------------------------------------------------------------------

Dec 1, 2008

In 2015 Indonesia will become the world's largest rubber producing countries

International Rubber Study Group forecast that by 2015, Indonesia rubber output will reach 3,800,000 tons, the world's largest natural rubber producing countries.

November 26, the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) to the latest estimates show that by 2015, Indonesia will be replaced by Thailand to become the world's largest producer of natural rubber, rubber production will increase to 3,800,000 tons. At present, Indonesia is the world's second largest natural rubber producing countries.

IRSG Secretary-General said Hidde Smit Indonesia in 2008 natural rubber output is expected to reach 2,300,000 tons.

Thailand's natural rubber production is expected by 2020 to reach 3,800,000 tons; and Malaysia natural rubber production in 2020 will drop to 1,000,000 tons in 2008 to 1,200,000 tons. Malaysia is currently the world's third largest natural rubber producing countries.

Analysts said earlier that the palm oil plantation area of trees to increase natural rubber production in Malaysia is the main reason for the decline is expected.

At the same time, India's natural rubber production by 2020 to reach 1,100,000 tons at present to 800,000 tons; At the same time, natural rubber production in Vietnam by 2020 to reach 1,100,000 tons, annual output in 2008 forecast to 600,000 tons.

Smit said that by 2020, the world's natural rubber output is expected to reach 13,700,000 tons in 2008 to 9,000,000 tons. The world's natural rubber consumption by 2020 is expected to reach 14,300,000 tons.

Tire industry to reduce production capacity Thai rubber prices drop

November 27 reported that the Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry of Agriculture technical director Somchai said that by the impact of the global economic slowdown has led to large-scale layoffs Motors, for example, the U.S. General Motors (GM), Japan's Toyota Motor (Toyota), etc. . That the tire industry, worried by the impact of the economic slowdown to reduce production capacity, international rubber prices have also reduced. Tokyo rubber market closing price before the (24) also fell.

To address the problem of rubber prices, agriculture and agro-technology agency has been co-assistant secretary of the Department of La-guess to consider the requirements of cooperatives to promote the use of the Office of Cooperative Development Fund, the amount of 10 billion baht to buy rubber, waiting for future prices when sold.

The promotion of cooperative-director Deborah said that the use of the cooperative development of the Fund provides loans to be in accordance with the regulations, can only provide loans to the cooperatives. Agricultural Ministry to use the money to buy rubber, must be handed over to cooperatives applying for the loan.

Songkhla's Hat Yai rubber market prices, on the 24th film of Health at 43.77 baht per kilogram, and on the 3rd of this month's price comparison, fell 16.34 baht per kg; 3 smoke Film 45.45 baht per kilogram, 19.01 baht lower; fresh plastic Juice of 39 baht per kilogram, down 25 baht.

Bionics non-pneumatic tire cellular come out

Tire is a great invention, without tires, the car how to walk comfortably? United Wisconsin's Madison Polymer Research Center developed a different tire, it is a non-pneumatic tire of the cellular structure.

The use of bionics principle, the multi-hexagonal honeycomb structure to support each other to reduce vibration, enhance the strength of the wheel. This non-pneumatic tire has a honeycomb structure of fear fried features, of course, that is not afraid of fear fried to a certain extent of the explosion, the use of the structural design of the advantages of maintaining a certain shock at the same time maximize the performance of the improved strength of the wheel. It is not because of inflated tire, so do not have to worry about tire pressure. At the same time, so the structure can be avoided flat tires, tire noise suppression and friction heat is also more superior than ordinary tires.

At present, the cellular structure of such non-pneumatic tire of the ongoing series of tests, including by external forces to undermine the role of the stress test, damage to the structure of the trial, the test-bed rolling test bed, I believe that the completion of these tests, the real use in mass production The time for the car far away.

Hummer off-road vehicles off-road capability of the super, but the war in Iraq, most Hummer headache than roadside bombs and landmines. No matter how good the horse's legs and feet do not trip, the traditional tire explosion-proof protection is either limited or the cost. Although perhaps not an ordinary tire comfortable, but this is a great invention. It is learned that this tire has begun delivery of military use, is expected to reduce costs in 2011 with General Tire similar. Perhaps in the near future, a non-pneumatic tire of the cellular structure of the popular will be able to market a modified car.

Demand for natural rubber is expected to rebound in 2010

November 26, the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) said Wednesday the Secretary-General Hidde Smit, in 2009 and this year's natural rubber demand is expected to shrink as a result of the deteriorating global economic situation; but the demand for natural rubber is expected from 2010 onwards has been rebounding strongly.

Smit said, IRSG's latest forecast is based on data published by the International Monetary Fund.

He said in 2009 on the pessimistic view, but a significant drop in demand will lead to a sharp rebound in consumption soon.

Smit said that in 2009 global sales of new cars is expected in 2008 from the 50,000,000 dropped to about 40,000,000 or so, but the world's new car sales are expected to rebound in the 2010-2015 period to about 65,000,000.

Despite the IRSG are not allowed to give price estimates, but the global automotive sales of natural rubber a huge impact on the market, as a result of the global tire manufacturing industry accounted for the global rubber output of more than 70%.

Smit said the natural rubber price is expected to continue to follow the trend of the price of crude oil, the crude oil and synthetic rubber between the relevance of the impact.

He said that if crude oil prices fell, then the natural synthetic rubber with natural rubber prices will drop its.

IRSG According to the latest forecast shows that when global economic growth to resume when the price of crude oil is expected in the next few years will be steady near 80 U.S. dollars a barrel.

Malaysian rubber output in 2009 is expected to decline 10%

Malaysian plantation industry as well as the original product Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui said Tuesday, affected by the switch, Malaysia rubber production in 2009 is expected to be reduced by at least 10%.

Peter Chin Fah Kui said the Malaysian rubber production in 2008 is expected to reach 110-120 million tons.

The world's top three rubber producers --- Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia will meet Thursday to discuss measures to support rubber prices.

The main rubber producing countries this week to discuss measures to support prices

International rubber joint venture company (IR-Co), a senior official said Monday that the agency has been called on to hold a rubber-producing countries to discuss measures to support rubber prices. This is to convene within one month of the second meeting.
IRCo Secretary-General Yium Tavarolit said that the meeting will be held on November 27 in Bangkok. He said that the IRCo is expected to agree on measures to support rubber prices.

The global tire industry experienced "shock wave"

U.S. loan-to-time financial crisis triggered by the tsunami affected the world, real estate and automotive industries affected the most. The lower reaches of the global tire industry dragged down the auto industry, is also in a "worst-hit." Statistics show that in this year's financial crisis under the influence of the shock wave, most parts of the world tire demand dropped, original, after-sale markets at the same time in the history of a rare slump, many companies have cut the tire, the expansion projects cautious. Original, after-sale markets in the doldrums at the same time.

Rubber tire industry by the financial crisis quite heavy. Rubber tire industry this year to show the greatest feature of the original, after two major tire sales market showed an alarming decline. In general, when the original tire market downturn, after the tire market will thrive, and vice versa, as this year the two major markets in the doldrums at the same time the phenomenon is rare in the tire industry.

Automobile production companies coupled with the economic situation of people in families led to the deterioration of the driving mileage reduction in the rate of decline in the replacement tire. Related financial statements show that the Goodyear tire sales in the third quarter fell by 12.4 percent; the first nine months was also due to Bridgestone's sales lower. Lead to a significant decline in net profit.

Anomaly in the tire market in the doldrums, the global tire business is to reduce inventory, have taken "in accordance with market demand, adjust production plans," the response, cut production pressure, or even stop production. Digging to understand the current five-year business in North America following the tire dealers have been closed down nearly 90% or on the verge of collapse. Even at the world's top 10 tire companies have no choice but to do so.

Michelin North America Inc. announced that from November 1 onwards to reduce their output, Indiana, Alabama and the three tire plant by the use of light truck tire production line 8 weeks, while temporary layoffs of about 40% ( About 1,500 people). Bridgestone Firestone Inc. into the statement that the company has taken steps to implement the "sell by Ding Chan". Some of the company's production plant to extend the time for some reduction in the day-to-day plant production and the abolition of overtime. The company is paying close attention to market changes and continuously assess the market at any time to make further necessary adjustments. Goodyear Tire Rubber Company's tire plants in North America have also taken pressure producing a variety of ways. 3 birth of their cars from the factory to start production in August, and formally closed by the end of October; In addition, the first 4 car tire plant in October from late Sunday cut-off throughout the day; in the truck tire, the company has 2 Factories will be temporarily suspended until next year. Expansion projects at the tire maker said that more than cautious; as a result of the global economic slowdown will re-examine plans to expand the tire.

Michelin North America in August has made a decision based on the North American market continued to decline in the forecast, the abolition of Mexico in the new tire factory plans; Toyo Tire North America Inc. will be under construction in the United States' White tire plant expansion project delayed 6 To 12 months for completion, the project was originally scheduled to be completed before the end of 2010; Cooper Tire & Rubber Corporation component of specialized working groups within the company's existing production capacity of the United States to carry out economic census, with 90 days to complete the work, the The company said the expansion will shrink in the near future is to adjust the closure of at least a U.S. tire plant, medium and long-term goal is to gradually shift more production to low labor cost countries or regions, to change the current 75% of the capacity of the U.S. state of focus.

Fetal stem the general decline in corporate earnings, but also restricted the ability of the new investment projects and enthusiasm. Some experts predict that if in 2008 the world's total tire sales grew less than 4% of the global tire industry will experience 5 years after the beginning of the development of high-speed access to a new round of consolidation, indicates that "the winter season has arrived." As a result, in the current financial turmoil, the economic outlook uncertain, the tire industry expansion, new projects with caution.

Although the global tire industry output pressure around the middle, but not everything is in decline. Agricultural, non-road (OTR) tire market remains strong, aviation tire production line to continue to operate at full capacity in the state. So far, the world's leading OTR tire manufacturers in the market is optimistic about the prospects. Tan Tai International, Bridgestone and Michelin and so on the company's plant will continue producing at full capacity, speed up expansion in the field of OTR.

Chinese exports need a new direction

The financial crisis is often the biggest victims, some emerging market countries, particularly in export-led economic development. In recent years, China has become an annual tire products for nearly 40% of export structure. The loan-to-Wei Liu at the United States, China's tire industry is a major test of time is also new challenges and opportunities.

Chinese tire industry's staggering growth rate, which is the driving force in the international market especially in North America on the "Made in China (in China)" The growth in demand for tires. According to the China Rubber Industry Association Branch of the tires of 34 domestic-funded enterprises tire statistics, tire exports in 2007 delivered more than 52.2 percent growth last year. In recent years, China led Asia's rapid economic development has boosted the emerging markets of China and India's car sales in the region and tire manufacturers on the export of Western countries led to the rapid growth of China-centric Asia, the world's tire industry and land The tire manufacturing center.

However Cihuo crisis on China's tire industry has begun to show effects of China's tire exports sharply lower. According to the China Rubber Industry Association Statistics Branch of the tires, tires on 7, 8 and 9 this year, higher than the export growth last year marked a downward trend. Tire Branch of the statistical data shows that at the same time, in September this year, has 14 tire business losses, loss amounted to 33.3 percent, finished goods inventories reached a record high of 42.3 percent, which is a clear signal of excess production capacity.

In the face of a rapidly changing economic environment at home and abroad of the situation, there is an inevitable part of the tire companies have been unable to adapt out, only seize the opportunity to upgrade, change and novelty, an enterprise will it be possible degree of the crisis. To increase brand-building efforts to accelerate technological innovation and enhance value-added products, will become the consensus of the majority of enterprises.

Look for emerging markets has also become a tire enterprises Royal "cold" way. With the trend towards European and American markets, "Made in China" the world's new direction will be gradually transferred to South America to the Middle East, Russia, Africa, ASEAN and other countries and regions represented by the emerging markets.

Indonesian tire producers start all over again into Africa and the Middle East market

November 16, despite news the U.S. and Europe, a weak export market, but another of China's tire business opportunities in October from the tire manufacturer in China since the beginning of the export market to Africa and several countries in the Middle East.

Indonesia Tire Association (APBI) General Chairman of the Sri Azizan. Barnetta (Aziz Pane) said that the export market to Africa and the Middle East countries, for the United States and Europe to make up for weaker export markets caused by the deficit. "In 2008, the remaining three months, it is difficult to achieve export targets, so we have to transfer."

Initially, APBI set in the year 100,000,000 55,000,000 U.S. dollars to the United States and Europe, export targets, but the face of the crisis, since the 2008 mid-, APBI Amendment to the United States and Europe only to become targets exports 100,000,000 20,000,000 U.S. dollars only.

Between September 2008 and as a result of a more serious global crisis, 2 to the region, only the total value of exports 85,000,000 U.S. dollars, manufacturers more confident that we can not meet the target, since the beginning of October, manufacturers have begun to export to the Middle East and Africa , The export targets set for the total value of 35,000,000 U.S. dollars, as exports to make up for deficits in the United States and Europe, so this year 100,000,000 20,000,000 U.S. dollars to meet sales targets. To the United States and Europe, only the total value of exports 85,000,000 U.S. dollars is very low, usually every year more than the figure in September this year to the United States and Europe, with exports in 2007 100,000,000 10,000,000 U.S. dollars compared to 22.7 percent has been reduced .

Azim said, so far, only China and South Korea to the Middle East tire export market, the market for the amount of 11% and 30% respectively. As Indonesia have just 7% of the amount of the market. "We think that can raise at least 10-12 percent."

Africa and the Middle East to enhance the market is not impossible, as a result of the quality of our products manufactured in China and South Korea than good, so that the factors that manufacturers are confident that the product can be accepted by the region 2.

At the same time, if in accordance with the global, manufacturers agreed to by the end of 2008 under the export targets of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars more than the previous low 1,500,000,000 U.S. dollars. However, the indicators than in 2007 1,000,000,000 U.S. dollars greater exports. APBI set tires this year, output reached 42,000,000 targets set next year 45,000,000 production targets.

Sri Azizan said that while the global crisis facing the attack, but not foreign buyers canceled orders for the contract. The only crisis in the domestic market and abroad, a weak export market, with the result that manufacturers warehouse piled up a lot of tire products.

He called on the Government to intervene immediately to the manufacturer to provide incentives so that the tire industry will not get a better settlement.

Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to reduce rubber production

Thai Rubber Association, noted that in October this year, the agricultural futures markets as world oil prices and commodity prices have reduced sharply. In particular the decline in rubber prices more than 40%, from the international financial crisis led to the decline in auto sales, so that the world demand for rubber also lower. However, since the recent Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to reduce oil production, together with the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates 0.5 percent, the rubber market has tended to turn for the better. At present, the domestic rubber price of 60 baht / kg, rubber growers are still at an acceptable level.

Thai Rubber Association, oppose government intervention in the market price of rubber, because of the recognition that the Association will have an impact on the market mechanism, and stressed the Thai rubber industry is still solid growth. In addition, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia at the meeting of the three countries also agreed to reduce production of 215,000 tons of rubber, and the three countries cut off the old rubber trees Levin 1,056,250, of which 400,000 Levin Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, 343,750 Lai Lai 312,500 in order to reduce market access The number of rubber. As for next year's domestic rubber price trend will depend on the fluctuations in world oil prices, as petroleum-based synthetic rubber accounting for 60% of the market, while the remaining 40% is domestic production of natural rubber.

Thailand this year is expected to rubber exports to 2,750,000 tons, up 3.0%, 20% increase in exports, mainly to benefit from Prior to the rubber prices. As for the export of rubber in 2009 the trend is expected exports may be reduced to 2,600,000 tons.