Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 7: The National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) and the Rubber Board have joined hands to strengthen India’s rubber industry and reduce its dependence on imports.
The collaboration will focus on research, technology and new solutions for the rubber sector. The aim is to improve domestic production, processing and product development while helping the industry meet the growing demand for rubber in the country.
India is a major consumer of natural rubber, with the tyre industry accounting for a large share of overall demand. As domestic consumption remains higher than production, imports continue to play an important role in meeting the supply gap.
The new initiative could therefore have a positive impact on the domestic rubber market. Greater use of research and technology could help improve productivity, quality and processing efficiency, eventually reducing the need for imported rubber and rubber-based materials.
For rubber growers, stronger domestic demand could provide better market opportunities, while manufacturers may benefit from a more reliable local supply chain. A lower dependence on overseas supplies could also reduce the industry’s exposure to international price movements and supply disruptions.
The partnership is expected to support the development of new rubber products and technologies and encourage closer cooperation between researchers, growers and industry.
The move comes as India looks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and build greater self-reliance across key industrial sectors. For the rubber industry, better technology, higher productivity and stronger domestic supply could help create a more stable and competitive market in the years ahead.
The Rubber Board continues to support research, training, cultivation and technology development across the sector, while NIIST has been working on research and technology solutions for rubber processing and product development.