Natural rubber output falls in half-year; demand up slightly

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The world supply of natural rubber (NR) fell 8.3% to 5.85 million metric tons during the first half of 2019 versus the same 2018 period, according to figures released by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC). Global demand, on the other hand, rose 0.8% to 6.93 million tons during the same reference period, the ANRPC added. Despite the presence of “favorable market fundamental,” particularly in physical rubber market, other…

Prinx Chengshan: Milestones reached in Thailand, China plant projects

Prinx Chengshan reports that “steady progress” is being made at its new tyre factory in Thailand. Construction work commenced on 31 March and the purchase of key equipment by invitation to tender has now been completed. The company estimates that all steel production workshops, mixing workshops, and supporting public works will be completed by the end of this year. Production at the site should commence in 2020.

China launches natural rubber futures

China on Monday started the trading of yuan-denominated natural rubber futures, the technically specified rubber (TSR) 20 futures. The TSR 20 futures is the country’s fourth commodities futures open to both home and overseas investors after crude oil futures, PTA futures and iron ore futures. The listed futures on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange are contracts to be delivered from February to July of 2020. The benchmark prices of six contracts were set at 9,260 yuan (1,319 U.S….

Double Coin’s OTR tire plant in Thailand operating at capacity

MONROVIA, Calif.—Double Coin Holdings Ltd.’s plant in Thailand is operating at full capacity, able to produce off-road and radial truck/bus tires, according to Tim Phillips vice president of marketing and operations for Double Coin’s CMA L.L.C. subsidiary in Monrovia. Phillips said the facility in Rayong, Thailand, is able to fulfill container-level orders, and products made in Thailand are not subject to the elevated antidumping and/or countervailing duties associated with products produced in China. With major…

Rubber supply deficit likely in 2022

THE world’s natural rubber supply is likely to face a deficit again from 2022 onwards as major producing nations have reduced their replanting activities. Manufacturing businesses that use rubber as feedstock for processed goods will feel the heat from higher raw material costs if there is a natural rubber shortage. They include glove makers, tyre producers and industrial products manufacturers. The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) forecasts a 1.3% supply deficit in 2022,…

Rubber fell 70% in 7 years. Will the bear market last for 10 years?

Rubber prices experienced a surge in the period from 2009 to 2011, during which the increase was as high as 240%, which in turn led to a large expansion of the planting area in the producing countries, resulting in a serious oversupply. Although the international rubber futures price has risen by 16% this year, it is still 70% lower than the 2011 high, indicating that the supply side of rubber is difficult to eliminate in the short term. A-share brokerage…

全球轮胎品牌 TOP 20 出炉:Bridgestone 夺冠、中国 ZC Rubber 挤入前十

日前,外国媒体 Tyrepress 以销售营收列出了 2017 年全球轮胎品牌 TOP 20,其中日本品牌 Bridgestone 以 225.6 亿欧元名列榜首,而来自中国的 Zhongce Rubber 也在前 10 名行列中。 除了 Bridgestone 之外,排名第二的 Michelin 去年销售营收为 215.2 亿欧元,第三名则是 Goodyear 的 128.2 亿欧元。 至于其他知名轮胎品牌包括 Continental、Pirelli、Hankook、Yokohama 等也纷纷挤入前 10 名的榜单。

China auto sales fall for first time in 14 months

BEIJING — The Chinese automobile market shrank in July, the first drop in more than a year, as consumers shied away from American cars due to an escalating trade spat with Washington. New-auto sales decreased 4% on the year to 1,889,100 vehicles last month, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said Friday. Uncertainty about the economic outlook dampened carbuying sentiment as well. Volume declined on the year for the first time since May 2017 — excluding data for…

EC decides against tyre anti-subsidy measures – for now

Recent published articles have led to uncertainty regarding duties upon new and retreaded bus and truck tyres originating in the People’s Republic of China. On 13 July, the European Commission announced its decision not to impose anti-subsidy measures during its ongoing investigation into these products. This decision reflects the Commission’s practice of not simultaneously imposing provisional anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures prior to reaching a final decision on the matter.

Tires, polymers on list of proposed 10% China duties

WASHINGTON — The list of Chinese products targeted by the Trump administration’s potential next round of import duties includes nearly all tires along with polymers and other raw materials important to the rubber industry. According to the notice, posted on the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Web site, the administration is modifying its original June 20 proposal — to place 25-percent tariffs on up to $50 billion worth of Chinese goods — to add 10-percent duties…