India moves towards national rubber policy

ERJ staff report (TP)

New Delhi – The Indian government’s department of commerce has agreed to form a core committee to create a 'National Rubber Policy'.

The move came during a meeting with India’s Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and other industry representatives.

The policy is expected to be formulated in line with the existing national auto policy which will envision a long term roadmap and strategy for the rubber sector in India.

An unnamed source in ATMA said: "If the policy comes into force it will help the entire value chain of rubber, the vehicle, and tire industry."

According to the proposal, the committee will have representatives from all the stake holders include tire makers, rubber producers and automobile manufacturers.

For the past few year India has been consuming more rubber than it produces. According to India’s Rubber Board figures, the gap between domestic production and consumption widened to 133,400 tonnes in 2013-14.

Industry estimates that during the current fiscal year production will lag behind consumption by around 100,000 tonnes.

The largest share of rubber – around 65% – is used by the tire manufacturing industry.