The Indian rubber industry is undergoing transformations, owing to compulsions of globalisation, according to Rubber Board chairman Sajen Peter.
He was delivering the inaugural address at the Industrial Awareness Programme, conducted jointly by the Rubber Board and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at the Rubber Research Institute of India on Friday.
Mr. Peter pointed out that the current changes witnessed by the industry have reflected in the consumption pattern of natural rubber (NR). “An example of this change is the fact that there is a decreasing demand for lower grades of NR with increasing levels of radialisation of tyres,” he said.
He also noted that India had, till recently, maintained the status of an NR-producing country. This is gradually transforming into that of a major consuming country, he said.
K. Ambarasu, Deputy Director General, Southern Region of BIS, presented the programme objectives. W.R. Paul, Director, Thiruvananthapuram Branch Office of BIS; P. Arumugam, Specification Officer, Rubber Board; and K.C. Chacko, Manager (Quality Assurance), Rubber Board made presentations on various aspects of quality control and certifications for NR industries.
Industry manufacturers presented their views, opinions and feedback on the practical aspects of BIS certifications at the function.
R.C. Mathew, Director and Head, Thiruvananthapuram Branch Office of BIS, welcomed the gathering. Dr. M. Sunny Sebastian, Director (P&PD), Rubber Board, proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.
