Tyre makers flag concerns over natural rubber availability

KOCHI: The domestic availability of natural rubber (NR) continues to be bleak despite the fact that NR prices are ruling at a 13-year high, the industry body of Indian tyre makers, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) stated on Tuesday.

Raising concern over the delay in updating data on the production and consumption of NR by the state-run Rubber Board, ATMA members have estimated NR production at 225 thousand tonnes which is 37 per cent lower than the 356 thousand tonne production figure published by Rubber Board for the corresponding period in the previous year.