires and JK Tires have been invited to share their insight on local market developments.

From 2010, the tyre industry in the EU will have to do without distillate aromatic extract (DAE) oils; hence Asian tyre producers hoping to export their products to the EU have to come up with alternatives that are comparable with DAE oils. With environmental concerns gaining momentum globally, there is a need to reduce “CO2 shock”, which includes the use of alternative oils, maximising fuel efficiency and the proper handling of tire waste. These issues will be the central focal of the ‘Green’ Tires in Asia and `Alternative oils for rubber technology’ presentations by Evonik Degussa and Hansen & Rosenthal Group.