NR futures ended the second trading week of March “mostly higher” across major exchanges, supported by short covering and rising crude oil prices amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to Japan Exchange Group, prices were supported partly by a sharp rise in crude oil prices linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Market sentiment was also influenced by concerns over potential supply-chain disruptions after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, the market is entering the wintering season in the Northern Hemisphere, affecting output in major producing countries.
Selected rubber futures price trends on major trading exchanges
Exchange
Commodity
Delivery
Week to 06/03/26
Week to 13/03/26
% Change
Osaka
RSS3
May‘26
365.5 (JPY)
371.1 (JPY)
+1.5%
SHFE
SCR/RSS
May‘26
16,650 (CNY)
16,990 (CNY)
+1.5%
INE
TSR
May‘26
13,425 (CNY)
13,555 (CNY)
+1.0%
SICOM
TSR20
May‘26
195.4 (US$c)
194.9 (US$c)
-0.3%
SHFE
BR
Mar‘26
14,430 (CNY)
15,760 (CNY)
+9.2%
(ERJ calculation for selected futures pricing, as tracked by JPX)
Started up early 2026, focus on farm and industrial tires
16 March
Pirelli
New 3.5m units/yr car tire plant
KAEC, eastern Saudi Arabia
€480m
Expects prod’n to start Q3/27
12 March
MRF Ltd
New tire plant
Iluppaikudi, Sivagangai India
INR53bn
MoU with the government of Tamil Nadu
5 March
Himile Group
Tire mould and industrial parts plant
Egypt
$100m (€85m)
Formal establishment’ due H1/26
5 March
Mitsui Chemicals
120ktpa polyolefin elastomers plant
Jurong Island, Singapore
n/s
Start-up expected in fiscal 2026
3 Mar
Nitta Corp.
New factory at the existing site
Haveli, Pune, India
INR835m
Belts, hoses, tubes, AC parts
25 Feb
BKT
Enter India consumer tire, commercial on-road tire markets
India
INR35bn (€325m)
Fund manufacturing capacity expansion, R&D, distribution
BUSINESS
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has announced a new phase of restructuring within its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations designed to “simplify operations and reduce internal complexity”. The proposed changes will impact 600 roles across sales and support functions. ERJ report
Titan International Inc. is to close its tire manufacturing facility in Jackson, Tennessee by the end of October as part of plans to “consolidate production” and improve operational efficiency in North America. ERJ report