Indian Tiremakers Urge End to SR Import Duties

From Reuters India comes news that Indian tire makers and other rubber users are asking the Indian government to eliminate the anti-dumping duty on synthetic rubber and to curb exports of natural rubber to reduce prices for these commodities. According to M.F. Vohra, president of the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), the Indian tire industry faces extremely challenging conditions due to higher prices for raw materials such as natural rubber, carbon black, and rubber chemicals. Natural rubber prices have risen about 20 percent in the last three months, hitting an all-time high of 141.50 rupees per kg on Aug. 1, according to the Rubber Board.