KUCHING: Natural rubber (NR), once a cornerstone of global industries, now stands at a crossroads.
While demand for NR in advanced sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs) and medical applications is growing, challenges like declining interest in rubber farming, fluctuating prices, and competition from synthetic alternatives threaten its sustainability.
Commenting on the situation, UCSI University Chemical Engineering Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim emphasised the urgent need for innovation and strategic investment to secure the industry’s future.
The decline of a regional giant
Ahmad highlighted that the ASEAN region, which accounts for nearly 85 per cent of global natural rubber production, has experienced a significant shift in recent years.
“Labour-scarce producers like Malaysia continue to see a decline. Recently, even producers with abundant labour, such as Indonesia, have not been spared,” he said.
In Malaysia, he noted that the decline in investment is evident.
“Large plantation companies have lost interest. In literally all producer countries, only smallholders remain.
“The future of natural rubber is potentially bright. However, challenges and opportunities arise from global market trends, sustainability concerns, production economics, and technological advancements,” he said.
Challenges in the industry
Explaining further, Ahmad said that low pricing is one major challenge in the industry, which has much to do with overproduction and fluctuating global demand.
He said that when prices are good, farmers tend to increase planting without proper consideration of the potential glut in supply.
“Such over-reaction to high prices has been cited as a major cause of price depression. Whereas, demand, very much dominated by tyres, does not expand as much,” he said.
He added that competition from synthetic rubber (SR) is another factor.
He pointed out that the production of SR from fossil chemicals can be easily adjusted to respond to changing demand and pricing.
“This is more difficult for NR, where harvesting only happens after a number of years of immaturity.
“Sustainability concerns are another challenge. Global markets are increasingly scrutinising farming practices, with regulations like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) affecting market access,” he said.
Emerging opportunities
Despite these challenges, Ahmad assured that the future of NR holds promise.
According to him, industries like automotive and medical sectors are increasingly leaning towards sustainable and biodegradable materials, offering NR an edge over SR.
In tyres, he explained, the shift to a higher content of NR is driven by new evidence on bioplastics resulting from tyre abrasion.
“Tyre formulation also favours NR as the use of EVs increases. The rise of EVs necessitates a fundamental redesign of tyres to improve energy efficiency, safety, and performance.
“EVs place unique demands on tyres due to their weight, torque characteristics, and energy efficiency requirements, driving innovation in tyre technology. EVs are heavier than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles because of their batteries.
“This added weight increases rolling resistance and tyre wear, requiring durable materials and construction. Reinforced sidewalls, higher load capacity ratings, and innovative compounds that resist deformation under heavy loads are essential,” he said.
He added that EVs also deliver instantaneous torque, which can lead to rapid tyre wear.
He noted that tyres must handle greater stress during acceleration without compromising lifespan or performance.
“The design calls for enhanced tread patterns and materials that improve grip while minimising wear. Minimising rolling resistance is critical to maximising EV range since tyres contribute significantly to energy loss.
“Using silica-based compounds to reduce rolling resistance is an option. NR is known for its low rolling resistance characteristics, which is why NR is preferred in aviation tyres,” he said.
In light of this, he also noted that EVs are quieter than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, making tyre noise more noticeable.
“Noise-reducing technologies like foam inserts can minimise road noise. Efficient tyre designs can reduce air drag, contributing to overall vehicle energy efficiency. There have been technological innovations for EV tyres.
“One is the development of smart tyres, which includes embedding sensors to monitor tyre pressure, temperature, and wear, maintaining optimal performance.
“The use of eco-friendly materials like NR to lower the tyre’s carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency is favoured.”
Having said that, he urged tyre manufacturers to work closely with EV producers to design tyres that meet specific vehicle requirements.
“Recycling and repurposing materials from worn-out EV tyres to address sustainability concerns has been a practice. The redesign of tyres for EVs is not merely an adaptation but a significant evolution.
“By focusing on durability, efficiency, and sustainability, tyre manufacturers can contribute meaningfully to the widespread adoption of EVs,” he said.
The role of innovation and collaboration
To unlock its potential, the NR industry must invest in innovation and collaboration.
Ahmad stressed the need for improved farming techniques to enhance productivity and quality.
“Many believe improving productivity and quality through better farming techniques can make NR more competitive.
“Diversification into value-added products and high-volume applications is necessary to stimulate non-tyre demand,” he said.
Giving examples, he said that NR can be used in roads and biofuel.
“High-volume demand can support NR prices. All such diversification requires investments in collaborative research and development.
“Improved NR production economics will no doubt attract high-value investments. Only then can NR shine,” he said.
