CSVN – Tire manufacturer Goodyear has announced a partnership with Visolis, a U.S.-based pioneer in sustainable biotechnology, to produce bio-based isoprene using advanced recycling of biomass-derived materials. The collaboration is supported by a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant awarded to Visolis earlier this year.
Turning Biomass into Sustainable Isoprene
Isoprene, a key precursor for synthetic rubber, is traditionally derived as a byproduct of petroleum refining. Through polymerization, isoprene monomers form long chains of polyisoprene, which serve as the primary raw material in tire manufacturing and other rubber products.
Under this partnership, Visolis’ proprietary technology will be used to produce high-quality isoprene from lignocellulosic feedstock — a non-edible form of biomass sourced from agricultural materials. The company has conducted an initial carbon footprint analysis to assess potential emission reductions and will continue this assessment as part of its joint project with Goodyear.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Goodyear and leverage our breakthrough technology to turn waste into valuable monomers,” said Dr. Deepak Dugar, CEO of Visolis. “This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainability and the development of advanced materials that drive positive change.”
“Innovation and collaboration are key to advancing our sustainability journey and achieving our goal of net-zero emissions across our value chain by 2050,” stated Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s Senior Vice President for Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer. “Through partnerships with companies like Visolis, we continue to learn, innovate, and help build a better future.”
Goodyear emphasized that it is actively exploring sustainable material options that enhance product performance while meeting the company’s high safety and quality standards. Its technology team is constantly researching new alternative raw materials and integrating innovative solutions to boost sustainability.
A notable example is Goodyear’s 90% sustainable-material demonstration tire, introduced earlier this year. Working with its supply chain partners, the company plans to launch a commercial tire containing up to 70% sustainable materials by the end of this year.
Vietnam Participates in ASEAN Rubber Product Conferences
In March 2024, Vietnam participated in three major ASEAN-level meetings:
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The 6th ASEAN Rubber Testing Laboratory Committee (ARTLC),
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The 28th Task Force on Rubber-Based Products (TFRBP), and
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The 37th Rubber-Based Products Working Group (RBPWG) under the ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ).
Organized online by the ASEAN Secretariat, the conferences gathered representatives from eight member states — Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam — as well as ASEAN Secretariat officials.
Vietnam’s delegation included members from the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Vietnam Register (VR) under the Ministry of Transport.
During the meetings, Vietnam reported on its active participation in ISO standard development for rubber products through the ISO Technical Committee 45 on Rubber and Rubber Products (ISO/TC 45). The country also proposed revisions to ISO 127:2018 (Concentrated Natural Rubber Latex – Determination of KOH Number) and the ISO 6101 series (Determination of Metal Content by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry). These proposals are currently being circulated for member-country feedback.
Vietnam’s ongoing involvement demonstrates its commitment to international and regional economic integration and reinforces the importance of standardization in the global rubber industry.
Global Rubber Glove Demand Expected to Recover in 2024
The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) has forecast a recovery in global glove demand in 2024, projecting consumption to reach 450 billion units by 2027, up from 307.2 billion units in 2023.
This rebound is expected to be driven by rising demand in key markets such as the U.S., EU, and Japan, as well as expanded glove use in non-medical sectors — including hospitality, restaurants, cafés, and the semiconductor industry — in the post-pandemic era.
“We must prioritize fairness, transparency, and sustainability in every aspect of our operations, especially pricing,” said MARGMA President Oon Kim Hung, noting ongoing challenges such as low average selling prices (ASP) and oversupply.
He emphasized the need for the Malaysian government to remove export quotas and rationalize gas supply agreements (GSA) to enhance global competitiveness.
The association noted that, over two decades, Malaysia’s rubber glove industry has paid an export tax of 0.2%, totaling over RM 500 million, which has significantly affected profitability — particularly amid falling ASPs.
MARGMA is urging all industry stakeholders to adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, ensuring sustainable development and ethical business practices. Collaborating with the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), the association aims to expand its “Sustainable Malaysian Natural Rubber” initiative to include “Green Glove” programs and other eco-friendly products.
Oon affirmed that member companies have made significant progress in complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), reflecting the sector’s growing alignment with global sustainability expectations.