The rubber industry focuses on high-end, green, and intelligent solutions to drive improvement

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　　According to Sinochem New Network, in 2025, China’s rubber industry continued to experience positive growth in terms of output value, sales revenue, export value, and profits. By 2026, the industry will face challenges such as tightening domestic demand and increased export competition. In response, industry enterprises must regard quality as their lifeline, accelerate the optimization of industrial layouts and the upgrading of product structures, and improve levels of intelligent manufacturing as well as green and low-carbon practices. This is the message conveyed at the 21st China Rubber Annual Conference, held by the China Rubber Industry Association in Qingdao, Shandong, on March 25. 　　According to Xu Wenying, president of the China Rubber Industry Association, although the growth rates of the output value, sales revenue, export value, and profits in China’s rubber industry declined last year, all of these figures still showed positive growth. Among them, the value of exported waste rubber showed a significant increase, with the export rate of tires reaching 52.7%. 　　Regarding the development trends of the rubber industry in 2026, Xu Wenying noted that in the first half of this year, the industry will face challenges such as tightening domestic market demand, sharp fluctuations in raw material prices, and increased competition in product exports. The situation is expected to improve in the second half of the year, but export pressures will still persist; it is anticipated that domestic rubber companies will slow down their investment pace. At the same time, China’s vigorous development of new forms of productive capacity will increase the demand for high-quality rubber products. 　　“Quality must be regarded as the lifeline of the industry and enterprises in order to cope with the challenges posed by rising raw material prices. At the same time, the industry needs to accelerate the optimization of its industrial layout and the upgrading of its product structure, in order to further improve its green and low-carbon capabilities. ”Xu Wenying emphasized. 　　Xu Haidong, executive deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period marks the starting stage for China’s automotive industry to move from being large in scale to being strong. For the tire industry, leading companies will accelerate the establishment of factories overseas; new energy and intelligence will become the key drivers of growth, with efforts to develop high-end supporting products as well as own brand products. 　　“Establishing factories overseas must comply with the laws of the market economy, and proper management of these overseas facilities is essential. Small and medium-sized enterprises should focus on production, while larger companies need to take responsibility for research and development in technology. All competitive products must stem from a company’s ability to innovate, its investment in scientific research and development, and its long-term brand building efforts. ”**Yuan Zhongxue, director of the Rubber and Tire Engineering Technology Research Center and honorary chairman of Sailun Group Co., Ltd., pointed out. 　　Shen Jinrong, chairman of Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd., said that it is necessary to utilize \"AI+data\" technology to create a new paradigm for the research, development, production, and sales of tires based on high-quality manufacturing. “\"AI+data\" technology can improve the suitability of tires for vehicles and various scenarios, enhance production efficiency, and reduce energy consumption. But at the same time, it is also necessary to weigh factors such as the cost of AI and corporate benefits. 　　Yang Tianmei, Secretary of the Party Committee of Qingdao University of Science and Technology, said that in the future, intelligence, sustainability, high-end development, and integration will become the main directions for the transformation and upgrading of the rubber industry. The school will align itself with the requirements for the development of new forms of productive capacity, focus on the needs of industrial development, jointly establish innovation platforms, and work together to build a school-industry community in order to contribute to the creation of a strong rubber industry.